Arhat
An arhat is a type of enlightened person in Buddhism. They have achieved enlightenment by following the teachings of a Buddha. Many of the Buddha's disciples became arhats.
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The importance of the arhat is different depending on the Buddhist school.
The aim of becoming an arhat is to seek perfect calm and understanding in one's mind.
Meaning
"Arhat" is a Sanskrit word. It means "someone who deserves to be to honored."[1]
Theravada
The ultimate goal in Theravada Buddhism is to become an arhat. Someone who becomes an arhat is the same as someone who attains enlightenment. The Buddha is also sometimes called an "arhat."
Mahayana
In Mahayana Buddhism, bodhisattvas are seen as better than arhats. A bodhisattva will eventually become a Buddha, who can teach all living beings. An arhat can teach too, but only achieves enlightenment for him or herself.[2]
Arhat Media
Gautama Buddha statue and 500 arhats at the courtyard of Shanyuan Temple (善緣寺), Fushun, Liaoning province, China.
Gohyaku rakan - five hundred statues depicting arhats, at the Chōkei temple in Toyama
Seated Luohan from Yixian, around 1000, one of a famous Group of glazed pottery luohans from Yixian
