Buddha Abhidhamma - Ultimate Science - BuddhaNet

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accompanied by upacàra-samàdhi or jhàna-samàdhi is utilised to
observe the arising and the vanishing of nàma (mind and its
concomitants) and råpa (ultimate matter) in the body. These nàma
and råpa are invisible even under electronic microscopes, but they
can be seen by the samàdhi-mind!
By meditating on the three common characteristics of nama
and råpa—namely impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha) and
not-self (anatta) and also on the causal relations between nàma
and råpa, one is treading along the Noble Eightfold Path and
will sooner or later attain the first Magga (Path) and Phala
(fruition). Then one becomes a stream winner (noble person) and
is fully guaranteed never to be reborn in the lower abodes again.
The stream winner (sotapanna ariya) can enjoy the transcendental
peace of Nibbàna whenever he chooses. If he continues with
his vipassanà (insight) meditation he will realize the three higher
Maggas and Phalas (Paths and Fruitions) in due course and become
an arahat (perfect one) in this very life. Even if he does not
continue with his vipassanà meditation, the sotàpanna will automatically
become an arahat in no more than seven lives.
In the arahat all the defilements are completely uprooted and
destroyed. Since these defilements are the real causes of all
miseries, their total destruction means complete happiness and
eternal peace for the arahat.
Thus by purifying the mind from all defilements which cause
miseries and debase a person, one can become an arahat who is
among the noblest persons in the worlds of men and devàs and
who can enjoy the highest and lasting peace of Nibbàna for ever.
So to become an arahat is the correct goal for men and devàs,
and this highest goal in life is attainable only through the correct
analysis and understanding of mind and matter as taught by
Lord Buddha.