Mogao Cave 55: Illustration of the Golden Light Sutra - Chapter on Jalavahana

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Song dynasty

Located to the right of the entrance on the front (east) wall, this panel depicts the “Chapter on Jalavahana” from the Golden Light Sutra. One day, coming across a drying pond, Jalavahana realized that the fish within it would die. Feeling compassion for the fish, Jalavahana rescued them by procuring more water for the pond.
The story is illustrated in the form of a vertical scroll, with six scenes drawn in sequence from bottom to top. First, the elder and his two sons are seen traveling from the city into the forest. They wear long robes and their palms are joined. Next, the three arrive at the pond to see animals eating the floundering fish. Above this, Jalavahana is pictured borrowing elephants from the king’s palace, and then the elephants are shown carrying water from the river. At the top, people pour the water into the pond and others toss food in the water for the fish. Mountains and trees decorate the background.