Kizil Cave 224: Life of the Buddha - Distribution of Relics Among the Eight Kings

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This detail of a mural was originally located on the inner wall of the right corridor. It depicts a story found in the Mulasarvastivada Vinaya-Vastu, wherein delegates from eight kingdoms arrived in Kushinagar after the Buddha’s parinirvana to obtain his relics. A brahmin named Drona mediated the conflict, dividing the relics into eight shares for the eight kingdoms to preserve.
This illustration depicts the conflict among the eight kingdoms over the relics, and the resolution to divide the relics equally. The mural is divided into upper and lower scenes. In the lower scene, the kingdoms conflict over the relics. The city wall serves as the background with an entrance gate in the middle. Four soldiers in armor are shown on each side of the gate, some waving swords while others hold spears. The distribution of the relics is depicted in the upper mural section. The figures stand within the city, surrounded by city walls. Those holding the boxes of relics are the delegates from the eight kingdoms.