These Teachings are perfectly suited for today’s society where there is a
proliferation of misinformation and untruths. These Teachings, with guidance
from a Teacher, guide a Practitioner to independently discover the truth
through deeply investigating The Natural Laws of Existence (i.e. The
Teachings of The Buddha). Through doing this inner work on The Path to
Enlightenment, one can discover that these Teachings are the solution to the
challenges we experience in the world and the solutions of how to heal from
what hurt us so that we never need to hurt again. The mind can completely
and entirely eliminate 100% of all discontent feelings once it is Enlightened.
This cannot be accomplished through belief.
Instead, a Practitioner needs to be determined, dedicated, and diligent to
doing the inner work to develop the mind and progress towards the
Enlightened mental state by acquiring wisdom.
As far as I have discovered, there are no other teachings on the planet that
can guide an individual to the complete elimination of discontent feelings
through independently verifying the teachings to acquire wisdom. The
Buddha did something very unique during his lifetime that no other person or
Teacher has accomplished.
He independently attained Enlightenment, dedicated the rest of his life to
sharing his independently discovered Teachings guiding countless people to
Enlightenment, and he left his Teachings in such a condition that countless
more people have attained Enlightenment after his death. He meets all the
criteria of a true Buddha. Gotama Buddha was a true Buddha.
My work during this life has been to rediscover these Teachings, in such a
way, that they can now be shared worldwide in the international language of
English so that countless people all throughout the world can attain
Enlightenment during this lifetime and after my death.
The only way to accomplish this goal is to share Teachings that are not
based in belief but instead, are based in independently verifiable truth so that
a Practitioner can acquire wisdom.
These Teachings are clear, concise, and precise. They invite investigation
and examination. Through doing this work, one can gradually train the mind
to gradually practice these Teachings and gradually progress to
Enlightenment. As discontentedness is gradually diminished and then
eliminated from the mind, one can see the truth for themselves that these
Teachings work to guide one to Enlightenment.
119


These Teachings lead exactly where Gotama Buddha said they do, to
Enlightenment, and through each individual choosing to attain
Enlightenment, humanity will evolve the human species and at the same time
create “heaven on earth”.
120

Why Have I Decided to Reside and Teach in
Thailand in Order to Restore The Teachings of The
Buddha Back into Humanity and Create “Heaven
on Earth”?
1.) Largest Population of Theravada Buddhist Practitioners Anywhere in
the World: Thailand is the largest population of Theravada Buddhist
Practitioners and Teachers anywhere in the world. Theravada Buddhism
considers The Pāli Canon to be the original source Teachings of The Buddha
in The Words of The Buddha. Theravada Buddhism teaches the importance
of not changing The Teachings of The Buddha and practicing The Path to
Enlightenment as a Buddha has taught, without any modifications.
The Pāli Canon is an important text that should not be believed to be the true
Teachings of The Buddha but instead, one can learn, reflect, and practice to
independently verify The Teachings to acquire wisdom observing the truth in
The Teachings as the mind awakens and discontent feelings are gradually
diminished and ultimately eliminated.
Once I dedicate the remaining time of this life sharing these Teachings to
restore them back into the world, the Thai people and all other diligent
Students who choose to learn with me will not ever allow these Teachings to
be changed, modified, degraded, or lost over time. The Thai people and
diligent Students are well aware that since the lifetime of Gotama Buddha,
that is what has occurred and, through having these Teachings restored
during the remaining time of this life, the Thai people and diligent Students
will not allow this to occur again.
The Thai people will support these Teachings and ensure they continue to be
offered in the world for the benefit of “all beings” while being hosted in
Thailand and supported by dedicated Students from many international
locations.
These Teachings have existed in Thailand for 800-1200 years and they have
received significant support from countless people over many generations.
The Thai people understand just how impactful The Teachings of The
Buddha are to their society and for all of humanity. The Thai people can
observe my dedication and commitment to sharing these Teachings, and
where possible, they will support me in sharing these Teachings throughout
Thailand and throughout the world.
121


Due to these Teachings existing in Thailand for approximately 800-1200
years, there is a significant amount of infrastructure already created through
over 30,000-40,000 Temples where local Thai people and visitors to Thailand
can actively learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings to acquire wisdom
and then integrate them into their lives. The Temple and Ordained
Practitioner infrastructure is not isolated to only Thailand but extends
throughout the world and is readily accessible to the benefit of “all beings”.
The Thai people have laid the groundwork for these Teachings to now be
shared worldwide through the Temple and Ordained Practitioner foundation
and infrastructure that has been created over multiple generations.
Thailand is a favorite destination for international travelers with many people
visiting Thailand to gain exposure and understanding of these Teachings
allowing them to be learned and then practiced “worldwide”. There is an
international audience that regularly visits Thailand who can learn these
Teachings to then return back to their home country where these Teachings
will be able to take root within all international societies. As these Teachings
flourish around the world, Thailand has the knowledge and resources to
support all of humanity to develop a Temple and Ordained Practitioner
infrastructure that can be created within each individual country based on
the interest of each country to more deeply integrate these Teachings into
their local communities.
2.) Students Have the Ability to Learn and Practice Among Millions of
Practitioners: One aspect of learning and practicing The Teachings of The
Buddha that will aid one’s development and progress towards the attainment
of Enlightenment is, to be part of a Community of Practitioners and Teachers
that can provide guidance for gradual training and gradual practice to
experience gradual progress on The Path to Enlightenment.
Through me residing and teaching in Thailand, Students have the
opportunity to live in a Community of Practitioners and Teachers who are
deeply committed to these Teachings and can serve as a role model for
Students to gain deeper understanding of how to practice these Teachings in
everyday life - even if on a semi-temporary basis during short visits to learn.
Through Students traveling to Thailand to learn while being surrounded by
millions of Practitioners, they can more readily absorb how one might
choose to integrate these Teachings into their daily life through observing
how the people of Thailand live with countless nationalities residing
peacefully and harmoniously with each other throughout the Kingdom of
Thailand. Students will not only be able to learn these Teachings in a
classroom setting at a Temple but, they will also experience day-to-day
interactions with people who are choosing to deeply practice these
Teachings creating “real life lessons” in a “classroom without walls”.
122


The entire Kingdom of Thailand can serve as a real life classroom
environment where these Teachings are readily practiced and observable by
those who choose to visit this Kingdom. I often refer to Thailand as “heaven
on earth”.
3.) Can Live With Minimal Expenses: To be able to offer these Teachings at
“no cost” I needed to find a location where I could reside with minimal
expenses. This allows me to live based on donations rather than charging
Students a price for the time, effort, energy, and resources that I expend to
share these Teachings worldwide. This allows me to serve the widest
audience possible without a need to require payment for my services and
The Teachings that are shared.
The basic necessities to live life are readily available and are offered at a
minimal cost in Thailand. This provides me the ability to live a basic lifestyle
from donations shared by Students. I am able to purchase food, water,
clothing, shelter, and medical care at a relatively nominal cost. And, services
that I might need to support the development of learning resources are also
readily available at a nominal cost.
Whether it be an audio studio to record an audiobook, printing services,
technology, classroom supplies, or a full range of other needs to support the
continued sharing of these Teachings, Thailand offers these at a nominal
price so that there is the best utilization of any and all donations received.
As a result, I am able to help any and all beings regardless of their financial
situation through creating a lifestyle where I only need basic necessities to
survive and those are provided at a nominal cost while being supported by
donations that are fully utilized by purchasing goods and services that are
made available at a reasonable price.
4.) Healthy Environment to Live Life and Work: A wise choice for a place
to live and teach would need to include a healthy food supply, weather,
environment, and lifestyle. All of these are readily available in Thailand which
is able to support me in leading as healthy of a lifestyle as possible.
The food in Thailand is healthy and readily available. There are many fresh
fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, seeds, and other foods that are a regular part
of the Thai food offerings and readily accessible among countless fresh food
markets. This allows me to ingest quality food that is supportive to a long
and healthy life, thus, being able to support the learning of many Students
for as long as possible due to an elongated duration of life.
123


Thailand’s weather and environment provides the least impact to the
physical body without significant weather changes or weather events that
can be taxing to one’s physical health.
The Thai economy is conducive to living a balanced lifestyle that supports a
significant amount of time with family and friends. A work-life balance is
highly understood, appreciated, supported, and straight forward to create
while living in Thailand. I am able to remain dedicated and determined in my
work life while also being dedicated to quality time within our immediate
family. This creates the very best environment to ensure consistent health
and longevity of life while enjoying a fulfilling life.
5.) Can Share Teachings Within Thailand Throughout the Day and Can
Share Teachings with the Rest of The World in the Mornings and
Evenings: Through living and sharing these Teachings from Thailand and
needing minimal sleep, I am able to help countless people throughout the
day based on the Thai timezone, while helping countless people in other
timezones during the early morning hours and evenings. This allows me to
be effective at sharing these Teachings around the clock and throughout the
world without any limitations based on restrictive timezones.
The timezone in Thailand is favorable to allowing me to share these
Teachings worldwide without limitations based on the time of day. I can be
helpful from morning, afternoon, and evening where there are Students who
are readily interested to learn - whether in-person or online.
6.) Students Have Easy Access to Visas to Gain Access to Classes,
Courses, and Retreats: To be successful at sharing these Teachings
worldwide, in-person learning is ideal. While there is much that can be
learned online and that is one way to be able to share these Teachings, there
is no better way to develop your life practice than to learn through in-person
access to a Teacher.
Through residing and teaching in Thailand, Students from all over the world
have easy access to classes, courses, and retreats from within Thailand due
to easy access to visas and as a result, me as their Teacher. Thailand does
not have restrictive visa requirements that would bar people from certain
countries which would inhibit “all beings” from gaining access to these
Teachings.
Instead, Thailand is open and accessible to a wide majority of the world and
where needed, I am able to travel.
124


