Kizil Cave 80: Five Hundred Merchants Seeking Treasures in the Sea

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This painting is located on the right side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling within the main chamber. According to the karma stories, a merchant from Sravasti went to sea in search of treasures accompanied by 500 other merchants. They tried three times without success due to damage to the ship. The merchant was troubled, so he vowed to recite the Buddha’s name on the next voyage, and to offer half of the treasures they found to the Buddha upon returning home. The fourth attempt was successful and they obtained many treasures before returning safely. However, the merchant became greedy and declined to offer the treasures as promised. The Buddha then used supernatural powers to educate the merchant, who then scattered the treasures and jewels over the Buddha, creating a canopy of shelter wherever the Buddha went.
This painting illustrates the scene of the merchant offering jewels to the Buddha. In the diamond-shaped illustration, the Buddha wears a monastic robe and is seated in full lotus position on a rectangular throne, with a nimbus, aureole, and a parasol. The merchant, who wears a brocade robe, kneels on his left knee to the right. He wears a hat and holds up a large pearl as an offering.