CHINESE SUPERSTITIONS - University of Oregon

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will experience no further rebirth, but must either enter Nirvana, or
cease to exist (1).
In theory, this Arhatship is open to all, laymen
as well as
monks, and even to women (2), but practically can only be obtained
by those who leave the world, and lead a celibate monastic life.
7. Sravakas. — The term Sravaka was used in the H in ay ana.
system, to denote the great disciples of Buddha, and especially those
who heard the law from his own lips, and became afterwards
renowned Arhats (3). Among those chief disciples were Sariputra
and Maudgalyayana, who died before the Buddha; and sixteen leaders
among the so-called 80 "great disciples", the principal of these
being Mahakasyapa, Upali, Ananda, Anuruddha and Kalyayana. At
a later time, two chief female disciples, named Khema and Uppala-
vanna, were added (4). Each leading disciple was afterwards called
"Sthavira", or Elder.
8. Pratyeka-Buddlia. — The followers of Buddha thought it
desirable to fill up the gap between the ordinary Arhat and the
Supreme Buddha, and thus adopted the idea of the Pratyeha-
Buddha ,5). This Pralyeka or Nidana Buddha is a solitary saint,
who has attained perfection for himself, and through himself alone,
(1) The cause of reproduction — Karma —being destroyed, it is not possible
for him to enter any other mode of existence. Hardy. Manual of Bud-
dhism, p. 39 — Monier Williams. Buddhism, p. 133.
(2) In the early ages of Buddhism, Arhatship was attained by females.
Hardy. Manual of Buddhism, p. 39. — Monier Williams. Buddhism, p. 133.
(3) Monier Williams. Buddhism, p. 75. — F.itel. Sanscrit- Chinese Diction-
ary, p. 131.
(4) Guatama was originally a misogynist, but in the end admitted
woman's right to perfection. The first nun received was his own nurse.
No woman, however, could attain to Buddhahood without being born as a
man. Monier Williams. Buddhism, p. 47 and 8G.
(5) The Pratyelia-Buddha is placed between the Arhat and the Supreme
Buddha, but is far above the former. Their relative dignity may be learned
from the fact, that giving alms to a Pratyeka-Buddha, produces greater merit
by a hundred times than when given to an Arhat. Hardy. Manual of Bud-
dhism, p. 37.