Painted Banner (Thangka) from a Set of Seven Honoring Gayadhara, a Sakya Pandit from India

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

The central figure featured in this thangka is most likely Shantarakshita (725-788 CE), the Indian Buddhist scholar who helped introduce Buddhism to Tibet in the eighth century, including founding its first monastery at Samye. He can be recognized by the round green and red stylized traveling bag at his right elbow and the stacks of Tibetan-style books (pechas) behind him, as well as the blue shirt indicative of his Indian origin. Shantarakshita wears a red pandita cap and is enthroned facing forward, holding a book as he teaches. In the foreground, there are six diminutive figures, some of whom may be his disciples and the first monks ordained in Tibet. They are shown in dynamic positions, several of them gesturing or speaking, as if in the midst of a lively lesson.The image thereby acknowledges both Shantarakshita’s contributions as a teacher and scholar, and as one of those who traveled to Tibet and transmitted Buddhism there. Images of important teachers and historical figures in the dissemination of Buddhism in Tibet are a common art subject in Tibetan painting, but the inclusion of this thangka as the centerpiece of a sixteen arhat set is unusual; that position is normally oc

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