Stone statue of a seated Luohan, 1368 CE - 1644 CE
Stone
RL.0936
Luohan (often written luóhàn) is the Chinese term used for an Arhat, these being the historical disciples of the Buddha. As with the passage of time Buddhist tradition developed, and...
Luohan (often written luóhàn) is the Chinese term used for an Arhat, these being the historical disciples of the Buddha.
As with the passage of time Buddhist tradition developed, and especially in and among the East Asian Buddhist countries, the original number of Arhats or Luohans was characterised by a propensity to increase, and at least the most important of them were regarded almost as bodhisattvas or fully enlightened beings, with a wide range of supernatural powers. According to the standard Buddhist tradition, groups of 16, 18 or 500 luohans awaited the arrival of Maitreya, the Future Buddha, and such groups were very often re-created in various mediums in East Asian Buddhist art.
This almost life-sized statue depicts a Luohan, a follower of Buddha gifted with supernatural powers, with closed eyes and a serene facial expression, while seated in contemplation.
As with the passage of time Buddhist tradition developed, and especially in and among the East Asian Buddhist countries, the original number of Arhats or Luohans was characterised by a propensity to increase, and at least the most important of them were regarded almost as bodhisattvas or fully enlightened beings, with a wide range of supernatural powers. According to the standard Buddhist tradition, groups of 16, 18 or 500 luohans awaited the arrival of Maitreya, the Future Buddha, and such groups were very often re-created in various mediums in East Asian Buddhist art.
This almost life-sized statue depicts a Luohan, a follower of Buddha gifted with supernatural powers, with closed eyes and a serene facial expression, while seated in contemplation.