Lecture Notes on the Sūtra of the Collection of the Father and Son (Pitāputrasamāgamanasūtra) (219)

The Difference Between Arhats and Bodhisattvas

The nirvāṇa realized by an arhat is one in which, after the physical body and the five aggregates have been extinguished, the physical body never arises again—the body is reduced to ashes and consciousness is extinguished. Arhats neither continue to study and practice the Buddha's Dharma nor benefit and bring joy to sentient beings; their compassionate minds are weak. They themselves do not wish to become Buddhas, nor can they lead sentient beings to attain Buddhahood together. Therefore, the nirvāṇa without remainder (anupadhiśeṣa-nirvāṇa) attained by arhats is not ultimate. The most ultimate nirvāṇa is the non-abiding nirvāṇa (apratiṣṭhita-nirvāṇa) realized by the Buddha, who never abandons any sentient being. The mental conduct of bodhisattvas differs from that of arhats: although they are capable of entering nirvāṇa without remainder, they choose not to, but instead, life after life, cultivate and realize the Buddha's Dharma within the three realms, constantly benefiting themselves while also guiding and benefiting sentient beings. Thus bodhisattvas are greater than arhats, more compassionate than arhats, possess greater wisdom than arhats, and have more extensive supernatural powers than arhats.