Unknown Artist
Today is a special day for Buddhists: Bodhi Day (also known as Rohatsu) is a Buddhist tradition that honors the day in which the Buddha—Siddhartha Gautama—is said to have achieved enlightenment. Many Buddhists celebrate it through meditation; we will celebrate it with this manuscript.
This Chinese illustrated manuscript houses the sacred text of two prominent Buddhist sūtras from the Mahāyāna tradition: the Heart Sūtra and the Diamond Sūtra. The Heart Sūtra graces the initial page of the book, while the extensive text of the Diamond Sūtra follows, composed in shimmering gold. Each page of this manuscript features a stunning illustration, totaling thirty in all, depicting various religious scenes, including Buddhist saints, priests, and protectors.
The material used for the illustration we present today consists of leaves from the ficus religiosa, also known as the Bodhi tree—a fig species native to Asia. In Buddhist tradition, this tree holds great sanctity, as it is believed to be the tree beneath which Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, India. The leaves of this tree are heart-shaped with an elongated tip, facilitating easy runoff of rain during tropical storms. The leaves are soaked in water to prepare them for painting until the green cells disintegrate, leaving only the frame intact. Afterward, they are dried and reinforced with paper. The blue background is a deliberate choice to provide a striking visual contrast to the vibrant colors used on the leaves and the gold or silver used for the text.
Beautiful, isn't it?
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P.S. Bodhisattva is a compassionate Buddhist person who defers their own enlightenment to help others on Earth break their rebirth cycles. Discover how depictions of bodhisattvas vary across different cultures. And for a deeper dive, check out the articles below!