The Stream-Enterer Fulfills Virtuous Behavior But Cultivates Concentration and Wisdom Only to a Moderate Extent

Monks, every half-month more than a hundred and fifty training guidelines come up for recitation; clansmen who aspire for their own good train in these. These are all comprised within these three trainings.

What three?

The training in the higher virtuous behavior (moral conduct), the training in the higher mind (mental discipline), and the training in the higher wisdom.

These are the three trainings in which all this is comprised.

Here, Monks, a Monk fulfills virtuous behavior (moral conduct), but cultivates concentration and wisdom only to a moderate extent. He falls into wrongdoing in regard to the lesser and minor training guidelines and rehabilitates himself.

For what reason?

Because I have not said that he is incapable of this. But in regard to those training guidelines that are fundamental to the spiritual life, in practicing with the spiritual life, his behavior is constant and steadfast. Having undertaken the training guidelines, he trains in them.

With the complete destruction of three fetters, he is a Stream-Enterer, no longer subject to [rebirth in] the lower world, fixed in destination, with Enlightenment as his destination.

(Reference: AN 3.86)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that a Stream-Enterer, one who attains the first Stage of Enlightenment, has fully developed The Eight Fold Path described as “virtuous behavior, higher mind, and higher wisdom” while they have also eliminated the first three fetters/taints/pollution of mind. Moral conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom are the three categorizations of The Eight Fold Path described here as “virtuous behavior, higher mind, and higher wisdom”.

1.) Personal existence view (Eliminating the concept of a permanent self from the mind. Realization of The Universal Truth of Non-self.)

2.) Doubt (Elimination of doubts about The Teachings and the ability of them to attain Enlightenment. Confidence in The Buddha, The Teachings, The Community, your Teacher, and your own ability to attain Enlightenment.)

3.) Wrong behavior and observances (Elimination of the mind’s belief that rites, rituals, ceremonies, and worship will help a Practitioner to attain Enlightenment. Well developed practice of The Eight Fold Path.)

The Buddha explains that a Stream-Enterer has “cultivated concentration and wisdom only to a moderate extent” because they have more learning, reflecting, and practicing to progress to Enlightenment. They are only in the first Stage of Enlightenment and will need to continue to progress in development of their life practice to eliminate all of the fetters to attain Enlightenment.

Gotama Buddha also shares how a Stream-Enterer will experience “falling into wrongdoing in regard to the lesser and minor training guidelines” but is able to improve through “rehabilitating himself”.

“But in regard to those training guidelines that are fundamental to the spiritual life, in practicing with the spiritual life, his behavior is constant and steadfast. Having undertaken the training guidelines, he trains in them”. A Stream-Enterer may experience minor deviations from The Path to Enlightenment in terms of being unable to fully practice certain aspects of The Teachings, but they will be consistent and dedicated to the major aspects of The Teachings. For example, a Stream-Enterer would be fully practicing The Five Precepts and have done so for a significant period of time not deviating from this practice but they may have anger or hostility in certain relationships because the mind still has the fetter of anger/hatred/ill will.

A Stream-Enterer will be capable of continued improvement to their life practice and further progress on The Path to Enlightenment training the mind towards Enlightenment through maintaining consistent and ongoing development.