Advanced Reference: Six Stages
An advanced reference, not the basis of the method. This page paraphrases one talk by Yihuan Xingzhe (October 2026; an unpublished transcript). The method on this site follows Luangpor Thong's book, which says there are stages but does not describe them in detail (pp. 110 to 111). The paraphrase is authorisation pending.
The six stages, briefly
- Entry: hearing, reflecting and right view; studying basics such as the thirty-seven factors of awakening.
- Fulcrum: the work of awareness. Mahasati training mostly belongs here.
- Seeing the mind's nature.
- Maintaining: practice after the first insight.
- Walking the path: the six perfections in dealings with people, wearing down habits.
- Going beyond: leave the raft once across; but do not throw the raft away before you have crossed.
Stage three and above need personal realisation and cannot be self-assessed. These are not quiz questions, and a book or a web page cannot settle them.
How to use the map
- The view is that most lay practitioners stay in the first and second stages for a long time. There is no need to aim too high.
- It is only for seeing roughly where you are and what to practise next, never for scoring or ranking people.
- To test any claim, the three marks can be used: impermanence, non-self, and the peace of nirvana.
- The teacher also stresses that the cushion is the training ground and daily life the exam room, and that attitude matters more than quantity.
Differences from the book
- The book says practice does not depend on reading scripture, and even someone who cannot read can practise (pp. 5, 7). The first stage of this map values study and right view. On this site you can start without any background in Buddhism, and treat reading as optional.
- The book does not recommend breath meditation (pp. 25 to 26), while this teacher's beginner homework mentions awareness of breathing. Practice suggestions on this site stick to the hand movements or walking.
Related: self-observation, tools.
FAQ
Are the six stages the official Mahasati path?
No. It is one teacher's reference framework from a talk. In the book Luangpor Thong says there are stages but does not detail them, and the indicator of progress is whether awareness continues (pp. 110 to 113).
Can I work out which stage I am in?
You can use the first and second stages to look back at yourself. Stage three and above need personal realisation and cannot be self-assessed; ask a qualified teacher.
Do I need to read many scriptures before I practise?
No. Luangpor Thong says practice does not depend on reading scripture and that doing it matters most (pp. 5, 7). Practise first and read later if you wish.
Source: Luangpor Thong, The Principles and Method of Mahasati (Chinese title 正念動中禪的原理與方法; the English title is my translation), Q&A compiled by the Taiwan Mahasati association, Religious Culture Press, 2013. "p." means a page of that book; page numbers are to be verified against the book. Paraphrased, not quoted at length.