By Bhante Sumitta |
Stages of Awakening
Sotāpanna: The ‘Stream-winner’ or ‘stream-entrant’, is the lowest of the 8 Noble Disciples see: ariya-puggala Three kinds are to be distinguished: the one ‘with 7 rebirths at the utmost’ sattakkhattu-parama, the one ‘passing from one noble family to another’ kolankola the one ‘germinating only once more’ eka-bījī
The sotapanna has abandoned the first three of the lower fetters: personality view, doubt, misapprehension of precepts and vows
–Ratana Sutta Sn 233.
As it is said e.g. Pug. 37-39; A. III, 87:
- If a man, after the disappearance of the 3 mental chains personality-belief, skeptical doubt, attachment to rules and ritual; see: samyojana has entered the stream to Nibbāna, he is no more subject to rebirth in lower worlds, is firmly established, destined to full enlightenment. After having passed amongst the divine and human beings only seven times more through the round of rebirths, he puts an end to suffering. Such a man is called ‘one with 7 births at the utmost’ sattakkhattu-parama.
- If a man, after the disappearance of the 3 mental chains. is destined to full enlightenment, he, after having passed among noble families two or three times through the round of rebirths, puts an end to suffering. Such a man is called ‘one passing from one noble family to another’ kolaṅkola.
- If a man, after the disappearance of the 3 mental chains. is destined to full enlightenment, he, after having only once more returned to human existence, puts an end to suffering. Such a man is called ‘one germinating only once more’ eka-bījī See Sotāpatti-Saṃyutta S. LV.
Characteristics of a Sotapanna
- The sotapanna has abandoned the first three of the lower fetters: personality view, doubt, misapprehension of precepts and vows. (Ratanasutta Sn. 233)
- He is freed from the possibility of rebirth in the four lower realms. (Ratanasutta Sn. 234)
- He is incapable of concealing any bodily, verbal or mental transgression. (Ratanasutta Sn. 235)
- He has abandoned any lust, hate or delusion that would be strong enough to cause rebirth in the lower realms. (Abhabba Sutta AN. iii. 438)
He is capable of 8 actions:
(Bahudhātuka Sutta MN. 115)
- The sotapanna has abandoned the first three of the lower fetters: personality view, doubt, misapprehension of precepts and vows. (Ratanasutta Sn. 233)
- He is freed from the possibility of rebirth in the four lower realms. (Ratanasutta Sn. 234)
- He is incapable of concealing any bodily, verbal or mental transgression. (Ratanasutta Sn. 235)
- He has abandoned any lust, hate or delusion that would be strong enough to cause rebirth in the lower realms. (Abhabba Sutta AN. iii. 438)
