Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

On Distinguishing Virtue 7concentration of the sphere of the infinity of consciousness, the destruction of theperception of the sphere of the infinity of consciousness by the concentrationof the sphere of nothingness, the destruction of the (perception of the) sphereof nothingness by the concentration of the sphere of neither perception nornon-perception, the destruction of the perception of permanence by the viewof impermanence, the destruction of the perception of bliss by the view of ill,the destruction of the perception of self by the view of not-self, the destructionof the perception of the pure by the view of the impure, 1 the destruction of theperception of craving by the view of tribulation, 2 the destruction of the perceptionof passion by the view of the stainless, the destruction of originationby the view of cessation, 3 the destruction of density by the view of evanescence,the destruction of union by the view of separation, the destruction of fixity bythe view of change, the destruction of the sign by the view of the signless, thedestruction of yearning by the view of non-yearning, the destruction ofadherence by the view of the void, the destruction of clinging and adherence(to essence?) by the view of the higher wisdom, the destruction of theadherence to delusion by the knowledge and discernment of things as theyare, the destruction of adherence to dwelling 4 by the view of tribulation,the destruction of non-reflection by the view of reflection, the destructionof adherence to fetters by the view of the rolling back (of delusion), the destructionof adherence to the cankers of views by the path of the Streamentrant,the destruction of the gross cankers by the path of the Once-returner,the destruction of the subtle cankers by the path of the Non-returner,and the destruction of all cankers by the path of the Consummate One" —these are called the 'virtue of non-transgression', the 'virtue of volition', thevirtue of restraint' and the Virtue of abstention'. These are called virtue. -SALIENT CHARACTERISTIC OF VIRTUE'What is the salient characteristic of virtue' ?: The removal of non-dignityby dignity. What is called 'non-dignity'? A. It is transgression of virtue.There are three kinds of transgression of virtue: transgression of the virtuepertaining to the rules of the Community of Bhikkhus; 5 transgressionof the virtue pertaining to the requisites; 6 transgression of the virtuepertaining to the faculties. 7 What is 'transgression of the virtue pertainingto the Community of Bhikkhus'? [401]. It is loss of faith in the Tathagataowing to immodesty 8 and indecorum. 9 What is 'transgression of the virtuepertaining to the requisites'? When a man's life is concerned with theadornment of the body, he loses contentment. What is 'transgression ofvirtue pertaining to the faculties' ? It is separation from wise attentivenessthrough not closing the six sense doors. These three constitute 'non-dignity'.This is called the 'salient characteristic of virtue'.1, 2. Not in Vis. Mag. And, 'nibhidanupassanaya nandiya of Pts. 1, 46, quoted in Vis. Mag.,is not here.3. After this Vis. Mag. has '' patinissaggcinupassanaya adanasscC.4. Alaya. 5. Lit. Patimokkha dhamma. 6. Lit. Paccaya dhamma.1. Indriya dhamma. 8. Ahiri. 9. Anottappa.