Kizil Cave 80: Jatakas and Karma Stories

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This mural is on the right side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the main chamber. The 39 extant karma stories emphasize religious discipline and demonstrate the causes and consequences of greed, anger, and ignorance.
Astrological symbols and images of two standing Buddhas, a naga, a garuda, and Vayu, the wind deity, are depicted on the central ridge of the ceiling. A row of small triangular motifs with depictions of animals such as goats and deer border the central ridge, and below these are six rows of diamond-shaped illustrations of karma stories. Jataka illustrations are displayed in the lowest row within triangular motifs.
A seated Buddha can be found at the center of each diamond-shaped illustration. The Buddhas wear monastic robes and are seated either with legs crossed at the ankles or in full lotus position. Flowering tree canopies are above the seated Buddhas, all of which are differently rendered. Among the surviving karma stories are: Clam Reborn as a Heavenly Being, Teaching Hariti a Lesson, Harmony Among Animals, Queen Tisyaraksita Cutting Down the Bodhi Tree, Woman Drowning her Child in a Well, Flower Picker Reborn as a Heavenly Being, and the Story of Angulimalya.