Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra, Volume 34 (69)

Original text: Due to the permanent cessation of this [defilement], if one had previously abandoned desire for the realm of sensual desire, then at this time, having thus entered the direct realization of the Truths, one attains the fruit of non-returning. The characteristics of this person should be understood as no different from those of the previously described desire-abandoner. However, there is a slight difference here: namely, one will undergo spontaneous birth [in the Pure Abodes] and will attain final Nirvana right there, never returning to take birth in this world again. If one had previously nearly abandoned desire for the realm of sensual desire [i.e., significantly reduced it], then at this time, having thus entered the direct realization of the Truths, one attains the fruit of once-returning. If one had not previously abandoned desire for the realm of sensual desire, then at this time, having thus entered the direct realization of the Truths, the coarse defilements are permanently extinguished, and one attains the fruit of stream-entry.

Explanation: Due to the permanent cessation of the coarse defilements, if one had previously abandoned desire for the realm of sensual desire, then at this present time, having thus entered the direct realization of the Four Noble Truths, one attains the third fruit, the fruit of non-returning. This person should be understood as having no difference in characteristics from the desire-abandoner described earlier. However, there is a slight difference between the two: namely, the third-fruit attainer who will undergo spontaneous birth in the Five Pure Abodes will attain final Nirvana right at that place of rebirth, never returning to take birth in this world again.

If one had previously nearly abandoned desire for the realm of sensual desire, having partially abandoned the desire for the sensual realm, then at this time, having thus attained the direct realization of the Four Noble Truths, one attains the second fruit, the fruit of once-returning. If one had not previously abandoned desire for the realm of sensual desire, then at this present time, having thus attained the direct realization of the Four Noble Truths, the coarse defilements are permanently extinguished, and one attains the first fruit [stream-entry].

According to the above explanation by Bodhisattva Maitreya, although one who attains the first fruit has not yet abandoned desire for the sensual realm, the coarse defilements are to be permanently severed and extinguished; subtle defilements still remain and are to be gradually severed and extinguished through subsequent practice, until the fourth fruit where all active defilements are exhausted. Although first-fruit to fourth-fruit attainers are all capable of the direct realization of the Four Noble Truths, because they differ in merit, defilements, meditative concentration, and the wisdom of realization, the wisdom attained differs, and thus the fruit attained differs.

The third-fruit attainer has severed the defilements of desire for the sensual realm and has the capability to attain final Nirvana without residue either at the place of rebirth or during the intermediate state (antarābhava); that is, a saint liberated in mind by the cessation of defilements. First-fruit and second-fruit attainers still have varying degrees of desire for the sensual realm; their minds are not liberated from the sensual realm, therefore they are not saints liberated in mind but belong to the category of virtuous ones (śreṣṭhin).