Kizil Cave 188: Life of the Buddha - Poor Woman Offering a Lamp to the Buddha

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This painting is located on the left side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the main chamber. According to the “Chapter on Nanda the Beggar Woman” from the Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish, Nanda, a poor woman living in Sravasti, used the money procured from begging to purchase an oil lamp to offer to the Buddha. When it was placed before the Buddha, Nanda’s small lamp remained lit the entire night, when all of the others had extinguished.
This painting illustrates the scene where Nanda offers a lamp to the Buddha. The Buddha is seated in full lotus position on a rectangular throne. He wears a monastic robe that covers both shoulders, and has a nimbus and an aureole. A poor woman dressed in white is depicted to the right of the Buddha. She holds a lamp with both hands in an offering gesture. The use of color in this painting is fresh, simple, and elegant.