Abstract ln the Mogao Caves built in the Northern Dynasties (439- 581 ) , paintings of the Deities should pay much attention. These mainly comprise the preaching Buddhas for the viewers to pay their homage── either Buddhas of the three periods , past , present and future , or the " Trikaya" , or episodes of Buddha’s life stories showing him preaching at different times and places to different audiences. Stucco statues occupy the central part of the caves. The statues of the early period were rather simple , comprising manly Buddhas and Bodhisattvas , such as statues of Maitreya , Sakyamuni and statues of Maitreya as the main figure k, probably in view of Maitreya’ s role in answering queries during meditation exercises. Generally , the statue of Maitreya is enshrined in the central column and in the niche altar in the upper portion of the northern and southern walls , suggesting that Maitreya has taken residence in" Tushta Heaven" high above the oth- ers
