The Buddha Shakyamuni with the Buddhist elders Bakula, Angaja, Shariputra, and Maudgalyayana

The historical Buddha Shakyamuni sits atop a lotus that seems to project outward from the painting’s surface. Surrounding him are several of his elder disciples, called arhats or “foe destroyers” in Tibetan tradition because they destroyed the foe of negative emotions (klesha). This thangka depicts four elder disciples all of whom became arhats by achieving enlightenment (nirvana) through the practice of the Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings (dharma).

Arhats can appear visually similar; they are usually older men in monastic robes. Specific arhats, however, can be recognized by certain special characteristics. In this painting, the Buddha’s two outstanding elder disciples flank him; they are Shariputra and Maudgalyayana, foremost intellectual and foremost magician among the Buddha’s followers. Above Shakyamuni on the left, the arhat Bakula holds an incense burner, symbolizing the sweet fragrance of self-discipline. The arhat Angaja on the right carries a mongoose that is spewing jewels, representing freedom from spiritual poverty. Before the Buddha and his arhat disciples are a throng of devotees; these are donors who commissioned the painting, thereby generating spiritual merit (punya) for themselves and their families.