Significance of Arahat
Arahat in Buddhism describes an individual who has achieved enlightenment and liberated themselves from the cycle of rebirth and suffering. This term is associated with individuals who have mastered the truth of self-created things, completely eradicated defilements, and reached the ultimate state of Nirvana. In Theravada, Arahats are seen as fully enlightened beings free from all cravings and suffering, while in Mahayana, they are recognized for their ability to deliver sentient beings, highlighting their crucial role in Buddhist teachings and traditions.
Synonyms: Arahant, Enlightened being, Sage, Saint, Liberated one, Perfected one, Noble one, Enlightened one, Worthy one
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Arahat'
Arahat in Buddhism signifies individuals who have achieved high spiritual attainment, liberation from rebirth, and complete enlightenment, free from cravings and defilements, revered for their moral excellence and profound understanding of existence.
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) A person who has achieved enlightenment and is free from the cycle of birth and rebirth, fully liberated from all forms of suffering.[1] (2) Individuals who have achieved enlightenment and are free from suffering.[2] (3) An enlightened being who has achieved liberation from suffering and the cycle of birth and death.[3] (4) A person who has attained enlightenment and has overcome all forms of suffering, as referenced in relation to the fourth skull.[4] (5) A title for someone who has achieved Enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of rebirth, which describes Upavana.[5]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) Individuals who have achieved liberation and freedom from suffering through the Buddha’s teachings, including the boy and his parents.[6] (2) Refers to an enlightened being who has attained Nirvana and freed themselves from the cycle of existence.[7] (3) A person who has attained enlightenment, notable for walking straight in virtue and deserving of homage.[8] (4) Monks who have attained a high level of enlightenment and are referred to with great respect by the brahmin.[9] (5) Individuals who have achieved the ultimate stage of enlightenment, no longer subject to rebirth due to the destruction of all defilements.[10]
From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada
(1) Individuals who have attained enlightenment and are revered figures in Buddhist practice, worthy of respect and service.[11] (2) A high spiritual attainment that Punna achieved after following the Buddha's teachings.[12] (3) Individuals who are free from craving and latent tendencies, achieving liberation and the ending of the karmic cycle.[13] (4) Individuals who have attained enlightenment and are free from defilements, serving as a source of inspiration.[14] (5) A title given to a perfected being in Buddhism; Sunakkhatta incorrectly believed the ascetic to be one.[15]
From: Guide to Tipitaka
(1) Highly attained monks who have reached enlightenment, mentioned as accompanying the Buddha.[16] (2) The most perfected state of being a brahmana, marked by spiritual enlightenment and freedom from defilements.[17] (3) Disciples of the Buddha who have achieved Arahatship and are chronicled in the biographical accounts.[18] (4) Monks who have attained a state of enlightenment, having fully realized the teachings of the Buddha.[19] (5) An enlightened being who has attained liberation, as exemplified by the Venerable Channa.[20]
From: Cetasikas
(1) An individual who has attained enlightenment and completely eradicated sloth and torpor.[21] (2) The final stage of enlightenment, signifying one who is freed from all cankers and has transcended the cycle of birth and death.[22] (3) The fully enlightened being who has eradicated all defilements and hindrances, achieving liberation from the cycle of rebirth.[23] (4) The term for an enlightened being who has eradicated all defilements and achieved final liberation.[24] (5) An enlightened being who has eradicated all akusala dhammas and is no longer bound to the cycle of birth and death.[25]
From: Vinaya (2): The Mahavagga
(1) Individuals who have achieved absolute holiness, as referenced in the text when discussing the five Bhikkhus who gained liberation.[26] (2) Enlightened beings who have achieved Nirvana; during Yasa's time, there were seven in the world.[27] (3) Individuals who have attained enlightenment within Buddhism, which is referenced in the context of the robbers.[28] (4) Individuals who have achieved enlightenment and are free from the cycle of rebirth, embodying the ultimate insight into the nature of reality.[29] (5) Individuals who have attained enlightenment and are free from all attachments, recognized as holy beings in the Buddhist tradition.[30]
From: A Manual of Abhidhamma
(1) Enlightened beings who have eradicated defilements and do not experience moral javanas; they operate through functional thought processes.[31] (2) Individuals who have attained enlightenment in Buddhist tradition and have eliminated all defilements and suffering.[32] (3) Those who have reached the highest spiritual realization, free from rebirth and craving.[33] (4) Fully enlightened beings who have eliminated all motivation for akusala actions.[34] (5) An enlightened being who no longer experiences akusala cittas due to the complete eradication of all fetters.[35]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life
(1) An individual who has attained enlightenment and no longer generates akusala cittas.[36] (2) An enlightened being who has eradicated all forms of akusala, achieving complete liberation.[37] (3) A person who has attained the ultimate realization and is free from the cycle of rebirth and suffering.[38] (4) The fourth and final stage of enlightenment, representing the full realization of nibbana and freedom from the cycle of birth and death.[39] (5) The fully enlightened one who has eradicated all defilements, achieving complete freedom from attachment and suffering.[40]
From: Milindapanha (questions of King Milinda)
(1) Individuals who have achieved enlightenment and freedom from the cycle of rebirth.[41] (2) Individuals who have attained a high level of spiritual realization and are free from the forces of suffering.[42] (3) A term referring to an enlightened being who has achieved Nirvana and is free from the cycle of birth and rebirth.[43] (4) An enlightened being who has achieved the highest state of liberation in Buddhism.[44] (5) Enlightened beings in Buddhism who have attained Nirvana and are free from the cycle of birth and death.[45]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
(1) Enlightened individuals within the Buddhist tradition, whose inclusion as recipients varies between Sanghika and puggalika Dana.[46] (2) Individuals who have achieved enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of existence.[47] (3) A person who has attained enlightenment and freedom from the cycle of rebirth through disciplined practice.[48] (4) Beings who have achieved a high level of spiritual attainment and realized Nibbána, moving beyond the cycle of existence.[49]
From: Vinaya (3): The Cullavagga
(1) An enlightened person who has attained liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering.[50] (2) Enlightened beings in Buddhism who have overcome attachments and suffering.[51] (3) An individual who has attained enlightenment and is free from the cycle of rebirth.[52]
From: The Doctrine of Paticcasamuppada
(1) An enlightened being who has attained Nirvana and has overcome all forms of attachment.[53] (2) An enlightened being who has abandoned ignorance (Avijja) and, therefore, does not commit Punnabhi Sankhara, operating instead without attachment.[54]
From: Dipavamsa (study)
(1) An enlightened person in Buddhism who has attained the state free from defilements; applicable to Channa after his transformation.[55] (2) A person who has reached a profound level of enlightenment in Buddhism, which Mahinda attained after his ordination.[56]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) Individuals who have reached a high level of enlightenment and attained nirvana, having shed all cravings and attachments.[57]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) An enlightened being who has achieved Nirvana, which Bhagineyyupali became as a result of his practices.[58] (2) Individuals who have attained enlightenment and are free from all cankers (asava).[59] (3) A title indicating that Padumacchadaniya attained enlightenment or spiritual liberation.[60] (4) Arahats are individuals who have mastered the truth of self-created things (‘sankhatadhamma’) and are recognized as such.[61] (5) A fully enlightened being who has attained liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering.[62]
From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva fundamental vow sutra
(1) A person who has attained enlightenment and is capable of delivering sentient beings.[63]