Kizil Cave 14: Bhojajaniya Jataka

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

Located on the right side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the main chamber, this painting is based on the Bhojajaniya Jataka described in the Mulasarvastivada Vinaya-Vastu. In this story, King Brahmadatta had a wise horse that was seriously injured by a lance one day in battle, but ignored its own injuries in its efforts to save the king. Before it died, the horse jumped into a lotus pond where it walked on the lotuses to return the king to his palace. The diamond-shaped painting depicts a lotus pond with swirl patterns on the water. There are six lotus flowers in the pond which the horse walks upon. The armor-clad King Brahmadatta is depicted on the horse’s back. Wearing a jeweled crown, King Brahmadatta forms a fist in front of his chest with the left hand while his right hand is extended forward. He has a nimbus and wears armor with alternating gray, green, and blue stripes. The pond is green and in the background is a blue mountain range. The contrast of the colors creates a compelling composition.