the body directly, and can even do so without visualizing or using a mantra, according to Dhammakaya publications. The first stage of this path Luang Pu Sodh simply called the 'beginning of the path' (). After that, Luang Pu Sodh would usually describe the level of attainment in terms of inner bodies () within every human being, which are successively more subtle, and come in pairs. In total, every human being consists of nine types of bodies, each of which has a normal and refined form. The first four pairs of these bodies are equated with the orthodox jhāna meditation attainments. Next is the 'change-of-lineage' () intermediary Dhammakaya state: this is the intermediate state between not being enlightened yet, and the four stages of enlightenment. The final four of these inner pairs are called the Dhammakayas, and are equated with the four stages of enlightenment, leading to the final stage of enlightenment (arahant). Vipassana In Dhammakaya meditation, the vipassana (insight) stage is done after practitioners have attained the Dhammakaya and they can gain insight into the reality of life through observation of their own physical and mental processes. This is done by contemplating the three marks of existence of the lower mundane inner bodies. At this stage, is believed practitioners can understand birth, death and suffering at a deeper level, when they see the literal essence of these phenomena through meditative attainment. The higher knowledge and transcendental wisdom in the vipassana stage is "beyond the attainment of Dhammakaya" of the samatha stage in the Dhammakaya meditation tradition. True Self Nirvana as True Self According to the Dhammakaya tradition, the Buddha made the discovery that nirvana is the true Self (). The tradition calls this true self the Dhammakāya, the spiritual essence. The tradition believes that this essence of the Buddha and Nirvana exist as a literal reality within each individual. The not-self teaching () is considered by the tradition a means to let go of what is not the self, to attain the true self. According to Buddhist studies scholar Paul Williams, Interpretation of True Self Some of the beliefs and practices of the Dhammakaya tradition – such as about nirvana, "true self" and meditation – have been criticized as allegedly opposing or rejecting the mainstream Theravada teachings and practices by traditional Thai Buddhist institutions and scholars. The bulk of Thai Theravada Buddhism rejects the true-self teaching of Dhammakaya, and