Himalayan Art Resources

Item: Arhat/Sthavira (Buddhist Elder) - 16 Elders: Vanavasin

གནས་བརྟན། 罗汉
(item no. 99144)
Origin Location China
Date Range 1400 - 1499
Lineages Buddhist
Size 78x50cm (30.71x19.69in)
Material Ground Mineral Pigment on Silk
Collection Private
Notes about the Central Figure

Classification: Person

Appearance: Arhat

Gender: Male

Interpretation / Description

Vanavasin the Elder (Tibetan: pag pa ne ten, nag la ne. Sanskrit: Arya Sthavira Vanavasin): the 3rd arhat from the set of 16 great arhats.

"In the mountain cave of Seven-leaves is the noble elder Vanavasin, surrounded by 1,400 arhats; homage to the One with a pointing gesture and holding a fly whisk." (Sakya liturgical verse).

The Sixteen Great Arhats are generally painted as a set. Typically the full group would include the buddha Shakyamuni, the 16 arhats, the attendant Dharmatala, the patron Hvashang and the Four Guardians of the Directions: Vaishravana, Virupaksha, Dritarashtra and Virudhaka.

Jeff Watt 5-99

Related Items
Thematic Sets
Arhat: Vanavasin (Imperial Palace Composition Style)
Arhat/Sthavira: Vanavasin Masterworks
Arhat/Sthavira: Vanavasin Main Page
Painting Set: Arhat/Sthavira (Yongle Style 1)