Folio 20 (verso), from a Gandavyuha-sutra (Scripture of the Supreme Array)

1000–1100s

Folio 20 (verso), from a Gandavyuha-sutra (Scripture of the Supreme Array), 1000–1100s. Nepal. Ink on palm leaf; average: 4.2 x 52.4 cm (1 5/8 x 20 5/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1955.49.1.b According to the text, the exemplary youth Sudhana was inspired to seek enlightenment after hearing the teachings of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Manjushri sent him to find a teacher, who explained one aspect of reaching enlightenment, and who, in turn, sent him to find another, and on until he heard the teachings of 52 teachers and reached his goal. In this text, enlightened teachers are called "True Friends" (kalyanamitra).