Arhat

Arhat is defined as a perfected person who has reached nirvana. Literally, in Sanskrit, the term means “one who is worthy.”Their worthiness is a product of their general state of enlightenment. In Theravada Buddhism, the term has a more specific definition: “The Arhat or “Worthy One” has broken all ten fetters and has won liberation in this life” (wisdomlib.com) (The Pali canon’s Sutta Piaka names the ten fetters as being: belief in a self, doubt or uncertainty about Buddha’s awakening, attachment to rites and rituals, sensual desire, ill will, lust for material existence and lust for material rebirth, lust for immaterial existence, lust for rebirth in a formless realm, conceit, restlessness, and ignorance). Etymologically, the term is derived from the Sanskrit present participle arhati which means he deserves. The etymology is in keeping with actual practice since the Arhat was generally venerated and considered worthy of offerings and pedestal placing.

The term originated and was coined not by Buddha but was “current even before he appeared on the religious scene (Bodhi).” Since this is the case, the term has pre-Buddhist origins and non-buddhist application. As related in that article, however, when Buddha become an arhat, the term gained greater significance, embodied in a figure of trans-historical, perhaps permanent importance. So while all Arhats were venerated with offerings and respectful gestures before Buddha, they were venerated in relation to Buddha once the term spread under its influence.

As is evident, being an Arhat is a fairly high honor. But what does it take to become an Arhat? How can one achieve such a venerable status? In Theravada Buddhism where the term is most central there is a clear path towards such a designation. Within this sect, also known as the lesser way, the world is pervaded by obsession with the senses. People need to have their senses gratified constantly— hearing nice sounds, seeing beautiful things, tasting great tastes. In order to become an Arhat you must overcome the lust to have such sensations. The process of doing so includes going through four arduous stages of intense meditation and deep reflection (On Becoming an Arhat). The first stage, Sotapanna, is for those who have just entered the religion and are on their way— generally, it entails overcoming false beliefs of desire within oneself; the second stage, Sakadagamin, which means once returner, denotes the moment where the aspiring Arhat will diminish their lust, hatred, and illusion; the third stage, anagamin or “never returner” denotes the more advanced moment where your next rebirth will be in heaven not on earth (technically you are an Arhat here but this is not the end of the journey); finally, the fourth stage, called Arhat, is when you have passed all these trials in the 4 stages, becoming enlightened to the highest degree, and can no longer be reborn on either heaven or earth (On Becoming an Arhat).

According to Theravada Buddhism, once the Arhat has finished his four stages, there is no more living to be done. He has eliminated all “unwholesome tendencies”, has purified his being, and has transcended the lowly human world. So while some ordinary people die in order to be reborn to become more pure, the Arhat is so pure that when he dies he is no longer reborn— there is no point for rebirth since he has accomplished his mission in life. The Buddha calls this the only “true peace.” (Amaro Ajahn)

Theravada Buddhism is one of two major traditions, the other being Mahayana. While the Arhat undoubtedly has significance within Theravada Buddhism and is a widely accepted and followed designation for enlightenment, it is frequently in conflict with the Mahayana tradition’s concept of Bodhisattva (“a person who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so out of compassion in order to save suffering beings” (metalarchives.com)).

Ken Holmes in a talk called: “the ways of the Arhats and Bodhisattva”, distinguishes the two terms and shows how both embody different ways of life— each distinctive Buddhist life paths. One is called the lower path, also known as the southern tradition, and additionally referred to as Theravada Buddhism. The other is called the higher path which is practiced in the north, referred to as Mahayana. Rather than the Arhat, where one can achieve their goal in a lifetime of following the four stages in deep mediation, Bodhisattvas must take lifetimes— sometimes hundreds— to achieve their final goal of Budhhahood. Rather than a withdrawal into oneself and mind, the Bodhisattva engages actively within the world.

While the Arhat path towards nirvana clearly differs from the path of the Bodhisattva both ultimately cohere in their philosophy of limiting the degree to which lustful desires consume ones self. Ultimately, the distinction between the two is important, however, because it distinguishes the practice of Arhat based Buddhism and Bodhisattva based Buddhism, two different sects of the same religion. Following the path of the Arhat will make you live your life differently than if you were a Bodhisattva. And both have merits that one will have to weigh when determining what kind of life they would like to live.

And while both sects are split, they are still both practiced widely, and Arhathood is still a valuable and venerated enlightened position one can reach. As the external links show the path of Theravada Buddhism can be one of great happiness and enlightenment where one truly explores the inner life and transcends the banal trivialities of our world.

References

1. Amaro, Ajahn, et al. “Between Arhat and Bodhisattva.” Lion’s Roar, 27 June 2019, www.lionsroar.com/between-arhat-and-bodhisattva/.
2. Holmes, Ken. “The Ways of the Arhat and the Bodhisattva.” The Ways of the Arhat and the Bodhisattva | SamyeLing.org, www.samyeling.org/buddhism-and-meditation/teaching-archive-2/dharmacharya-ken-holmes/the-ways-of-the-arhat-and-the-bodhisattva/.
3. Bodhi, Bikkhu. “Notes.” Arahants, Bodhisattvas, and Buddhas, www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/arahantsbodhisattvas.html.
4. Www.wisdomlib.org. “Arhat; 8 Definition(s).” Arhat: 8 Definitions, 29 Sept. 2019, www.wisdomlib.org/definition/arhat.
5. On Becoming an Arahat, www.angelfire.com/indie/anna_jones1/arhat_way.html.
6. “Bodhisattva.” Bodhisattva – Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives, www.metal-archives.com/bands/Bodhisattva/3540458270.

External Links

1. A short documentary showing how modern day Arhats live lives of peace and mediation that is distinctive.
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3KNFzi8usA
2. A documentary about Theravada Buddhism, showing how well one can live if they are an Arhat.
   https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=theravada+buddhism+documentary’
3. A brief history of Theravada Buddhism that illuminates the evolution of the sect and the significance of the Arhat within it.
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf-frul7eVc

Further Reading

If one wants an artistic rendering of the Arhat to see what depictions in the popular imagination look like by the painter Wu Bing from the ming dynasty, one should read 500 paintings of Arhats by Yu Jian Shi

If one wishes to understand Theravada Buddhism and the historical evolution of the term Arhat one should read: Gombrich, Richard F. Theravāda Buddhism: a Social History from Ancient Benares to Modern Colombo. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2006.

If one wants to learn about the tradition of Southern Theravada Buddhism in Southeast Asia where the arhat is still a popular conception one should read Lester, Robert C. Theravada Buddhism in Southeast Asia. Mich., 1973.