Severing Self-Clinging and Dharma-Clinging

The attachment to self is the clinging to the aggregated self formed by the five aggregates. Severing this attachment to self leads to liberation—freedom from bondage to the five aggregates, freedom from bondage to the eighteen realms, and freedom from bondage to any phenomenon within the three realms. Possessing the wisdom to transcend the three realms is the state of the fourth-fruit arhat. After severing the attachment to self, they no longer cling to the aggregated self formed by the five aggregates. At the end of their lifespan, they are able to extinguish their own existence and enter nirvana without residue.

Attachment to dharmas, also known as attachment to the self in dharmas, is the clinging to the notion that within all phenomena derived from the combination of the aggregates, sense bases, and realms, there exists a self that is truly "me." Bodhisattvas on the bhūmis cultivate patient endurance of the non-arising of phenomena, thereby realizing the selflessness of phenomena and severing attachment to dharmas incrementally. Because bodhisattvas on the bhūmis intentionally retain residual afflictions to nurture rebirth and maintain a five-aggregate body, they deliberately refrain from completely severing the attachment to self and instead begin to sever the attachment to dharmas. They realize the absence of self and anything pertaining to self within all phenomena arising from the combination of aggregates, sense bases, and realms. When the attachment to dharmas is completely severed, they attain perfect Buddhahood.