Manuscript of excerpts and illustrations from Buddhist texts

This manuscript, though it follows a common format, has unusually rich and interesting decorations, including two pages covered with scenes from the life of the Buddha. All the scenes relate to Prince Siddhartha, the Buddha-to-be, leaving his family and his paternal home, and renouncing his princely status to embark on his spiritual quest. These scenes are appropriate for a manuscript having to do with the ordination of a young man who has similarly left home and set aside worldly attachments to become a monk.

The text pages are adorned with birds and animals amid curling vines. At the sides of some pages are dancers with theatrical masks- also representing various birds and animals-worn high on their heads. Around them float winged cherubs presumably derived from the decoration of European books.