In Buddhism, the word arhat refers to a person who has no afflictions. Among the millions of people who lived at the time of the Buddha, only a few are called arhats in the sutras, having attained such a title. The most well-known of these are a group called the "eighteen arhats," recorded in the Record on Dharma Abiding, translated by Xuanzang (600-664 CE) in the Tang dynasty.
Dragon Subduing Arhat (2008) by Fo Guang Shan Buddha MuseumFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
These are the arhats who protect the Dharma in the Buddha's name, and each one had his representative attributes and stories.The set of arhats used since ages past contains only men, yet the set of eighteen arhats at the Bodhi Wisdom Concourse contains statues of three women who were arhats: Mahaprajapati Bhiksuni, Utpalavarna Bhiksuni, and Bhadra Kapilani Bhiksuni. This revolutionary stroke of creativity not only highlights the Buddhist teaching of equality among all living beings, it also demonstrates the contemporary status of equal rights between the sexes.
Here are some of the Eighteen Arhats.
First, we have Dragon Subduing Arhat, a Chinese addition to the original grouping of Sixteen Arhats.
Aniruddha (2008) by Fo Guang Shan Buddha MuseumFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
This is Aniruddha, a disciple foremost in telepathic vision.
Sariputra (2008) by Fo Guang Shan Buddha MuseumFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Meet handsome Ananda, the Buddha's attendant.
Subhuti (2008) by Fo Guang Shan Buddha MuseumFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
And Subhuti, of course, the key figure in understanding emptiness.
Mahakasyapa (2008) by Fo Guang Shan Buddha MuseumFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Meet Mahakasyapa, the Buddha's great disciple foremost in ascetic practices.
Rahula (2008) by Fo Guang Shan Buddha MuseumFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Did you know Rahula was the Buddha's son?
Utpalavarna (2008) by Fo Guang Shan Buddha MuseumFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
You might be wondering: are all arhats male? Here's a female Arhat, and she's Utpalavarna.
Mahaprajapati (2008) by Fo Guang Shan Buddha MuseumFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Here's another female arhat, and she's the Buddha's foster mother, and the first nun to enter the Order.
Bhadra Kapilani Bhiksuni (2008) by Fo Guang Shan Buddha MuseumFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
And Bhadra Kapilani, who was known for her beauty and who was the wife of Mahakasyapa, but observed celibacy with her husband. Both Bhadra Kapilani and Mahakasyapa eventually became monastics.
Sariputra (2008) by Fo Guang Shan Buddha MuseumFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Let's not forget Sariputra who appeared in the popular Heart Sutra.
Purna (2008) by Fo Guang Shan Buddha MuseumFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Meet Purna, the Buddha's disciple who ignored the dangers of his life and insisted on teaching the Dharma in a barbarous kingdom.
Cundapanthaka (2008) by Fo Guang Shan Buddha MuseumFo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
And Cundapanthaka of course, who reminds us that practice is in our everyday living.
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Wu Jung Tzu
