The Buddha’s Gradual Path: Spiritual Progress in Lay Life

The Buddha frequently taught about the practice of the path as “a gradual training” (anupubbasikkhā), which unfolds in stages from the first step to the final goal of enlightenment. He most often talked about this gradual unfolding in terms of monastic life. However, he also made it clear that the path is open and available to lay followers as well and that many, many of his lay disciples were highly accomplished in the Dhamma, having developed the Path and attained the fruits on the way to awakening.