Bihar: Illustrated Manuscript - Life of the Buddha

INDIA, Bihar

This page from an illustrated palm leaf manuscript of the Prajnaparamita Sutra depicts three events from the Life of the Buddha: the Birth of Prince Siddhartha, the Miracle at Sravasti, and the Return from Trayastrimsa Heaven. There are also two images of a lotus topped with a seated Bodhisattva painted to cover the two burned holes used to bind the manuscript together.
The Miracle at Sravasti is painted in the center of the page. The Buddha is portrayed with long ears and a tall usnisa. His golden body is covered by a patched red monastic robe. Seated in full lotus position on a lotus throne, the Buddha forms the Dharmacakra (Dharma wheel) mudra. Flames rise from the top of the aureole and the sides of the nimbus. Two symmetrical attendants, one with green skin and the other light orange, flank the Buddha.
The image on the far left illustrates Buddha’s Return from Trayastrimsa Heaven. The Buddha wears a patched monastic robe and displays mudras with both hands. On the left beside the Buddha is Sakra, whose yellow body is covered with heavenly eyes. On the right, Shiva is portrayed as an ascetic with white skin. His upper body is exposed and his lower body is wrapped with a tiger skin. Beside Shiva is the blue Vishnu, depicted with four arms.
The Birth of Prince Siddhartha is depicted on the right side of the page. Queen Maya stands in tribhanga posture, holding on to the asoka tree as Siddhartha emerges from her right side. Another image of the prince is painted beside her right leg, illustrating the prince’s Seven Steps at Birth. Sakra stands beside the prince, sheltering him with a parasol as flowers fall from the sky.