Kizil Cave 224: Life of the Buddha - Sumagadha’s Invitation

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This mural on the central ridge of the ceiling in the main chamber depicts scenes from the Sumagadha Avadana. Sumagadha, the daughter of Anathapindada from Sravasti, practiced the Dharma since her childhood, but married into a non-Buddhist family. Her father-in-law asked her to invite the Buddha to teach at a feast in their home. Sumagadha burned incense and prayed for the Buddha’s teaching. Touched by her piety, the Buddha therefore descended from heaven with his disciples to give a teaching, after which many people of Sravasti, including Sumagadha’s husband and family, converted to Buddhism.
In the mural, Sumagadha burns incense and prays for the Dharma teaching, whereupon the Buddha descends from sky with his disciples. The illustrations from the left are: Sumagadha kneeling in prayer and burning incense; flasks of water and tableware set out in preparation for a celebratory feast; Mahacunda seated upon a high throne surrounded by blooming trees; Rahula riding a peacock; Uruvilva Kasyapa seated on a naga; Katyayana arriving on five birds with golden wings; Aniruddha riding on a lion’s back; Maudgalyayana atop a white elephant, Revata on a tiger, Subhuti upon a snowy mountain, and Mahakasyapa riding a horse.