perception stage ［忍位・忍法］ ( nin-i or nin-pō): Also, stage of perception. The third of the four good roots that are stages of Hinayana practice. In this stage, one understands the doctrine of the four noble truths, and one’s good roots become settled. One who has entered this stage will never fall into the evil paths of existence. After having reached the stages of the four good roots, one proceeds to the way of insight, the first of the three ways, which is followed by the way of practice and the way of the arhat. See also four good roots.