Thanks for all your interesting viewpoints on this subject!
I was just wondering: Is the following excerpt from the Buddha's first
sermon a valid argument for the view that it is possible to realise Nibbana
through only an intellectual understanding of Dhamma?
"That is what the Blessed One said. The bhikkhus of the group of five were
glad, and they delighted in his words. Now while this discourse was being
delivered the hearts of the bhikkhus of the group of five were liberated
from taints through not clinging.
And there were then six Arahants, six accomplished ones, in the
world."
Or at least - Are such stories a valid argument against the view that it is
nessecary to achive the jhanas before it is possible to realise Nibbana?