Marsha Smith Weidner on the Murals, Steles and Tablets of Qutan

Marsha Weidner has three paragraphs about Dorjechang (Qutan) in her book chapter titled, Imperial Engagements with Buddhist Art and Architecture 1. She focuses on the contents of the extensive wall murals as well as on the text of inscription tablets and steles to discuss imperial influences at the monastery.

References: 
Imperial Engagements with Buddhist Art and Architecture
Place Reference: 

Drotshang Dorjechang

གྲོ་ཚང་རྡོ་རྗེ་འཆང་
瞿昙寺
qú tán sì
Marsha Smith Weidner on the Murals, Steles and Tablets of Qutan

The Analysis of Narrative of the Murals of Qutan Si (Gautama Temple)

Link URL: 
http://www.chinaheritagequarterly.org/scholarship.php?searchterm=010_gautama.inc&issue=010#_jmp0_

Review of: Xie Jisheng and Liao Yang, 'Qutan-si huilang fozhuan bihua neirong bianshi yu fengge fenxi' (Identifying the contents and analyzing the style of the Jataka murals in the ambulatory of Qutan Temple), Gugong Bowuyuan yuankan (Palace Museum Journal), 2006.3, pp.16-43.

Entrance

This is the entrance/outer courtyard/parking lot for the monastery. To the left, out of view is the ticket office. The tall building immediately visible is the Western Stele Tower with an inscription pillar inside.

Qutan Village

This is the small town of Qutan opposite the monastery. A large construction project on the left appears to be underway across from the monastery.

Western Pillar

The first of two inscribed pillars. This one is the Tibetan-language side of the Western Pillar

Door to the Second Courtyard with Inscription Board

Looking through the door from the first courtyard, you can see the entrance to the Gautama Temple, the oldest temple building at Qutan.

Craftsmen Prostrating to the Buddha - 1

This series of murals are in a little nook on the western wall of the ambulatory. They are definitely of craftsmen since their tools are set to the side as they take a moment to prostrate. This panel stands out for the liveliness of the figures.

Craftsmen Prostrating to the Buddha - 2

This series of murals are in a little nook on the western wall of the ambulatory. They are definitely of craftsmen since their tools are set to the side as they take a moment to prostrate. This panel stands out for the liveliness of the figures.

Craftsmen Prostrating to the Buddha - 3

This series of murals are in a little nook on the western wall of the ambulatory. They are definitely of craftsmen since their tools are set to the side as they take a moment to prostrate. This panel stands out for the liveliness of the figures.

Craftsmen Prostrating to the Buddha - 4

This series of murals are in a little nook on the western wall of the ambulatory. They are definitely of craftsmen since their tools are set to the side as they take a moment to prostrate. This panel stands out for the liveliness of the figures.

Craftsmen Prostrating to the Buddha - 5

This series of murals are in a little nook on the western wall of the ambulatory. They are definitely of craftsmen since their tools are set to the side as they take a moment to prostrate. This panel stands out for the liveliness of the figures.

Murals along Outside Ambulatory - 01

A torrential flood unleashed from the upper right of this panel.

Murals along Outside Ambulatory - 03

A mountain rising ut of the water with a mandala-like diagram behind.

Murals along Outside Ambulatory - 05

An amazing Shakyamuni Buddha image on the North part of the ambulatory. The curls in the hair have a very 3D appearance that does not come through in the photos.

Murals along Outside Ambulatory - 06

Monk on a boat. If anyone can identify this character, please comment.

Murals along Outside Ambulatory - 07

An amazing Shakyamuni Buddha image on the North part of the ambulatory. The curls in the hair have a very 3D appearance that does not come through in the photos.

Murals along Outside Ambulatory - 08

Another big panle in the series of the Life of the Buddha. Need to return to photograph.

Murals along Outside Ambulatory - 09

Buddha images high up on the panels above the ambulatory. The panels seem to lead to attic space under the roof.

Northwestern corner corridor walkway up to the Hall of the Thriving Nation

The Northwest corner of the ambulatory leading up to the last main temple building

Painted Upper Panels along Outside Ambulatory - 1

Buddha images with very wavy rainbow-colored haloes. Again, these are on the upper panels of the ambulatory.

Painted Upper Panels along Outside Ambulatory - 2

Buddha images with very wavy rainbow-colored haloes. Again, these are on the upper panels of the ambulatory.

Painted Upper Panels along Outside Ambulatory - 3

Buddha images with very wavy rainbow-colored haloes. Again, these are on the upper panels of the ambulatory.

Western Pillar Inscription Detail - 1

Pillar inscription at Qutan Si tweaked for readability.

Western Pillar Inscription Detail - 2

Pillar inscription at Qutan Si tweaked for readability.

Western Pillar Inscription Detail - 3

Pillar inscription at Qutan Si tweaked for readability.

Eastern Pillar Inscription detail - 1

Pillar inscription at Qutan Si tweaked for readability.

Eastern Pillar Inscription detail - 2

Pillar inscription at Qutan Si tweaked for readability.

Eastern Pillar Inscription detail - 3

Pillar inscription at Qutan Si tweaked for readability.

Eastern Pillar Inscription detail - 4

Pillar inscription at Qutan Si tweaked for readability.

Gruschke on Drotshang Dorjechang

Gruschke dates the origins of Drotshang Dorjechang (Gro tshang lha khang go tam sde) (which Gruschke refers to as Qutan Si) to before the Ming dynasty (on the basis of imperial inscriptions in Qutan Si’s courtyard) (28 1) but draws on Ye (137 2) and Zhu (29 3) to date all existent architecture to the Ming dynasty.

The History of Gro-tshang rdo-rje 'chang (Qutansi)

Translated from the mDo smad chos 'byung (1865)1, pp. 171-173.2 (by K.