October 3, 2023 at 12:46 pm
#46314
Keymaster
Yes. That is another aspect of this issue. Thank you!
A lay person cannot “bear” the Arahanthood. If a lay person attains Arahanthood, he/she MUST become a bhikkhu/bhikkhuni within seven days.
- There are several instances of lay people attaining Arahanthood, but they died the same day for other reasons. King Suddodhana attained Arahantship on his deathbed and passed away soon after due to that illness. Both King Pukkusāti and the ascetic Bahiya Daruchiriya attained Arahanthood and were killed by two cows immediately afterward.
- I am not aware of a lay Arahant dying after seven days due to not becoming a bhikkhu.