Kumtura Cave 43: Five Hundred Geese Reborn as Heavenly Beings

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This mural is based on the Samyukta Ratna Pitaka Sutra and is located on the left side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the main chamber. During the time of the Buddha, some white geese appeared at Jetavana Monastery while the Buddha was giving a teaching and appeared to understand what was being said. After flying away joyfully upon the end of the teaching, they were caught by a hunter in a net. Instead of being afraid the geese spoke the words of the Buddha to him. Upon their deaths, the geese were reborn as heavenly beings.
The painting depicts the Buddha teaching the Dharma, seated in full lotus position on a lotus throne. Above the Buddha is a canopy, and encircling him is a ring of white geese. A rectangular pond is found below the lotus throne.