010
The Religious Protector, Hva-shan Mahayana with the Guardian Kings, Dhritarashtra
and Virupaksha
Thangka, painting
Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder
exterior 16.75 x 23.0 inches
interior 15.5 x 23.0 inches
Indeterminate region
Ca. 19th century Folk tradition
Hva-shan is one of the two religious supporters who accompanies the sixteen
arhats. His name is a Tibetan transliteration of the Chinese, he-shang,
or "monk." Hva-shan is thought to have been the monk who supported
the Chinese Chan (Zen) position of "sudden enlightenment" at the
ninth century Council of Lhasa, a debate between Tantric and Chan forms
of Buddhism. Hva-shan is commonly revered as a friend and protector of children.
Two armor-clad lguardian kings, Virudhaka and Dhritarashtra, and the red
Amitayus/Amitabha are also shown in the painting.
Ying Chua
Museum #: 92.055
Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1016