About This Answer
Asked to explain the difference between magga and phala, Ajahn Dtun walks through the path and fruit at each stage of awakening. One developing the path to stream entry keeps the five precepts as a foundation and works to keep the mind peaceful not just occasionally but throughout the day. Such a practitioner takes no interest in the speech and behaviour of others, deals with anger only within their own heart, and keeps reducing greed, aversion and sensual desire. When the mind is free of thoughts and emotions, they contemplate the body as impermanent and not-self, until the mind sees that the mind is not the body. Letting go of one portion of attachment to the body, out of three, is the fruit of stream entry.
For the once-returner and then the non-returner the same work becomes more subtle: sīla is firmer, samādhi comes more easily, and contemplation of the body goes deeper until the final portion of attachment to one's own body, other bodies and material things is let go. Greed, aversion and sensual desire then come to an end.
The non-returner's mind is so empty that the remaining defilement is hard to see: it attaches to consciousness, memory, perception and subtle happiness as the mind itself. Refined samādhi lets mindfulness and wisdom see that these workings are not the mind; when delusion is removed, only the pure knowing remains. He likens the path to a long walk: rest when tired, keep going, and you must arrive.