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).

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