The Practice Which leads to Nibbana - A Buddhist Library

arising. Not knowing the number means not knowing the 25 rèpasthat come in the pŒÂi texts which are: eye, ear, nose, tongue, andbody base; sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches; female, andmale faculty; life faculty; bodily, and vocal intimation; space element;water element; lightness, softness, and wieldiness of matter;growth, continuity, ageing, and impermanence of matter; nutrimentof food.Thus in the same way as a cowherder does not know the numberof his cows, a bhikkhu not knowing the number of rèpas is not capableof discerning rèpa, of distinguishing what is not rèpa (mind), ofdiscerning mind, matter and their causes; of noting and applying thethree characteristics and of reaching the goal of meditation.Just as the cowherder's herd does not increase or grow, so too inthis dispensation a bhikkhu does not grow in virtue, concentration,insight, path, fruit, or NibbŒna. Just as that cowherder does not enjoythe five products of cows, so too that bhikkhu does not enjoy thefive groups of Dhamma that are the virtue, concentration, understanding,freedom, and the knowing and seeing of freedom of anArahanta.Not knowing the cause of arising of rèpas means not knowing, ÒThese rèpas have one cause of arising, these have two causes, theserèpas have three causes, and these have four causesÓ. Just as acowherder does not know the colours, or appearance of his cows, inthat same way a bhikkhu not knowing the causes of arising of rèpasis not capable of discerning rèpa, of distinguishing what is not rèpa,.... (as above) ... freedom of an Arahanta.A meditator who really wishes to attain magga, phala, andnibbŒna should pay special attention to these words of the Buddha.To be able to know the number of rèpas and their causes of arising itis necessary to be able to discern rèpa kalŒpas individually and to beable to analyse rèpa kalŒpas. For without being able to analyse rèpaw 153