I live in Chiang Mai, Thailand which is an international destination for
countless people around the world. I live within a 4000 km distance to fifty
percent (50%) of the world’s population. This means that half of the world’s
population is a short drive or plane ride away. This creates the ability for a
large majority of humanity to more easily gain access to these Teachings.
And, where needed, I am able to easily travel to all other parts of the world
and teach online.
People often travel to Thailand for the sole purpose of learning The
Teachings of The Buddha on The Path to Enlightenment. So, by sharing
these Teachings from within Thailand, there are countless people who are
coming here specifically to learn and practice in the exact location where I
reside and teach.
In conclusion, through residing and teaching in Thailand as a “home-base”, I
am able to readily share these Teachings worldwide and work towards the
restoration of The Teachings of The Buddha back into humanity so that
countless people can attain Enlightenment during this lifetime and after my
death.
Thailand is the perfect location for these Teachings to be shared and to serve
as a “home-base” or “headquarters” for the international community to be
invited and welcomed with “open arms”. There is no other location on earth
that could provide for a better location to share these important Teachings
and to then be preserved for future generations.
The Kingdom is here in Thailand and ready to support you in the
development of your life practice towards the attainment of Enlightenment so
that we can all create “heaven on earth”.
The Teachings are hosted in the east and visible in the west.
They are readily available to you and there will be a period of 1,000 years
that they will “shine in the world” for all those who choose to learn, reflect,
and practice to experience the peace and joy of the Enlightened mind. Then,
with all of us doing the work towards developing our own individual practice
of these Teachings, they will never again diminish, be degraded, or lost.
Once restored, these Teachings can continue to support humanity for the
rest of time.
May you discover the peace and joy of the Enlightened mind in this lifetime.
May you be peaceful, may you be safe, may you be well, and may you be
free of all discontentedness and the suffering it causes.
125


Invitation to Learn
I would like to invite you to a kind, compassionate and loving community of
Practitioners to learn and grow with these Teachings.
I would like to invite you to join this online group.
You will find it to be an online learning center for these Teachings and there
is a Teacher there to help provide guidance as you have questions.
Daily Wisdom - Walking The Path with The Buddha
https://www.facebook.com/groups/DailyWisdom999/
Additional Learning
Visit BuddhaDailyWisdom.com where you will discover a full range of
courses, retreats, and online learning resources to assist you on
The Path to Enlightenment.
Donations for Learning
Learn The Teachings of Gotama Buddha that lead to a stable, calm, and peaceful mind.
A more peaceful and loving world where all beings have care and compassion for each
other.
By supporting this learning opportunity, you will learn how to progress along
The Path to Enlightenment and help offer these Teachings to others through online and
in-person learning. Through these Teachings, the world will become a kinder, more
peaceful, and loving society.
Consider contributing $5, $10, $15 or any amount you wish to help us continue to offer
these Teachings to you and others around the world.
You can make a donation for the development and creation of these Teachings to help
you and others using this link.
https://www.buddhadailywisdom.com/supportbuddha
126

Created by:
Daily Wisdom - Walking The Path with The Buddha
BuddhaDailyWisdom.com
Facebook:
https://bit.ly/DailyWisdom-Facebook
YouTube:
https://bit.ly/DailyWisdom-Youtube
Podcast:
https://bit.ly/DailyWisdom-Podcast
I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for the community of
Ordained and Household Practitioners benefiting from the leadership of
Venerable Bhikkhu Kukrit Sotthibalo at Wat Na Pah Pong in Krung Thep,
Thailand for their dedication and diligence in sharing The Teachings of
Gotama Buddha. Their work was the inspiration for
“The Words of The Buddha” book series.
Wat Na Pah Pong
http://watnapp.com
127


THE WORDS OF THE BUDDHA
The Path to Enlightenment
Revealing The Hidden
Volume 1
Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment
Volume 2
Walking The Path with The Buddha
Volume 3
Foundation in The Teachings
Volume 4
Exploring The Path to Enlightenment
Volume 5
The First Stage of Enlightenment
(Stream-Enterer)
Volume 6
The Natural Law of Kamma
Volume 7
Breathing Mindfulness Meditation
Volume 8
The Foremost Householders
Volume 9
The Six Sense Bases
Volume 10
The Buddha’s Way
Volume 11
The Realms of Existence
Volume 12
Lowly Arts
Volume 13
Generosity
FREE Download, Print, or Kindle
https://www.buddhadailywisdom.com/freebuddhabooks
128


THE WORDS OF THE BUDDHA
The Path to Enlightenment
Revealing The Hidden
The First Stage of
Enlightenment
(Stream-Enterer)
Volume 5
1

Note from Author 9
Preface 15
The First Stage of Enlightenment (Stream-Enterer) 15
Chapter 1 19
The Mirror of the Stream-Enterer 19
Chapter 2 27
Who is a Stream-Enterer? (First Discourse) 27
Chapter 3 33
Who is a Stream-Enterer? (Second Discourse) 33
Chapter 4 35
A Stream-Enterer Possesses The Noble Eight Fold Path 35
Chapter 5 36
Eliminating The Five Dangers and Hostiles as A Stream-Enterer 36
Chapter 6 40
A Stream-Enterer Understands The Five Aggregates 40
Chapter 7 42
A Stream-Enterer Understands The Six Sense Bases 42
Chapter 8 43
Two Kinds of Stream Entering 43
Chapter 9 46
Fruit of Stream Entry 46
Chapter 10 47
The Stream-Enterer Fulfills Virtuous Behavior But Cultivates Concentration and Wisdom
Only to a Moderate Extent 47
Chapter 11 50
The Complete Destruction of Three Fetters 50
Chapter 12 51
Abandoning Six Things One Is Capable of Realizing Accomplishment in View 51
Chapter 13 53
A Stream-Enterer Understands as They Really are the Cause and the Passing Away of the
World 53
Chapter 14 58
Dependent Origination as The Law of Nature 58
2

A Stream-Enterer Understands Condition, the Cause, the Elimination, and the Way
Leading to the Elimination of Condition 58
Chapter 15 66
A Stream-Enterer Understands Condition, the Cause, the Elimination, and the Way
Leading to the Elimination of Condition 66
Chapter 16 72
The Forty-Four Cases of Wisdom 72
Chapter 17 78
The Seventy-Seven Cases of Wisdom 78
Chapter 18 85
Wisdom of the Principle and Wisdom of Entailment 85
(A Stream-Enterer) 85
Chapter 19 87
A Stream-Enterer Has Abandoned Confusion in the Case of ‘Clinging to Aggregates’ 87
Chapter 20 89
A Stream-Enterer Has Abandoned Confusion in the Case of ‘Nothing Matters’ 89
Chapter 21 94
Six Benefits in Realizing the Fruit of Stream-Entry 94
Chapter 22 97
A Stream-Enterer is Worth More Than Being a Wheel-Turning Monarch 97
Chapter 23 100
There Cannot Be Alteration in a Stream-Enterer 100
Chapter 24 101
Six Cases of Incapability by One Accomplished in View (First Discourse) 101
Chapter 25 105
Six Cases of Incapability by One Accomplished in View (Second Discourse) 105
Chapter 26 107
Six Cases of Incapability by One Accomplished in View (Third Discourse) 107
Chapter 27 109
Six Cases of Incapability by One Accomplished in View (Fourth Discourse) 109
Chapter 28 113
The Noble Eight Fold Path The Way of Practice Leading to the Elimination of
Discontentedness 113
Chapter 29 121
3

How a Stream-Enterer is Called 121
Chapter 30 122
The Ten Fetters 122
Chapter 31 126
The Noble Method is to Understand Dependent Origination 126
Chapter 32 128
The Little Bit of Soil in the Fingernail 128
Chapter 33 130
The Achievement of Other Communities Cannot Compare with the Achievement of a
Noble Disciple 130
Chapter 34 132
A Noble One with Developed Sense Bases 132
Chapter 35 139
Difference in Understanding of Teachings Between A Stream-Enterer and An Arahant
(First Discourse) 139
Chapter 36 142
Difference in Understanding of Teachings Between A Stream-Enterer and An Arahant
(Second Discourse) 142
Chapter 37 145
One Who Cultivates Fully Reaches Fulfillment One Who Cultivates in Parts Succeeds in
Part 145
Chapter 38 154
Seven Kinds of Persons Found Existing in the World Similar to Those in Water 154
Chapter 39 159
Nine Persons Passing Away with a Residue Remaining Are Freed from Hell 159
Chapter 40 164
A Stream-Enterer Knowing and Seeing in These Ways 164
Chapter 41 169
Death at the Door of Deathless (Enlightenment) 169
Chapter 42 172
Ten Abodes of the Noble Ones The Mind is Liberated by Wisdom 172
Chapter 43 179
One Who Abandons The Taints that Should Be Abandoned by Seeing 179
Chapter 44 182
4

Right Views of Various Kinds 182
Chapter 45 199
Factors for Stream Entry (First Discourse) 199
Chapter 46 201
Factors for Stream Entry (Second Discourse) 201
Chapter 47 207
Factors for Stream Entry (Third Discourse) 207
Chapter 48 211
Factors for Stream Entry (Fourth Discourse) 211
Chapter 49 216
The Benefit of These Four Things 216
Chapter 50 219
One Who is a Trainee 219
Chapter 51 221
Virtue Lower Than the Stream-Enterer That Does Not Lead to Bad Destinations 221
Chapter 52 224
The Seven Factors of the Fruit of Stream-Entry 224
Chapter 53 232
Encourage, Settle, and Establish in The Four Factors of Stream-Entry 232
Author 236
Restoration of The Buddha’s Teachings 237
The Path to Enlightenment 237
The Goal 239
An Entire Species of Enlightened Beings 239
Why Have I Decided to Teach The Path to Enlightenment as Taught by Gotama Buddha?
242
Why Have I Decided to Reside and Teach in Thailand in Order to Restore The Teachings
of The Buddha Back into Humanity and Create “Heaven on Earth”? 245
5

The author is donating 100% of all his proceeds from
this book to charitable work to share The Teachings
of Gotama Buddha.
You are welcome to freely distribute this book.
Please consider providing a donation to support the
continued sharing of these Teachings.
Donations for Learning
Learn The Teachings of Gotama Buddha that lead to a stable, calm, and peaceful mind.
A more peaceful and loving world where all beings have care and compassion for each
other.
By supporting this learning opportunity, you will learn how to progress along
The Path to Enlightenment and help offer these Teachings to others through online and
in-person learning. Through these Teachings, the world will become a kinder, more
peaceful, and loving society.
Consider contributing $5, $10, $15 or any amount you wish to help us continue to offer
these Teachings to you and others around the world.
You can make a donation for the development and creation of these Teachings to help
you and others using this link.
https://www.buddhadailywisdom.com/supportbuddha
Additional Learning
Visit BuddhaDailyWisdom.com where you will discover a full range of
courses, retreats, and online learning resources to assist you on
The Path to Enlightenment.
6

