The arhat has completely eliminated the six fundamental afflictions-greed, anger, ignorance, pride, doubt and mistaken views. He has transcended the cycle of life and death, is liberated and has attained sagehood. He has attained great merit, supreme wisdom and supernatural powers.

According to the scriptures, there were sixteen arhats during Buddha’s time. They were to forsake nirvana and remain in the world, to be venerated by worldly beings, and to help all sentient beings attain enlightenment. Two other arhats were added later by the Chinese, they are Bodhidharma, the first patriach of Chinese Buddhism, and Matreiya, the future Buddha.