Rāhula

Rahula (Chinese罗 怙 罗; Thai: พระ ราหุ ล ) was the only son of the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), and his wife Yasodhara.

According to legend, he remained for six years in his mother's womb, but overcame all obstacles that opposed his birth after his father had attained Buddhahood.

He has performed with seven years the Order of his father and accompanied him on his extensive wanderings as a novice. At the age of 20 he was accepted as a full-fledged monk ( bhikkhu ) in the community to which he then belonged also time his life.

On him the still practiced rule is attributed to the accession to a Buddhist religious Although in childhood of seven years is possible the ordination (full ordination ) as a monk but only from the age of 20. Before that age, the young aspirants have the status of Samaneras, so a novice.

In Burmese popular belief Rāhula is assigned to the North -East ( sky), Sunday, or the sun. The "Sunday Planet" ( = Rahula ) riding on Galon, which is the Burmese name for Garuda, the eternal enemy of the Naga.

According to the Zen view Shakyamuni is said to have transmitted the Dharma to ten of his male students, among them Rahula.