Anagami, Anāgāmī: 7 definitions

Introduction
In Buddhism
1. Theravada
2. General definition
Languages
1. Pali
See also

Introduction:

Anagami 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 TermsNon returner. A person who has abandoned the five lower fetters that bind the mind to the cycle of rebirth (see samyojana), and who after death will appear in one of the Brahma worlds called the Pure Abodes, there to attain nibbana, never again to return to this world.Source: Dhamma Dana: Pali English Glossary

(The one who never returns). It does involve the third stage of realisation among the four that the ariyas do reach.

As its definition stresses it out , the one who does experience this stage will be reborn into a specific sphere where do dwell only anagamis or arahantas (unless the stage of arahanta is reached at dying time), but never more in any any other sphere of existence whatsoever. In this sphere of anagamis, devoid of any material senses, having nothing else to do save observing phenomena, all the anagamis become arahantas, and thus enter into parinibbana at the completion of this existence.

Source: Journey to Nibbana: Patthana Dhama

Anagami is made up of ana or a and agami. Anagami means non returning to human realm.

Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines

the 'Non-Returner', is a noble disciple (ariya-puggala) on the 3rd stage of holiness.

There are 5 classes of Non-Returners, as it is said (e.g. Pug. 42-46):

"A being, through the disappearing of the 5 lower fetters (samyojana), reappears in a higher world (amongst the devas of the Pure Abodes, suddhāvāsa), and without returning from that world (into the sensuous sphere) he there reaches Nibbāna.

(1) "He may, immediately after appearing there (in the Pure Abodes) or without having gone beyond half of the life-time, attain the holy path for the overcoming of the higher fetters. Such a being is called 'one who reaches Nibbāna within the first half of the life' (antarā-parinibbāyī).

(2) "Or, whilst living beyond half of the lifetime, or at the moment of death, he attains the holy path for the overcoming of the higher fetters. Such a being is called 'one who reaches Nibbāna after crossing half the life-time' (upahacca-parinibbāyī).

(3) "Or, with exertion he attains the holy path for the overcoming of the higher fetters. Such a being is called 'one who reaches Nibbāna with exertion' (sasankhāra-parinibbāyī).

(4) "Or, without exertion he attains the holy path for the overcoming of the higher fetters. Such a being is called 'one who reaches Nibbāna without exertion' (asankhāra-parinibbāyī).

(5) "Or, after vanishing from the heaven of the Aviha-gods (s. suddhāvāsa), he appears in the heaven of the unworried (atappa) gods. After vanishing from there he appears in the heaven of the clearly-visible (sudassa) gods, from there in the heaven of the clear-visioned (sudassī) gods, from there in the heaven of the highest (akanittha) gods. There he attains the holy path for the overcoming of the higher fetters. Such a being is called 'one who passes up-stream to the highest gods' (uddhamsota-akanittha-gāmī)."

Source: Dhamma Study: Cetasikas

The anagami (the non-returner, who has attained the third stage of enlightenment) has eradicated all forms of sensuous clinging, but he still clings to birth.

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).

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: WikiPedia: Buddhism

In Buddhism, an anāgāmi ("non-returning") is a partially enlightened person who has cut off the first five chains that bind the ordinary mind. Anagami-ship is the third of the four stages of enlightenment. Anagamis are not reborn into the human world after death, but into the heaven of the Pure Abodes, where only anagamis live. There they attain full enlightenment (arahantship).

The Pali terms for the specific chains or fetters (Pali: saṃyojana) of which an anagami is free are:

Sakkāya-diṭṭhi: Belief in atmān or self
Sīlabbata-parāmāsa: Attachment to rites and rituals
Vicikicchā: Skeptical doubt
Kāma-rāga: Sensuous craving
Byāpāda: Ill will

The fetters from which an anagami is not yet free are:

Rūpa-rāga: Craving for fine-material existence (the first 4 jhanas)
Arūpa-rāga: Craving for immaterial existence (the last 4 jhanas)
Māna: Conceit
Uddhacca: Restlessness
Avijjā: Ignorance

Kāma-rāga and Byāpāda, which they are free from, can also be interpreted as craving for becoming and non-becoming, respectively. Anagamis are at an intermediate stage between sakadagamis and arahants.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

anāgāmī : (m.) one who does not return, i.e. the person who has attained the 3rd Path.

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.

Relevant text

Search found 39 books and stories containing Anagami, Anāgāmī; (plurals include: Anagamis, Anāgāmīs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

121 Types of Consciousness < [Chapter I - Different Types of Consciousness]

Supra Mundane Consciousness < [Chapter I - Different Types of Consciousness]

18 Types of Rootless Consciousness < [Chapter I - Different Types of Consciousness]

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Chapter 5 - The Three Attainments < [Part 5 - The Development Of Insight]

Chapter 18 - Planes Of Existence < [Part 2 - Citta]

Appendix 1 - To Citta < [Appendix]

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Chapter 21 - Story Of Ugga < [Part 8]

Chapter 13 - The Fame Of The Buddha < [Part 10]

Chapter 7 - Removing The Present Causes < [Part 9]

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