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

Neten Bharadhvaja Serchen (gnas brtan bha ra dhva dza g.ser can. Sanskrit: Sthavira Kanaka Bharadhvaja): the 8th Elder from the set of Sixteen Great Elders, principal students of the Shakyamuni Buddha.

"On the wealthy [continent] of Apara-Godaniya,
Is the noble elder Kanaka Bharadvaja,
Surrounded by seven hundred Elders;
homage to the One with the two hands placed in meditation." (Sakya liturgical text).

Kanaka Bharadhvaja is more commonly portrayed with the two hands in the gesture of meditation folded in the lap, however there are various traditions depicting different poses. The full group of figures traditionally comprises twenty-five: Shakyamuni Buddha, together with the two foremost disciples - Shariputra and Maudgalyayana, the Sixteen Elders, the attendant Dharmata, the patron Hvashang and the Four Guardians of the Directions; Vaishravana, Virupaksha, Dritarashtra and Virudhaka.

Jeff Watt 9-2022