Arhat (<em>Nakula</em>), one of a set of sixteen
Ryozen (ca. 1328-ca. 1360)
mid-14th century
Classification
Painting
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Accession Number
F1904.299
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
ArhatBuddhismCharles Lang Freer collectionJapanJapanese ArtNakulaNanbokucho period (1333 - 1392)
About this artwork
Arhats, known in Japanese as rakan, were disciples of the Historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. In some temples in East Asia, they were worshiped along with the Historical Buddha at ceremonies held to honor the wisdom and truth of the Buddha’s teachings, which they helped to spread after his death. This painting depicts one of the sixteen arhats who were the Historical Buddha’s closest disciples. The halo signifies that he has achieved enlightenment and release from cycles of birth, rebirth, and attend...