Enlightenment - What are the conditions for enlightenment?

B.

What are the conditions for enlightenment?

A.

We read in the 'Kindred Sayings' (V, Mahā-vagga, Book XI, Kindred Sayings

on Streamwinning, Ch. I, par. 5, Sāriputta) about four conditions for

becoming a sotāpanna (streamwinner). The sutta states: 

Now the venerable Sāriputta went to see the Exalted One, and on coming to

him saluted him and sat down at one side. To the venerable Sāriputta so

seated the Exalted One said this:

''A limb of stream-winning! A limb of stream-winning!' is the saying, Sāriputta.

Tell me, Sāriputta, of what sort is a limb of stream-winning.'

'Lord, association with the upright is a limb of stream-winning.

Hearing the good Dhamma is a limb of stream-winning.

Applying the mind is a limb of stream-winning.

Conforming to the Dhamma is a limb of stream-winning.'

'Well said, Sāriputta! Well said, Sāriputta!

Indeed these are limbs of stream-winning.

Now again, Sāriputta, they say: 'The stream! the stream!'

Of what sort is the stream, Sāriputta?'

'

The stream, lord, is just this Ariyan Eightfold Way,

to wit: right view, right thought, right speech, right action,

right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.'

'Well said, Sāriputta! Well said, Sāriputta!

The stream is just this Ariyan Eightfold Way.

Now again, Sāriputta, they say, 'Stream-winner! Stream-winner!'

Of what sort is a stream-winner, Sāriputta?'

'

Whosoever, lord, is blessed with this Ariyan Eightfold Way, --

such an one of such a name, of such and such a clan,

is called 'Stream-winner.''

B.

As regards the first condition, association with the righteous person, is this

essential? Would it not be possible to find the right path by oneself?

A.

Only Buddhas have accumulated such wisdom that they can find the Path by

themselves, without the help of a teacher. Other people, however, need the

teachings of a Buddha in order to find the right path, because ignorance has

been accumulated for an endlessly long time. We need association with the

right person, the good friend in Dhamma, who can point out to us the right

path, because our defilements prevent us from finding the right path. Our

friend in Dhamma can encourage us to develop mindfulness of nāma and

rūpa.

  B. What should one do if there is no such friend in Dhamma, who can point out the right way of practice?

A.

Reading the Buddhist scriptures is very helpful. The teachings can encourage

us to be mindful of nāma and rūpa. in daily life. We might, however,   

interpret the teachings in the wrong way. It depends on conditions whether

we come into contact with the right person who can help us to understand

the teachings and the practice in accordance with the teachings. Accumulated

kusala kamma can be the condition for us to meet the right person.