Page 45 - JCAU-4-2

Tiangong Louge in Eastern Pure Land Illustrations You & Zhu

representation. “Many figure names are and the illustration probably appeared in the
untraceable. As it is impossible to know from Sui dynasty (581‒618). There are four extant
the picture the name of Buddha figures Healing Master Pure Land illustrations (Cave
painted, whether there is the specific subject 394,417,433 and 436) in Dunhuang. Pure
of sermons, and whether the scene painted is Land illustration in its infancy mainly reflects
a specific scene or contents, it is just roughly Medicine Buddha’s sermon and Dharmapāla
. (dharma protectors). Take Dunhuang Cave
referred to as the painting of sermons” [4]
“Painting of Sermons” should definitely not 394 as an example [Figure 6], in the middle
be classified as pure land illustrations due to are Medicine Buddha and retinues
uncertainties in most of its contents, but the Suryaprabha and Candraprabha, and on both
image of its figure “preaching the dharma” is sides are 12 generals as guardians holding a
at the heart of the composition of the picture burning lamp in their hands, who are “Twelve
of subsequent pure land illustration. Yaksha Generals” described in the Sutra of
A group of pictures that depict contents the Master of Healing. In addition, there are
stated in Buddha sutras are referred to as Sutra just very few objects of Eastern Healing
illustration pictures, or Sutra illustration. A Master Pure Land like treasure tree and no
picture painted based on the Flower buildings. Cave 220 of the early Tang dynasty
Adornment (Avatamsaka) Sutra is referred to is an important work in the transitional period,
an illustration of the Flower Adornment and the picture on it can be divided into upper,
(Avatamsaka) Sutra. The picture of Maitreya middle, and lower segments. The upper
in the Tuṣita Heaven (Heaven of Joy) painted segment is about taking flight, the cradle of
according to the Tuite Sutra of the “Void and adornment” discussed below,
Contemplation of Maitreya Bodhisattva's heralding appearance of tiangong louge. The
Ascent to Tushita Heaven Spoken by the middle segment has Masters of Healing
Buddha is referred to as illustrations of (seven Buddhas and eight bodhisattvas) on
3
Maitreya’s ascent . The picture of the the jeweled platform. The base with carved
Western Pure Land painted based on Three balustrades is one of the first buildings in the
Pure Land Sutras (the Longer Healing Master illustration, which is flanked
Sukhavativyuha Sutra [Infinite Life Sutra], by 12 Yakshas and treasure trees. And the
Amitayurdhyana Sutra [Contemplation Sutra] lower segment contains burning lamps, jewel
and the Shorter Sukhavativyuha Sutra ponds, and musicians and performers, with
[Amitabha Sutra]) is referred to as Western two dancers at both the east and the west with
Pure Land illustration. The Eastern Healing flowing scarves and ribbons. The dance they
Master Pure Land illustration in question is perform is called Hu whirling dance. It must
based on the Sutra of the Master of Healing, have been painted based on real models.

Figure 6. Healing Master Sutra illustration on the east wall of Cave 394 in Dunhuang during the Sui dynasty.
Source: Painting art of Dunhuang Sutra illustrations of the Sui dynasty by Zhao Shengliang.

3 Maitreya Sutra is divided into two parts: the Sutra of Maitreya's Ascent, which depicts that Maitreya Buddha preach the dharma
in“Tushita Heaven,” and the Sutra of Maitreya's Descent, which depicts Maitreya attained Buddhahood. Therefore, what is associated
with “tiangong louge”is mainly Maitreya's Ascent Sutra illustrations.

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