Arhat

American  

[ahr-huht] / ˈɑr hət /

Also Arhant

noun

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

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arhat British  

/ ˈɑːhət /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• Arhatship noun

Etymology

Origin of Arhat

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

Example Sentences

One group of these scientists, led by Bhart-Anjan Bhullar of Yale University and Arhat Abzhanov of Harvard University, has spent the past eight years investigating one piece of bird anatomy in particular: the beak.

From New York Times • May 12, 2015

The subsequent two spaces, filled with smaller Arhat paintings and Murakami’s signature canvases of skulls and smiling flowers, look toned down in comparison.

From New York Times • Apr. 18, 2013

Sarah now sees the Arhat in person every day, whizzing by in one of his limousines.

From Time Magazine Archive

After all, the two shared the same yoga class back in Swampscott, Mass., and together watched inspirational videocassettes of Shri Arhat Mindadali.

From Time Magazine Archive

The fourth route is that of the Arhat who has completed his release by breaking the bonds called love of life, pride, self-righteousness and ignorance and has made an end of all evil and impurity.

From Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 1 by Eliot, Charles, Sir