The Great Renunciation Drawing

During the 1990s, I learned about Buddhism and Vipassana meditation through my work as an English language editor of several books on Buddhism. This led to my illustrating a book on Buddhism and creating an image to be used on a calendar. This is the original drawing that was reproduced on the calendar, called The Great Renunciation. It depicts the poignant scene where Prince Siddhartha, with a heavy heart, renounces his beloved family and all worldly pleasures for the sake of humankind. The quiet nighttime scene shows the prince´s favourite white horse, Kanthaka, waiting to take him away, with the city in the distance. The figures are surrounded by leaves representing the Bodhi Tree under which the Bodhisatta later attained liberation. PLEASE NOTE that I measured from the narrowest points. The measurements do not include the tips of the leaves at the top left or the base of the leaves below the horse. When all of the elements are included, the measurements are 12 x 9.5 inches. May this image of the Lord Buddha help to bring peace to your home.