The Theory of the Four Stages of Liberation in Pali Literature

This book investigates the origins and development of the theory of four stages of liberation in Pali literature. This theory is an important soteriological cartography in early Buddhism, particularly Theravada Buddhism. Amrita Nanda challenges the traditional interpretation of the four stages by recognizing the impact of the changing socio-religious factors on the theory’s origins and subsequent development. Based primarily on the Pali literary sources, this study utilizes sometimes-overlooked aspects of these texts. This book first traces the origins of each stage individually; then, it traces the formation of the theory and its subsequent development.

1. Introduction.- 2. The Stage of Stream-Entry.- 3. The Stage of Non-returning.- 4. The Stage of Arahantship.- 5. The Four Stages as a Collective Set in the Pali Nikayas.- 6. Development of the Sub-stages.- 7. The Four Stages in the Context of the Liberating Experience of the Buddha and the Early Buddhist Disciples.- 8. The Theory of the Four Stages with Regard to Socio-religious Contexts.- 9. The Four Stages Forming an Integrated Soteriological Path Scheme in Pali Abhidhamma and Pali Commentarial Literature.- 10. The Four Stages Exalted to Peak of Spiritual Attainment in Pali Abhidhamma and Pali Commentarial Literature.- 11. Conclusion.

Amrita Nanda is a lecturer at the Centre of Buddhist Studies at the University of Hong Kong.