How many levels of enlighenment are there?

• yhjow

  18 Aug 11, 01:09

  I'm under the notion that there are several levels of enlightenments, ranging from "small enlightenment" such as realization of certain dharma truth, realization of wisdom etc. So, as one practise Buddhism and engaged on a spiritual path, as one gets deeper into higher levels of wisdoms, I'm just wondering if there is really  categorized "levels" of enlightenment? Can this be calculated?

  Did Buddha say anything about 'levels' of enlightenment?

  Or is it just infinite levels until one reached full enlightenment such as Buddhahood?

  Can someone enlightened me about this doubt?

• Amitayus48

  18 Aug 11, 08:26

  According to the flower adornment sutra, there are altogether 53 level of enlightenment. When practitioner reached the 11th level of the 53 is known as true enlightenment in view of bodhi actualization. Stream enterer, one returner till arahat achieved a stage of enlightenment out of samsaric cycle but they did not realize bodhi and will eventually attain supreme enlightenment as well.

• sinweiy

  18 Aug 11, 08:58

  yes according to TienTai school's 52stages of bodhisattvas +1 Buddha :-

   

  å��ä¿¡——åˆ�ä¿¡——æ–­è§�惑，ä¼�æ€�惑

      ——七信——æ–­æ€�惑

      ——å…«ä¿¡——ä¼�尘沙惑

      ——ä¹�ä¿¡——æ–­å��å“�尘沙惑

      ——å��ä¿¡——断二å��å“�尘沙惑，ä¼�无明惑

  å��ä½�——ç ´å��å“�无明惑 Ten Dwelling stage bodhisattvaS start to work on the 42 pieces of ignorance. 破一å“�无明,è¯�一分法身

  å��è¡Œ——破二å��å“�无明惑

  å��回å�‘——破三å��å“�无明惑

  å��地——ç ´å››å��å“�无明惑 <--Pureland beings are somewhere here, ie 8th Ground bhumi!

  等觉——ç ´å››å��一å“�无明惑

  妙觉——ç ´å››å��二å“�无明惑

  圆觉，佛果——洗净无明习气——æˆ�就佛果

   

  ----------------------------------

  /\

   

   

• sinweiy

  18 Aug 11, 08:59

  Ten Faith -- å��ä¿¡——åˆ�ä¿¡——æ–­è§�惑，ä¼�æ€�惑 --- First faith --sever all Eighty-Eight Deluded Viewpoints, conceal Cognitive Delusions.

  ——七信——æ–­æ€�惑 ----7th faith sever all Cognitive Delusions.

  ——å…«ä¿¡——ä¼�尘沙惑 ----8th faith conceal the illusive affliction and temptation through the immense variety of duties in saving sentient beings.

  ——ä¹�ä¿¡——æ–­å��å“�尘沙惑---9th faith sever ten illusive afflictions.

  ——å��ä¿¡——断二å��å“�尘沙惑，ä¼�无明惑 --10th faith sever all the twenty illusive afflictions, while concealling the confusive unknown.

  å��ä½�——ç ´å��å“�无明惑 within Ten Dwelling stages --- realised ten levels of confusive unknown.

  å��è¡Œ——破二å��å“�无明惑 within Ten Behavioral Activities stages ---realised twenty levels of confusive unknown.

  å��回å�‘——破三å��å“�无明惑 within Ten Transference stages ---realised thirty levels of confusive unknown.

  å��地——ç ´å››å��å“�无明惑 within Ten Stages ---realised fourty levels of confusive unknown.

  等觉——ç ´å››å��一å“�无明惑 near–perfect enlightenment---realised fourty-one levels of confusive unknown.

  妙觉——ç ´å››å��二å“�无明惑 wonderful Enlightenment ---realised fourty-two levels of confusive unknown.

  佛果——洗净无明习气——æˆ�就佛果 Ultimate Enlightenment ---All knowing!

   

  /\

• sinweiy

  18 Aug 11, 09:08

  also depend on which of the four teaching u study. the above is from åœ†æ•™Complete teaching.

