DOI 10.30792/2949-5768-2025-11-63-69
THE CONCEPT OF ARHATSHIP IN EARLY BUDDHISM
Chebunin Alexander Vasilyevich – Doctor of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor, Professor of the Department of Philosophy and Art History of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education East Siberian State Institute of Culture (Ulan-Ude, Russia). E-mail: chebunin1@mail.ru.
This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the concept of arhatship in early Buddhism, demonstrating its historical roots, philosophical content, and social context. The etymological and doctrinal origins of the concept of «arhat,» dating back to pre-Buddhist concepts of holy hermits, are revealed, and its transformation in the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha is traced. The spiritual path to arhatship is analyzed as a sequential progression through four sta-ges (srotapanna, sakritagamin, anagamin, arhat), each characterized by the elimination of certain fetters and obstacles. The stages of meditative practice leading to arhatship are examined, including 16 types of wisdom that facilitate the gradual transformation of consciousness. The social characteristics of the arhat are also revealed, which determined a new social order based on spiritual merit. Overall, the arhat as a model of the ideal spiritual personality is the core of the spiritual path in Theravada and retains its significance in Mahayana teachings despite histo-rical transformations.
