Scene from the Life of the Buddha

After Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, was enlightened, he became a wandering teacher, delivering the message that life is suffering from which one can be released through spiritual cultivation and compassionate behavior toward all living things. This painting, from a set of eight depicting milestones in the life of the Buddha, illustrates the conversion of King Bimbisara at Vulture Peak. The Buddha is shown in deified form seated on a lotus pedestal, with his right hand raised in the gesture that indicates teaching. The lotus pedestal symbolizes the purity of Buddhist wisdom, which grows like a lotus flower from the muddy waters of delusion. All of nature—clouds, streams, and mountains—seems to emanate from his glowing figure to manifest the teaching. Heavenly beings fly from above to hear him as he sits surrounded by followers from all realms of existence. His monastic followers stand behind haloed bodhisattvas, enlightened beings who, like the Buddha in his former lives, remain in the world to help others reach enlightenment. Armored figures of the Four Guardian Kings, who protect the teaching throughout the four quarters, flank King Bimbisara and his attendants. Tiny golden wheels above their heads symbolize the Dharma, the Buddhist Law.