Terms and conditions of use
Moggallana
(late 19th century-early 20th century)
Medium
lacquer on wood, gilt
Measurements
43.0 × 43.0 × 29.0 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of John McCarthy through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program, 2012
Gallery location
Level 1, NGV International
About this work
The two chief disciples of the Buddha, Sariputta and Moggallana are often stylised as the right-hand and left-hand disciples of the Buddha, respectively. Born in adjacent villages, they were childhood friends who were ordained under the Buddha together and are said to have become enlightened arhats. The Buddha declared them his two chief disciples, after which they assumed leadership roles in the Buddha’s ministry. Both Sariputta and Moggallana died a few months before the Buddha, near the ancient Indian city of Rājagaha in what is now Bihar State, India. They were cremated and their relics and ashes were distributed to locations in India, Sri Lanka and Burma, where they became revered for their spiritual attainments, which were used to help others understand the Dharma, the universal truth taught by the Buddha.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Burma
Accession Number
2012.171
Department
Asian Art
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation
Physical description
Seated praying monk, Moggallana.