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The Buddhist elder Gunaprabha
The Buddhist elder Gunaprabha

The Buddhist elder Gunaprabha

Place of OriginTibet
Dateapprox. 1700-1800
MaterialsColors on cotton
DimensionsH. 24 1/4 in x W. 14 3/4 in, H. 61.2 cm x W. 37.5 cm (image); H. 41 5/8 in x W. 22 1/4 in, H. 105.7 cm x W. 56.5 cm (overall)
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object numberB67D21
DepartmentHimalayan Art
ClassificationsPainting
On View
Not on view
More Information
The inscription to the right of the figure identifies him as Yon tan ʼod (Gunaprabha in Sanskrit), an eminent Indian master of Buddhism who lived about fifteen hundred years ago. He was a consummate scholar in the Vinaya, or rules of  discipline, governing the religious community. Gunaprabha is in monk’s attire and is seated on a cushion. The background, with its green and blue landscape and flowering branches, shows heavy Chinese influence.