EighteenArhatsorLuohans（Lohans）十八罗汉
The eighteen Arhats or eighteen Luohans are the original followers of Buddha depicted in the Mahayana Buddhism who have followed the Eight fold path of Right View, Right Intention, Right speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration and have attained the four stages of Enlightenment. They are free of worldly cravings and have reached the state of Nirvana. Their main aim is to protect the Buddhist faith and to await the coming of Maitreya Buddha who is predicted to arrive on Earth in the future. In China they are referred to as 'Luohans’ or 'Lohans’.
The eighteen Arhats are an important part of any Buddhist temple along with the main image of Buddha. They are akin to guardian angels protecting people and warding off evil. In Japan they are referred to as Rakan and in Tibet as Gnas-Brtan and only 16 of them are worshipped in the two countries.
In China
The eighteen Luohans are said to have appeared in the dreams of a monk Guan Xiu. The Qianlong Emperor was a great admirer of the Luohans and he wrote a Eulogy to each Luohan image.
Table
Sanskrit name | Chine Name | wageQianlong’s Eulogy |
1.PindolaBharadvaja | Qilu Luohan or Deer Sitting Luohan | Sitting dignified on a deer, As if in deep thought. With perfect composure, Contented with being above worldly pursuits. |
2.Kanakavatsa | Xiqing Luohan or Happy Luohan | Decimating the demons, The univer now cleared. Hands raid for jubilation, Be wild with joy |
3.Kanaka Bharadvaja | Jubo Luohan or Raid Bowl Luohan | In majestic grandeur, Joy descends from heaven. Raid the bowl to receive happiness, 小学二年级数学试题Glowing with jubilance and exultation. |
4.Nandimitra | Tuoda Luohan or Raid Pagoda Luohan | A ven-storey pagoda, Miraculous power of the Buddha. Forceful without being angry, With preeminent Buddhist might劳动节 英文 |
5.Nakula | Jingzuo Luohan or Meditating Luohan | Quietly cultivating the mind, A countenance calm and compod. Serene and dignified, To enter the Western Paradi. |
6.Bodhidharma | Guojiang Luohan or Overas Luohan | Bearing the sutras, Sail east to spread the world. Climbing mountains and fording streams, For the deliverance of humanity. |
7.Kalika | Qixiang Luohan or Elephant riding Luohan | Riding an elephant with a dignified air, Chanting aloud the sutras. With a heart for the humanity, Eyes scanning the four corners of the univer. |
8. Vajraputra | Xiaoshi Luohan or Laughing Lion Luohan | Playful and free of inhibitions, The lion cub leaps with joy. Easily alternating tension with relaxation, Rejoicing with all living things. |
9. Gobaka | Kaixin Luohan or Open Heart Luohan | Open the heart and there is Buddha, Each displaying his prowess. The two should not compete, For Buddha’s power is boundless binggo |
10.Panthaka(the elder) | Tanshou Luohan or Raid Hand Luohan | Easy and comfortable, Yawning and stretching. In a state of omniscience, Contented with his own lot |
11.Rahula | Chensai Luohan or Thinking Luohan | Pondering and meditating, Understanding it all. Above this world and free from conventions, Compassion conveyed up to the Ninth Heaven |
12.Nagana | Waer Luohan or Scratch Ear Luohan | Leisurely and contented, Happy and knowledgeable. Full of wit and humour, Exuberant with interest |
13.Angida | Budai Luohan or Calico Bag Luohan | Buddha of infinite life, Valuable bag containing crets of heaven and earth. Happy and contented, Cheerful and joyful is he. |
戴尔英语14.Vanavasa | Bajiao Luohan or Plantain Luohan | Carefree and leisurely, bulwarkDisdainfully regards the Great Void. With celestial airs and religious spirit, Transcending this mortal world. |
15. Asita | Changmei Luohan or Long Eyebrow Luohan | Compassionate elder, A monk who has attained enlightenment. Perceptive of the infinite univer, bing crosbyWith tacit understanding. |
16. Pantha(the younger) | Kanmen Luohan or Doorman Luohan | Powerful, husky and tough, Watching with careful alertness. With the Buddhist staff in hand. Valiantly annihilates the evil |
17.Nantimitolo | Xianglong Luohan or Taming Dragon Luohan | In the hands are the spiritual pearl and the holy bowl, Endowed with power that knows no bounds. Full of valour, vigour and awe-inspiring dignity, To succeed in vanquishing the ferocious dragon. |
档案 英语18.Pindola | Fuhu Luohan or Taming Tiger Luohan | Precious ring with magical powers, Infinitely resourceful. Vigorous and powerful, Subduing a ferocious tiger. |
| | |
A brief sketch of each Arhat or Luohan
1.Pindola Bharadvaja or the deer sitting Luohan-He was a powerful Government Official from a high caste Brahmin family who was highly trusted by the King. He decided to become a Buddhist monk and left to the mountains to join a monastery there inspite of entreaties from the King. One day he appeared riding a deer in front of the palace, hence he was named so. The King wished that he take back his original position but Bharadvaja declined and replied that instead he wished that the King would embrace ascetism. Explaining to the King the sins of the flesh and desires he finally convinced him about the goal of his life. The King abdicated the throne to his son and followed Bharadvaja to become a monk.
2.Kanakavatsa or the Happy Luohan-He was a well known debater and public speaker of the Buddhist teachings. He was so named as he always had a smiling countenance during debates and always preached on happiness and bliss. Happiness according to him was that which was experienced by the five ns but bliss was joy not arising from the ns but from deep within like the feeling of Buddha in one’s heart.
3.KanakaBharadvaja or Raid Bowl Luohan-He was a Buddhist monk who always raid his bowl when he asked for alms hence he was named so. Initially the bowl was made of metal but nowadays it is made of finely polished coconut shell halves or red beech wood.
4.Nandimitra or Raid Pagoda Luohan-Nandimitra or the sweet one is said to have been the last disciple of the Buddha. In order to signify that Buddha was always with him forever, he often carried a specially made pagoda with him in memory of his dear beloved Master. In Buddhism, the pagoda symbolizes the Buddhist faith as it is said to be a container for the Buddha’s bones.
5.Nakula or the Meditating Luohan-Originally Nakula is said to have been a warrior with immen strength but he gave it up to become a monk. Through constant meditation he eventually attained enlightenment. Even during meditation he still exuded much physical strength due to his former profession. He was considered to be one of Buddha’s favourite disciples. His image is sometimes portrayed as a teacher holding a string of Buddhist rosary with a small boy beside him.
6.Bodhidharma or Overas Luohan-He was named so as he was born under a Bodhi tree which was known as the tree of wisdom as Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under its shade. He was responsible for spreading Buddhism to the East Indies. From India he sailed across the ocean to land on the island of Java hence the name Overas Luohan.honey是什么意思英文
7.Kalika or Elephant Riding Luohan-Kali means elephant in Sanskrit and Kalika implies a person riding an elephant. Kalika was an elephant trainer who later became a Buddhist monk hence his name Elephant Riding Luohan. Also symbolically the elephant stands for immen power, strength, perverance and endurance symbolizing the Buddhist might and Kalika is one who rode on it, ie conquered himlf with the Buddhist teachings and attained lf realisation.
上海新世界进修中心8.Vajraputra or Laughing Lion Luohan-He was a lion hunter before he took up Buddhism, hence it is said that the lions must have been extremely gratified and full of joy due to which he was called laughing lion Luohan. The lion also stands for immen might
and strength symbolizing the Buddhist might. Hence the front gate of a Buddhist monastery or temple in China generally has a pair of lions standing guard.