THE WORDS OF The Buddha
The Path to Enlightenment
Revealing The Hidden
Volume 1
Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment
Volume 2
Walking The Path with The Buddha
Volume 3
Foundation in The Teachings
Volume 4
Exploring The Path to Enlightenment
Volume 5
The First Stage of Enlightenment
(Stream-Enterer)
Volume 6
The Natural Law of Kamma
Volume 7
Breathing Mindfulness Meditation
Volume 8
The Foremost Householders
Volume 9
The Six Sense Bases
Volume 10
The Buddha’s Way
Volume 11
The Realms of Existence
Volume 12
Lowly Arts
Volume 13
Generosity
FREE Download, Print, or Kindle
https://www.buddhadailywisdom.com/freebuddhabooks
7

The First Stage of Enlightenment (Stream-Enterer) (Volume 5)
Journey through The Words of The Buddha from the beginning of his first
Teaching until his “last words” prior to death.
The book, “The First Stage of Enlightenment (Stream-Enterer)” is select
Teachings from The Buddha organized from the largest and most complete
collection of The Buddha’s Teachings on The Path to Enlightenment - The
Pāli Canon.
The Pāli Canon, or The Pāli Text, comprises forty-five (45) large volumes of
books where Students from the lifetime of The Buddha captured his
Teachings. The discourses of The Buddha in The Pāli Canon represent the
largest and most complete collection we have of The Buddha’s Teachings in
his own words. The Buddha’s Teachings are scattered over multiple volumes
of books in The Pāli Canon making it challenging for the average Practitioner
to glean the benefit of his Teachings.
The Words of The Buddha book series, has consolidated and organized his
Teachings into a series of books, based on specific topics, with explanations
of The Teachings from a dedicated Practitioner and Teacher.
You will find books such as Breathing Mindfulness Meditation (Volume 7) that
are the consolidated Teachings in The Words of The Buddha related to
meditation. The Natural Law of Kamma (Volume 6) provides Teachings
directly from The Buddha related to the important topic of Kamma. The
Foremost Householders (Volume 8) shares Teachings specifically for
Household Practitioners who are pursuing The Path to Enlightenment where
the mind is peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy - permanently.
The Words of The Buddha book series will provide a beginning, middle, and
end with detailed Teachings to develop your life practice and the ability to
seek guidance with the author of the book series. Learn, reflect, and practice
The Teachings of The Buddha, in his own words, with guidance from a
Teacher - offered openly and freely to “all beings”.
BuddhaDailyWisdom.com
8

Note from Author
This book shares Teachings from Gotama Buddha to guide Practitioners on
The Path to Enlightenment.
In various settings, Gotama Buddha is sharing Teachings with either a male
or a female - a husband or a wife.
As you learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings from Gotama Buddha,
you should consider The Teachings shared as multi-gendered. So while
Gotama Buddha may be using a specific gender of he/she, male/female, or a
specific title of husband/wife, son/daughter you can apply these same
Teachings to all genders and roles of the opposite of which he was
addressing his Teachings to in the setting in which The Teachings were
originally shared, or use a gender-neutral pronoun.
If Gotama Buddha is sharing Teachings with a man of how to be a
wholesome husband, you can relate this same Teaching for a female of how
to be a wholesome wife. If he is sharing a Teaching with a male of how to be
a wholesome son, you can relate this same Teaching for a female of how to
be a wholesome daughter. You have the freedom to apply these Teachings
using all genders and titles in use today.
Additionally, Gotama Buddha never used rebirth in the heavenly realm nor
rebirth in the lower realms of hell, animal, or afflicted spirits as a way to guilt,
shame, fear, or otherwise motivate people to learn and practice his
Teachings.
When you come to understand Teachings shared by Gotama Buddha related
to these potential future destinations upon rebirth, he is sharing the truth of
what will or will not occur based on specific Teachings based on The Natural
Laws of Existence. The truth he discovered, observed, and experienced as
The Perfectly Enlightened One.
One should in no way consider these Teachings he shared as a way to guilt,
shame, or fear one into learning and practicing his Teachings but instead,
consider that he is sharing the truth of what will or will not occur ensuring
that Practitioners understand the truth related to The Natural Laws of
Existence. Gotama Buddha’s Teachings on The Path to Enlightenment
involve, among other things, the elimination of guilt, shame, and fear. He
would not use guilt, shame, or fear to motivate someone to learn and
practice his Teachings because his most core and central Teaching of The
Four Noble Truths, and everything else he taught, makes it clear that the
objective is to eliminate discontent feelings such as guilt, shame, and fear.
9

Gotama Buddha shared The Teachings as guidance for anyone who chooses
to learn and practice without forceful influence. Through learning, reflecting,
and practicing his Teachings, one comes to understand the truth as the
condition of the mind and the condition of one’s life gradually improve.
It is not possible to forcefully influence one to attain Enlightenment and that
approach was never employed by The Perfectly Enlightened One, and
should never be employed by anyone else. Learning and practicing these
Teachings is through personal free will choice.
A Buddha only points the way, everyone else must strive.
While this book series contains “The Words of The Buddha” as the
foundation and focus of study, the author has provided you content in which
to understand and reflect on his thoughts related to The Teachings shared by
The Buddha.
A reader and, thus, Practitioner should not rely solely on the author’s content
in their reflection on The Teachings from Gotama Buddha. The author’s
content is to provide you guidance towards understanding but it is you, the
Practitioner, who needs to deeply investigate “The Words of The Buddha” to
determine the truth for yourself. You should not be limited to only what the
author has provided by way of meaning and understanding of “The Words of
The Buddha”. Instead, learn, reflect, practice, and seek guidance from a
Teacher to support you in gaining wisdom. The mind is liberated through
wisdom.
To gain the most benefit from “The Words of The Buddha” book series,
it is suggested that you start with (Volume 1), “Developing a Life
Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment”. That book will provide
a framework to understand all of Gotama Buddha’s Teachings in the
entire book series. Without reading that book first, a Practitioner will
find it very challenging to start with learning from “The Words of The
Buddha”.
FREE Download, Print, or Kindle
https://www.buddhadailywisdom.com/freebuddhabooks
10

The Problem - The Wisdom of Enlightenment Has Been Lost
Gotama Buddha lived over 2,500 years ago sharing The Teachings that lead
to Enlightenment.
During his lifetime, it was well known to people who were learning, reflecting,
and practicing with him as their Teacher, exactly what Enlightenment is and
how to attain it.
This wisdom remained for 500 years after the death of The Buddha. But
thereafter, this wisdom has gradually declined and diminished to the point
where we are today, 2,500 years later. Gotama Buddha predicted this would
occur.
The vast majority of the world does not understand what Enlightenment is
and how to attain it. The Path to Enlightenment, while once was strong and
vibrant during the lifetime of The Buddha, has now practically disappeared.
There are very few beings in existence today who understand what
Enlightenment is and how to attain it.
The Universal Truth of Impermanence has drastically affected humanity’s
understanding of The Path to Enlightenment.
This occurred through the lack of focus and diligence to maintain The
Teachings of The Buddha as vibrantly as existed during his lifetime. People
gradually and slowly mixed and blended various traditions and thoughts into
The Buddha’s Teachings which, while perhaps well intended, have only
served to dilute humanity’s understanding of The Path to Enlightenment and,
thus, have made it extremely difficult for countless beings to experience
Enlightenment.
Enlightenment is a peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy that is
permanent. The Enlightened mind no longer experiences any discontent
feelings. All discontentedness such as sadness, anger, frustration, irritation,
annoyance, guilt, shame, fears, boredom, loneliness, shyness, jealousy,
resentment, stress, anxiety, etc., has been completely eliminated from the
Enlightened mind.
Gotama Buddha’s objective is for his Teachings to be shared worldwide so
that all beings can experience the Enlightened mental state. However, during
his lifetime, it was impossible to share his Teachings worldwide. It has now
come to us to be able to actively learn, reflect, and practice his Teachings, in
such a way, that they are restored and shining in the world so that countless
11

individuals can attain Enlightenment today and in multiple generations to
come.
But, in order to accomplish this goal, we will need to stay determined,
dedicated, and diligent to learning, reflecting, and practicing The Teachings
of The Buddha that he shared over 2,500 years ago. We will need to be
diligent to ensure that we are not diluting his Teachings through mixing
various traditions and practices that are not part of The Path to
Enlightenment.
Every Practitioner will need to decide, are they interested in being part of the
problem or part of the solution.
The solution takes time, effort, energy, and resources to be committed
enough to restoring The Buddha’s Teachings back into humanity, in such a
way, that is highly beneficial to countless individuals today and long into the
future.
Remaining part of the problem requires no time, effort, energy, or resources.
It just requires continued complacency and lack of attention to the active
learning, reflecting, and practicing of “The Words of The Buddha”. I suggest
it would be unwise to remain part of the problem as one will continue to
experience discontentedness and the suffering it causes.
The Solution - Restoring The Buddha’s Teachings Back into Humanity
If you would like to be part of the solution, I would like to encourage you to
actively learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings of The Buddha, in such a
way, that does not include the diluting or mixing of his Teachings with other
traditions. It is The Teachings of The Buddha that lead to Enlightenment, not
those that are blended and mixed that only serve to dilute The Path to
Enlightenment for all those who aspire to experience Enlightenment.
The primary obstacle or obstruction that hinders Practitioners from the
attainment of Enlightenment is ignorance (unknowing of true reality). This is a
taint/pollution of mind where the Practitioner lacks wisdom to understand the
true Path to Enlightenment. This unknowing of true reality creates an
obstacle or obstruction that keeps the mind trapped in the unEnlightened
state continuing to experience continued discontentedness and the suffering
it causes. The only way to remove this hindrance is to seek guidance with a
Teacher in the true Teachings of The Buddha using The Words of The
Buddha. It is The Teachings of The Buddha that will awaken the mind to
Enlightenment through independent verification of his Teachings to acquire
wisdom, thus, removing this obstruction to Enlightenment.
12

Through dedication to restoring The Teachings of The Buddha within your
own life practice by acquiring wisdom using The Words of The Buddha, you
are doing your part to contribute to restoring his Teachings back into
humanity for the benefit of countless beings that exist now and long into the
future. All of humanity can evolve so that everyone can attain Enlightenment
creating the most peaceful world we have ever imagined. It will be like
“heaven on earth”.
You are invited to join this Community to only learn and practice “The Words
of The Buddha”, in such a way, that leads to your Enlightenment and the
restoration of The Buddha’s Teachings so that you and countless beings can
experience the peacefulness, liberation of mind, and complete elimination of
discontentedness and the suffering it causes, known as Enlightenment.
The Words of The Buddha Book Series
https://www.buddhadailywisdom.com/freebuddhabooks
“Thank you” for choosing to learn and
practice Gotama Buddha’s Teachings.
You are making the world a better place
through developing your life practice based
on “The Words of The Buddha”.
13

