In Buddhism, regardless of Theravada or Mahayana, there are certain stages of spiritual attainment. The main stages include:
Stages of Theravada Buddhism:#
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Stream-enterer: Destroyer of the outflows. By understanding the Four Noble Truths, specifically the truth of suffering and the truth of the origin of suffering, one has eliminated attachment to the sensual realm. However, there is still attachment to the form and formless realms, so further practice is needed.
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Once-returner: Having reduced attachment to the sensual and form realms, there is only a small amount of attachment remaining to the formless realm. Another return to the sensual realm is required for further practice.
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Non-returner: Completely eliminating all attachments to the three realms, one will not be reborn in the sensual realm again. However, enlightenment has not yet been attained, and one is still in the process of practice.
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Arhat: Having attained liberation through practice, one has realized Nirvana, ending the cycle of rebirth and transcending worldly existence. This is the ultimate goal of Theravada Buddhist practice.
Stages of Mahayana Buddhism are more extensive and include:#
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Bodhisattva of the First Ground: Completely eliminating the view of self and the view of rules and merits. Having entered the stage of the Three Unconditioned Practices, one becomes a Mahayana Bodhisattva.
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Bodhisattva of the Ten Grounds: From the first ground to the tenth ground, gradually deepening the understanding of emptiness and the Middle Way, accumulating merits and wisdom, and ultimately attaining the state of equal enlightenment.
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Bodhisattva of Equal Enlightenment: Having reached the state of enlightenment equal to that of a Buddha, but not yet becoming a Buddha. Able to appear in the world to guide sentient beings.
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Perfectly Enlightened Bodhisattva: The highest state of enlightenment attained during the final life before becoming a Buddha.
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Buddha: Fully awakened with omniscient wisdom, completely eliminating afflictions, attaining supreme and perfect enlightenment, and becoming the teacher of sentient beings in the three realms.
In conclusion, although there are differences in the stages of attainment between Theravada and Mahayana, both paths involve gradually deepening the understanding of the impermanence of the three realms and the cultivation of merits and wisdom, ultimately leading to the attainment of Nirvana or Buddhahood as the highest result.