Sanshou

[47MartialMan]

Ok, Iron Arahat,

 

That is one version of a Lohan that I have not heard/read. Out of curiousity, where did you get that reference from? I am sincerely curious to look it up and read on that further.

 

Now that you have posted that, I will post what info I have.

 

In accordance to Buddhism, which had many influences in China and the Chinese assigning their own interpretations:

 

A Arahant (Pali version), sometimes spelled as Arihan, is a person who has liberated himself from all defilements and impurities such as desire, hatred, ill-will, ignorance, pride, conceit, etc. Sometimes he was referred to as a "subduer". That he had subdued many mankind sufferings. Thus the fourth or highest level to Nirvana

 

A Arhat, (Sanskrit version) correct spelling if one was to reserach, is a perfected person, one who has gained insight into true nature and existence and has achieved Nirvana. In essence the same as Arahant.

 

The Lohan, a Chinese version of Arhat, per the Yogacara School of Vasubandhu, reflected on the doctrine of 18 levels or moves called Shipalohanshou, (Sanskrit-Astadasararahantapani)

 

Thus, both meaning the "18 Hand Moves of the Arahants". It is a Buddhist nata-short (pratima-long or hsing-all meaning form). Some scholars believe this is where the term kata was derived from.

 

Now here is a kicker, some scholars believe there were only 16 Arahants and that 18 was some Chinese accounts that the number 18 had some cosmic principal. In the Theravada scriptures it is 18. And I can name each one.

 

Such hand arrangements were also known as mudras. In other texts, particulary Ch'an Buddhist, Lohan meant "those who subdue or attain victory over opposition".

 

Now both of these are on the Theravada Buddhist tradition. The Mahayana Buddhist criticize this and state that the Bodhisattva is on the hihest ground. Such the Boddhisattva vows to remain in a cycle of rebirth to help others attain enlightenment. A Boddhisattva, from many accounts, could be considered as a guardian deity.

 

Now, here is the problem, to understand Buddhism, including the Ch'an study (Zen), one has to research many texts on it. Problem with those texts, there were many schools (doctrines of thoughts). One school, known as "pure land" has different perspectives as well.

 

Fortunately, in college I had a professor that taught Eastern Religion, esp Buddhism. Much of these terms we speak has orgin in Sanskit or Pali. Including Chuan Fa, and etymology, which some will freak if I go into detail on that.

[MenteReligieuse]

Ok, Iron Arahat,

 

Such the Boddhisattva vows to remain in a cycle of rebirth to help others attain enlightenment. A Boddhisattva, from many accounts, could be considered as a guardian deity.

 

Sounds to me they are just too lazy to give the extra effort and become buddha...

[Iron Arahat]

Tests by Shi Di Quan, have a great deal of information on these subjects.