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Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

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32 <strong>Vimuttimagga</strong>A. When a bhikkhu receives drink and food, he considers the measure<strong>of</strong> his wants. He does not take too much food and knows well the (proper)quantity and does not exceed the limit. (This is) called the observance <strong>of</strong>'measured food'. If he does otherwise, he fails.'NO FOOD AFTER TIME'How does one undertake to observe (the austerity <strong>of</strong>) 'no food after time' ?One abandons expectation and avoids extra food. One knows these faults(expectation etc.) and sees the benefits <strong>of</strong> the observance <strong>of</strong> 'no food aftertime' (and undertakes thus:) "I abandon extra food from today and observe(the austerity <strong>of</strong>) 'no food after time'".What are the benefits <strong>of</strong> the observance <strong>of</strong> 'no food after time'? Oneabandons greed, and experiences the joy <strong>of</strong> self-restraint. One protects thebody, and avoids taking food in advance, does not hanker, does not ask othersfor things, does not follow his inclinations. This is an observance <strong>of</strong> goodmen. This observance is doubt-free.O. How many kinds <strong>of</strong> '(no food) after time' are there? What is theobservance? How does one fail?A. There are two kinds <strong>of</strong> '(no food) after time': immoderate limit,accepting limit.What is 'immoderate limit'? If a bhikkhu accepts extra food, his <strong>of</strong>fenceis (equal to) that <strong>of</strong> one who accepts food <strong>of</strong>fered to a particular person orpersons. 1 He should not eat again. What is 'accepting limit'? A bhikkhushould not accept after he has eaten twenty-one handfuls. If he observes 'n<strong>of</strong>ood after time', lie abandons extra food. If he accepts extra food he failsin the observance <strong>of</strong> 'no food after time'.'DWELLING IN A PEACEFUL PLACE'How does one undertake (the austerity <strong>of</strong>) 'dwelling in a peaceful place'?When the village is crowded, one's mind is touched by the five objects <strong>of</strong> senseand saturated with the desire for pleasure. When one dwells in a crowdedplace, one is disturbed by people going and coming. One sees these faultsand the merits <strong>of</strong> the observance <strong>of</strong> 'dwelling in a peaceful place' (and undertakesthus:) "I abandon dwelling in the village from today and observe (theausterity <strong>of</strong>) 'dwelling in a peaceful place'".What are the merits <strong>of</strong> 'peaceful place' ? Even when the village is crowded,one's mind is not touched by the five objects <strong>of</strong> sense and is kept away fromattachment. If one dwells in a crowded place, one is disturbed by the goingand coming <strong>of</strong> many: One knows the excellence <strong>of</strong> the ten kinds <strong>of</strong> words1. Uddesabhatta.

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