   

   

  è—�Collective——教如莲花åˆ�生正化二乘凡夫，兼化é’�æ ¹è�©è�¨Like a lotus newborn，properly upgrade the 2 vehicles and unite the dully rooted bodhisattva。

  通Common——é’�根通å‰�è—�教，利根通å�Žåˆ«åœ†ï¼Œæ­£åŒ–è�©è�¨å…¼åŒ–二乘凡夫 properly upgrade the junior bodhisattvas，and unite the 2 vehicles。

  别Special——别å‰�二教，别å�Žåœ†æ•™ï¼Œæ­£åŒ–界外é’�æ ¹è�©è�¨æ— æ˜Žæƒ‘é‡�properly upgrade the dully rooted bodhisattva of other doors，that have strong doubts。

  圆Complete——圆信Complete faiths，圆悟Complete realisation，圆修Complete cultivation，圆è¯�Complete verification，正化界外利根è�©è�¨æ— æ˜Žæƒ‘è½»properly upgrade the well-established bodhisattvas，doubts are light，仗自力修Self-power cultivating，难中之难which is difficult。

   

  通教：此教�次�《大��》，分干慧等�地。

   

   

  Common teachings have Ten Stages.

  　　 1干慧地：未有�水，故得其�。�外凡�，与�教五�心�总别等三��。Dry wisdom stage.

   

  　　 2性地：相似得法性水，���惑。�内凡�。与�教四善根�。Nature stage. 3八人地。Saint stage.

   

  　　 4�地：此�与八人地入无间三昧，断三界八�八使�尽，�真无�，�真谛�。与�教�果�。4th Behold Stage is equivalent to Collection teaching's 1st arahant stage (stream entry). Eliminated the Eighty-Eight Deluded Views.

   

  　　 5薄地：断欲界����六�。与�教二果�。5th Shallow Stage is equivalent to 2nd Stage ('once-returner'). Eliminated 6 of the 9 degrees of cognitive delusions.

   

  　　 6离欲地：断欲界���尽。与�教三果�。6th is equivalent to 3rd 'never-returner'. Eliminated all 9 degrees of cognitive delusions.

   

  　　 �7已办地：断三界��惑尽，但断正使，�能侵习，如烧木�炭。与�教四果�。声闻��此。7th of Common teaching is equivalent to Arhathood of Collection teaching. Eliminated both Deluded Views & cognitive delusions of Samsara.

   

  　　 8辟支佛地：更侵习气，如烧炭��。Praetyka-buddha stage.

   

  　　 9��地：正使断尽，与二乘�，扶习润生，�观��，游�神通，净佛国土。Bodhisattva stage.

   

  　　 10佛地：机缘若熟，以一念相应慧，顿断残习，�七���树下，以天衣为座，现带劣胜应身�佛，为三乘根性转无生四谛法轮，缘尽入�，正习俱除，如炭�俱尽。Buddha stage.

   

  /\

• yhjow

  18 Aug 11, 11:58

  Thanks for the explanation.. really appreciated. Allows me to understand more about Tiantai practice.

  I guess I will have to study more indepth into 天�宗 's 52 level of Bodhisattva +1 Buddha. Anyway, just have to encourage myself and more 精進 in 學佛.. seems like a long path away...

• I No Stupid

  18 Aug 11, 13:21

  hahaha, there is only ONE enlightenment, not levels.  It is either you are enlightened or not.  Just like either you are pregnant or not.  To talk about levels of enlightenment is similar to talking about the months of being pregnant.

• sinweiy

  18 Aug 11, 14:49

  true. either one is è¿·deluded or awakenedæ‚Ÿ.

  the "level" in Tientai school can be refering to the habitual remnant that an enlightened person can still have after his/her realisation.

  for example, a wine bottle. one can empty the wine, and have an empty bottle. however there's still the smell of the wine in the bottle. so one have to let time to allow the smell to go away. when there's no smell already, then we consider Full enlightened.

