Arhat - 16 Elders: Vanavasin
(item no. 99144)

China

1400 - 1499

Buddhist Lineage

78x50cm (30.71x19.69in)

Ground Mineral Pigment on Silk

Collection of Private


 


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




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Images Provided Courtesy of Private Collections