Buddha’s Life Story Beautifully Painted
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Art has played a huge role in our lives and the lives of those who lived long in the past. Archaeologists have uncovered historical evidence that tells us stories of lost civilizations through paintings and carvings in caves. Even today, art continues to play a huge role in revealing the truth and giving insights of modern living in today’s society that is often obscured by day to day doldrums.
Art is also an important component in Buddhism, and its history goes back to the time of Buddha Shakyamuni. It is said that one of the earliest forms of Buddhist art is a painting depicting the Wheel of Life, which was described by Buddha Shakyamuni himself to one of his royal disciples, who later commissioned the painting to be made.
Artists use their art to express diverse perceptions of the world, and Buddhist art is no different. Each Buddhist artform tells a story or serves as a reminder of the methods to Enlightenment and the enlightened qualities which we wish to achieve. A learned Buddhist can even be reminded of the myriad philosophies contained within the Dharma just by glancing at a painting of the Wheel of Life, and many other paintings whose function is to help us practice the path.
Another important function of art within Buddhism is to commemorate the deeds of great masters. For instance, the 15 beautiful thangkas of Lama Tsongkhapa’s life story were painted in incredible detail for us to study and be inspired by his great activities. Through knowing the works, sacrifices and challenges that erudite masters have to endure to achieve the state of Enlightenment, we may then develop a strong resolution to brave the path of the enlightened.
Below are some beautiful pictures of the life of Buddha Shakyamuni. I am sharing this beautiful collection for everyone to once again remember the kindness of Lord Shakyamuni in turning the Wheel of Dharma in this fortunate aeon.
Tsem Rinpoche
Some more images of the Buddha
For more interesting posts:
- Life of Buddha in Stunning Paintings
- The Life Story of Lama Tsongkhapa in Art
- Dorje Shugden Illustrated Story & Graphic Novel
- Magadha Sangmo (须摩提女)
- Devadatta & Blaming Others…
Images extracted from http://goldcollect.blogspot.my/2010/07/blog-post_27.html
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Beautiful, could you please make it available in high resolution?
Excellent
Unas imágenes maravillosas muy bellas y llenas de luz. Muchas gracias.
¡De nada!
Thanking you for sharing the most dedicated and true life story of Buddha. Very interesting life journey telling and teaching us of many things to be realized. I was so much attracted to the beautiful and amazing painting. They were awesome and so much real.
There are no words to describe the Buddha’s power of silence, his dharma teaching, discipline and meditation, its extra ordinary. Hope Buddha life story can be taught in school it will truly inspire the young generation.
Thank you very much for sharing. Satu
Such a powerful and beautiful pictures of the Buddha illustrated in this manner.
感谢仁波切分享佛陀生平的事迹
每一幅彩绘都很美也说明佛陀出生到成佛所走过的路，每一张图都可以让我们深入思考，我个人喜欢这样的教学方法容易让人记住。
The Buddha Shakyamuni manifested a life as a Samyaksam Buddha (Buddhas who attained enlightened by himself and teach the Dharma, when the Dharma is forgotten) to teach the path to enlightenment. He manifested the 2 extremes, the extreme of worldly wealth and enjoyment and of asceticism and teach us the mistakes of the extremes and then practice the “middle way” which have overcome the 3 poisons, as the correct path to enlightenment.
All these have been depicted beautifully in the paintings.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these beautiful art of Buddha’s life story. I love the color as it’s very pleasing and relaxing for the eyes and mind.The colour combination is very sweet too.
I am no expert in art but the display of painting skill by this artist is truly mesmerizing. He successfully depicted different expressions of Buddha at different circumstances. The ones that capture my attention most are (1) as Buddha shaved his hair, (2) as Buddha practiced asceticism, and (3) as Buddha gave his first teaching to the 5 disciples.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing that brings images of Buddha vividly alive.
Humbly, bowing down,
Stella Cheang
The Art showing the story of Budddha Shakyamuni is so beautiful. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this piece of art with us.
