Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

128 VimuttimaggaTHE LIGHT KASINA[424] Q. What is the light kasinal What is the practising of it? What areits salient characteristic, function and near cause? How is the sign grasped?A. The thought that is produced relying on the light sign — this is calledthe light kasina. The training and the undisturbed dwelling of the mind — theseare called the practising of it. Sending forth the mind into the white sign isits salient characteristic. The non-abandoning of the perception of light isits function. Undivided thought is its near cause."What are its benefits?": They are equal to those of the white kasina.He who practises the light kasina sees light everywhere."How is the sign grasped?": A man who takes up the light kasina, graspsthe light sign in a prepared or in a natural place. The practised yogin graspsthe sign in a natural place. He sees the sign in various places — in moonlight,sunlight, lamplight or in the light of gems. Beginning with these he sees (thesign) always through pleasure or through pain. Thus the after-image of thelight sign occurs to him. The new yogin is different. The new yogin graspsthe sign in a prepared place, and is not able to do so in a non-prepared place.He follows what is expedient in the practice of the light kasina. This yoginchooses a wall facing east or west. He fills a bowl with water and keeps it ina sunny place nearby. This water causes a mandala of light. From thismandala, light rises and is reflected on the wall. Here he sees the light sign.He grasps it in three ways: through even gazing, skilfulness and the eliminationof disturbance. (The rest) is as was fully taught before.The light kasina has ended.