Bhadra and Thangka, the Venerable Vaanavas

[Thangka of the Venerable Buddha of Bhadra and Varnavas]

Thangka of the Venerable Buddha of Bhadra and Varnavas, Beijing, 16-17 centuries, Buben, colored, 140 cm high, 84 cm wide, 86 cm vertical and 54 cm horizontal. The old collection of the Qing Palace
The Buddha of Bhadra is located at the top of the screen, with the right hand holding the statement seal and the left hand holding the meditation seal. Behind the Venerable is the Yamunu River, or Chitong Island, where he lives. In the river, a pair of auspicious white elephants play in the water. In the distance is a village located in the jungle hills. The Vajrayana Bodhisattva appears on the upper right. The Brahman disciples who converted to Buddhism contributed various properties as offerings and listened to the Venerable. At the bottom of the picture is the Venerable Varnavas, known as the “jungle monk”, with a fan in his right hand and a crouching tiger in his left hand. Sitting in the Cave of the Seven Leaves Mountain, he is assiduously practicing Buddhism. The disciples and waiters are afraid to disturb him, tiptoe lightly, and look lifelike.