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Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · Hover to magnify, click for fullscreen
Original fileParis - Bonhams 2016 - Tibet - Tangka Parinirvana de Shakamuni - XVIIème-XVIIIème siècle - 001
The central figure of the Buddha is depicted reclining on his right side upon a stone plinth, dressed in a vibrant red robe, marking his final transition into Parinirvana. Surrounding him is a dense, multi-tiered crowd of mourners; monks in dark robes offer gestures of grief, while laypeople and heavenly beings display varying expressions of sorrow and devotion. To the right, a large stylized rock formation serves as an altar for a bright orange flame, representing the cremation pyre. The painting is filled with intricate details, including diverse offerings held by the figures, and a carpet of colorful floral or gem-like motifs scattered on the ground.
This work depicts the Parinirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha, a foundational event in Buddhist tradition signifying the Buddha's final release from the cycle of rebirth (samsara) upon his physical death. It reflects the Mahayana focus on the collective mourning and spiritual guidance provided by the Buddha's disciples and celestial attendants during this terminal moment.
Mahaparinibbana Sutta
This text provides the canonical account of the Buddha's final days, his death, and the subsequent funeral rites depicted here.
Object
painting
silk
17th-18th century
Tibetan
religious
Digital Source
Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
3648 × 5472 px
Linked Data
AI AI-cataloged fields generated by gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview on April 20, 2026. Getty identifiers are AI-inferred and may require verification.