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New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Arhat ideals

I can explain Buddhist beliefs on Arhat ideals, why they are important, and how they influence Buddhists today.

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New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Arhat ideals

I can explain Buddhist beliefs on Arhat ideals, why they are important, and how they influence Buddhists today.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Theravada Arhat path is sometimes called the 'lesser vehicle', but this is less common due to negative connotations.
  2. Theravada Buddhism is one of the oldest schools of Buddhism.
  3. Theravada Buddhism see the Arhat path as leading to enlightenment, reaching the goal of Nirvana, the end of suffering.
  4. An Arhat sees pleasure as a distraction and aims to completely remove craving and desires.
  5. The Arhat path influences Theravada Buddhists to seek perfection in understanding and enacting the Buddha's teachings.

Keywords

  • Enlightenment - a state of wisdom that enables total clarity and understanding of the truths of existence

  • Human destiny - the path a Buddhist will take to achieve enlightenment

  • Theravada - the school of Buddhism mainly found in Sri Lanka and Thailand; it is an older tradition than Mahayana

  • Arhat - a perfected person; in Theravada Buddhism, this is a term for a person who has become enlightened

Common misconception

The Arhat path is followed by all Buddhists.

The Arhat path is followed by most Theravada Buddhists.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Arhat ideals, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils could research some examples of well known Arhats.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Buddhists believe that when a being dies, they are into a new life based on their actions in the previous life.
Correct Answer: reborn, Reborn
Q2.
In Buddhism, actions and intentions determine one’s future experiences, and this is known as ...
Correct Answer: karma, Karma
Q3.
What is the goal of achieving positive karma in Buddhism?
to become a Bodhisattva
Correct answer: to escape samsara and attain Nirvana
to be reborn into a higher realm
Q4.
How do most Buddhists aim to accumulate positive karma?
by seeking material wealth
by following the teachings of the Buddha
Correct answer: by following the Five Moral Precepts
Q5.
What does the term “samsara” refer to in Buddhist belief?
Correct answer: the process of rebirth and the cycle of life and death
the teachings of the Buddha
the goal of achieving Nirvana
Q6.
What role does compassion (karuna) play in Buddhism?
Correct answer: It helps achieve positive karma.
It leads to achieving Nirvana.
It is a form of meditation.

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the ultimate goal of an Arhat?
gaining spiritual powers
being reborn in a higher realm
Correct answer: attaining Nirvana
Q2.
Which practice is essential to becoming an Arhat?
Correct answer: following the Eightfold Path
chanting Buddhist prayers
giving offerings to monks
Q3.
What does ‘Theravada’ mean?
path to Nirvana
cycle of rebirth
Correct answer: teachings of the elders
Q4.
Why do some Theravada Buddhists avoid the term ‘Hinayana’?
Correct answer: It has negative connotations.
It means ‘greater vehicle’.
It is a modern term.
Q5.
Why do many Theravada Buddhists follow monastic life?
It is required for all Buddhists.
Correct answer: It provides better conditions for enlightenment.
It guarantees a higher rebirth.
Q6.
Theravada Buddhists believe that the Arhat path enables an individual to escape ...
Correct Answer: samsara, Samsara