The Principle of Attaining Enlightenment in Hinayana Buddhism

The eighth consciousness has no notion of self; it does not perceive itself as real, as a true self, or as a true mind. It lacks this concept and this understanding. Yet our five aggregates and eighteen elements all originate from the eighth consciousness, being transformed and manifested by it. Therefore, they are all unreal, subject to arising and ceasing, capable of change—in other words, impermanent. Thus, all phenomena arising from causes and conditions are unreliable, lacking autonomy, and illusory. Only by realizing this can one sever the view of self, eliminate the notion of a personal self, attain the first fruit of Arhatship, break free from the fetters of the three bonds, and avoid falling into the three evil destinies. In the future, such a practitioner will only undergo karmic retribution within the human realm. Upon attaining the fourth fruit of Arhatship and entering parinirvana without residue at life's end, one will be temporarily liberated from the cycle of birth and death within the three realms.