Unidentified Arhat

STYLE: This seated arhat represents an interesting stylistic amalgam of Himalayan and Chinese artistic traditions. If it were not for the hand gestures and the head the image could well be Tibetan, as the robe falls similar to Tibetan Buddha depictions and the double lotus is typical of the region. However, the beard, the hairstyle of heavy curls leaving the cranium visible, the low flat shape of the cranial protuberance (ushnisha), and the position of the hands are all typical of Chinese arhat depictions and do not occur in common Tibetan depictions.

CONTENT: Arhats (Chinese: luohan) are the earliest followers of the Buddha and are always found in sets ranging from sixteen to five hundred. This one is not identified, and he probably once belonged to a Chinese set. The arhat is shown in a meditative pose with his hands folded in front of his chest with his index fingers stretched and his gaze seemingly directed towards them. The bold, flat cranial protuberance (ushnisha) indicates an awakened state of mind as does the arhat’s clothing, which is similar to the robes of the Buddha.