Continue to read and understand “The Words of The Buddha - The Path to
Enlightenment - Revealing The Hidden” book series that has been laid out
for all of us to achieve a better way of life.
You can connect to a group of people in a supportive environment for
discussion, sharing, and learning through the Facebook group.
Daily Wisdom - Walking The Path with The Buddha
https://www.facebook.com/groups/DailyWisdom999/
All members are accepted without judgment. It is a healthy place to talk,
discuss, learn, and grow. There are resources to help you further on this
Path to Enlightenment accessible online through a Group Learning
Program.
Group Learning Program: LIVE Interactive Online Classes, Books,
Audiobooks, Videos, Podcast and Personal Guidance are available for you.
14

Preface
The First Stage of Enlightenment
(Stream-Enterer)
This book is dedicated to “you” and the complete elimination, destruction,
and cessation of suffering or “discontentedness” of the mind. Thus, this
book is dedicated to the elimination of discontentedness and the suffering
that it causes in the entire world.
The Teachings in this book series, with some effort on your part, will lead you
to everlasting peace - a peaceful mind and a peaceful life. It’s your personal
choices, with these Teachings serving as a guide, that will bring you these
results.
We are all walking towards the darkness or towards the light. Which
direction you walk is completely your choice.
This book and Teachings are meant to guide you in learning, reflecting, and
practicing The Teachings of The Perfectly Enlightened Buddha who lived
over 2,500 years ago.
The Teachings of The Buddha are timeless, meaning they are just as
applicable today as they were 2,500 years ago.
Gotama Buddha’s Teachings are not a religion but instead, a “better way of
life”. Through learning, reflecting, and practicing these Teachings to
independently verify the truth, the mind will acquire wisdom awakening to
Enlightenment.
It is suggested that you first read “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That
Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1) of this same book series while seeking
guidance from a Teacher. It is that book that provides a Practitioner with a
solid foundation in developing a life practice that will lead to the Enlightened
mind.
In order to progress on The Path to Enlightenment, a Practitioner will need a
Teacher to receive guidance. One would not be able to only read a book and
attain the results of an Enlightened mind.
Nothing in Gotama Buddha’s Teachings is based on belief. A Buddha has
already done the hard work of figuring out how to attain Enlightenment. You
15

just need to learn and practice his Teachings to improve the condition of the
mind and your life.
All his Teachings can be learned and practiced to independently observe the
truth as the mind “gradually” acquires wisdom through independent
verification of his Teachings and through practice of his Teachings.
This new found wisdom “gradually” improves the way the mind functions in
the world through eliminating discontentedness of mind. The mind can
completely eliminate all discontent feelings such as sadness, anger,
frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fears, boredom, loneliness,
shyness, jealousy, resentment, stress, anxiety, etc. on The Path to
Enlightenment.
Through learning and practicing Gotama Buddha’s Teachings with guidance,
the mind becomes Enlightened in that you can observe the improvement in
the condition of the mind as you eliminate all discontent feelings where the
mind can reside peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy - permanently.
You are not believing The Teachings wishing for a positive outcome at some
point in the future or after death. Instead, you are observing the
improvements to the condition of the mind right now - in the present
moment.
Only a Buddha would be able to attain Enlightenment on their own without
Teachers. These are some of the criteria that make a Buddha a Buddha is
that they discover The Teachings on their own attaining Enlightenment
without help from a Teacher, shares their independently discovered
Teachings to guide countless others to Enlightenment during the remaining
time of their life, and they leave their Teachings in a condition that they guide
countless others to Enlightenment after their death.
The last Buddha currently known to the world existed over 2,500 years ago.
That means you and everyone else will need Teachers on this Path to
Enlightenment.
Your journey to learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings is significantly
improved through making the choice to learn directly with “The Words of The
Buddha”.
Today, there are many resources for Teachings described as Buddhist or
originating with The Buddha. But, it is only when a Practitioner chooses to
investigate “The Words of The Buddha” being sourced directly from the
original source, The Pāli Canon, that a Practitioner will come to understand
16

the truth of what The Buddha actually taught and be able to implement these
Teachings into your daily life to experience the results of Enlightenment.
Through learning and practicing Gotama Buddha’s Teachings, in his own
words, The Perfectly Enlightened One’s wisdom can penetrate the mind and
you can experience the breakthrough to realizing the Enlightened mind.
I have significant gratitude, appreciation, admiration, and respect for Master
Teacher Gotama Buddha as his Teachings lead exactly where he said they
would. To a steady, calm, stable, and unshakable mind, known as
Enlightenment.
There are countless unknown and unnamed individuals who are responsible
for these Teachings reaching you in this book series. These Teachings have
been preserved throughout history over the last 2,500 years through the
tireless efforts of Ordained and Household Practitioners. These Teachings
have been preserved and shared from one generation to the next because
they work.
It is now up to us to learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings to
experience the Enlightened mind, so that we may benefit from an improved
existence while also preserving these Teachings for future generations in our
hearts and minds.
While books are an outstanding tool to capture The Teachings and share
them worldwide, there is nothing more significant than having massive
numbers of Enlightened beings in the world who can directly share these
Teachings with those who choose to seek guidance in developing their life
practice on The Path to Enlightenment. Each of us individually and
collectively, are just one link in a long chain of Practitioners and Teachers
spanning over 2,500 years.
What we choose to do in this time and place will determine how vibrant and
sustaining these Teachings are for future generations. It is our work and
effort to seek our own Enlightenment that we will experience results for our
own mind and lay the groundwork for countless more beings after us to
experience the same freedom of mind that you are now choosing to pursue.
Many people are interested in improving the world, but do not know how. It
is only when we are dedicated to improving our own wisdom, moral conduct,
and mental discipline that we will improve the world. Through improving our
own life practice through learning “The Words of The Buddha” then, we will
have collectively improved the world.
17

The problem that the unEnlightened mind is experiencing is not the outside
world, but the inner world. Training the mind, the inner world, is what
produces a peaceful existence. You can’t control other people and what they
do. You can only decide to train your own mind to be unaffected by what
others do.
It is a real struggle to exist in a world that the mind does not understand. It is
“The Words of The Buddha” that explains The Natural Laws of Existence
guiding the mind to acquire deep wisdom to make better free will decisions
through a purified mind.
Master Teacher Gotama Buddha
(The Tathāgata)
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Chapter 1
The Mirror of the Stream-Enterer
Ānanda, I will teach you a Teachings exposition called the mirror of The
Teachings, equipped with which a Noble Disciple, if he aspires, could by
himself declare of himself:
I am one finished with hell, finished with the animal realm, finished with the
realm of afflicted spirits, finished with the plane of misery, the bad
destinations, the nether world. I am a Stream-Enterer, no longer bound to the
nether world, fixed in destination, with Enlightenment as my destination.
And what, Ānanda, is that Teachings exposition, the mirror of The Teachings,
equipped with which a Noble Disciple, if he aspires, could by himself declare
thus of himself?
Here, Ānanda, a Noble Disciple possesses confirmed confidence in The
Buddha thus: The Perfectly Enlightened One is an Arahant, perfectly
Enlightened, accomplished in true wisdom and conduct, fortunate, knower of
the worlds, unsurpassed leader of persons to be tamed, Teacher of heavenly
beings and humans, The Enlightened One, The Fortunate One.
He possesses confirmed confidence in The Teachings thus: The Teachings
are well expounded by The Perfectly Enlightened One, directly visible,
immediate, inviting one to come and see, applicable, to be personally
experienced by the wise.
He possesses confirmed confidence in The Community thus: The
Community of The Perfectly Enlightened One’s disciples is practicing the
wholesome way, practicing the straight way, practicing the true way,
practicing the proper way, that is, the four pairs of persons, the eight types of
individuals — this Community of The Perfectly Enlightened One’s disciples is
worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of respectful
salutation, the unsurpassed field of merit for the world.
He possesses the virtues dear to the Noble Ones — unbroken, untorn,
unblemished, unblotched, liberating, praised by the wise, not
misunderstood, and leading to concentration.
This, Ānanda, is those Teachings exposition, the mirror of The Teachings,
equipped with which a Noble Disciple, if he aspires, could by himself declare
of himself.
19

(Reference: SN 55.8)


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares a few criteria of attaining the first Stage
of Enlightenment.
There are multiple aspects of one’s life practice that need to be developed to attain
Enlightenment. In this Teaching, The Buddha shares that one would need to have
confidence in The Buddha, The Teachings, and The Community. These are needed in
order to attain the first Stage of Enlightenment but there are also other aspects of training
one would need to develop. This book is dedicated to helping Practitioners understand
the first Stage of Enlightenment in its entirety and additional Teachings will be shared to
help you more deeply understand attaining this Stage of Enlightenment throughout this
book.
For a Practitioner to attain the first Stage of Enlightenment as a Stream-Enterer, they
would need to learn and practice the core and central Teachings of The Three Universal
Truths, The Four Noble Truths, The Eight Fold Path, The Five Precepts, The Brahma-
viharas, The Ten Fetters, The Seven Factors of Enlightenment and extensive meditation
training along with eliminating the first three (3) fetters described as part of The Ten
Fetters.
A Practitioner who attains the first Stage of Enlightenment would have already
experienced all four (4) Jhānas as preliminary phases the mind moves through prior to the
attainment of the first Stage of Enlightenment.
Once a Practitioner has learned and is practicing the above mentioned core and central
Teachings, they would then need to focus on the elimination of the first three (3) fetters.
The first three (3) fetters are the main criteria that a Practitioner can use to guide them in
development and attainment of the first Stage of Enlightenment. The elimination of the
first three (3) fetters is typically focused on once a Practitioner has learned and is
practicing the core and central Teachings for an extended period of time and is starting to
experience the Jhānas.
A Practitioner would be unable to just jump into the first Stage of Enlightenment but
instead, would need to focus on the preliminary learning and practice of these core and
central Teachings to prepare the mind to eliminate the first three (3) fetters.
What are The Four Stages of Enlightenment?
There are four (4) stages in the attainment of Enlightenment, however, these are for
personal development purposes only. You should not compare or profess to another
person which Stage of Enlightenment you feel you have attained. Self declared attainment
has no beneficial purpose and oftentimes comes from arrogance and pride, the ego, while
being fraught and filled with errors.
One goal of these Teachings is to eliminate arrogance and pride, the ego, therefore, if a
Practitioner is declaring their self determined Stage of Enlightenment, there is still
arrogance and pride. A Practitioner sharing with others what they feel they have attained
is an indication that, the mind is not yet Enlightened.
20


