Collection Online as of January 27, 2021

Sudhana and the Rishi Bhishmottaranirgosha: Folio 94 (recto), from a Gandavyuha-sutra (Scripture of the Supreme Array)

1000-1100s

Part of a set. See all set records

Nepal

Ink and color on palm leaves

Average: 4.2 x 52.4 cm (1 5/8 x 20 5/8 in.)

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1955.49.2.a

Location

not on view

Fun Fact

The sage has dreadlocks and wears a black antelope skin over his shoulder.

Description

The enlightened sage (rishi) places his hand on the pilgrim Sudhana's head and transmits his teachings through a trance-like vision. The name of his teaching is "Undefeated Banner," and the artist has painted an identifying banner behind him, at the right edge. This is one of the few paintings of this manuscript that explicitly relates to the text.

Provenance

?-1955

(Heeramaneck Galleries, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)

1955-

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Citations

The Cleveland Museum of Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art Handbook. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1958. Mentioned and Reproduced: cat. no. 752 archive.org

The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1966. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966. Reproduced: p. 233 archive.org

The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1969. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1969. Reproduced: p. 233 archive.org

The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 296 archive.org

Mace, Sonya Rhie. “Clearing the Course: Folio 348 of the Nepalese Gaṇḍavyūha-sūtra in the Cleveland Museum of Art.” Religions 2020, 11(4), 183. Reproduced: Fig. 15 doi.org