Mural Location: Mogao Cave 220, South Wall

Mural Topic: The Western Pure Land illustrates Amitabha Buddha’s heavenly world. It was the earliest and largest-in-scale illustration of the Western Pure Land in the Mogao Caves, which set the precedent of this type of sutra transformation illustrations in Dunhuang.

Mural Content: Amitabha is sitting in the middle on a lotus throne, with both hands forming the Dharmachakra (turning of the wheel) mudra. Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Boddhisattvas stand by the Buddha's sides, forming the “Amitabha triad”. There are double tree canopies on top of Buddha’s head, apsaras and musical instruments in the air. The lotus flowers bear nine flower buds that transform into children playing in the lotus pond, representing entry into the western paradise through lotus flowers. The “Seven Treasure Land” underneath the pond is a place that has Bodhisattvas, musical performances, and fortune birds flying, depicting a happy and peaceful life.

壁画位置：莫高第220号窟，南壁通壁大画

壁画主题：西方净土变描绘了阿弥陀佛所在的西方极乐世界。此壁画为莫高窟最早，场面最大的西方净土变，开敦煌此类经变画之先驱。

壁画内容：阿弥陀佛坐于正中莲花宝座，双手作转法轮印。观音菩萨、大势至菩萨则分坐于佛陀两侧，称为“西方三圣”。佛祖头顶有双树华盖，空中有飞天和乐器。莲花池内莲花生九朵花蕾，化生童子，在池中嬉戏，象征往生者从莲花中化生进入西方极乐世界。水池下方为“七宝地”，上有众多菩萨、舞乐表演、瑞鸟展翅，呈现一派歌舞升平的气象。