Arhat holding a shoe

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Although not represented in Indian or Southeast Asian art, luohans (Sanskrit: arhats) play an important role in China, where they appear in both religious painting and sculpture and as a theme in the decorative arts. Originally the disciples of the Historical Buddha Shakyamuni, luohans are understood as protectors of Buddhism and the devout.

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