1. The Theravada ideal of the Arhat
Pali – Arahant
Sanskrit – Arhat
Tibetan – dgrabcompa
Japanese – Rakan
Chinese – Lo - han

2. 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’

3. 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 Ch’an because it emphasised personal striving for liberation

4. 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 Buddha’s own father, Shuddhodana.

5. 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).

7. 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)

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.”

11. The Four stages of becoming an Arhat
1. Stream winner or enterer
2. Once returner
3. Non returner
4. An Arhat

12. The Four stages of becoming an Arhat
Progress on the path of the Arhat is measured by the person’s 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.

13. 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:-

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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:-

18. 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

20. 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