An Enlightened being would have no need or desire to profess what they feel the mind
has attained. An Enlightened mind is so peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy that
an Enlightened being will just be enjoying life rather than attempting to convince others or
boasting about what they feel they have attained.
Self determination of attainment of any Stage of Enlightenment is fraught and filled
with errors.
While one should consistently apply effort towards learning, reflecting, and practicing The
Teachings to include understanding The Four Stages of Enlightenment, these are used for
personal development to guide a Practitioner’s journey assisting you on the path to higher
and higher degrees of attainment not as a way to brag, show off or profess to others what
you feel you have attained. Convincing the mind that it has attained any of these Stages
of Enlightenment or that the mind is actually Enlightened is dangerous for the mind.
The ego is constantly going to be interested to convince the mind it is more Enlightened
than it really is. The ego is equivalent to a “bad tenant” who never pays rent and doesn’t
want to leave the residence. The bad tenant, the ego, needs to be evicted but every time
things move in that direction it tries to convince the mind it is more Enlightened than it
really is because the ego does not want to leave. The bad tenant keeps wanting to stay
but yet provides no benefit whatsoever and continually attempts to convince the mind it is
Enlightened so that the bad tenant, the ego, can stick around.
You need to evict the ego and as long as the mind is convinced that it is experiencing
higher and higher degrees of attainment, then there is the risk or danger that arrogance
and pride will arise, thus, halting any forward progress. With arrogance and pride (i.e. the
ego), the mind will want to measure and compare what it feels it has attained to others
creating unwholesome decisions that produce separation rather than harmony amongst
friendly Practitioners and “all beings”. The mind could become judgmental looking down
on others rather than practicing loving-kindness and compassion with an interest in
seeing all beings attain Enlightenment.
You should never believe you have attained Enlightenment and continuously pursue this
path your entire life. Should you ever feel you have attained Enlightenment and are
“done”, the mind can become “sluggish or complacent” and halt your progress on this
path.
Arrogance and pride can arise in the mind if one becomes absorbed, engrossed or
fascinated with progressing through The Four Stages of Enlightenment. As soon as any
arrogance, pride, or ego arises, the mind is not experiencing Enlightenment.
If any of this is occurring in the mind, the mind is not Enlightened and is essentially
sabotaging a Practitioner’s ability to experience more progress. Through never convincing
the mind that it is truly Enlightened, even when all discontentedness has been eliminated,
then, the mind can continue to reside protected from any potential arising of arrogance
and pride (i.e. the ego), and continue to experience increased benefits as the mind
becomes more and more Enlightened.
While we use the term Enlightenment, this mental state is not a destination that once one
arrives, everything is complete. Instead, as the mind arrives to Enlightenment having
21


eliminated all discontentedness, a Practitioner can experience increased benefits of the
Enlightened mind as the brilliance and brightness of the Enlightened mind shine through
more and more. If one convinces themselves they are Enlightened and are actually
“done”, then they would not experience the continued and increasing benefits of the mind
entering into an even higher degree of Enlightenment.
There will be glimpses of Enlightenment as you develop your practice. Whether it be in
meditation, during the daily activities, or for multiple minutes, hours, weeks, months, etc.
as one progresses. These glimpses are similar to a flickering lightbulb that is struggling to
shine bright on a consistent and ongoing basis. These glimpses of Enlightenment help a
Practitioner to observe the possibilities of what one is headed towards and that they are
headed in the right direction. But the mind needs to remain unaffected by these
momentary or elongated and impermanent experiences. The mind needs to remain
unaffected by the improved condition of the mind to be able to experience more and
more awakening of the mind.
The mind could experience multiple minutes, hours, weeks, months, etc. with the
returning of discontentedness at any moment. A wise Practitioner needs to remain
determined, dedicated, and diligent to apply effort watching over the mind with
mindfulness or awareness of mind. If one proceeds without guarding the mind with
mindfulness, then cravings/desires/attachments can emerge from the corners of the mind
producing discontentedness.
Just like the mind will experience flickering and glimpses of Enlightenment as the mind is
developed, the mind will also experience a flickering diminishing of cravings/desires/
attachments and discontentedness.
As discontentedness is gradually being extinguished, the qualities of the Enlightened
mind are continuing to increase. All the while, the Practitioner is having experiences in the
mind they never knew existed and the mind can become quite blissful and elated. It is
important to reside unaffected by these experiences continuing to bring the mind back to
the middle. If the mind takes great pleasure in what it is experiencing, this is dangerous
and risky as the mind then continues to crave these pleasant feelings stalling progress.
This is yet another reason guidance with a Teacher is so important. As the mind moves
and shifts through the preliminary phases of the Jhānas and into The Four Stages of
Enlightenment, a Practitioner is going to need support from someone who has
experienced what they are experiencing. This will allow a Practitioner to gain the insight
and Teachings needed to continue forward development through seeking guidance of
how to continue the mind’s cultivation.
The Ten Fetters are the ten (10) individual aspects of the mind that need to be eliminated
to attain Enlightenment. The word “fetter” is defined as: “a chain or shackle used to
restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the ankles”. The Ten Fetters are essentially
keeping a being trapped in The Cycle of Rebirth bound to the endless cycle of continuous
rebirth experiencing discontentedness over countless lives.
It is not until one eliminates The Ten Fetters that a being's mind is liberated from
discontentedness and The Cycle of Rebirth. A fetter can also be referred to as a taint or
pollution of the mind. A taint is an impure quality of the mind and is why these need to be
eliminated to attain Enlightenment. The Ten Fetters pollute the mind not allowing us to
experience the brightness and radiance of the Enlightened mind.
22


These are “The Ten Fetters”. These are the chains that bind us into The Cycle of Rebirth
and to multiple lifetimes of experiencing continuous discontentedness. You must
eliminate these and practice The Seven Factors of Enlightenment to attain Enlightenment
- along with many other Teachings as part of The Eight Fold Path.
The Ten Fetters
Lower Fetters
1.) Personal existence view (Eliminating the concept of a permanent self from the mind. Realization
of The Universal Truth of Non-self.)
2.) Doubt (Elimination of doubts about The Teachings and the ability of them to attain Enlightenment.
Confidence in The Buddha, The Teachings, The Community, your Teacher, and your own ability to attain
Enlightenment.)
3.) Wrong behavior and observances (Elimination of the mind’s belief that rites, rituals,
ceremonies, and worship will help a Practitioner to attain Enlightenment. Well developed practice of
The Eight Fold Path.)
4.) Sensual desire (Elimination of the desire for pleasures from The Six Sense Bases: eyes, ears, nose,
tongue, body, and the mind.)
5.) Ill will (Elimination of hostility, hatred, anger, aggression, resentment, frustration, irritation, annoyance,
etc.)
Higher Fetters
6.) Desire for form (Elimination of desire for existence in the form realms; Animal or Human. Elimination
of the fear of death.)
7.) Desire for the formless (Elimination of desire for existence in the formless realms; Hell, Afflicted
Spirits, or Heaven.)
8.) Conceit (Elimination of arrogance, pride, judging, measuring or comparing as superior or inferior to
others. Ego is completely dissolved.)
9.) Restlessness (Elimination of confused, distracted, worried, anxious, restless state of mind the
opposite of “singleness of mind”.)
10.) Ignorance (Elimination of delusion or unknowing of true reality through acquiring wisdom. Learn,
reflect, and practice of The Teachings of The Buddha, such as, The Three Universal Truths, The Four Noble
Truths, The Eight Fold Path, The Five Precepts, The Three Wholesome/Unwholesome Roots, The Natural
Law of Kamma, The Cycle of Rebirth, etc. all detailed later in this book and book series.)
23


The Four Stages of Enlightenment
A Stream-Enterer (returning to human realm no more than 7 times) is:
Free From:
1. Personal existence view
2. Doubt
3. Wrong behavior and observances
A Once-Returner (returns to human realm only one time) is:
Free From:
1. Personal existence view
2. Doubt
3. Wrong behavior and observances
Greatly Thinned:
4. Sensual desire
5. Ill will
A Non-Returner (does not return to human realm) is:
Free From:
1. Personal existence view
2. Doubt
3. Wrong behavior and observances
4. Sensual desire
5. Ill will
An Arahant is free from all of the five lower fetters and the five higher fetters, which
are:
1. Personal existence view
2. Doubt
3. Wrong behavior and observances
4. Sensual desire
5. Ill will
6. Desire for form
7. Desire for the formless
8. Conceit
9. Restlessness
10. Ignorance
A Practitioner attaining the results and Stage of Enlightenment as an Arahant is
Enlightened. In the first three (3) Stages of Enlightenment, the mind is not yet Enlightened
and is still experiencing discontentedness. There will be a gradual diminishing of
discontentedness as the mind ascends through each Stage of Enlightenment but it is not
until the mind reaches the Stage of Enlightenment as an Arahant, where the mind is
actually Enlightened, that all discontentedness is eliminated and there is no more rebirth
in The Cycle of Rebirth..
In order to progress to the first Stage of Enlightenment, a Practitioner will have needed to
develop confidence in The Buddha, The Teachings, and The Community as part of their
progression. Having progressed to the point of experiencing the Jhānas, a Practitioner
would have developed this “confirmed confidence”.
24


