Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

THE PATH OF FREEDOMFASCICLE THE FOURTHWRITTENBYTHE ARAHANT UPATISSAWHO WAS CALLEDGREAT LIGHT IN RYOTRANSLATED IN RYOBYTIPITAKA SANGHAPALA OF FUNANENTRANCE INTO THE SUBJECT OF MEDITATIONCHAPTER THE EIGHTHSection OneQ. What is the earth kasinal 1 What is the practice of it? What is itssalient characteristic? What is its function? What is its near cause? Whatare its benefits? What is the meaning of kasinal How many kinds of earthare there? What is the earth sign? How is a mandala made? What is themethod of meditating on the earth kasinaiEARTH KASINA, ITS PRACTICE, SALIENT CHARACTERISTIC,FUNCTION AND NEAR CAUSEA. The thought that is produced relying on the earth sign — this is calledearth kasina. The undisturbed dwelling of the mind — this is called practice.Delight in being linked to the earth sign is its salient characteristic. Nonabandonmentis its function. Non-differentiated thought is its near cause.BENEFITSWhat are its benefits? 2 Twelve are its benefits, namely, the sign is easyof acquisition through meditation on the earth kasina; at all times and in allactions, mental activity is unimpeded; acquiring supernormal power, a manis able to walk on water just as on earth and to move freely in space; he gainsthe supernormal power of manifoldness, the knowledge of past lives, theheavenly ear and worldly higher knowledge; he fares well and draws near tothe verge of the ambrosial.1. In this text the ideograph for pafhavikasiria = prthxikrtsndyatana (Sk.)2. Cp. Vis. Mag. 175.71