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Portraits of 500 Arhats: 戊 – Wu, 5th Heavenly Stem
Ink on paper, 39 x 1,820 cm, after Wang Fangyue, 1757
National Library of China, Beijing
 

 

Arhats are spread across a rugged, mountainous landscape, some gathered in small clusters on rocky ledges, exchanging wisdom, while others sit alone in deep contemplation, their expressions reflecting the tranquillity of Nirvana, amidst jagged rock formations and winding paths. A stone bridge arches over a stream, where one arhat reaches down to collect a round object, while another faces it in prayer. Higher up, a spiralling wisp of smoke or energy rises from the rocks, possibly signifying spiritual transcendence, as a group of arhats observes in quiet reflection. The landscape is enriched with twisted, gnarled trees whose branches weave into the rocky cliffs, creating an intricate natural scene. Figures recede into the distance, their diminishing forms adding depth to the vast sacred gathering, evoking a profound sense of enlightenment, detachment from worldly concerns, and the boundless wisdom embodied by these arhats.