Vessantara and his family weep for joy at their reunion, chapter 12 from the next-to-last life of the Buddha (Vessantara Jataka)

Chapter 12—Vessantara and his family weep for joy at their reunion

According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha lived through hundreds of previous existences before achieving buddhahood. In his nextto- last existence he was a prince named Vessantara who perfected the virtue of charity through boundless generosity. When brahmans from a drought-stricken neighboring kingdom asked him for his own kingdom's rain-bringing white elephant, he gave it. His people angrily sent him into exile. Before leaving, however, he dispensed enormous riches. Later, on the way to the forest retreat with his wife and children, Vessantara was asked first for their horses, then for their chariot, both of which he readily bestowed. Eventually he gave away his children to the brahman Jujaka, and he was only prevented from giving away his wife by a gentle trick played by the god Indra. Meanwhile the children were ransomed from Jujaka by their grandfather; Jujaka, enjoying his new life of wealth and luxury, died from overindulgence. Grandparents and grandchildren were reunited with Vessantara and his wife, and they all returned to the capital, where Vessantara resumed his royal duties.

In this painting, Vessantara and his wife are reunited with their children and with Vessantara's parents. Vessantara kneels to be embraced by his father, and his wife is embraced by her mother-in-law. The children crouch nearby. Vessantara and his loved ones weep for joy. Weeping is communicated through the gesture of holding one hand in front of the face with the heel of the palm near the eyes not only in Thai painting but also in Thai dance and drama. Paintings such as this were produced in sets to illustrate the major episodes of the holy story of Prince Vessantara. These paintings were displayed and referred to during elaborate recitations of the story at annual temple festivals.