Cleveland Museum of Art

Buddha's Conversion of Five Bhiksu

Li Sheng

Date

mid-1300s

Medium

handscroll; ink on paper

Culture

China, Yuan dynasty (1271–1368)

Department

Chinese Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This episode stems from the life of the historical Buddha, who, after his enlightenment, was initially hesitant about preaching his own doctrine. After much personal deliberation and prodding by deities, he finally relented. The first converts were the five guards who served him when he was still a prince. For Li Sheng, this is the pretext of the painting, which moves from the interaction of the bhiksu with the Buddha to a broader awareness of the vast surroundings of the scene.

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