Also from this PureDhamma post:
The Sōtapanna Stage
Here is the part about the Sabbasava Sutta:
“Key Points from the Sabbāsava Sutta
The key to attaining Nibbāna is to remove the āsavas (residue from fermentation of bad thoughts/habits over many sansaricbirths). This will be discussed under the key Dhamma Concepts.
In the Sabbāsava Sutta, the Buddha listed seven steps to remove the āsavas and to purify the mind thus paving the way to Nibbāna. These seven steps are listed below:
- Removal by clear vision (“dassanena pahathabba”, where dassana is vision and pahathabba is removal). This is clear understanding of anicca, dukkha, anatta.
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Removal by the restrained use of the senses (“sanvarena pahathabba”, wheresanvara is disciplined use of the sense faculties: not to over-indulge in the senses).
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Removal by good and frequent associations (“patisevana pahathabba”, where sevana is association: for example, with good friends and good deeds).
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Removal by tolerance and patience (“adhivasana pahathabba”). For example, even if one is tempted to steal because one is hungry, one should contemplate the consequences and bear the hunger.
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Removal by staying clear of “bad influences and environments” (“parivajjana pahathabba”). One needs to avoid bad friends, bad locations for living (due to floods, bad neighbors, etc), avoiding unsuitable times to go out, etc.
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Removal by getting rid of certain things (“vinodana pahathabba”). One needs to get rid of bad thoughts that come to mind, for example, for excessive sense pleasure, hate, etc.
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Removal by meditation (“bhavana pahathabba”). When one has the clear vision in #1, it becomes apparent what to contemplate on.”
When applied in real life practically and consistently, those techniques work.