Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

152 Vimuttimaggaworthy of offerings, worthy of gifts, worthy of reverential salutation, and isthe imcomparable field of merit of the world."Worthy of hospitality": Worthy of hospitality means worthy of receivinginvitations."Worthy of offerings": Great is the fruit that could be obtained throughofferings made to it. And again, it is worthy of receiving offerings."Worthy of gifts: One acquires great fruit by gifting various things to it."Worthy of reverential salutation": It is fit to receive worship.it is called worthy of reverential salutation."Incomparable": It is possessed of many virtues.incomparable.ThereforeTherefore it is called"Field of merit of the world": This is the place where all beings acquiremerit. Therefore it is called the field of merit of the world.And again, the yogin should recollect through other ways thus: ThisCommunity of Bhikkhus is the congregation that is most excellent and good.It is called the best. It is endowed with virtue, concentration, wisdom,freedom and the knowledge of freedom. That yogin recollects these variousvirtues in different ways. Through this recollection of the various virtues,he becomes confident. Owing to the recollection of confidence, his mind isundisturbed. With undisturbed mind he is able to destroy the hindrances,arouse the meditation (jhdrta) factors and attain to access. The rest is as wasfully taught above.The recollection of the Community of Bhikkhus has ended.THE RECOLLECTION OF VIRTUEQ. What is the recollection of virtue? What is the practising of it. Whatare its salient characteristic, function and near cause? What is the procedure?A. Through virtue one recollects pure morals. This recollectednessis recollection and right recollectedness. Thus should the recollection of virtuebe understood. The undisturbed dwelling of the mind in the recollection ofvirtue is the practising of it. Awareness of the merit of virtue is its salientcharacteristic. To see the fearfulness of tribulation is its function. Appreciationof the unsurpassable happiness (of virtue) is its near cause. Twelveare the benefits of the recollection of virtue thus: One honours the Teacher,esteems the Law, and the Community of Bhikkhus, respects the precepts ofvirtue, esteems offerings, becomes heedful, sees danger in and fears the smallestfault, 1 guards oneself, protects others, has no fear of this world, has no fearof the other world and enjoys the many benefits accruing from the observanceof all precepts. These are the benefits of the recollection of virtue.1. D. I, 63: Anumattesu vajjesu bhaya-dassdvi.