  破一å“�无明,è¯�一分法身 is of this effect. from Ten Dwelling stage bodhisattva, the wine is already emptied but it takes time for the smell to go away.  takes time for our habits to slowly go away.

  i can also say when one graduates from (high/uni) school, and u go out to work. graduated is similar to enlightened. and going out to work to gain more experience to enhance what u studied is also important. there's theoretical aspect and practical aspect per se. until certain gaining of experiences are met, we can say they are fully enlightened.

  /\

• I No Stupid

  18 Aug 11, 15:20

  Originally posted by sinweiy:

  true. either one is è¿·deluded or awakenedæ‚Ÿ.

  the "level" in Tientai school can be refering to the habitual remnant that an enlightened person can still have after his/her realisation.

  for example, a wine bottle. one can empty the wine, and have an empty bottle. however there's still the smell of the wine in the bottle. so one have to let time to allow the smell to go away. when there's no smell already, then we consider Full enlightened.

  破一å“�无明,è¯�一分法身 is of this effect. from Ten Dwelling stage bodhisattva, the wine is already emptied but it takes time for the smell to go away.  takes time for our habits to slowly go away.

  i can also say when one graduates from (high/uni) school, and u go out to work. graduated is similar to enlightened. and going out to work to gain more experience to enhance what u studied is also important. there's theoretical aspect and practical aspect per se. until certain gaining of experiences are met, we can say they are fully enlightened.

  /\

  //when there's no smell already, then we consider Full enlightened//

  this is interesting ..... I find it amusing .....

  "full enlightened" also suggests partial enlightened, half-baked enlightened.

• yhjow

  18 Aug 11, 15:43

  Originally posted by I No Stupid:

  hahaha, there is only ONE enlightenment, not levels.  It is either you are enlightened or not.  Just like either you are pregnant or not.  To talk about levels of enlightenment is similar to talking about the months of being pregnant.

  You can refer to Dharma talk by Zen Master Shengyan (if you can understand Chinese):

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfLMi-JrlGg

  There are indeed different stages and levels of path towards enlightenment.

• sinweiy

  18 Aug 11, 17:08

  even arahats got 4 stages. stream-entry, once-returner, non-returner and arhant. its mostly about the "residue".

   

  The four stages of enlightenment in Buddhism are the four progressive stages culminating in full enlightenment as an Arahant, which an average, instructed person can attain in this life. The four stages are Sotapanna, Sakadagami, Anagami and Arahant.

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_stages_of_enlightenment

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arhat_(Buddhism)

  For those that have destroyed greed and hatred (in the sensory context) with some residue of delusion, are called anagami (non-returner). Anagamis will not be reborn into the human world after death, but into the heaven of the Pure Abodes, where only anagamis live. There, they will attain full enlightenment. 

  /\

• Loor

  18 Aug 11, 18:36

  so from present state, can 'skip' levels?

  i.e. from a full wine bottle to empty bottle with no smell in one step?

• I No Stupid

  18 Aug 11, 21:22

  Originally posted by sinweiy:

  even arahats got 4 stages. stream-entry, once-returner, non-returner and arhant. its mostly about the "residue".

   

  /\

  I am amused by this: //Anagamis will not be reborn into the human world after death, but into the heaven of the Pure Abodes, where only anagamis live. There, they will attain full enlightenment. //

  Doesn't  this contradict the doctrine of rebirth and the 6 realms of existence?  What is Pure Abodes?  A figment of imagination?

• whylikethatah

  18 Aug 11, 22:08

  Originally posted by sinweiy:

  even arahats got 4 stages. stream-entry, once-returner, non-returner and arhant. its mostly about the "residue".

   

  /\

  u typed "For those that have destroyed greed and hatred (in the sensory context) with someresidue of delusion, are called anagami (non-returner). Anagamis will not be reborn into the human world after death, but into the heaven of the Pure Abodes, where only anagamis live. There, they will attain full enlightenment. "

  say if someone has never taken the buddhist Refuge in the Triple Gems but is a pro meditator and reached the Anagami level, he will go to the Pure Abodes? from the wiki article, Pure Abode is the 'celestial realm of a Buddha or Bodhisattva.' 

