Cula-Sotapanna

Some people mistakenly hold the view that Sotapanna are of two kinds - one is Senior Sotapanna, the other is Junior Sotapanna. Because in Visuddhimagga and other commentaries it is mentioned that a meditator who has attained Paccaya-pariggaha-nana, the second stage of the Insight Knowledge, is a Cula-Sotapanna. The word Cula in some cases, refers to “junior” or “small”, that’s why some people take “Cula-Sotapanna” as a “Junior Sotapanna” or “Small Sotapanna”. Of course in this case, in the word Cula-Sotapanna, “Cula” does not mean “junior” or “small”. The meaning of “Cula” in the word Cula-Sotapanna means “similar to a Sotapanna”. A Sotapannapuggala will never be reborn in the four Apaya worlds (the four woeful states); in the same way one has attained Paccaya-pariggaha-nana, the Insight Knowledge of Conditionality, will not be reborn in any of the four Apaya worlds in the next existence. That’s why the person who has attained Paccaya-pariggaha nana is called Cula-Sotapanna. The meaning is “a person who is similar to a Sotapanna”.

In other words to have truly understood the Law of Kamma is to have the light which will lead meditators out of the dark. The Buddha talked of four kinds of persons. Those going from dark to dark, from light to dark, the unfortunates; and those going from dark to light and from light to light, the fortunates. Understanding that we can be in control of this process through our will means we have the ability to start moving in the right way. Understanding that unwholesome thoughts, words and actions produce the same, and that wholesome thoughts, words and actions produce the same, means we can now see the light. At least at this level we are beginning to see the connection between what we think, say and do and what happens to us. Even if the outer consequences of our actions are not immediately obvious, by our meditative practice we come to know their immediate effect on the mind and heart. If I'm angry with someone, maybe he’ll try to get his own back. Of that I'm not sure. I don't know what the outer effect will be. But when I meditate and see how this anger affects me in myself, then at least I am aware of its negative and unhealthy effects on me. I notice the effects are quite the opposite if I'm kind, gentle and helpful. Slowly, this Analytical Knowledge of Causation begins to be our guiding light. Then we can say such a person is a Cula-Sotapanna, a lesser Stream Entrant. We can be sure that such a person will try to develop the Perfections and practise meditation. The later commentaries on the Scriptures assure us that such a person will not end up in situations where his training will not be able to continue. In other words his mentality and actions will lead to situations conducive to training.
To guide such a person, the Buddha clearly laid out the Noble Eightfold Path. By following this, especially the sila, Right Action, Right Speech and Right Livelihood, the fourth type of wisdom arises. Wisdom in action, Compassion. For this is also the aim of any meditation. To help other fellow beings towards their enlightenment. That doesn't mean to preach Buddhism. It means to help others in whatever capacity a person feels able. To guide a child in moral understanding, to feed a sick person and comfort them with encouraging words, to listen to the problems of some friend or colleague, to give to good causes. Whatever is compassionate is to practise the Perfections. It's a two way stream learning to be patient with the angry child is to learn to be patient with our own internal worrying childish thoughts. Learning how to care for and comfort ourselves is to learn how to care for and comfort others.

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