Tag: buddhist art
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#46. Śibi-Kapota
Ajanta Cave 1 The narrative was identified by Alfred Foucher (1921, narrative no. 15). When Lord Indra complained about the imperfections of human beings, his architect Viśvakarmān drew his attention to King Śibi who was an archetype of justice and compassion. To test Śibi, Indra asked Viśvakarmān to assume a pigeon’s (kapota) appearance, while he…
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#44. Mahāsudarśana
Ajanta Cave 1 The subject was identified by Dieter Schlingloff (1987, 59f.). A great king, Mahāsudarśana, ruled over the ancient and prosperous city of Kuśāvatī (Kuśinagara). The king was known for his sense of justice and was loved by the people. Once, some citizens went to him and offered him gold, jewels, and other precious…
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#50. Maitrībala
The subject was identified by Dieter Schlingloff (1977b, 913). There lived a king by the name of Maitrībala (‘The Power of Benevolence’). He was extremely benevolent towards his subjects. Five demons, disguised as brahmans, entered his kingdom. They saw a lonely cowherd and asked him why he was not afraid of living on his own.…