Arhat Hall

The Arhat Hall is mainly for enshrining Arhat in Chinese Buddhist temples. Arhat is short for Arahant, meaning self-enlightened. In the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism, Arhats rank the third position in Buddhism, only below the Buddha and Bodhisattva. In the Theravada tradition of Buddhism, Arhats rank the highest the Karma position. Buddhists believe that Arhats position means to free oneself from being troubled and from the circle of rebirth.[1]

Arhat Hall
Traditional Chinese羅漢堂
Simplified Chinese罗汉堂
Literal meaningArhat Hall

In medium-sized Buddhist temples, there are nine statues of Arhats on each side of the Mahavira Hall, which are known as the "Eighteen Arhats". In some large-sized Buddhist temples, Arhat Hall are built with many statues of Arhats inside, such as the Sixteen Arhats, the Eighteen Arhats, the Five Hundred Arhats, etc.[1][2][3]

References
  1. Zi Yan 2012, p. 47.
  2. Wei Ran (2012-06-01). Buddhist Buildings. Beijing: China Architecture & Building Press. ISBN 9787112142880.
  3. Han Xin (2006-04-01). Well-Known Temples of China. Shanghai: The Eastern Publishing Co. Ltd. ISBN 7506024772.

Bibliography
  • Zi Yan (2012). "Xiantong Temple in Mount Wutai, Shanxi Province". Famous Temples in China (in English and Chinese). Hefei, Anhui: Huangshan Publishing House. ISBN 978-7-5461-3146-7.

Further reading
  • Wang Guixiang (2016-06-17). 《中国汉传佛教建筑史——佛寺的建造、分布与寺院格局、建筑类型及其变迁》 [The History of Chinese Buddhist Temples] (in Chinese). Beijing: Tsinghua University Press. ISBN 9787302427056.
  • Zhang Yuhuan (2014-06-01). 《图解中国佛教建筑、寺院系列》 [Illustration of Chinese Buddhist Architecture and Temples] (in Chinese). Beijing: Contemporary China Publishing House. ISBN 9787515401188.
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