Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

58VimuttimaggaELEMENTS AS CAUSES OF BEHAVIOURHow do elements become causes of behaviour?Because of the heightening of two elements one becomes a walker ininfatuation. They are the element of extension and the element of cohesion.Because of the heightening of two elements, one becomes a walker inhate. They are the element of mobility and the element of heat.Because of the equalizing of all elements, one becomes a walker in passion.Thus the different elements become causes of behaviour.THE HUMOURS AS CAUSES OF BEHAVIOURHow do the cardinal humours become causes of behaviour? One whohas an excess of phlegm becomes a walker in passion. One who has an excessof choler becomes a walker in hate, and one who has an excess of wind becomesa walker in infatuation.And again, there is another teaching: One who has an excess of phlegmbecomes a walker in infatuation, and one who has an excess of wind becomesa walker in passion. Thus the cardinal humours become causes of behaviour. 1How may it be known that this man is a walker in passion, that man is awalker in hate and yet another is a walker in infatuation?SEVEN ASPECTS OF BEHAVIOURA. It may be known through the seven aspects of behaviour, namely,through (the manner of seeing) objects, through the defilements, through(the manner of) walking, through (the manner of) robing, through (the mannerof) eating, through work and through (the manner of) sleeping. 2How may it be known 'through (the manner of seeing) objects'?One who walks in passion looks at an object as if he had not seen it before.He does not see its faults, and does not consider them. He does not makelight of even a little merit (of the object). He cannot free himself of the desirefor it. Even after he reflects he cannot mend his ways. Towards the otherobjects of sense also he behaves in the same way. Thus it may be knownthat one is a walker in passion.One who walks in hate looks at an object thus: he does not look longat an object, as though he were tired. When he is affected by the humours,1. Cp. Vis. Mag. 103: Dvinnam pana dhdtiinam ussannattd puggalo mohacarito hoti: pathavidhdtuydca dpodhdtuyd ca. Itardsam dvinnam ussanattd dosacarito. Sabbdsam samattdpana rdgacarito ti. Dosesu ca semhddhiko rdgacarito hoti, vdtddhiko mohacarito, semhddhikoyd mohacarito, vdtddhiko vd rdgacarito ti evarii dhdtudosaniddnd ti vadanti.2. Cp. Vis. Mag. 104 ff: Jriydpatho kiccd bhojand dassandditodhammappavattito c'eva cariydyo vibhdvaye ti.