According to tradition Ananda (A nantuo in Chinese) was a younger brother or a cousin of the historical Buddha Sakyamuni, and was one of his favourite disciples. The Lohan (Arhat in Sanskrit) are disciples of the Buddha who, in their earthly lives, have attained the state of enlightenment. By treading the long road of meditation and right action they have succeeded in vanquishing every desire, every passion, thus attaining the state of complete detachment and perfection. In this way they have become immortal. They have escaped the eternal cycle of dying and rebirth, and they have entered Nirvana, the blissful state of the soul's total peace. The Lohan are the example for all Buddhists hoping to attain the same objective.