Knowing and Seeing

Knowing and Seeing
(Fourth Revised Edition)
Talks and Questions&Answers

at a Meditation Retreat in Taiwan
by
the Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw
A GIFT NOT FOR SALE
(First Edition) W.K.Ng (Private), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia:

1999: Free Distribution
(First Reprint) WAVE Publications, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia:
(Second Reprint) Penang Buddhist Association, Penang, Malaysia:
(Revised Edition: Second Edition)
WAVE Publications, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia:
2003: a gift in the public domain, the material cannot be copyrighted.
(Revised Edition II: Third Edition)
Pa-Auk Meditation Centre, Singapore
(Fourth Revised Edition)
Pa-Auk Meditation Centre, Singapore
The material in this book may be reproduced without the authors permission. It is recommended, however, that unauthorized changes and
other misrepresentation of the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaws
teachings be avoided.
It is further recommended that before publishing a new edition, one
contact Pa-Auk Tawya Meditation Centre in Myanmar and inquire
whether there is a later text to the book: typing or other errors may have
been corrected, additional information may have been added, etc.
It is also the Most Venerable Sayadaws express wish that there not be
his photograph or biography. He says: There is only the Dhamma.
Please respect the Sayadaws wish.
Any inquiries regarding this book may please be addressed to the author.
A GIFT NOT FOR SALE
C ONTENTS
page
Tables
Contents in Detail
Foreword (First Edition)
................................................................................................................................................................
iv
v
xi
.....................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
Introduction (Revised Edition)
.......................................................................................................
1: How You Develop Mindfulness-of-Breathing to Absorption

Questions and Answers 1
.....................
29
............................................................................................
49
2: How You Develop Absorption on Other Subjects

................................................
57
............................................................................................
71
3: How You Develop the Sublime Abidings and Protective Meditations 81

4: How You Discern Materiality
............................................................................................

5: How You Discern Mentality
............................................................................................
95
107
.........................................................................................
141
...............................................................................................
159
.........................................................................................
6: How You See the Links of Dependent Origination

..........................................
183
.........................................................................................
195
7: How You Develop the Vipassan Knowledges to See Nibbna

173
............
209
.........................................................................................
227
8: The Buddhas Wishes for His Disciples and His Teachings

9: The Most Superior Type of Offering
.....................
241
............................................................................
255
The Forty Meditation-Subjects

Editorial Notes
Bibliographical Abbreviations
Appendix 1: Glossary of Untranslated Pali Terms
Appendix 2: Contact Addresses
Index of Questions from Yogis
Main Index
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273
275
281
283
287
291
297
T ABLES
page
THE MENTAL PROCESSES
1a: The Jhna-Attainment Process

1b: The Mind-Door Process
44
.......................................................................................................
164
..........................................................................................................
168
.....................................................................................................................
188
1c: The Five-Door Process

1d: Death and Rebirth
...........................................................................................
MATERIALITY
2a: The Twenty-Eight Types of Materiality
..................................................................
2b: The Basic Types of Materiality of the Eye
...........................................................
2c: The Basic Types of Materiality of the Body
........................................................
2d: The Basic Types of Materiality of the Heart
137
138
139
.......................................................
140
...............................................................
192
DEPENDENT ORIGINATION
3a: Dependent Origination from Life to Life
C ONTENTS
(in Detail)
page
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
The Buddhas Dispensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
What Needs to be Fully Realized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
The First and Second Noble Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Knowing and Seeing the First Noble Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
How You Know and See the First and Second Noble Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
You Develop Concentration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
" Develop the Light of Wisdom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
" Protect Your Concentration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
" Penetrate to Ultimate Reality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Penetrating to Ultimate Materiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
"
Ultimate Mentality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
The Three Purifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Knowing and Seeing the Second and Third Noble Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
How You Know and See the Third Noble Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
You Know and See Dependent Origination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
" Practise Vipassan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
" Know and See the Unformed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
" Fully Realize the Four Noble Truths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
1: How You Develop Mindfulness-of-Breathing to Absorption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Why Meditate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
What is Meditation? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
The Noble Eightfold Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
How You Develop Concentration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
How You Develop Mindfulness-of-Breathing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
The Nimitta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
How You Balance the Five Controlling Faculties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
"
Seven Enlightenment-Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
How You Attain Jhna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Table 1a: The Jhna-Attainment Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Questions and Answers 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
2: How You Develop Absorption on Other Subjects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
How You Develop the Thirty-Two Parts of the Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