  Funny, anyone NOT a buddhist who took Refuge also can go Pure Abode.

• Fcukpap

  18 Aug 11, 22:12

  ONE

  the rest are stages 

• Fcukpap

  18 Aug 11, 22:16

  

• realization

  18 Aug 11, 23:25

  Originally posted by whylikethatah:

  u typed "For those that have destroyed greed and hatred (in the sensory context) with someresidue of delusion, are called anagami (non-returner). Anagamis will not be reborn into the human world after death, but into the heaven of the Pure Abodes, where only anagamis live. There, they will attain full enlightenment. "

  say if someone has never taken the buddhist Refuge in the Triple Gems but is a pro meditator and reached the Anagami level, he will go to the Pure Abodes? from the wiki article, Pure Abode is the 'celestial realm of a Buddha or Bodhisattva.' 

  Funny, anyone NOT a buddhist who took Refuge also can go Pure Abode.

  According to Buddhist cosmology, you get reborn into any of the planes of existence according to your karma.  Karmic law functions whether or not you believe in it. 

  It's like how even if you didn't take the precept vows, you are still accountable for your actions.  It doesn't mean that a person who didn't vow to keep the 1st precept can go out and kill without karmic consequence.

  Of course, if you don't subscribe to Buddhist beliefs then you may choose not to accept that those planes of existence are as described in the sutras.  One may even choose to disbelieve karma.  This bit is up to the individual.

  As said before, according to Buddhist understanding, beings are born into particular realms according to their karma.  In this sense, I don't see why a non-Buddhist who has gained enlightenment, purified his mind and perfected morality to a certain degree cannot go to the Pure Abodes.  Just because the Pure Abodes have been described as 'celestial realm of a Buddha or Bodhisattva', does not exclude anyone who was non-Buddhist while in human form.  As long as one is karmically in alignment with that realm, he can be reborn there.

  Hope this helps  :)

• Rooney9

  19 Aug 11, 00:22

  I dunno how you can quantify enlightenment saying this is 53 levels or stages of enlightenment.

  when you switch on the light in a dark room, everything is so clearly seen in the room isnt it. enlightenment is like this, see things as they truly are. we could not see the truth cos we are clouded in darkness, like ignorance, craving etc.

• whylikethatah

  19 Aug 11, 01:19

  Originally posted by realization:

  According to Buddhist cosmology, you get reborn into any of the planes of existence according to your karma.  Karmic law functions whether or not you believe in it. 

  It's like how even if you didn't take the precept vows, you are still accountable for your actions.  It doesn't mean that a person who didn't vow to keep the 1st precept can go out and kill without karmic consequence.

  Of course, if you don't subscribe to Buddhist beliefs then you may choose not to accept that those planes of existence are as described in the sutras.  One may even choose to disbelieve karma.  This bit is up to the individual.

  As said before, according to Buddhist understanding, beings are born into particular realms according to their karma.  In this sense, I don't see why a non-Buddhist who has gained enlightenment, purified his mind and perfected morality to a certain degree cannot go to the Pure Abodes.  Just because the Pure Abodes have been described as 'celestial realm of a Buddha or Bodhisattva', does not exclude anyone who was non-Buddhist while in human form.  As long as one is karmically in alignment with that realm, he can be reborn there.

  Hope this helps  :)

  so if i am Anagami, i go to Pure Abode..but if i last min decide to believe in another religion's "saviour", then i go where?  u got your beliefs, other people also got theirs mah.

• sinweiy

  19 Aug 11, 08:58

  hmm, some unique class of Pali canon. Pure Abode never study before in Pali canon? wah i more Pali canon than u'all. :)

  here, Pure Abode in pali canon.

   

  The Thirty-one Planes of Existence
  http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html

   Peerless devas (akanittha deva)

  Clear-sighted devas (sudassi deva)

  Beautiful devas (sudassa deva)

  Untroubled devas (atappa deva)

  Devas not Falling Away (aviha deva)

  These are the five Pure Abodes (suddhavasa), which are accessible only to non-returners (anagami) and arahants. Beings who become non-returners in other planes are reborn here, where they attain arahantship.

