The four stages of enlightenment in Buddhism are the four progressive stages culminating in full enlightenment as an Arahat.
The four stages are Sotapanna, Sakadagami, Anagami and Arahat. The Buddha referred to people who are at one of these four stages as noble people (ariya-puggala) and the community of such persons within the bhikkhu-sangha as the noble sangha (ariya-sangha).
The teaching of the four stages of enlightenment is a central element of the early Buddhist schools, including the Theravada school of Buddhism, which still survives.
Read more about Four Stages Of Enlightenment: Origins, Path and Fruit, The Ordinary Person, The Four Stages of Attainment
Famous quotes containing the word stages:
“The four stages of man are infancy, childhood, adolescence and obsolescence.”
—Art Linkletter (20th century)