Director (in pali) o Arhat (In Sanskrit) It is a central term in Buddhism, which refers to a person who has reached the state of Complete lighting and has eradicated all mental impurities, Like desire, Aversion and ignorance. By doing so, The arahant is definitively released from the cycle of samsara (birth, death and rebirth) and experience the state of nirvana.
The term “director” means literally “worthy” o “venerable”, highlighting that this person deserves respect for having reached the highest achievement on the Buddhist path. The Arahant has continued and completed the Noble Eightfold Path, which leads to the end of suffering.
In it budismo Theravāda, The Arahant is considered the supreme ideal. The historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, It was the first Arahant, and his closest disciples also reached this state. It is said that, When dying, An Arahant enters the parinirvana, leaving behind any trace of conditioned existence.
Unlike bodhisattva in it Mahayana Buddhism, The Arahant focuses mainly on its own release, while the bodhisattva postpone final lighting to help other beings to achieve awakening. Although this difference is often underlined, Both roads are valued within their respective traditions.
The state of Arahant is seen as the culmination of the effort, Discipline and deep meditation, and represents the victory over the limitations of the human mind.