Guide to Enlightenment (Part 1)

Dhr. Seven, Ananda M., Amber Larson (eds.) based Into the Stream: A Study Guide on the First Stage of Awakening by Ven. Thanissaro (Mr. Geoffrey DeGraff), accesstoinsight.org

The marriage of wisdom and compassion

"Sole dominion over the earth, rebirth in heaven, ruling over all worlds, the fruit of stream-entry [the first stage of enlightenment or] excels them all. — (Dhp 178)
 

I: The Way to Stream Entry

The Pali (the world's only exclusively Buddhist language) canon recognizes four basic levels of enlightenment (more divisions are presented in the Path to Freedom, a early version of the Path of Purification by Ven. Buddhaghosa).

The first of these is called stream entry. This gains its name from the fact that a person who has attained this level of realization has entered the "stream" flowing inevitably to nirvana.

How can I be compassionate and wise?

One is guaranteed to achieve full enlightenment within at most seven lifetimes (which may still amount to millions of years given that rebirth in superhuman worlds and the Pure Abodes last much longer than the longest stretch of a human life, which in some "golden" ages can reach 80,000 years).

It is a miraculous attainment because in the interim one will never be reborn in any realm lower than the human plane.

This guide on stream entry (sotapanna-ship) is divided into two parts. The first deals with the practices leading to stream entry and the second with the experience of stream entry and its results.

 

The practices leading to stream entry are encapsulated in four factors:

1. Association with noble people is a factor leading to stream-entry.
2. Listening to the true Dharma is a factor leading to stream-entry.
3. Wise attention is a factor leading to stream-entry
4. Practice in accordance with the Dharma is a factor leading to stream-entry. — (SN 55.5)

These four constituents form the framework for the first part of this guide.

 

The Pali canon's treatment of these four factors touches on questions of interest to all meditators, whether one's practice aims all the way to full enlightenment, a better future life (replete with six wished for things), or simply a better life here and now.

• How can one recognize a trustworthy teacher who knows about the path of practice to enlightenment? How can one tell the true Dharma from counterfeit dharmas?
• What rewards come from listening to the Dharma?
• Which questions should one ask oneself in the course of practice?
• What kind of practice qualifies as being "in accordance with the Dharma"?
• What kind of qualities does one need to develop to benefit most from practice? More