国立情報学研究所 - ディジタル・シルクロード・プロジェクト
『東洋文庫所蔵』貴重書デジタルアーカイブ

,...tn --

PLATE XXII

PAINTINGS FROM BEZEKLIK

Bez. v. J, K

RoM the left jamb of the entrance to the cella of the shrine. This fragment

shows the lower part of a very ornate Buddha or Bodhisattva standing on a

lotus, to whom a scantily clad man kneels in supplicating pose. The

`Buddha' is, as usual in the Bezeklik paintings, dressed in three robes; but unlike

most of the examples, two of the robes are trimmed with borders of contrasting

colours, and the treatment of the pleats in the upper robe is affected and over-

elaborated. An unusual feature is the stiff, white pleat of the waist girdle (ízdrband)

hanging from below the edge of the upper robe. Garlands of elaborate design are

looped about the figure, the links in the form of a lotus, alternately yellow and

green. Gold rosettes and pendent strings of beads occur at certain points, at the two

large loops in front and at free ends swinging to the left of the figure, carrying large,

composite tassels. From the right hand of the figure hangs a rosary of green beads.

One of the monks on plate xviii wears a rosary of black beads round his neck,

carrying a pendent cross. In the present case in place of the cross is a vajra.

Although in this figure there is a general resemblance to the Buddha of these

Bezeklik shrines, the exceptional features described give rise to some doubt as to

the identity of the present example; and the doubt is strengthened by the position

it occupied on the jamb of the entrance an unlikely place for the Buddha. Further,

there seems to be no representation of the Buddha carrying or wearing a rosary.

But the rosary is one of the symbols associated with the Bodhisattva Avalokete-

svara, as is also the vajra. The kneeling man has not the appearance of a donor; he

seems to be supplicating; and as the chief concern of Avaloketesvara is to comfort

the afflicted and to obtain clemency for the transgressor, there is a probability that

he is the deity represented here.

The supplicating figure, with arms raised imploringly towards the Bodhisattva,

although scantily clad, is rich in jewels. A kind of red jánghiy -, supported by a knotted

girdle, is drawn between the legs of the green caleçons which clothe the thighs. A gold

rosette at the midriff is surrounded by six large beads, which form the end links of

radiating bead chains holding the rosette in position, one of the chains being carried

round the hips. Armlets and bangles adorn the arms. Round the calf of the leg is the

..

queer abbreviated fur gaiter, such as those worn by the musicians in plate xxvii ; and

9   g

79