Five Hundred Rakan
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五百羅漢

Five Hundred Rakan

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Five hundred expressive statues of Arhats arranged in two locations: surrounding the Great Sage Fudo Myoo and along the approach path toward the Shakyamuni Parinirvana statue, with a saying that you will always find one that resembles you.

The Five Hundred Arhats (Gohyaku Rakan) are five hundred disciples (arhats) who gathered together after the death of Buddha to ensure his teachings would be correctly transmitted to future generations.

At Nanzo-in Temple, the Five Hundred Arhats are arranged in two groups: one cluster surrounding the Great Saint Fudo Myoo, and another group lining the approach path that leads further on toward the Shakyamuni Nirvana statue.

Each statue is carved with a completely distinct expression and posture—some laugh, others show surprise, while still others sit in quiet meditation—making them endlessly engaging to observe.

It is said that "you will surely find one statue that resembles you," allowing visitors to enjoy the experience of searching for an arhat statue that looks like themselves as they make their way along the path toward the nirvana statue.

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