Private collection, New York, purchased in the early 1990s

The Avadana Kalpalata is a collection of 108 stories based on Leaves of Heaven Tree, a text composed by Kshemendra, a Kashmiri poet who lived in the 11th century. He, in turn, based his text on the Pali canon of Buddhist scripture. The avadanas are moralistic stories which illustrate how Buddhist teachings can lead to enlightenment. Many avadanas are similar to Jataka tales, in that they are based on the previous lives of Buddha Shakyamuni, in which he lived as a Bodhisattva in various forms, demonstrating the virtues necessary to attain enlightenment. There are many ways in which the Avadana Kalpalata has been illustrated. The following three paintings are based on the Kham style, developed by Situ Panchen Chokyi Jungne (1700-1774) at the Palpung Monastery, in which the narrative stories are placed in an open landscape. There are twenty-three paintings in the Situ Panchen-designed iconography, beginning with a painting of the Buddha Shakyamuni and ending with a painting of Situ Panchen himself. Christie’s and the consignors of lots 208-255 intend to donate a portion of their proceeds received from the sale of the lot to Himalayan Art Resources, a 501(c)(3) not-for profit charity. Please note that a buyers who purchase these lots will not be eligible for any charitable contribution deduction in relation to such purchase.