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RELIGION & MYTHOLOGY

 

 

 

  Five Hundred Arahats

 

China

The Three Pagoda Temple in Dali, China, has 2 large pavilions, housing 500 life-sized gilded statues of the Five Hundred Arahats, akin to the Lingyin Temple (fig.).

 

They are believed to be either the 500 disciples that were present when the Buddha expounded the Flower Sutra on Vultures Peak...

 

  Five Hundred Arahats

 

  Five Hundred Arahats

 

... or the 500 rich merchants (fig.), who became beggars after meeting the Buddha and accepting his teachings.

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