Yungang Grotto 9: Life of the Buddha - Teaching Hariti a Lesson

CHINA, Shanxi, Datong; Northern Wei dynasty

Located in the second tier on the right side of the front (south) wall within the rear chamber, the house-like niche illustrates the story of the Buddha teaching Hariti a lesson as described in the Samyukta Ratna Pitaka Sutra. According to the story, the Buddha converted the child-eating demon Hariti by hiding one of her children from her, in order to illustrate to her the suffering that a missing child can cause for the parents. Realizing the pain of losing a child, Hariti agreed to cease harming children and convert to Buddhism. Once she had taken refuge in the Buddha, her child was returned to her.
In this depiction, Pancika and Hariti sit in relaxation posture within an imitation wooden structure. Hariti has a joyous expression on her face, and holds a small child in her arms. Surrounding the two central figures are numerous heavenly beings who either stand with palms joined or kneel. The illustration is believed to depict the moment when Hariti’s child was returned to her after her conversion to Buddhism.