Kizil Cave 38: Jataka of the Greedy King

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

This painting is situated on the left side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the main chamber. According to the Arthavargiya Sutra, a king named Victory was extremely greedy but never satisfied. A brahmin informed the king of a large country overseas with abundant goods and offered to pillage the country for him. The king ordered a ship be prepared, but the brahmin did not return from the voyage. The king was baffled, but after a young man named Utta taught him the Dharma, the king realized the sinfulness of greed. He henceforth performed good deeds and acts of generosity.
The king is depicted in the center of the image and wears a jeweled crown and flowing stole. He is shown with a nimbus and seated beneath a flowering tree on a cushioned seat. His legs are loosely crossed, and his palms are joined in repentance. Utta sits opposite the king, teaching the Dharma. The sketched lines are refined and fluid.