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Mogao Cave 148: Illustration of the Returning Favors Sutra - Chapter on the Bad Prince
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Mogao Cave 148: Illustration of the Returning Favors Sutra - Chapter on the Bad Prince
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Mogao Cave 148: Illustration of the Returning Favors Sutra - Chapter on the Bad Prince
CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty (618–907)
Located on the south slope of the ceiling within the corridor, this detail is part of the illustration of the Returning Favors Sutra that dates from the High Tang period (712–756), the oldest illustration of this sutra found in the Mogao Caves. The “Chapter on the Bad Prince” tells the story of the Good Prince of Jambudvipa who set off on a journey in search of a wish-fulfilling jewel in order to help the people of his kingdom. Accompanying him on his journey to retrieve the jewel was his younger brother, the Bad Prince, who secretly coveted the treasure for himself. After they found the jewel, the younger prince blinded the Good Prince and left him for dead. However, the Cow Deity came upon the Good Prince, licked his eyes, and restored his sight. The Good Prince returned home, reclaimed the jewel, and used it to improve the lives of his people.
This part of the mural depicts the blinding of the Good Prince and the restoration of his sight by the Cow Deity. In the upper-right corner, the Bad Prince holds his brother down and pierces his eyes with a bamboo stake. The violent action is vividly depicted, with the bad prince’s robe flaring back as he stabs downwards. In the lower register, the gray Cow Deity is shown licking the eyes of the Good Prince. Five other cows graze in a simply painted meadow. |
