006
Four of Sixteen Arhats, with the Guardian King, Virupaksha
Thangka, painting
Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder
21.5 x 30.25 inches
China
Ca. 17th century
Heavily influenced by the Chinese Blue-green school
The Arhat Rahula, the only son of Shakyamuni, is portrayed in the center
of the painting. He holds the diadem presented to him by the gods for instructing
their children in the Buddha's teachings. Three other arhats and the guardian
king of the west, Virupaksha, occupy the four corners. A Buddha above Rahula,
possibly Akshobhya, suggests that this painting may be one of a series of
five depicting the standard grouping of arhats, each with one of the five
jina Buddhas at the top.
Ying Chua
Museum #: 92.047
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1012