1. In the above comment, I explained that a puthujjana is perpetually trapped in the kāma loka; they may have rebirths in rupa and arupa loka Brahma realms from time in time, but always end up in the kāma loka.
- I did not mention how that cycle is broken.
2. That cycle is broken only when one attains the Sotapanna stage and is able to overcome the ‘kāma saññā.’ That happens for the first time when a puthujjana becomes a Sotapanna. At that moment, puthujjana‘s mind overcomes the kāma saññā and enters the Satipaṭṭhāna Bhūmi for the first time ever. While the brief time the mind is in the Satipaṭṭhāna Bhūmi, the first three diṭṭhi saṁyojana are broken/eliminated.
- After that, the Sotapanna must cultivate Satipaṭṭhāna, learn to overcome kāma saññā on a regular basis, and enter the Satipaṭṭhāna Bhūmi at will.
- A Sotapanna attains higher magga phala while contemplating Dhamma concepts (Paṭicca Samuppāda, Tilakkhana, etc.) while in the Satipaṭṭhāna Bhūmi. Comprehending Dhamma concepts becomes much easier when the mind is not influenced by the kāma saññā.
- The key is the following: kāma raga saṁyojana and patigha saṁyojana are broken while a Sotapanna contemplates Dhamma concepts and comprehends the deeper teachings while in the Satipaṭṭhāna Bhūmi. That is when they become Anagamis.
- In the same way, an Anāgāmi must enter the Satipaṭṭhāna Bhūmi to comprehend Dhamma at an even deeper level and to break the last five saṁyojana, thereby attaining the Arahant stage.
3. That is why it is critical to understand the complete ‘kamma accumulation process’ (‘purana‘ or ‘initial’ and ‘nava‘ or ‘new’ kamma accumulation stages) so that one understands the necessity to overcome the kāma saññā.
- See “Purāna and Nava Kamma – Sequence of Kamma Generation” and “Satipaṭṭhāna Bhūmi – Free of Loka Saññā.”
- Feel free to ask questions. It is possible that I am not understanding the ‘sticky issues’ many people have.
