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

Vanavasin the Elder (Tibetan: pag pa ne ten, nag la ne. Sanskrit: Arya Sthavira Vanavasin): the 3rd arhat from the set of 16 great arhats.

"In the mountain cave of Seven-leaves is the noble elder Vanavasin, surrounded by 1,400 arhats; homage to the One with 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 Hvashang and the Four Guardians of the Directions: Vaishravana, Virupaksha, Dritarashtra and Virudhaka.

Jeff Watt 5-99