The present painting depicts the arhat, Ajita, seated in meditation posture within a serene landscape and surrounded by verdant vegetation, snow peaked mountains and gentle streams. Rendered in the Khyenri Encampment style, the present work is inspired by, among other things, the fifteenth-century arhat painting tradition of the Yongle period. At the top register of the painting, a monk wearing a yellow hat holds his hand in the teaching gesture, implying that the painting was likely commissioned by a teacher from the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. At the lower right of the composition is a dancing performer joyously playing the flute. His overall appearance and dress, which includes the high boot, the contorted body posture and the ornaments on his loose shirt are all inspired by the depictions of ‘barbarians’ in classical Chinese painting. On the left of the painting are two regal figures paying homage to the enlightened teacher. One of them holds a peacock staff and the other offers a sutra book.
Ajita, the central figure of the present painting, is celebrated as the most meritorious of the Buddha's disciples. At birth Ajita had all the signs of great virtue. He and the daughter of King Prasenajit fell in love and, even though he was a commoner, Ajita gradually proved his worthiness to the king and they were married. The Buddha explained that in a past life they had made offerings to the Buddha Vipashyin who predicted that in a future life they would marry and then be attracted to the religious life. Ajita and his wife cut off all worldly attachment and joined the Sangha. Seeing Ajita with his hands in the meditation mudra encourages the viewer to enter into meditation with moral perfection, and he grants protection and steadfast devotion to practice.