Buddha Shakyamuni in the Parileyaka Forest Attended by Animals

Accession #Features:

  • five layer parasol
  • decorated robe
  • monkey offering honey indicative of the Parileyaka forest story
  • elephant and other animals on base
  • one shoulder covered
  • single lotus seat under feet

Location: Thailand, Thonburi
Date: late 19th century
Medium: Gilt copper alloy with lacquer
Dimensions: 45 1/2 x 20 1/4 x 28 3/4 in (115.57 x 51.44 x 73.03 cm)

Full Size Image
Original Museum Website

Closeup

Accession #

mzt6moc-crop
A natural honeycomb hanging from a branch like the one the monkey is offering.

This image depicts the time the Buddha lived alone in the Parileyaka forest. While he was there the elephant Parileyaka provided him with food and hot water. Seeing the elephant’s offerings, the monkey decided to offer honey to the Buddha. That is the moment shown here. Immediately after making the offering, dancing for joy in a tree, the monkey fell onto a stump and died.

You can read the entire story on Ancient-Buddhist-Texts.net.

Thailand, Thonburi

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