Kizil Cave 163

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

Situated in the east valley, this 6th century cave has an antechamber, main chamber, and corridors which form a central pillar. There is also a portico with eaves at the front which connects with Cave 162 in the west. Only the back and right walls remain of the antechamber. At the center of the back wall is a doorway leading to the main chamber, which measures 3.85 m wide, 3.6 m high, and 4.25 m deep. At either side of the back wall are doorways leading to the corridors. Both the main chamber and rear corridor have barrel-vaulted ceilings.
A shallow niche flanked by flying apsaras is on the back wall of the main chamber, with a series of circular chisel marks above it. Square chisel marks are at the top of the side walls, beneath which are rows of illustrations depicting the Life of the Buddha, with eight scenes on each wall. There are niches on either side of the entrance, and a painting of a seated Buddha remains on the semicircular section of the wall above the entrance. The central ridge of the main chamber’s vaulted ceiling displays astrological signs. Among those which remain are Vayu, Surya, and a standing Buddha holding a bowl. Four rows of diamond-shaped illustrations of karma stories and a row of triangular illustrations of the Jataka tales are depicted on each side of the ceiling.
Murals within the rear corridor depict scenes of the Buddha’s Parinirvana, Cremation, Distribution of Relics Among the Eight Kings, and Buddha Teaching the Gandharva King, along with images of standing Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and yaksas holding stupas.