Artwork

Buddha Preaching, a section from the Illustrated Sutra of Past and Present Karma (Kako genzai inga kyō emaki)

Buddha Preaching, a section from the Illustrated Sutra of Past and Present Karma (Kako genzai inga kyō emaki) is an unspecified painting. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The work is a painted segment from the illustrated sutra known as the *Illustrated Sutra of Past and Present Karma* (Kako genzai inga kyō emaki). It portrays the Buddha seated in a meditative posture, delivering a sermon to an assembled group of listeners. The composition is framed by a muted landscape that hints at foliage, creating a tranquil backdrop for the teaching scene.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre, the Buddha is shown cross‑legged on a raised platform, encircled by a luminous halo that signifies his enlightened presence.

At the centre, the Buddha is shown cross‑legged on a raised platform, encircled by a luminous halo that signifies his enlightened presence. He wears a red robe draped over his shoulder, a traditional iconographic element. Surrounding him are several figures in modest attire, some with head coverings, who appear absorbed in his discourse, reflecting the sutra’s emphasis on moral causality and the transmission of dharma.

Technique & Style

The painting employs bold, flowing line work characteristic of Japanese emaki scrolls, combined with a vivid palette that highlights the central figures against a subdued background. The use of strong contours and saturated colors serves to delineate the spiritual focus while the softened greens and earth tones of the distant trees suggest depth without detracting from the narrative core.

History & Provenance

This segment belongs to a larger illustrated manuscript that narrates the doctrine of karma across past and present lives. While the exact date of its creation is not specified, such emaki were typically produced in the medieval period for devotional or instructional purposes. The work has been preserved as part of a collection of religious scrolls, reflecting its role in the visual transmission of Buddhist teachings.