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

Vajriputra the Elder (Tibetan: ne ten, dor je mo bu, Sanskrit: Sthavira Vajriputra): the 5th arhat from the set of 16 great arhats. From the black begging bowl held in the left hand a dark green dragon rises upward with claws extended holding red jewels.

"On the Island of Singha is the noble elder Vajriputra, surrounded by 1,000 arhats; homage to the One performing 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 Hva-shang and the Four Guardians of the Directions: Vaishravana, Virupaksha, Dritarashtra and Virudhaka. (The name of the arhat is written in gold lettering beneath the seat)

Jeff Watt 4-2000

Front of Painting
Wylie Transliteration of Inscription: ?phags pa rdo?ie mo?i bu.