Eighteen Arhats: Difference between revisions

{{short description|Primary disciples of Gautama Buddha according to East Asian Buddhism}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}

'''The Eighteen Arhats''' (or '''Luohan''') ({{zh|c=十八羅漢|p=Shíbā Luóhàn|w=Shih-pa Lo-han}}) are depicted in [[Chinese Buddhism]] as the original followers of [[Gautama Buddha]] (''[[arhat]]'') who have followed the [[Noble Eightfold Path]] and attained the [[four stages of enlightenment]]. They have reached the state of [[Nirvana]] and are free of worldly cravings. They are charged to protect the Buddhist faith and to wait on earth for the coming of [[Maitreya]], an enlightened Buddha prophesied to arrive on earth many millennia after Gautama Buddha's death ([[parinirvana]]). In [[China]], the eighteen arhats are also a popular subject in [[Buddhist art]], such as the famous Chinese [[Yixian glazed pottery luohans|group of glazed pottery luohans from Yixian]] from about 1000 [[Common Era|CE]].

Somewhere between the late [[Tang dynasty]] and early [[Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms]] period of China two other Luohans were added to the roster increasing the number to 18.<ref name="Tang">{{cite book|title=Court Art of the Tang|author=Patricia Eichenbaum Karetzky|publisher=University Press of America|year=1996|isbn=9780761802013|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LMOOq5ygqX4C&q=18+lohans&pg=PA128|page=128}}</ref> But this depiction of 18 Luohans only gained a foothold in China, whereas other areas like [[Japan]] continued to revere only [[Sixteen Arhats|sixteen]] and their roster differs somewhat. This depiction of having 18 instead of 16 Luohans continues into modern Chinese Buddhist traditions. A cult built around the Luohans as guardians of Buddhist faith gained momentum amongst Chinese Buddhists at the end of the ninth century for they had just been through a period a great persecution under the reign of [[Emperor Tang Wuzong]]. In fact the last two additions to this roster, Taming Dragon and Taming Tiger, are thinly veiled swipes against [[Taoism]].

The [[Qianlong Emperor]] was a great admirer of the Luohans and during his visit to see the paintings in 1757, Qianlong not only examined them closely but he also wrote a eulogy to each Luohan image. Copies of these eulogies were presented to the monastery and preserved. In 1764, Qianlong ordered that the paintings held at the Shengyin Monastery be reproduced and engraved on stone tablets for preservation. These were mounted like facets on a marble stupa for public display. The temple was destroyed during the [[Taiping Rebellion]] but copies of ink rubbings of the steles were preserved in and outside of China.<ref name="Harvard Univerisity">{{cite book|title=Harvard University Library|url=http://via.lib.harvard.edu/via/deliver/deepLinkResults?kw2=rubbings&kw1=lohan&bool1=and&index2=Anywhere&index1=Anywhere&repositoryLimit=Harvard%20Fine%20Arts%20Library&digital=true|access-date=2010-07-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809184905/http://via.lib.harvard.edu/via/deliver/deepLinkResults?kw2=rubbings&kw1=lohan&bool1=and&index2=Anywhere&index1=Anywhere&repositoryLimit=Harvard%20Fine%20Arts%20Library&digital=true|archive-date=2011-08-09|url-status=dead}} {{Dead link|date=December 2019}}</ref>

In the Chinese tradition, the 18 Luohans are generally presented in the order they are said to have appeared to Guan Xiu, not according to their power: Deer Sitting, Happy, Raised Bowl, Raised Pagoda, Meditating, Oversea, Elephant Riding, Laughing Lion, Open Heart, Raised Hand, Thinking, Scratched Ear, Calico Bag, Plantain, Long Eyebrow, Doorman, Taming Dragon and Taming Tiger.

Although the roster varies by region, this is the generally accepted listing.

