Depeding on whether one is an attainer of jhana or a dry insight worker (who has no attainment of jhana) the way to nibbana is classified in many divisions.
Dispeller of delusion p.353
- Herein, the division as to methods should be understood.
How? As regards contemplation of the body, firstly in the case of
the Stream-Entry path: there are ten methods in the laying to heart
of jhäna (jhänäbhinivesa) by way of the two methods of tetrad ( =
four jhänas) and pentad (= five jhänas) in respect of each of the
live instances, namely. Bare Way (suddhika-patipada). Bare Void
(suddhika-suririatcl). Void Way (sunnata-patipada)* Bare Desireless
(suddhika-appanihita) and Desireless Way (appanihita-patipadci). So
Classification of the Foundations of Mindfulness 353
also in the case of the remaining layings to heart—thus in
the twenty layings to heart there are two hundred methods. These
being multiplied by four by the four predominances (adhipati) make
eight [hundred]. Thus the two [hundred] bare and the eight [hundred]
with predominance are [together] a thousand methods. Likewise in
the case of contemplation of feeling, etc. and in respect of bare
foundation of mindfulness. Thus in the case of the Stream-Entry
path there are five thousand methods. And as in the case of the
Stream-Entry path, so also in the case of the remaining paths. Thus
in respect of the profitable there are twenty thousand methods.- But there being three times that in respect of the divisions
into the void, the desireless and the signless, in the case of the
resultant there are sixty thousand methods. So indeed the Abhidhamma Division is twofold with the descriptions of the profitable
and the resultant foundations of mindfulness which [respectively]
accomplish their own functions and have their functions fulfilled,
and it has ten divisions with the ten sections of the descriptions,
namely, with the five in respect of the profitable and the five in
respect of the resultant, [each] by way of contemplation of body,
etc., and by way of the bare [method], and it is adorned with eighty
thousand methods.