Buddha Abhidhamma - Ultimate Science - BuddhaNet

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4 Paccayasannissita-sãla – contemplation of the purpose of
using the necessaries of life in order to prevent the
arising of defilements in using them.
Lay-persons should also observe the above sãlas for these
sãlas develop not only moral culture but also mental culture –
both of which pave they way to the arising of concentration. Of
course eight or nine precepts serve as Pàtimokkha-saüvara-sãla
for lay-people.
2 Citta-visuddhi (Purity of Mind)
For purity of mind, the yogis must develop the three samàdhimaggaïgas:
1 Right effort – undertaking tranquility meditation,
2 Right mindfulness – being mindful on the object of
meditation,
3 Right concentration – concentrating one’s mind on the
object of meditation.
When the meditation progresses to the stage of upacàrabhàvanà,
neighbourhood or access-concentration is attained. At
this stage, all the hindrances (nivàranas) are temporarily driven
away from the mind. So the mind is free form defilements (kilesas)
and it is pure. The yogi is said to attain citta-visuddhi at this stage.
If, however, the yogi can raise his concentration to jhàna-samàdhi
(ecstatic absorption) by continuing his meditation till appanàbhàvanà
is attained, then his mind will be free from defilements
for longer periods of time. The jhàna-concentration is much more
stable than access-concentration.
It is definitely stated in Abhidhamma that in order to attain
purity of mind, one must attain either upacàra-samàdhi (access-