Item: Shakyamuni Buddha - Avadana (teaching stories)

Avadana Painting #20 containing stories 100-105. From a set of 22 tangkas and 108 stories.

(100) Punyaprabhasa and the Karma of Desire, the story of an elephant is used as an example in a teaching on rampant desire.
(101) The Filial Love of Syamaka, honouring one's parents, a very sad story that ends well.
(102) The Compassionate Lion, the heroism and friendship between a lion and an elephant.
(103) Prince Priyapinda's Conciliation, a prince averts war between two neighbouring kingdoms.
(104) The Rabbit's Selfless Offering, a rabbit sings the praises of a reclusive forest lifestyle and then jumps into a bonfire.
(105) The Karma of the Sage Raivata, a humble monk explains that the laws of karma are never inexplicable.

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 Chopel, 19th century. (Based on the Bodhisattvavadanakalpata of Kshemendra, 11th century). Translated by Deborah Black. Berkeley: Dharma Publishing, 1997.]

Jeff Watt 4-2000

Thematic Sets
Collection of Shelley & Donald Rubin
Subject: Narrative Sets (no central figure)
Painting Set: Avadana, Palpung Style (Rubin Set 1)
Painting Style: Kham Region (Kham-ri)
Painting Set: Avadana Composition (Situ Panchen Design) Main Page