QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details

A PALE CELADON JADE BOULDER DEPICTING THE ARHAT ANGAJA
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
It is carved in relief with the robed arhat standing on a mountain ledge, swinging a parfumier that emits ruyi-shaped smoke clouds. It is inscribed with a calligraphic inscription reading "Aying Ajida zunzhe, pangmei haoshou chijiao luzhou, yiyi buli erfu heyou, zuozhi iilu xiangyun wuliang, yifu fuzhi shizhen gongyang", which describes the posture of the arhat. The stone is of a celadon tone with russet inclusions.
7 in. (17.8 cm.) high

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Lot Essay

In Tibetan Buddhism, Angaja, is one of the Sixteen Arhats, who were Buddha Shakyamuni's personal disciples and entrusted to guard his teachings in times of social decay, religious decline and to spread his teachings abroad. The term 'arhat' stems from its Sanskrit meaning of "he who is worthy", and these arhats are considered enlighted beings who have reached the Eight-fold path and had forsaken becoming bodhisattva in order to remain with and guide human beings to perfection

Angaja, according to tradition, is noted for his pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in West Tibet. Here he taught the children of the gods the Buddhist Law. Out of gratitude they gave him an incense burner and a flywhisk. It is said that his blessings have a special power to protect from suffering and disease.

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