<p><strong>1 - Namarupa Pariccheda Gnāna</strong>  </p>

<p>If we are to take “nama-rupa-pariccheda-ñana” to mean, “rupa” are according “nama” - one’s body is according to one’s thinking, then it means that our habits help form the kind of existence in life. An adulterer’s acts can be equal to that of animals. Such activities would generate kamma beeja in the animal bhava in the next life.  </p>

<p>Nama-rupa paricheda-nana can be also taken as one being able to see oneself as five grasping groups (Pancaupadanakkhandha). Those five are namely:<br>
Rupupadanakkhandha - Grasping group of corporeality<br>
Vedanupadanakkhandha -Grasping group of feeling<br>
Sannupadanakkhandha - Grasping group of perception<br>
Sankharupadanakkhandha -Grasping group of mental formation<br>
Vinnanupadanakkhanda-Grasping group of consciousness<br>
These are the five aspects through which the Buddha has summed up all the physical and mental phenomena of existence, and which appears to the ignorant man as his Ego or personality. It is also called Ditthi-Visuddhi.</p>

<p><strong>2 - Paccaya Pariggaha Gnāna</strong>   </p>

<p>The cause of all the physical and mental phenomena of existence (Nama-rupa) is no other than Avidya (non-awareness of truth), Thrusna (desire or craving born of false views and attachment), Kamma, and Ahara (nutriments). It was true in the past, it is true in the present and it will be true in the future. Nana or insight which realizes this fact is called Paccaya-pariggaha-nana. It is also called the purification by overcoming doubt kankhāvitarana-visuddhi. </p>

<p>By purification by overcoming doubt (kankhā-vitarana-visuddhi) is meant the understanding which, by grasping the conditions of this mind and corporeality, has escaped from all doubt with regard to the 3 times (past, present, future). Ahara (nutriments) are of four types: The foods for the physical body are called kabalinka ahara. Sense impression (phassa ahara) is Contact, Volitional thought (Cetana) is Intellectual Intention, nutriment of Consciousness, and </p>

<p><strong>3 - Sammasana Gnāna</strong>   </p>

<p>This is Knowledge by Comprehension. Here the knowledge that one gained in the above two Namarupa Pariccheda Gnāna &amp; Paccaya Pariggaha Gnāna  are seen in relation to Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta nature.This Nana or insight is called Sammasananana. </p>

<p>On proceeding with the contemplation, oneobserves that all rupa cannot be kept to one’s satisfaction. This is "Anicca-sammasana-nana" (Insight that nothing can be kept to one’s satisfaction, that leads to suffering,  and is a viparinama dhamma).</p>

<p>Thus one understands that no “rupa” can be kept to our satisfaction, therefore that (i.e., forming attachment to such rupa) will lead to suffering, and therefore there is no reason to consider of them having any substance. Anicca leads to dukkha and to anatta, because we have nicca sanna about such (anicca) rupa.</p>

<p><strong>4 - Udayabbaya Gnāna</strong>   </p>

<p>This is Knowledge of Contemplation of Arising and passing Away. “Udayabbaya gnana” when one develops, one can see the causes that need to be eliminated to overcome otherwise inevitable future suffering. One then learns of the factors relating to all knowledge about the arising and destruction of anything in this world. It is also called Maggamagga-nana-dassana-visuddhi.</p>

<p>By purification by knowledge and vision of what is path and not-path (maggāmagga-ñānadassana-visuddhi) is meant that understanding which knows the right path from the wrong path: 'This is the right path, that the wrong path.'  This knowledge is the mature form of Udayabbhayanana", flawlessly free from 'Upakkilesa' (impurities). </p>

<p>One practising Vipassana meditation, at this stage, generally beholds a supernormal light (obhasa), feels a thrill of zest (piti), calmness (passaddhi), determination (adhimokkha), great energy (paggaha), happiness (sukha), deep insight (nana), intensity of mindfulness (upatthana), equanimity (upekkha), and a mild desire for this state (nikanti). </p>

