Distinctive Characteristic 4: When monks violate a precept laid down by the Buddha, they incur an offense (āpatti). Upon realizing this offense, they immediately confess it to make it cease. This is called "confession of offense (āpatti)”. Similarly, when ordinary people make a mistake, they feel compelled to apologize and seek reconciliation. They wish to immediately rectify their wrong. Upon realizing their error, they go before the Buddha, practice meditation (kammaṭṭhāna), and resolve to purify their transgressions. This is the mindset of a Stream-enterer.
Distinctive Characteristic 5: Even if called to court for official matters, they will comply. However, they will not compromise their morality (sīla), concentration (samādhi), or wisdom (paññā). If a serious matter requires assistance, they will help—but still, they never sacrifice their sīla, samādhi, or paññā. If pressured to lie or deceive, they refuse. They do not give false testimony. Even if threatened with consequences for speaking truthfully, they state facts as they are. If offered bribes to speak falsely, they will not present the untrue as true.
Distinctive Characteristic 6: While listening to Dhamma teachings, they comprehend the meaning and remain undistracted. This ability to listen with unwavering, focused attention to the Buddha’s teachings—without letting the mind wander—is the nature of a Stream-enterer.
Distinctive Characteristic 7: After hearing the Dhamma, they are filled with such overwhelming joy (pīti-somanassa) that it feels endless and inexpressible. Their profound satisfaction lingers persistently.
Summary in Brief:
1. Awareness: Immediately recognizing the arising of greed (lobha), hatred (dosa), or delusion (moha).
2. Quenching: Extinguishing defilements the moment they are recognized.
3. Unshakable Faith: Firm belief that outside this Buddha’s dispensation (sāsana), there is no path to liberation.
4. Urgency to Rectify: Immediate desire to purify transgressions upon realizing them.
5. Integrity: Never compromising morality, concentration, or wisdom, even when assisting others in worldly affairs.
6. Focused Listening: Absorbing the Dhamma with undivided attention and understanding.
7. Inexhaustible Joy: Boundless delight and reverence upon hearing truth-realizing teachings.
The difference between an ordinary person (puthujjana) and a Stream-enterer lies in these seven traits—as taught in relation to the monks of Kosambī. For example, even a Stream-enterer may feel anger, but they recognize it afterward. Upon recognition, they pacify it. When helping others, they prioritize sīla, samādhi, and paññā. When listening to Dhamma, they allow no distractions. And when hearing the Dhamma, their joy is immeasurable. If one embodies these seven traits, they may conclude they are a Stream-enterer.
When defilements arise, the mind inclines quickly toward calming them.
Believing that apart from the Buddha’s Dispensation, there is no other Dispensation wherein Noble Ones exist,
one immediately remedies any serious offense.
When engaged in duties, one does not allow any breach of morality,
but attends to the Dhamma with increased focus.
After listening to the Dhamma, one is filled with joy and devotion,
possessing the sevenfold purity of faith –
such is the Sotāpanna (Stream-enterer)
(Excerpted from the discourses of the Venerable Mogok Sayadaw.)
By
Dr. Ashin Parami
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Without insight meditation, it is incomplete to be a Buddhist.