TIBET, 19TH CENTURY

The present example is a pilgrimage souvenir painting inspired by a trip to the Mahabodhi temple in Bihar, India. One of the oldest temples, erected where Gautama Buddha first achieved enlightenment, it has endured numerous repairs over the centuries. As there is no formal composition for the depiction of stupas, Tibetan artists are allowed freedom with their architectural representation. The winding Bodhi tree and monastery complexes in this example demonstrating imaginative artistry. It can be assumed, however, that the depiction here was inspired by the stupa's form at the beginning of the 19th century. The inscription on the bottom reads: "This thangka was dedicated in the Nepal era 923 (1803 AD) on the third day of the light moon half, on a Sunday in jyestha. The donors are Tuladhara Krishna Dhana, Tuladhara Dharma Laxmi and Krishna Mati, living Tunekhe Neta, Kantipura, Nepala. This thangka was dedicated to the late grandfather Purnasiddhi and grandmother, Dineswari. The religious idea for ordering the painting of the subject came to his mind while Krishna Dhana stayed in Lhasa, where he was on business and was a member of the Lhakampala. The name of the thangka is Bodha-Gaya."