<p>These states arising in one at the stage of Udayabbaya Nana in ten phases are termed 'Vipassanupakkilesa’, defilements of kilesa. These are imperfections of Insight and are ten in number, as follows: (1) Illumination, (2) knowledge, (3) rapturous happiness, (4) tranquility, (5) bliss (pleasure), (6) resolution, (7) exertion, (8) assurance, (9) equanimity and (10) attachment. </p>

<p>One, arriving at this stage, is liable to these defilements and his mind may be seized by 'spiritual excitement' or 'agitation about higher states' (dhamma-uddhacca). 'For example, he may, on having an illumination, feel that this constitutes Path-experience and so inhibits his further progress through deceiving himself. </p>

<p><strong>5 - Bhanga Gnāna</strong>   </p>

<p>This is Knowledge of Contemplation of Dissolution. This is the first of a series of nanas known as the dukkha-nanas. At this stage one has already attained the purification of overcoming doubt and the purification of knowing and seeing what is and what is not the path. The essentials of the practice have already been revealed, and in the process the one has experienced confidence, rapture and bliss,  and had seen the arising and passing away of experience. </p>

<p>As the awareness and concentration continues to develop one now sees only the passing away of phenomena. It is as if one’s awareness is faster than the experiences he is examining, As soon as he places his attention on some aspect of his experience, it disappears. This is the knowledge of dissolution (bhanga-nana). This can take the form of one apparently losing one’s concentration, like one can no longer focus on anything; one’s attention keeps sliding off whatever one tries to look at. </p>

<p>This can be a shocking experience, because one is used to be able to focus on anything. Now, it seems, one can focus on nothing at all. One can even experience the disappearance of the form of the body. The sense of the body disappears; all that is left is a series of apparently disconnected individual sensations. There is no "body" as such.</p>

<p><strong>6 - Bhaya Gnāna</strong>  </p>

<p>Bhanga-nana gives way to the knowledge of fear, (bhaya-nana). In the disappearance of everything examined, the mind at some level begins to realise: there is nothing beneath. There is no foundation.There is nothing at all. This can manifest as panic. The realisation that "I am not in control of ‘my’ life".</p>

<p><strong>7 - Ädeenava Gnāna</strong>   </p>

<p>Contemplation of Ädeenava as bad consequences is another aspect of the awareness of a sense of fear:  Temporary enjoyment (asvada) is bound to bring about bad consequences (adeenava). There arises the realization of the fact that these psycho-physical phenomena so rapidly dissolving are undesirable, faulty and defective in nature. This is "Adinava-nana" (Insight into unsatisfactory condition)’.</p>

<p>One realises there is no rest, no security, in anything. The power of this insight-knowledge is such that one knows there is no escape. One knows that this danger, this disadvantage, remains because one knows this is the nature of experience as such.</p>

<p><strong>8 - Nibbida Gnāna</strong>   </p>

<p>This is Knowledge of Contemplation of disenchantment. If we could stay away from valuing sense pleasures and live accordingly, then we could arrive at this gnana. Thus, one would contemplate on the endeavor to break all bonds to this world, and stop making new bhava. It is a conviction that it is unfruitful to stay in this world as there is nothing in this world that worth craving for (upadana).</p>

<p><strong>9 - Muncitukamayata Gnāna</strong>   </p>

<p>This is Knowledge of Desire for Deliverance.  Knowledge consisting in the desire for deliverance means: the desire for freedom and escape from all mental formations of existence. For feeling aversion for all mental formations, becoming weary of them, finding no more delight in them, the mind does not cling to a single one of all these mental formations.</p>

<p>Simply put this is the "get-me-outa-here-nana". And of course, this knowledge includes the understanding that, whatever situation one could escape to, that too will be unsatisfactory, and the urge to escape will still be there in that new situation. </p>

<p><strong>10 - Patisankha Gnāna</strong>   </p>

<p>This is Knowledge of Contemplation of Reflection. In reflecting, one  instills a decision to practice further. At this stage as contemplation is carried on with reflection, carefully, with proper care or intention, a clear perception of 'anicca', 'dukkha' and 'anatta' would arise. In particular, the nature of dukkha, sufferings, may be perceived very convincingly. </p>

