Multipurpose Room

Parinirvāṇa of the Buddha: A Glimpse of the Buddha Śākyamuni's Last Teaching

The paintings of the parinirvāṇa of the Buddha (butsu nehan-zu) depict the scenery of the Buddha Śākyamuni entering final nirvana (i.e. passing away). In Japanese traditions, the Buddha is believed to have passed away on February 15^th and the Feast of Nirvana (nehan-e) is performed on this day to meditate on the Buddha and his virtue in front of the paintings of the Buddha entering parinirvāṇa.

Parinirvāṇa of the Buddha (butsu nehan-zu) in our collection is an impressive masterpiece created in the Edo period (1603-1868). The Buddha reclines on the bed in the center, resting his head on the right arm with his eyes closed. Bodhisattvas, disciples, lay practitioners, and dharma protectors gather around him, expressing their deep grief. Half of the sala trees surrounding his bed are also withering for sorrow. A Buddhist staff and an alms bowl wrapped in a cloth, whose owner is about to transition, are hung on one of their branches.

At the upper part of the painting is Śākyamuni's mother Māyā, who died shortly after giving birth to the Buddha, hurriedly descending from the Trāyastriṃśa heaven, the second of the six heavens in the Realm of Desire. A wide variety of animals gathering at the lower part indicate that the Buddha's lovingkindness and compassion have extended fully to all sentient beings.

In the Multipurpose Room, visitors can explore the narratives concerning the parinirvāṇa of the Buddha with a detailed explanation of major characters who are present in the parinirvāṇa painting.