Eighteen arhats (luohans), Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Reign of the Qianlong emperor (1736-1795). Album. Ink and colors on bodhi leaves.  H. 11 in x W. 7 1/4 in x D. 1 1/2, H. 27.9 cm x W. 18.4 cm x D. 3.8 (closed album), B65D4.1-.18 © 2017 Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture

Disciples of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, the arhats (Chinese: luohan) were entrusted with spreading the teachings of Buddhism. The arhats are especially venerated in Tibet and China, and popularly depicted in art of all media. What is unusual about these examples is that the figures are painted not on paper but on putisha, the lacelike remains of the leaves of the bodhi tree (Latin: Ficus religiosa), a plant with a fascinating history. This tree is sacred to Buddhists, for it was under a bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, that Shakyamuni meditated and achieved enlightenment. Bodhi leaves are heart shaped with a characteristically long drip tip, a natural drying device that allows raindrops to roll off easily during a tropical downpour.

In India and China these leaves are soaked in water for as long as a month, until the green cells have disintegrated and only the vascular system remains. The leaves are then painted with sacred images and sold to pilgrims as souvenirs. The leaf paintings are backed with brown paper and mounted on dark blue and yellow paper.