Post # 20 -The Noble Eight-Fold Path- Stage 3, the World Transcending Path

In Post # 16 we discussed the Noble Eightfold Path and how the development is done in three stages. The Post # 17, Post # 18 & Post # 19 had references to Stage 1 & 2 of the Noble Eight-fold Path.  This Post will deal with the Stage 3.

1.0 From the earlier Posts we have seen that there is a very precise and clear practice that one may engage in to attain Nibbana. This practice is followed in three stages. The basic steps one has to follow are clear enough and very encouraging to engage in as a practice.

 2.0 In the first stage, a practitioner by following four virtuous qualities of Kalyana Mitra Sevanaya (associating with noble friends); Saddarma Sravanaya (learning the Dhamma); Yoniso Manasikara (being always mindful and acting wisely with clear comprehension in accordance with Dhamma); and clearly understanding the four Noble Truths including the Noble Eightfold Path, and gains entry into the direct path to attain Nibbana. – the stream entry. In addition to the four fold virtues described above, the stream enterer has to also develop unwavering trust (Sraddawa) in the Buddha, the Dhamma (the teaching), the Sanga (the noble community) and the Seela (virtuous living).

3.0 As one engages in the above practices, he/she will be developing Saddha (trust), Viriya (ardent effort), Sathi (mindfulness and clear comprehension), Samadhi (concentrated attention) and Panna (wisdom for understanding reality) which were initially mere mind functions (chaythasikas), now manifesting as faculties and strengths progressively to higher levels.

4.0 It was also seen that, once you enter the Path you will reach an important intermediate state before you attain its fruition. That is either becoming a Sadda-nu-sari (one driven by trust) or Dhamma-nu-sari (one driven by the understanding of the Dhamma) or both.  In the former, unwavering trust in the Noble Triple Gem is the driver which takes you forwards towards the Sothapatthi state. In the case of the latter, the inspiration gained from the understanding of the Dhamma is the driver. Monks in addition say that with this attainment the disciple will gain the Sothapatthi state in that life itself. This inspiration carries you forward. It seems that any one of these intermediate states is quite achievable in this life and can be the first target to aim at.

5.0 In the second stage, the practitioner while continuing to develop the virtues described in the first stage will engage in a special practice targeted more on the Dhamma-nu-Dhamma Prathipadawa, a practice focused on the Noble Eightfold Path. This path is made up of developing ‘ right  view’; ‘right intention’; ‘right speech’; ‘right action’; ‘right livelihood’; ‘right effort’; ‘right mindfulness’ and ‘right concentration’. He/She will align these path factors to a daily practice such as the observance of Pancha Seela (the expanded version with eight virtues) to develop them along with the meditative practices to develop right mindfulness, right concentration and right view. These factors in the eightfold path are not some things to be developed one by one, but rather simultaneously so that each will refine and support the other till they become a ‘unified whole’ as an achievement. See post #s 17 & Post #18 for details.

6.0 Thus the total development of the Path is achieved. This however gives the follower an intellectual understanding of the path, and is therefore treated as the second stage of the development or achieving the Laukika (mundane) Noble Eightfold Path. In the third stage the Lokuthara (world transcending) Noble Eightfold Path is developed.

7.0 If one is motivated to find out the way and how, a step by step practice for the realization of Nibbana is to be followed, he/she will first want to get a good understanding of the four Noble Truths, consisting of dhukka or the unsatisfactory nature of existence, the cause, the liberation or Nibbana, and the path of practice to liberation. He/she will then engage with resolve in the above practices which include among others tranquility meditation and insight meditation (for developing right concentration and right mindfulness to high levels) enabling full realization of the nature of things and reaching liberation.

7.0 We saw that by following the four virtuous qualities described in para 2.0 above, one enters the Path, stream entry or Sothapatthi Margaya.  This path and the attainment of its fruition, the Sothapatthi (stream enterer) state, is the first experience in realizing Nibbana. It is a significant mile-stone.

8.0 From the Sothapatthi state and continuing on with the above practice to a higher degree of qualitative progress, one reaches the Sakadagami (once returner) state, then the Anagami (no returner) state and thereafter the final state of Arahanthood (a liberated one), as the full realization of Nibbana. The progressive attainments of these different stages help to eliminate various fetters or shackles (sanyojanas) that chain you down to the Samsaric process.

9.0 This step by step path of practice leading to the attainment of Nibbana unfolds in seven stages, known as the seven stages of purification along with the seven factors of awakening (bojjhanga) and insight knowledge.  Buddha has said “you should train yourself -in the qualities I have pointed out: the four frames of reference (sathara satthi-pattana); four right exertions (samma-padana); the four bases of power (sathara iddhipada); the five faculties (indriya); the five strengths (bala); the seven factors of awakening (bojjhanga);and the noble eightfold path (ariya-magga).– They are the  bodhi-pakkshika dhamma”. The Saththis Bodhi Pakshiya Dhamma ( Thirsty Seven Factors of Awakening). I will give details on each one of these 37 factors in later Posts.

10.0 Thus this 3^rd Stage in the development of the Path- the world transcending (lokuthtara) Noble Eightfold Path- culminates in the attainment of Nibbana. The attainment of Nibbana is in two phases. First is when the above purifications and insight knowledge develops to the highest level, and all fetters are broken and defilements are eliminated. You then attain the Sopa-di-shesa Nibbana Dhatu(element), or Kilesa Pari-nibbana (destruction of all defilements), reaching liberation in this present life itself. It is the attainment by a living Arahant. Then at the end of that life, with the exhaustion of the kamma that gave rise to this life, and the destruction of the five aggregates, the Arahant reaches the Anu-padi-shesa Nibbana Dhatu or Skanda Pari-nibbana, the second phase and the ultimate end without a further re-becoming.

These extracts from text, attempts to establish the practice for realizing Nibbana. We are trying to break a Samsaric habit that has been cultivated over eons of time and that is not easy. The attainment is not overnight, but has to be obtained step by step.

This particular human life is a rare opportunity we have and should not be missed to make some progress in the path. The clear steps described above have to be learned in detail and the practical way to engage in them in a household life has to be worked out.

May you get the necessary inspiration!