Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

Subjects of Meditation 75Q. What are the benefits of renunciation? A. Separation from thehindrances; 1 the dwelling in freedom; the joy of solitude; the dwelling inhappiness and mindfulness and the ability to endure suffering; accomplishmentof much good and attainment of the ground of great fruition; the benefittingof two places 2 through acceptance of gifts. This (renunciation) is profoundwisdom. This is the best of all stations. This is called 'beyond the threeworlds'.And again, what is called renunciation is the renunciation of sense-desires.This is solitude. This is freedom from all hindrances. This is happiness.This is the absence of defilement. This is the super-excellent path. Thiswashes away the dirt of the mind. Through this practice is merit gathered.Through this practice inward calm is won.Sense-desires are coarse; renunciation is fine. Sense-desires are defiling;renunciation is non-defiling. Sense-desires are inferior; renunciation issuperior. Sense-desires are connected with hate; renunciation is unconnectedwith hate. Sense-desires are not friendly towards fruition; renunciation isthe friend of fruition. Sense-desires are bound up with fear; renunciationis fearless.METHOD OF PRACTICE OF EARTH KASINAHaving* in this manner, considered the tribulations of sense-desires andthe benefits of renunciation, one accomplishes happiness through renunciation.One arouses the heart of faith and reverence, and meditates either on thenon-prepared or the prepared. Taking food in moderation, one observesthe rules regarding the bowl and robes, well. Bodily or mentally one is notheedless, and accepts little.Having taken a moderate meal, one washes the hands and feet, and sitsdown and meditates on the Buddha's Enlightenment, 3 the Law and the Order.Through the doing of good actions and through these recollections onebecomes happy and thinks: "Now it is possible for me to acquire perfection.Had I not renounced, long would it have been before I reached peace. Therefore,I should endeavour earnestly". And taking the mat of meditation toa place neither too far from nor too near the mandala, i.e., about the lengthof a plough-pole or a fathom (from the mandala), one sits down with legscrossed under him, faces the mandala, holds the body erect and arouses mindfulnessfrom the very depths of his being, with closed eyes.After sometime, one is able to exclude all disturbances of body and mind,collect his thoughts and unify his mind. Then opening the eyes neither toowide nor too narrowly, one should fix one's gaze on the maridala.1. Panca nivarandni.2. Cp. A. II, 80: Atthi bhikkhave dakkhind ddyakato c'eva visujjhati patiggdhakato ca.3. Bodhi — transliteration.