Dharmatala

paint and gold on textile
Tibet, 16th cent.
size: 66 x 47 cm.

An early painting of the Arhat Dharmatala, the protector of the libraries and books.

Very nicely painted central figure, with an unusual broad hat, a bookcase on his back and accompanied by a tiger.
Above the group of Medicine Buddhas, with left Baishayaguru, as the main figure. Also, here is a small figure of Amitayus, the Buddha of Long Life, a logical combination with the Medicine Buddhas…..
At the right of Dharmatala is a depiction of Acala.
Below two of the four Lokapalas, left Dhritarashtra, with the vina; right Vaishravana, with the banner and a small nakula, vomiting jewels, in his hand.
This thangka must have been part of a large series, consisting of the Buddha Sakyamuni in the center and the Eighteen Shtaviras (Arhats) around him.