[Lal]

1. There are 4 ultimate realities: thoughts, mental factors (cetasika), matter (rupa), and Nibbana. The first three belong to “the world”, and when one escapes from the world one attains Nibbana:
The Grand Unified Theory of Dhamma – Introduction

2. Thus thoughts about the material world cease when an Arahant attains Parinibbana or anupadisesa Nibbana. It is also experienced with Nirodha Samapatti.

3. However, one cannot attain Nibbana by forcefully suppressing thoughts. That will lead to rebirth in the Asanna realm, since avijja is not removed.

One needs to think clearly and mindfully to attain Nibbana. As Johnny says, one needs to realize the real nature of this world by contemplating on the Tilakkhana, the three characteristics of nature. Those are revealed only by a Buddha, and thus one needs to come across the correct meanings of them first:
Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta

[Lal]

Here is what I have understood in brief. I am on travel and thus not able to access all my resources.

1. Vimokkha basically means “becoming free”. When one attains Nibbana, that is the final and complete freedom. So, it refers to Nibbana.

2. Vimokkha (or Nibbana) can be attained via contemplating mainly on anicca, dukkha, or anatta and thus leading to sunnata, appanihita, animitta Vimokkha. Of course it is the same Nibbana that is reached. It is just following different ways of getting there.

3. Based on the types of individuals, eight types of individuals are indicated (attha vimokkha): Pannavimukta (those who have high wisdom), Saddhavimukta (those who have faith),etc. Again, it is the same Nibbana that is reached.

I will try to find references when I get back (or someone can post if they know). But please continue the discussion.

[Lal]

Agreed. But we can put it in another way too.

When one attains the Sotapanna stage, one has removed the ten types of micca ditthi. He/she has also removed some of the micca ditthi associated with not comprehending Tilakkhana. Now one is on the Noble Path.

Furthermore, one becomes a Sotapanna Anugami when one has removed most of the ten types of micca ditthi, and HAS HEARD OR READ about the correct interpretation of Tilakkhana: anicca, dukkha, anatta.

The transition from Sotapanna Anugami to Sotapanna phala can happen anytime after that while one is listening to a discourse; the phala moment registers in the mind in a flash.

This special requirement about Sotapanna phala moment happening while listening to a discourse is something I still need to confirm with a Tipitaka reference. If anyone has that reference, I would be grateful.

It is possible to explain the same thing in many different ways.

[Author]

Posts