Expert: Justin Choo - 12/11/2009

Question
Dear Justin,

Please help to shed some lights on my queries below.

Thanks very much.


What is the difference in character between a normal person and an arahant?

Can an arahant create any new karma?  If he comes to a stream and discovers an ant/cat that is struggling to stay afloat; will he lend a helping hand to keep it out of water?

Is the arahant living without having the consciousness of "self" all the time?

What/How would his thought process be when it comes to his daily living routine?

Does he has mindfulness during all his waking and sleeping hours?

It will be interesting to try to understand the above issues and emulate our life towards that ideals on top of our practice. Do you think this approach is helpful?

What are the defining attributes of a Sotapanna compared to a normal person?

Can we know whether we have entered the stream (become a sotapanna)?

Is there any intensive practice method prescribed by the Buddha towards becoming a Sotapanna?  Buddha would love to see as many people as possible to enter the stream.  

Answer
Hi SW,

What is the difference between a normal person and an arahant?
A normal person is like you and me.  Sounds like a little silly answer!  Hahahaha!!!
An arahant is an enlightened person at par with the Buddha.  After his death, he will "pass into" Nibbana.

Can an arahant create any new karma?  If he comes to a stream and discovers an ant/cat that is struggling to stay afloat; will he lend a helping hand to keep it out of water?

He cannot create any new kamma.  His mind is completely pure and "not of this world" anymore. I don't really know for sure about the ant/cat.  But I would assume that there is nothing to prevent him from doing so.

Is the arahant living without having the consciousness of "self" all the time?
I would assume so.


What/How would his thought process be when it comes to his daily living routine?
I wouldn't know as a fact, because I am no arahant.  But then again I can use my common sense to answer. The word would be "equanimity".  

Does he has mindfulness during all his waking and sleeping hours?
He would have 100% complete clarity of mind.  When he is asleep, I suppose still being in human form, he should be like us "sleeping", but no silly dream or nightmare.  

It will be interesting to try to understand the above issues and emulate our life towards that ideals on top of our practice. Do you think this approach is helpful?
I don't think so.  If you emulate the "behaviour" of an arahant you will look like a zombie.


What are the defining attributes of a Sotapanna compared to a normal person?
This link gives a good explanation of a Sotapanna:
http://www.theravada.gr/tenfetters.html

You can google search "buddhism : ten fetters" to read more.



Can we know whether we have entered the stream (become a sotapanna)?
I would think so.


Is there any intensive practice method prescribed by the Buddha towards becoming a Sotapanna?  Buddha would love to see as many people as possible to enter the stream.
As I said before, most of us are not up to the stage yet to achieve that level.  However we can always try our best.  Mindfulness is the main ingredient.  Without continuous mindfulness, we will always falter along the way.  It is very important that Buddhist meditation is practised seriously to achieve a certain level of mindfulness.  Instead of interpreting in detailed about the stages of sainthood, my approach/opinion is very simple: reduce greed, hatred and delusion.  Can we do that with complete honesty?  


SW, you would get different answers if you ask another person.  So take your pick.

Take care, and have a nice day.

Justin Choo