Themes of talks
from Visuddhi Magga
Chapter 1
Tape one: The meaning of
the name of the book, short biography of Venerable Buddhaghosa,
place of Commentaries in the Texts and Sub-Commentaries, comments on the
introductory stanza from the SaÑyutta NikÈya, discussion of virtue (sÊla),
its characteristic, its function, its manifestation and its proximate cause.
Paragraphs: 1-22.
Tape two: Review of first
talk, benefits of virtue, the kinds of virtue, explanation of ‘keeping’ and
‘avoiding’, explanation of 8 precepts with livelihood as eighth, sÊla with dependence as craving and dependence as wrong
view, explanation of double Code, the Khandhakas, 4 adhipati, precepts for laity, Uposatha
for monks, restraint of PÈÔimokkha, restraint of sense
faculties, virtue of livelihood for monks, proper and improper resorts for
monks and corrections. Paragraphs: 23-52.
Tape three: Virtue of the
restraint of the sense faculties is discussed with regard to not seeing ‘the
sign’ or ‘the particulars of the object; restraint and non-restraint are
explained with reference to the thought process; there is discussion of some of
the PÈÔimokkha rules relating to purity of livelihood
for monks; reflections on the four requisites is discussed; why the rules cannot
be changed in any way is explained; corrections, questions and answers are given. Paragraphs: 53-99.
Tape four: Discussion of
restraint of sense faculties, 4 sweets and gall nuts, purification of
livelihood, what is and is not allowable with regard to hinting etc.,
reviewing, purification by confession probation & defeat, definition of
Trainers, vast number of rules for monks, minor sexuality, danger of defiled
virtue, corrections, questions and answers. Paragraphs: 100-161.
Chapter 2
Tape five: Brief
introduction to ascetic practices, discussion of the refuse-rag-wearer’s
practice, the triple-robe-wearer’s practice, the alms-food-eater’s practice,
the house-to-house-seeker’s practice, the one-sessioner’s
practice, the bowl-food-eater’s practice, the later-food-refuser’s
practice, the three grades of practice, the benefits of the practice, history
dying and components of the robes, ‘pure’ robes, questions, answers and
corrections.
Paragraphs
:1-46.
Tape six: Definitions of
village, forest, precinct, differences of opinion in determining these areas,
the forest-dweller’s practice, the tree-root-dweller’s practice, things to
avoid, open-air-dweller’s practice, temporary shelter that is allowable,
charnel-ground-dweller’s practice, cautionary advice, explanation of watches of
the night, , any-bed or hut-user’s practice, sitter’s practice, discussion of
supportive equipment, grades and benefits of practices, dhuta~ga
according to Abhidhamma is kusala
or abyÈkata, difference of opinion, those who
practice or do not and those who encourage or do not, dhammasenÈpati,
5 states that go with volition of dhuta~ga,
suitability of practice, who may practice and who may not, importance of sÊla for meditation, how difficult sÊla
is for monks, and corrections.
Paragraphs: 47-93.
Chapter 3
Tape Seven: Definition of samÈdhi, understanding samÈdhi
with reference to characteristic, function, manifestation & proximate
cause; discussion of access and absorption concentration; brief introduction to
the 40 subjects of meditation; factors of jhÈna; jhÈnas by fourfold and fivefold method; practice - slow,
swift, stagnated etc.; forsaking impediments; PavÈraÓÈ
Ceremony; corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-72.
Tape Eight: Discussion of 6
temperaments, the sources of temperaments as explained in Vimutti
Magga and teachers of the Commentaries, how the
temperament of a person is known by posture, actions, manner of eating, by
seeing, kinds of states occurring in the mind; what is suitable for the
different temperaments with regard to things and meditation subjects; 40
subjects of meditation, subjects which bring access and absorption
concentration, what jhÈnas may or may not be
developed by the subjects of meditation, surmounting factors and objects,
expansion of kasiÓas, karavÊka
bird, objects which should not or cannot be extended, objects with and without
counterpart signs, mobile and immobile objects; objects by sight, touch and
hearsay; abhiÒÒÈ, conditions for higher states of
meditation; dedicating oneself to the Buddha, corrections.
