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Ancient Protectors of the Dharma
Luohan is the Chinese term for arhat, a disciple of the Buddha who has attained spiritual realization and supernatural powers. Arhats defend the dharma, particularly when no buddha is actively teaching in the world. Due to their exceptionally long lives, they of ten appear aged, as exemplified by the gnarled features and bushy eyebrows of these two sculptures. The images were cast out of iron and coated with plaster and paint, of which few traces remain. |