Yungang Grotto 9: Arhat and His Jealous Brother

CHINA, Shanxi, Datong; Northern Wei dynasty

Located in the third tier on the left side of the front (south) wall within the rear chamber, this carving illustrates a story found in the Samyukta Ratna Pitaka Sutra. It tells of two Arhat brothers, Aran and Tripitaka. The prime minister gave gifts to both Aran and Tripitaka, as well as donating a Buddhist temple. However, Tripitaka became jealous after learning that the gifts Aran had received were superior to his own, so he plotted to ruin his brother’s reputation with the help of the prime minister’s daughter. Aran saw through the plot and informed the prime minister, who repented for doubting Aran and subsequently banished his daughter and Tripitaka.
Carved on the upper right side is a house-shaped structure, representing the Buddhist temple donated by the prime minister. Within the structure is a seated Buddha, flanked by figures with palms joined in reverence. On the left side of the carving, a Buddha stands under a canopy with one hand forming the abhaya (fearlessness) mudra. Two smaller figures are located to the right of the Buddha; the figure on the bottom wears a monastic robe and carries a vase in one hand, and the figure at the top stands with palms joined in reverence. On the left side of the Buddha are three figures doing prostrations. The figure with bound hands on the bottom left is believed to be the daughter of the prime minister, about to be banished.