SAMBUDDHA SUTTA: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SAMMĀ SAMBUDDHA AND AN ARAHANT
There, the Buddha addressed the monks:
“Monks, the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Awakened One, who is liberated by non-clinging through disenchantment, dispassion, and cessation regarding form, is called a Perfectly Enlightened One.”
“A monk, liberated by wisdom, who is also liberated by non-clinging through disenchantment, dispassion, and cessation regarding form, is called one liberated by wisdom.”
“Monks, the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Awakened One, who is liberated by non-clinging through disenchantment, dispassion, and cessation regarding feeling, is called a Perfectly Enlightened One.”
“A monk, liberated by wisdom, who is also liberated by non-clinging through disenchantment, dispassion, and cessation regarding feeling, is called one liberated by wisdom.”
“Monks, the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Awakened One, who is liberated by non-clinging through disenchantment, dispassion, and cessation regarding perception, is called a Perfectly Enlightened One.”
“A monk, liberated by wisdom, who is also liberated by non-clinging through disenchantment, dispassion, and cessation regarding perception, is called one liberated by wisdom.”
“Monks, the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Awakened One, who is liberated by non-clinging through disenchantment, dispassion, and cessation regarding mental formations, is called a Perfectly Enlightened One.”
“A monk, liberated by wisdom, who is also liberated by non-clinging through disenchantment, dispassion, and cessation regarding mental formations, is called one liberated by wisdom.”
“Monks, the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Awakened One, who is liberated by non-clinging through disenchantment, dispassion, and cessation regarding consciousness, is called a Perfectly Enlightened One.”
“A monk, liberated by wisdom, who is also liberated by non-clinging through disenchantment, dispassion, and cessation regarding consciousness, is called one liberated by wisdom.”
“Monks, what then, is the difference between the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Awakened One, and the monk who is liberated by wisdom?”
“Venerable Sir, our teachings are rooted in the Blessed One, guided by the Blessed One, have the Blessed One as the refuge. Venerable Sir, it would be good, if the Blessed One were to clarify the meaning of this. Having heard the Blessed One, the monks will remember it.”
“Well then, monks, listen and pay close attention, I will speak.”
“Yes, Venerable Sir.” The monks replied.
“Monks, the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Awakened One, gave rise to the un-arisen path, caused the unborn path to be born, and explained the unexplained path. He is the knower of the path, the discoverer of the path, the expert on the path. And monks, His disciples now dwell as followers of that path, accomplishing it afterwards.”
“Monks, this is the difference between the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Awakened One, and the monk who is liberated by wisdom.”
- It is interesting to see, in this sutta, that Lord Buddha speaks of only one type of arahant (Paññāvimutta). Of course, this is not the only type of arahant. Other reference:Sammāsambuddhasutta
