Four types of Puggala

Before we take deeper dhamma subjects and penetrate which includes moving from a normal worldling to Arahat, one should check what is the level of understanding in terms of faster progress, slow progress, difficult progress and no progress. These are the four type of individuals indicated in Nayasamuṭṭhāna.

In Ugghaṭitaññū sutta(AN4.133), Buddha explains on these 4 type of individuals and in Nayasamuṭṭhāna, it is explained in detail as below: Tattha ye dukkhāya paṭipadāya dandhābhiññāya khippābhiññāya ca niyyanti ime dve puggalā. Ye sukhāya paṭipadāya dandhābhiññāya khippābhiññāya ca niyyanti,  ime dve puggalā. Tattha yo sukhāya paṭipadāya khippābhiññāya niyyāti, a yaṁ ugghaṭitaññū. Yo sādhāraṇāya, ayaṁ vipañcitaññū. Yo dukkhāya paṭipadāya  dandhābhiññāya niyyāti, ayaṁ neyyo.

There are two kinds of individuals. One with painful and slow insight and one with painful and fast insight. These are the guide for the individuals.
In the same way, for pleasurable, one would be slow insight and one with fast insight. Out of this, one who is pleasurable and fast would be ugghaṭitaññū or an individual who can get path and fruits immediately with shorter discourses.
One with common but pleasurable outcome is vipañcitaññū or one who require longer discourses and more explanation for path and fruits
One with painful and slow to progress would be neyyo

Tattha bhagavā ugghaṭitaññussa puggalassa samathaṁ upadisati, neyyassa  vipassanaṁ, samathavipassanaṁ vipañcitaññussa. Tattha bhagavā ugghaṭitaññussa  puggalassa mudukaṁ dhammadesanaṁ upadisati, tikkhaṁ neyyassa, mudutikkhaṁ  vipañcitaññussa, tattha bhagavā ugghaṭitaññussa puggalassa saṅkhittena dhammaṁ desayati, saṅkhittavitthārena vipañcitaññussa, vitthārena neyyassa. Tattha bhagavā  ugghaṭitaññussa puggalassa nissaraṇaṁ upadisati, vipañcitaññussa ādīnavañca  nissaraṇañca upadisati, neyyassa assādañca ādīnavañca nissaraṇañca upadisati.  Tattha bhagavā ugghaṭitaññussa adhipaññāsikkhaṁ paññāpayati, adhicittaṁ  vipañcitaññussa, adhisīlaṁ neyyassa.

For ugghaṭitaññu, Buddha preached samatha, soft desana, summary of teachings, how to find escape from samsara and teachings on higher wisdom.
For neyya, Buddha preached Vipassana, commentary on teachings, detailed exposition of teachings, teachings on what is pleasure, danger and escape from it along with higher morality.
For vipañcitaññu, Buddha preached samathavipassanaṁ, shorter commentary, summarised and yet detailed teachings, danger and escape from samsara along with understanding higher mind.

Also studying Ubhayasutta would help a lot to see 4 ways to practice.

Published by Spiritual Essence

This website is for providing appropriate and proper knowledge relating to achieving Nirvana or Nibbana either by following Buddha Dhamma. The most easiest and efficient path is Buddha Dhamma which covers. 1. aspect of purification 2. Overcome sorrow and lamentation 3. Coming out of physical and mental discomfort 4. Approaching in the proper way through Eight fold path 5. Experiencing Nibbana all the time

2 thoughts on “Four types of Puggala

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