Kizil Cave 38: Jataka of the Bodhisattva Staying Still for Birds

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu

The mural is on the left side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the main chamber. According to the Compilation of Sutras by Samgharaksa, a Bodhisattva was seated in meditation in the forest when a bird landed on his head and built a nest. The Bodhisattva was afraid to cause the nest to fall, so he remained completely still.
A thin, ascetic Bodhisattva with white hair and beard is depicted within the diamond-shaped painting. The Bodhisattva sits in full lotus position under a tree blossoming with clusters of white flowers. He wears a blue silk stole and his hands form the dhyana (meditation) mudra. A round nest with three white birds is seen on top of the Bodhisattva’s head. Because the head is tilted slightly to one side, the nest seems to be in a precarious situation.