Mogao Cave 420: Illustration of the Lotus Sutra - Parinirvana

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Sui dynasty

This scene is in the center of the north slope of the ceiling and illustrates Sakyamuni Buddha passing into parinirvana on the shore of the Hiranyavati River and between two sala trees near the city of Kushinagar. The Buddha rests on his right arm on a platform and his face is painted in gold. Surrounding the Buddha are heavenly beings, Bodhisattvas, disciples, and lay Buddhists. The Buddha’s mother, Queen Maya, sits on a lotus seat next to him and wipes tears from her eyes. In front of the platform is Guhyapadavajra, who has fallen to the ground in grief. The Buddha’s last disciple, Subhadra, unwilling to witness the event, self-immolates and passes away ahead of the Buddha. On the top right is a scene of the funeral procession, and below this is a scene of the cremation.