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005
The Buddha Shakyamuni with Six Arhats and Two Guardian Kings

Thangka, painting
Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder
Size?
Central Tibet?
Ca. 18th century
Menri Serma "New School of Men style"

Shakyamuni is depicted here with five of the standard Tibetan set of sixteen arhats. An arhat is a mendicant who has reached attainment through the Buddha's teachings and who waits in seclusion for the appropriate time to re-establish the Dharma. Also included in the composition are two lokapalas, or guardian kings, and Hva-shan (Ch. he-shang "monk"), one of the two religious supporters.

Ying Chua

Arhats Essay

 

Museum #: 97.270

Huntington Archive Image Scan #: T1011