Item: Shakyamuni Buddha

Shakyamuni Buddha (Tibetan: sha kya thu pa, sang gye, English: the Enlightened One, Sage of the Shakya Clan): accompanied by the Arhats Angaja, Bakula, Kanaka Bharadvaja and Rahula.

Formal in appearance with a relaxed gaze, the right hand is extended across the right knee in the Earth Touching mudra (gesture). The left is placed in the lap in the mudra of meditation supporting a black begging bowl filled with medicinal plants. The hair is piled on the crown of the head in a tuft (Sanskrit: ushnisha) topped with a gold ornament, the ears are long and pierced and the neck adorned with three horizontal lines. Wearing the orange and red patchwork robes, constructed from discarded strips of cloth, having the right arm bare, he sits in the vajra posture with the right foot over left, atop a moon disc and multi-coloured lotus, above a throne draped with orange silks. Surrounded by a nimbus of blue-orange light, the head is encircled by a green and pink areola, all framed by green foliage and pink blossoms. A low red table in front displays a white conch shell, a blue vase of pink flowers, a large bowl of precious jewels, a golden vase holding a branch of red coral and a bowl of incense.

At the left side stands Shariputra, the foremost student in the study of Abhidharma. Wearing monastic robes, he holds a mendicant staff in the right hand and a black begging bowl in the left. At the right stands Maudgalyayana, the most accomplished in magical attainments, with the same attire and hand objects.

At the top center is an ornate canopy of variously coloured silks. At the left side is the elderly Arhat Angaja holding an incense censor extended in the right hand and a fly whisk in the left, seated in a relaxed posture. At the right is Bakula holding a brown mongoose in the lap with both hands, spewing forth precious jewels; served by an attendant in front. At the lower left is Kanaka Bharadvaja with the two hands placed in the lap performing the mudra of meditation; an attendant sits at the side. A large begging bowl filled with medicinal herbs rests in front. At the lower right is the Buddha's son, Rahula, youthful in appearance, holding a jewelled tiara with both hands; fanned by an attendant standing behind.

The background and foregrounds are filled with various rich and detailed landscapes, filled with mountains, streams, ponds and vegetation.

Jeff Watt 6-99