9. Jivaka (or Gobaka), called in Chinese Kaixin Luohan,
or "The Open Heart (or 'Heart Exposing') Arhat."
One of the most notable of all the Arhats is an odd-looking fellow who seems to have another figure emerging from his chest! Jivaka's story goes like this:
In an ancient Indian kingdom, Jivaka was the crown prince, heir to the throne. But having heard the teaching of the Buddha, he decided that to be a monk would be a higher calling than being king.
So he went to his younger brother and declared his intentions. "My brother," he said, "I will leave the throne to you, and pursue the wandering life of a monk."
His brother, however, did not trust him. "It's a trick!" he said. "One day you will return with an army and take the kingdom back. It would be better for me if I eliminated you at once!" And with that, he picked up a sword.
"Wait, brother, wait!" cried Jivaka. "My intentions are pure. I have the Buddha in my heart."
"Mere words!" his brother replied. "Everyone claims to have the Buddha in his heart. But how can you prove it?"
So, opening his garments, Jivaka revealed the face of a Buddha on his chest and commanded, "Just look!"
In an ancient Indian kingdom, Jivaka was the crown prince, heir to the throne. But having heard the teaching of the Buddha, he decided that to be a monk would be a higher calling than being king.
So he went to his younger brother and declared his intentions. "My brother," he said, "I will leave the throne to you, and pursue the wandering life of a monk."
His brother, however, did not trust him. "It's a trick!" he said. "One day you will return with an army and take the kingdom back. It would be better for me if I eliminated you at once!" And with that, he picked up a sword.
"Wait, brother, wait!" cried Jivaka. "My intentions are pure. I have the Buddha in my heart."
"Mere words!" his brother replied. "Everyone claims to have the Buddha in his heart. But how can you prove it?"
So, opening his garments, Jivaka revealed the face of a Buddha on his chest and commanded, "Just look!"
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