<p>This is 'Patisankha nana" (Insight arising out of further contemplation; Nana or insight that regains the awareness of Anicca or Dukkha or Anatta nature of all things. That none of those can be maintained to our satisfaction, i.e., they all are anicca. Thus we eventually suffer, and thus all struggles to keep them to our satisfaction are in vain and therefore, we are helpless in this rebirth process.</p>

<p><strong>11 - Sankharupekha Gnāna</strong>   </p>

<p>This is recollection once more of the afore knowledge, in fully comprehending that nothing can be maintained to our satisfaction, i.e., they all are anicca, thus we eventually suffer, and thus all struggles to keep them to our satisfaction are in vain and therefore, we are helpless in this rebirth process. The realization of the true nature of the objects of contemplation without exertion and without pursuing good or bad sensations in the course of the contemplation which lasts for a long time is "Sankha-rupekkha-nana" (Knowledge or insight arising from viewing things with equanimity; Nana or insight, that is indifferent to Arammana [thought objects]).</p>

<p><strong>12 - Anuloma Gnāna</strong>   </p>

<p>This is Knowledge in Conformity with Truth-conformity knowledge. When one comprehends anicca, dukkha, anatta to the extent that one gets to ‘see’ this Tilakkhana, one is said to have the “anulöma nana”.  </p>

<p>That special knowledge appears with the realization that physical and mental phenomena which occur at the six sense-doors momentarily cannot be maintained to one’s satisfaction, will eventually lead to suffering, and everything in this world is without substance (anatta). </p>

<p>The knowledge that arises at the last moment is "Anuloma-nana" (Knowledge of adaptation) which consists of three 'javanas', impulse moments, called 'Parikamma' (preparation), 'Upacara' (approach) and 'Anuloma' (adaptation). Anulomanana transforms mind to become qualified to enter the threshold of Nibbana. </p>

<p><strong>13 - Gotrabhu Gnāna</strong>   </p>

<p>After 'Anulomanana' there arises "Gotrabhu-nana" (Knowledge of Change-of -lineage ("götra") when getting close to a jhana) which grasps the sensation towards Nibbana where the miseries and sufferings connected with rupa and nama entirely cease. </p>

<p>Gotrobhunana pushes mind across the threshold. As soon as mind crosses the threshold, it becomes aware of Nibbana. This is the knowledge which severs the lineage of 'Putthujjanas' (worldlings) and enters the lineage of the 'Ariyas' (Noble Ones)</p>

<p><strong>14 - Magga Gnāna</strong>   </p>

<p>This is Knowledge of Path. Knowledge and vision of what is path and not-path means that understanding which knows the right path from the wrong path: 'This is the right path, that the wrong path.' In order to attain this gnana, one at first should develop methodical insight. </p>

<p><strong>15 - Phala Gnāna</strong>   </p>

<p>This is Knowledge of fruit. No sooner the "sotapatti Magga Nana” arises one comes to Phala Nana" (Insight wisdom arising from the Noble Path of Stream-winning and its Fruition) which realises Nibbana. The 'Magganana' is called "Nana-dassana-visuddhi" (Purity of insight)</p>

<p><strong>16 - Paccavekkhana Gnāna</strong>   </p>

<p>Once the 'magga and Phala Nana' arises, then retrospective reflection of the peculiar experiences of the "Magga, Phala and Nibbana" takes place. This is 'Paccavakkhana-nana" (Insight of retrospection). This is Knowledge of Reviewing. 'retrospective knowledge', refers to the recollected mental image obtained in concentration, or to any inner experience just passed,
Knowledge which reviews the defilements still remaining.</p>

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2017-06-07T02:39:07.960Z
2017-06-07T03:25:06.943Z
2017-06-07T03:25:06.943Z
Saptha Visuddhi
<p>Please refer to www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/mahasi/progress.html
If the meditation master is able to teach detail, one will be able to know which stage of nana is. If a person not yet attain enlightenment i.e. not yet got through all nana stages, he/she has to begin from the first nana stage and step by step going up to higher nana stage depending on individual sila and Samadhi. If one once got enlightened i.e., passed through all 16 nana stages, then next time meditation, begin from knowledge of arising and passing stage. If not trained and taught detail like that it cannot be easily distinguishable. But the most important thing is just to put much effort in meditation with sila and Samadhi, just like try to make fire by rubbing the two sticks or stone. Dhamma will show its characteristics in time. </p>

