Tag: Sotapanna

  • Striving for the Breakthrough

    S13.1 Abhisamayasa.mutta, Connected Discourses on the Breakthrough, translated by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi(ATI translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu) Thus I have heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Saavatthi in Jeta’s Grove, Anaathapi.n.dika’s Park. Then the Blessed One took up a little bit of soil in his fingernail and addressed the bhikkhus thus:  “Bhikkhus, what…

  • Lower Fetter – Adherence to Rules and Observances (Sa.myojana Siilabattapaaramaasa)

    There are ten sa.myojana – fetters binding beings to sa.msaara – the round of rebirths. The first stage of bodhi-enlightenment is sotapanna-stream entry. This stage is marked by the elimination of the first three fetters with one of these being siilabattapaaramaasa – the fetter of clinging to rules and observances. The other two lower fetters…

  • Venerable Ñāṇavīra, Notes on the Dhamma

    While I was in Sri Lanka and browsing bookshelves at the Buddhist Publication Society and the Buddhist Cultural Centre I found some books by Venerable Ñāṇavīra.  He was mentioned during online discussions back in the early 1990s. I didn’t know much about him or his writings at that time. I did notice that some people seemed…

  • Why I chose to not ordain

    This answer to this question is complex and difficult to explain. This posting is personal and will not cover all the issues that are relevant to all people. I write from the perspective of a middle-aged male raised in Australia. I received a couple of queries about this question and this prompted me to write…

  • Well-taught Noble Disciple

    In the suttas, the well-taught noble disciple (sutavaa ariyasaavaka) is often contrasted with the un-taught worldling (assutavaa puthujjana). It is useful for us to consider how a well-taught noble disciple behaves in body, speech and mind and then try to emulate that behaviour in daily life.  Majjhima Nikaya M46 Mahaadhammasamaadaana Sutta [มหาธรรมสมาทานสูตร] [Sister Upalavanna English…

  • Six principles of cordiality and a seven-point test for stream-entry

    Majjhima Nikaya M48 Kosambiya Sutta [โกสัมพิยสูตร] [translation by Sister Upalavanna] I paraphrased this sutta using Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi and Ven. Nanamoli’s English translation. Six principles of cordiality that create love and respect and conduce to cohesion, to non-dispute, to concord, and to unity. 1.  Maintain bodily acts of loving-kindness both in public and private towards…

  • Mirror of the Dhamma – Four things Posssessed by Sotapannas

    This list is from the Sa.myutta Nikaaya, Mahavagga, SN.V.55.8. confirmed confidence in the Buddha confirmed confidence in the Dhamma confirmed confidence in the Sangha of Ariyapuggala (noble ones – enlightened beings) possess the virtues (Siila) dear to the noble ones, unbroken, untorn, unblemished, unmottled, freeing, praised by the wise, ungrasped, leading to concentration.

  • Factors for Sotapanna

    This list is from the Sa.myutta Nikaaya, Mahavagga, SN.V.55.5. Association with superior persons (Ariyapuggala) Hearing the true Dhamma Careful attention – Yoniso Manasikaara Practice in accordance with the Dhamma