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Mogao Cave 17: Mandala
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Mogao Cave 17: Mandala
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Mogao Cave 17: Mandala
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Mogao Cave 17: Mandala
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Mogao Cave 17: Mandala
CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty to Five Dynasties (618–960); Ink and color on silk; 40 x 37.6 cm; Guimet Museum of Asian Art, Paris, France
This mandala, painted on a glossy piece of silk, dates from late 9th to early 10th century. In the central circle, a woman and a child kneel beneath a rising trail of smoke. Beside them is a Wisdom King holding a vajra, with the right foot on a lotus throne and the left foot raised.
The square frame around the circle is inscribed with the dharani from the Usnisavijaya Dharani Sutra, moving inwards in a clockwise direction. This dharani describes the merits of Usnisavijaya in 87 verses. A Chinese character representing the Sanskrit syllable om " is written four times just outside the circle |
