Bihar: Illustrated Manuscript Cover - Life of the Buddha

INDIA, Bihar

This is a wooden manuscript cover, probably of the Prajnaparamita Sutra. Although decorative manuscripts written on wood were popular in India during the Pala period (circa 8th–12th century), only a few examples from Bihar and Bangladesh remain.
The artwork is divided into left, middle, and right sections by burnt holes and strips of patterning. There are three scenes from the Life of the Buddha depicted in each section. From left to right, there are images of Prince Siddhartha cutting off his hair, Sakra catching the prince’s hair in an alms bowl, the naga king sheltering Siddhartha from a storm, the prince as an ascetic, Siddhartha receiving the milk rice from Sujata, the defeat of Mara and enlightenment, the conversion of the Kasyapa brothers, the Buddha seated in meditation, and the Buddha accepting offerings from devotees.
In the depiction of Siddhartha receiving milk rice, Sujata is shown milking the goat, cooking the porridge, and offering it to the prince, through which the qualities of gentleness, modesty, and compassion are expressed. All of the scenes are simply painted but effectively portray important moments from the Buddha’s life.