Particularly, the Zen sect emphasized that Shaka's true dharma　(正法) was transmitted directly to Arakan, Daikasho (Mahakasyapa) and produced pictures of the 500 Rakans, and statues of Rakan idealized the figures of Shaka's disciples training, which were later worshipped to pray for keeping true dharma.
ことに禅宗では阿羅漢である大迦葉に釈迦の正法が直伝されたことを重視して、釈迦の弟子たちの修行の姿が理想化され、五百羅漢図や羅漢像が作られ、正法護持の祈願の対象となった。