Arhat

[ ahr-huht ]

noun

1. a Buddhist who has attained Nirvana through rigorous discipline and ascetic practices. Compare Bodhisattva.

arhat

/ ˈɑːhət /

noun

1. See Bodhisattva
   a Buddhist, esp a monk who has achieved enlightenment and at death passes to nirvana Compare Bodhisattva

Other Words From

• Arhat·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Arhat¹

1865–70; < Sanskrit: meriting respect, derivative of arhati (he) merits

Word History and Origins

Origin of Arhat¹

from Sanskrit: worthy of respect, from arhati he deserves

Example Sentences

When it was being made over to an Arhat by pouring water on his hands, some drops fell on the ground.

From Project Gutenberg

The king accordingly, when he died, buried him after the fashion of an Arhat, as the regular rules prescribed.

From Project Gutenberg

"There is no god superior to the Arhat," says the Kalpa-sūtra (Stevenson, p. 10).

From Project Gutenberg

But in the night hours spirits appear to us and tell us not to kill ourselves, for an Arhat will come from the East to deliver us.

From Project Gutenberg

The life of an Arhat which includes the strictest morality is commended on its own account as the best and happiest existence.

From Project Gutenberg