   

  -----

  below is from Pali canon:-

   

  http://www.palikanon.com/english/pali_names/s/suddhaavaasaa.htm

   

  Suddh�v�s�

  The "Pure Abodes"; a name given to a group of Brahma-worlds - the five highest RÅ«pa worlds - consisting of

   

  Avih�,

  Atapp�,

  Sudass�,

  Sudassī and

  Akanitth� (E.g., D.iii.237).

  There an�g�mī are born, and there they attain arahantship; such an�g�mī are divided into twenty four classes (See, e.g., KhA.182f.; of. PSA. 319; Vsm.710).

   

  Bodhisattas are never born there (SNA.i.50; BuA.224).

   

  The Suddh�v�s� are described as buddh�nam khandh�v�ratth�nasadis�. Sometimes, for asankheyyas of kappas, when no Buddhas are born, these worlds remain empty (AA.ii.808; cf. MA.i.30).

   

  The Buddha is mentioned as having visited the Suddh�v�s� (E.g., D.ii.50). When a Buddha is about to be born, the inhabitants of the Suddh�v�s� insert a knowledge of the signs of a Great Being in the Vedas and teach this among men in the guise of brahmins, calling such knowledge buddhamanta. Men learn it and are thus able to recognize a Great Being (MA.ii.761; SNA.ii.448). The inhabitants of the Suddh�v�s� know how many Buddhas will be born in any particular kappa by observing the number of lotuses which spring up on the site of the Bodhi-pallanka when the earth gradually emerges after the destruction of the world (DA.ii.411). It is the Suddh�v�s� Brahm�s who provide the four omens which lead to a Bodhisatta's renunciation in his last lay life. See, e.g., DA.ii.455f.

   

   

   

  but pls don't be confuse with Pureland from Pureland school though. can be a study material though.

  /\

   

• sinweiy

  19 Aug 11, 09:17

  Originally posted by whylikethatah:

  u typed "For those that have destroyed greed and hatred (in the sensory context) with someresidue of delusion, are called anagami (non-returner). Anagamis will not be reborn into the human world after death, but into the heaven of the Pure Abodes, where only anagamis live. There, they will attain full enlightenment. "

  say if someone has never taken the buddhist Refuge in the Triple Gems but is a pro meditator and reached the Anagami level, he will go to the Pure Abodes? from the wiki article, Pure Abode is the 'celestial realm of a Buddha or Bodhisattva.' 

  Funny, anyone NOT a buddhist who took Refuge also can go Pure Abode.

  
  Pure Abode is Not accessible by ordinary people who anyhow practice. one need to meet the practical requirement of an Anagami.  

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anagami

  In Buddhism, an an�g�mi (Sanskrit and P�li for "non-returning")^[1] is a partially enlightened person who has cut off the first five chains that bind the ordinary mind. Anagami-ship is the third of the four stages of enlightenment.

  The Pali terms for the specific chains or fetters (Pali: saṃyojana) of which an anagami is free are:

  1. Sakk�ya-diṭṭhi: Belief in self
  2. Vicikicch�: Skeptical doubt
  3. Sīlabbata-par�m�sa: Attachment to rites and rituals
  4. K�ma-r�ga: Sensuous craving
  5. By�p�da: Ill will

  The fetters from which an anagami is not yet free are:

  1. Rūpa-r�ga: Craving for fine-material existence (the first 4 jhanas)
  2. Arūpa-r�ga: Craving for immaterial existence (the last 4 jhanas)
  3. M�na: Conceit
  4. Uddhacca: Restlessness
  5. Avijj�: Ignorance

  Anagamis are at an intermediate stage between sakadagamis and arahants. Arahants enjoy complete freedom from the ten fetters.

  Attaining the state of non-returner is portrayed in the early texts as the ideal goal for laity

  there's no last minute decide to believe in another religion's "saviour" wan, as Anagami has get rid of the 5 fetters above.