An unEnlightened mind that is off The Path to Enlightenment and an unEnlightened mind
that is experiencing the Jhānas, is like night and day. It is very noticeable and apparent
that the mind is experiencing the Jhānas. This experience will help to further develop
“confirmed confidence” in The Buddha, The Teachings, and The Community as the
Practitioner observes the improved qualities of mind associated with attainment of the
Jhānas.
The Buddha explains in this Teaching that “confirmed confidence” in The Buddha, The
Teachings, and The Community is an aspect of attainment of the first Stage of
Enlightenment but these are not the only criteria.
Additionally, notice The Buddha explains that “if he aspires, could by himself declare of
himself” “I am a Stream-Enterer, no longer bound to the nether world, fixed in destination,
with Enlightenment as my destination”.
A Practitioner who attains the first Stage of Enlightenment will no longer ever be reborn
into the lower realms of existence of hell, animal, or afflicted spirits realms. The mind will
not backslide away from the first Stage of Enlightenment. If there is death for one who
attains the first Stage of Enlightenment, there will be rebirth back into the human realm no
more than seven (7) times which will result in the attainment of Enlightenment. This is why
The Buddha shares “no longer bound to the nether world, fixed in destination, with
Enlightenment as my destination”.
Also, a wise Practitioner would not attempt to declare or profess to others that they have
attained the first Stage of Enlightenment but instead, use The Teachings of what is
needed to attain the first Stage of Enlightenment as a personal guide in consultation with
a Teacher. There is no desire or need for a Practitioner to declare or profess their
attainments to others. This would only be due to craving/desire/attachment and the ego.
It is important to pursue Enlightenment without craving or desire to attain it but use it as a
goal, an interest, or an objective.
If there is craving, even craving for Enlightenment, you will not be able to attain full
Enlightenment as an Arahant. And if there is craving at the time of death, there will be
rebirth.
There is no finish line to the attainment of Enlightenment. Once a mind reaches the fourth
Stage of Enlightenment, the mind can continue to ascend to higher degrees of the
Enlightened mind. A Practitioner needs to focus on the one (1) step in front of them that
leads to further progress on The Path to Enlightenment. If the mind is focusing on the
imaginary non-existent finish line, the craving/desire/attachment for Enlightenment will
inhibit and hinder the mind from experiencing Enlightenment.
Instead, a Practitioner may be interested to understand that Enlightenment is the true
nature of the human mind, and they are just working to remove all the pollution of the
mind that is inhibiting them from experiencing the true nature of Enlightenment. In this
way, the mind is not attempting to attain anything at all but instead, the mind is already
Enlightened and a Practitioner's life practice is to purify the mind removing the pollution
that is hindering one from experiencing the radiance and brightness of Enlightenment.
25


You should not compare or profess to another person which Stage of Enlightenment you
feel you have attained. Self declared attainment has no beneficial purpose and oftentimes
comes from arrogance and pride, the ego, while being fraught and filled with errors. You
should never believe you have attained Enlightenment, and constantly pursue this path
your entire life.
Should you ever feel you have attained Enlightenment and are “done”, the mind will
become “sluggish” and halt your progress on this path. If the mind is sluggish, you are
not practicing The Seven (7) Factors of Enlightenment and thus have not attained
Enlightenment.
If you profess your Stage of Enlightenment to others, then you do so with ego and
therefore it is well known that you have not attained Enlightenment.
The Four (4) Stages of Enlightenment are provided as a personal guide to assist you on
the path to higher and higher degrees of attainment but never to be compared to others
or feel that you are more important than another person.
If you feel this way, you have not attained Enlightenment.
Detailed explanation of What is Enlightenment is available in this same book series found
in Chapter 3 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to
Enlightenment” (Volume 1).
26


Chapter 2
Who is a Stream-Enterer?
(First Discourse)
Monks, a Noble Disciple who possesses four things is a Stream-Enterer, no
longer bound to the nether world, fixed in destination, with Enlightenment as
his destination.
What four?
(1) Here, Monks, a Noble Disciple possesses confirmed confidence in The
Buddha thus: The Perfectly Enlightened One is an Arahant, perfectly
Enlightened, accomplished in true wisdom and conduct, fortunate,
knower of the worlds, unsurpassed leader of persons to be tamed,
Teacher of heavenly beings and humans, The Enlightened One, The
Fortunate One.
(2) He possesses confirmed confidence in The Teachings thus: The
Teachings are well expounded by The Perfectly Enlightened One, directly
visible, immediate, inviting one to come and see, applicable, to be
personally experienced by the wise.
(3) He possesses confirmed confidence in The Community thus: The
Community of The Perfectly Enlightened One’s disciples is practicing the
wholesome way, practicing the straight way, practicing the true way,
practicing the proper way; that is, the four pairs of persons, the eight
types of individuals - this Community of The Perfectly Enlightened One’s
disciples is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings,
worthy of respectful salutation, the unsurpassed field of merit for the
world.
(4) He possesses the virtues dear to the Noble Ones — unbroken, untorn,
unblemished, unblotched, liberating, praised by the wise, not
misunderstood, and leading to concentration.
A Noble Disciple, Monks, who possesses these four things is a Stream-
Enterer, no longer bound to the nether world, fixed in destination, with
Enlightenment as his destination.
(Reference: SN 55.2)


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares expanded Teachings to explain that a
Practitioner who has attained the first Stage of Enlightenment will have confidence in The
Buddha, The Teachings, and The Community while also practicing “the virtues dear to the
Noble Ones”.
(1) Here, Monks, a Noble Disciple possesses confirmed confidence in The Buddha thus:
The Perfectly Enlightened One is an Arahant, perfectly Enlightened, accomplished in true
wisdom and conduct, fortunate, knower of the worlds, unsurpassed leader of persons to
be tamed, Teacher of heavenly beings and humans, The Enlightened One, The Fortunate
One.
The Buddha is explaining that his mind is “perfectly Enlightened” which is how we refer to
a Buddha. Because a Buddha attains Enlightenment through their own independent
journey, their mind is described as “perfectly Enlightened”. Their mind is uninfluenced by
any outside source and is a main reason why they have deep “true wisdom” to guide
countless beings to Enlightenment. Their moral conduct is exceptional in that they are
deeply practicing The Teachings they share making them an “unsurpassed leader of
persons to be tamed” or in other words, trained.
A Buddha would be a “knower of the worlds” which is referring to The Five Realms of
Existence. A Buddha would know these realms in detail through observation of their past
lives and existence in those realms in prior lives.
A Buddha is a “Teacher of heavenly beings and humans” as these are the beings who can
attain Enlightenment. Beings in the lower realms of hell, animal, and afflicted spirits are
unable to attain Enlightenment and will need to experience an improved rebirth into the
human or heavenly realms to attain Enlightenment.
A Buddha is “fortunate” in that they are “auspicious and favorable”. A Buddha is fortunate
to have been born with a mind capable of attaining Enlightenment through their own
independent journey.
Auspicious: conducive to success; characterized by success.
Favorable: to the advantage of someone or something.
A Buddha is very rare in the world as the last Buddha currently known to the world
existed over 2,500 years ago.
(2) He possesses confirmed confidence in The Teachings thus: The Teachings are well
expounded by The Perfectly Enlightened One, directly visible, immediate, inviting one to
come and see, applicable, to be personally experienced by the wise.
The Teachings of a Buddha are “directly visible” able to be seen “immediately” by a
Practitioner who chooses to investigate his Teachings.
The Teachings are “inviting one to come and see” meaning that they are meant to be
investigated and practiced to be able to see the truth for yourself without belief. There is
no belief in these Teachings and it is only through determined, dedicated, and diligent
learning, reflection, and practicing of these Teachings that a Practitioner will come to
understand the truth to acquire wisdom liberating the mind from discontentedness.
28


A Buddha’s Teachings are “applicable” being able to be applied to daily life to improve
the condition of one’s mind and life. His Teachings need “to be personally experienced by
the wise” as one can observe for themselves that through personal experience these
Teachings lead to liberation of the mind through a gradual diminishing and eventual
elimination of 100% of all discontentedness from the mind.
(3) He possesses confirmed confidence in The Community thus: The Community of The
Perfectly Enlightened One’s disciples is practicing the wholesome way, practicing the
straight way, practicing the true way, practicing the proper way; that is, the four pairs of
persons, the eight types of individuals - this Community of The Perfectly Enlightened
One’s disciples is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of
respectful salutation, the unsurpassed field of merit for the world.
During the lifetime of The Buddha, there were many different Teachers who claimed it was
their teachings that lead to Enlightenment. There were multiple communities of Students
all being led by a different Teacher and progressing towards what they thought was
Enlightenment. We know now that it was The Buddha’s Teachings that are The Path to
Enlightenment but during his lifetime, this was not so obvious to the average individual
who were not learning and practicing his Teachings.
The Buddha knew it was his Teachings that were the truth and those that lead to
Enlightenment because he was experiencing the complete elimination of all
discontentedness. But, this mental state cannot be easily understood or observed by an
unEnlightened being. There are no outward characteristics that identifies one who has
attained Enlightenment or identifies a Buddha. A Buddha does not perform countless
miracles to convince people he is a Buddha but instead, guides people in learning,
reflecting, and practicing these Teachings so that the Practitioner can experience the
mind awakening to Enlightenment. In this way, Students understand what they are
learning and practicing is the truth as the mind gradually eliminates 100% of all
discontentedness through their progression towards Enlightenment. The Student can see
the truth for themselves that the condition of their mind and their life is improving.
A Buddha is not concerned with convincing people that he is a Buddha but instead,
applies energy, effort, and dedication towards sharing The Teachings that lead to
Enlightenment making himself available to all those who choose to learn, reflect, and
practice The Teachings to experience the results. The way Students would know he is a
Buddha is that he attained Enlightenment on his own and The Teachings he shares led
them towards Enlightenment. A Buddha is not interested in fame or fortune but instead, is
willing to help others attain Enlightenment through their independently discovered
Teachings. A Buddha’s ability to help others is not contingent upon everyone knowing he
is a Buddha. A Buddha can function much better by others not knowing he is a Buddha
because then he can observe the condition of his Student’s mind without being tainted by
any admiration. A Buddha will be able to more easily observe the condition of the
Student’s mind providing guidance towards the attainment of Enlightenment through
objective observation.
A Buddha is extremely rare and a Practitioner’s confidence in a Buddha and his Teachings
will only build as they deeply learn and practice The Teachings to experience improved
results in the condition of the mind and their life.
The Buddha taught Practitioners to not only have confidence in him and his Teachings but
also in The Community of Practitioners learning and practicing his Teachings because
29


