Mythical creatures in Bagan Mural Jataka Paintings: Wet Gyi Inn Gu Pyauk Gyi temple

HNIN WUT YE LATT Lecturer, Department of Archaeology Yadanabon University, Mandalay ([email protected]) Alphawood Scholarship Batch (2018)

Celebrating Diversity in Ancient Hindu-: Mythical Creatures Inaugural Alphawood Alumni Conference (Myanmar)

Cover Thu Ya Aung November 9-11, 2019. Bagan Convener: Elizabeth Moore

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Abstract

Mythical creatures in Bagan Mural Jataka Paintings: Wet Gyi Inn Gu Pyauk Gyi temple focuses on the Jataka paintings of a single temple located at Wet Gyi Inn village in Bagan.

Types and meanings of the Mythical Creatures Wet Gyi Inn Gu Pyauk Gyi temple is a 13th century temple located near Wet Kyi Inn village to the east of Old Bagan. It a ‘double-cave type east-facing temple, with remarkable wall paintings including jataka stories. The narratives of the paintings, depicted in squares (14 by 15 centimeters) are in profile, not frontal, in six rows on 28 tiers in each wall are found near the east entrance with the depiction mythical creatures being the focus of this paper. They include deities, demons, birds and reptiles in two contexts within the Jataka narratives. In one, the mythical creature symbolizes the Bodhisattava in Jataka lives and in others it represents an additional character in the story that support the lives of Buddha and teach moral lessons. The animals in the Jataka paintings are only a fraction of the 136 kinds of animals in Bagan mural paintings (Aung Kyaing).

Analysis of the paintings identified mythical creatures as the Bodhisattava in fourteen or the previous lives of the Buddha. The most frequent is Hamsa or hintha seen in eight stories (Jataka No-32, 136, 270, 370, 379,502, 533 and 534). Next is the Dragon (Naga) in three Jatakas (Jataka No- 506, 524 and 543), the in two (Jataka No- 360 and 518) and one example of a Kinnara (Jataka No- 485). Mythical creatures as non-Bohisattava, however, are most frequently the Dragon (Naga) (Jataka No- 154,190,256,493,518,546), followed by the Hamsa (Jataka No-160) and Garuda (Jataka No- 154). There is also one example of a Belu, never depicted as Bodhisattava (Jataka No- 55 and 155).

In considering the reasons for the frequency and the difference between depictions as a Bodhisattava and as other figures in the story, it is useful to look at other uses of these mythical creatures. The hamsa is very common in India and Southeast Asian culture, seen as a vehicle of Brahma, an embodiment of knowledge and representing the individual soul or spirit. The Dragon (Naga) is likewise seen in many guises in cultures around the world. In European examples, the Naga appears representing good fortune in the High Middle Ages (circa 1000- 1300 CE). The garuda is the ‘king of birds and a vehicle of Vishnu as well as protector of

2 3 dharma. It can be seen both zoomorphic and anthropomorphic styles and as a celestial creature is the opponent of the Naga. The Kinnara and the female kinnari are half-human and half-horse in India but depicted as half-human and half-bird in Southeast Asia. The Belu (Ogre) is a hideous and yet protective creature, seen throughout the world.

Conclusion

The Jataka paintings of Wet Gyi Inn highlight differences in the use of mythical creatures in comparing depictions of the Bodhisattava and other figures. Stylistic comparisons of the murals are problematic given the deterioration and size of the murals. They blur the distinction between myth and the natural world in the selection and arrangement of elements, with the mythical creatures appearing superior in more power, strength and wisdom than single human or animal figures..

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[All photos by the author]

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Wet Gyi Inn Gu Pyauk Gyi Temple

Jataka paintings on southern wall

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Jataka paintings on northern wall

Some plots of Jataka paintings

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