Four Stages of Enlightenment | Nirvana (2024)

Author : Peter Vredeveld

Nirvana is the highest state one can attain, and one who attained Nirvana is known as Arahant. There are four stages of Nirvana: Sotapanna, Sakadagami, Anagami, and Arahant.

Meditate with Buddha statue for Enlightenment

Nirvanais one of the most popular words inBuddhism. It is also known asEnlightenment. According to the legend,Lord Buddhaattained the level ofNirvanainBodh Gayawhile meditating under theBodhi Tree. It took six years forLord Buddhato achieveNirvana. InBuddhism,Nirvanais the highest state one can achieve and is also considered byBuddhist monks. According toBuddhist tradition, one who attainedNirvanawill be free from worldly desires and suffering of life and will also be free from theWheel of Life, Bhavachakra.

It is said that there are four stages to attain fullEnlightenment. The four stages ofEnlightenmentinBuddhismare the four progressive stages that help to reach the highest state or state of FullEnlightenment. One who attained fullEnlightenmentis also known asArahant. The teachings of the four progressive stages ofEnlightenmentare the central element of most Buddhist schools, including Theravada Buddhism. The four stages ofEnlightenmentareSotapanna, Sakadagami, Anagami, andArahant. The people at one of these four stages are included in the Buddhist Community orSangha.

Four Stages

The standard four stages described in theSutta PitakaofPali CanonareStream Enterer, Once-Returner, No-Returner, andThe Arahant. However, according to theSanghaofTathagata's Disciples, there are around eight paths toNirvanaif the paths and fruit of an individual are taken separately. They are:

1. Path to Stream Entry
2. The fruition of Stream Entry
3. Path to Once-Returner
4. Fruition of Once-Returner
5. Path to No Returner
6. The fruition of No Returner
7. Path to Arahantship
8. Fruition of Arahantship

But the standard four stages ofEnlightenmentare:

• Stream Enterer

The first stage isStream Enterer or Sotappana.Sotappanameans "one who enters the streams. " One who enters this stage is said to open the eye of theDharma. It is said that one who has opened the eye of theDharmaattained the level ofArahantshipin the seven rebirths. When you become astream-enterer, you become free from desire and rituals, don't have identity issues, and can become one with the mind and the eye. It is believed that one who entered at this stage will never be born in the lower realms ofBhavachakra.Stream Entererwill have the utmost confidence in thethree Jewels of Buddhism, i.e.,Buddha,Dharma, andSangha.

• Once-Returner

The second stage ofEnlightenmentisOnce-ReturnerorSakadagami.Sakadagamimeansone who once comes.Once-ReturnerandStream Entererare said to be free from the three constraints ofEnlightenment. The three constraints areself-illusion, doubt,andattachment to rituals and rules.Once the returnerhas weakened the other three hindrances ofEnlightenment, i.e.,lust, ill will, anddesire for fine material, TheOnce-Returnersare believed to attainEnlightenmentin one rebirth than Stream Enterer, excluding rebirth in lower realms like animals, hell, or hungry ghosts.

• Non-Returner

The third stage ofNirvanaisNon-Returner, also known asAnagami.Anagamimeans "one who doesn't come".Non-Returneris said to be free from the five constraints and doesn't return to the human world or any lower realms after being reborn.Non-returnersare believed to attainNirvanaafter one rebirth. They are born in one of the five unique worlds.

• Arahant

The last stage ofNirvanaisArahant. One who enters this stage is free from all ten fetters and becomes free from the cycle of rebirth and death. Anarahantattained the level ofNirvanaby following the pathLord Buddhashowed.