Jataka Thangka, Bhutan, 18th/19th CenturyBased on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who lived primarily in India during the 5th century BC, today, more than 500 million followers practice Buddhism, the world's 4th largest religion. Two major variants of practice are Theravada, which strives for the ultimate state of nirvana for the individual, and Mahayana, which strives not for nirvana, but rather to Buddhahood via states of rebirth to help others reach awakening. Known as Buddha, Gautama was believed to have lived many lives in his quest for enlightenment. Stories about his previous lives, many which originated in Hindu folklore, are called Jataka tales and often, like Aesop's fables, had morals. Thangkas are Tibetan Buddhism paintings on cotton or silk, usually depicting dieties, landscapes, or mandala, a spiritual representation of the universe. In this 18/19th century Jataka Thangka from Bhutan, a small country sandwiched between India and Tibet, featuring distemper on cloth, the Buddha's hands rest on his lap in the Dhyana (Meditation) mudra supporting a black begging bowl filled with flowers. Wearing patched saffron red robes of a fully ordained monk, he sits on a white lotus pedestal with his legs folded in vajra position, his peaceful, perfectly symmetrical face seems to be offering a slight smile. His tightly curled blue-black hair is combed into a single knot centered above his head and crested by a gold top-knot ornament, while long, split ears, signifying a prince, hang from each side of his face. He wears the patched red and saffron robe of an ordained priest as he sits on a white lotus pedestal with his legs folded in vajra position. around him, Jataka tales about previous lives of the Buddha, in both human and animal forms, teach virtues, compassion, and sacrifice. 18/19th century. Thangka has been mounted to a a wooden board. 32.25 x 25 inches