Eight Buddha’s Life Scenes: Mural in Lokathiekpan

Lokathiekpan is a small temple near to Shwesandaw. Despite lacking of documentary evidence, the style of this temple suggests the date of Mid-Pagan Art, early 12th century A.D.

Mural at Lokatheikpan is the best example of the iconographic combination between the painting and the sculpture as the central figure is enlightenment Buddha in sculpture surrounded by the other seven scenes in the form of painting. This iconographic program follows the diagram of Astamahapatiharya or the group of the eight great events from the Buddha’s life. The representation of eight scenes was very popular before in Pala art which also represents the important pilgrimage sites.