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

Angaja the Elder (Tibetan: ne ten, yan lag chung. Sanskrit: Sthavira Angaja): the 1st arhat from the set of 16 great arhats.

"On the great snow mountain of Kailash is the noble elder Angaja, surrounded by 1,300 arhats; homage to the One holding an incense bowl and 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 Hvashang and the Four Guardians of the Directions: Vaishravana, Virupaksha, Dritarashtra and Virudhaka. (The name of the arhat is written in gold lettering beneath the throne).

Jeff Watt 5-2004