Scene from the Buddha’s life story, Tenth Karmapa, Choying Dorje

The tenth karmapa, chöying dorje, among the most original artists in tibetan history, painted this remarkable scene from the buddha’s life story. On the verge of his enlightenment, prince siddhartha is seated beneath the bodhi tree. Though surrounded by the legions of obstacles and temptations he had to overcome in order to reach that point, depicted here in the form of demons and temptresses, the buddha-to-be remains tranquil, his resolve to awaken utterly unshaken. Date: 17th century.