01. '''[[Pindolabharadrāja|Pindola Bharadvaja]]'''*<br />

([[Sanskrit]]: ''Pindolabharadrāja'')<br />

02. '''[[Kanakavatsa|Kanaka the Vatsa]]'''<br />

([[Sanskrit]]: ''Kanakavatsa'')<br />

03. '''[[Kanakabharadrāja|Kanaka the Bharadvaja]]'''<br />

([[Sanskrit]]: ''Kanakabharadrāja'')<br />

04. '''[[Subinda]]'''<br />

05. '''[[Nakula (arhat)|Nakula]]'''*<br />

([[Sanskrit]]: ''Nakula/Pakula'')<br />

Quietly cultivating the mind,<br />

A countenance calm and composed.<br />

Serene and dignified,<br />

06. '''[[Bhadra (arhat)|Bhadra]]'''/'''[[Bodhidharma]]'''<br />

Bearing the sutras,<br />

Sail east to spread the world.<br />

Climbing mountains and fording streams,<br />

07. '''[[Kalika (arhat)|Kalika]]'''<br />

([[Sanskrit]]: ''Kālika'')<br />

Riding an elephant with a dignified air,<br />

Chanting aloud the sutras.<br />

With a heart for the humanity,<br />

08. '''[[Vijraputra]]'''<br />

Playful and free of inhibitions,<br />

The lion cub leaps with joy.<br />

Easily alternating tension with relaxation,<br />

09. '''[[Gobaka]]'''<br />

Open the heart and there is Buddha,<br />

Each displaying his prowess.<br />

The two should not compete,<br />

10. '''[[Panthaka|Pantha the Elder]]'''*<br />

([[Sanskrit]]: ''Panthaka'')<br />

11. '''[[Rāhula|Rahula]]'''<br />

([[Sanskrit]]: ''Rāhula'')<br />

12. '''[[Nagasena (arhat)|Nagasena]]'''<br />

([[Sanskrit]]: ''Nāgasena'')<br />

Leisurely and contented,<br />

Happy and knowledgeable.<br />

Full of wit and humour,<br />

13. '''[[Budai#Angida|Angida]]'''<br />

14. '''[[Vanavasa]]'''<br />

([[Sanskrit]]: ''Vanavāsa'')<br />

15. '''[[Asita (arhat)|Asita]]'''<ref>{{cite book |last1=Coulter |first1=Charles Russell |last2=Turner |first2=Patricia |title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities |date=4 July 2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-96397-2 |page=32 |language=en |quote=Ajita (Buddhist; India): Also known as: A-shih, Ma-p'am-pa (Tibet), Me-phem-pa (Tibet), Maitreya, Mi-Lo Fu (China). A deified mortal who is the second arhat (one of sixteen, later eighteen apostles). He is usually depicted in a meditative pose with his head covered.}}</ref><br />

16. '''[[Pantha the Younger]]'''<br />

([[Sanskrit]]: ''Cūḍapanthaka'')<br />

Powerful, husky and tough,<br />

Watching with careful alertness.<br />

With the Buddhist staff in hand.<br />

17. '''[[Mahākāśyapa]]'''+<br />

18. '''[[Maitreya]]'''+<br />

<gallery widths="200" heights="200">

File:Stoneware figure of a luohan, from Yixian, China, Liao Dynasty, 907-1125 CE. British Museum.jpg|Stoneware figure of a luohan, from Yixian, China, Liao dynasty, 907–1125 CE. British Museum

File:Stoneware statue of a luohan, Ming Dynasty, 15th century CE, from China. The Burrell Collection, UK.jpg|Stoneware statue of a luohan, Ming dynasty, 15th century CE, from China. The Burrell Collection, UK

File:Iron figure of a luohan, from China, Ming Dynasty, 1494 CE, the British Museum.jpg|Iron figure of a luohan, from China, Ming dynasty, 1494 CE, the British Museum

File:18 Luohans Ivory China 1912 -1949 (8) (252845894).jpg

{{commons category|18 Arhats}}

[[Category:Disciples of Gautama Buddha]]