Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

Subjects of Meditation 81TEN WAYSBy means of ten ways he effects the arising of skilfulness in fixed meditation,jhdna, through causes: (1) By the consideration of cleansing thephysical basis. (2) By the consideration of equalizing (the work of) the faculties.(3) By skilfulness in taking the sign. (4) By restraining and regulating themind. (5) By repressing negligence. (6) By (overcoming) mental inactivity.(7) By gladdening the mind. (8) By steadying the mind and fulfilling equanimity.(9) By separation from him who does not practise concentration andby associating with a concentration-practiser. (10) By intentness on fixedmeditation concentration. 1(1). Q. What is the consideration of cleansing the physical basis?A. Through three kinds of action one accomplishes the cleansing ofthe physical basis. Namely, through the partaking of suitable food, theenjoyment of the ease of agreeable weather and the practice of a posture thatis pleasant.SIMILE OF THE HORSE-CHARIOT(2). By the consideration of equalizing (the work) of the faculties, i.e.,faith or any of the other four faculties should not be allowed to fall back,through negligence. It is comparable to a swift horse-chariot. 2SIMILE OF THE INKED-STRING(3). Skilfulness in taking the sign: The mind-faculty takes (the sign)well, i.e., neither too hastily nor too slowly. It is like a skilful carpenter,who, having determined well, pulls the inked-string, lets it go at the rightmoment and thereby marks an even, uncurved line.(4). By restraining and regulating the mind: There are two ways.By these two, the mind is regulated: the first, through intense effort; thesecond, through profound investigation of the spheres or the mind becomesdiscursive, wandering to distant and unsuitable spheres and is thus disturbed.Through two ways one restrains the mind: One arouses energy. Onetakes (food) temperately every day. If the mind wanders to unsuitable spheresand objects, one restrains the mind having considered the evil results (of such1. Cp. Vbh.-a. 283: Api ca ekddasa dhammd samddhi-sambojjhangassa uppdddya sarhvattanti:vatthuvisadakiriyatd, indriyasamattapatipadanata, nimittakusalatd, samaye cittassapaggahanatd, samaye cittassa niggahanatd, samaye sampahamsanatd, samaye ajjhupekkhanatd,asamdhitapuggalaparivajjanatd, samdhitapuggalasevanatd, jhdnavimokkhapaccavekkhanatd,tad-adhimuttatd ti.2. S.IV, 176; Mill, 97; A.III, 28; Seyyathdpi bhikkhave subhumiyam cdtummahdpathedjahharatho yutto assa thito odhastapatodo tarn enarh dakkho yoggdcariyo assadammasdrathiabhiruhitvd vdmena hatthena rasmiyo gahetvd dakkhinena hatthena patodamgahetvd yerCicchakam yad icchakarh sdreyya pi paccdsdreyya pi.