The Theravada Ideal: The Arahat Arahant

1
The Theravada IdealThe Arahat / Arahant

• The Goals

2
The Arahat

• The Arahat is the Theravadin ideal
• All Theravadin Buddhists would like to become an
  Arahat
• An Arahat is an enlightened monk they will not
  be reborn when they die
• It takes many rebirths to reach the stage where
  one will become an Arahat in this lifetime
• It takes a lifetime of dedication and study as a
  monk to reach this stage
• Few monks become Arahats

3
Implications for Lay People

• Lay people ordinary members of the community
• Ordained people monks and nuns
• Lay people in Theravada Buddhism are VERY
  unlikely to become enlightened
• The best they can aim for is a better rebirth to
  get closer to being able to become an Arahat
• They do this by accumulating positive kamma (they
  might become monks or nuns temporarily, and they
  will help the ordained community by providing
  food and clothing, etc)
• They would not expect to progress in leaps and
  bounds enlightenment is a very distant goal.
• Enlightenment in Theravada Buddhism is a largely
  personal goal ultimately you have to do it on
  your own.