Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

206 VimuttimaggaQ. How should the yogin develop the perception of the loathsomenessof food through (the task of) "searching for it" ?A. This yogin sees that many beings encounter trouble in searching fordrink and food; they commit many evil deeds such as killing and thieving(for the sake of food). Further, he sees that these beings are the recipientsof various forms of suffering and are killed or deprived of liberty. Andagain, he sees that such beings commit diverse evil actions such as eagerlysearching for things, deceiving and pretending to be energetic. Thus thesebeings perform evil. Seeing food thus, he develops dislike through the thought:"Impure urine and excrement are due to drink and food". 1THE DWELLING OF THE HOMELESSAnd again, he sees the dwelling of the homeless man in the clean forestretreatwhere fragrant flowers bloom, where birds sing and the cry of the wildis heard. In that prosperous field which the good man cultivates, are shadowsof trees, groves and water which captivate the mind of others. The groundis flat and exceedingly clean; so there is nothing uneven. 2 Seeing this, menadmire them with awe. Here are no quarrels and noises. This place wherethe homeless man trains for enlightenment is like the dwelling of Brahma. 3In such a place the mind is unfettered; and he, reciting (the Law) and developingconcentration always, enjoys the practice of good deeds. (Leaving sucha place) the homeless man goes in search of food in cold and heat, wind anddust, mud and rain. He traverses steep paths. With bowl in hand, he begsfor food, and in begging enters others' houses. 4 Seeing that, the yogin stirsup the thought of tribulation in his mind as follows: "Drink and food areimpure. They come out in the form of excrement and urine. For that onegoes in search of food". Thus abandoning, he should look for the highestbliss.And again, the yogin sees the practice of the homeless man. When he(the homeless man) begs, he has to pass the places where fierce horses, elephantsand other animals gather and the places where dogs and pigs live. He hasto go to the places where evil-doers live. He has to tread on mud or excreta1. In the text this precedes the previous sentence.2. Cp. Th. 540: Supupphite Sitavane sitale girikandaregattani parisincitva cankamissami ekako.1103: Kada mayurassa sikhandino vane dijassa sutvd girigabbhare rutarhpaccutfhahitva amatassa pattiya samcihtaye tarn nu kada bhavissati.1135: Vardhaeneyyavigdlhasevite pabbharakufe pakate 'va sundarenavambund pdvusasittakdnane tahim guhdgehagato ramissasi.1136: Sunilagivd susikhd supekhund sucittapattacchadand vihamgamdsumanjughosatthanitdbhigajjino te tarn ramissanti vanamhi jhdyinam.1137: Vutfhamhi deve caturangule tine sampupphite meghanibhamhi kdnanenagantare vitapisamo sayissam tarn me mudu hohiti tidasannibharh.3. Cp. Th. 245: Yatha Brahma tatha eko yatha devo tatha duve,yatha gdmo tatha tayo koldhalam tatuttarin ti.4. Cp. Th. 1118: Mundo virupo abhisdpam dgato kapdlahattho 'va kulesu bhikkhasu,yunjassu satthu vacane mahesino, itissu math dtta pure niyunjasi.