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

Pindola Bharadvaja, the Elder (Tibetan: ne ten, bha ra dva ja so nyom len, Sanskrit: Sthavira Pindola Bharadvaja): the 12th arhat from the set of 16 great arhats, principal students of the buddha Shakyamuni.

"On the Eastern [continent] of Purva-Videha is the noble elder Pindola Bharadvaja, surrounded by 1,100 arhats; homage to the One holding a book and begging bowl." (Sakya liturgical text).

The Sixteen Great Arhats are generally painted as a set. 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 10-2000

Front of Painting
Wylie Transliteration of Inscription: ba ra dhva tsha bsod snyoms len.

Thematic Sets
Arhat/Sthavira: Pindola Bharadvaja Main Page
Painting Set: Arhats: Single Main Figure
Painting Set: Arhat Set I
Collection of Shelley & Donald Rubin
Arhat/Sthavira: Pindola Bharadvaja Masterworks
Arhat/Sthavira: Earrings
Subject: Elders with Beards