the 'Non-Returner', ...
the 'Non-Returner', is a noble disciple (ariya-puggala, q.v.) on the 3rd stage of holiness. There are 5 classes of Non-Returners, as it is said (e.g. Pug. 42-46):
"A being, through the disappearing of the 5 lower fetters (samyojana, q.v.), reappears in a higher world (amongst the devas of the Pure Abodes, suddha^va^sa, q.v.), and without returning from that world (into the sensuous sphere) he there reaches Nibba^na.
(1) "He may, immediately after appearing there (in the Pure Abodes) or without having gone beyond half of the life-time, attain the holy path for the overcoming of the higher fetters. Such a being is called 'one who reaches Nibba^na within the first half of the life' (antara^-parinibba^yi^).
(2) "Or, whilst living beyond half of the lifetime, or at the moment of death, he attains the holy path for the overcoming of the higher fetters. Such a being is called 'one who reaches Nibba^na after crossing half the life-time' (upahacca-parinibba^yi^).
(3) "Or, with exertion he attains the holy path for the overcoming of the higher fetters. Such a being is called 'one who reaches Nibba^na with exertion' (sasankha^ra-parinibba^yi^).
(4) "Or, without exertion he attains the holy path for the overcoming of the higher fetters. Such a being is called 'one who reaches Nibba^na without exertion' (asankha^ra-parinibba^yi^).
(5) "Or, after vanishing from the heaven of the Aviha-gods (s. suddha^va^sa), he appears in the heaven of the unworried (atappa) gods. After vanishing from there he appears in the heaven of the clearly-visible (sudassa) gods, from there in the heaven of the clear-visioned (sudassi^) gods, from there in the heaven of the highest (akanittha) gods. There he attains the holy path for the overcoming of the higher fetters. Such a being is called 'one who passes up-stream to the highest gods' (uddhamsota-akanittha-ga^mi^)."
出自：南传佛教英文辞典