Paragraphs: 74-132.
Chapter 4
Tape Nine: Brief review, 18
faults of a monastery, 5 favorable qualities of a monastery, severing lesser
impediments, the earth kasiÓa meditation in detail,
memorized sign and counterpart sign, access and jhÈna
concentration, avoiding 7 unsuitable things, balancing the faculties, when it
is permissible for the faculties not to be balanced, questions and corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-73.
Tape Ten: Brief account of
the arising of first jhÈna, detailed account of the
arising of first jhÈna, reduced number of kÈmÈvacara javanas in the jhÈna thought process, other opinion of Elder Godatta, explanation of phrases ‘quite secluded from kÈmas’ and ‘(quite) secluded from akusalas’,
explanation of kÈmadhÈtu, discussion of vitakka and vicÈra, 5 kinds of pÊti, comparison of pÊti and sukha, presence of ekaggatÈ as jhÈna factor, possession of 5 factors and abandonment of 5
factors, two meanings of the word ‘jhÈna’, modes of
attainment, extension of sign, care with reviewing, 5 kinds of mastery,
questions and corrections.
Paragraphs: 74-137.
Tape 11: Detailed
exposition on second jhÈna, third jhÈna
and fourth jhÈna; detailed explanation of set phrases
describing jhÈnas, why some phrases are repeated, why
some factors present in earlier jhÈna are first
mentioned in later jhÈna; ten kinds of upekkhÈ, explanation of feelings and at which stage each
feeling is surmounted; review of the fourfold and fivefold method of jhÈna and corrections.
Paragraphs: 138-202.
Chapter 5
Tape 12: Nine kasiÓas and how they are practiced, discussion of the word
‘nÊla’, resulting supernormal powers that may be
gained from kasiÓa practice, talk on suÒÒa, things that prevent some from attaining jhÈna.
Paragraphs: 1-42.
Chapter 6
Tape 12: Introduction to
meditation on foulness, the particle ‘ka’, directions for contemplating on a
corpse, ten kinds of corpses and the kinds of attachment they help eliminate,
why only first jhÈna may be gained from asubha meditation, applying characteristics of dead body to
one’s own body, how to attend a funeral, and corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-94.
Chapter 7
Tape 13:
Brief review of the ten recollections, detailed discussion of the attributes of
the Buddha - 1. Araha,
explanation of the destruction of the spokes of becoming, explanation of the
destruction of kamma, 2. SammÈsambuddha, 3. VijjÈ - CaraÓa, 4. Sugata, detailed
exposition on speaking rightly, 5. Lokavid|, discussion of Buddhist cosmology, and corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-44.
Tape 14: Incomparable
leader of men to be tamed, reflections after enlightenment, beings tamed by the
Buddha, Kesi the horse-trainer, animals unable to
gain enlightenment, the frog MaÓÉ|ka, ‘buddha’, bhagavÈ, 4 kinds of
names, grammatical word play, , benefits of Recollection of the Buddha, no jhÈna, the Recollection of the Dhamma,
teaching is lovely in meaning and in words, ‘visible here and now’, akÈlika, Recollection of the Sa~gha,
8 Persons and 4 Pairs, dakkhiÓa, corrections.
Paragraphs: 45-100.
Tape 15: Recollection of
virtue, untorn unrent unblotched unmottled sÊla, importance of sÊla for
meditation, recollection of generosity, benefits of generosity, recollection of
deities, the celestial realms, resemblance of one’s own good qualities to that
of the deities, joy of recollection meditation as basis for vipassanÈ
and enlightenment, corrections.
Paragraphs
101-128.
Chapter 8
Tape 15: Recollection of
death, kinds of death, timely and untimely death, the sage who practiced
patience, 8 ways to recollect death, this recollection must be done wisely, reflection on death can reduce attachment and pride,
corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-35.
