CHINESE SUPERSTITIONS - University of Oregon

— 375 —
2. Group comprising 108 Arhats.
The origin of this group is unknown. It is mentioned by
Waddell, in his Tibetan list of the 16 Sthaviras (1). The series is
too long to be given here. Many
Sanscrit-Chinese Dictionary.
of them are found in Kitcl's
3. A large and well-known group is that of 500.
The first mention of this group is found in the early Annals
of Buddhism. Here, we read that several days after Buddha had
passed into Nirvana, Kasyapa summoned 500 Arhats, and begged
them go to all the worlds, and invite others to hear the Law (2).
The fanciful Becords of Western Travels, Si-yiu-hi ]ftf j|| ffi (3\
describing the journey of Yuen-chwang i£ ^ to India, in the
7 th
century, mentions also this group. In fact these Five Hundred
have been honoured in all the monasteries of the T'ien-l'ai Ji -^
School, in Chehiang $ff fx (*) A graceful legend has grown up
around them, and tells how in the early morning, they formed a
choir of musicians, and made the woods and valleys of the region
resound with heavenly harmony Small carved figures of the same
group existed in Kwangsi Jlr ]f§ , A.D, 959 (5). This number is
also found in other large monasteries of China, where a special hall
is set apart for them. In some cases, the 18 described above, may
be seen in the same hall, thus showing practically that the two
groups are generally known and honoured by Chinese Buddhists (6).
Elders).
(1) Waddell The Buddhism of Tibet, p. 37(3 (The l(i Sthaviras, or
(2) Edkins. Chinese Buddhism, p. 58.
(3) On the Si-yiu-ki jjfi M BE- See Chinese Superstitions. Vol. V. p. 694.
note 2; Vol. VI. p. 212. note 2.
(4) In every monastery of this region, a hall devoted to images of the
500 Lohans now exists. Edkins. Chinese Buddhism p. 178.
(5) Journal Asiatique. Sept. -Oct. 1916. p. 287 (l.es 16 Arhat, Protec
teurs de la Loi).
(6) Edkins Chinese Buddhism, p. 242-243 (Buddhist images and temples).