Item: Shakyamuni Buddha - Avadana (teaching stories)

Avadana Painting #11 containing stories 43-48. From a set of 22 tangkas and 108 stories.

(43) The Pure Conduct of King Kanakavarna, top right, a story about giving culminating in a rain shower of jewels upon the entire kingdom.
(44) Hiranyapani's Hands of Gold, a story about actions in a previous birth.
(45) Ajatashatru's Treachery, the evil deeds of a king and the consequences.
(46) Kritajna Discovers the Power of Truth, previous life stories of the Buddha and Devadatta.
(47) The Trunks of the Shala Trees, a story about cause and effect, naga princes and kings.
(48) Sarvarthasiddha's Visit to the Naga Realm, a story about diligence and motivation, the search for the wish fulfilling jewel.

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