A Newly Identified Western Wei Medicine Buddha on the East Wall of Mogao Cave 285

A newly identified depiction of the Medicine Buddha, dating to the Western Wei Dynasty, has been discovered on the east wall of Mogao Cave 285. This finding predates previous records by several centuries and challenges existing chronologies of the Medicine Buddha cult in the Dunhuang region. The study employs textual, iconographic, and spatial analysis of sculptural programs and ink inscriptions to argue that two preaching scenes—one inscribed as 'Amitāyus Buddha' and another identified as the 'Medicine Buddha of Lapis Lazuli Crystal Radiance'—derive from the Guanding jing rather than Pure Land texts. This discovery revises our understanding of the artistic and textual foundations of Cave 285, underscoring the need for a reassessment of its broader cultural significance.

Xiong, Y. (2026). A Newly Identified Western Wei Medicine Buddha on the East Wall of Mogao Cave 285. Religions, 17(3), 334. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17030334