The Three Entrances to Nibbna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
How You Develop Skeleton Meditation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
1
See index of questions from yogis, p.291.
vi
Knowing and Seeing (Revised Edition II)
"
the Ten KasiLas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
The Colour KasiLas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
How You Develop the White KasiLa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
"
Remaining Colour KasiLas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
How You Develop the Earth KasiLa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
"
Water KasiLa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
"
Fire KasiLa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
"
Wind KasiLa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
"
Light KasiLa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
"
Space KasiLa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
The Four Immaterial Jhnas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
How You Develop the Base of Boundless Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
"
Base of Boundless Consciousness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
"
Base of Nothingness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
"
Base of Neither-Perceptionnor-Non-Perception . . . . . . . . . 68
3: How You Develop the Sublime Abidings and Protective Meditations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
How You Develop Loving-Kindness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
How You Develop Loving-Kindness Person by Person. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
"
Break Down the Barriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
The Twenty-Two Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
How You Develop the Unspecified and Specified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
"
Ten Directional Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
How You Develop Compassion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
"
Sympathetic Joy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
"
Equanimity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
"
The Four Protective Meditations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
How You Develop Buddha Recollection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
"
Foulness Meditation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
"
Death Recollection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
4: How You Discern Materiality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Three Types of Rpa-Kalpa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
The Materiality of the Three Types of Rpa-Kalpa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
The Four Origins of Materiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
2
Contents (In Detail)
vii
Kamma-Born Materiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Temperature- ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Consciousness- " . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Nutriment- " . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
The Beginning of Vipassan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
How You Develop Four-Elements Meditation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
How You See the Twelve Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
The Ten Ways to Develop Your Concentration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
How You See Ultimate Materiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Seeing the Body Translucency as One Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
How You See the Rpa-kalpas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
(Benefits of Concetration) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Translucent and Untranslucent Rpa-kalpas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
How You Analyse the Rpa-kalpas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
How You See the Four Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
"
Colour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
"
Odour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
"
Flavour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
"
Nutritive Essence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
"
Life Faculty and Sex Materiality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
"
Heart Materiality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
How You Analyse Each Sense Organ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
How You Analyse the Translucencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
How You Analyse Sex Materiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
The Fifty-Four Types of Materiality of the Eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
How You See Consciousness-Born Materiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
"
Temperature- " . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
"
Nutriment- " . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Table 2a: The Twenty-Eight Types of Materiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Table 2b: The Basic Types of Materiality of the Eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Table 2c: The Basic Types of Materiality of the Body . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Table 2d: The Basic Types of Materiality of the Heart. . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Questions and Answers 43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

5: How You Discern Mentality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
The Four Stages to Discerning Mentality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
How You Discern Jhna Mental-Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Table 1b: The Mind-Door Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
How You Discern Sensual-Sphere Mental Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Wise and Unwise Attention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
3
viii
How You Discern Mind-Door Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

