Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

On Austerities 37MISCELLANEOUS TEACHINGSAnd again one fulfils eight teachings through these thirteen austerities.In the Abhidhamma these eight are taught: " 'Measured food' and 'oneeating'are involved in 'no food after time'. 'Dwelling under a tree', 'dwellingin a dewy place', 'dwelling among the graves' are involved in 'dwelling in apeaceful place', because, if one gathers funds for building a house, or if onelikes to (do remunerative) work, keeps animals or is attached to 'dwelling in apeaceful place', one's mind is not at ease. Thus thinking one dwells in peace'under a tree', 'among the graves' or 'in a dewy place'". Thus the eight arefulfilled.By these eight austerities three teachings are fulfilled: the first: 'dwellingin a peaceful place', the second: 'dirt-rags', the third: 'begged food'. Ifthese three are pure, the austerities are fulfilled. Therefore the Buddha taughtthe Venerable Elder Nanda thus: "Always you should observe 'dwelling in apeaceful place', 'dirt-rags' and 'begged food'. You should not nurse yourbody and life. You should not see the objects of lust." 1Q. Who is called observer of the austerity-factors ? 2 How many kindsof teachings are there regarding austerities ? Which of three persons observethe austerities ? How many seasons are there for the observance of austerities ?Who is an observer and teacher of the austerities ?A. There are thirteen austerities taught by the Buddha. These areprecepts of the Buddha. These are called austerity-factors. Here the skilful,unskilful and the non-characterizable 3 should not be taught, because the unskilfulman is full of lust. He does not remove lust. He lives in wickedness.He is greedy of worldly advantages. Therefore, unskill is (not) austerity.How many kinds of teachings are there? There are two teachings ofausterities: non-greed and non-delusion. The Buddha has said, "If a bhikkhuwho observes (the austerity of) 'dirt-rags' is endowed with paucity of wishes,is contented with little, enjoys tranquillity, is doubt-free and relies on freedom,then he is called one who observes (the austerity of) 'dirt-rags'". 4 The otherausterities are all greedless and delusion-free. By means of this greedlessness,a bhikkhu removes ignorance in thirteen places. And again by this greedlessnesswhich the Buddha made possible (a bhikkhu) arouses in his mindaversion, and being free from doubt, reasonably removes the stain of lust andcrookedness. By this freedom from delusion, he removes weariness of theflesh and crookedness. These are the two teachings of austerities. Theseare greedlessness and freedom from delusion.1. S.II, 281: £VaM kho te Nanda yam tvam drannako ca assasi pindapdtiko ca pamsukillikoca kdmesu ca anapekkho vihareyydsi.2. Dhutanga. 3. Kusala, akusala, avydkata.4. Cp. A.III, 219: Imesam kho bhikkhave pahcannam dranhakdnam yvdyam drannakoappicchatam yeva nissdya santiitthim yeva nissdya sallekham yeva nissdya pavivekarh yevanissdya idam afthitam yeva nissdya drannako hoti, ayarh imesam pancannam drannakdnamaggo ca sett ho ca mokkho ca uttamo ca pavaro ca.