Item: Shakyamuni Buddha - Avadana (teaching stories)

Avadana Painting #3 containing stories 7-11. From a set of 22 tangkas and 108 stories.

(7) The Maiden Muktalata, upper left, a story of cause and effect, a young girl, pride and rebirth. (8) The Householder Shri Gupta, bottom left, about evil plans and perseverance. (9) Jyotishka's Realization, bottom right, religious rivalry, fortunes and attachment to wealth. (10) Born from the Womb, center, a story about conception, birth, ignorance and attachment. (11) Nanda and Sundari, top right, of human and heavenly pleasures.

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