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Mogao Cave 454: Spread of Buddhism - King Asoka Constructing Stupas
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Mogao Cave 454: Spread of Buddhism - King Asoka Constructing Stupas
CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Song dynasty (960–1279)
This illustration is on the lower central section of the Spread of Buddhism mural, which is located on the ceiling of the corridor. It depicts King Asoka constructing 84,000 stupas. According to the Great Tang Records on the Western Regions, King Asoka divided the relics obtained from Rajagriha into 84,000 parts, and built 84,000 stupas within which they were enshrined. In the image, a large hand covers the sun, and multi-colored light radiates from between the five fingers. Small stupas are drawn within and between the rays of light. The image is simple but powerful. |
