Lesson video

Hello, my name's Ms. Ramalli, and thank you for joining me for today's RE lesson.

So today's lesson forms part of our unit on Buddhism beliefs and teachings.

And we are going to be exploring the Theravada Buddhist goal of becoming an Arhat.

So this lesson is really going to deepen your understanding of the goal of many Theravada Buddhists.

So we are going to be exploring some really key Buddhist beliefs in today's lesson, including Buddhist beliefs on how to achieve enlightenment and considering the human destiny and goals of many Buddhists.

Okay, fantastic.

Let's begin and start our lesson today.

Today's lesson outcome is I can explain Buddhist beliefs on Arhat ideals, why they are important, and how they influence Buddhist's today.

To help guide us through today's lesson, there are four key words, enlightenment, human destiny, Theravada, and Arhat.

Enlightenment is a state of wisdom that enables total clarity and understanding of the truths of existence.

Human destiny is the path a Buddhist will take to achieve enlightenment.

Theravada is the school of Buddhism mainly found in Sri Lanka and Thailand.

It is an older tradition than Mahayana.

And Arhat refers to a perfected person.

And in Theravada Buddhism, this is a term for a person who has become enlightened.

So today's lesson on Arhat ideals takes two parts.

First of all, we're going to learn about Theravada beliefs about Arhats, and then move on to consider the importance and influence of these beliefs.

So let's begin by exploring Theravada beliefs about Arhats.

In Buddhism, human destiny refers to the path that a Buddhist will take in order to achieve enlightenment.

So here we have the Theravada Buddhism, and many Theravada Buddhists will take the Arhat path.

And then we have Mahayana Buddhism, and many Mahayana Buddhists will take the Bodhisattva path.

Theravada Buddhism is one of the oldest schools of Buddhism.

Theravada Buddhism is practised by the majority of people in Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka.

True or false, the Arhat path is followed by many Mahayana Buddhists? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you said that statement is false.

The Arhat path is followed by many Theravada Buddhists.

Theravada Buddhism is often considered the traditional or orthodox form of Buddhism.

It might be characterised by requiring greater emphasis on the practise of the Dhamma, including taking refuge in the Three Jewels, and a commitment to the Eightfold Path.

And here on your screen you can see the symbol of the wheel, and the wheel is the symbol of the Eightfold Path in Buddhism.

To reach Nirvana, Theravada Buddhists believe that they will need to follow the Eightfold Path.

So the Eightfold Path can be practised as a lay person or as a monastic.

However, the structure of life of a monastic allows for more time and favourable conditions to follow the Eightfold Path.

The goal for most Theravada Buddhist is to become an Arhat.

And the Arhat path may also be referred to as the Hinayana or lesser vehicle.

But as the term lesser can carry negative implications, the Arhat path is more commonly known as Theravada, which means teachings of the elders.

The term Arhat has its origins in the ancient Sanskrit language.

So the Arha is meaning merit or deserving.

So Arhat in Sanskrit, or Arahant in Pali, refers to a perfected person.

And this is one who has gained insight into the true nature of existence, and they have attained enlightenment.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

Which of the following is the meaning of Arhat? A, a perfected person, a person who has become enlightened? B, an enlightened being who remains in the cycle of samsara in order to help others achieve enlightenment? Or C, literally greater vehicle? Pause the video here and press play when you are ready to see the correct answer.

Okay, well done to everybody that said A is the correct answer.

A perfected person, a person who has become enlightened is the meaning of Arhat.

Here we have Lucas.

And Lucas asks, "As a Theravada Buddhist monk, what do you believe about Arhat, Niti?" And Niti replies, "I believe an Arhat has reached a point of complete awakening.

The underlying flow of life, driven by the three poisons, which are greed, hatred, and ignorance, and they come to an end.

I believe that any anxieties, feelings of desire, or insecurities about lacking things or wanting more all come to rest.

And this is a spiritual path that I want to take too." Lucas says, "How does a Buddhist become an Arhat? What do they need to do?" Niti responds, "I believe in order to become an Arhat, you must commit to the practise of the Eightfold Path, which is also the Threefold Way of wisdom, ethics, and meditation." So here we have a summary about Buddhist beliefs about Arhats.

An Arhat is a perfected person.

An Arhat has gained insight into the true nature of existence.

An Arhat is a person who has become enlightened.

An Arhat is the goal for most Theravada Buddhists.

And an Arhat is committed to practising the Eightfold Path.

Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

Select two Buddhist beliefs that are true about Arhats.

A, they have achieved enlightenment? B, they will be reborn in samsara? Or C, they commit to practising the Eightfold Path? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to see the correct answers.

Fantastic.

Well done if you selected A and C as the correct answers.

Two Buddhist beliefs that are true about Arhats are that they have achieved enlightenment and they commit to practising the Eightfold Path.

So now we're gonna complete our first practise task.

Izzy says, "Demonstrate your understanding of the Theravada of beliefs about Arhats." Develop each of the following points.

