Entering the Stream of Dhamma
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The Noble Ones, from the sotapanna stage on, are those who have entered the stream of Dhamma. Although sotapannas, those reaching the first of the four levels of Noble Ones, have not yet been completely purified, they are enlightened enough to see clearly the right path to Nibbana, the Final Goal or the complete eradication of suffering. In other words, they have undoubtedly entered the stream leading to Nibbana with no turning back, and know this for themselves the first moment they step into this path. At that point they become Stream Enterers, and are regarded as nitaya-puggala, people who are advancing toward Nibbana and will never return to the stage of ordinary people. Even though they may be reborn in this world, they will experience no more than seven lives before attaining Nibbana.
The Lord Buddha taught clearly and reasonably how to enter the stream of Dhamma. In his time, his followers practiced in accordance with the Noble Eightfold Path and attained the Noble Fruitions. If we want to reach the same goal, we must strictly follow the Lord Buddha’s teachings, and we will enter the stream of Dhamma just like the people in his time. What the Noble Fruitions were like in the past is still the same now and will continue to be so forever.
Phra Acariya Thoon Khippapanno
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Venerable Acariya Thoon Khippapanyo’s remarkable life achievements truly exemplify his dedication to sustaining Buddhism for posterity. In 1985, Acariya Thoon built and established Wat Pa Ban Koh in Udon Thani as a site for practitioners to train in the Buddha’s dhamma. Acariya Thoon also built and supported many temples in Thailand, as well as abroad in the principal cities of Hong Kong, San Francisco, and New York. In 2001, he designed a majestic pagoda that was erected in just 15 months, due to the incredible faith of his followers both in Thailand and overseas. A grand museum at Wat Pa Ban Kon was built for Acariya Thoon to live in, as well as to honor his remarkable life story and house his relics. For his priceless contributions to Buddhism, Acariya Thoon received the royal distinction of Phra Banyapisantaera in 2005.
Not only was Acariya Thoon exceptional in terms of wisdom, but he was also talented in a number of other ways. Herbal medicines sold at Wat Pa Ban Koh are produced from organically grown herbs according to Acariya Thoon’s original recipes. And in 2008, Acariya Thoon designed and hand-carved four large wooden Buddha statues, for a tribute to the four great milestones in the Buddha’s history. He also organized leadership conventions for children in order to familiarize them with their Buddhist supports and to provide them with the wisdom to survive in our increasingly wayward world.
Venerable Acariya Thoon Khippapanyo used a variety of media to connect people to the Buddha’s dhamma. He authored over 100 poems, wrote and produced didactic plays, and gave countless dhamma sermons around the globe. Acariya Thoon also authored over twenty highly acclaimed books on dhamma practice, both in Thai and translated into English. For his eloquence in writing Buddhist books, Acariya Thoon received the honorable Saemadhammajakka award in 1990. His most popular books include The Cause of Suffering, Panna to Train the Mind, Sammaditthi, and Sappurisadhamma. Paradigm Shift was Acariya Thoon’s penultimate book authored before his passing in November 2008, and the book he was most proud of because of its comprehensive nature.
Acariya Thoon was famous for his unique, straightforward approach to dhamma practice that emphasized the need to identify the suffering, harmful consequences, and dangers inherent in all things, as well as the necessary cultivation of individual mindfulness, alert and focused concentration, and insight-wisdom. He successfully developed a distinctive and practical method for people to eliminate the suffering that emerged in their daily lives.
Venerable Acariya Thoon Khippapanyo entered final nibbana on November 11, 2008 at Wat Pa Ban Koh in Udon Thani, Thailand. He was 73 years of age and had been ordained for 48 years.
