The guardian Dharmatala and the guardian kings Virupaksha and Vaishravana

The Tibetan devotional paintings known as thangkas are aids for worship and for meditation and teaching. Thangkas are painted with vegetable and mineral colors on cloth primed with chalk and glue. Fluid brushwork, vibrant colors, and detailed line work in gold characterize these paintings. They are mounted on Chinese brocade, covered with thin silk, and sewn with two narrow strips of silk for securing the paintings in windy areas.

This set of thangkas depicts Shakyamuni in the center (1), flanked by his two outstanding disciples, Shariputra and Maudgalyayana. They are accompanied by the sixteen arhats (4–19), disciples of the Buddha who are entrusted with propagating and protecting the Buddhist faith. The guardians of the four quarters of the earth are shown at either end (22–25), together with Hva Shang and Dharmatala (20–21), two supporters of the faith. There was much contact between China and Tibet through the ages; the blue-andgreen landscape in the Chinese style in the background is the result of this cultural interchange.
4. Angaja holds an incense burner and a fly whisk, symbolizing the sweet fragrance of self-discipline, free from misery and impurity.
5. Bakula carries a mongoose that is spewing jewels, representing freedom from spiritual poverty.
6. Ajita is meditating, symbolizing freedom from obstacles to mental tranquility.
7. Kalika holds golden earrings, representing the rewards of following a spiritual path.
8. Vanavasin's right hand is shown in the threatening gesture, while his left hand holds a fly whisk, symbolizing victory over delusion and protection from both human made and natural harm.
9. Vajriputra carries a fly whisk, symbolizing liberation from negative causes.
10. Bhadra holds his right hand in the gesture of preaching and his left hand in the gesture of meditation, symbolizing preaching the doctrine and leading disciples on the correct path.
11. Kanakavatsa carries a strand of precious stones, symbolizing superb memory and control over the mind.
12. Kanakabharadvaja's hands are in the gesture of meditation, representing quelling of physical and mental sufferings.
13. Rahulabhadra holds a crown, representing the glory of spiritual achievement.
14. Cudapanthaka sits in meditation, symbolizing the elimination of internal and external detrimental elements.
15. Pindola Bharadvaja holds a book and an alms bowl, symbolizing the incremental advancement of wisdom and the presence of external and internal conditions conducive to learning.
16. Panthaka carries a book, representing the achievement of self-reliance based on wisdom and the preaching of the doctrine.
17. Nagasena holds a vase and a mendicant's staff, symbolizing all spiritual development, awakening from the sleep of ignorance, and gaining beneficial things.
18. Gopaka holds a book, representing the spreading of the doctrine and the blocking of wrong paths.
19. Abheda holds a stupa, symbolizing the attainment of temporary and ultimate spiritual goals.
20. Hva Shang, a Chinese monk and religious supporter, fingers prayer beads and holds a peach, accompanied by young boys.
22. Virudhaka, the Guardian of the South, carries a sword.
23. Dhritarashtra, the Guardian of the East, plays a musical instrument.