How You Discern Five-Door Processes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Table 1c: The Five-Door Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
How You Discern External Mentality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
First You Discern External Materiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Discerning Mentality Internally/Externally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
6: How You See the Links of Dependent Origination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
The Fifth Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
The Three Rounds of Dependent Origination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
How You Discern Your Past Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Examples. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
What a Female Yogi Discerned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Table 1d: Death and Rebirth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
What a Male Yogi Discerned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
How You Discern More Past Lives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
How You Discern Your Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Table 3a: Dependent Origination from Life to Life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
The First Method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
7: How You Develop the Vipassan Knowledges to See Nibbna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
How You Develop the Comprehension Knowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
"
Increase Your Vipassan Knowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
The Forty Perceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
The Seven Ways for Materiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
The Seven Ways for Mentality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
How You Develop the Arise&Perish Knowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
How You Develop the Arise&Perish Knowledge
According to the Fifth Method of Dependent Origination . . . . 217
The Contemplation of the Nature of Arising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
"
Perishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
"
Arising & Perishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
How You Develop the Arise&Perish Knowledge
According to the First Method of Dependent Origination . . . . 221
How You Overcome the Ten Imperfections of Vipassan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
"
Develop the Dissolution Knowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
4
Contents (In Detail)
ix
You Know the First Eleven Knowledges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223

You Know and See Nibbna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
You Review Your Knowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
8: The Buddhas Wishes for His Disciples and His Teachings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
The Buddha Relinquishes the Will to Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
The Buddha Declares His Wishes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Our Duty as Buddhists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
How We May Benefit the World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
How We May Show Our Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
What We Must Learn and Practise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
The Basis for Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Samatha and Vipassan Meditation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
The Buddhas Exhortations to the SaOgha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
The Buddhas Advice to the Bhikkhus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
9: The Most Superior Kind of Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
The Disciples Debts to His Teacher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Opportunities Not to Be Missed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
The Fourteen Types of Personal Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
" Seven Kinds of Offering to the SaOgha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
" Four Kinds of Purification of Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
" Six Qualities of an Immeasurable Offering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Offerings at Retreat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
The Givers Wishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
The Most Superior of Worldly Offerings All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
How You Make a Most Superior Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Appendix 1: Glossary of Untranslated Pali . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Appendix 2: Contact Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Index of Questions from Yogis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Meditation (Practical). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Meditation (Doctrinal) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Doctrine (Bodhisatta5 Path etc.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Sundry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
For untranslated Pali, see Appendix 1, p.283
F OREWORD
(First Edition)
As most of us know, the three trainings of morality, concentration, and

wisdom, are the three stages of Buddhist practice. Through the practice of
the three trainings, an ordinary person can attain supreme Nibbna,6 and
become a Noble One.
The VisuddhiMagga compiled by the Venerable Buddhaghosa is an
exposition of the three trainings. It is based on the Pali texts and commentaries, and explains the seven stages of purification, and sixteen vipassan knowledges. But how to attain them has been a difficult question
for all Buddhists over many generations. For this, we are fortunate to
have the Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw of Pa-Auk Forest Monastery. His teaching is the same as, indeed it is in much more detail than,
what is described in the VisuddhiMagga. Based on the very same
sources, the Pali texts, commentaries and the VisuddhiMagga itself, the
Sayadaw teaches yogis, step by step, how to attain those stages of purification, and vipassan knowledges.
The goal of the teaching at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery is, in accordance
with the ancient texts, to realize Nibbna in this very life. To achieve that
end, yogis must comprehend all mentality-materiality, also known as the
five aggregates, as impermanence, suffering, and non-self. As for the objects of vipassan meditation, they are not only the internal and external
five aggregates, but also the five aggregates of past, future and present,
gross and subtle, superior and inferior, far and near. Only after comprehending all of them penetratively as impermanence, suffering, and non-self, can yogis attain the Noble Paths and Fruitions, and thereby gradually
eradicate or reduce various defilements. After having seen Nibbana for
the first time, yogis can see clearly that they have attained the First Path
and Fruition; what defilements they have abandoned; and what defilements they still need to abandon.7 Then they continue to practise vipassan to attain the higher Paths and Fruitions up to Arahantship, whereby
they are no longer subject to rebirth, and will attain final Nibbna after
death.
It is very fortunate that I still have the opportunity, in this age wherein
Buddhism is degenerating, to practise the original system of Buddhist
meditation. It makes me feel as if I were back in the Buddhas time. For
this I am very grateful to the Sayadaw, who spent many years practising
6
For untranslated Pali, see Appendix 1, p.283.

