The illustration of Samaka Jataka,which mainly advocated the filial piety,was very consistent with traditional moral ideas of China,was popular in the Northern Dynasties,particularly in the period from the Northern Zhou to the Sui dynasties.Many examples have been preserved in Mogao Grottoes and the Western Caves of Thousand Buddhas.This article mainly studies illustrations of Samaka Jataka and discusses the development of the compositions,namely spread of the horizontal multi-scene painting and the evolvement of its forms.By comparing present examples in India,Gandhara,Kizil,Maijishan and Yungang Grottoes,and by investigating the scroll painting,story painting strip of Samaka Jataka in Dunhuang Murals and its representing methods of depicting episodes of different periods together in one painting,the author thinks that Samaka Jatakain Dunhuang Murals derived from Indian and Gandharan prototypes rather than traditional Han Dynasty ones.
