The renowned Indian scholar Vasubandhu (4th-5th century) sits on a throne in relaxed posture. wearing robes with a floral motif and a pandit's hat, he rests his right hand on his knee and his left on the throne. His face is portrayed in typical Indian style, with alert eyes, bushy eyebrows, a prominent nose and a stubbly beard. Above him are three teachers, also wearing Indian pandit hats, whilst below are two similarly dressed disciples. In the background are two naked figures in a cave and two monks in namaskara mudrii standing in front of a Tibetan monastery. The landscape of this nagthang thangka is similar to those of other thangkas in this series, depicting
rocky crags, rushing streams, birds and profuse vegetation.



vasubandhu is one of the Six Scholarly Ornaments and Asanga's younger brother. Like his brothe he was a prolific writer and works such as the Abhidharmakosa-kiriki, the Viwsatiki karik and the Trimsika krika have been translated into Tibetan.