Learnin with Vernon Howard

An ordinary person or puthujjana (without knowledge) is trapped in the endless cycling of samsara. One is reborn, lives, and dies in endless rebirths.

An ordinary entity has never seen and experienced the ultimate truth of Dharma (cosmic law and order) and therefore has no way of finding an end to the predicament. It is only when suffering becomes acute, or seemingly unending, that an entity looks for a "solution" to and, if fortunate, finds the Dharma.

Path and Fruit

A Stream-enterer is free from:

1. Identity view
2. Attachment to rites and rituals
3. Doubt about the teachings

A Once-returner has greatly attenuated:
A Non-returner is free from:

4. Sensual desire
5. Ill will

An Arahant is free from all of the five lower fetters and the five higher fetters, which are:

6. Craving for prosperity in the material world
7. Craving for existence in the ideal world (heaven)
8. Conceit
9. Restlessness
10. Ignorance