Need Not to Know How Much Fetters Were Worn Away

Monks, just as a carpenter or a carpenter’s apprentice, inspecting the handle of his, sees thereon the marks of his fingers and thumb, nor knows how much of the adze-handle was worn away that day, nor the previous day, nor at any time, yet knows just when the wearing away has reached the end of wearing away; even so,

Monks, a Monk intent upon making - become known not to what extent the fetters were worn away that day, nor the previous day, nor at any time, yet knows just when the wearing away has reached the end of wearing away.

(Reference: SN 22.101)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how a Practitioner is not able to know just how much any of the individual fetters/taints/pollution of mind have been worn away in a given day but, a Practitioner will know when they have been completely eliminated.

Once all of The Ten Fetters are completely and entirely eliminated, a Practitioner will no longer experience any discontentedness for an extended period of time.

While it is not suggested that a Practitioner convince the mind that it is Enlightened, there will come a time when a Practitioner can observe that the mind has not experienced even the slightest discontentedness for an extended period of time. When a Practitioner observes there is no discontentedness for 1-3 years on a continuous and ongoing basis, one can know for themselves the mind is Enlightened. But, the wisest Practitioners will never convince themselves the mind is Enlightened and instead, remain dedicated to continuing to learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings their entire life.

If a Practitioner prematurely convinces the mind that it is Enlightened, there is the danger that the mind will become arrogant with pride or complacency can arise. If these exist in the mind, the Practitioner is not Enlightened. And, once the mind is Enlightened, there are increased amounts of wisdom and benefits one can experience as the mind continues to ascend to higher degrees of Enlightenment. Therefore, the wisest Practitioners will never convince the mind that it is Enlightened continuing to progress in their journey to attain higher degrees of benefits and results through having a well developed life practice.

A mind is Enlightened once it has eliminated all of The Ten Fetters. This Stage of Enlightenment is referred to as an Arahant. It is the fourth Stage of Enlightenment. Having attained this Stage of Enlightenment, a wise Practitioner will know for themselves that the mind is no longer experiencing any discontentedness. But, through remaining consistent with one’s practice, to include meditation, the mind will continue to experience increased benefits.

There is no benefit in convincing the mind that it is Enlightened and therefore, if a Practitioner remains humble and continuing to progress to attain higher degrees of wisdom, the mind can experience continued improvements throughout life even when the mind is no longer experiencing discontentedness because it is Enlightened.

It is wise to never consider there to be a “finish line” that one would cross once the mind is Enlightened. This will promote continued progress and development in one’s life.