Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

Subjects of Meditation 95A. If the mind is pure, it fulfils equanimity; if it attains to solitude, itfulfils equanimity; if it dwells on one object, it fulfils equanimity. These arecalled the three characteristics. Q. What are the four characteristics ofrejoicing? A. Among these ten characteristics, there is rejoicing by reasonof the gradual arising of the states produced; there is rejoicing by reason ofthe functions of the faculties becoming one; there is rejoicing by reason ofthe possession of energy; and there is rejoicing by reason of devotion (tothese states). These are called the four characteristics. Thus, in the firstmeditation, jhdna, the ten characteristics are fulfilled.TWENTY-FIVE BENEFITSTwenty-five benefits: In the first meditation, initial and sustained applicationof thought, joy, bliss and unification of mind are accomplished. Faith,energy, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom are accomplished. Theinitial, medial and final stages (of goodness) are accomplished. - 1is accomplished. Practice is accomplished. Solitude is accomplished.Dependence is accomplished2 is accomplished3 is accomplished.Reflection is accomplished...... . . 4 is accomplished, Power isaccomplished. Freedom is accomplished. Purity is accomplished, and thesuper-excellent purity is accomplished. Thus a man dwells together withthe twenty-five benefits. These are the excellent stations of the deities. Theyare produced from tranquillity and are called the abodes of joy and bliss. Insuch excellent abodes surpassing the human do the deities.dwell... Hence theBlessed One, the Buddha* declared to the bhikkhus: . . . .........SIMILE OF THE BATH-ATTENDANT"Just as a skilful bath-attendant or his apprentice heaps up bath-powderin a lovely copper vessel, adds water to it, kneads it, and makes it round,saturating it so that it adheres and does not scatter, just so a bhikkhu, havingcalmed his body and mind, produces joy and bliss and lets it evenly moistenand saturate (him) in such a way that there is no part of him that is not saturatedwith it. There is no place in his body or mind that is not saturatedwith joy and bliss born of solitude". 5 Like the skilful bath-attendant or hisapprentice is the yogin. The copper vessel is the kasina sign. Thus it shouldbe known.Q. What is the kasina sign? A. As the copper vessel contains the hard1—4. These terms are not clear, Prof. Bapat has rendered them as: sankhepa-sangaha,sangaha, anunaya and sevand respectively at p. 49, Vim. Mag. and Vis. Mag.5. D.I, 74 and A. Ill, 25: Seyyathdpi bhikkhave dakkho nahdpako vd nahdpakantevdsi vd kariisathdlenahdniyacunndni dkiritvd udakena paripphosakam paripphosakarh sanneyya, sd'ssanahdniyapindi snehdnugatd snehaparetd santarabdhird phutd snehena na ca paggharati,evam eva kho bhikkhave bhikkhu imam eva kdyam vivekajena pitisukhena abhisandetiparisandeti paripureti parippharati, ndssa kind sabbdvato kdyassa vivekajena pitisukhenaapphutam hoti.