The Theravada ideal of the

Arhat
Pali Arahant
Sanskrit Arhat
Tibetan dgrabcompa
Japanese Rakan
Chinese Lo - han

The Arhat

This is a person in Theravada Buddhism

who has extinguished all defilements
(asrava) and all afflictions (klesa)
It is the goal of the Theravada faith
At death, the Arhat enters nibbana
(nirvana) and will not be reborn again
They are known as The worthy ones
although often castigated in Mahayana
for treading the path alone

The Arhat

They might be classed as worthy of

respect because they have attained a
high level of spiritual development
An expression in the Tipitaka is one who
has laid down the burden
The figure of the Lo han became
widely popular In East Asia, particularly
in Chan because it emphasised
personal striving for liberation

The Arhat

In Theravada Buddhism, the Buddha

himself is first named as an arahat, as
were his enlightened followers, since he
is without greed, hatred and delusion.
During the lifetime of the Buddha, many
of his disciples became Arhats. Among
them were the first five monks like
Shariputra, Maudgalyayana and the
Buddhas own father, Shuddhodana.

The Arhat

As said, the Arhat is the Perfected one

who has overcome the impurities of
desire, greed and hatred (akusala).
At the end of the present life, he is no
longer reborn.
He is, therefore, finally freed from the
suffering of existence in the cycle of
birth, death and rebirth, and attains
Nibbana (Nirvana).

The Arhat

When a person realises that there is no

lasting happiness and freedom whenever he
may be reborn within the cycle, he can strive
to attain Nibbana.
The Theravada route is the way of the Arhat
This way is what we already know as the
three trainings on the Eightfold Path i.e.:panna (prajna) wisdom; sila (morality or
good conduct) and samadhi (mental
development)

The Arhat

Panna wisdom
Like a sharpened knife that can cut easily
through a solid object, the concentrated
mind is able to see things as they really are.
The development of insight is a gradual
process, like learning to ride a bike. Wisdom
is more than just knowledge, it is the
application of knowledge and the motivation
or intention behind our actions that is
wisdom.

The Arhat

Sila Morality
The would be Arhat achieves purity of
the three types of action of
i) Body
ii) Speech and
iii) Mind
Observance of the Five Precepts
Perfecting the Five Wholesome Truths or
positive moral qualities.

The Arhat

Samadhi Mind development

There are various methods by which a
would be Arhat gradually disciplines and
controls his mind
Two of the most well known are
i) Mindfulness of the body
Ii) Mindfulness of the process of breathing
When a would be Arhat is walking, he is
simply aware of the fact that he is walking;
when a would be Arhat is sitting, he is
simply aware of the fact that he is sitting.

The Four stages of becoming

an Arhat

1.
2.
3.
4.

Stream winner or enterer

Once returner
Non returner
An Arhat

The Four stages of becoming

an Arhat

Progress on the path of the Arhat is

measured by the persons ability to
weaken or eliminate the Ten Fetters
(sins) which bind him to the cycle of
births, deaths and rebirths and which
keep him from attaining nibbana.
There are four recognisable stages
which mark his progress along the
path.

The Four stages of becoming

an Arhat

The Stream winner or enterer

This is the first stage i.e. one who
has entered the stream that
eventually leads to the ocean of
nibbana.
When he is at this stage, his insight
is powerful enough to remove the
first three fetters:-

The Four stages of becoming

an Arhat

1. The belief in the existence of a permanent self.

2. Doubt in the ability of the Triple Gem to lead
him towards he goal.
3. The mistaken belief that moral rules and ascetic
rites alone are sufficient to lead a person towards
enlightenment.
N.B. On attaining this stage, the Arhat would no
longer be reborn in any of the lower realms of
existence (see the Tibetan Wheel of Life).
He will also be reborn no more than seven times in
the human or heavenly realms before he attains
nibbana.

The Four stages of becoming

an Arhat

The Once Returner

As he makes further progress and perfects
his insight more, he reaches this second
stage.
After this, he will be reborn only once more
as a human being.
In that rebirth, he would attain nibbana.
At this stage , he has also succeeded in
weakening the fourth and fifth fetters:
4. Attachment to sensual desire
5.Ill will

The Four stages of becoming

an Arhat

The Non returner

This is the third stage
At this stage, he completely removes the
fourth and fifth fetters and will no longer
be reborn in the human realm.
He will be reborn in one of the pure
abodes in the heavens where he will attain
nibbana.
At this stage, the first five fetters have
been totally removed.

The Four stages of becoming

an Arhat

The Arhat
This is the fourth and last stage
He makes his final advance to
Arhatship a perfect one
He attains nibbana because he has
broken the remaining five fetters
which are:-

The Four stages of becoming

an Arhat
6.Desire for existence in the
world of forms
7.Desire for existence in the
formless worlds
8.Conceit
9.Restlessness
10.Ignorance

Conclusion to the Arhat

The career of the Arhat is like that of a student.

Development is measured by the highest stage he
has achieved so far
Each student will increase their mastery of the
subjects and skills associated with these at each
stage until the highest level is achieved
In the same way, an Arhat overcomes more and
more of the fetters at each stage of his
development.
When he successful passes the fourth stage, he
reaches the end of his career and is no longer
subject to rebirth