Path and Fruit
Supra-mundane stages, fetters and rebirths |
|||
stage's |
abandoned |
rebirth(s) |
|
stream-enterer |
1. identity view |
lower |
up to seven more times as |
once-returner |
once more as |
||
non-returner |
4. sensual desire |
once more in |
|
arahant |
6. material-rebirth lust |
higher |
none |
Source: Ñāṇamoli & Bodhi (2001), Middle-Length Discourses, pp. 41-43. |
The Sutta Pitaka classifies the four levels according to the levels' attainments. The Sthaviravada/Theravada tradition, which believes that "progress in understanding comes all at once, 'insight' (abhisamaya) does not come 'gradually' (successively - anapurva)," has elaborated on this classification, describing each of the four levels as a path to be attained suddenly, followed by the realisation of the fruit of the path.
The process of becoming an Arahat is therefore characterized by four distinct and sudden changes, instead of a gradual development. The same stance is taken in the contemporary Vipassana movement, especially the so-called "New Burmese Method".
Read more about this topic: Four Stages Of Enlightenment
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