Arhats and Boddhisattvas
Arhat – A Theravada Buddhist who has become enlightened and gone to Nibbana (Nirvana).
Bodhisattvas – A Mahayana Buddhist who has reached nibbana but delays doing so through compassion for suffering beings.
Buddha nature – the potential for attaining Buddhahood, a state of awakening filled with compassion and wisdom
There are two types of Buddhists – Theravada and Mahayana Buddhists. Buddhists call these ‘Schools’.
Theravada Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism is older and the more traditional of the two schools of Buddhism and literally translates as ‘Old School’ in English. Many Theravada Buddhists follow the teachings of the Buddha exactly and with little interpretation. Theravada temples are decorated in a simple way.
Theravada Buddhists strive to be arhats. Arhats are perfected people who have gained true insight into the nature of reality. This means they have followed the Noble Eightfold Path to ‘blow out’ the three fires (or poisons) of greed, hatred and ignorance and have become enlightened.
In Buddhism, enlightenment leads to nibbana (or nirvana), which means freedom from the cycle of rebirth (samsara). Consequently, they will no longer be reborn through samsara.
Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhists believe they can achieve enlightenment through following the teachings of the Buddha. The goal of a Mahayana Buddhist may be to become a Bodhisattva and this is achieved through following the Six Paramitas (or 6 perfections).
Compassion is very important in Mahayana Buddhism. Therefore, Bodhisattvas choose to stay in the cycle of samsara to help others to achieve enlightenment as well as themselves.
This is a key difference between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhists. Whereas Theravada Buddhists strive to become Arhats and gain freedom from the cycle of samsara, Mahayana Buddhists may choose to stay in the cycle of samsara out of compassion for others. This is known as becoming a Bodhisattva.
Buddha Nature
Buddha nature is an important concept in some Mahayana traditions. It refers to the idea that everyone has a seed, or essence of Buddha inside them. Sometimes it is even said that deep down every person is already enlightened – but this is hidden by desires and attachments. Only when people realise the true nature of being can they access enlightenment. They believe everyone can access enlightenment.
Arhat
For Theravada Buddhists an ‘Arhat’ is a perfected person who has overcome the main causes of suffering – hate, greed, ignorance – to achieve enlightenment. They are no longer reborn when they die, they have finally escaped the cycle of samsara ( cycle of birth, life and death) and can obtain nibbana.
This has been achieved by following the Eight fold Path and concentrating on wisdom, morality and meditation.
Buddha’s father was among the first five monks who became an Arhat.
Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva is a Buddhist who strives for enlightenment through the way of all embracing love. And it is an enlightened (Buddha of Love) who works for a happy world and for the happiness of all beings. He helps everybody on the path of enlightenment. If you want to get a fulfilled life and to be happy on a higher level, become a Bodhisattva.
Bodhisattvas – A Mahayana Buddhist who has reached nibbana but delays doing so through compassion for suffering beings.
Buddha nature – the potential for attaining Buddhahood, a state of awakening filled with compassion and wisdom
There are two types of Buddhists – Theravada and Mahayana Buddhists. Buddhists call these ‘Schools’.
Theravada Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism is older and the more traditional of the two schools of Buddhism and literally translates as ‘Old School’ in English. Many Theravada Buddhists follow the teachings of the Buddha exactly and with little interpretation. Theravada temples are decorated in a simple way.
Theravada Buddhists strive to be arhats. Arhats are perfected people who have gained true insight into the nature of reality. This means they have followed the Noble Eightfold Path to ‘blow out’ the three fires (or poisons) of greed, hatred and ignorance and have become enlightened.
In Buddhism, enlightenment leads to nibbana (or nirvana), which means freedom from the cycle of rebirth (samsara). Consequently, they will no longer be reborn through samsara.
Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhists believe they can achieve enlightenment through following the teachings of the Buddha. The goal of a Mahayana Buddhist may be to become a Bodhisattva and this is achieved through following the Six Paramitas (or 6 perfections).
Compassion is very important in Mahayana Buddhism. Therefore, Bodhisattvas choose to stay in the cycle of samsara to help others to achieve enlightenment as well as themselves.
This is a key difference between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhists. Whereas Theravada Buddhists strive to become Arhats and gain freedom from the cycle of samsara, Mahayana Buddhists may choose to stay in the cycle of samsara out of compassion for others. This is known as becoming a Bodhisattva.
Buddha Nature
Buddha nature is an important concept in some Mahayana traditions. It refers to the idea that everyone has a seed, or essence of Buddha inside them. Sometimes it is even said that deep down every person is already enlightened – but this is hidden by desires and attachments. Only when people realise the true nature of being can they access enlightenment. They believe everyone can access enlightenment.
Arhat
For Theravada Buddhists an ‘Arhat’ is a perfected person who has overcome the main causes of suffering – hate, greed, ignorance – to achieve enlightenment. They are no longer reborn when they die, they have finally escaped the cycle of samsara ( cycle of birth, life and death) and can obtain nibbana.
This has been achieved by following the Eight fold Path and concentrating on wisdom, morality and meditation.
Buddha’s father was among the first five monks who became an Arhat.
Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva is a Buddhist who strives for enlightenment through the way of all embracing love. And it is an enlightened (Buddha of Love) who works for a happy world and for the happiness of all beings. He helps everybody on the path of enlightenment. If you want to get a fulfilled life and to be happy on a higher level, become a Bodhisattva.
