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Sakadagami

World Religion
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A “once-returner” in Theravada Buddhism, a practitioner who will be reborn only once more before attaining nirvana.

Detailed Definition
Sakadagamis have weakened but not eliminated sensual craving and aversion. In poetry, they appear as travelers nearing home, their burdens lightened. Poets use them to illustrate progress on the path—where each step reduces suffering and brings clarity closer.
Example
Example in poetry:
A Theravāda poem: “Sakadāgāmī is the ‘once-returner’—almost free, but one thread of desire remains”; In a modern verse, “He’s tasted freedom—but still glances back at the shore”; A minimalist reflection: “Sakadāgāmī: nearly there”; A student’s lyric: “I’m sakadāgāmī in patience—almost calm, but not quite.”
Additional Notes
Sakadagami, meaning "once-returner," is the second of the four stages of enlightenment in Theravada Buddhism. A person who reaches this stage has significantly weakened the fetters of sensual desire and ill-will. As a result, they will be reborn in the sensual realm only one more time before attaining full enlightenment (Arhatship) and final Nibbana. It represents a major milestone on the path, indicating the weakening of key defilements.
Also Known As
Once-returner
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