Severing Self-Clinging and Dharma-Clinging

The attachment to self is the clinging to the self as the five aggregates. Severing this attachment leads to liberation, freeing one from the bondage of the five aggregates, the eighteen realms, and any phenomena within the triple realm. With wisdom, one transcends the triple realm, attaining the state of a fourth-fruit arhat. After severing the attachment to self, they no longer cling to the self as the five aggregates. At the end of their lifespan, they extinguish themselves and enter parinirvana without residue.

The attachment to dharmas, also known as the attachment to the self in dharmas, is the clinging to the notion that within all dharmas derived from the combination of the aggregates, sense bases, and realms, there exists a self that is me. Bodhisattvas on the grounds cultivate one part of the patience with the non-arising of dharmas and realize one part of the selflessness of dharmas, thereby severing one part of the attachment to dharmas. Because they retain residual afflictions to nurture rebirth and preserve the five-aggregate body, Bodhisattvas on the grounds deliberately do not fully sever the attachment to self. Instead, they begin to sever the attachment to dharmas, realizing that within all dharmas arising from the combination of the aggregates, sense bases, and realms, there is no self and nothing belonging to a self. When the attachment to dharmas is completely severed, they attain perfect Buddhahood.