The World of Men and Animals

14th century

Represented here and in the painting The World of Devas (F1904.342), are parts of the Six Realms of Existence into which living beings may be reborn according to Buddhist beliefs. In this painting are the worlds of men and animals, which correspond closely to the natural world of human experience. Nonetheless, according to Buddhist ideas, that realm is governed by illusion, desire, and sorrow. Hunting and other acts that involve oppression and destruction of one living being by another are illustrated here. This painting, like F1904.342, was created to give tangible form to complex Buddhist ideas regarding illusion, attachment, and rebirth.