Buddhaisawan Chapel: Life of the Buddha - Renunciation
Buddhaisawan Chapel: Life of the Buddha - Renunciation
THAILAND, Bangkok; Bangkok period
The Buddhaisawan Chapel is filled with murals depicting scenes from the Life of the Buddha that date from the rule of King Rama I (reigned 1782–1809). This section of the mural portrays the Great Departure, when Prince Siddhartha cut off his hair beside the Anoma River as an expression of his decision to renounce worldly life and seek enlightenment.
The prince sits in full lotus position and turns to look at his long hair. His right hand pulls the hair taut and his left hand holds a knife against the black braid, preparing to cut. Four-Headed Brahma stands on the right, holding a parasol over Siddhartha’s head.
The figures wear golden crowns and decorative ornaments that stand out against the dark blue background. Their dynamic postures give a dramatic vitality to the mural.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting A-H, page 129.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Youlu and Wilson, Graham and Manho and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting A-H},
pages = 129,
title = {{Buddhaisawan Chapel: Life of the Buddha - Renunciation}},
volume = 14,
year = {2016}}