008
The Arhat, Bakula with Bhaishajayaguru, Shakyamuni, Ushnishavijaya and Vishvapani
Thangka, painting
Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder
19.0 x 29.25 inches
Central Tibet
Ca. 17th century
Indeterminate style
The Arhat Bakula holds a mongoose that spews jewels from its mouth. The
jewels symbolize the
treasures of the Dharma. An attendant presents him an offering of red coral,
one of the eight great riches of Buddhism. The Buddhas, Bhaishajayaguru
and Shakyamuni, are shown above Bakula. Ushnishavijaya and Vishvapani are
depicted below him. The single arhat in the composition suggests that this
work was part of a group of twenty-three paintings. The group would have
consisted of Shakyamuni, the sixteen arhats, the two religious supporters,
and the four guardian kings.
Ying Chua
Museum #: 93.012
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1014