Manuscript Paintings of the 28 Buddhas

These are photographs held at the British Library in London of a Burmese manuscript containing paintings of (most of) the 28 Buddhas from Taṇhaṅkara onwards, as well as other scenes from the life of our Gotama Buddha, including his teaching of the Group-of-Five and the Kassapa brothers, and a number of his Rains Retreats.

The British Library Manuscript Number 14823 was photographed by Jana Igunma for Dr. Ujjwal Kumar during his research on the 28 Buddhas. He then passed them on to me. Ven. Udadigana Siddhattha translated the titles. Sometimes the titles in the manuscripts disagree with the Pāḷi spelling. I keep the manuscript spelling, and have placed the Pāḷi in brackets afterwards. I am very grateful to all who contributed to this project.

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to navigate through the photos below

1. Taṅhaṅkaro Mahāvīro
Taṅhaṅkara, the Great Hero

01 Buddha Taṇhaṅkara under the Milkwood Tree

2. Medhaṅkaro Mahāyaso
Medhaṅkara, one of Great Fame

02 Buddha Medhaṅkara under the Indian Coral Tree

3. Saraṇaṅkaro Lokahito
Saraṇaṅkara, the World’s Friend

03 Buddha Saranaṅkara under the Frangipani Tree

4. Dīpaṅkaro Jutindharo.
Dīpaṅkara, Resplendant One.

04 Buddha Dīpaṅkara under the Pepper Tree

5. Koṇḍañña Janapāmokkho
Koṇḍañña, the People’s Leader

05 Buddha Koṇḍañña under Sāla-Kalyāṇi Tree

6. Maṅgalo Purisāsabho
Maṅgala, the Foremost of Men

06 Buddha Maṅgala under the Iron Wood Tree

7. Sumano Sumano Dhīro
Sumana, Happy and Wise

07 Buddha Sumana under the Iron Wood Tree

8. Revato Rativaḍḍhano
Revata, Increases Delight

08 Buddha Revata under the Iron Wood Tree

9. Sobhito Guṇasampanno
Sobhita, Endowed with Virtue

09 Buddha Sobhita under the Iron Wood Tree

10. Anomadassī Januttamo
Anomadassī, Supreme Man

10 Buddha Anomadassī under the Arjuna Tree

11. Padumo Lokapajjoto
Paduma, the Light of the World

11 Buddha Paduma under the Mahā Soṇa Tree

12. Nārado Varasārathī
Nārada, the Noble Leader

12 Buddha Nāradha (Nārada) under the Mahā Soṇa Tree

13. Padumuttaro Sattasāro
Padumuttara, the Essential

13 Buddha Padumuttara under the Sālala Tree

14. Sumedho Aggapuggalo
Sumedha, Highest amongst Men

14 Buddha Sumedha under the Asoka Tree

15. Sujāto Sabba Lokaggo
Sujāta, Highest of All Worlds

15 Buddha Sujāta under the Great Bamboo Tree

16. Piyadassī Narāsabho
Piyadassī, Foremost Person

16 Buddha Piyadassī under the Kakudha Tree

17. Atthadassī Kāruṇiko
Atthadassī, Compassionate

17 Buddha Atthadassī under the Campak Tree

18. Dhammadassī Tamonudo
Dhammadassī, Dispels Darkness

18 Buddha Dhammadassī under the Bimbijāla Tree

At this point there is an unfortunate lacuna in the manuscript and only the top half of the painting of Buddha Siddhattha has survived and the following pages containing paintings of Buddhas Tissa and Phussa are missing. The manuscript resumes with the last seven Buddhas.

19. Siddhattho Asamo Loke
Siddhattha, Matchless in the World