Life of the Buddha

For its size, this is an exceptionally detailed representation of the Buddha’s life after a composition derived from northeastern India. At the center of the painting is a depiction of the Buddha’s awakening, with Mara and his host, both personifications of evil, attacking the Buddha in vain. Around the large central scene other events of the Buddha’s life are arranged chronologically from the top-right corner in a clockwise direction. Remarkably, this painting also has an extensive lineage depiction at the top and portrayals of the sixteen arhats at the sides. Additional protective deities are shown underneath the arhats in the bottom corners.