Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

Subjects of Meditation 201again, owing to the proximity of two elements, one, at first, (in stepping forward)raises up one foot; and afterwards, owing to the proximity of two elements,one lifts up the (other) foot. Owing to the proximity of two elements,one at first sits or sleeps. And owing to the proximity of two elements, oneafterwards gets up and walks. Owing to the proximity of two elements,at first, rigidity and torpor are induced. Owing to the proximity of twoelements, one becomes energetic afterwards. Owing to the proximity oftwo elements, there is heaviness in one at first. Owing to the proximity of twoelements, there is lightness afterwards. Thus one should determine the fourprimaries through "object" 1 .How should one determine the four primaries through "aggregation"?Aggregation consists of the earth-element, the water-element, the fire-elementand the air-element. By means of these elements form, smell, taste and touchtake place. These eight are produced generally together; they co-exist anddo not go apart. This combination is named aggregation. And again,there are four kinds, namely, aggregation of earth, aggregation of water,aggregation of fire and aggregation of air. In the aggregation of earth, theearth-element predominates; and the water-element, the fire-element andthe air-element gradually, in order, become less. In the aggregation of water,the water-element predominates; and the earth-element, the air-elementand the fire-element gradually, in order, become less. In the aggregationof fire, the fire-element predominates; and the earth-element, the air-elementand the water-element gradually, in order, become less. In the aggregationof air, the air-element predominates; and the fire-element, the water-elementand the earth-element gradually, in order, become less. 2 Thus one shoulddetermine the elements through "aggregation".Q. How should one determine the four primaries through "powder"?A. One determines the element of earth that is next the finest particle ofspace. 3 This earth is mixed with water; therefore it does not scatter. Beingmatured by fire, it is odourless; being supported by air, it rolls. Thus oneshould determine. Again, predecessors have said: "If pulverized into dust,the earth-element in the body of an average person will amount to one koku1. Cp. Ps. I, 260-61: Tass" 1 evam abhikkamato ekekapaduddharane pathavidhatu dpodhatuti dve dhatuyo omatta honti mandd, itard dve adhimatta honti balavatiyo. Tatha atiharanavitiharanesu.Vossajjane tejodhatu-vdyodhatuyo omatta honti mandd, itard dve adhimattabalavatiyo. Tatha sannikkhepana-sannirumbhanesu. Tattha uddharane pavatta ruparupadhammdatiharanam na pdpunanti. Tatha atiharane pavatta vitiharanam, vitiharanepavatta vossajjanam, vossajjane pavatta sannikkhepanam, sannikkhepane pavatta sannirumbhanamna pdpunanti. Tattha tattK eva pabbapabbam sandhisandhim odhi-odhimhutvd tattakapdle pakkhitta-tild viya tafatafdyantd bhijjanti.2. Cp. A. Ill, 340-41: Atha kho dyasmd Sdriputto ahnatarasmim padese mahantamddrukkhandham disvd bhikkhu dmantesi:— Passatha no tumhe dvuso amuth mahantamddrukkhandlian ti? Evam dvuso ti.Akahkhamdno dvuso bhikkhu iddhimd cetovasippatto amurh ddrukkhandham pafhavitveva adhimucceyya. Tarn kissa hetu ? Atthi dvuso amusmim ddrukkhandhe pathavidhatu,yam nissaya bhikkhu iddhimd... pe... pathavi tveva adhimucceyya. Akankhamdnodvuso bhikkhu iddhimd cetovasippatto amum ddrukkhandham dpo tveva adhimucceyya ...pe... tejo tveva adhimucceyya... vdyo tveva adhimucceyya... 3. Akdsaparamdnu.