Descent from Heavean

The Buddha’s descent from the Trayatrimsha Heaven, where he went to preach to his mother and the gods and from whence he descended on a bejeweled ladder some months later. Directly beneath this scene, he sits in the position of "calling on the earth as witness", surrounded by a host of figures. Directly to the right, a golden emanation carries a white elephant into the side of Māyā, impregnating her with Sākyamuni. At the far right, we see the Buddha and attendants awaiting in the Tusita Heaven for his rebirth as Sakyamuni.

© Copyright 1998 Jonathan S. Bell