Sīvali (Pali: Sīvali; Burmese: ရှင်သီဝလိ pronounced [ʃɪ̀ɰ̃ θìwəlḭ]; Thai: พระสีวลี RTGS: phra siwali; Sinhala: සීවලී; Chinese: 尸婆羅) is an arhat widely venerated among Theravada Buddhists. He is the patron saint of travel and is believed to ward off misfortunes at home such as fire or theft.[1] His veneration predates the introduction of Theravada Buddhism into Burma.
![](http://178.128.105.246/cars-http-upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Phra_Sivali_Thera_%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%96%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0_Wat_Ratcha_Singkhon_%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%A3_-_CROPPED.png/220px-Phra_Sivali_Thera_%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%96%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0_Wat_Ratcha_Singkhon_%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%A3_-_CROPPED.png)
Sīvali is typically depicted standing upright and carrying a walking staff, an alms bowl and Buddhist prayer beads.[2] Born to Queen Suppavasa, Sīvali is believed to have remained in his mother's womb for seven years because of past karma.[2] 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.[3] The Burmese believe that worshiping him will bring them prosperity and good fortune.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Cooler, Richard M. "Chapter III The Pagan Period: Burma's Classic Age - 11th To 14th Centuries". The Art and Culture of Burma. Northern Illinois University. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ a b Paw, Maung. "Maha Sivali Thera" (PDF). Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ Maung Htin Aung (2 October 2008). "Shin Thiwali". Folk Elements in Burmese Buddhism. Retrieved 18 March 2012.