Ajanta Cave 17: Life of the Buddha - Return from Trayastrimsa Heaven

INDIA, Maharashtra, Aurangabad

This painting is found on the left wall of the antechamber and illustrates the Buddha returning to earth after his visit to Trayastrimsa Heaven to teach the Dharma to his mother. According to the Life of the Buddha, after seven days of labor, Prince Siddhartha’s mother, Queen Maya, passed away and ascended to Trayastrimsa Heaven. After the Buddha attained enlightenment, he went to this heavenly realm for three months and taught the Dharma to his mother as an expression of filial gratitude. Many heavenly beings and Bodhisattvas also gathered to listen to the teaching. Afterwards, heavenly beings built staircases of gold, silver, and crystal upon which the Buddha descended back to earth.
This mural is divided into three sections. The first depicts the Buddha teaching in Trayastrimsa Heaven, the second illustrates his descent, and the third illustrates him teaching in the human realm. The focal of the top section is the Buddha surrounded by assemblies of heavenly beings. The middle section depicts the Buddha flanked by Brahma and Sakra. On either side, kings riding upon elephants and gods with palms joined in reverence pay respect to the Buddha. The lower section depicts kings, queens, elders, and merchants in various costumes, gathered to listen to the Buddha’s teachings of the Dharma upon his return to the human realm.