Arya

(tib.: phag pa) A Noble being, who has attained the third path, the path of seeing emptiness directly. Arya knows the true nature of all phenomena and is a true Sangha refuge. 

There are three types of Aryas: 

1. Hearer Arya (shravaka arya),

2. Solitary-realizer Arya (pratyekabuddha arya)

3. Arya Bodhisattva (bodhisattva arya).

Hearer Arya and Solitary-realizer Arya belong to Hinayana, whereas Arya Bodihsattvas belong to Mahayana because they have also realized Bodhichitta.