Item: Shakyamuni Buddha - Jataka (previous lives)

Previous Life Stories of the Buddha (Tibetan: kye rab. Sanskrit: Jataka): A painting from a large set of approximately twenty-one paintings depicting one-hundred and eight stories, created in a Central Tibetan Menri School painting style. (See other paintings from the same Jataka set).

In Himalayan and Tibetan culture the Jatakas are commonly depicted in art and follow a famous Indian text called the Jatakamala narrating thirty-four morality tales often using animals as the central subject. This set of paintings depicts the original thirty-four stories along with an additional seventy-four making one hundred and eight stories in all, compiled by the 3rd Karmapa Rangjung Dorje. See blockprint images of all one hundred and eight Jataka stories.

At the top center is story number #28: The Teacher of Restraint, A Tale of Patience.

At the lower right is story number #29: A Visitor from Brahma, A Tale of Celestial Guidance.

At the top right is story number #30: The Elephant, A Tale of Self Sacrifice.

At the bottom left is story number #31: Sutasoma, A Tale of Salvation.

At the middle left is story number #32: Prince of the Iron House, A Tale of Renunciation.

Jeff Watt 6-2006

Thematic Sets
Collection of RMA: Painting Masterworks Page
Collection: Christie's, Painting (March, 2004; NY)
Shakyamuni Buddha: Jataka Stories (Masterworks)
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art (RMA): Main Page
Shakyamuni Buddha: Jataka Stories Main Page
Painting Set: One Hundred Jataka Stories (Central Tibet)
Collection of RMA: Best of Collection 1
Subject: Narrative Examples (Greyscale)