Kizil Cave 114: Life of the Buddha - Cremation and First Buddhist Council

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This mural is on the outer wall of the rear corridor and depicts the scenes as described in the Mahaparinirvana Sutra. According to the sutra, when the sangha attempted to burn the Buddha’s golden coffin, it was impervious to flame. Seven days later, Mahakasyapa and other disciples returned from Vulture Peak to pay their respects to the Buddha. The Buddha responded to their despair by having the feet of his deceased body protrude from the end of the coffin. This allowed Mahakasyapa to touch his head to the Buddha’s feet in reverence. Afterward, as the body returned into the coffin, it spontaneously burned.
The mural illustrates Cremation and the gathering of the 500 disciples at the First Buddhist Council. The scene of Cremation is located on the left side of the wall where a disciple looks down at the burning coffin. Above the monk, a Bodhisattva holds a reliquary to store the Buddha’s relics. Mahakasyapa, depicted in the center of the wall, is seated beneath a tree with two apsaras before him. A depiction of the First Buddhist Council, with monks grouped together in discussion, can be seen on the right side of the wall.