Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

94 Vimuttimaggais the overcoming of rigidity and torpor, bliss is the overcoming of agitationand anxiety, sustained application of thought is the overcoming of uncertainty".1 Thus, through the overcoming of the hindrances, the five arefulfilled.Q. Meditating on the earth kasina sign, [417] how does the yogin causethe arising of joy and bliss?A. The earth kasina does not bring joy and bliss. They (joy and bliss)naturally follow the separation from the five hindrances. Thus the son oftruth 2 causes the arising of joy and bliss.Q. If that be so, why does the son of truth not arouse joy and bliss inthe fourth meditation, jhdna ?A. Because it is not a suitable state, and because he removes joy andbliss in the fourth meditation, jhdna. And again because of his having skilfullyrooted out the joy and bliss which he caused to arise at first, and because, he,seeing the tribulation of bliss, forsakes it, and attaches himself to deep tranquillity.For these reasons, he does not cause the arising of joy and bliss.THREE KINDS OF GOODNESSThe three kinds of goodness: These are the initial, medial and final stagesof goodness. Purity of practice is the initial stage; the increase of equanimityis the medial stage; rejoicing is the final stage. 3 What is purity of practice?It is the foundation of all goodness. What is the increase of equanimity?It is fixed meditation. What is rejoicing? It is reflection. 4 Thus there arethree kinds of goodness in the first meditation, jhdna.'TEN CHARACTERISTICSFulfilment of the ten characteristics: These comprise the three characteristicsof the purity of practice, the three characteristics of the increase ofequanimity and the four characteristics of rejoicing. 5 What are the threecharacteristics of the purity of practice? A. The mind purifies itself of thathindrance to the meditation, jhdna. Because of purity, the mind acquiresthe middle sign of serenity, and from that the mind leaps forward. Theseare called the three characteristics of the purity of practice.Q. What are the three characteristics of the increase of equanimity?1. Vis. Mag. 141: Tathd hi samddhi kdmacchandassa patipakkho, piti vydpddassa, vitakkothinamiddhassa, sukkham uddhacca-kukkuccassa, vicdro vicikicchdyd ti Petake vuttarh.—But it is not in the Pefaka.2. Dhammaputta^3. Cp. Vis. Mag. 147: Pathamassa jhdnassa patipadd-visuddhi ddi, upekkhdnubruhand majjhe,sarnpahathsand parlyosdnarh.4. Cp. Vis. Mag. 148: Patipadd-visuddhi ndma sasambhdriko upacdro, upekkhdnubruhandnaina appana, samapahamsand ndma paccavekkhand ti evam eke vannayanti. The comment(in Pm. Sinh. Ed. I, 144:) eketi Abhayagirivdsino, is quoted by Prof. Bapat in hisVim. Mag. and Vis. Mag. p. 49.5. Cp.Ibid. 147. ff.