An Ariya is one who is free from moral defilements. His life is a life lived profitably. He is on the right path to attainment of Magga-Phala Insight. He is morally pure.
There are four kinds of Ariyas, namely;
(1) Acara Ariya,
(2) Dassana Ariya,
(3) Linga Ariya, and
(4) Pativedha Ariya.
One who is well-established in Ariyaship practice is called Acara Ariya. Dassana Ariya is one whose appearance and deportment generate a feeling of respect and veneration. Linga Ariya is a person who, despite moral lapse he or she might have, is wearing a bhikkhu robe. Pativeda Ariya is one who has already attained Magga and Phala Insight, like the Buddha, Pacceka Buddhas and the Buddha’s Disciples.
It is because of these qualities that Ariyas deserve veneration.
There were many famous Ariyas in the time of Buddha. They can be classified into;
(i) Layman Ariyas,
ATNO-Layman Ariyas (1)-Anathapindika
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-layman-ariyas-1-anathapindika/652668391456619
ATNO-Layman Ariyas (2)-Citta
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-layman-ariyas-2-citta/652738971449561
ATNO-Layman Ariyas (3)-Hatthakalavaka
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-layman-ariyas-3-hatthakalavaka/663323640391094
ATNO-Layman Ariyas (4)-Prince Mahanama
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-layman-ariyas-4-prince-mahanama/663324410391017
ATNO-Layman Ariyas (5)-Ugga
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-layman-ariyas-5-ugga/663326760390782
ATNO-Layman Ariyas (6)-Jotika, the Rich Man with Inestimable Wealth
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-layman-ariyas-6-jotika-the-rich-man-with-inestimable-wealth/669126676477457
(ii) Lay-woman Ariyas,
ATNO-Lay-woman Ariyas (1)-Sujata, Wife of a Rich Man
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-lay-woman-ariyas-1-sujata-wife-of-a-rich-man/653655341357924
ATNO-Lay-woman Ariyas (2)- Visakha, the Donor of the Monastery for the Buddha
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-lay-woman-ariyas-2-visakha-the-donor-of-the-monastery-for-the-buddha/653658058024319
ATNO-Lay-woman Ariyas (3+4)-Khujjuttara and Samavati
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-lay-woman-ariyas-34-khujjuttara-and-samavati/665837903473001
ATNO-Lay-woman Ariyas (5)-Kali of Kuraraghara
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-lay-woman-ariyas-5-kali-of-kuraraghara/665839816806143
(iii) Bhikkhu Ariyas, and
ATNO-Bhikkhu Ariyas (1)-Venerable Kondanna
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-bhikkhu-ariyas-1-venerable-kondanna/653659741357484
ATNO-Bhikkhu Ariyas (2)-Venerable Ananda
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-bhikkhu-ariyas-2-venerable-ananda/657958430927615
ATNO-Bhikkhu Ariyas (3+4)-The Two Chief Disciples Part One of Two
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-bhikkhu-ariyas-34-the-two-chief-disciples-part-one-of-two/659655810757877
ATNO-Bhikkhu Ariyas (3+4)-The Two Chief Disciples Part Two of Two
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-bhikkhu-ariyas-34-the-two-chief-disciples-part-two-of-two/660777307312394
ATNO-Bhikkhu Ariyas (5)-Venerable Sivali
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-bhikkhu-ariyas-5-venerable-sivali/666500326740092
ATNO-Bhikkhu Ariyas (6)-Venerable Mahakassapa
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-bhikkhu-ariyas-6-venerable-mahakassapa/669572259766232
(iv) Female Arahats (Theri).
ATNO-Female Arahats (1)-Uppalavanna Bhikkhuni Theri
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-female-arahats-1-uppalavanna-bhikkhuni-theri/657965414260250
ATNO-Female Arahats (2)-Khema Arahat Theri, the Perfect Female
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-female-arahats-2-khema-arahat-theri-the-perfect-female/664485576941567
ATNO-Female Arahats (3)-Mahapajapati Gotami
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-female-arahats-3-mahapajapati-gotami/693043867419071
ATNO-Female Arahats (4)-Dhammadinna Theri
https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddhism-for-beginners/atno-female-arahats-4-dhammadinna-theri/1195518320504954
One can get many beneficial lessons if one could be able to extract from their interesting and admirable stories.
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