Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

134 Vimuttimaggaget a dislike for it, or see its nature. If he does not know its nature, he isnot able to grasp that sign. Therefore, he sits neither too far from nor toonear it. Why does he consider the sign on all sides? It is for the sake ofnon-delusion. Non-delusion is thus: When a yogin goes to a still placeand sees the putrescent sign, fear arises in him; at such a time, if the corpseappears to stand up before him, he does not stand up, but reflects. In thisway he knows, recollects, rightly understands, regards well and fully investigatesthe sign. In the same way he considers all signs. This is (the indication of)non-delusion.Q. Why does he grasp the sign in ten ways? A. It is for the sake ofbinding the mind.Why does one reflect on the path of going and coming? It is for thesake of progress in the course. "Progress in the course" means: "Thougha yogin enters a still place, his mind is sometimes disturbed. If he does notalways investigate it, the putrescent sign does not arise. Therefore, a yogininvestigates the sign with all his heart by reflecting on the path of going andcoming. He investigates the place of meditation. He investigates all signs.Thus should he investigate the sign to be grasped, in the ten ways.That yogin thus investigates again and again, and sees the sign as if it werewith his eyes. This is (the indication of) progress in the course. A newyogin, meditating on a corpse, perceiving (it. as) a jewel, rejoices, bears itin mind, resorts to it always, causes the hindrances to perish and arousesthe factors of meditation, jhana. Remote form sense-desires and demeritoriousstates, he abides in the attainment of the first meditation, jhana, which iswith initial and sustained application of thought, born of solitude and full ofjoy and bliss, through the perception of putrescence.Q. Why is the first meditation, jhana, only developed through the perceptionof putrescence and not any other meditation, jhanalA. This perception always follows initial and sustained application ofthought because (they go together) and because it is tied down to a place.When initial and sustained application of thought are present, this sign becomesmanifest. Without initial and sustained application of thought, the yogin isnot able, here, to gain the calming of the mind. Therefore, the first meditation,jhana, is developed and not any other.And again, it is said that colour, sex and the others of this putrescent signare considered in many ways. "Are considered in many ways": These(colour, etc.) are objects of initial and sustained application of thought.Separate fr initial and sustained application of thought, these cannot beconsidered. Therefore, only the first meditation, jhana, is developed and notany other.And again, it is said that this putrescent sign is an unenduring object.On an unenduring object the mind does not go higher. In an impure placejoy and bliss can only arise by the rejection of initial and sustained application