Item: Shakyamuni Buddha - Avadana (teaching stories)

Avadana Painting #13 containing stories 55-62. From a set of 22 tangkas and 108 stories.

(55) King Sarvadana's Act of Mercy, a story of generosity, a king and a bird. (56) Subjugation of the Naga Gopapala, a story of discipline and strength. (57) Building of the Stupas, cause and effect. (58) King Punyabala's Practice of Giving, a story of a king and generosity. (59) The Trial's of Ashoka's Son Kunala, stories of cause and effect. (60) The Naga Kumara's Request, the Buddha visits the Naga realms. (61) The Farmer's Pure Offering, an offering of food to the Buddha. (62) Yashoda Becomes an Arhat, the results of past actions.

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