'Arhat' is the Buddhist Sanskrit term for a Dharma practitioner who has achieved the state of “No More Learning” (meaning Nirvana) in the Theravada or Hinayana or “individual liberation vehicle” Buddhism. Arhat is the fruition of the ultimate fulfillment of the shravaka yana and pratyekabuddha yana.
Arhat is also used as an epithet of the Buddha. One who has completely overcome the enemy of the disturbing emotions and is therefore worthy of praise.
In the Pali texts of the Theravada tradition the standard formula for describing the Arhat is as follows: “Destroyed is rebirth, lived is the celibate life (of a disciple), done is what had to be done, after this present life there is no beyond.” (Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary)
An Arhat is one of the four types of truly enlightened beings according to Buddhism. (see enlightenment). Sanskrit word are known for having many meanings compared to Latin or English. There are three most common interpretations of the word Arhat:
'Arhat' is the Buddhist Sanskrit term for a Dharma practitioner who has achieved the state of “No More Learning” (meaning Nirvana) in the Theravada or Hinayana or “individual liberation vehicle” Buddhism. Arhat is the fruition of the ultimate fulfillment of the shravaka yana and pratyekabuddha yana.
Arhat is also used as an epithet of the Buddha. One who has completely overcome the enemy of the disturbing emotions and is therefore worthy of praise.
In the Pali texts of the Theravada tradition the standard formula for describing the Arhat is as follows: “Destroyed is rebirth, lived is the celibate life (of a disciple), done is what had to be done, after this present life there is no beyond.” (Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary)
An Arhat is one of the four types of truly enlightened beings according to Buddhism. (see enlightenment). Sanskrit word are known for having many meanings compared to Latin or English. There are three most common interpretations of the word Arhat:
disciples from the Longchen Nyingtik Field of Merit]] Arhat (Skt.; Tib. དགྲ་བཅོམ་པ་, drachompa; Wyl. dgra bcom pa) — name given to the ultimate result of the shravaka yana and pratyekabuddha yana, which differ in terms of realisation and qualities. Arhat is also used as an epithet of the Buddha. One who has completely overcome the enemy of the disturbing emotions and is therefore worthy of praise.
There are two kinds of arhat: those with remainder and those without remainder.
Arhats teach by means of the three pure factors (Tib. དག་པ་གསུམ་, Wyl. dag pa gsum)<ref>
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Key Terms Paths and Stages Basic Yana
Arahant comes from the Pali word arahati meaning ‘worthy’ or ‘noble’ and is a title given to someone who has attained enlightenment as a result of listening to and practising the teachings of a Buddha. Like a Buddha, an arahant has perfected wisdom and compassion and is no longer subject to rebirth. The Buddha describes the arahant as having transcended ‘the round of birth and death, they have destroyed the taints, lived the holy life, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, reached the ultimate goal, destroyed the fetters and become completely free, liberated through final knowledge’ (Majjhima Nikaya 1. 141).
Attaining to the level of full enlightenment is not to be taken lightly or as something easily attainable. It can take several decades of devoted practice and will more likely take several lifetimes to perfect the Paramitas, the Jhanas, and other advanced states. There are however, several other partially enlightened noble levels (see: 10 hindrances).
Buddhism is unique among the major world religions in that followers can attain to the same level as the founder. For example, in Judaism, Abraham and Moses are considered the founders who made the covenant with God and provided the Law (Torah) and there cannot be another one to do so. In Christianity, there can only be one Christ. In Islam, Muhammad is considered the seal or final prophet. Whereas, in Buddhism, anyone can attain enlightenment and reach the same wisdom and title as the Buddha, an enlightened one.