Monk, probably Ananda (Anantuo)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art