Item: Shakyamuni Buddha - Avadana (teaching stories)

Avadana Painting #8 containing stories 28-33. From a set of 22 tangkas and 108 stories.

(28) The Merit of Shrona Kotivimsha, at the upper left, a story about cause and effect and Shrona's quick attainments. (29) The Elephant Dhanapala, a story about cause and effect; the Buddha subdues the mad elephant driven forward by the hatred of Devadatta. (30) The Patience of Kashisundara, middle right, in a story about patience and a prince becoming a forest mendicant. (31) Golden-Sides, the Deer Suvarnaparshva, a story about wisdom and a deer who became a bodhisattva. (32) The Trials of Kalyanakari, a story about patience and love. (33) The Integrity of Prince Vishakha, a story about morality, cannibalism and deceit.

The Avadana paintings were conceived and sponsored by Situ Panchen Chokyi Jungne (1700-1774). From the first set of paintings numerous copies were later made.

[Story names from Leaves of the Heaven Tree, the Great Compassion of the Buddha by Padma Chophel, 19th century. (Based on the Bodhisattvavadanakalpata of Kshemendra, 11th century). Translated by Deborah Black. Berkeley: Dharma Publishing, 1997.]

Jeff Watt 4-2000