For details on how the yogi sees this, see further p.226.
xii
in the forest, and studying the Pali texts and commentaries to rediscover
this teaching. It is out of compassion that he sacrifices much of his time
to teach meditation for the benefit of humankind. His teaching is markedly clear and detailed throughout the seven stages of purification. This is a
rare teaching and hard to come by, not only in Taiwan, but in the whole
world.
From April to June, the Sayadaw conducted a two-month meditation retreat for the first time in Taiwan, at Yi-Tung Temple. Among many Taiwanese, his teaching will definitely arouse interest in the original meditation. It is also a great help to fill in some gaps in Mahyna meditation.
Hopefully the reader will, after reading the profound talks, and answers to
questions, given in Taiwan by the Sayadaw, be able to have a deeper understanding of the Buddhas teachings.
May the true Dhamma endure long. May the publication of this book
help provide a refuge for those who wish to know what the rounds of
birth&death are, and who wish to attain liberation. May this book guide
more people onto the right path to liberation, so that they can realize for
themselves: All formations are impermanent, all dhammas are non-self,
and Nibbna is utterly peaceful. To see that is certainly not something
impracticable, but something absolutely practical. Only one who sees it
knows it, and only one who experiences it can enjoy the bliss of the
Dhamma.
A Taiwanese Bhikshuni 8
Yogi at said retreat, who then went to Pa-Auk Tawya Monastery to continue.
Namo Tassa,
Homage to Him,
Bhagavato,
the Blessed One,
Arahato,
the Worthy One,
Samm-
the Perfectly
Sambuddhassa.
Self-Enlightened One.
I NTRODUCTION 9
THE BUDDHAS DISPENSATION
On one occasion, the Blessed One was dwelling among Vajjians at Ko6igma. There the
Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus10 thus:11
It is, bhikkhus, because of not understanding (ananubodh) and not penetrating
(appa5ivedh) the Four Noble Truths (Catunna6 AriyaSaccna6) that you and I have for
a long time wandered the round of rebirth. What four?
[1] It is, bhikkhus, because of not understanding and not penetrating the Noble
Truth of Suffering (Dukkhassa AriyaSaccassa) that you and I have for a long time
wandered the round of rebirth.
Truth of the Origin of Suffering (DukkhaSamudayassa AriyaSaccassa) that you
and I have for a long time wandered the round of rebirth.
Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (DukkhaNirodhassa AriyaSaccassa) that you
and I have for a long time wandered the round of rebirth.
Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering (DukkhaNirodhaGminiya Pa5ipadya AriyaSaccassa) that you and I have for a long
time wandered the round of rebirth.
The Four Noble Truths are thus the foundations of The Buddhas
Teaching, His Dispensation. He then explains:
[1] The Noble Truth of Suffering, bhikkhus, has been understood and penetrated.
[2] The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering has been understood and pentrat-
ed.
[3] The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering has been understood and penet-
rated.
[4] The Noble Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering has been
understood and penetrated.

Craving for existence has been cut off; the tendency to existence has been destroyed; now there is no more renewed existence.
Let us then see how the Four Noble Truths are related to each other.
This introduction is an addition to Knowing and Seeing Revised Edition.

