Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

82 Vimuttimaggaactions). Thus one overcomes in two ways: through investigation of varioussufferings and through the search for the reward of evil deeds.(5) (6) and (7). By repressing negligence: Through two ways negligenceof mind is fulfilled: through lack of distinction in concentration and throughmental inactivity. When there is much negligence, the mind becomes sluggishand torpid. This means that, if the yogin does not gain distinction in concentration,his mind is steeped in negligence because of mental inactivity.Through two ways one should repress. Namely, through the considerationof merit and through the arousing of energy. He should repress negligenceof torpor and idleness of mind in four ways:— If he is a voracious personhe considers (the faults of) negligence and practises the four restraints. Fixinghis mind on the sign of brightness, he dwells in a dewy place, makes his mindrejoice and gets rid of attachment. Through three ways mental inactivitytakes place: through insufficiency of skill, dullness of wit, non-obtainmentof the ease of solitude. If a yogin's mind is inactive he makes it active inthese two ways: through fear and through gladness.If he considers birth, decay, death and the four states of woe, owingto fear, anxiety and mental agony arise in his mind. 1 If he practises the recollectionsof the Buddha, the Law, the Community of Bhikkhus, virtue, liberalityand deities, he sees the merits of these objects and is gladdened.(8). By the mind becoming steady and fulfilling equanimity: Throughtwo actions (the mind) fulfils access-meditation: by destroying the hindrancesthe mind fulfils fixity. Or, arousing the meditation (jhdna) factors on alreadyacquired earth (kasina), the mind attains to fixity.After a yogin attains to calmness, there are two states to be abandoned:that which causes inattention, and that which causes middling skill.(9). Separation from those who do not practise concentration meansthat a man who has not attained to fixed meditation, access-meditation orrestraint meditation, and he who does not train himself in these or practisethese should not be served. Association with a meditation practiser meansthat if a man has attained to fixed meditation, jhdna, he should be followed.Under him one should learn. Him should one serve.(10). By intentness on fixed meditation, jhdna, means that the yoginalv/ays reverences, enjoys (meditation) and practises much (regarding it)as the deepest depth, as a fountain and as a tender plant.Through the practice of these ten, fixed meditation, jhdna, is obtained.Q. How (does the yogin) produce skilfulness in fixed meditation, jhdna,well, through good standing?A. That yogin, having well understood the causes (which induce concentration),enters into solitude. With the sign of concentration which he haspractised, he induces, in mind, desirous ease, with facility. Through this1. Cp. Nd 1 . 371: Jdtibhayam jardbhayam byddhibhayam maranabhayarh.., .duggatibhayam.