[88] Bhikkhus, these four persons are found existing in the world. What four? The unshakable ascetic (samaṇamacala), the white-lotus ascetic (samaṇapuṇḍarīka), the pink-lotus ascetic (samaṇapaduma), and the delicate ascetic among ascetics (samaṇesu samaṇasukhumālo).
And how, bhikkhus, is a person an unshakable ascetic? Here, bhikkhus, with the utter destruction of three fetters (saṃyojana), a bhikkhu is a stream-enterer (sotāpanna), no longer subject to downfall, fixed in destiny, with awakening as his destination. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a person is an unshakable ascetic.
And how, bhikkhus, is a person a white-lotus ascetic? Here, bhikkhus, with the utter destruction of three fetters and the attenuation of lust (rāga), hatred, and delusion, a bhikkhu is a once-returner (sakadāgāmī); having come back to this world only once more, he makes an end of suffering (dukkha). It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a person is a white-lotus ascetic.
And how, bhikkhus, is a person a pink-lotus ascetic? Here, bhikkhus, with the utter destruction of the five lower fetters, a bhikkhu is one of spontaneous rebirth (opapātika), due to attain final Nibbāna there, not subject to returning from that world. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a person is a pink-lotus ascetic.
And how, bhikkhus, is a person a delicate ascetic among ascetics? Here, bhikkhus, with the destruction of the taints (āsava), a bhikkhu, having realized it for himself with direct knowledge, in this very life enters upon and dwells in the taintless liberation of mind (cetovimutti) and liberation by wisdom (paññāvimutti). It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a person is a delicate ascetic among ascetics.
These, bhikkhus, are the four persons found existing in the world.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.