Eighteen Arhats

In China, the eighteen arhats are also a popular subject in Buddhist art, such as the famous Chinese group of glazed pottery luohans from Yixian from about 1000 CE.

Originally, the arhats were composed of only 10 disciples of Gautama Buddha, although the earliest Indian sutras indicate that only 4 of them, Pindola, Kundadhana, Panthaka and Nakula, were instructed to await the coming of Maitreya.

[4] But this depiction of 18 Luohans only gained a foothold in China, whereas other areas like Japan continued to revere only sixteen and their roster differs somewhat.

The paintings were donated by Guanxiu to the Shengyin Temple in Qiantang (present day Hangzhou) where they are preserved with great care and ceremonious respect.

Pindola Bharadvaja* (Sanskrit: Pindolabharadrāja) (Chinese: 賓度羅跋羅墮闍尊者; pinyin: Bīndùluó Báluóduòshé Zūnzhě) Sitting dignified on a deer, As if in deep thought.

Kanaka the Vatsa (Sanskrit: Kanakavatsa) (Chinese: 迦諾迦伐蹉尊者; pinyin: Jiānuòjiā Fácuō Zūnzhě) Decimating the demons, The universe now cleared.

Kanaka the Bharadvaja (Sanskrit: Kanakabharadrāja) (Chinese: 迦諾迦跋釐堕闍尊者; pinyin: Jiānuòjiā Bálíduòshé Zūnzhě) In majestic grandeur, Joy descends from heaven.

Subhadra (Sanskrit: Shubinda ) (Chinese: 蘇頻陀尊者; pinyin: Sūpíntuó Zūnzhě) A seven-storey pagoda, Miraculous power of the Buddha.

Nakula* (Sanskrit: Nakula/Vakula) (Chinese: 諾距羅尊者; pinyin: Nuòjùluó Zūnzhě) Quietly cultivating the mind, A countenance calm and composed.

Kalika (Sanskrit: Kālika) (Chinese: 迦理迦尊者; pinyin: Jiālǐjiā Zūnzhě) Riding an elephant with a dignified air, Chanting aloud the sutras.

Vajraputra (Chinese: 伐闍羅弗多尊者; pinyin: Fáshéluófúduō Zūnzhě) Playful and free of inhibitions, The lion cub leaps with joy.

Panthaka/ Pantha the Elder, Long Armed Arhat * (Chinese: 半托迦尊者; pinyin: Bàntuōjiā Zūnzhě) Easy and comfortable, Yawning and stretching.

Above this world and free from conventions, Compassion conveyed up to the Ninth Heaven Thinking Lohan (Chinese: 沉思羅漢; pinyin: Chénsi Luóhàn) 12.

Nagasena (Sanskrit: Nāgasena) (Chinese: 那迦犀那尊者; pinyin: Nājiāxīnā Zūnzhě) Leisurely and contented, Happy and knowledgeable.

Angida (Sanskrit: Ingata) (Chinese: 因揭陀尊者; pinyin: Yīnjiētuó Zūnzhě) Buddha of infinite life, Valuable bag containing secrets of heaven and earth.

Vanavasa (Sanskrit: Vanavāsa) (Chinese: 伐那婆斯尊者; pinyin: Fánāpósī Zūnzhě) Carefree and leisurely, Disdainfully regards the Great Void.

Chota-panthaka /Pantha the Younger (Sanskrit: Cūḍapanthaka) (Chinese: 注茶半托迦尊者; pinyin: Zhùchá Bàntuōjiā Zūnzhě) Powerful, husky and tough, Watching with careful alertness.