Buddhist avadanas were epitomised by Ksemendra in AD 1052 in the 108 chapters of his Avadana-kalpalata, when the light of Buddhism and its artistic glories were flickering out in Kashmir. Ksemendra eternalised the beauty of the fading murals of the cloisters in the variegated hues of his poetic art to transcend the oblivion of time. Sakyasri The Great Pandita of Kashmir carried it along with him to Tibet in 1204. It was translated into Tibetan in AD 1272. It became a classic and a mode for literary style in Tibetan. Ever since it was painted scrolls of exquisite charm. In the 18th century, gyur.med.ye.ses.rtse.brtan had thirty wooden blocks executed at the printery of the Narthang monastery, with a central woodcut, to illustrate the complete poem. The present volume reproduces the 31 woodcuts in their original xylographic form, as well as sketches to show the details. The reproductions are in the mega size of 23x36 inches for the clarity of each detail. These are unique specimens of the Narrative Art of Tibet. The preface gives the history of the text and its depiction, as well as narrates the stories of the 108 avadanas.

ISBN 13: 9788177420654

ISBN 10: 8177420658

Year: 2005

Language: ENGLISH

Pages etc.: Second edition of 1972: 94p.+(58 loose leaves; size: 23x36inches), 29cm.

Binding: Hardbound

Subject(s): Buddhism