Tape 16: Discussion of the
divisions of paÒÒatti according to the Texts,
Commentaries, and teachers, praise of mindfulness occupied with the body, 14
sections on mindfulness of the body in MahÈ SatipaÔÔhÈna Sutta, division with
reference to samatha and vipassanÈ,
32 parts of the body, the brain is not mentioned in the Texts, 32 parts taken
as repulsive or as elements, detailed talk on how to practice, attainments
reached in this meditation and corrections.
Paragraphs: 36-60.
Tape 17: Discussion of the
tenfold skill in giving attention in relation to the meditation on the 32 parts
of the body, importance of balancing energy and concentration, preparing for
practice, apprehension of the sign, defining repulsiveness in five ways, review
of each body part, development of jhÈna on these
parts of the body, benefits of meditation, corrections and questions.
Paragraphs: 61-144.
Tape 18: Introductory
remarks on mindfulness of breathing meditation, praise by the Buddha of ÈnÈpÈÓasati, the four methods for ÈnÈpÈÓasati,
defining of words in the text about ÈnÈpÈÓasati, ÈnÈpÈÓasati is quite sublime and quite peaceful initially
as well as at the level of penetration, Abhayagiri
Monastery, three kinds of abandonment of unwholesome mental states, addressed
to bhikkhus but includes others, Four Noble Persons
in Buddha’s dispensation only, all Buddhas practice ÈnÈpÈÓasati, practice needs quiet place, sitting posture is
best, the ways breathing is long or short, meaning of assÈsa
and passÈsa, breath body, ‘tranquillizing’ of bodily
formations, how breath becomes more subtle with greater concentration, and
corrections.
Paragraphs: 145-185.
Tape 19: ‘Mental objects’
should be dhamma objects, learning the meditation
subject in five ways, appanÈ, counting in detail, the
causes of the air element, connection or following, proof of the meaning of assÈsa, touching, fixing; similes of the man who cannot
walk, the gate-keeper and the saw; object becomes more subtle in ÈnÈpÈÓasati with development, seven kinds of people who do
not breathe, signs differ, should a yogi be told he has apprehended the sign,
after jhÈnas change to vipassanÈ,
stages of vipassanÈ in brief, reviewing, how pÊti is to be taken as vedanÈ in
paragraph 229, and corrections.
Paragraphs: 186-230.
Tape 20: Discussion of the
third tetrad, samÈdhi, jhÈna,
khaÓika samÈdhi, liberating
the mind, dissolution, impermanence, discussion of the fourth tetrad, attha, bheda, NibbÈna
is not fading away, 3 kinds of abandonment, giving up and entering into,
relinquishment, Commentaries are to be relied upon for interpretation of Suttas, what Magga eradicates,
story of Arahant who knew when he would die,
Recollection of Peace, sabhÈva, time, and
corrections.
Paragraphs: 231-251.
Chapter 9
Tape 21: The meanings of ‘brahmÈ vihÈra and mettÈ, seeing the danger in hate and the advantage in
patience, the persons that mettÈ should not be
directed to at the beginning of the practice, one begins with oneself as an
example, the practice is extended to a teacher or respected person, practice
towards a hostile person, how to eliminate resentment, the lives of the Bodhisatta as inspiration, breaking the barriers between
the four persons, 528 ways of loving-kindness, the meanings of ‘satta’, ‘puggala’, and ‘putta’, corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-54.
Tape 22: Review of practice
of loving-kindness meditation, explanation of phrases used in mettÈ meditation, karuÓÈ
meditation and its objects, muditÈ meditation and its
objects, how to practice upekkhÈ meditation, jhÈnas obtained through brahmÈ vihÈras, fourth or fifth jhÈnas
only through upekkhÈ meditation, skill in
non-existent or in concept helpful in developing ar|pÈvacara
jhÈnas, pÈramitÈs,
corrections.
Paragraphs: 55-124.
Chapter
10
Tape 23: How to develop the
first ar|pÈvacara jhÈna, r|pa saÒÒÈ, perceptions of
resistance, story of ŒlÈra KÈlÈma,
perceptions of variety, surmounting and non-attention, ÈkÈsÈnaÒcÈyatana,
viÒÒÈÓaÒcÈyatana, ÈkiÒcaÒÒÈyatana,
nevasaÒÒanÈsaÒÒÈyatana, two functions of saÒÒÈ, mental factors of fourth ar|pÈvacara
jhÈna can be seen only in groups not individually, corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-64.
