Kizil Cave 80: Life of the Buddha - Boatman Rowing the Buddha Across the River

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This mural is located on the right side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the main chamber. According to the karma stories, a group of boatmen lived near a river in Sravasti. One day, the Buddha crossed the river with the help of one of the boatmen. The group then paid homage to the Buddha and invited him to their village to accept offerings. The next day, the Buddha went to the village with his disciples and taught the Four Noble Truths, bringing Dharma joy to the people.
This mural illustrates the scene wherein the Buddha rides a boat across the river. In the diamond-shaped painting, the Buddha sits in a boat adorned with a naga figurehead. He is dressed in a red monastic robe that leaves the right shoulder bare. A nimbus encircles the head and an aureole surrounds the entire body of the Buddha. A decorative canopy can be seen above. The boatman, to the right, stands near the bow with a steering pole. Two ducks swim in the water at the bottom of the painting, adding liveliness to the scene.