Parinirvana of Sakyamuni, the Historical Buddha

Japan

14th century

Hanging scroll, ink, color, and gold on silk

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A reclining figure, likely Buddha, is surrounded by numerous mourners and celestial beings. The scene is set against a dark, cloudy sky with a prominent moon. A reclining figure, likely Buddha, is surrounded by numerous mourners and celestial beings. The scene is set against a dark, cloudy sky with a prominent moon. Tradition holds that on a moonlit night some 2, 500 years ago, the historical Buddha, Sakyamuni, passed away, lying on a couch in a grove of holy <I>sala</I> trees in the Himalayan foothills. As this sacred painting shows, a diverse host of mourners—humans, divine beings, all variety of animal life—witnessed his passing. The Buddha had taught them that his death was not to be mourned. After all, he achieved the state of nirvana in this life, thus freeing himself from the endle