Kizil Cave 199: Illustration of the Hells

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This mural was originally situated on the left wall of the main chamber. Six scenes from the Dirgha Agama, which describe how beings in the hells are punished, are portrayed.
There are only fragments left of the first scene, which had a blue background. The background of the second scene is a bluish-purple and displays various tortures, including being forced into a jar. The illustration is meant to portray the horrors of being in hell. The third scene had a green background, much of which has faded to white. In the center of the third scene is a kneeling victim, brownish red in color, with hands tied. On the victim’s left are two disheveled spirits pouring flaming substances from their bowls.
The fourth scene has a vermilion background, where, on the lower right, a naked figure kneels with hands on the ground, looking backward. Two ghosts, each holding a long spear, prepare to stab the back of the victim. The background of the fifth scene is blue, where another reddish brown victim kneels on the ground to the left. His hands are tied and behind him a ghost holding a knife prepares to behead the man. The sixth scene has an orange background, with mountains to the left and right, and a goat-head on each summit. Between the mountains are five victims who suffer in flames which erupt around them. The two mountains appear to move toward each other. When they meet, they will crush the beings who are in between them.