Arhat - 16 Elders: Rahula
(item no. 99148)

China

1400 - 1499

Buddhist Lineage

78x50cm (30.71x19.69in)

Ground Mineral Pigment on Silk

Collection of Private


 


Rahula, the Elder (Tibetan: ne ten, dra chen dzin. Sanskrit: Sthavira Rahula): the actual son of the buddha Shakyamuni and the 10th arhat from the set of 16 Great Arhats.

"On the Island of Priyangku is the noble elder Rahula, surrounded by 1,100 arhats; homage to the One holding a jewelled tiara." (Sakya liturgical text).

The full group of arhats would traditionally comprise 25 figures: the buddha Shakyamuni, together with the two foremost disciples - Shariputra and Maudgalyayana, the 16 Arhats, the attendant Dharmata, the patron Hvashang and the Four Guardians of the Directions; Vaishravana, Virupaksha, Dritarashtra and Virudhaka.

Jeff Watt 8-99




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