410 henrik h. sØrensen
in the local development of this form of Buddhism. The first phase
began roughly in the middle of the seventh century and lasted until
the late eighth century. Characteristic for this early phase are images
of Ekādaśamukha.
The second phase covers roughly the six decades of Tibetan occupa-
tion of Shazhou (ca. 785–848 C.E.). During this period Chinese Bud-
dhism and its iconography came under the influence of Indo-Tibetan
Buddhist art and developed certain unique features that are primarily
borne out in the repertoire of the local Esoteric Buddhist art. Among
this material are also several sheets drawn on paper with depictions of
how to construct various mandalas (figure 3).
Here we also find representations of mahākrodhas rendered in icon-
ographical styles not seen elsewhere in China.
Figure 3. Line-drawing after Dharmadhātu Mandala from Dunhuang.
Mogao Caves, late 8th century (courtesy Henrik H. Sørensen).