Kizil Cave 38: Buddha Drawing Self-Portrait

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This mural is located on the right side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the main chamber. According to the “Chapter on King Asoka Donating Land” in the Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish, King Vasava was a very devout Buddhist. In order to give his citizens the opportunity to see Tisya Buddha’s appearance, he wanted to commission a drawing of the Buddha. The king ordered the artist to go to the Buddha’s realm in order to draw a likeness of him. However, the artist was unable to complete the task, so the Buddha decided to draw the image himself.
In this mural, the Buddha is seated in full lotus position on a throne. Depicted with blue hair, the Buddha wears a monastic robe which crosses the left shoulder. A multi-layered nimbus encompasses the head, and an aureole encircles the body. The Buddha holds a bowl in the left palm and a pen in the right as if drawing. Smiles with the lips slightly opened can be discerned. King Vasava stands to the left. The king holds two corners of a canvas and smiles as he watches the Buddha draw. A sala tree decorated with white flowers is seen above the Buddha.