Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c35.s3.t5.73

v2.c35.s3.t5.73

The first opinion that arhats may have retrogression is the same as that of the Mahāsanghikas and others (discussed above, pp. 64, 85). The S. like the M. postulate the existence of two classes of arhats with different degrees of attainments.¹ According to the S., all arhats are not completely perfect—an opinion not accepted by the Theravādins though the latter have no objection to distinguish arhats as *Sa(=sva)-dhammakusala* and *Paradhammakusala*. It is interesting to find this opinion discussed also in the *Milindapañha*,² where it is said that there are arhats who may not be aware of the name and gotra of any and every person, the various roads and so forth, but there may be some conversant with the *vimuttis*.³