they are able to support and encourage others along The Path to Enlightenment. While a
Buddha is the leader of The Community, it is the entire Community of Practitioners who
are all supporting and encouraging each other which will help each of them to progress
towards Enlightenment.
A Buddha can share The Teachings but it is each individual in The Community who has
determination, dedication, and diligence to learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings that
each individual will experience results. A vibrant Community of Practitioners will actively
learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings while providing support and encouragement for
others who seek understanding. Through a Community of Practitioners actively
investigating The Teachings and discussing them amongst themselves, they will be better
equipped to progress towards Enlightenment and help others attain Enlightenment after a
Buddha’s death.
An Enlightened being will not only be learning, reflecting, and practicing The Teachings
but ultimately be able to discuss them with ease as they are questioned by others about
The Teachings or if other members of The Community are interested in discussion about
The Teachings to progress in their understanding and development of their practice.
It is The Community of The Buddha, The Perfectly Enlightened One, who “is practicing
the wholesome way, practicing the straight way, practicing the true way, practicing the
proper way”. It was not the other communities led by other Teachers. Those communities
that existed during the lifetime of The Buddha mostly evaporated and no longer exist. It is
The Teachings of The Buddha that have stood the test of time existing for over 2,500
years until today.
A large community of people who are dedicated to learning and practicing these
Teachings will be able to sustain The Teachings in the world through providing each other
examples and be role models to one another for how to progress along The Path to
Enlightenment and practice The Teachings in daily life.
The Buddha explains “the four pairs of persons, the eight types of individuals” in other
parts of his Teachings that will be shared in this book series as you progress in your
learning. Essentially these are Practitioners who have attained one of the four Stages of
Enlightenment or practicing to progress from one Stage of Enlightenment to another. The
Buddha explains that it is these individuals who are “worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality,
worthy of offerings, worthy of respectful salutation”.
Practitioners who have progressed into one of The Four Stages of Enlightenment have a
well developed life practice and are highly dedicated to the attainment of Enlightenment.
One would not attain any of The Four Stages of Enlightenment by accident but instead,
through consistent dedication towards improving their life practice. They are also the
Teachers who will be able to provide guidance to all other beings to progress towards
Enlightenment. Therefore, The Buddha encourages Students to make offerings to these
Practitioners to support and sustain The Community helping these Teachings to continue
to flourish in the world for all beings to liberate the mind attaining Enlightenment.
Practitioners who choose to make offerings to these individuals will be creating merit.
Merit is a unique type of wholesome Kamma created through generous offerings to The
Community of Practitioners who are in one of The Four Stages of Enlightenment. The
Buddha explains that making offerings to these individuals provides an “unsurpassed
field of merit for the world”.
30


Practitioners who have attained one of The Four Stages of Enlightenment is beneficial for
their own practice but also highly beneficial for the world in that Students can make
offerings to these individuals providing support for The Teachings to continue but also
bringing Students into contact with Practitioners who deeply understand The Teachings
and can help the Student progress towards the attainment of Enlightenment.
The following Teaching from The Buddha explains “the four pairs of persons, the eight
types of individuals” in detail.
An Unsurpassed Field of Merit for the World
Monks, these eight persons are worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings,
worthy of reverential salutation, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world.
What eight?
The Stream-Enterer, the one practicing for realization of the fruit of Stream Entry;
the Once-Returner, the one practicing for realization of the fruit of Once Returning;
the Non-Returner, the one practicing for realization of the fruit of Non-Returning;
the Arahant, the one practicing for realization of the fruit of Arahantship.
These eight persons, Monks, are worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings,
worthy of reverential salutation, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world.
The four practicing the way
and the four established in the fruit;
this is the upright Community -
composed in wisdom and virtuous behavior.
For people intent on sacrifice,
for living beings seeking merit,
making merit that ripens in the acquisitions,
what is given to The Community bears great fruit.
(Gotama Buddha)
(Reference:AN 8.59)
Detailed explanation of “What is Merit?” is available in this same book series found in
Chapter 10 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to
Enlightenment” (Volume 1).
Detailed explanation of making meritorious offerings is available in this same book series
found in the book “Generosity” (Volume 13).
31


(4) He possesses the virtues dear to the Noble Ones — unbroken, untorn, unblemished,
unblotched, liberating, praised by the wise, not misunderstood, and leading to
concentration.
The virtues dear to the Noble Ones is moral conduct explained as part of The Eight Fold
Path which includes Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood. These three (3)
steps on The Eight Fold Path comprise the section of The Path to Enlightenment
described as “moral conduct”. A Practitioner who has progressed to the first Stage of
Enlightenment will have purified their speech, bodily actions, and livelihood through
learning and practicing The Teachings of The Eight Fold Path.
A Practitioner will be practicing these Teachings in such a way that they are “unbroken,
untorn, unblemished, unblotched, liberating, praised by the wise, not misunderstood, and
leading to concentration”.
Detailed explanation of The Eight Fold Path is available in this same book series found in
Chapter 5 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to
Enlightenment” (Volume 1).
32


Chapter 3
Who is a Stream-Enterer?
(Second Discourse)
Don’t be afraid, Mahānāma! Don’t be afraid, Mahānāma! Your death will not
be a bad one, your demise will not be a bad one. A Noble Disciple who
possesses four things slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna
(Enlightenment).
What four?
Here, Mahānāma,
(1) A Noble Disciple possesses confirmed confidence in The Buddha thus:
The Perfectly Enlightened One is an Arahant, perfectly Enlightened,
accomplished in true wisdom and conduct, fortunate, knower of the
worlds, unsurpassed leader of persons to be tamed, Teacher of heavenly
beings and humans, The Enlightened One, The Fortunate One.
(2) He possesses confirmed confidence in The Teachings thus: The
Teachings are well expounded by The Perfectly Enlightened One, directly
visible, immediate, inviting one to come and see, applicable, to be
personally experienced by the wise.
(3) He possesses confirmed confidence in The Community thus: The
Community of The Perfectly Enlightened One’s disciples is practicing the
wholesome way, practicing the straight way, practicing the true way,
practicing the proper way; that is, the four pairs of persons, the eight
types of individuals - this Community of The Perfectly Enlightened One’s
disciples is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings,
worthy of respectful salutation, the unsurpassed field of merit for the
world.
(4) He possesses the virtues dear to the Noble Ones — unbroken, untorn,
unblemished, unblotched, liberating, praised by the wise, not
misunderstood, and leading to concentration.
Suppose, Mahānāma, a tree was slanting, sloping, and inclining towards the
east. If it was cut down at its foot, in what direction would it fall?
‘In whatever direction it was slanting, sloping, and inclining, Venerable Sir.’
33


So too, Mahānāma, a Noble Disciple who possesses these four things
slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna (Enlightenment).
(Reference: SN 55.21)
In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that through possessing “these four
things” a Practitioner is likely to attain Enlightenment. One would need to develop
“confirmed confidence” in The Buddha, The Teachings, The Community, and practice
virtuous conduct (i.e. moral conduct).
A being can attain Enlightenment during their life or at death. The ideal goal would be to
attain Enlightenment during this life so that one can enjoy the mental state of
Enlightenment for the rest of their life where the mind is peaceful, calm, serene, and
content with joy - permanently. But, if one is able to attain Enlightenment at death, this
would also be beneficial in that they would not need to experience rebirth in The Cycle of
Rebirth which would include continuing to experience sorrow, grief, and despair.
Discontentedness would be prolonged for a being who has not escaped The Cycle of
Rebirth by continuing to experience constant rebirth and the associated
discontentedness.
The Buddha is explaining to a Student that possessing the four things in this Chapter, one
would be likely to attain Enlightenment because these qualities of mind "slant, slope, and
incline towards Nibbāna (Enlightenment)”.
These four qualities are described in the previous Teaching with The Buddha providing
the same guidance in this Teaching with a slightly different perspective helping
Practitioners understand that these four (4) qualities are not only needed to attain the first
Stage of Enlightenment as a Stream-Enterer but also to attain the fourth Stage of
Enlightenment as an Arahant where the mind is considered to be Enlightened.
34


Chapter 4
A Stream-Enterer Possesses
The Noble Eight Fold Path
Sāriputta, this is said: ‘A Stream-Enterer, a Stream-Enterer.’
‘What now, Sāriputta, is a Stream-Enterer?’
One who possesses this Noble Eight Fold Path, Venerable Sir, is called a
Stream-Enterer: this Venerable One of such a name and clan.
Good, good, Sāriputta! One who possesses this Noble Eight Fold Path is a
Stream-Enterer: this Venerable One of such a name and clan.
(Reference: SN 55.5)


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he asks one of his closest Students “Sāriputta”,
“What now, Sāriputta, is a Stream-Enterer?”.
Sāriputta replies that one who is a Stream-Enterer is one who is practicing The Eight Fold
Path.
The Buddha confirms this is true that for a Practitioner to be a Stream-Enterer, the first
Stage of Enlightenment, a Practitioner would need to be practicing or “possesses” The
Eight Fold Path.
A Stream-Enterer would have eliminated the first three fetters/taints/pollution of mind
which includes “wrong behavior and observances”. This includes a well developed
practice of The Eight Fold Path.
Wrong behavior and observances (Elimination of the mind’s belief that rites, rituals, ceremonies,
and worship will help a Practitioner to attain Enlightenment. Well developed practice of The Eight Fold
Path.)
Detailed explanation of The Eight Fold Path is available in this same book series found in
Chapter 5 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to
Enlightenment” (Volume 1).
35


Chapter 5
Eliminating The Five Dangers and Hostiles as
A Stream-Enterer
Householder, when a Noble Disciple has eliminated five dangers and
hostiles, possesses the four factors of Stream-Entry, and has clearly seen
and thoroughly penetrated with wisdom the noble method, he might, if he so
aspires, declare of himself:
I am one finished with hell, the animal realm, and the realm of afflicted spirits;
finished with the plane of misery, the bad destination, the lower world; I am a
Stream-Enterer, no longer subject to [rebirth in] the lower world, fixed in
destination, heading for Enlightenment.
What are the five dangers and hostiles that have been eliminated?
(1) Householder, one who destroys life, with the destruction of life as
condition, creates danger and hostility pertaining to the present life and
danger and hostility pertaining to future lives, and he also experiences
mental pain and sadness. One who abstains from the destruction of life
does not create such danger and hostility pertaining to the present life or
such danger and hostility pertaining to future lives, nor does he
experience pain and sadness. For one who abstains from the destruction
of life, that danger and hostility has thus been eliminated.
(2) One who takes what is not given, with taking what is not given as
condition, creates danger and hostility pertaining to the present life and
danger and hostility pertaining to future lives, and he also experiences
mental pain and sadness. One who abstains from taking what is not
given does not create such danger and hostility pertaining to the present
life or such danger and hostility pertaining to future lives, nor does he
experience mental pain and sadness. For one who abstains from taking
what is not given, that danger and hostility has thus been eliminated.
(3) One who engages in sexual misconduct, with sexual misconduct as
condition, creates danger and hostility pertaining to the present life and
danger and hostility pertaining to future lives, and he also experiences
mental pain and sadness. One who abstains from sexual misconduct
does not create such danger and hostility pertaining to the present life or
such danger and hostility pertaining to future lives, nor does he
experience mental pain and sadness. For one who abstains from sexual
misconduct, that danger and hostility has thus been eliminated.
36


