Item: Shakyamuni Buddha - with Sixteen Elders (Arhats)

Shakyamuni Buddha (Tibetan: sha kya thu pa. English: Sage of the Shakya Clan, the Enlightened One): along with two principal disciples, the Sixteen Great Elders, Two Attendants and the Four Guardian Kings of the Directions.

Sanskrit: Buddha Shakyamuni Tibetan: Sang gye sha kya tu pa

Dark orange/gold in colour with one face and two hands, his hair is blue with a topknot crowned with an ornament. Attired in red robes and sash, the right shoulder is slightly covered leaving the length of the arm bare. The legs are folded in vajra posture with the right over left. The right hand is placed with the palm down across the knee in the mudra (gesture) calling the Earth to witness the moment of enlightenment. The left hand rests in the lap in the mudra of meditation. Surrounded by a nimbus of blue and orange light rays forming a sphere and a greenish aureola, he sits above a moon disc and multi-coloured lotus blossom atop a throne. Standing at the left side is the monk Shariputra and at the right Maudgalyayana, both holding a khakkhara staff in the right hand and a begging bowl in the left. The Sixteen Great Elders sit to the sides and in front of the Buddha.

At the top center is Vajradhara Buddha accompanied by two siddha-like figures. Directly below sits Je Tsongkapa and his two principal students. On the far left side are Chaturbhuja Lokeshvara, white in colour, and Akshobhyavajra Guhyasamaja, blue in colour. On the far right side are White tara and Chakrasamvara embracing the consort Vajrayogini.

At the lower center below the arhats are the two attendants. At the left is Hvashang, plump, well attired in red robes with blue trim. On the right is Dharmatala, with black hair piled on the top of the head, wearing orange coloured garments and boots. To the right and left of the two attendants are the Four Guardians of the Directions. On the left is Virupaksha, orange in colour, holding a chaitya (reliquary symbol), Virudhaka, blue, holding a sword. On the right is Dhritarashtra, white, holding a lute - stringed instrument. In the corner is the leader, Vaishravana, golden, holding a victory banner and mongoose. All are adorned with peaceful ornaments and wear variously coloured silks and scarves.

At the bottom center is the meditational deity Vajrabhairava. On the left side are orangee Vaishravana Riding a Lion and Shadbhuja Mahakala. On the right side are Yama Dharmaraja and Shri Devi Magzor Gyalmo.

Jeff Watt [updated 3-2016]