The descent from the sky of the Thirty-three gods in Samkashya. East Tibet, second half...

The descent from the sky of the Thirty-three gods in Samkashya. Thangka from a sequel devoted to the main episodes of the life of the Buddha. East Tibet, second half of the 19th century. Xylography painted on canvas. After the miraculous episode of Shravasti, the Buddha disappeared during the three months of a rainy season. The texts report that it was during this period that he went to heaven of the thirty-three gods (trayastrimha) in order to teach doctrine there. His return to Earth is particularly well staged: during the full moon of Ashvina (September-October), accompanied by the gods Brahma and Shakra, the Blessed returned to our world in the city of Samkashya using a divine staircase made of crystal, gold and silver. On the right: Mount Meru. On the top right: the Buddha teaching in heaven of the thirty-three gods, at the top of Mount Meru. At the top: the monk Maudgalyayana flies to the sky of the thirty-three gods to ask the Buddha to return to Earth. In the center: the descent to Samkashya.