Expert: Bodhicitta - 5/20/2006

Question
Namo Amitabha .
I'm Poh , a Chinese from Malaysia .

QUESTION 1) I have just finished reading the book " The Great Diciples Of Buddha ". Can you explain a bit detail to me the meaning of STREAM-ENTRY ?

QUESTION 2)How do i know  that i (or another person) have reached to the state of Stream-entry? What are the indications / changes / signs of stream-entry ?

Thank you .
Amitabha .

Answer
Dear Poh Kian Bin
Thanks for your question.

Question 1
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Stream-entry is a term from Theravada Buddhism.

The Theravada practioner may start by doing basic meditation to experience the Jnana
states - these are mundane states to obtain stability in
concentration before practicing insight meditation. Then at some stage the yogin moves on the supramundana paths and starts experiencing states beyond the mundane, beyond the five aggregates
(skandhas) .

The four supramundane paths are - stream entry path, the path of the once returner, the path of the none-returner, and the path of arhatship.

Stream entry is so called because the yogin has entered the stream of the dharma. They now have direct experience
of the truth of the eight  fold path which will take them
to enlightenment as sure as the waters of a stream will carry one to the ocean. They have now passed beyond the
world and are path of the arayan family.

The texts say various things about what it means to be
a stream entrer. But it seems to be that you will not
be reborn again in the lower realms, and you will become
enlightened in a few life times.



Stream 2
------------
There are various detailed commentaries on these states
in the Pali texts. If you are interested I would refer you
to the  Dhammasanganis .According to this text yogin gains insight
into the very nature of the four noble truths at each
of the levels of the supramundane path.

I would also say to you from a purely pragmatic view based on my own opinions and limited experience of the Therevada path. In order to do these meditations  using the Theravada system one would need
a teacher. The teacher would give you practical and
direct instruction on how to approach these paths.
Without a teacher it would seem impossible to enter
these states. So really the answer is working with a
teacher the yogin knows when stream-entry is achieved.

I think often people have the mistaken view that they could read about these techniques and achieve them
without a teacher.

I wish you well
Bodhicitta