Kizil Cave 76: Life of the Buddha - Four Encounters

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This mural was originally located on the upper central section of the left wall in the main chamber. It depicts the story of Prince Siddhartha’s four encounters with old age, sickness, death, and renunciation while riding outside the palace gates. These encounters brought about his realization of suffering and his resolve to lead a spiritual life.
In this painting, Prince Siddhartha rides a white horse and his attendant follows holding a parasol. A sick person lies on the ground on the lower left. Above him is a funeral procession with a group of figures carrying a coffin. A monk, standing in front of the horse, converses with the prince.
The composition of this painting duplicates the same lineage as the Gandharan paintings, and is similar to the early murals at Dunhuang.