Bonds

Bhikkhus, these four persons are evident in the world. Which four?

The not yet bloomed recluse, the bloomed recluse, the bloomed recluse with a thousand petals and the most soft and graceful recluse.

Bhikkhus, who is the not yet bloomed recluse?

Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu destroying the three lower bonds wins entry into the stream of the Teaching and becomes one who aims exitinction, not falling away from there.

Bhikkhus, this is the not yet bloomed recluse.

Bhikkhus, who is the bloomed recluse?

Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu destroying the three lower bonds and diminishing greed, hate and delusion, becomes one, who returns to this world only once more to put an end to unpleasantness.

Bhikkhus, this is the bloomed recluse.

Bhikkhus, who is the bloomed recluse with a thousand petals?

Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu destroying the five lower bonds binding him to the sensual world, he becomes a spontanously arisen one, not proceeding any further he extinguishes in that same birth.

Bhikkhus, this is the bloomed recluse with a thousand petals.

Bhikkhus, who is the most soft and graceful recluse?

Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu destroys desires, releases the mind and released through wisdom too, he abides having realized.

Bhikkhus, this is the most soft and graceful recluse.

Bhikkhus, these four persons are evident in the world.