The Arts depicting Buddha’s life story kinds of bring us back to that era and we have a feel of the emotion and environment at time or the way the artist of that era perceives it. This Art story portrays the key events in Buddha biography. Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing and also serve as a key reminder of Buddha Shakyamuni kindness.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing such an exquisitely beautiful presentation of the life-story of Lord Buddha in art and painting. Each painting, so carefully and passionately crafted , depicts so clearly and with such great insights, each part and stage of Buddha’s journey to enlightenment, as well as his deeds and his turning the wheel of Dharma after enlightenment, right to his passing and parinirvana.
These paintings must surely and skillfully draw those who love beauty and art, to the Dharma. Thus will art spread the Dharma as powerfully as the printed word.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this beautiful art. Yes, a beautiful art piece is made from the heart with love. I like the painting shared by Rinpoche as this beautiful painting reminds me of the greatest love and kindness of Buddha Shakyamuni.
With hand folded,
NgJesvin
Thank you Rinpoche for this exquisitely painted life story of our greatest supreme world honored enlightened teacher of all time, a philosopher, a prince that ultimately transformed into an enlightened being and subsequently laid down the paths to help us understand our transient life and gave discourses to help us elevate to higher forms of existence.
I would like to called it art in motion as it get us through swiftly and elegantly through the pictorial presentation transforming Lord Gautama’s early life right through from his birth to his passing into clear light and nirvana. It is a monumental inspiration to us through this illustration that any life’s maras can be transformed through meditation, recognizing our faults and correcting it, centering our mindfulness, be on guard of our constant unsettled mind and be unfettered by life’s poison and its upheaval paths.
“Be ye own island” as was famously said and transcribed into many version by Lord Buddha during his last moment.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing such mesmerising art conveying Lord Buddha’s life story. From such majestic and ethereal depictions, we can appreciate the artist’s reverence, care and attention to detail in his interpretation about the significant milestones in Lord Buddha’s life. Not only are such pictures a visual feast, they further serve to reflect and preserve the Dharma.
谢谢仁波切分享这天马行空的佛陀插图故事。好强的画工，画中有画，一张画胜过千言万语，只是看一张插图就可以让我们联想里面的内容故事，每一张插图都可以让我们很深入的去思考，幻想还有让我们融入故事的角色里，太精彩了。这画家果然名不虚传，可称为大师。双手合十。
Beautiful art will lead to our interest and it will bring more understanding on whatever we want to deliver. and this is such a beautiful article with gorgeous arts of Buddha Shakyamuni. I personally like education as such. More lively and more interesting. Thank you for the sharing Rinpoche.
These pictures are amazing, can clearly sees that the artist is very passionate when drawing it, the Buddha look so lively.
It has been said that picture paints a Thousand words, when going through the pictures, it says so much about Buddha’s life and the major turning points in his life.
Spirituality can spread through art, when we are motivated to promote Dharma, wherever we are or whatever we are doing, we can still promote Dharma.
I’m also not an expert on art but these beautifully painted work of art is amazing. It’s so mesmerising and every picture is so derailed. I especially loved the first picture in which Buddha’s mother is dreaming the night before Buddha was born.
And every picture tells a story. Thank you Rinpoche for these wonderful pictures.
Jill Yam
I am no connoisseur of art but these images are beautiful. The artist did a very good job with the subtle nuances of the holy images and the accompanying figures.
In the times when most people were illiterate, these images would have been very powerful as a way of conveying a tale and even in modern times when we are more literate, pictures do help in visualizing the situation of the time and place. Pictures are more memorable. As the old proverb goes – a picture paints a thousand words.
Thank you, Rinpoche for the sharing.
I discovered there is 2 types of art. One is objective art, and the other subjective art.
Subjective art is absolutely private and personal. An example of subjective art is when the artist paints to release his own inner illness and personal therapeutic purposes. It does not serve as a vision or purpose for those who view it.
Objective art is where nothing is accidental. Everything in it can be calculated, everything can be known beforehand. The artist knows and understands what he wants to convey and his work cannot produce one impression on one man and another impression on another, presuming, of course, people on one level. It will always, and with mathematical certainty, produce one and the same impression.
I love how Buddhist Art is an objective art. It’s purposeful and meaningful. Thank you for sharing this beautiful paintings. I could stare at it forever.
These are such stunning masterpieces. I totally enjoyed viewing these beautiful images of The Awakened One. The fine details are simply exquisite. The artist did a really great job with this collection. Here are my 4 favourites.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Rinpoche. What a joy for tired eyes!