Life of the Buddha Thangka

2,500 years ago, the devas prophesied that a great being would be born who would either become a great king or a great sage. The bodhisattva who would one day become Buddha Shakyamuni heard this prophecy from his abode in the Tushita Pure Land. Motivated by great compassion, he resolved to take rebirth as a human and once again turn the wheel of the Dharma. During his life, Buddha Shakyamuni is said to have manifested twelve deeds, as all past and future buddhas do. These deeds serve as a teaching for beings. Through his life and actions, the Buddha demonstrated the importance of karma, miracles, dedication, renunciation, impermanence and so on.The twelve deeds carried out by Buddha Shakyamuni, are:

1. The descent from Tushita, the Joyous pure land
2. Entering the mother’s womb
3. Taking birth
4. Becoming skilled in various arts
5. Delighting in the company of royal consorts
6. Developing renunciation and becoming ordained
7. Practicing austerities for six years
8. Proceeding to the foot of the bodhi tree
9. Overcoming Mara’s hosts
10. Becoming fully enlightened
11. Turning the wheel of Dharma
12. Passing into mahaparinirvana