Chapter
11
Tape 24: Four kinds of ÈhÈra, dangers of the four nutriments, similes on four ÈhÈras, how to develop perception of repulsiveness in food
in ten ways, why jhÈna is not obtained in this
meditation, pariÒÒa, four elements as meditation
subject, simile of cow, discussion of upÈdiÓÓa, four
elements are results of four causes not kamma alone,
characteristics of the four elements, four kinds of fire element, six kinds of
wind element, peyyÈla, relating the four element
meditation to 32 parts of the body, and corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-83.
Tape 25: The four elements
are related to 20 parts of the body as earth, 12 parts of the body as water,
four components as fire, and six components as air in brief taken as a whole;
the four elements are related to each of the 42 components one by one; the
elements are given attention as to word meaning, by groups, by particles, by
characteristic etc., as to how originated, as to variety and unity, as to separability and inseparability, as to similar and
dissimilar, as to distinction between internal and external, as to inclusion,
as to condition, as to lack of conscious reaction, as to analysis of
conditions; the elements in walking meditation, benefits of meditation and
corrections.
Paragraphs: 84-126.
Chapter 12
Tape 25: The five abhiÒÒÈ, eight jhÈnas and eight kasiÓas are needed for direct knowledge, references for
stories, success by intervention of knowledge, stories of those protected by
the intervention of concentration or the intervention of knowledge and
corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-44.
Tape 26: Directions for
entering abhiÒÒÈ, four bases of success,
consciousness with barriers and without barriers, PaÔisambhidÈmagga,
creation of multiple images, thought processes connected with abhiÒÒÈ, story of Venerable C|Äa Panthaka, appearing and vanishing, Buddha preaches Abhidhamma in TavatiÑsÈ realm,
story of Venerable Yasa and his father, Twin Miracle,
story of Venerable Mahinda, story of Venerable Mahaka, the BrahmÈ Baka, opinions of Elder TipiÔaka C|Äa Abhaya, ‘Dependence’ for
monks, walking on water, traveling in the air, opinion of Elder TipiÔaka C|Äa NÈga,
story of Venerable MahÈ MoggallÈna
and Nandopananda, kamma-born
r|pa cannot be enlarged and corrections.
Paragraphs
45-118.
Tape 27: The manner of
wielding bodily mastery in the BrahmÈ World,
occurrence of such powers after the time of the Buddha, making the near far and
the far near, stories of the Buddha and monks using these powers, making much
little and little much, stories about these powers, conversion of mind to
accord with body and the reverse, explanation of blissful perception and light
perception, created images, supernormal powers possible without enlightenment,
and corrections.
Paragraphs: 119-139.
Chapter 13
Tape 27: Divine ear, three abidings, how to practice, penetration of mind, how to
practice, discussion of cittas in relation to certain
mental factors, five kinds of deliverance, recollection of past lives, who
remembers and how many lives remembered, how to practice, and corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-27.
Tape 28: Cycles of
destruction and reformation of worlds, 31 plaanes of
existence; fields of birth, authority and scope; destruction by fire, water and
air; how names for sun (suriya) and moon (canda) came to be; the divine eye, seeing passing away and
reappearing, death and rebirth moments cannot be seen by divine eye, reviling
Noble Ones in any way is weighty kamma, seeking
forgiveness, seven kinds of direct knowledge and their objects; present by
moment, present by continuity and present by extent; internal and external
objects not taken simultaneously and corrections.
Paragraphs: 28-129.
Chapter 14
Tape 29: Definition of paÒÒÈ, three kinds of knowing, simile indicating Buddha did
difficult thing in seeing this; characteristic, function, manifestation and
proximate cause of paÒÒÈ; the different kinds of
understanding; four kinds of discrimination, attha, PÈÄi language, seven kinds of purification, r|pa, primary and depending r|pa,
tangibility, eye and ear taking object before it reaches them, appearances of
the sensitivities, comparative similes to animals, femininity and masculinity
faculties, life faculty, heart-base and corrections.
