![\"duangang](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/433\/2015\/01\/duangang-caves.jpg\")
<\/a>Teaching Buddhism? Check out the Mogao Caves in the Dunhuang oasis of the Gansu Province in China, an important stop along the ancient Silk Road. The caves\u00a0are a World Heritage site.<\/p>\n
According to UNESCO<\/a>, \u201c492 caves are presently preserved, housing about 45,000 square meters of murals and more than 2,000 painted sculptures.\u201d<\/p>\n Photographs of some of the murals and sculptures are stunning, especially those in Cave 302 \u00a0from the \u00a0time of the Tang Dynasty. The National Geographic<\/a> published a great photographic essay in 2010 called \u201cCaves of Faith. And the British Museum<\/a> has a good exhibit of Mogao murals called \u201cThe \u2018Caves of the Thousand Buddhas.'\u201d<\/p>\n Work on the caves first started in the 4th century CE and continued for over 1000 years. Consequently, the style of art changed. According to Khan Academy<\/a>, the early caves reflect Indian and western influence while later caves reflect Chinese influence.<\/p>\n The paintings also reflect \u00a0changes in belief. For example, early paintings included the Jakarta Tales while later painting deal with Pure Land Buddhism<\/p>\n Painters developed colors using pigments and gold and silver leaf.<\/p>\n How were the mural made? \u00a0They were all man made using reeds, straw, and mud covered\u00a0with a lime paste.<\/p>\n Here are some other great resources for teaching about the caves.<\/p>\n And here is a short\u00a0video clip from UNESCO.<\/p>\n\n