Astasahasrikaprajnaparamita (Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom)(detail), 12^th century
Nepalese or northeast Indian, Pala period
Pigment and ink on palm leaf
Gift of Jackson Higgs
27.586

The central painting on the palm leaf depicts the young Buddha Sakyamuni meditating and fasting, flanked by two attendants. The commission and execution of ancient scared texts and books made of palm leaves were considered meritorious for both the patron and the scribe.