The wall-painting on the south wall of Cave 217 Mogao Grottoes was previously identified as the illustrations to the Lotus Sutra.In recent years,Shimono Akiko,a Japanese scholar has denied this identification by comparing it with the Usnisa Vijaya Dharani.However,Shimono Akiko’s researches are also doubtful in many aspects.After discussing various problems concerned,this article considers that the painting is neither the illustrations to the Lotus Sutra nor the illustrations to Usnisa Vijaya Dharani.The theme of this painting has to wait for further studies.
