Post # 37 – Developing ‘Right View’ by the Lay  Householder- Part 4

If you are visiting this Blog for the first time, it would be good if you could start by visiting the 1^st Post to know about this Blog and then read the others in sequence. 

In Post # 36 we discussed Chatu Sathya Samma Ditthi – an understanding about the four noble truths, with Nibbana as the focus as a part of Right View in the Noble Eightfold Path.  .

In this Post we will discuss Marga Samma Ditthi (deeper understanding about the steps in the path to enlightenment/Nibbana).

The steps in the Path to Nibbana consist of the four steps of, the Stream Entry Path (Sotha Patthi), the Once Returner Path (Sakudhagami), the Non Returner Path (Anagami), and Noble One’s Path (Arahant). The knowledge relating to these four steps in the Path consists of knowing what that step in the Path is, the way to cultivate and develop in the Path, and a realization of the fact that the path attainment has been fulfilled. This realization is known as Path Knowledge. This knowledge helps us to eliminate the various fetters or shackles (sanyojanas) that chain us down to the Samsaric process (the cycle of birth and death).

Stream Entry Path (Sotha Patthi)

Observance and practice of the virtuous qualities, of associating with noble friends; learning the Dhamma; developing unwavering trust in the Noble Triple Gem and  seela, being always mindful and acting wisely with clear comprehension in accordance with Dhamma; and following the noble eightfold path are the requirements to develop in the Stream Entry Path (Sotha Patthi).   Ven Henepola Gunerathne Thero in his talk at the nine day retreat in Perth says that when one develops unwavering trust (Sraddawa) in the Buddha, Dhamma, the Sanga (the noble community) and the Seela (virtuous living), one enters the Stream Entry Path

Once  you  are  established  in  the Stream  Entry  Path  (Sothapatthi Margaya),  the  virtues   of Saddha (trust in the Noble Triple Gem), Viriya (ardent effort),  Sathi  (mindfulness),  Samadhi (concentrated attention) and  Panna (wisdom for understanding reality) develop as faculties and strengths progressively to higher levels. Then you have an experience that you have left the mundane (Puthujana) or worldly state and are on course to enter the state of a Noble One (ariya).

The way to Develop in the Path

As referred to above monks quoting the suttas say that one gains entry into Sothapatthi Margaya –stream enterer path, through the observance and practice of four virtuous qualities. They are 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 following a Dhamma-nu-Dhamma Prathipadawa - the noble eightfold path. In addition to these four fold virtues, the stream enterer also develops unwavering trust (Sraddawa) in the Buddha, Dhamma, the Sanga (the noble community) and the Seela (virtuous living) as they advance in the Path.

With a regular practice of engaging in above one enters and develops in the path of stream enterer.

At this stage you will reach an important intermediate mile-stone before you attain fruition in Sotha Patthi. That is either you reach a state of a Sadda-nu-sari (one driven by trust in the Noble Triple Gem) or Dhamma-nu-sari (one driven by the understanding of the Dhamma).  In the former, unwavering trust in the Noble Triple Gem is the driver which takes you forward towards the Sothapatthi state. In the case of the latter, the driver is the inspiration gained from the understanding of the Dhamma. 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.

Realization of Path Knowledge

With this experience in the steps in this Path, one realizes that one has left the worldly state of living and has entered the path to the Ariya (Noble) state. With this Path Knowledge (Magga-Nana) you begin to see clearly three fetters (Sanyojana) that hold you down to the Samsaric process. They are Sakkaya Ditti (view and an attachment to a self- a personality view), Vichikichcha (speculative doubt about the Noble Triple Gem), Seelavrutha Paramasa (trust and reliance on mundane  worldly rites and rituals for liberation). You also begin to see how meaningless these fetters are, their futility and their unwise nature. In other words see them as mere  notions  without a real basis. As this understanding grows these fetters fade and die in our mind. While mundane vippassana knowledge only suppresses these defilements, the Path Knowledge destroys them. This is the first supra mundane vippassana knowledge which takes Nibbana as the object. This path knowledge and the fruition in that step that follows are automatic. Some monks say that they are separated only by the duration of two mind moments. Ven Henepola Gunerathane Thero in his talks at the 9 day retreat in Perth says however that they only develop stage by stage through advancement in the respective practices. He cites the teaching where there are references to  eight persons or four pairs of persons who are following the Ariya Marga. Therefore  persons in the path stage and fruition stage are different and the attainments of the respective states have the necessary time gap. We therefore have to be aware of the different interpretations of these steps in the process and make our own judgement based on more deeper inquiry.

Path of the Once Returner

With the fruition in the Sothapatthi step of the Path, you enter the next step, the Path of the Once Returner (Sakurdhagami). The process of experiencing that step in the Path, the way to cultivate the Path and acquiring the Path Knowledge is similar to those of the Stream Entry Path.This realization comes when the five qualities referred to above as faculties and strengths, develop to a higher level through this practice.
Once you have attained the fruition state in Stream Entry and continuing in the cultivation and development in the Noble Eightfold Path, you enter the Path of Once Returner. The realization that you are now in this step of the Path is the Path Knowledge of the Once Returner. You then begin to see two other fetters that tie you down to the Samsara. They are kamma-raga (sensual desire or craving) and patigaya (aversion or illwill). This path knowledge reveals to you that these two fetters cause our rebecoming in the Karma World. Also .of their  meaningless nature, their futility and their unwise nature. This realization helps to weaken and suppress these two fetters.  With the moral restraint (seela)  that is thus cultivated and the Path Knowledge thus gained about the nature of the above fetters ingrained in the mind, you are able to overcome the gross tendencies that have been part of your habitual traits. That is restraint from indulging in lustful actions and similarly in hateful deeds, as their  consequences are the re-becoming in the lower realms of the Karma World. This is the meaning of weakening and suppressing the fetters. Weakening and suppressing also means that their roots are still ingrained in the mind in dormant state while such gross tendencies have been restrained. With this path knowledge and the fruition in that step you enter the next step of the path, that of Non Returner.

Path of the Non Returner (Anagami)

The process of experiencing this step in the Path, the way to cultivate the Path and realization of Path Knowledge is similar to those of the Stream Enterer or Once Returner.

This Path Knowledge destroys the two fetters that were weakened during the Once Returner step in the Path. The Path Factors and process of developing the Noble Eight-fold Path at this level is based on its world transcending (locuthara) way. That is through more advanced levels of serenity and insight meditation practices. That is higher levels of Samma Sathi and Samma Samadhi of the Noble Eightfold Path, supplemented by developing higher levels of  samma ditti (right view). The views and realization thus developed are more refined and deep. That is even the roots giving rise to these fetters are now penetrated and completely destroyed never to return. That is symbolically what a non-returner can mean.With this path knowledge and the fruition in that step you enter the next step of the path, that of an Arahant (Noble One).  

 Path of the Arahant (Noble  One)

The process of experiencing the Path, the way to cultivate the Path and realization of Path Knowledge is similar to those of the Stream Enterer, Once Returner or Non Returner.

This Path Knowledge destroys five remaining fetters that chain you down to the Samsaric Process and lead to realization of Nibbana. These are very subtle fetters and requires a well concentrated mind to spot them. These fetters are rupa raga (craving for a form),  arupa raga (craving for formless states), manna (ego), uddachcha (restlessness), avidya (ignorance).

With this path knowledge and the fruition in that step you become an Arahant (Noble One). This Path Knowledge is a very important part of the supramundane Right View.   

Please await the next Post for a discussion on Pala Samma Ditthi (deeper understanding about the fruition in the path leading to enlightenment/ Nibbana).