This painting centers on Shakyamuni and his two great disciples, Shariputra and Maudgalyayana, who are famous for their intellectual and mystical powers respectively. Shariputra is on the left and Maudgalyayana on his right. These two disciples were said to have been born on the same day.

The large figure of Shakyamuni dominates the scene. He sits cross-legged, making the earth-witness gesture and holding a monk's bowl. He is seated on a moon disc placed above a multicolored lotus which rests on a lion throne. An ornate square pedestal base forms the lion throne, which is supported on each of its four sides by a pair of lions. The two attendant disciples, though small in size, are drawn with charm and verve. Each holds a monk's staff and alms bowl. They stand out by virtue of their bright orange robes, which are lined and bordered in gold.

This description by Nitin Kumar, Executive Editor, Exotic India.

References:

Beer, Robert. The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs. Boston: Shambhala Publications, 1999.

Frederic, Louis. Buddhism (Flammarion Iconographic Guides): Paris, Flammarion, 1995.

Rhie, Marylin M. & Thurman, Robert A.F. Wisdom and Compassion: The Sacred Art of Tibet. London: Thames and Hudson, 1996.

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