ticketsMember | Make a donation

Raising the Alms-Bowl

Formerly Attributed to Zhao Boju Chinese
17th–18th century
Not on view
This painting tells the story of how the Buddha converted the child-eating demon Guizimu (Hariti, in Sanskrit) to the Buddhist faith. To show her the pain that her abductions and carnage were causing, the Buddha imprisoned one of Guizimu’s children under a magical bowl; the chaotic scene shows Guizimu’s demon armies futilely trying to lift the bowl and free the child. The Buddha watches, hovering in mid-air, backed by flames and accompanied by luohans and other followers. This painting was made with the intent to deceive: the many early collection seals are fake and were added to make the painting look older (and more valuable) than it was.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 明/清 佚名 揭缽圖 卷
  • Title: Raising the Alms-Bowl
  • Artist: unidentified artist Chinese
  • Artist: Formerly Attributed to Zhao Boju (Chinese, 11th century) in the style of Li Longmian
  • Period: Ming (1368–1644) or Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
  • Date: 17th–18th century
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Handscroll; ink, color, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: 10 3/4 x 41 3/4 in. (27.3 x 106 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1927
  • Object Number: 27.24
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Portrait of Shaoyu in the guise of Liu Ling, unidentified artist , active late 18th–early 19th century, Handscroll; ink and color on silk, China
Portrait of Shaoyu in the guise of Liu Ling
unidentified artist
ca. 1795
Portrait of Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki), unidentified artist , active late 17th century, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, Japan
Portrait of Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki)
unidentified artist
Mu'an Xingtao (Mokuan Shōtō)
1676
Amitabha, the Buddha of the Western Pure Land (Sukhavati), Distemper with gold on cloth, Central Tibet
Amitabha, the Buddha of the Western Pure Land (Sukhavati)
Central Tibet
ca. 1700
Streams and Mountains without End, Wang Yuanqi Chinese, Handscroll; ink on paper, China
Streams and Mountains without End
Wang Yuanqi
ca. 1710
Seated Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Infinite Compassion, Gilt copper alloy, Tibet or Mongolia
Seated Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Infinite Compassion
Tibet or Mongolia
17th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.