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.