Mogao Cave 196: Battle Between Sariputra and Raudraksa

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty

Located on the back (west) wall of the main chamber, this Late Tang period (846–907) mural is based on a story in the Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish. According to the sutra, the wealthy elder Sudatta planned to purchase Prince Jeta’s grove to build a monastery for the Buddha and his disciples in Sravasti. However, upon hearing of the plan, a group of embittered brahmins spoke to King Prasenajit and suggested a contest of supernatural powers to determine if the Buddha and his disciples were worthy of such a gift.
The mural depicts the Buddha’s disciple Sariputra defeating the non-Buddhist Raudraksa. Sariputra, on the left side of the mural, appears calm and composed. Dressed in monastic robes, he sits on a lotus throne, with a canopy hanging above him. Raudraksa sits on a throne on the right, his eyes and mouth opened wide in an expression of panic. The canopy above his throne is in the process of collapsing under strong wind conjured by Sariputra. To the left of Raudraksa’s throne, his followers climb a pole, attempting to secure the falling canopy with ropes. More figures on the right employ a ladder, desperately racing up to try to prevent further damage. Between Sariputra and Raudraksa are scenes of their magical confrontations: Vajrapanibalin destroys a mountain, a lion devours a bull, a garuda battles a naga, Vaisravana defeats a yaksa, an elephant empties a lake by drinking it, and a huge tree is uprooted by strong wind.
Below Sariputra’s throne, four disciples of the Buddha sit either with palms joined or in conversation, apparently unperturbed. In contrast, below Raudraksa’s throne, four figures shield themselves with their arms, cowering in fear. On the upper right above Sariputra, a monk announces victory by ringing a large bell, while the drum tower on the upper left above Raudraksa is destroyed by a gust of wind. Surrounding the central images are more scenes depicting Sariputra’s arrival, the conversion of the non-Buddhists, Sariputra surveying the site, and Sudatta and Prince Jeta in negotiations. The painting is roughly symmetrical, with a similar number of figures on each side. The images are brightly colored and detailed, vividly portraying Sariputra’s triumph.