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
Famous quotes containing the words path and/or fruit:
“Tired,
she looked up the path
her lover would take
as far as her eyes could see.
On the roads,
traffic ceased
at the end of day
as night slid over the sky.
The traveller’s pained wife
took a single step towards home,
said, “Could he not have come at this instant?”
and quickly craning her neck around,
looked up the path again.”
—Amaru (c. seventh century A.D.)
“At first,
our bodies were as one.
Then
you were unloving,
but I still played the wretched favorite.
Now
you’re the master
and we’re the wife.
What’s next?
This is the fruit I reap
from my diamond-hard life.”
—Amaru (c. seventh century A.D.)