Item: Arhat/Sthavira (Buddhist Elder)

Arhats (Tibetan: dra chom pa. English: Foe Destroyer): 8 of the 16 Arhats, the patron Hva-shang and 2 of the Direction Guardians. This painting belongs as a set with number 496 which contains the remaining Arhats.

Along the top from left to right (facing) are the arhats Vanavasin (1) holding a fly-whisk in the right hand and performing the wrathful mudra (gesture) with the left, Kanaka Bharadvaja (2) with both hands in the mudra of meditation, Angaja (3) holding a fly-whisk in the right and an incense burner in the left.

2nd row; arhat Kalika (4) holding two gold rings, Vajriputra (5) holding a fly-whisk in the right and the wrathful mudra with the left, Bhadra (6) with the right hand performing the mudra of teaching and the left in the mudra of meditation.

3rd row; the patron to the 16 Arhats, Hvashang, plump and balding, holding in the right hand a string of prayer beads, the arhat Ajita (7) with the two hands in meditation and Kanakavatsa (8) holding a string of jewels with both hands. Each of the arhats has a shaved head and wears the robes of the clergy (sangha).

At the bottom left is the Direction Guardian Virudhaka, blue in colour, holding a long sword. At the right is Dhritarashtra, white, playing a lute with both hands. Surrounded by dark billowing blue-black smoke and fire they wear gold and jewels, body armour and fine silks of various colours.

Jeff Watt 10-98

Reverse of Painting
Special Features: (includes "Om Ah Hum" inscription)