These four great bhiksus had supernatural powers to extend their lives, so that they could dwell in the world to guard the Law and benefit living beings. In contrast to those who entered Nirvana after attaining fulfillment, they are regarded as the beginning of the Mahayana-ization of the Lohans.
這四大比丘便以神通延長自己的壽命，在世間護法利生。因為他們與以往自身證悟即入涅槃的阿羅漢不同，因此被視為阿羅漢大乘化的開始。