Sotapanna, Sotāpanna, Sota-apanna: 6 definitions

Introduction:

Sotapanna means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Access to Insight: A Glossary of Pali and Buddhist TermsStream winner. A person who has abandoned the first three of the fetters that bind the mind to the cycle of rebirth (see samyojana) and has thus entered the "stream" flowing inexorably to nibbana, ensuring that one will be reborn at most only seven more times, and only into human or higher realms.Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines

the 'Stream-winner', is the lowest of the 8 noble disciples (s. ariya-puggala).

Three kinds are to be distinguished:

  • the one 'with 7 rebirths at the utmost' (sattakkhattu-parama),
  • the one 'passing from one noble family to another' (kolankola),
  • the one 'germinating only once more' (eka-bījī).

As it is said (e.g. Pug.37-39; A.III.87):

(1) "If a man, after the disappearance of the 3 fetters (personality-belief, skeptical doubt, attachment to rules and ritual; s. samyojana), has entered the stream (to Nibbāna), he is no more subject to rebirth in lower worlds, is firmly established, destined to full enlightenment. After having passed amongst the heavenly and human beings only seven times more through the round of rebirths, he puts an end to suffering. Such a man is called 'one with 7 births at the utmost' (sattakkhattu-parama).

(2) "If a man, after the disappearance of the 3 fetters.... is destined to full enlightenment, he, after having passed among noble families two or three times through the round of rebirths, puts an end to suffering. Such a man is called 'one passing from one noble family to another' (kolankola).

(3) "If a man, after the disappearance of the 3 fetters.... is destined to full enlightenment, he, after having only once more returned to human existence, puts an end to suffering. Such a man is called 'one germinating only once more' (eka-bījī).

See Sotāpatti-Samyutta (S.55).

Source: Dhamma Study: Cetasikas

The sotapanna (the streamwinner, who has attained the first stage of enlightenment) has eradicated clinging which is accompanied by wrong view, but the other forms of clinging may still arise.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Discover the meaning of sotapanna in the context of Theravada from relevant books on Exotic India

General definition (in Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Sotapanna in Buddhism glossary
Source: Amaravati: Glossary

the first of the four stages of the realisation of liberation.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Sotapanna in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

sotāpanna : (adj.) one who has entered the stream of Path.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Sotāpanna refers to: one who has entered the stream, a convert Vin. II, 161, 240; III, 10; D. I, 156; III, 107 sq. , 132, 227; A. II, 89; S. II, 68; III, 203 sq. , 225 sq.; V, 193 sq.; DA. I, 313; Vism. 6, 709; PvA. 5, 153. The converted is endowed with āyu, vaṇṇa, sukha, and ādhipateyya S. V, 390; he is called wealthy and glorious S. V, 402; conversion excludes rebirth in purgatory, among animals and petas, as well as in other places of misery; he is a-vinipāta-dhamma: D. I, 156; II, 200; S. V, 193 sq. , 343; A. I, 232; II, 238; III, 331 sq.; IV, 405 sq. , V, 182; M. III, 81; or khīṇa-niraya: A. III, 211; IV, 405 sq. (+khīṇa-tiracchānayoni etc.). The converted man is sure to attain the sambodhi (niyato sambodhipārāyano D. I, 156, discussed in Dial. I, 190—192). (Page 725)

Note: sotāpanna is a Pali compound consisting of the words sota and āpanna.

Pali book cover
context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Discover the meaning of sotapanna in the context of Pali from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: