Reply To: Sotapanna and a Vow

#51714
Lal
Keymaster

The meaning of “vow” is a “pledge.” 

  • According to Buddha Dhamma, things happen due to causes and conditions, not due to a “pledge.”

However, one could possibly make an effort and prepare suitable conditions to be born in a Deva realm rather than in the human realm. The first two are complex questions that I am not qualified to answer. Probably, only a Buddha can answer such questions.

  • It is a matter of cultivating “manussa gati” versus “Deva gati.”
  • Generally, a Deva birth is possible for those who engage in punna kamma. But one can make sure to be born in a Deva realm by attaining the Sakadagami stage, i.e., by losing kama raga to some extent.
  • If one constantly thinks about the idea of remaining in the human realm to help other humans, that could possibly become a factor.
  • Of course, one must be a Sotapanna to be free from the apayas; that involves the elimination of the three ditthi samyojana.

Q3: No. By definition, a Sakadagami will not be reborn as a human. They will be reborn in a Deva realm and attain a higher stage from there.

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