And Arhat is a perfected person that? Theravada Buddhist believe that the Arhat path is important because? The Arhat path may also be known Hinayana, which means? And lastly, to become an Arhat, you must? Okay, good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Okay, fantastic.

Welcome back, everybody.

Let's check your answers for the first practise task.

So your answers may look like this.

An Arhat is a perfected person that has achieved enlightenment.

Theravada Buddhist believe that the Arhat path is important because it enables an individual to escape samsara, which is the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, and reach nirvana.

The Arhat path may also be known as Hinayana, which means lesser vehicle.

And to become an Arhat, you must commit to the practise of the Eightfold Path and Threefold Way, of wisdom, ethics, and meditation.

Fantastic, well done on all of your hard work completing the first practise task today.

So now we're gonna move on to the second part of our learning on Arhat ideals to understand the importance and influence of these beliefs.

Jun asks, "As a Theravada monk, Niti, why is the belief in human destiny important to you?" Niti says, "My beliefs in human destiny are important to me because they influence me to follow the spiritual path to become an Arhat, a perfected person.

I'm influenced to follow in the footsteps of the first five months who become Arhats.

I must practise the steps of the Eightfold Path.

I believe this is key to helping me achieve enlightenment and reach my goal of Nirvana, which is the ending of suffering, dukkha." Linn, who's a Theravada Buddhist, explains why beliefs in human destiny are important to her.

Linn says, "To become an Arhat, it is important for me to focus on my own pursuit of attaining enlightenment.

This will enable me to attain my goal and reach Nirvana.

To achieve this, I must overcome the three poisons of greed, hatred, and ignorance.

I'm influenced to study the Buddha's Dhamma and avoid attachments to negative emotions, such as hatred." True or false, the goal for most Theravada Buddhists is to become an Arhat to attain Nirvana? Pause the video here and press play when you are ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you said that statement is true.

Most Theravada Buddhists do focus on attaining Nirvana, which is the cessation of suffering or dukkha.

Roshan, a Theravada Buddhist, explains why the belief in human destiny is important to him.

Roshan tells us, "Following the Arhat path is important to me because Arhats embody the highest moral and ethical ideals.

Their achievements of enlightenment demonstrate the potential for me to be liberated from samsara, the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth.

Their example influences me to practise the Eightfold Path, cultivate wisdom of the Buddha's Dhamma, and meditate daily." Beliefs about Arhats influence most Theravada Buddhists to, practise the steps of the Eightfold Path, study the Buddha's Dhamma, remember the Buddha's Dhamma is the Buddha's teachings, such as the Eightfold Path, avoid attachments, and to meditate daily.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

Select two ways that a belief in Arhats might influence many Buddhists.

A, to create attachments? B, to practise the steps of the Eightfold Path? And C, to study the Buddha's Dhamma.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to see the correct answers.

Well done if you selected B and C.

Practise in the steps of the Eightfold Path and studying the Buddha's Dhamma are two ways that a belief in Arhats might influence many Buddhists.

So now we're going to pause and complete our second practise task.

So here you have an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the importance and influence of the beliefs of Arhat ideals.

Jun, Sam, and Laura each have a question about the importance or influence of the beliefs in Arhats.

Write an answer to each of their questions.

June asks, "What is in Arhat and do all Buddhists follow the Arhat path?" Sam's question is, "Why is the Arhat path important?" And Laura asks, "How does a belief in Arhats influence Buddhists?" So remember when you are answering these questions to give detailed responses.

So that could include making a point and then developing it.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Okay, fantastic.

Welcome back, everybody.

Time to check your answers.

So your answers may look like this.

So Jun had asked, "What is an Arhat and do all Buddhist follow the Arhat path?" You could have said, an Arhat is a perfected person.

The Arhat path is followed by Theravada Buddhists.

Mahayana Buddhists follow the Bodhisattva path.

Sam's question is, "Why is the Arhat path important?" You may have said, it is the path to achieve enlightenment and reach the goal of Mirvana, which is the end of suffering or dukkha.

And Laura's question is, "How does a belief in our hats influence Buddhists?" Your answer may have said, it influences many Buddhists to practise the Eightfold Path.

to study the Buddha's Dhamma, and to meditate daily.

Fantastic, well done on completing the second practise task for today's lesson.

So that brings us on to the summary of our learning on Arhat ideals.

So what key points have we learned today? Well, Theravada Buddhism is often considered the traditional or orthodox form of Buddhism.

The goal of human destiny for many Theravada Buddhists is to become an Arhat.

An Arhat is a perfected person, and this is a term for a person who has achieved enlightenment.

The Arhat path leads to enlightenment, to reach the goal of Nirvana, which is the end of suffering or dukkha.

And lastly, a Theravada Buddhist may be influenced to practise the steps of the Eightfold Path in order to achieve enlightenment.

Fantastic, well done on all of your hard work in today's lesson, and thank you for joining me.

Goodbye.