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 Doctrinesthe '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: CetasikasThe 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.
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: Amaravati: Glossarythe first of the four stages of the realisation of liberation.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionarysotāpanna : (adj.) one who has entered the stream of Path.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionarySotāpanna 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 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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Sota, Apanna.
Starts with: Sotapanna Samyutta, Sotapanna Sutta, Sotapannassa Angani.
Full-text (+176): Vinipata, Seven Rebirths At The Utmost, Stream Entry, Stream Winner, Passing-from Noble Family, Germinating Once More, Sotapatti, Sota Sutta, Eka Biji, Kolankola, Sotapanna Sutta, Sattakkhattu Parama, Atthamaka, Sacca Samyutta, Saddha, Abhisamaya, Tada, Sirigutta, Talacchiggalupama Sutta, Sakkaya Ditthi.
Relevant text
Search found 48 books and stories containing Sotapanna, Sotāpanna, Sota-apanna, Sota-āpanna; (plurals include: Sotapannas, Sotāpannas, apannas, āpannas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Catusacca Dipani (by Mahathera Ledi Sayadaw)
A Manual of Abhidhamma (by Nārada Thera)
Individuals < [Chapter IX - Mental Culture]
The Path of Purification < [Chapter IX - Mental Culture]
Nibbāna < [Chapter VI - Analysis of Matter]
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 124 - The Story of Kukkuṭamitta < [Chapter 9 - Pāpa Vagga (Evil)]
Verse 260-261 - The Story of Venerable Lakuṇṭaka Bhaddiya < [Chapter 19 - Dhammaṭṭha Vagga (Established in Dhamma)]
Verse 383 - The Story of the Brāhmin who had Great Faith < [Chapter 26 - Brāhmaṇa Vagga (The Brāhmaṇa)]
Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Nina Van Gorkom)
The Buddhist Path to Enlightenment (study) (by Dr Kala Acharya)
3.1. The Meaning of Iddhipāda (psychic power) < [Chapter 2 - Five Groups of Factor]
5. The Five Mental Powers (Pañcabalāni or Bala)—Introduction < [Chapter 2 - Five Groups of Factor]
2.1. Right Understanding (Sammā-diṭṭhi or Samyag-dṛṣṭi) < [Chapter 3 - Seven Factors of Enlightenment and Noble Eightfold Path]
Buddhist Outlook on Daily Life (by Nina van Gorkom)