[Damithu]

Hello Lal sir,

I wrote this post regarding a concern that I have harbored for some time now. I am aware that one of the four conditions that one must fulfill in order to become a Sotapanna is to associate with noble individuals. I am sure that only Ariyas may be called noble people (but I may be mistaken), and if so, then how would I overcome the issue of not having anyone “noble” to associate with. In the present time, there is hardly anyone at my age who can behave professionally and in a moral manner, let alone achieve a level of enlightenment, and I do not know any adults that are Ariyas.There is one monk at the temple who I trust and look to as a mentor, but it is limited to that only. I am not telling you all of this to complain, but rather to explain my situation. How can I find a solution to this problem? 

Thank you!

[Lal]

The following suttas can help you get a good idea of a ‘Noble Friend‘ or ‘Kalyāṇamitta.’  Here, ‘mitta‘ is a friend, and ‘Kalyāṇa‘ means to ‘help with getting rid of defilements.’

1. “Kalyāṇamitta Sutta (SN 45.63)” states that the only way for a puthujjana to follow that Noble Path is with the help of a Kalyāṇamitta. 

• That is because one must learn the ‘previously unheard worldview of a Buddha’ to start on the Path as a Sotapanna. After that, a Sotapanna can do the rest even by himself. 
• Of course, the best Kalyāṇamitta is the Buddha himself. However, anyone who has comprehended the ‘previously unheard worldview of a Buddha’ (i.e., anyone above the Sotapanna stage) can be a Kalyāṇamitta.
• In the English translation, @1.4 says that a Kalyāṇamitta is a ‘good friend.’ Obviously, that is wrong. That also gives the false impression that one must be ‘good friends’ with that person on a personal level. That is not the case. One only needs to hear the ‘worldview of a Buddha’ from someone who has comprehended it and can explain it.

2. In the “Upaḍḍha Sutta (SN 45.2)” the Ven. Ananda asked the Buddha whether a Kalyāṇamitta is responsible for ‘half the spiritual life’ of a puthujjana. The Buddha replied that a Kalyāṇamitta is fully responsible.

• That is because one cannot attain the Sotapanna stage (to start on the Noble Path) without a Kalyāṇamitta, as explained above.
• Also see “Sāriputta Sutta (SN 45.3),” which states the same.
• Also see “Kalyāṇamitta Sutta (SN 3.18)” for more details.

3. Furthermore, even the Buddha cannot be a Kalyāṇamitta if the person is not capable of comprehending the teachings.

• For example, Ven. Ananda and bhikkhu Devadatta both became bhikkhus at the same time. They both lived close to the Buddha for many years, listening to almost identical suttas by the Buddha. However, while Ven. Ananda attained the Sotapanna stage quickly and later attained Arahantship, bhikkhu Devadatta never attained the Sotapanna stage. Not only that, but he was reborn in an apaya for injuring the Buddha.
• Thus, even the Buddha could not become a Kalyāṇamitta for bhikkhu Devadatta.

4. I hope you can get a good idea of a Kalyāṇamitta from the above. 

• The critical point is that one must not only learn the ‘previously unheard worldview of a Buddha’ but also fully comprehend it.
• The Kalyāṇamitta does not need to be a ‘personal friend’ or even live close by. What is important is: (i) to receive a correct explanation of the ‘worldview of the Buddha’ AND (ii) to comprehend it.

[Damithu]

I understand now, thank you!

[Author]

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