[1] The Mogao Caves, in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China served as a major nexus of Buddhist pilgrimages from the Northern Liang to the Song dynasty.

[3][4] In an area covering 6 meters squared, the niche depicts the Buddha preaching, right hand in the Abhayamudra, with a combination of two-dimensional and three-dimensional painting and sculpture of his disciples and attendants.

[4] The Mogao Caves saw increased exploration by the western world with expeditions held by Aurel Stein and Paul Pelliot in the 19th century.

[1][5] While works from Tianlongshan Grottoes are made of stone, the medium of the Dunhuang sculptures are that of clay, fibers, and straw, fixated on wooden armature and naturally dried and hardened, which serves as the skeleton of the bodhisattva.

Its upper body wears a scarf draped upon the shoulders, a jeweled necklace, with the dhoti covering the legs and feet.