Arhat
- noun
- /ˈɑːr.hɑːt/
- Specialized
- In Buddhism, an arhat is someone who has achieved nirvana and is free from rebirth.
Examples
-
Drew smiles and shakes his head, then bows to the Arhat.
Fiction book (1991) -
The Arhat says nothing, but just puts out his hand for the scroll.
Fiction book (1991) -
The Arhat sits without moving or speaking.
Fiction book (1991) -
The Arhat returns the bow.
Fiction book (1991) -
The Arhat holds up his hand, and Drew stops talking.
Fiction book (1991) -
You are to deliver this scroll to the Arhat living on the Jade Mountain.
Fiction book (1991) -
The Arhat is standing on the other side of his hut, the sandals still on his head.
Fiction book (1991) -
The Arhat is already out there, moving through his gong fu moves.
Fiction book (1991) -
The Arhat runs after him, grabs his sleeve, and pulls him over to a place behind his hut.
Fiction book (1991) -
The Arhat ponders that for a moment, then smiles and puts his sandals on his head and stands up.
Fiction book (1991)
Synonyms
A respected Buddhist who has reached nirvana
A person who has ended the cycle of rebirth by reaching enlightenment in Buddhism
How Enlightened
Surface Forms
Etymology
Arhat comes from an old Indian word, Pali arahant and Sanskrit arhat, which means 'worthy' or 'honored'. In Buddhism it names a person who has reached nirvana and is freed from the cycle of rebirth, so the idea of being 'worthy' helps explain why an Arhat is seen as spiritually complete.