The Process from the Abandonment of the View of Self at the First Fruition to the Abandonment of Attachment to Self at the Fourth Fruition

After severing the view of self through the manas and attaining the first fruit (Sotāpanna), why is it only upon reaching the fourth fruit that self-attachment is fully eradicated?

The depth of wisdom in severing the view of self through the manas varies and is categorized into different levels. It is like learning to cook and becoming a chef; one still needs continuous practical experience to master the techniques, eventually becoming a first-level chef, second-level chef, or top-level chef. Severing the view of self through the manas is akin to a student just entering school; it takes years of study to graduate. Of course, exceptions exist for outstanding individuals who skip grades, just as among Buddhist practitioners, those with exceptional good roots may attain various fruits—second, third, or fourth—upon realization.

The degree to which the consciousness and manas comprehend the principle of the non-self of the five aggregates differs, leading to varying insights and corresponding levels of fruition. After attaining the first fruit, one must continuously deepen the contemplation and practice regarding the nature of suffering, emptiness, impermanence, and non-self in the five aggregates and eighteen elements. As understanding deepens and perspectives are increasingly and thoroughly transformed, the wisdom of non-self becomes more profound, and self-attachment progressively diminishes. Ultimately, when the understanding of the Hinayana principle of non-self reaches its pinnacle, self-attachment is completely eradicated. At this point, various wisdoms manifest, enabling one to transcend the three realms, liberate oneself from the cycle of birth and death, and enter nirvana without residue. The extent of wisdom attained determines the degree of afflictions eradicated; the degree to which self-attachment is reduced corresponds to the level of fruition achieved.

For example, when the World-Honored One (Buddha) suddenly awakened upon seeing the morning star at midnight, it was the moment he eradicated the last trace of ignorance and attained the supreme, ultimate wisdom. Thus, he instantaneously became a Buddha, with no need to wait further or practice anything more, because ignorance had been completely eradicated, leaving no dharma left to cultivate.

However, for a first-fruit practitioner, the level of wisdom regarding non-self in the manas is still shallow, and the fundamental ignorance remains deep-seated; the view of self is not yet thoroughly severed. Through continued observation and practice, the understanding of the non-self nature of the five aggregates deepens, wisdom becomes more profound, and ignorance gradually diminishes. This is the result of step-by-step practice. When wisdom reaches its ultimate state, no further practice is needed; ignorance and afflictions are simultaneously eradicated completely, and the fourth fruit—the state of non-learning—is attained simultaneously.