Dhamma Letter No. 58

4 Levels of Enlightenment: Becoming an Ariya 1

Nov 30, 2021

One who experiences the state of Nibbana (Nirvana, Dhamma letter No. 56, No. 57) is called an Ariya (Noble One). There are 4 levels of Ariya who are enlightened.

There are four [groups of noble disciples] when path (도, 道)and fruit (과, 果) are taken as pairs, and eight groups of individuals.
1. Sotāpanna : Stream-enterer (1) the path to stream-entry; (2) the fruition of stream-entry
2. Sakadāgāmī : Once-returner (3) the path to once-returning; (4) the fruition of once-returning
3. Anāgāmī : Non-returner (5) the path to non-returning; (6) the fruition of non-returning
4. Arahant: a fully awakened One (7) the path to arahantship; (8) the fruition of arahantship

The first level of enlightenment (Sotāpanna : Stream-enterer) requires the removal of one's concept of personality which means that one no longer has the wrong view of an 'I'. This means that one has fully understood through meditation practice that there's no 'I' which controls any physical and mental process. It is clear that the body is not 'me' and the mind is not 'me'. All these processes are caused by actions and which are conditioned within that moment.

The most important thing to understand through practice is no-self.
With a deeper understanding of the perception of self as just being composed of the 5 aggregates, one gains a clearer view of no-self. (Dhamma letter No. 18, No. 19)

To be continued…

May you develop your concentration and insight through meditation!

May all practice well and reach to Magga (道, the path of enlightenment) and Phala(果, the fruit of enlightenment)!

May you be peaceful and happy!

With Metta,

Ayyā Kosallā
Edited by Euna Bonovich

If you have any questions related to dhamma & meditation, please feel free to ask. You can reach Ayya Kosalla directly at Bhikkhuni.Kosalla@gmail.com.

법에 대한 질문이 있으신 분은 위의 이메일 주소로 질문을 남겨주세요.

위빠사나명상의 마음관찰에 대한 논문을 한글 원본으로 읽고 싶으신 분은 클릭해서 다운로드 받을 수 있습니다. (네이버에 PDF 첨부)

The Korean Dhamma Letter is here 담마레터.

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Buddha Sāsanaṁ Ciraṁ Tiṭṭhatu!
May the Buddha’s teachings last a long time!

Bhavatu Sabba Sotiṁ ca Maṅgalaṁ ca!!
May everyone be led on the path of peace and blessing!!

Sādhu Sādhu Sādhu !