Alchi Monastery Three Story Hall: Sakyamuni Buddha Teaching the Dharma

INDIA, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh

Painted above the niche that enshrines the statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva on the north wall of the second story of Three Story Hall, Sakyamuni Buddha sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne surrounded by numerous figures listening to him teach the Dharma. The Buddha has a tall, circular usnisa and blue hair. Wearing a red monastic robe decorated with flowers and leaves, the Buddha forms a mudra with both hands. His oval nimbus is white and has a red border lined with images of the Seven Buddhas of the Past. The colorful lotus throne is supported by a crouching snow lion on each side, baring their fangs and brandishing their claws. They stand back to back and their heads turn to face each other. Below the throne there are two naga kings with four arms who join their palms together, hold objects, and look up at the Buddha.
Two gandharvas are painted beside the Buddha. The one on the left holds up a three-layered parasol, while the one on the right raises a three-layered feather fan. On the left outside of the upper half of the backrest of the Buddha’s throne, Four-Armed Brahma sits on a white swan with each hand forming a mudra or holding an object. Above him there is a deity holding a conch shell. Four-Armed Sakra is on the right, sitting on a white elephant and holding a vajra, beads, a trident, and a lotus. The deity above Sakra holds a lotus as an offering to the Buddha.
Rows of seated male and female figures making offerings are painted on either side of the Buddha. On the left, there are five male Bodhisattvas in the top row, each gently holding a flower and facing the Buddha. Nine disciples are painted in the second and third rows, all holding offering bowls and staffs. Four nobles sitting side-by-side are shown in the fourth row. On the right, there are five heavenly beings in the top row, colored in yellow, orange, white, and blue, each holding a flower between joined palms. In the second row, the first two figures have the appearance of disciples, while the two figures beside them seem to be royalty making an offering to the Buddha. Four Indian deities are shown in the third row, including a Four-Armed Shiva, whose head is topped with a coiled snake. Two of the palms are joined in front of the chest, while the other two hands hold an offering and a trident.