Anāgāmi

In Buddhism, an anāgāmi (Sanskrit and Pāli for "non-returning")[1] is a partially enlightened person who has cut off the first five chains that bind the ordinary mind. Anagamis are the third of the four aspirants.

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:

  1. Sakkāya-diṭṭhi: Belief in atmān or self
  2. Sīlabbata-parāmāsa: Attachment to rites and rituals
  3. Vicikicchā: Skeptical doubt
  4. Kāma-rāga: Sensuous craving
  5. Byāpāda: ill will

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

  1. Rūpa-rāga: Craving for fine-material existence (the first 4 jhanas)
  2. Arūpa-rāga: Craving for immaterial existence (the last 4 jhanas)
  3. Māna: Conceit
  4. Uddhacca: Restlessness
  5. 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. Arahants enjoy complete freedom from the ten fetters. An anagami's mind is very pure.

Attaining the state of non-returner is portrayed in the early texts as the ideal goal for laity.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Rhys Davids & Stede (1921-25), pp. 31, 95, entries for "Anāgāmin" (retrieved 26 Sep 2007 at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.0:1:735.pali) and "Āgāmin" (at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.0:1:2587.pali).

Sources

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