Sīvali

Sīvali (Pali: Sīvali; Burmese: ရှင်သီဝလိ [ʃɪ̀ɴ θìwəlḭ]; Thai: พระสีวลี; Chinese: 尸婆羅) is an arhat widely venerated among Theravada Buddhists. He is the guardian 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. Born to Queen Suppavasa, Sīvali is believed to have remained in his mother's womb for seven years because of past karma. 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. The Burmese believe that he is still living, that he can be invoked to come by a special incantation and that his mere invisible presence will bring them prosperity and good fortune.