The Ten Stages in the General Doctrine
The Ten Stages of Spiritual Development for those of the Three Vehicles
Stage |
Description | |
1 |
Dry Insight |
Worldly wisdom unfertilized by the inner spiritual work of Buddhism; it includes A. Sila - The Precepts of Morality; A moral code of conduct |
2 |
Embryonic Stage of the Buddha Nature |
The beginning stages of inner spiritual cultivation & insight meditation, which includes the Four Good Roots (S. Kusala Mula), which are A. The Warming (S.usmagata) - the cognitive and affective functions of the mind focus solely on The Four Truths in meditation and self-reflection |
3 |
The Eighfold Endurance |
Endurance in the Cultivation of Meditation that turns into Wisdom, in 2 parts: One cultivates enduring observation of the Four Truths to eradicate the false views that occur during meditation in the Realm of Desire. |
4 |
Freedom From False Views |
The final eradication of false views |
5 |
Freedom from Weakness |
Eradication of the more basic kinds improper motives such as greed, hatred, conceit & ignorance |
6 |
Freedom from Desire |
Eradication of the more subtle forms of improper motives including desire, anger, pride & ignorance |
7 |
Already Discerning |
|
8 |
Spiritually self-awakened | |
9 |
Spiritually awakened but remaining in this world to help save others - the path to enlightenment | |
10 |