Nepal
17th century
Nepal
17th century
This long painting depicts Avalokiteshvara’s stories, which run here from right to left. According to one story about Simhala, the head of the merchants, when he was on a business trip at sea with his colleagues, a forceful storm capsized their boat. The merchants managed to reach the shore of an island. Beautiful women, who were actually ogresses with orange hair, welcomed them. The merchants enjoyed being with them. Simhala, however, remained alert. He saw Avalokiteshvara in the flickering flame of an oil lamp. The god told him to escape from the island as soon as possible. Simhala gathered his friends and rushed to the shore where they found a divine white horse waiting for them. Mounted on the horse, they flew over the ocean with the ogresses chasing them. Only Simhala reached home.
A vehicle for the preservation and transmission of knowledge. The Buddha’s teachings were originally passed down through oral transmission and storytelling, and stories of the Buddha’s past lives are considered an important source of inspiration and guidance.
In Buddhism merit is accumulated through engaging in positive actions that lead to positive results, such as better rebirths. Buddhists gain merit by making offerings, donating to those in need, reciting mantras, and other good deeds.
The cultivation of a strong aspiration to help sentient beings overcome suffering. In Buddhist Mahayana teaching, compassion is the seed for attaining full enlightenment.
Beings who aspire to become fully awakened like the Buddha and are dedicated to helping others on the path to enlightenment.
The Himalayan kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley were significant centers of Buddhist culture. Nepalese kings, Buddhist institutions, and ordinary people patronized the vibrant art guilds. The artistic traditions of the regions are well-known in Tibetan areas and beyond, and Newar artists have always been in high demand throughout Tibetan regions and Inner Asia.
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