Definition

1. Noun:
   • Arhat, Arahant: In Buddhism, a "la hán" is a person who has attained Nirvana, liberated from the cycle of rebirth and suffering. It is a high level of spiritual attainment.
   • Statue of an Arhat: The term can also refer to a statue or image depicting such a saintly figure, often found in temples.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong Phật giáo, các vị la hán đã đạt được giác ngộ. (In Buddhism, Arhats have attained enlightenment.)
  • Ngôi chùa cổ có một bộ sưu tập mười tám pho tượng la hán bằng đá rất đẹp. (The ancient temple has a beautiful collection of eighteen stone Arhat statues.)

Advanced Usage

• "Thập bát la hán": The Eighteen Arhats. This is a common grouping in East Asian Buddhist art and tradition.
  • Bức tường được trang trí với hình ảnh của thập bát la hán. (The wall is decorated with images of the Eighteen Arhats.)

Variants and Related Words

• A-la-hán: An alternative transliteration of the same term.
• La Hán Tùng (Arhat Pine): A specific, often ancient and gnarled, style of bonsai tree, named for its resemblance to the wise, aged figures of Arhats.
  • Cây La Hán Tùng này đã hơn trăm năm tuổi. (This Arhat Pine bonsai is over a hundred years old.)

Synonyms

• Arahant: The Pali term, equivalent to the Sanskrit "Arhat".
• Ứng cúng: A title for an Arhat, meaning "worthy of offerings".

Notes on Meaning

• The term "la hán" is specific to Buddhist religious and cultural context. It is not used in everyday secular language.
• It is a transliteration from Sanskrit (Arhat) via Chinese (luóhàn).

1. (tôn giáo) Arhant