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2017-05-17T22:52:34.813Z
Can you please say more on this like what you think of what my teachers said that a person goes through many nanas every day
breath
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2017-05-19T04:35:37.647Z
I am not sure what your teacher said in which way he meant. What I mentioned is according to Mahasi sayadaw, if one work hard in insight meditation these 16 nana stages have to go through step by step depending on the level of insight attained. But if one not yet attained the enlightenment all these stages will not be understood clearly by experience, only by theory one may guess. But Mahasi sayadaw never encouraged, to my knowledge, one to learn these 16 stages in early practicing. Only those already got through these 16 stages are allowed to learn dhamma talk on nana stages to make clear.
user10293
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2017-05-17T15:40:01.910Z
2017-05-17T15:40:01.910Z
user10293
<p>After finishing a mahasi retreat and asking a second teacher told me that everyone is going through the nanas always</p>

<p>Can people here explain on this issue please ... </p>

<p>Does it mean everyone is advancing on the path.?  Or its just helpful in case you are aware of the nanas meaning you are mindful to them</p>

<p>Thanks in advance this issue just got me very confused .. So any clarification is helpful</p>

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2017-05-17T09:54:43.927Z
I am curious to know as to what these sixteen gnanas are as per Mahasi. If you could list these sixteen gnanas, it would be of great help. with metta..
Saptha Visuddhi
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2017-05-17T10:08:36.310Z
I read your great reply on the ganas so was expecting an answer from you not a question lol ...  I have a very bad phone so its hard for me to write but just write in google : Mahasi insight prorresion 16 nanas or yanas and you most likely will find a full list if I was on my computer I would have put a link here myself
breath
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2017-05-17T22:50:01.867Z
MYO put a link to it below you can see
breath
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2017-05-18T11:24:26.210Z
Thanks a lot my friend .... This is a question I had for a very very long time ... I see how you can cycle through them during a rtreat cause I experienced them ... But the fact you go through them daily even with 0 Minutes of meditation raises a lot of questions
breath
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2017-05-18T11:27:13.393Z
I really think it can help my practice if I find the answer to this question... I don't know when I will meet any of these teacheres again
breath
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2017-05-18T11:30:09.987Z
If it helps your understanding you get different feelings like sadness or the will to escape whatever your doing or feeling equinemius etc.  .... And the teacher said you expirience this during the day because you move through many yanas during the day
breath
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-18T13:11:10.080Z
I'm with bad phone so can't put links but read a great reply and now I'm sure we cycle through the yanas all day ....  I still have lots of questions about it as do people who don't practice also go through them or not ... Cause if so does it mean everyone is advancing in the path all the time? And many more questions
breath
<mahasi-sayadaw>
cycling through the 16 nanas all day?
# cycling through the 16 nanas all day?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-05-16)

After finishing a mahasi retreat and asking a second teacher told me that everyone is going through the nanas always

Can people here explain on this issue please ...

Does it mean everyone is advancing on the path.? Or its just helpful in case you are aware of the nanas meaning you are mindful to them

Thanks in advance this issue just got me very confused .. So any clarification is helpful

**Tags:** mahasi-sayadaw

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I am curious to know as to what these sixteen gnanas are as per Mahasi. If you could list these sixteen gnanas, it would be of great help. with metta..  
> **username_0**: I read your great reply on the ganas so was expecting an answer from you not a question lol ...  I have a very bad phone so its hard for me to write but just write in google : Mahasi insight prorresion 16 nanas or yanas and you most likely will find a full list if I was on my computer I would have put a link here myself  
> **username_0**: MYO put a link to it below you can see  
> **username_0**: Thanks a lot my friend .... This is a question I had for a very very long time ... I see how you can cycle through them during a rtreat cause I experienced them ... But the fact you go through them daily even with 0 Minutes of meditation raises a lot of questions  
> **username_0**: I really think it can help my practice if I find the answer to this question... I don't know when I will meet any of these teacheres again  
> **username_0**: If it helps your understanding you get different feelings like sadness or the will to escape whatever your doing or feeling equinemius etc.  .... And the teacher said you expirience this during the day because you move through many yanas during the day  
> **username_0**: I'm with bad phone so can't put links but read a great reply and now I'm sure we cycle through the yanas all day ....  I still have lots of questions about it as do people who don't practice also go through them or not ... Cause if so does it mean everyone is advancing in the path all the time? And many more questions  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-06-07. Score: 1

