Superior Quality Hand Painted Mahaparinirvana From Himalayas | Buddha Passing Into Nirvana with the Finest Details

The style of this Thangka is undoubtedly Japanese- the Yamato-e style of the Kamakura period to be more precise. This style was inspired by Chinese art and used its methods- naturalistic representation of animals, use of bright colors, dividing the space with the help of features such as clouds and river, and a bird’s eye view, abundantly. The central figure of the painting is the Buddha himself, whose heavenly presence is marked by his huge body- representing the enormity of Buddhahood. Treatment of the grieving figures is tremendously fine, lending each one of them a distinct personality. Ananda has fainted, deeply struck by the pain of losing his master. At the moment of his death, the Buddha was said to have entered nirvana. Around him are his disciples in monks’ robes, a group of five bodhisattvas with golden-yellow skin, guardian deities, monks, laymen, and animal beings. From above, Some of the followers are crying inconsolably, animals can be seen facing the sky and howling in grief, while those who are aware of the truth about the impermanence of life carry composure on their faces. Two celestial beings, depicted with red skin tone appear especially distraught.

In the sky, a full moon glows in all its beauty, hinting that it is the hour just before dawn. On the right side of the painting, the Buddha’s mother Mahamaya can be seen descending from the heavens along with her attendants, covering her face with her hands as she weeps. The coming down of Maya’s soul is a quintessentially Japanese addition to the Mahaparinirvana images, where her entourage is headed by Anaritsusonja. Sal trees that flank the Buddha and his assembly bloom out of season as a homage to the great departure.