![\"Buddha](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/escrituras-eremitas.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Buddha_enlightenment1.jpg\")
<\/a>Buddha under the bodhi tree, place where he reached the enlightenment<\/p><\/div>\n
The Buddha spoke of four stages of enlightenment, and thus four kinds of enlightened beings. The first of these beings is \u201cthe stream enterer\u201d, the second is \u201cthe once returner\u201d, the third is the \u201cnon-returner\u201d and the final one is fully enlightened \u201carahant\u201d. Attainment of these stages is dependent on practice of the Buddha\u2019s Eightfold Path. Their achievement is signaled by the complete and utter disappearance of certain toxic mental states from the mind. No regress is possible from such state. One who reaches the first stage of enlightenment may be sure of reaching the final state within seven lifetimes at most. He or she has entered the stream leading irrevocably to the ocean of Nibbana.<\/p>\n