The cartouche in the upper left corner of this painting identifies the chief figure as Da-li Ming Wang, one of the ten heavenly kings and fierce protector of Buddhist thought. Wearing chest armor, he sits astride a white bull, brandishing a variety of weapons in his eight hands. Above him sits an image of Amitabha, Buddha of infinite light, of which Da-li Ming Wang is a wrathful manifestation. The theme and compositional elements of this expressive painting relate to Tibetan syle Buddhism which was popular in China during both the Ming and Ch'ing dynasties.