A mysterious object from Dunhuang Cave featuring Vajrasattva
The mysterious octagonal miniature painting on paper, discovered in the “library cave” at Dunhuang and now housed in the British Library, has confounded scholars for over a century.
Featuring intricate motifs, including what is believed to be the deity Vajrasattva and a wheel, this object exemplifies the intermingling of diverse visual traditions prevalent in Dunhuang during its era.
Likely utilized in Buddhist rituals before its deposition in the cave in the tenth century, understanding its cultural and ritual significance necessitates a multifaceted approach.
In their presentation, Mélodie Doumy, Curator of Chinese collections at the British Library, and Sam van Schaik, Head of the Endangered Archives Programme, explore the object from five perspectives: its archaeological context, physical attributes, artistic traditions, textual references in tantric Buddhist ritual texts, and its contemporary social relevance, bridging ancient practices with modern Buddhist traditions.
