Norbulingka Palace: Life of the Buddha - Birth of Prince Siddhartha

CHINA, Tibet, Lhasa; Qing dynasty

This colorful Tibetan thangka illustrates the events before and after the birth of Prince Siddhartha. The heavenly palace and white elephant in the top register represent the Buddha’s descent from Tusita Heaven. Queen Maya is in the center of the thangka, standing in tribhanga posture and holding onto a branch of an asoka tree with her right hand. A group of maids wearing golden crowns and flowing stoles stand behind the queen. Brahma is shown on the left, catching Prince Siddhartha with a stole as he emerges from the side of the queen. Sakra kneels below Brahma, offering flowers. On the left beside Sakra, there is a depiction of the stupa built in Lumbini to commemorate the birth of the prince. In the bottom left corner of the thangka, the naked prince is shown taking seven steps, with a lotus flower appearing after each one. Female heavenly beings floating on clouds above the prince pour down water to bathe him.