Mogao Cave 172

Mogao Cave 172 was built during High Tang Dynasty (705-781 AD). This cave has a truncated pyramidal ceiling and a west niche with sculptures of a seated Tathagata in yizuo posture and bhiksus. The two sidewalls each are covered by a illustration of the Aparimitayus Sutra of different compositions and painting techniques. In the one on the south wall, the main images such as Amitabha, Avalokitesvara and Mahasthanlaprapta is painted in an overlooking view, and Me two sides of the central panel and the upper buildings are painted respectively in uplooking and parallel views. The main hall behind the central Buddha shows that the painters at that lime had been able to apply the simple principle of perspective. On the contrary, the one on the north wall contains scenes of well-organized rows of buildings and orderly layout of figures. Both illustrations have two side scenes of Queen Vaidehi and of the story of King Bimbisara and Ajatasam.
In the illustrations of Manjusri and Snmantahhadm on two sides of the entrance wall, the mountains are represented both in height and depth, the trees are painted in dark green, and the streams are symbol- ized by fine waving lines. This is an excellent work among the same illustrations of High Tang period.