Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

Subjects of Meditation 139A. "What is the bony"? The state of bones linked chain-like by meansof flesh, blood and sinews or by sinews without flesh and blood, or withoutflesh and blood is called "the bony". 1 The understanding of this throughright knowledge is called the perception of the bony. The undisturbeddwelling of the mind (on the sign) is called the practising of it. The reflectionon the sign of the bony is its salient characteristic. (The perception of)disagreeableness is its function. The thought of putrescence is its near cause.Its benefits are equal to those of bloatedness."How is the sign grasped"? This is as was fully taught above.(The perception of) the bony has ended.MISCELLANEOUS TEACHINGSQ. What are the miscellaneous teachings regarding putrescence?A. The beginner, being one who is affected by severe passion, shouldnot grasp the sign in that which is not of the same kind. That which is "notof the same kind" means: "Like the body of a man to a woman".If one is of a calling associated with the perception of putrescence, heshould not grasp the putrescent sign, because he, owing to the close connectionwith these objects, does not develop the idea of their disagreeableness. Onedoes not cause th® arising of pure perception on the bodies of beasts (?). On§causes the arising of the sign in one bone and grasps the .sign in-the bone withfacility.And again, if a man grasps the sign of putrescence through colour, heshould meditate on the kasina. If a man grasps the sign of putrescence throughspace, he should meditate on that element. If a man grasps the sign ofputrescence through putrescence, he should meditate on putrescence.Q. Why are there ten putrescences and neither more nor less?A. Because the faults of the body are of ten kinds and because thereare ten kinds of perception awing to ten kinds of persons. A passionateperson should meditate on the perception of bloatedness. A sensual personshould meditate on discolouration. A passionate lover of the beautifulshould always meditate on the festering. The others should be understoodin the same way.And again, the sign of putrescence is grasped with difficulty. All signsof putrescence are means of overcoming passion. Therefore, whenever thewalker in passion sees the putrescent sign, he should grasp it. Because ofthese reasons, it is said that among the putrescences there are ten kinds ofputrescence perception.1. Cp. A. Ill, 324; M. I, 58; D. II, 296: Atthi-samkhahkam apagata-marhsa-lohitarh naharusambandham....pe... .,so imam eva kdyam upasamharati: 'Ayam pi kho kayo evathdhammoevam-bhdvi etarh anatito ti\