Paragraphs: 1- 60.
Tape 30: Bodily intimation,
verbal intimation; space; lightnesss, malleability
and wieldiness of matter; growth and continuity of
matter, Buddha’s teaching always accorded with susceptibility of listener,
aging; physical nutriment; torpor is not matter, water element cannot be
touched; characteristics of matter not caused by anything; feeling aggregate, consicousness aggregate, different sequence of cittas in Visuddhi Magga and Abhidhammatthasangaha,
discussion of nÈma, discussion of vatthu-kÈma
and kilesa-kÈma, sa~khÈra
as prior effort; relinking, life-continuum and death cittas are all the same type and corrections.
Paragraphs: 61-124.
Tape 31: Feeling aggregate,
explanation of feelings connected with five senses, perception, sa~khÈra aggregate; division into constant, inconstant and
whatever; phassa; discussion of individual cetasikas, correction of translation of hiri
and ottappa; three kinds of manasikÈra;
the different treatment of cetasikas in Manual of Abhidhamma and Visuddhi Magga and corrections.
Paragraphs: 125-184.
Tape 32: Definition of all
materiality; materiality with respect to extent, continuity, period and moment;
kamma-born matter not classified as to past etc.,
Sub-Commentator suggests past, etc. with regard to sex change; 4 kinds of
internal, external, inferior & superior, far & near; aggregate even if
only one; feeling with respect to certain qualities; warning not to mix
classifications; constant with regard to results, 5 grievous offenses; orders
of arising, abandoning, plane & teaching; aggregates & aggregates of
clinging, similes and corrections.
Paragraphs: 185-230.
Chapter 15
Tape 32: Bases
and word definitions, dhamma should be used instead
of mental data, simile of the 6 senses, meaning of mind base and dhamma base and corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-16.
Tape 33: Nine meanings of dhÈtu, 18 elements in reality; composition of dhamma element, mano dhÈtu, mano
viÒÒÈÓa dhÈtu; how the dhÈtus should be viewed and corrections.
Paragraphs: 17-43.
Chapter 16
Tape 33: 22 faculties,
discussion of three kinds of supramundane faculty
understanding, the five meanings of indriya, planes
where faculties occur; comparison of bases, elements and faculties; word
definitions of Four Noble Truths and corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-31.
Tape 34: Definitions of jÈti, three kinds of dukkha;
definitions of aging, death, sorrow, lamentation, despair; association with
unloved, separation from the loved; not to get what is unobtainable; craving is
origin of dukkha; Third Noble Truth; explanation of asesavirÈganirodho, discussion of NibbÈna,
questions and answers about NibbÈna, and corrections.
Paragraphs: 32-74.
Tape 35: The factors of
Path, cessation and the Path, abandonment of wrong views (the Overlord, Basic
Principle, Time, Nature), Noble Eightfold Path divided
according to sÊla, samÈdhi
and paÒÒÈ, similarity and dissimilarity between the
Four Noble Truths and corrections.
Paragraphs: 75-104.
Chapter 17
Tape 35:
Definition of PaÔiccasamuppÈda and parts of that word
(paÔicca, sam and uppÈda), four meanings of PaÔiccasamuppÈda.
Paragraphs: 1-20 (Handout).
Tape 36: Meaning of idappaccayatÈ, PaÔiccasamuppÈda
does not mean simply arising, difficulty of teaching PaÔiccasamuppÈda,
different ways the Buddha taught PaÔiccasamuppÈda,
why avijjÈ is at the beginning of the formula,
definition of avijjÈ, definition of sa~khÈra, r|pa is abyÈkata, no theory & wrong theory, avijjÈ
according to Sutta & Abhidhamma,
two triads of sa~khÈra, root, object, predominance,
proximity & contiguity, and corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-76.
Tape 37: How ignorance is
related to formations by way of conditions, multiple fruit from multiple
causes, why ignorance alone is given, how opposites may condition each other,
not knowing and knowing incorrectly specific & general characteristics,
formations condition resultant consciousness at paÔisandhi
& pavatti, some say tadÈrammaÓa
may arise once, different sequences happy & unhappy destiny, 4 kinds of
birth, materiality groups, rebirth & anatta, no
unpleasant objects in Devaloka & BrahmÈ World and corrections.
