Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

38 Vimuttimagga'Which of the three persons observe the austerities' ? The man of greedand the man of delusion observe the austerities. The man of hate cannotobserve the austerities. The man of greed and the man of delusion can observethe austerities. The man of greed accomplishes needfulness through attachment.If he becomes heedless, he overcomes greed. Delusion is non-doubting. Bymeans of the austerities a bhikkhu can fulfil needfulness. If he is heedful,he can overcome delusion well. That is why the man of greed and the man ofdelusion observe the austerities.Heedless men suffer and do evil. A heedless man should not observe(because if he does, he will increase his sufferings), just as a person afflictedwith a disease of phlegm worsens on taking hot drinks.And again there is a tradition. A heedless man should dwell 'in a peacefulplace' or 'under a tree'. Why should he dwell 'in a peaceful place'? Becausethere are no worldly troubles there.How many seasons are there for the observance of austerities? Eightmonths are the period for three austerities, namely, 'dwelling under a tree','dwelling in a dewy place' and 'dwelling among the graves'. The Buddha haspermitted dwelling in roofed places in the rainy season. 1Q. 'Who is an observer and teacher of the austerities' ?A. There is one who is an observer and teacher of the austerities. Thereis one who is an observer but not a teacher of austerities. There is one who isnot an observer but only a teacher of austerities, and there is one who is neitheran observer nor a teacher of austerities.Who is 'an observer and teacher of austerities' ? The Consummate Onewho has fulfilled the observance of the austerities.Who is 'an observer but not a teacher of austerities' ? The ConsummateOne who has not fulfilled the observance of the austerities.Who is 'not an observer but only a teacher of austerities' ? The learneror the commoner who has fulfilled the observance of the austerities.Who is 'neither an observer nor a teacher of austerities' ? The learneror the commoner who has not fulfilled the observance of the austerities.Q. What is the salient characteristic, function and manifestation of theausterities ?A. Paucity of wishes is the salient characteristic. Contentment is thefunction. Non-doubting is the manifestation.And again non-attachment is the salient characteristic.the function. Non-retrogression is the manifestation.Moderation isWhat are the initial, medial and final stages of the austerities ? The undertakingto observe is the initial stage. Practice is the medial stage and rejoicingis the final stage.1. Vassana.