Kizil Cave 163: Bull Reborn as a Heavenly Being

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This painting is located on the right side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the main chamber. According to the “Chapter on Heavenly Beings Descending to Make Offerings” in the Avadanasataka, in the Kingdom of Kosala there was a pond around which 500 fierce bulls lived. When the Buddha passed by the pond he taught them the Dharma. This tamed the hearts of the ferocious bulls, who were very pleased to have seen and been transformed by the Buddha. At the end of their lives, they were reborn in the heavenly realm.
Some portions of this painting are severely damaged, including much of the Buddha’s body. What remains illustrates the Buddha seated on a rectangular throne with a nimbus and an aureole. To his right is a white bull. The bull appears suspended in the air and faces the Buddha with its head lowered and its tail flying to the side. This lively image captures the ferocious bull rushing towards the Buddha.