Chapter 4 – Explanation on the essence and stages of practice of the Three Vehicle

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Chapter 4 Section 2 – The stages of practice in the Three Vehicles Part 1 – Knowing the object clearly

Chapter 4 Section 1 – The essential core to practicing the path of the Three Vehicles

1. Generally the Sravaka practicitioners are the main audience of the Three Vehicles

2. Detailed explanation on the different aspects of these practitioners

Difference from the aspect of livelihood

Those preferring the householder life

Those preferring the monastic life Those who prefer the hermitage life Those who wander among the villages

Difference from the aspect of spiritual foundation (includes both householders and monastics)

Those who are more faith orientated at first

Those who are more rational

3. Concluding reminder that all are practicing the path aimed at liberation

Stage 1 Explaining the

differences in the types of people who undertake this path

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1. General explanation that the main focus of the Three Vehicles is the study of the Four Noble Truths and the Law of Dependent Origination

2. Detailing the causes and results relating to the mundane and supramundane world according to the Four Noble Truths

Overview of the Four Noble Truths

Detailed explanation of the Four Noble Truths

Reflect on the causes and results in the mundane world The Noble Truth of Suffering The Noble Truth of Accumulation of Suffering

Reflect on the causes and results of the supramundane world The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering

(The cycle of cessation via the Law of Dependent Origination)

The Noble Truth of the Path to Cessation of Suffering (Brief overview that the Path consists of the Three Trainings and the Noble Eightfold Path)

Stage 2

Explaining the elements that make

up this path

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Chapter 4 Section 2 – The stages of practice in the Three Vehicles Part 2 – The method of practice (explanation of the Three Trainings & Noble Eightfold Path

1. The Three Trainings`

The Advancing Training of Morality

The elements of the precepts (both overall individual aspects)

The function of the precepts

The further progression of the precepts (this refers to the Six Dharma, how they purify morality, and are also the preparatory practices for meditation)

The Advancing Training of the Mind Discarding the five desires and five hindrances to accomplish concentration Entering concentration by the two main entry-ways Developing undefiled wisdom in reliance on the seven elements

The Advancing Training of Wisdom

2. The Noble Eightfold Path

The first five of the eight paths The elements of the first five paths and their progressive stages (Right View,

Right Understanding, Right Speech, Right Actions, Right Livelihood)

The last three of the eight paths Right Diligence Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration (with mindfulness concentration is

accomplished, from concentration noble wisdom arises, with noble wisdom liberation is attained)

Stage 3

Defining the Noble Truth of the Path to

Cessation as embodied by the

Three Trainings and Noble Eightfold Path

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Four Stations of Mindfulness Four Right Efforts Four Supernatural Powers Five Spiritual Facutlies Five Powers (of the Five Spiritual Faculties) Seven Branches of Awakening Noble Eightfold Path

Stage 4

Explanation that all the paths of practices

can be categorized into 37

Stage 5

Explanation that practitioners of the Three Vehicles all

gain the same essence of Nirvana

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Chapter 4 Section 2 – The stages of practice in the Three Vehicles Part 3 – The goal or fruition of practice

1. The fruition of the Srakava Path

First Fruition (Srotapana)

Second Fruition (Skradagami)

Third Fruition (Anagami)

Fourth Fruition (Arhat)

Completely ending defilements marks the accomplishment of the path

Two types of arhats (liberated by wisdom and liberated with both wisdom and accomplishment of profound meditation)

Attainment of the three knowledges and six supernatural powers

A supreme field of merit among for worldly beings to cultivate in

Use of two similes to praise their virtues

1. The sun in the clear sky

2. The untainted lotus blossoming in a muddy pond

2. The fruition of the Pratyeka Buddha Path

Stage 6

Overview of the three phases leading to the attainment of

the goal

Stage 7

Detailing the differences in the attainment of the

Two Vehicles

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