Kizil Cave 196: Life of the Buddha - Conversion of the Three Kasyapa Brothers by Defeating a Naga

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This painting is located on the right side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling within the main chamber. According to the “Chapter on the Three Kasyapa Brothers” of the Abhiniskramana Sutra, the three Kasyapa brothers were brahmins who performed fire rituals and had many followers. The Buddha stayed one night at their Hall of Sacred Fire and used supernatural powers to subdue the poisonous naga that lived there. The three brothers admired the Buddha tremendously and thereafter became his disciples.
In this painting, the Buddha wears a monastic robe which bares the right shoulder, and is seated on a throne in full lotus position with a snake wrapped around the upper body. The snake attempts to attack the Buddha, who calmly looks down at it. A man carrying a large vase on his shoulder is on the left, while on the right, a person holding a staff raises his arm in a gesture of surprise.