For untranslated Pali, see Appendix 1 Glossary of Untranslated Pali Terms, p.283ff.
11
S.V.XII.iii.1 Pa5hamaKo5igmaSutta6 (The First KoTigma Sutta) For bibliographical abbreviations and source references, see Bibliographical Abbreviations etc. p.281.
10
WHAT NEEDS TO BE FULLY REALIZED
The Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths for us to realize the Third
Noble Truth, Nibbna, which is to put a complete end to rebirth and
therefore suffering. But that is not possible without the right conditions.
In the K5gra sutta (The Peaked-House Sutta), The Buddha explains first the conditions that make it impossible to put a complete end to
suffering:12
Indeed, bhikkhus, if anyone said: Without having built the lower structure of a
peaked house, I shall erect the upper structure, such a thing is impossible. So too, if
anyone said:
[1] Without penetrating the Noble Truth of Suffering as it really is;
[2] without penetrating the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering as it really is;
[3] without penetrating the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering as it really
is;
[4] without penetrating the Noble Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of
Suffering as it really is,
I shall put a complete end to suffering, such a thing is impossible.
This means that we cannot put a complete end to suffering (we cannot
attain the Third Noble Truth, Nibbna) unless we have first fully realized
the First Noble Truth (suffering (dukkha)), and fully realized the Second
Noble Truth (the origin of suffering (samudaya)). Only then are we able to
realize also the supramundane Fourth Noble Truth, the Supramundane
Noble Eightfold Path..
The only way to attain these realizations is to first practise the mundane
Fourth Noble Truth, the mundane path truth (lokiya maggasacca), which is the
mundane Noble Eightfold Path, the threefold training:
1) Morality (sla)
2) Concentration (samdhi)
3) Wisdom (pa)13
For bhikkhus, morality is P5imokkha restraint, and for laypeople, it is
the eight or five precepts. When we are established in morality, we can
develop access-concentration and absorption concentration (appansamdhi),
which is jhna (jhna), and can then proceed to develop wisdom, which is
vipassan meditation. Vipassan meditation is nothing other than to real12
S.V.XII.v.4: a peaked house is here a single-storied house with four outside pillars that
are surmounted with beams that support a high roof that peaks.
13
This is explained in the commentary to M.I.iv.3 MahGoplakaSutta6 (The Great
Cowherd Sutta), where The Buddha explains the eleven qualities in a bhikkhu that make
it impossible for him to progress in the Dhamma-Vinaya.
Introduction
ize the impermanent, suffering, and non-self nature of the Noble Truth of
Suffering and Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering. Only when we
practise vipassan well and thoroughly, and fully realize these two Noble
Truths, are we able to realize the supramundane Fourth Noble Truth, the
Noble Eightfold Path associated with supramundane Path Truth (Lokuttar
MaggaSacca): the Path (Magga) of Stream-Entry (Sotpatti), Once-Return (Sakadgmi), Non-Return (Angmi), and Arahantship.
In summary: the aim of the Fourth Noble Truth (the Eightfold Noble
Path) is to realize the Third Noble Truth (Nibbna), which is achieved
only by fully realizing the First and Second Noble Truths (Suffering and
the Origin of Suffering).
THE FIRST AND SECOND NOBLE TRUTH
But what is the First Noble Truth, the Noble Truth of Suffering? In the
DhammaCakkaPpavattana sutta (The Dhamma-Wheel Setting-inMotion Sutta), the Buddha explains:14
Now this, bhikkhus, is the Noble Truth of Suffering: birth is suffering; ageing is
suffering; illness is suffering; death is suffering; being united with the unloved is
suffering; being separated from the loved is suffering; not to get what one wants is
suffering: in brief, the five clinging-aggregates (pacupdnakkhandh) are suffering.
When The Buddha teaches the Noble Truth of Suffering, He teaches the
five aggregates; He teaches us to know and see the five aggregates. Our
human world is the five-constituent existence (pacavokrabhava) (the world
of five aggregates), and unless we know and see the five aggregates, we
cannot realize The Buddhas Teaching. This He explains in the Puppha
sutta (The Flower Sutta):15
And what is the ultimate reality of the world (loke lokadhammo) that the Tathgata
has realized with perfect and complete knowledge?
[1] Materiality (rpa) [2] Feeling (vedan). [3] Perception (sa). [4] Mental
formations (saAkhr)16. [5] Consciousness (viBa), bhikkhus, is the ultimate reality
of the world that the Tathgata has realized with perfect and complete knowledge.
14
S.V.XII.ii.1 The Dhamma-Wheel Setting-in-Motion Sutta

