Four Stages of Awakening

The Four Levels of Noble Persons

Sotapanna - “Stream-Enterer”

Three fetters are destroyed: self-view, doubt, and clinging to rites and rituals. Cannot fall away from the Dhamma; at most seven more rebirths. Eliminates defilements: contempt, arrogance, envy, miserliness, deceit, dishonesty. Attainable even by laypeople.

Sakadagami - “Once-Returner”

Sensual desire and irritation are weakened. One more birth, then nibbana. Possible in lay life, but rare.

Anagami - “Non-Returner”

Desire and anger have completely disappeared. Does not return to the sensual world; is reborn in the Pure Abodes. Eliminates defilements: ill-will, anger, resentment, negligence. Nearly impossible for a layperson.

Arahant - “One Who Has Reached the Goal”

All ten fetters destroyed, including ignorance and conceit. Complete liberation from samsara. Eliminates defilements: greed, obstinacy, rivalry, vanity, pride, self-satisfaction. Attainable only by monastics.

Before Stream-Entry

The levels above constitute the “Noble Sangha.” Until we reach the level of Sotapanna, we fall into one of three categories:

• Sympathizers with Buddhism - those who possess sufficient faith and love for practice. This alone directs them to higher realms after death. They are devoted to the practice of insight meditation but have not yet attained supramundane states.
• Dhamma-followers (dhammanusarin) - practicing disciples in whom the faculty of wisdom (pannindriya) predominates and who develop the Noble Path guided by wisdom; when they attain the fruit, they are called “attained by view” (ditthipatta).
• Faith-followers (saddhanusarin) - disciples in whom the faculty of faith (saddhindriya) predominates and who develop the Noble Path guided by faith; when they attain the fruit, they are called “liberated by faith” (saddhavimutta).