Mogao Cave 332: Illustration of the Mahaparinirvana Sutra

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty

This mural is located on the right side of the south wall within the main chamber. It illustrates the Mahaparinirvana Sutra, which includes the scenes of Sakyamuni Buddha’s Final Teaching, Parinirvana, Mourning over the Casket, the Buddha Emerging From the Casket, the Funeral Procession, the Cremation, and the Distribution of Relics Among the Eight Kings.
In the scene of the Buddha Emerging from the Casket, the Buddha is seated on top of the opened casket, clad in a white robe, and is surrounded by Bodhisattvas, disciples, and lay devotees, all of whom are either kneeling or seated. Queen Maya is seated to the right of the casket and wears long celestial garments. In the scene of the Funeral Procession, the pallbearers are all monks, three Bodhisattvas walk in front of the casket carrying incense burners, and eight monks holding banners lead the procession. In the upper portion of the mural is a scene from the Distribution of Relics Among the Eight Kings. The kings’ troops are engaged in fierce battle outside the city of Kushinagar. Men mounted on horses rage across open fields, while further out, amidst mountains and turbulent rivers, soldiers charge into opposing camps with spears and shields.