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Zhang Daqian
The Past, Present, and Future Buddhas (Northern Wei dynasty)
Silk scroll Copy of the fresco in the middle layer of the south wall, Cave No. 263 of Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang. The Past, Present, and Future Buddhas refer to Kasyapa, Sakyamuni, and Maitreya respectively. The Buddha on the left is Kasyapa of the past, on the right Maitreya of the future, and in the middle Sakyamuni, the Buddha of the present. The painting implies that the existence of a Buddha is both limited and limitless in time, eternal in universe. The philosophy of Buddha begetting Buddha and taking turns is reflected. The three standing Buddhas in kasayas with bare right shoulders seem to be preaching the Dharma. Above each of the two Buddhas on the left and right side is a canopy, and Sakyamuni Buddha in the middle heads a part of the tree-shape draperies. On either side of the three Buddhas stands an assisting Bodhisattva who wears a coronet on head and a long skirt attached to the half-naked upper part of the body with the celestial clothes at the waist. Above the Bodhisattva is a Devakanya (flying goddess). The painting, which well combines the ink lines and demitint colors, displays the refined beauty with neat sketch drawing. The arrangement of the Bodhisattvas and the Devakanyas is both symmetric and full of differences.

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