**1 - Namarupa Pariccheda Gnāna**

If we are to take “nama-rupa-pariccheda-ñana” to mean, “rupa” are according “nama” - one’s body is according to one’s thinking, then it means that our habits help form the kind of existence in life. An adulterer’s acts can be equal to that of animals. Such activities would generate kamma beeja in the animal bhava in the next life.

Nama-rupa paricheda-nana can be also taken as one being able to see oneself as five grasping groups (Pancaupadanakkhandha). Those five are namely:  
Rupupadanakkhandha - Grasping group of corporeality  
Vedanupadanakkhandha -Grasping group of feeling  
Sannupadanakkhandha - Grasping group of perception  
Sankharupadanakkhandha -Grasping group of mental formation  
Vinnanupadanakkhanda-Grasping group of consciousness  
These are the five aspects through which the Buddha has summed up all the physical and mental phenomena of existence, and which appears to the ignorant man as his Ego or personality. It is also called Ditthi-Visuddhi.

**2 - Paccaya Pariggaha Gnāna**

The cause of all the physical and mental phenomena of existence (Nama-rupa) is no other than Avidya (non-awareness of truth), Thrusna (desire or craving born of false views and attachment), Kamma, and Ahara (nutriments). It was true in the past, it is true in the present and it will be true in the future. Nana or insight which realizes this fact is called Paccaya-pariggaha-nana. It is also called the purification by overcoming doubt kankhāvitarana-visuddhi.

By purification by overcoming doubt (kankhā-vitarana-visuddhi) is meant the understanding which, by grasping the conditions of this mind and corporeality, has escaped from all doubt with regard to the 3 times (past, present, future). Ahara (nutriments) are of four types: The foods for the physical body are called kabalinka ahara. Sense impression (phassa ahara) is Contact, Volitional thought (Cetana) is Intellectual Intention, nutriment of Consciousness, and

**3 - Sammasana Gnāna**

This is Knowledge by Comprehension. Here the knowledge that one gained in the above two Namarupa Pariccheda Gnāna & Paccaya Pariggaha Gnāna are seen in relation to Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta nature.This Nana or insight is called Sammasananana.

On proceeding with the contemplation, oneobserves that all rupa cannot be kept to one’s satisfaction. This is "Anicca-sammasana-nana" (Insight that nothing can be kept to one’s satisfaction, that leads to suffering, and is a viparinama dhamma).

Thus one understands that no “rupa” can be kept to our satisfaction, therefore that (i.e., forming attachment to such rupa) will lead to suffering, and therefore there is no reason to consider of them having any substance. Anicca leads to dukkha and to anatta, because we have nicca sanna about such (anicca) rupa.

**4 - Udayabbaya Gnāna**

This is Knowledge of Contemplation of Arising and passing Away. “Udayabbaya gnana” when one develops, one can see the causes that need to be eliminated to overcome otherwise inevitable future suffering. One then learns of the factors relating to all knowledge about the arising and destruction of anything in this world. It is also called Maggamagga-nana-dassana-visuddhi.

By purification by knowledge and vision of what is path and not-path (maggāmagga-ñānadassana-visuddhi) is meant that understanding which knows the right path from the wrong path: 'This is the right path, that the wrong path.' This knowledge is the mature form of Udayabbhayanana", flawlessly free from 'Upakkilesa' (impurities).

One practising Vipassana meditation, at this stage, generally beholds a supernormal light (obhasa), feels a thrill of zest (piti), calmness (passaddhi), determination (adhimokkha), great energy (paggaha), happiness (sukha), deep insight (nana), intensity of mindfulness (upatthana), equanimity (upekkha), and a mild desire for this state (nikanti).

