c. 18th century

Arhat Nagasena

Arhats are individuals who have attained personal liberation from the cycles of rebirth through realizing the Buddhist doctrine. The term arhats refers especially to the sixteen original followers of the historical Buddha (Shakyamuni); they are often depicted as a set, together with the Buddha, the four kings of the cardinal directions, and several others, bringing the total number of figures to twenty-five. This sculpture was likely part of such a set.