Difference between revisions of "Arahant"
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| − | '''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 | + | '''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). |
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| + | 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: [[Ten hindrances]]). | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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*''The Early Buddhist Theory of Man Perfected'', I.B.Horner, 1979. | *''The Early Buddhist Theory of Man Perfected'', I.B.Horner, 1979. | ||
*''Buddhism A to Z''. Ven. Dhammika, 2007. | *''Buddhism A to Z''. Ven. Dhammika, 2007. | ||
| + | *''The Complete Book of Buddha's Lists -- Explained''. David N. Snyder, Ph.D., 2006. | ||
*http://www.thedhamma.com/ | *http://www.thedhamma.com/ | ||
[[Category:Pali terms]] | [[Category:Pali terms]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Introduction to Buddhism]] | ||
Revision as of 22:19, 11 November 2008
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: Ten hindrances).
See also
- Ten hindrances (Four stages of enlightenment)
References
- The Early Buddhist Theory of Man Perfected, I.B.Horner, 1979.
- Buddhism A to Z. Ven. Dhammika, 2007.
- The Complete Book of Buddha's Lists -- Explained. David N. Snyder, Ph.D., 2006.
- http://www.thedhamma.com/