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Arhat

World Religion
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A “worthy one” in Theravada Buddhism who has attained nirvana and is free from rebirth and defilements.

Detailed Definition
Arhats embody the ideal of personal liberation through discipline and insight. In poetry, they appear as serene wanderers, untouched by praise or blame. Poets contrast them with bodhisattvas to explore different paths—renunciation versus engagement—yet honor their purity, stillness, and freedom from the world’s dust.
Example
Example in poetry:
A Theravāda verse honors the arhat: “One who has extinguished craving’s fire—cool as moonlight on still water”; In a modern poem, “The arhat walks through markets unseen—his wealth is absence”; A minimalist reflection: “Arhat: no ‘I,’ no ‘mine,’ no tomorrow—only this breath, complete”; A contemplative lyric: “He wept once—for the world’s pain—but now his tears water gardens, not graves.”
Additional Notes
An arhat is the ideal of Theravada Buddhism—one who has destroyed all defilements (kleshas) and will not be reborn. While Mahayana traditions sometimes critique arhats as self-focused compared to bodhisattvas, early texts revere them as worthy of offerings. Arhats appear in Pali poetry and temple art as serene, liberated figures. For literary students, the arhat embodies the culmination of renunciation and mindfulness—a stark, disciplined counterpoint to the compassionate engagement of Mahayana bodhisattvas. Their presence in narrative underscores Buddhism’s emphasis on personal effort and insight.
Also Known As
Arahant Worthy One Perfected One
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