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The Division of the Relics (of the Buddha)
The Division of the Relics (of the Buddha)

The Division of the Relics (of the Buddha)

Place of OriginThailand
Date1800-1900
MaterialsPaint and gold on cloth
DimensionsOverall: H. 25 1/4 in × W. 19 in (64.1 cm × 48.3 cm)
Matted: H. 32 in × W. 27 in (81.3 cm × 68.6 cm)
Credit LineGift from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's Southeast Asian Art Collection
Object number2006.27.69
DepartmentSoutheast Asian Art
ClassificationsPainting
On View
Not on view
InscribedChaek phra that (the division of the relics)
More Information

After the cremation of the Buddha a war threatens to break out over custody of his ashes. A brahman takes the responsibility of apportioning them among eight kings, who later enshrine them in stupas in their capitals. The brahman manages to steal a tooth relic and hide it in his hair, but it is retrieved by the god Indra.

Relics of the Buddha-not just ashes (which were usually thought of as more like pearls than ashes), but also his teeth, hair, and alms bowl- came to have enormous importance in the Buddhist world.

The inscription on the painting reads "The division of the holy relics."

The division of the relics of the Buddha
The division of the relics of the Buddha
1800-1900
After conservation treatment
Five Buddhas of the past, present, and future; Phra Malai visiting the stupa of the hair relic in Indra's heaven; scenes from two of the previous lives of the Buddha (Sama Jataka and Nimi Jataka)
approx. 1875-1900
Phra Malai, at the Stupa of the Hair Relic in Indra's heaven, points to Maitreya arriving
Phra Malai, at the Stupa of the Hair Relic in Indra's heaven, points to Maitreya arriving
approx. 1850-1900
The holy monk Phra Malai at the stupa of the hair relic in Indra's Heaven, scenes from the story of the holy monk Phra Malai
The holy monk Phra Malai at the stupa of the hair relic in Indra's Heaven, scenes from the story of the holy monk Phra Malai
1916 or earlier
The Buddha preaching in Indra's heaven and descending to earth; below, a scene from the life of Buddha: the Buddha preaching to his father
The Buddha preaching in Indra's heaven and descending to earth; below, a scene from the life of Buddha: the Buddha preaching to his father
approx. 1875-1900
Jujaka's wife is ridiculed; she then urges her husband to ask Vessantara for his children, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side A; Another scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side B
Jujaka's wife is ridiculed; she then urges her husband to ask Vessantara for his children, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side A; Another scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side B
1800-1900
The Buddha preaching in Indra's heaven; Scenes from ten of the Buddha's previous lives
The Buddha preaching in Indra's heaven; Scenes from ten of the Buddha's previous lives
1800-1900
Standing Buddha flanked by two disciples; and five scenes of the Buddha's previous lives
Standing Buddha flanked by two disciples; and five scenes of the Buddha's previous lives
approx. 1850-1900
Standing Buddha flanked by two disciples; scene from a previous life of the Buddha: Vessantara and his family in the forest
Standing Buddha flanked by two disciples; scene from a previous life of the Buddha: Vessantara and his family in the forest
approx. 1800-1850
Vessantara gives away the chariot, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side A; Another scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side B
Vessantara gives away the chariot, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side A; Another scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side B
1800-1900
Five Buddhas of the past, present, and future, and the death of the Buddha
Five Buddhas of the past, present, and future, and the death of the Buddha
approx. 1850-1900
Indra grants Phusati ten favors before she descends from heaven to become the mother of Vessantara, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side A; Another scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side B
Indra grants Phusati ten favors before she descends from heaven to become the mother of Vessantara, a scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side A; Another scene from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka) - side B
1800-1900