Nahan-jeon – The Arhat Hall: 나한전

Introduction

One of the shrine halls that you’ll see at larger temples is the Nahan-jeon Hall, which is also sometimes called the Eungjin-jeon Hall. So what is a Nahan-jeon Hall? What does it look like? Why is it at a Korean Buddhist temple?

Nahan-jeon Design

The Nahan-jeon Hall is dedicated to the historical disciples of the Buddha. The Korean word Nahan is a transliteration of “Arhat,” a Sankrit word. And while less accomplished than a Bodhisattva, Nahan are still an exulted and important part of the Buddhist pantheon of religious figures. Nahan carry on the tradition of the Dharma (Buddhist teachings) from generation to generation. Furthermore, the Nahan were instrumental in spreading the message of Buddhism throughout the world. And an important part in continuing this tradition is the Nahan-jeon Hall, which is an embodiment of the highest form that an earthly human can achieve in Buddhism. Simply put, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are otherworldly, Nahan are not yet.

As for inside a Nahan-jeon Hall, you’ll typically find sixteen Nahan statues or paintings inside this shrine hall. They surround the central figure of Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha), who sits on the main altar and can be joined either by Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom) and Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power), or Yeondeung-bul (The Past Buddha) and Mireuk-bul (The Future Buddha). Sometimes, however, and if you’re lucky, you’ll find five hundred Nahan inside the Nahan-jeon Hall, too. These five hundred are meant to symbolize all those individuals that were present and participated at the First Council, which is also known as the “Council of the Five Hundred,” in Buddhism. After the Buddha, Seokgamoni-bul’s passing, these five hundred were re-assembled to collect and write the Buddha’s teachings. Typically, if a Nahan-jeon Hall has five hundred Nahan, they’re statues.

Great Examples

In Korea, there are two Nahan-jeon/Eungjin-jeon Halls that are Korean Treasures. The first is the Eungjin-jeon Hall at Bulyeongsa Temple in Uljin, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and the other is at Seonghyeolsa Temple in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. In addition, there is one National Treasure of a Nahan statue, and four paintings of the Nahan that are Korean Treasures, and four more of the Nahan that are statues that are Korean Treasures, as well.

The Sixteen Traditional Nahan in Korea

Korean Name	Korean (Hangeul)	Sanskrit	Characteristic	Ability
1. Bindora Balrasa	빈도라발라사	Piṇḍola Bhāradvāja	Long eyebrows, mudra hands on lap, thought to be Dokseong (The Lonely Saint)	Aids those in the lower realms, conferring wisdom and granting wishes, and protecting people from misfortune.
2. Ganakga Beolcha	가낙가벌차	Kanakavatasa	Incense burner in hand	Those devoted to him will never be separated from their teachers and will be respected by all.
3. Ganakga Ritasa	가낙가발리타사	Kanaka Bhāradvāja/ Kanaka	Fly whisk in hand	Invoking him opens opportunities for practicing the six transcendent perfections and developing along the path of Truth.
4. Sobinta	소빈타	Subinda/ Abhedya	Cleaning ear	Those who meditate towards him gain fortune and merit and open the way to realization.
5. Nakgeora	낙거라	Nakula/ Bakula	Flaming wisdom pearl in left hand	Has the power to grant the ability for understanding all of the Buddha’s teachings.
6. Baltara	발타라	Śrībhadra/ Bhadra	Holds a wooden staff	Allows people to understand compassion and emptiness. He can also grant wisdom to overcome bad habitual patterns.
7. Gariga	가리가	Mahākālika/ Kālika	Gray goatee and hand on knee	Praying to him develops compassion and the ability to set others on the right path.
8. Beolsara Buldara	벌사라불다라	Vajriputra	Scratching his own back	He strengthens concentration and wisdom in those who work for others.
9. Sulbakga	술박가	Gopaka/Jīvaka	Stomach open revealing a face or Buddha	Personal physician of the Buddha, also known as the “Medicine King.” People that pray to him are given knowledge of the arts and sciences, and he imparts discriminating awareness, enabling people to teach the Dharma.
10. Bantakga	반탁가	Panthaka	Reading a book	Aids those who earnestly wish to study, practice and meditate on the Buddha’s teachings.
11. Rahora	라호라	Rāhula	Holds a fly whisk and has gray hair	Son of the Buddha. Those who pray to him are cared for by the protective deities.
12. Nagaseona	나가서나	Nāgasena	Protruding forehead, and he’s also sometimes joined by a dragon	Praying to him helps free the mind from confusion and awakens confidence in the Three Jewels.
13. Ingyeta	인게타	Aṅgaja	Gold rings in hand	Liberates beings from all manner of emotional pain.
14. Beolnabasa	벌나바사	Vanavāsin	Hands praying	Protects people from distraction and leads them to fulfill their wishes.
15. Asida	아시다	Ajita	Gold stick	Gives the ability to enter into meditation with moral perfection, and he grants protection and steadfast devotion to practice.
16.Judabantakga	주다반탁가	Cūḍapanthaka/ Kṣudrapanthaka	Wisdom pearl in right hand	Praying to him frees one from desire, anger, and ignorance that leads beings to suffering.

Great examples of a Nahan-jeon Hall (Eungjin-jeon Hall) can be found at Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do; Daeheungsa Temple in Haenam, Jeollanam-do; Baekyangsa Temple in Jung-gu, Ulsan; and Beomeosa Temple in Geumjeong-gu, Busan. And the greatest example of Nahan statues can be found at Chunghyosa Temple in Yeongcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Conclusion

So the next time you’re at a larger Korean Buddhist temple, have a look around for the Nahan-jeon Hall (Eungjin-jeon Hall). This hall is a great connection to the highest achievements made by earthly humans within Buddhism. Not only that, but you can pray to the Nahan for guidance and support. And hopefully, your prayers will be answered!