Paragraphs: 101-185.
Tape 38: Meanings of nÈma and r|pa, where nÈma and r|pa occur, 4 kinds of
rebirth, groups of materiality at rebirth, rebirth citta
does not originate r|pa, beings with respect to
aggregates, ekeasesa and nÈma-r|pa,
paÔÔhÈna & viÒÒÈÓa paccaya nÈma-r|pa, meaning of salÈyatana, paÔÔhÈna & nÈma-r|pa paccaya salÈyatana, explanation of purejÈta,
kinds of feeling, 108 kinds of craving, rite and ritual clinging, Arahants & Buddhas have
feeling but no craving, wheel of becoming can be broken between feeling &
craving only, kamma-becoming & rebirth-becoming,
4 methods of treating Dependent Origination and corrections.
Paragraphs: 186-314.
Chapter 18
Tape 39: Relating the
chapters thus far to sÊla, samÈdhi
and paÒÒÈ, defining nÈma-r|pa,
samatha yogi may define nÈma
first, how he defines nÈma-r|pa, not necessary to see
all r|pa in actual practice, vipassanÈ
yogi must define r|pa first, discerning nÈma-r|pa does not come at beginning of practice, only
mundane nÈma is taken by vipassanÈ;
defining nÈma-r|pa in relation to elements, bases,
aggregates; if nÈma not clear, try to see r|pa more clearly; seeing nÈma
through phassa, vedanÈ and citta; there is only nÈma-r|pa;
similes of chariot, etc., must avoid eternity and annihilation views; seeing
individual essence & common characteristics, interdependence of nÈma-r|pa; simile of blind man and cripple; knowing of mind
and matter must be experienced and corrections.
Paragraphs
1-37.
Chapter 19
Tape 39: Purification by
Overcoming Doubt, seeing causes of nÈma-r|pa, 16
kinds of doubt, what is common to all and what is not common to all,
and corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-8.
Tape 40: Outline of subject
matter of this chapter; no kamma in fruit and no
fruit in kamma; 4 causes of r|pa
and when r|pa is produced by them; discerning nÈma-r|pa by means of round of kamma
and round of kamma-result; different classifications
of kamma; seeing through induction; correct view
given in verses; similes for kamma and results;
continuity of consciousness between death and rebirth; King Milinda
and the gap in distance but not in time; the C|Äa-SotÈpanna
and corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-27.
Chapter 20
Tape 40: The Purification
of Knowledge and Vision of What is the Path and What is not the Path,
comprehension by groups; full understanding as the known, full understanding as
investigating, full understanding as abandoning; we must be mindful of what is
obvious or prominent; impermanence in sense of destruction, painful in the
sense of terror, not self in the sense of having no core and corrections.
Paragraphs: 1-19.
Tape 41: Individual and
common characteristics of phenomena; inductive insight is inferential; applying
inductive insight to matter by comprehension of groups in 11 ways; arising of
materiality at birth; cessation of materiality at death; 6 kinds of kamma-born matter, 5 kinds of citta-born
matter; citta and posture; nutriment on body can
produce matter; matter strongest at presence; 4 reasons why something is dukkha, 4 reasons why something is anatta;
buddha cannot change the characteristics of dhammas; attributing the three characteristics to different
time periods; MahÈsi’s warning about inferential vipassanÈ; the verses; ‘putting on’ and corrections.
Paragraphs: 20-75.
Tape 42: Introductory
remarks on seeing mind and matter; seeing the Immaterial Septad
by groups, pairs, moments, series, removal of false view, abolition of conceit
and ending of attachment; to see clearly no sense of ‘I’ or ‘self’ should be
present in the observation; Contemplation of Rise and Fall in brief and in
detail; 3 kinds of present; birth, aging and death do not have birth, aging and
death; seeing rise and fall in 5 ways, in the Noble Truths, in Dependent
Origination; the four methods used to see Dependent Origination correctly; the
characteristic of individual essence and what is formed; only rise and fall
evident to yogi, not present; phenomena are alway new
and short-lived; 10 impediments and corrections.
