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

Gopaka, the Elder (Tibetan: ne ten, be che, Sanskrit: Sthavira Gopaka): the 15th arhat from the set of 16 great arhats, principal students of the buddha Shakyamuni.

"On the king of mountains, Bihula, is the noble elder Gopaka, surrounded by 1,400 arhats; homage to the One holding a book with the two hands." (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 2-2001