Overview
Following immediately after the lightning-strike of a Path-moment (Magga) comes its exact resultant consciousness, known as the Fruit (Phala). While the Path-moment does the active work of killing defilements, the Fruit-moment is the peaceful experience of liberation resulting from that destruction.
The List
- Sotāpattiphala - The Fruit of Stream-Entry: The immediate result of the first path. The individual is now officially a Sotāpanna (Stream-enterer), safe from rebirth in the lower realms.
- Sakadāgāmiphala - The Fruit of Once-Returning: The immediate result of the second path. The individual is now a Sakadāgāmī, destined to return to the human world only one more time.
- Anāgāmiphala - The Fruit of Non-Returning: The immediate result of the third path. The individual is now an Anāgāmī, completely free from all human anger and sexual desire.
- Arahattaphala - The Fruit of Arahatship: The immediate result of the fourth path. The individual is a fully awakened Arahat. Their mind is perfectly pure, and they will attain Parinibbāna at death.
Textual References
- Canonical: Mahāli Sutta (DN 6) – The Buddha defines the realization of these specific fruits as the purpose of the holy life.
- Abhidhamma: Dhammasaṅgaṇī – Classifies these four fruits as the ultimate unconditioned results (vipāka) of the supramundane paths.