Kumtura Cave 63: Cakravartin Offering Lamps

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

Located on the south side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the main chamber, this image represents a scene from the Karuna Pundarika Sutra wherein a cakravartin kneels with lamps resting on various parts of his body throughout an entire night as an offering to the Buddha. Thereafter, he attained enlightenment. The cakravartin is seen kneeling to the left of the Buddha. He is joined in his offering by a brahmin who also kneels on the right, gazing up at the Buddha. The painting is colored primarily in mineral blue and green, and the characters are outlined in brown and layered with pigments of terracotta, providing the image with a slight three-dimensional effect.