Yungang Grotto 6: Life of the Buddha - Returning to the Palace

CHINA, Shanxi, Datong; Northern Wei dynasty

This illustration is located to the left of the west niche in the lower tier of the central pillar, to the left of the niche. It depicts the story of Prince Siddhartha returning to the palace, as described in the Sutra of Cause and Effect in the Past and Present. According to the sutra, when the Prince was born, the king led his soldiers and all his ministers to Lumbini Park. When they saw the rare and auspicious birth of the prince, they joined palms to pay respect to all the heavenly beings, who then picked up the prince and placed him on an elephant. Then, the king, queen, ministers, court ladies, and heavenly beings returned to the palace where there was a celebration with music and dance.
The center of the illustration depicts a heavenly being sitting on the elephant while holding the baby, Prince Siddhartha, with both hands. The elephant wears decorations and walks steadily. In front of the elephant are two musicians playing a flute and a pipa. Behind him is an attendant holding a parasol.