Toling Monastery Central Hall Murals

CHINA, Tibet, Ngari; Guge Kingdom

The east-facing central hall of Toling Monastery includes an entrance hall, an assembly hall, and an inner shrine. The walls are decorated with numerous images of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Dharma protectors, heavenly beings, and highly accomplished masters. There are also depictions of Naga King, the Naga Girl, a kalavinka, and scenes from the Life of the Buddha.
The meeting of King Ode of the Guge Kingdom and Atisa is painted on the west wall of the inner shrine, along with images of a white elephant and the Naga Girl. The huge body of the white elephant is adorned with ornaments and bells. It wades through the water with the Naga Girl following behind and joining her palms above her head. Scenes from the early Life of the Buddha are painted in the lower register of the shrine’s south wall, including the Birth of Prince Siddhartha, Archery Practice, Palace Life, and the Great Departure.
The Naga Kings are depicted in the lower register of the east wall of the assembly hall. They have delicate facial features and wear pointed crowns. The front (east) wall of the entrance hall contains sixteen images of Vajranrti.