Item: Shakyamuni Buddha - Life Story

Shakyamuni Buddha and depictions of three of the fifteen miracles at Shravasti. This is one of a five painting set. (See HAR #7565). (See Christie's #22879).

Sanskrit: Buddha Shakyamuni Tibetan: Sang gye sha kya tu pa

According to the life story of Shakyamuni Buddha he once stayed at Shravasti in Northern India and over the course of fifteen days performed fifteen miracles or magical displays. This painting is from a set of at least five compositions depicting all fifteen miracles - three miracles per painting. Along the bottom of the composition are three four-line verses identifying the day and the miracle - one for each of the episodes portrayed above. It is possible that this painting belongs to a much larger set of compositions depicting in great detail the life story of Shakyamuni Buddha. No other paintings from this set have so far been identified.

Jeff Watt 3-2012