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Kizil Cave 38: Prince Mahasattva Jataka
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Kizil Cave 38: Prince Mahasattva Jataka
CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu; circa 4th century
This painting is situated on the right side of the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the main chamber. According to the Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish, the Buddha was born as Prince Mahasattva, a compassionate son of King Maharatha, in a past life. One day, as the prince was in the forest, he encountered a starving mother tigress who had just given birth to cubs. She was about to eat one so as to save the others. When Mahasattva saw the scene, he decided to offer his own life to feed the tigress.
In the painting, the young prince lies beneath a blossoming tree, wearing a robe which crosses the left shoulder. His right hand lies above his head and his right leg crosses the left. The hungry tigress above him has torn away parts of his chest and his belly. |