Paragraphs: 76-130.
Chapter
21
Tape 43: Review of
preceding vipassanÈ stages; Purification of Knowledge
and Vision of Way; after impediments fade mature seeing of rise and fall
appears; why 3 characteristics not apparent; attributes of 3 characteristics; 3
characteristics not included in the 5 aggregates; Knowledge of Contemplation of
Dissolution; 3 kinds of abandonment; Knowledge of Appearance as Terror; yogi
sees as terror without fear; Knowledge of Contemplation of Danger; Chaddanta; Knowledge of Dispassion; Desire for Deliverance;
RÈhu; Knowledge of Contemplation of Reflection;
Simile of the Snake; Discerning Formations as void and corrections.
Paragraphs: 1- 60.
Tape 44: Review of the
stages of vipassanÈ
knowledge, the simile of the snake; discerning formations and attributing the 3
characteristics to them; abandoning terror and delight; Knowledge of Equanimity
about Formations; formations arise until NibbÈna is
seen as peaceful; Insight Leading to Emergence of Path; one does not know
beforehand Path will arise; Path thought process; the signless,
desireless, void; contemplation of impermanence
brings faith, of pain brings tranquility, of void brings wisdom; preceding vipassanÈ contemplation of signless,
desireless, void will result in Path and Fruit being
likewise; signless is not mentioned in Abhidhamma; 7 kinds of Noble Persons; how a yogi becomes
enlightened; the 12 similes; number of Path or enlightenment factors may vary
with jhÈna; 3 opinion of how quality of Path is
determined by jhÈnas; progress; 5 reasons for Path
getting its names; how Path and Fruit can be signless
according to Suttanta method; and corrections.
Paragraphs: 49-128.
Tape 45:
Path Thought Process; Insight leading to emergence, and corrections.
Paragraphs: 128 - 136.
Chapter 22
Tape 45: Gotrabhu; Formations are external to NibbÈna
and NibbÈna is external to yogi; two objects are
taken in Path thought process; simile of leaping across stream; Fruit is akÈliko; discussion of number of Phala
moments; Noble Persons; reflections after enlightenment; Venerable MahÈnÈma; 37/14 states associated with enlightenment;
different groups and names of 37 factors of enlightenment; emergence from sign
and from occurrence; discussion of Right Thought (vitakka);
coupling of powers; and corrections.
Paragraphs: 1 - 46.
Tape 46: Brief remarks on
fetters, defilements, wrongnesses, worldly states
(approval and resentment towards these states), five kinds of avarice,
perversions, ties, bad ways, cankers and their range, hindrances, clingings, inherent tendencies; difference between anusaya and kilesa; unprofitable
courses of action, stains, unproftable cittas; abandonment of the respective members of these
groups by the Path cittas; the expression ‘only’;
Path Knowledge does not abandon what is past, future or present; the first set
of four uppanna; objects not observed with vipassanÈ can be taken by the defilements; Path eradicates
the liability to have defilements; the second set of four uppanna;
which uppanna can and cannot be abandoned by Path;
four functions of Path with respect to the Four Noble Truths and corrections.
Paragraphs: 47-103.
Tape 47: 4 functions of the
4 Noble Truths; 3 kinds of full understanding; 3 kinds of abandoning; only
hindrances mentioned but all distractions to meditation must be taken; mundane
and supramundande realization in threefold division
and corrections.
Paragraphs: 104 - 129.
Chapter 23
Tape 47: 4 benefits of
meditation; what Fruition is, who can and cannot attain it, purpose of
attaining Fruition, how it is attained, three ways it is made to last,
emergence from it comes in two ways, discussion of Fruition in the thought
processes, the opinions of some teachers about Fruition; discussion of what the
cessation of attainment is, who may and may not attain it, where it may be attianed, why it is attained, how it is attained; the four
preparatory tasks; how it is made to last and emergence, and corrections.
Paragraphs
1 - 49.