Sīvali

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.

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.