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THE FOUR STAGES OF ENLIGHTENMENT
Click to explore The Teachings in more detail with BOOKS, AUDIOBOOKS, VIDEOS, PODCASTS and QUIZZES.
What are The Four Stages of Enlightenment?
There are four (4) stages in the attainment of Enlightenment, however, these are for personal development purposes only. You should not compare or profess to another person which Stage of Enlightenment you think you have attained. Self declared attainment has no beneficial purpose and oftentimes comes from arrogance and pride, the ego, while being fraught and filled with errors.
One goal of these Teachings is to eliminate arrogance and pride, the ego, therefore, if a Practitioner is declaring their self determined Stage of Enlightenment, there is still arrogance and pride. A Practitioner sharing with others what they think they have attained is an indication that, the mind is not yet Enlightened.
An Enlightened being would have no need or desire to profess what they think the mind has attained. An Enlightened mind is so peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy that an Enlightened being will just be enjoying life rather than attempting to convince others or boasting about what they think they have attained.
Self determination of attainment of any Stage of Enlightenment is fraught and filled with errors.
While one should consistently apply effort towards learning, reflecting, and practicing The Teachings to include understanding The Four Stages of Enlightenment, these are used for personal development to guide a Practitioner’s journey assisting you on the path to higher and higher degrees of attainment not as a way to brag, show off or profess to others what you think you have attained. Convincing the mind that it has attained any of these Stages of Enlightenment or that the mind is actually Enlightened is dangerous for the mind.
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A Stream-Enterer (returning to human realm no more than 7 times) is:
Free From:
1.) Personal existence view
2.) Doubt
3.) Wrong behavior and observances
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A Once-Returner (returns to human realm only one time) is:
Free From:
1.) Personal existence view
2.) Doubt
3.) Wrong behavior and observances
Greatly Thinned:
4.) Sensual desire
5.) Ill will
A Non-Returner (does not return to human realm) is:
Free From:
1.) Personal existence view
2.) Doubt
3.) Wrong behavior and observances
4.) Sensual desire
5.) Ill will
An Arahant is free from all of the five lower fetters and the five higher fetters, which are:
1.) Personal existence view
2.) Doubt
3.) Wrong behavior and observances
4.) Sensual desire
5.) Ill will
6.) Desire for form
7.) Desire for the formless
8.) Conceit
9.) Restlessness
10.) Ignorance
A Practitioner attaining the results and Stage of Enlightenment as an Arahant is Enlightened. In the first three (3) Stages of Enlightenment, the mind is not yet Enlightened and is still experiencing discontentedness. There will be a gradual diminishing of discontentedness as the mind ascends through each Stage of Enlightenment but it is not until the mind reaches the Stage of Enlightenment as an Arahant, where the mind is actually Enlightened, that all discontentedness is eliminated and there is no more rebirth in The Cycle of Rebirth.
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(Please see Volume 1 - Chapter 3 for more details.)
BOOKS
DEVELOPING A LIFE PRACTICE : THE PATH THAT LEADS TO ENLIGHTENMENT (VOLUME 1)
AUDIOBOOKS
DEVELOPING A LIFE PRACTICE : THE PATH THAT LEADS TO ENLIGHTENMENT (VOLUME 1)
VIDEOS
MINI-LESSONS
(Mini-Lesson #49Â - The Four Stages of Enlightenment - COMING SOON!
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