S.III.II.v.2 The Flower Sutta
16
formations: (saAkhra) The meaning of this term depends on the context. 1) As the cause
of consciousness (here), it refers to the formation of kamma: volitional formation by body,
speech or mind. 2) As the fourth clinging-aggregate, it refers to all the mental factors (except the two mental factors feeling and perception) associated with any kind of consciousness (resultant-, functional- or kamma consciousness): mental formations. In yet other
contexts, the term has yet other meanings.
15
Having done so, He explains it, teaches it, proclaims it, establishes it, discloses it
and elucidates it. When it is thus explained, taught, disclosed, analysed and elucidated by the Tathgata, if there is someone who does not know and see, how can I do
anything with that foolish common person, blind and sightless, who does not know
and does not see?
The realities of the world that The Buddha is here explaining are the
five aggregates, which are the Noble Truth of Suffering and the Noble
Truth of the Origin of Suffering. And in the MahSatiPa55hna sutta
(The Great Mindfulness-Foundation Sutta) He explains:17
And how, bhikkhus, in short, are the five clinging-aggregates (pacupdnakkhandh) suffering? They are as follows:
[1] the materiality clinging-aggregate (rpupdnakkhandho);
[2] the feeling clinging-aggregate (vedanupdnakkhandho);
[3] the perception clinging-aggregate (saupdnakkhandho);
[4] the mental formations clinging-aggregate (saAkhrupdnakkhandho);
[5] the consciousness clinging-aggregate (viBupdnakkhandho).
And in, for example, the Khandha sutta (The Aggregates Sutta), He
explains that the aggregates are aggregates of eleven categories:18
And what, bhikkhus, are the five clinging-aggregates? Whatever kind of materiality (rpa) there is, whether
[1-3]
past, future, or present (attngatapaccuppanna6);
[4-5]
internal or external (ajjhatta6 v bahiddh v);
[6-7]
gross or subtle (oCrika6 v sukhuma6 v);
[8-9]
inferior or superior (hna6 v paBta6 v);
[10-11] far or near (ya6 dre santike v)
that is tainted (ssava), that can be clung to (updniya), it is called the materiality
clinging-aggregate. Whatever kind of feeling. perception. mental formations.
Whatever kind of consciousness there is, whether past, future, or present; internal
or external; gross or subtle; inferior or superior; far or near that is tainted, that can
be clung to, it is called the consciousness clinging-aggregate.
These, bhikkhus, are called the five clinging-aggregates.
These five clinging-aggregates are the First Noble Truth, the Noble
Truth of Suffering, and, as The Buddha explains, they comprise each an
aggregate of eleven categories. This means that to know and see the five
aggregates is to know and see these eleven categories of materiality, feelings, perceptions, formations, and consciousness.
17
D.ii.9 The Great Mindfulness-Foundation Sutta (Also M.I.i.10)

S.III.I.v.6. In M.III.i.9 MahPuBBamaSutta6 (The Great Fullmoon-Night Sutta), a
bhikkhu asks The Buddha why the aggregates are called aggregates, and He explains that
the eleven categories constitute the aggregation of each aggregate.
18
Introduction
The first of the five clinging-aggregates (materiality) is also called just

