Arhat

An arhat is a special person in the Buddhist tradition. They are someone who has gained deep insight into how existence works. By reaching this state, they achieve nirvana and break free from the endless cycle of rebirth.

The word arhat comes from the Sanskrit root "arh," which means "to deserve." This can mean being worthy or deserving of honor. In the past, people also used this word to describe holy men with miraculous powers. However, Buddhists made a distinction between these men and their own arhats. For Buddhists, the focus shifted away from magic toward a different kind of identity.

Different Buddhist schools have many different views on what an arhat is. Some early groups, like the Sarvāstivāda and the Kāśyapīya, believed arhats were not perfect. They thought arhats might still have some desire or could even make mistakes. In the Nāgadatta Sūtra, a character named Nāgadatta even calls arhatship a lower path. She believed a Buddha's wisdom was much greater, like the empty space of the ten quarters. Other schools, such as the Mahāsāṃghika, also saw arhats as being less than fully enlightened. These groups often preferred the ideal of the bodhisattva over the arhat.

In the Theravada tradition, the view of the arhat is very different. Here, an arahant is seen as someone who has removed all unwholesome roots. They have dissolved the bonds that tie a person to the cycle of samsara. When an arhat dies, they reach a state called parinirvana. This is a total release from the misery of the world.

Some people in this tradition, called anagamis, are also very special. They do not return to the human world but live in a heaven called the Pure Abodes.

Mahayana Buddhism teaches a different way to look at these achievements. Many followers aim to become a bodhisattva instead of an arhat. They believe the path of an arhat focuses too much on personal freedom. Some texts even suggest that seeking personal liberation can be seen as a bit selfish. However, Mahayana Buddhists still show great respect for arhats. They see their work as impressive because they have moved beyond the mundane world.

In some traditions, an arhat is even expected to eventually become a bodhisattva.

Arhats are a very important part of Buddhist art and history. In East Asia, they are often called luohan or lohan. You can see them in many different groups in religious art. Some traditions show groups of six, eight, sixteen, or even one hundred arhats. There are even depictions of eighteen arhats waiting for the return of the Buddha, Maitreya.

In some places, like the Daishō-in temple, there are five hundred statues. A famous monk named Guanxiu painted portraits of these figures in 891 CE. These artworks help people connect with the idea of great spiritual success.