Wat Kampong Tralach Leu Main Hall: Life of the Buddha - Asita’s Prophecy

CAMBODIA, Kampong Chhnang

The murals in the main hall of Wat Kampong Tralach Leu are considered to be some of the greatest masterpieces by the Cambodian artist Tep Nimit Mak. This mural depicts the sage Asita prophesying that the newborn Prince Siddhartha will one day renounce worldly life, attain supreme enlightenment, and turn the wheel of the Dharma.
King Suddhodana and Queen Maya sit opposite the sage, Asita, within a golden palace enclosed by pentagonal walls. The king holds the prince above Asita’s head. Royal family members sit side-by-side in the courtyard. Delicately painted green trees stand out from the red ground. Interestingly, the central figures are not emphasized; all of the figures in the mural are the same size.