Standing Buddha flanked by two disciples; scene from a previous life of the Buddha: Vessantara and his family in the forest

A scene from the story of Prince Vessantara occupies the lower third of this tall, thin painting, the main part of which depicts the Buddha standing between two disciples.

Vessantara and his family have settled into their forest hermitage. Though the poor condition of the painting makes it hard to see exactly what is going on, it is clear that the little son squats by a pond watching either the fish there or a pair of birds in the lotuses. In the lower right corner his parents and sister keep an eye on him.

The painting, though damaged, is of unusually high quality. All the motifs, such as the sprays of roselike flowers, are lovingly detailed, and there is an air of real tenderness in the expressions of the disciples and hovering magician-ascetics as they pay homage to the Buddha.