These states arising in one at the stage of Udayabbaya Nana in ten phases are termed 'Vipassanupakkilesa’, defilements of kilesa. These are imperfections of Insight and are ten in number, as follows: (1) Illumination, (2) knowledge, (3) rapturous happiness, (4) tranquility, (5) bliss (pleasure), (6) resolution, (7) exertion, (8) assurance, (9) equanimity and (10) attachment.

One, arriving at this stage, is liable to these defilements and his mind may be seized by 'spiritual excitement' or 'agitation about higher states' (dhamma-uddhacca). 'For example, he may, on having an illumination, feel that this constitutes Path-experience and so inhibits his further progress through deceiving himself.

**5 - Bhanga Gnāna**

This is Knowledge of Contemplation of Dissolution. This is the first of a series of nanas known as the dukkha-nanas. At this stage one has already attained the purification of overcoming doubt and the purification of knowing and seeing what is and what is not the path. The essentials of the practice have already been revealed, and in the process the one has experienced confidence, rapture and bliss, and had seen the arising and passing away of experience.

As the awareness and concentration continues to develop one now sees only the passing away of phenomena. It is as if one’s awareness is faster than the experiences he is examining, As soon as he places his attention on some aspect of his experience, it disappears. This is the knowledge of dissolution (bhanga-nana). This can take the form of one apparently losing one’s concentration, like one can no longer focus on anything; one’s attention keeps sliding off whatever one tries to look at.

This can be a shocking experience, because one is used to be able to focus on anything. Now, it seems, one can focus on nothing at all. One can even experience the disappearance of the form of the body. The sense of the body disappears; all that is left is a series of apparently disconnected individual sensations. There is no "body" as such.

**6 - Bhaya Gnāna**

Bhanga-nana gives way to the knowledge of fear, (bhaya-nana). In the disappearance of everything examined, the mind at some level begins to realise: there is nothing beneath. There is no foundation.There is nothing at all. This can manifest as panic. The realisation that "I am not in control of ‘my’ life".

**7 - Ädeenava Gnāna**

Contemplation of Ädeenava as bad consequences is another aspect of the awareness of a sense of fear: Temporary enjoyment (asvada) is bound to bring about bad consequences (adeenava). There arises the realization of the fact that these psycho-physical phenomena so rapidly dissolving are undesirable, faulty and defective in nature. This is "Adinava-nana" (Insight into unsatisfactory condition)’.

One realises there is no rest, no security, in anything. The power of this insight-knowledge is such that one knows there is no escape. One knows that this danger, this disadvantage, remains because one knows this is the nature of experience as such.

**8 - Nibbida Gnāna**

This is Knowledge of Contemplation of disenchantment. If we could stay away from valuing sense pleasures and live accordingly, then we could arrive at this gnana. Thus, one would contemplate on the endeavor to break all bonds to this world, and stop making new bhava. It is a conviction that it is unfruitful to stay in this world as there is nothing in this world that worth craving for (upadana).

**9 - Muncitukamayata Gnāna**

This is Knowledge of Desire for Deliverance. Knowledge consisting in the desire for deliverance means: the desire for freedom and escape from all mental formations of existence. For feeling aversion for all mental formations, becoming weary of them, finding no more delight in them, the mind does not cling to a single one of all these mental formations.

Simply put this is the "get-me-outa-here-nana". And of course, this knowledge includes the understanding that, whatever situation one could escape to, that too will be unsatisfactory, and the urge to escape will still be there in that new situation.

**10 - Patisankha Gnāna**

This is Knowledge of Contemplation of Reflection. In reflecting, one instills a decision to practice further. At this stage as contemplation is carried on with reflection, carefully, with proper care or intention, a clear perception of 'anicca', 'dukkha' and 'anatta' would arise. In particular, the nature of dukkha, sufferings, may be perceived very convincingly.

This is 'Patisankha nana" (Insight arising out of further contemplation; Nana or insight that regains the awareness of Anicca or Dukkha or Anatta nature of all things. That none of those can be maintained to our satisfaction, i.e., they all are anicca. Thus we eventually suffer, and thus all struggles to keep them to our satisfaction are in vain and therefore, we are helpless in this rebirth process.

