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Mogao Cave 61: Life of the Buddha - Reflections on the Farming Process
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Mogao Cave 61: Life of the Buddha - Reflections on the Farming Process
CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Five Dynasties (907–960)
Located on the back (west) wall, this scene depicts Prince Siddhartha and other members of the royal family on a visit to the countryside, where the prince observes the exhausting work of cultivating the fields. A distant mountain range is visible in the background and five people on horseback ride toward the farm. Farmers work at plowing the fields with oxen, their arms raised to lash the animals with whips. Birds follow behind eating the worms and insects uncovered by the plow. After witnessing all these scenes of toil and death, great compassion is generated in the mind of the young prince. An inscription to the left narrates the scene. |
