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

Arhat, from the group of 16 Great Arhats: gazing in a contemplative manner he is clean-shaven with short hair. The right hand holds a flywhisk with a long bamboo handle. The left hand is draped across the knee. Attired in the orange patchwork robes of a monk, he also wears a green and blue inner jacket and sits on a cloth mat. An ethereal pink sphere of light frames the head. Tall trees rise behind and blue coloured rocks thrust forward. A yaksha figure and a monkey make offerings in front and a large bird parades to the side. (See HAR #11404)

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 Hva-shang and the Four Guardians of the Directions - Vaishravana, Virupaksha, Dritarashtra and Virudhaka.

Jeff Watt 4-2000