  /\

• sinweiy

  19 Aug 11, 09:36

  Originally posted by Rooney9:

  I dunno how you can quantify enlightenment saying this is 53 levels or stages of enlightenment.

  when you switch on the light in a dark room, everything is so clearly seen in the room isnt it. enlightenment is like this, see things as they truly are. we could not see the truth cos we are clouded in darkness, like ignorance, craving etc.

  
  there's theoretical aspect and practical aspect per se. dimmer light or different percentage of light is also light that can still see. :) the deluded ones are really no light shining on them at all. a little light is starting to have a glimpse of awakening.

  52 level are just conventional saying of the different percentage of the light. Tietai school like to study in great detailness of the light, that's all. The common school, use 10 levels. Pali canon can say use 4. in fact, the levels can be of infinite/un-calculatable levels, just like the precentages. got 1%, ....10.05%, .... 50.1%,..... 99.9% and so on.

  ps: think Ch'an, the sudden school use 1 level, either è¿·deluded or awakenedæ‚Ÿ. :)

  /\

• sinweiy

  19 Aug 11, 10:06

  Originally posted by Loor:

  so from present state, can 'skip' levels?

  i.e. from a full wine bottle to empty bottle with no smell in one step?

  
  think the sudden school of ch'an can. 6th Ch'an Patriarch Hui Neng did it. one shot let go of attachment, dualism & wandering thoughts.

  /\

• whylikethatah

  19 Aug 11, 10:21

  Originally posted by sinweiy:

  
  Pure Abode is Not accessible by ordinary people who anyhow practice. one need to meet the practical requirement of an Anagami.  

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anagami

  In Buddhism, an an�g�mi (Sanskrit and P�li for "non-returning")^[1] is a partially enlightened person who has cut off the first five chains that bind the ordinary mind. Anagami-ship is the third of the four stages of enlightenment.

  The Pali terms for the specific chains or fetters (Pali: saṃyojana) of which an anagami is free are:

  1. Sakk�ya-diṭṭhi: Belief in self
  2. Vicikicch�: Skeptical doubt
  3. Sīlabbata-par�m�sa: Attachment to rites and rituals
  4. K�ma-r�ga: Sensuous craving
  5. By�p�da: Ill will

  The fetters from which an anagami is not yet free are:

  1. Rūpa-r�ga: Craving for fine-material existence (the first 4 jhanas)
  2. Arūpa-r�ga: Craving for immaterial existence (the last 4 jhanas)
  3. M�na: Conceit
  4. Uddhacca: Restlessness
  5. Avijj�: Ignorance

  Anagamis are at an intermediate stage between sakadagamis and arahants. Arahants enjoy complete freedom from the ten fetters.

  Attaining the state of non-returner is portrayed in the early texts as the ideal goal for laity

  there's no last minute decide to believe in another religion's "saviour" wan, as Anagami has get rid of the 5 fetters above.

  /\

  why cannot. can what. if i not buddhist but i also know meditate with the Right View, of 3 Marks of Existence, that's all there is to it really, if i good, i also can be Anagami level what. Putting it as a matter of possibility. Or is it if i never take refuge means i go back samsara lah? must have passport first ah. duh.

• I No Stupid

  19 Aug 11, 11:15

  Originally posted by Rooney9:

  I dunno how you can quantify enlightenment saying this is 53 levels or stages of enlightenment.

  when you switch on the light in a dark room, everything is so clearly seen in the room isnt it. enlightenment is like this, see things as they truly are. we could not see the truth cos we are clouded in darkness, like ignorance, craving etc.

  I like your reasoning - that's why I said you are either enlightened or not.  When you enter a room and switch on the light - the room is either lighted or not.  There cannot be 53 levels of illumination.  This is all delusion.  If one cannot completely rid craving and clinging, one cannot be enlightened.  There is no such thing as partial craving, some desire still remaining.

  In fact bodhisattvas are not enlightened because they have this craving to postpone nirvana in order to help (half-baked) Buddhists to attain enlightenment.  This is like the Christian 'saviour' concept.