**11 - Sankharupekha Gnāna**

This is recollection once more of the afore knowledge, in fully comprehending that nothing can be maintained to our satisfaction, i.e., they all are anicca, thus we eventually suffer, and thus all struggles to keep them to our satisfaction are in vain and therefore, we are helpless in this rebirth process. The realization of the true nature of the objects of contemplation without exertion and without pursuing good or bad sensations in the course of the contemplation which lasts for a long time is "Sankha-rupekkha-nana" (Knowledge or insight arising from viewing things with equanimity; Nana or insight, that is indifferent to Arammana [thought objects]).

**12 - Anuloma Gnāna**

This is Knowledge in Conformity with Truth-conformity knowledge. When one comprehends anicca, dukkha, anatta to the extent that one gets to ‘see’ this Tilakkhana, one is said to have the “anulöma nana”.

That special knowledge appears with the realization that physical and mental phenomena which occur at the six sense-doors momentarily cannot be maintained to one’s satisfaction, will eventually lead to suffering, and everything in this world is without substance (anatta).

The knowledge that arises at the last moment is "Anuloma-nana" (Knowledge of adaptation) which consists of three 'javanas', impulse moments, called 'Parikamma' (preparation), 'Upacara' (approach) and 'Anuloma' (adaptation). Anulomanana transforms mind to become qualified to enter the threshold of Nibbana.

**13 - Gotrabhu Gnāna**

After 'Anulomanana' there arises "Gotrabhu-nana" (Knowledge of Change-of -lineage ("götra") when getting close to a jhana) which grasps the sensation towards Nibbana where the miseries and sufferings connected with rupa and nama entirely cease.

Gotrobhunana pushes mind across the threshold. As soon as mind crosses the threshold, it becomes aware of Nibbana. This is the knowledge which severs the lineage of 'Putthujjanas' (worldlings) and enters the lineage of the 'Ariyas' (Noble Ones)

**14 - Magga Gnāna**

This is Knowledge of Path. Knowledge and vision of what is path and not-path means that understanding which knows the right path from the wrong path: 'This is the right path, that the wrong path.' In order to attain this gnana, one at first should develop methodical insight.

**15 - Phala Gnāna**

This is Knowledge of fruit. No sooner the "sotapatti Magga Nana” arises one comes to Phala Nana" (Insight wisdom arising from the Noble Path of Stream-winning and its Fruition) which realises Nibbana. The 'Magganana' is called "Nana-dassana-visuddhi" (Purity of insight)

**16 - Paccavekkhana Gnāna**

Once the 'magga and Phala Nana' arises, then retrospective reflection of the peculiar experiences of the "Magga, Phala and Nibbana" takes place. This is 'Paccavakkhana-nana" (Insight of retrospection). This is Knowledge of Reviewing. 'retrospective knowledge', refers to the recollected mental image obtained in concentration, or to any inner experience just passed,
Knowledge which reviews the defilements still remaining.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2017-05-17. Score: 0

Please refer to www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/mahasi/progress.html
If the meditation master is able to teach detail, one will be able to know which stage of nana is. If a person not yet attain enlightenment i.e. not yet got through all nana stages, he/she has to begin from the first nana stage and step by step going up to higher nana stage depending on individual sila and Samadhi. If one once got enlightened i.e., passed through all 16 nana stages, then next time meditation, begin from knowledge of arising and passing stage. If not trained and taught detail like that it cannot be easily distinguishable. But the most important thing is just to put much effort in meditation with sila and Samadhi, just like try to make fire by rubbing the two sticks or stone. Dhamma will show its characteristics in time.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Can you please say more on this like what you think of what my teachers said that a person goes through many nanas every day  
> **username_2**: I am not sure what your teacher said in which way he meant. What I mentioned is according to Mahasi sayadaw, if one work hard in insight meditation these 16 nana stages have to go through step by step depending on the level of insight attained. But if one not yet attained the enlightenment all these stages will not be understood clearly by experience, only by theory one may guess. But Mahasi sayadaw never encouraged, to my knowledge, one to learn these 16 stages in early practicing. Only those already got through these 16 stages are allowed to learn dhamma talk on nana stages to make clear.  

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