Kizil Cave 114: Jataka of Sacrifice for a Gatha by Jumping into a Fire Pit

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This image is painted on the right side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the main chamber. According to the Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish, a prince sought the Dharma everywhere, but in vain. One day, Sakra transformed himself into a brahmin to test the prince’s determination. The brahmin informed the prince that if he willingly agreed to jump into a fire pit as an offering to the Buddha, he would recite a gatha which revealed the Dharma. The prince agreed, and after listening to the gatha, gladly leapt into the fire pit, whereupon Brahma and Sakra spared his life by transforming the pit into a lotus pond.
This illustration shows the prince, in elation upon hearing the Dharma, leaping into the pit. The prince stands submerged in a pond with flames rising behind him. He is flanked by Brahma and Sakra, both of whom have nimbuses and grasp his arms. Mountains with snakes, goats, and birds are depicted in the background.