Mogao Ku Caves - Caves of the Northern Wei Dynasty

The Wai Caves show unmistakable signs of Indian influence both in the choice of subjects and in the methods employed. The statues are of impressive size; the wall-paintings mainly portray scenes from the life of the historical Shakyamuni Buddha.

In Cave No. 254 the wall-paintings are based on a theme dear to the hearts of Buddhists - sacrificing self for the good of others. One picture shows Prince Sudana cutting flesh from his own body with a piece of dried bamboo cane in order to feed it to a hungry tiger lying next to him. The next scene shows his parents and siblings in mourning for the dead prince.

Cave No. 259 contains the statue of a Buddhist saint. Her white face and mysterious smile have earned her the