Sāvakabuddha

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Statues of the 500 arhats in the Longhua temple in Shanghai, P.R. China

Sāvakabuddha (Pāli) is a term used rarely in Theravada Buddhism to refer to an enlightened disciple of a Buddha. Such disciples are enlightened individuals who gain Nirvāṇa by hearing the Dhamma as initially taught by a Sammasambuddha. They might also lead others to enlightenment, but cannot teach the Dhamma in a time or world where it has been forgotten, because they depend upon a tradition that stretches back to a Sammasambuddha.

When the term Sāvakabuddha is used, it refers to a third type of Buddha, other than the Sammasambuddha and Paccekabuddha. The standard designation is Arhat, a holy man who has reached Nirvana by following the teachings of a Buddha. Buddhas are supposed to have reached Nirvana by their own efforts and insights.[1] The term Savakabuddha is used in Theravadin commentaries,[2] and does not occur in the scriptures of the Pali Canon.

Śrāvaka (Pāli: Sāvaka) literally means "one who hears" – a Buddhist who follows the path to enlightenment by means of hearing the instructions of others.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Snelling, John (1987), The Buddhist handbook. A Complete Guide to Buddhist Teaching and Practice. London: Century Paperbacks. Page 81
  2. ↑ Udana Commentary, tr Peter Masefield, volume I, 1994, Pali Text Society, page 94; Theragatha commentary, PTS edition, volume I, page 10, not yet translated, cited by Pruitt in Journal of the Pali Text Society, volume XXIX, forthcoming


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