Monk, probably Ananda (Anantuo)
This young monk, most likely Ananda, was once part of a large group that would have included a Buddha accompanied by bodhisattvas and guardians. The figure holds an unidentifiable object that may represent an offering wrapped in a red cloth. After the sixth century, the Buddha Shakyamuni was often depicted with two disciples—the youthful Ananda and an elderly monk, Kashyapa, who renowned for his supernatural powers. Ananda, Shakyamuni’s cousin, served as the Buddha’s personal attendant and was known for his prodigious memory. He was also a champion of women’s rights and established an order of nuns.
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