Assembly at Vulture Peak

JAPAN; Nara period

The 8th century painting is thought to have been created for the Lotus Dharma Assembly held to commemorate Roben, a monk of Todaiji Temple, in 773 of the Nara period. It then became the Root Mandala in the Lotus Hall of the temple. The central figure, Sakyamuni Buddha, displays the vitarka (teaching) mudra. He sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne under a hanging canopy, wearing a red monastic robe draped over his left shoulder. Sakyamuni is flanked by two large attendant Bodhisattvas and several smaller Bodhisattvas and disciples, including Candra seated within a moon disc. Vulture Peak and other mountains, a palace, forests, and spiraling clouds are painted above the Buddha. The details in the background give the painting a remote, mystical feel. There are damaged sections in the bottom register that were likely painted with figures listening to the Buddha teach the Dharma.