The wall paintings in Mogao Cave 17 mainly illustrate the theme of monk’s Parinirvana.The stick not only functions as a walking support but also foreshadows the tools used by Zen Masters to enlighten their followers.The daily necessities for monks in the murals stand for what they need on their way westward.The maid in the mural represents the real life of the masters at Dunhuang and reflects the influences from secular funeral murals,showing the funeral idea of treating life as death.The beauty under the tree was influenced by the worship for holy wood and reproduction in ancient India and China,which can be regarded as evidence for Chinese and Indian cultural exchanges.This paper also analyzes the elements such as the walking stick,round fan,double trees and paired deer and suggests the murals in cave 17 display what Zen masters need on their way to the Western Pure Land,and their wish to be reborn there as well as their connection to secular life.
