Explaining Buddhist Elder Abheda

Abheda is known as the 16th arhat from the set of 16 great arhats, principal students of the Buddha Shakyamuni.

The Entity of Abheda

In this portion, we are going to learn about the entity of Abheda. After that, we will learn the short etymological description of the word Abheda itself.

Etymology of Abheda

Abheda is known as Ne ten, mi che pa in Tibet. And the meaning of Abheda is Sthavira Abheda in Sanskrit.

Earlier, we learn about the entity of the Abheda. Now, we are going to learn about the iconography of the Abheda.

Iconography of the Abheda

In the iconography of the Abheda, we will learn about his body posture, hand and leg gesture, and different representations of Abheda in thangka and statue.

Posture of the Abheda

Abheda is elderly in appearance and wizened with age. The eyebrows are long and hang down at the ends.  Abheda is with two hands.

Abheda holds up a small gold stupa, a symbol of enlightenment the mind of the Buddha. Abheda is wearing the patchwork robes of a monk red with orange stripes. Abheda also wears an inner garment of blue with long sleeves and a white liner.

Abheda is Seated in a Western-style with the two legs extended downward and wearing Chinese style shoes. Abheda sits atop a deerskin mat on a rocky knoll. In front of Abheda, there is a rock formation that serves as a table supporting a gold incense bowl, vase with a branch of red coral, and a book.

At the lower right of the Abheda, there is an attendant with a beard with a white turban, variously colored garments, and ornate boots stand to hold a golden water flask. At the upper right of the Abheda, there are wizened grey trees,  pockmarked and twisted stretch upward and across toward a range of mountains from which flow a torrent of cascading white water.

The foreground is a dark green park along the side of the river bank. On the King of Snow Mountains is the noble elder Abheda is surrounded by 1,100 arhats and an homage to the One holding an enlightenment stupa. The Sixteen Great Arhats are generally painted as a set.

The full group would include the buddha Shakyamuni, the 16 arhats, the attendant Dharmatala, the patron Hva-Shang and the Four Guardians of the Directions – Vaishravana, Virupaksha, Dhritarashtra, and Virudhaka.

Earlier, we learn about the entity of the Abheda and iconography of the Abheda. Now, we are going to learn about the presentation of Abheda with Layperson.

Abheda with layperson Thangka

The thangka of Abheda with Layperson is from Eastern Tibet. The thangka is made between 1700 – 1799 AD. Abheda with Layperson is from Uncertain lineages. The size of the painting is 78.74×52.71cm. Ground Mineral Pigment and Fine Gold Line on Cotton is used to color this painting.

By depicting this thangka, we will learn about the presentation of Abheda with Layperson.

Abheda is also known as the 16th of the 16 Great Arhats, principal students of the Buddha Shakyamuni. Abheda is gazing directly forward with eyes partially closed, and a sparse trace of dark facial hair. The hands of Abheda has respectfully covered with a white scarf hold at the heart a golden stupa.

Across the left shoulder and wrapped around the torso is the orange and red patchwork robe of a monk, cut from strips of discarded cloth and dyed with saffron. The lower body of Abheda is covered with a blue robe tied with an orange sash. In a relaxed posture with the ankles crossed and the feet exposed. Abheda sits atop a monk’s meditation mat on a rough wooden platform seat.

A large areola of ethereal light blended with the background and framed by massive flower blossoms of various colors and rich green foliage frame the head.

Layperson

A layperson is at the right of Abheda in the thangka. A layperson is seated on a cloudbank offers in wide-open arms a white scarf. Below that, a heavenly figure with flowers in the hair and a long flowing blue scarf holds an offering upraised with both hands. A small child behind clutches a large flower vase.

Earlier, we learn about the entity of the Abheda,  iconography of the Abheda, and representation of Abheda with Layperson. Now, we are going to learn about Abheda with Shriputra.

Abheda with Shriputra Thangka

The thangka of Abheda with Shriputra is from  Tibet. The thangka is made between 1500 – 1599 AD. Abheda with Shriputra is from Uncertain lineages. The size of the painting is 81.28×50.80cm. The base of the painting is Ground Mineral Pigment. Presently, this painting is in the Rubin Museum of Art.

By depicting this thangka, we will learn about Abheda.

On the King of Snow Mountains is the noble elder Abheda is surrounded by 1,100 arhats. Abheda is an homage to the one holding an enlightenment stupa. The full group of arhats would traditionally comprise 25 figures.

The Buddha Shakyamuni, together with the two foremost disciples Shariputra and Maudgalyayana, the 16 Arhats, the attendant Dharmata, the patron Hvashang and the Four Guardians of the Directions; Vaishravana, Virupaksha, Dhritarashtra, and Virudhaka are the full groups of arhats.

Earlier, we learn about the entity of the Abheda,  iconography of the Abheda, representation of Abheda with Layperson, and representation of Abheda with Shriputra. Now, we are going to learn about the presentation of Abheda with Pandita Shakyashri.

Abheda with Pandita Shakyashri Thangka

The thangka of Abheda with Pandita Shakyashri is from  Tibet. The thangka is made between 1600 – 1699 AD. Abheda with Pandita Shakyashri is from Gelug and Buddhist lineages.   Ground Mineral Pigment and Red Background on cotton is used to color it. This painting is from a private collection.

By depicting this thangka, we will learn about the presentation of Anheda with Thirty-five Confession Buddhas.

Abheda is the Elders from a set of thangkas depicting Shakyamuni Buddha and the Sixteen Elders, along with attendants and the Four Guardian Kings. The full set is likely to be nine thangkas in total following the standard depictions according to the Bengali scholar Atisha and the Kashmiri Pandita Shakyashri Bhadra.

Thirty-five Confession Buddhas

Thirty-five Confession Buddhas are at the top of the thangka. The full set of thangkas would contain a complete set of thirty-five Buddha figures.

Earlier, we learn about the entity of the Abheda, the iconography of the Abheda, representation of Abheda with Layperson,  representation of Abheda with Shriputra. And Finally, we learn about the representation of Abheda with Pandita Shakyashri.

Om mandala Thangka

Om Mandala Thangka is handpainted in Kathamndu Nepal using vegetable pigment color in cotton canvas.

Buy Om mandala Thangka