It is not as hard as most people think... but those who are
really willing to practise are not many to begin with. There are a
lot of people who claim to be Buddhists, but true practising ones,
not many. There are still a number Arhats around in present days as
far as I know. Maybe there are many but do not let others
know.
Even within the lineage of Arhats, there are 4 stage. The lower the
stage, the more people there are who have such attainments. (Of
course the higher stages, the fewer people). Even in the first
stage, one already attained an awakening/glimpse into the ultimate
truth, but there are still 7 fetters yet to be cleared. Such a
person is already destined to be Arhat in 7 or less lifetimes.