(4) One who speaks falsely, with false speech as condition, creates danger
and hostility pertaining to the present life and danger and hostility
pertaining to future lives, and he also experiences mental pain and
sadness. One who abstains from false speech does not create such
danger and hostility pertaining to the present life or such danger and
hostility pertaining to future lives, nor does he experience mental pain
and sadness. For one who abstains from false speech, that danger and
hostility has thus been eliminated.
(5) One who indulges in liquor, wine, and substances that cause
unawareness of mind, the basis for heedlessness, with indulgence in
liquor, wine, and substances that cause unawareness of mind as
condition, creates danger and hostility pertaining to the present life and
danger and hostility pertaining to future lives, and he also experiences
mental pain and sadness. One who abstains from liquor, wine, and
substances that cause unawareness of mind, the basis for heedlessness,
does not create such danger and hostility pertaining to the present life or
such danger and hostility pertaining to future lives, nor does he
experience mental pain and sadness. For one who abstains from liquor,
wine, and substances that cause unawareness of mind, the basis for
heedlessness, that danger and hostility has thus been eliminated.
These are the five dangers and hostiles that have been eliminated.
And what are the four factors of Stream-Entry that he possesses?
(1) Here, Householder, a Noble Disciple possesses unwavering confidence
in The Buddha thus: The Perfectly Enlightened One is an Arahant,
perfectly Enlightened, accomplished in true wisdom and conduct,
fortunate, knower of the worlds, unsurpassed trainer of persons to be
tamed, Teacher of heavenly beings and humans, The Enlightened One,
The Fortunate One.
(2) He possesses unwavering confidence in The Teachings thus: The
Teachings are well expounded by The Perfectly Enlightened One, directly
visible, immediate, inviting one to come and see, applicable, to be
personally experienced by the wise.
(3) He possesses unwavering confidence in The Community thus: The
Community of The Perfectly Enlightened One's disciples is practicing the
wholesome way, practicing the straight way, practicing the true way,
practicing the proper way; that is, the four pairs of persons, the eight
types of individuals - this Community of The Perfectly Enlightened One’s
disciples is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings,
37


worthy of respectful salutation, the unsurpassed field of merit for the
world.
(4) He possesses the virtuous behavior (practicing moral conduct) admired
by the Noble Ones, unbroken, untorn, unblemished, unblotched,
liberating, praised by the wise, not misunderstood, and leading to
concentration.
These are the four factors of Stream-Entry that he possesses.
And what is the noble method that he has clearly seen and thoroughly
penetrated with wisdom? Here, Householder, the Noble Disciple reflects
thus:
When this exists, that comes to be; with the arising of this, that arises. When
this does not exist, that does not come to be; with the elimination of this,
that is eliminated.
That is, with ignorance as condition, volitional formations (choices/decisions)
[come to be]; with volitional formations as condition, consciousness; with
consciousness as condition, name-and-form; with name-and-form as
condition, the six sense bases; with the six sense bases as condition,
contact; with contact as condition, feeling; with feeling as condition, craving;
with craving as condition, clinging; with clinging as condition, existence; with
existence as condition, birth; with birth as condition, old age and death,
sorrow, grief, pain, sadness, and misery come to be. Such is the cause of
this whole mass of discontentedness.
But with the remainderless fading away and elimination of ignorance comes
elimination of volitional formations (choices/decisions); with the elimination of
volitional formations, elimination of consciousness; with the elimination of
consciousness, elimination of name-and-form; with the elimination of name-
and-form, elimination of the six sense bases; with the elimination of the six
sense bases, elimination of contact; with the elimination of contact,
elimination of feeling; with the elimination of feeling, elimination of craving;
with the elimination of craving, elimination of clinging; with the elimination of
clinging, elimination of existence; with the elimination of existence,
elimination of birth; with the elimination of birth, old age and death, sorrow,
grief, pain, sadness, and misery is eliminated. Such is the elimination of this
whole mass of discontentedness.
This is the noble method that he has clearly seen and thoroughly penetrated
with wisdom.
38


Householder, when a Noble Disciple has eliminated these five dangers and
hostiles, and he possesses these four factors of Stream-Entry, and he has
clearly seen and thoroughly penetrated with wisdom this noble method, he
might, if he so aspires, declare of himself: I am one finished with hell, the
animal realm, and the realm of afflicted spirits; finished with the plane of
misery, the bad destination, the lower world; I am a Stream-Enterer, no
longer subject to [rebirth in] the lower world, fixed in destination, heading for
Enlightenment.
(Reference: AN 9.27)
In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares five dangers and hostilities that need to
be eliminated to attain the first Stage of Enlightenment as a Stream-Enterer. A Stream-
Enterer would need to eliminate the five dangers and hostiles while “possesses these four
factors of Stream-Entry, and he has clearly seen and thoroughly penetrated with wisdom
this noble method”. These are additional criteria that are needed to attain the first Stage
of Enlightenment.
(1) Five Dangers and Hostiles: The Buddha explains that a Stream-Enterer would be
practicing The Five Precepts.
Detailed explanation of The Five Precepts is available in this same book series found in
Chapter 7 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to
Enlightenment” (Volume 1) and in Chapter 44 of the book “Foundation in The Teachings”
(Volume 3).
(2) Four Factors of Stream-Entry: The Buddha explains “unwavering confidence”, also
described in previous Chapters as “confirmed confidence”, in The Buddha, The
Teachings, The Community, and virtuous behavior (practicing moral conduct) as four
factors of Stream-Entry.
These were explained in previous Chapters of this book.
(3) Penetrated with Wisdom this Noble Method: The Buddha explains a Stream-Enterer
will deeply understand with wisdom “this noble method” which is referenced in this
Teaching. The Teaching referenced is Dependent Origination described as “this noble
method”.
Dependent Origination is the ultimate description of the cause and effect relationship of
how ignorance (unknowing of true reality) leads to discontentedness and continued
rebirth in The Cycle of Rebirth. Dependent Origination is a series of twelve (12) conditions
that lead one to another ultimately causing rebirth and continued discontentedness.
The elimination of ignorance (unknowing of true reality) through acquiring wisdom is what
leads to the elimination of discontentedness and continuous rebirth in The Cycle of
Rebirth.
Dependent Origination is described in detail in later Chapters of this book.
39


Chapter 6
A Stream-Enterer Understands
The Five Aggregates
When, Monks, a Noble Disciple understands as they really are the cause and
the disappearance, the gratification, the danger, and the escape in the case
of these five aggregates subject to clinging.
Monks, then he is called a Noble Disciple who is a Stream-Enterer, no longer
bound to the nether world, fixed in destination, with Enlightenment as his
destination.
(Reference: SN 22.109)


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how a Stream-Enterer will understand
“the cause and the disappearance, the gratification, the danger, and the escape in the
case of” The Five Aggregates. The Five Aggregates are introduced in The Four Noble
Truths, a central Teaching of The Buddha and then explained in more detail within other
Teachings. A Stream-Enterer will deeply understand and be practicing The Four Noble
Truths with the wisdom of The Five Aggregates.
The Five Aggregates are form, feelings, perceptions, volitional formations, and
consciousness.
The Five Aggregates are what makes “a being, a being”. A living being will have all five
aggregates, also known as “elements” or “collections”.
The Five Aggregates
Form: the physical body.
Feelings: results of experiences in the mind through The Six Sense Bases.
Perceptions: a belief or opinion based on how things seem.
Volitional Formations: choices or decisions that are made.
Consciousness: the mind.
It is when the mind “clings” or “holds on” to The Five Aggregates that the mind
experiences continued discontentedness. Observing the impermanent nature of The Five
Aggregates, a human being can “let go” no longer experiencing discontentedness due to
“holding on” to The Five Aggregates experiencing constant rebirth in The Cycle of
Rebirth.
Due to clinging to The Five Aggregates and a being coming into existence, the mind will
experience discontentedness.
All unEnlightened beings will experience discontentedness.
40


Discontentedness: Gotama Buddha describes three feelings as discontent. The goal of
these Teachings is to eliminate discontentedness of mind providing the mind a permanent
place to reside in Enlightenment.
- A pleasant feeling (happiness, excitement, elation, thrill, exhilaration, euphoria, etc.)
- A painful feeling (sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fear,
stress, etc.)
- A feeling that is neither painful-nor-pleasant (boredom, loneliness, shyness, displeased,
uncomfortable, unsatisfied, etc.)
Cause: craving/desire/attachment
Disappearance: The Universal Truth of Impermanence
Gratification: The unEnlightened mind’s fetter/taint/pollution of “sensual desire”
Danger: The Universal Truth of Discontentedness
Escape: The Eight Fold Path
Detailed explanation of The Four Noble Truths is available in this same book series found
in Chapter 4 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to
Enlightenment” (Volume 1) and in Chapter 7 of the book “Walking The Path with The
Buddha” (Volume 2).
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Chapter 7
A Stream-Enterer Understands
The Six Sense Bases
Monks, there are these six sense bases.
What six?
The eye, the ear, the nose, the tongue, the body, the mind.
When, Monks, a Noble Disciple understands as they really are the
gratification, the danger, and the escape in the case of these six sense
bases;
Then he is called a Noble Disciple who is a Stream-Enterer, no longer bound
to the nether world, fixed in destination, with Nibbāna (Enlightenment) as his
destination.
(Reference: SN 48.26)


In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that a Stream-Enterer will understand
The Six Sense Bases.
A Stream-Enterer has not yet escaped The Six Sense Bases as this is described in the
fourth fetter/taint/pollution of mind as “sensual desire” but they will understand “as they
really are the gratification, the danger, and the escape” from The Six Sense Bases (i.e.
sensual desire).
Sensual desire (Elimination of the desire for pleasures from The Six Sense Bases: eyes, ears, nose,
tongue, body, and the mind.)
A Practitioner at the second Stage of Enlightenment will have needed to “thin” or “greatly
reduce” sensual desire. The third Stage of Enlightenment will need to have entirely
eliminated this fetter/taint/pollution of mind.
A Stream-Enterer will understand the gratification, danger, and elimination (i.e. escape) of
“sensual desire”.
Detailed explanation of The Six Sense Bases is available in this same book series found in
Chapter 4 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to
Enlightenment” (Volume 1) and in the book “The Six Sense Bases” (Volume 9).
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