Wat Rajasittharam Ordination Hall: Life of the Buddha - Enlightenment

THAILAND, Bangkok; Bangkok period

This mural in the Wat Rajasittharam ordination hall depicts heavenly beings gathering to pay respect to the Buddha after he attained enlightenment. Mountain ranges divide the mural into three distinct registers. The Buddha, wearing a red monastic robe, sits in lotus position on a diamond throne in the center of the upper register. His right hand reaches down, forming the bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra. The aureole resembles a niche; stylized flame patterns rise from the nimbus. Heavenly beings are arranged between the rows of mountains, all facing towards the Buddha. Only the upper halves of their bodies are visible; they wear ornaments and conical Thai headdresses. Some of them hold banners or canopies. The beings of Brahma Heaven, led by Brahma, are on the right beside the Buddha. The dark green Sakra stands at the head of the beings of Trayastrimsa Heaven on the left. A sense of vastness is imparted by the towering mountains. The golden ornaments worn by the heavenly beings make them stand out against the dark tones of the background.