An Analytical Study of the Doctrine of Arhat in Theravada Buddhism

Abstract

This research is an analytical study of the doctrine of arhat in Theravada Buddhism. In Theravada Buddhism, the arhat (arahat or arahant) is one who has achieved enlightenment in this life. He is free from delusion, from hatred, and from attachment. He will not be born again. A Theravand#257;da scripture describes him as calm in mind, speech, and action, perfectly peaceful. While he may still experience physical pain from past karma, the mental suffering that accompanies it is completely absent. Early Buddhist schools argued as to exactly what the arhat s enlightenment meant. The participants at the Third Council debated such points as whether an Arhat was omniscient or experienced normal lapse, like forgetting a name or directions to a village. And did he still suffer from unintentional faults such as nocturnal emissions.? That was the shocking claim put forth by a Mahand#257;sanghika monk named Mahadeva, who said even an arhat might be seduced by wicked goddesses during the night. Although masturbation had been forbidden by the Buddha, he maintained that night-time emissions were unintentional and therefore not sinful. Stricter monks tended to interpret this as meaning that while not a moral lapse, it would not be characteristic of an arhat.