This mural comes from a monastery in Shanxi province called the Temple of Expansive Victory (Guangshengsi). Tejaprabha, Buddha of Radiant Light, was believed to control the constellations and to protect against celestial catastrophes. An earthquake severely damaged the monastery in 1303, and it is possible that this mural was commissioned in response to that calamity.
Tejaprabha sits here on a lotus throne surrounded by a constellation of figures representing the Eleven Celestial Luminaries-the Sun, Moon, and Five Planets of traditional Chinese astronomy and the four imaginary Dark Stars. The painting technique uses strong sweeping outlines of black ink, filled with bright mineral colors, particularly cinnabar red and malachite green, with a subtle use of blue highlights. The figures are solemn and substantial, counterbalanced by fluid drapery lines, flying scarves and transparent haloes that give the mural a sense of light gracefulness and intense, but restrained, energy.
