Mogao Cave 148

Mogao Cave 148 was constructed during High Tang (705-781AD). This is a large nirvana cave. An inscription on the south wall in the front chamber indicates that it was constructed in the Dali 11th year (776) by Li Dabin from a famous family Li at the Longxi region, and was restored during Middle Tang, Five Dynasties, and Western Xia. This cave has a vaulted ceiling and an oblong main chamber that is wider than it is longer in shape. On the altar totally obscuring the west wall rests the stone-bodied, clay-stuccoed reclining figure of Sakyamuni, which is 14. 4 meters long and surrounded by sculptures of 83 mourning bhiksus, celestial beings and deities. On the walls above the altar is the illustration of Palinirvana Sutra from south to north walls. The inscriptions in black ink attached to each scene of the illustration, still completely preserved, are important evidences for identifying their contents. On the south side of the entrance wall is the illustration of the Mailreya Suna, and on the north side is the illustration of the BhaisaJyagutu-vaiduryaptabha-Sutra. The sutra illustrations follow the representative form of the Aparimitayus Sutra illustration, each having two side scenes of related Chapters.