Standing Buddha With Worshipers

Qocho kingdom, 10th c. AD
Cave 20, Bezeklik Grottoes, Xinjiang

The standing Buddha, with each hand in vitarka mudra, is surrounded by Bodhisattvas, two of whom are modeled on foreigners (upper left and right corners). Merchant donors (closeup) kneel at his feet.

Bezeklik was ruled from 850 by the Buddhist Uighur state of Qocho, eventually passing into the hands of Genghis Khan in 1209.