Kizil Cave 163: Life of the Buddha - Distribution of Relics Among the Eight Kings

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This painting is located on the inner wall of the right corridor. After the Buddha entered parinirvana, eight kingdoms sent troops to fight for his relics. A brahmin named Drona used a container to divide the relics into eight portions. After the eight kings received their relics, they returned to their kingdoms and built stupas to house the relics.
Drona is depicted in the top center section of the mural. He holds a dark-colored reliquary in his left hand and reaches into it with his right. Four kings waiting to receive their share of the relics are portrayed to the left and on the bottom left, as four warriors line up outside the city gate of Kushinagar. They ride upon horses, wear armor, and hold bows and arrows in their hands, prepared to go into battle.