Buddhist Cosmology

MYANMAR

This Burmese illustration of the Buddhist universe is inscribed with the location and date “Mandalay, 1886.” In the lower half of the painting, a large fish is shown biting its own tail, encircling the mountain where the asuras and garudas reside. The gigantic colorful column rising out of the sea is a representation of Mount Sumeru. Seven smaller columns on each side symbolize a mountain range. The Trayastrimsa Heaven, depicted as a golden multi-layered pavilion, sits on top of Mount Sumeru. Sakra sits in the center of the pavilion, surrounded by heavenly beings. Two small stupas are painted beneath the palace. The stupa on the right houses a rabbit within a yellow circle representing the moon, while the left stupa contains a green peacock in a red circle representing the sun. On the left below the heavenly palace, there is a smaller pavilion in which the asuras reside. Bright colors and creative details give the painting a lively appearance.