Why Is an Arhat of the Fourth Fruit Equivalent to the Liberation Realization of a Bodhisattva at the Eighth Bhūmi?

Arhats of the fourth fruit of the Small Vehicle can enter Nirvāṇa without remainder. In the Great Vehicle, beginning from bodhisattvas of the first bhūmi, they are noble ones of the third fruit (anāgāmin) who have eradicated afflictions. Although bhūmi bodhisattvas may enter the correct position of liberation and realize the fourth fruit, if they were to realize it, they would have to enter Nirvāṇa without remainder upon death. The Buddha does not permit bodhisattvas to realize the fourth fruit and enter the correct position of liberation; only at the completion of the seventh bhūmi do they realize the fourth fruit and enter the stage of the eighth bhūmi. Bodhisattvas of the eighth bhūmi and above will no longer enter Nirvāṇa without remainder. Therefore, from the perspective of the realization of liberation, the liberation realization of the fourth fruit and that of an eighth-bhūmi bodhisattva are equal. Even at the completion of the first bhūmi, one may not realize the fourth fruit; otherwise one would violate the Buddha's precepts and be rebuked by the Buddha. The Buddha will also protect and support bodhisattvas so that they do not realize the fruit of the fourth fruit stage.