Arhats Overhead, Jinge Temple, Wutai Shan, Shanxi, China

In a clever use of limited space, Jinge Temple, Wutai Shan, Shanxi, arranged its 500 Arhats in the rafters over the floor of the main hall. Impressive--and a little creepy. The temple is associated with the Indian Vajrayana master Amoghavajra, and was built to promote devotion to Manjushri.

Posted to Reddit and Bluesky, August 9, 2025

Relief with Arhats, Shangfeng Temple, Nanyue, Hunan, China

Shangfeng Temple, Nanyue, Hunan, was under almost complete reconstruction when I visited there in August of 2012. (This was quite a shock after the grueling climb up to the compound!)  But part of the refurbishments included the addition of a long bas relief panel including arhats and other celestial beings. This is just one end of the whole.

Posted to Reddit and Bluesky, June 27, 2025

Maitreya and Arhats, Feilai Feng, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Maitreya is also known as the "Laughing Buddha" (though, as next in line for Buddhahood, he's technically still a Bodhisattva). Here he is surrounded by arhats at Feilai Feng, "The Peak that Flew from Afar," a carved ridge in front of Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, Zhejiang.

Posted to Reddit and Bluesky, June 24, 2025

Three Arhats, Puji Temple, Putuoshan, Zhejiang, China

Three of the eighteen amazing bronze arhats at Puji Temple on Putuoshan in Zhejiang.

Posted to Reddit and Bluesky, June 23, 2025

Manly Arhat (Vanavasin), Fuyan Temple, Nanyue, Hunan, China

This manly old man seated on a banana leaf is typical of the unusual set of Arhats at Fuyan Temple, Nanyue, Hunan. Vanavasin (or Vanavasa) is called Bajiao Luohan in Chinese, the "Banana Arhat." Some say he was born under a banana tree; others that, in a homely imitation of the Buddha, he achieved enlightenment under one.

Posted to Reddit and Bluesky, June 5, 2025

Discarded Arhats, Yuquan Temple, Dangyang, Hubei, China

When I visited Yuquan Temple in Dangyang, Hubei, in August of 2012, they were replacing the Arhats in the 500 Arhats Hall. The discarded statues were placed in hallways; this group looks for all the word like they're riding in a big bobsled!

Posted to Reddit et al, May 21, 2025

Two Arhats, Luohan Temple, Chongqing, China

Two of the 500 arhats after which Luohan (Arhat) Temple in Chongqing was named. They are all exquisite. The first time I visited, in 2007, the hall was closed for refurbishment. I visited again in 2012, when these guys were about five years old.

Posted to Reddit et al, May 18, 2025

Friends, Baisuigong Temple, Jiuhuashan, Anhui, China

Two monks chat in the second-floor window of the 500 Arhats' Hall at Baisuigong Temple on Jiuhuashan, Anhui. The temple is said to have been home to a monk that lived to be 126! Hence the name, which means "100 Year Palace."

Posted to Reddit et al, May 16, 2025

500 Arhat Plaques, Zhusheng Temple, Nanyue, Hunan, China

Instead of being portrayed as statuary, the 500 arhats at Zhusheng Temple, Nanyue, Hunan, are displayed on 250 plaques, two to a plaque. Not unique, but unusual. (The first images of the 16 arhats, "Luohans in a dream," were also created in 2D by the Chengdu-based monk Guanxiu in 891 CE.)

Posted to Reddit et al, May 14, 2025

Arhats, Ci'en Temple, Shenyang, Liaoning, China

A fine antique-looking set of arhats graces the Main Hall at Ci'en Temple, Shenyang, Liaoning.

Posted to Reddit et al, April 11, 2025

Amusing Arhats, Wujin Nunnery, Shaoguan, Guangdong, China

These amusing "jade" (marble) Arhats are three of the eighteen that grace the Main Hall of tiny Wujin Nunnery on the grounds of the larger Nanhua Temple in Shaoguan, Guangdong.

Posted to Reddit et al, April 3, 2025

500 Arhats Hall, Gaoming Temple, Tiantai Shan, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China

Increasingly, temples in China are building "Halls of 500 Arhats." The older ones tend to feature staid bronze characters, but the newer ones are more colorful and often designed with great humor. Here are a few from Gaoming Temple on Tiantai Shan, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China.

Posted to Reddit et al, February 26, 2025

The 18 Arhats at Ma-Cho Temple,San Fernando, La Union

[These photos were taken on a trip my family and I made to the Ma-Cho (Mazu) Temple in San Fernando, La Union, The Philippines. You can read more about that visit. here.]

The Ma-Cho Temple in San Fernando, La Union, is famous for many things: for its "majestic" five-portal gate, its Kwan Yin Terrace and Eight-Sided Pavilion, its quaint matching Bell and Drum Tower, and of course its tiny, gorgeous main statue of Ma-Cho (Mazu), the Sea Goddess.

Interestingly, though, it is also noted for its mistakenly-named "Eighteen Chinese Saints." These are actually the Eighteen Arhats (also called, in Chinese, 十八羅漢 Shiba Luohan, as a sign near them says). They're ranged along the retaining wall for the Kwan Yin Terrace, between its stone buttresses.

Ma-Cho Temple, San Fernando,La Union, The Philippines

[Don't miss our stop at the Pindangan Ruins on the way to this temple.]

Main Hall of the Ma-Cho Temple, note Drum (L) and Bell (R) Towers

On July 20, 2019, in celebration of my 64th birthday, Lila and I hired a car and driver to take us (with the boy) 3-1/2 hours north, to the capital city of San Fernando Province, La Union. There we visited two sites: First, the ancient ruins of the Pindangan Church (to be posted later), and then the main focus of the trip: the immense and beautiful Ma-Cho Temple on a hill overlooking the West Philippine Sea.