The Arhats Rāhula and Nakula

This work was once part of a series of Tibetan hanging scroll paintings (thangka) that represented the sixteen disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha, often called arhats but in Tibetan Buddhism more properly called “elders” (sthavira). These paintings, along with images of the Buddha and other figures, would have been displayed for special events at a monastery.

The two elders appear with attendants in a lush garden setting, surrounded by plants, flowers, and colorful blue and green garden rocks—a way of representing magical places adopted from Chinese art. Rāhula, who was the son of Shakyamuni, is the larger figure at the center facing us. He holds a crown, a gift from the gods to whom he preaches. Seated below him is Nakula, also called Bakula, who holds a mythical jewel-spitting mongoose, symbolizing his power to bestow material needs to the faithful. An attendant is catching the jewels in a bowl.

The painting reflects the Khyenri style of central Tibet. The small figure in the upper left is Dromton Gyalwai Jungne (1005–1064), the principal disciple of of Atisha, the founder of the Kadampa School, which connects this work with that school. The small buddha figures on the sides are from a set known as the Thirty-five Buddhas of Confession of Downfalls. All are identified in minuscule gold script.