Sīvali (; ; ; ; ) is an
arhat
In Buddhism, an ''Arhat'' () or ''Arahant'' (, 𑀅𑀭𑀳𑀦𑁆𑀢𑁆) is one who has gained insight into the true nature of existence and has achieved ''Nirvana (Buddhism), Nirvana'' and has been liberated from the Rebirth (Buddhism ...
widely venerated among
Theravada Buddhists
''Theravāda'' (; 'School of the Elders'; ) is Buddhism's oldest existing school. The school's adherents, termed ''Theravādins'' (anglicized from Pali ''theravādī''), have preserved their version of the Buddha's teaching or ''Dhamma'' in th ...
. He is the patron saint of travel and is believed to ward off misfortunes at home such as fire or theft.
His veneration predates the introduction of Theravada Buddhism into Burma.
Sīvali is typically depicted standing upright and carrying a walking staff, an alms bowl and
Buddhist prayer beads
A japamala, , or simply Japay mala (; , meaning 'garland') is a loop of prayer beads commonly used in Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. It is used for counting recitations (''japa'') of mantras, prayers or other ...
.
Born to Queen Suppavasa, Sīvali is believed to have remained in his mother's womb for seven years because of past
karma
Karma (, from , ; ) is an ancient Indian concept that refers to an action, work, or deed, and its effect or consequences. In Indian religions, the term more specifically refers to a principle of cause and effect, often descriptively called ...
.
After a week in labor, Sīvali's mother gave birth to a precocious boy who could immediately speak. Thereafter, Gautama Buddha's chief disciple,
Sariputta, admitted Sīvali into the
sangha
Sangha or saṃgha () is a term meaning "association", "assembly", "company" or "community". In a political context, it was historically used to denote a governing assembly in a republic or a kingdom, and for a long time, it has been used b ...
.
The Burmese believe that worshiping him will bring them prosperity and good fortune.
See also
*
Arahant
In Buddhism, an ''Arhat'' () or ''Arahant'' (, 𑀅𑀭𑀳𑀦𑁆𑀢𑁆) is one who has gained insight into the true nature of existence and has achieved '' Nirvana'' and has been liberated from the endless cycle of rebirth.
The und ...
*
Upagupta
*
Shin Upagutta
*
Ari Buddhism
Ari Buddhism or the Ari Gaing (, ) is the name given to the religious practice common in Burma prior to Anawrahta's rise and the subsequent conversion of Bagan to Theravada Buddhism in the eleventh century. It was introduced in the 7th century, p ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sivali
Foremost disciples of Gautama Buddha
Buddhism in Myanmar
Arhats
Folk saints