The Buddha Descending from Trayastrimsa Heaven at Sankissa
According to an apocryphal story, the Buddha visited his deceased mother Queen Maya in Indra’s heaven and shared some of his teachings. Having honored his mother, he descended a heavenly staircase to the earthly city of Sankissa where his disciples, devas and lay devotees awaited him. In this depiction, a tripartite composition shows the celestial realm of Indra’s heaven above, the city of Sankissa in the middle, and a vision of hell below. In the upper register, the golden figure of the Buddha sits in meditation while he transmits his teachings to Queen Maya, represented by the gold and emerald stupa that embodies her essence. Having completed his instruction, the Buddha descends a staircase spanning the vast oceans that separate the heavenly and earthly spheres. He is shown on the lower step about to return to the mortal realm, where hie is awaited by an assembly of disciples, devas, and lay worshippers representing a microcosm of the heterogeneous Thai society of the time. A crenulated city wall and watch tower divides the mortal realm from one of the Buddhist hells.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Buddha Descending from Trayastrimsa Heaven at Sankissa
- Period: Rattanakosan period (1782–1932)
- Date: early 20th century
- Culture: Thailand
- Medium: Banner painting; gouache, ink, and gold on linen-backed cotton
- Dimensions: Image: 73 5/8 × 32 1/2 in. (187 × 82.6 cm)
Overall with hanging rods: 75 1/4 × 35 1/8 in. (191.1 × 89.2 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2025
- Object Number: 2025.571
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Thailand (Akha)
1945–75
Thailand (Lu Mien Yao)
early to mid-1900s
Thailand (Lu Mien Yao)
1940–60
Thailand (Yao Hill)
20th century
Thailand
20th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.