009
Four of Sixteen Arhats, the Religious Protector, Dharmatala, and the Guardian
King, Vaishravana
Thangka, painting Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased
(collagen) binder
21.25 x 29.5 inches
Jang District?
Ca. 19th century
Folk tradition
This painting is from a larger set depicting Shakyamuni, the sixteen arhats,
two religious supporters, and the four guardian kkings. Included at the
top of this composition are eight Buddhas. Their presence suggests that
the complete set may have included the thirty-five Confessional Buddhas
(see Exhib # 21). At the bottom right is the religious supporter, Dharmatala,
who traveled from China to India with his companion tiger, to
bring back Buddhist texts.
Ying Chua
Museum #: 95.143
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1015