Zhaohua Temple Great Hero Hall: Water and Land Dharma Service Murals - Sixteen Arhats

CHINA, Hebei, Zhangjiakou; Ming dynasty

These depictions of the Sixteen Arhats painted in the upper register of the two side walls are part of the 47 Water and Land Dharma Service murals in the Great Hero Hall. There are eight Arhats on each wall, accompanied by children, animals and attendants. The Arhats wear monastic robes and are arranged in different poses against a background of trees, rocks, and colorful clouds. In the lower register of the scene on the west wall, one of the Arhats looks down at a crouching tiger. An attendant cowers in fear on the left. Above, another attendant hides from the tiger behind the chair of an Arhat holding a scroll. One of the Arhats stands and leans against a staff. The others sit peacefully on chairs or rocks.