materiality (rpa), and the remaining four clinging-aggregates (feeling,
perception, mental formations, and consciousness are together also called
just mentality (nma). Thus, the five clinging-aggregates are also called just
mentality-materiality (nmarpa).19
To know and see mentality-materiality as they really are, we need also
to know and see how they are connected, that is, we need to know and see
that in the five-constituent existence (pacavokrabhava), mentality depends
on materiality. The five-constituent existence is the world of five aggregates, and it is explained by The Buddha in the Loka sutta (The World
Sutta). Here, He explains mentality-materiality as eighteen elements
(dhtu): the six sense doors, six sense objects and six types of consciousness (viBa). He says:20
And what, bhikkhus, is the origin of the world?
[1] Dependent on the eye and colour (cakkhuca pa5icca rpe21 ca), there arises eye
consciousness (cakkhuviBa6).
With the meeting of the three there is contact (phasso).
Because of contact, feeling (vedan) [comes to be];
because of feeling, craving (taBh);
because of craving, clinging (updna);
because of clinging, existence (bhava);
because of existence, birth (jti);
because of birth, ageing&death (jarmaraBa), sorrow (soka), lamentation (parideva), suffering (dukkha), grief (domanassa) and despair (upysa) come to be.
[2] Dependent on the ear and sounds, ear consciousness arises.
[3] Dependent on the nose and odours, nose consciousness arises.
[4] Dependent on the tongue and flavours, tongue consciousness arises.
[5] Dependent on the body and tangibles, body consciousness arises.
[6] Dependent on the mind and dhammas,22 mind consciousness arises.
19
From another point-of-view, mentality-materiality are by The Buddha referred to as the

six bases (slyatana: six internal and six external), which is a term He also uses when
explaining dependent origination. Throughout His Teaching, The Buddha explains phenomena according to the inclination and understanding of his listeners. Hence, He explains
mentality-materiality in many different ways, although they refer ultimately to the same
things. See also Q&A 2.2, p.72, and footnote 474, p.248.
20
S.II.I.v.4
21
Here, rpa refers to colour, without which the object cannot be seen.
22
Here, as He is speaking of the eighteen elements of the world, dhammas refers to the
sixteen kinds of subtle materiality, and all associated mental factors. When speaking of
dhammas in other contexts, The Buddha means all objects, which include Nibbna and
concepts (paatti). But as the latter are not the world (are neither mentality nor materiality,
and are therefore not the First and Second Noble Truths) they are not included in the
(Please see further next page.)
To know and see mentality-materiality we need thus to know and see:

1) The sense doors
2) The objects that strike upon the sense doors
3) The thereby arisen consciousnesses and associated mental factors.
As explained by The Buddha, there are six sense doors:
1) Eye door
(cakkhudvra) 4) Tongue door
(jivhdvra)
2) Ear door
( sotadvra) 5) Body door
(kyadvra)
3) Nose door
(ghnadvra) 6) Mind door (bhavaOga) (manodvra)
The first five sense doors are materiality (rpa), and are therefore the
same as the five sense bases (vatthu),23 but the sixth sense door, the mind
door (bhavaOga), is mentality (nma). It depends on the sixth material base,
the heart base (hadayavatthu).
The five material doors take only their respective material object,
whereas the mental mind door takes those five objects and its own objects. This is explained by The Buddha in the UBBbhaBrhmaBa sutta,
although the term He uses is faculty (indriya):24
................
.....................
..............
...........................
................................
..
These five faculties (indriya), Brahmin, have each a different sphere (visaya), a different field (gocara), and do not experience (paccanubhontna6) each others field. What
five?
[1] The eye faculty . . . . (cakkhundriya6), [4] The tongue faculty . . . . . . (jivhindriya6),
[2] The ear faculty . . . . . . . . . . (sotindriya6), [5] The body faculty . . . . . . . . . . . (kyindriya6).
[3] The nose faculty. . . . (ghnindriya6),
Now, Brahmin, these five faculties, having separate spheres and separate fields, not
experiencing each others sphere and field, have the mind (mano) as their refuge
(pa5isaraBa6), and the mind experiences (paccanubhoti) their spheres and fields.
When the material objects strike upon their material sense door, they
strike at the same time upon the mind door (bhavaOga):25 All other objects
strike upon the mind door alone. The objects that strike upon the mind
World Sutta. See further footnote 474, p.248.
23
sense base: the five physical sense bases are called either vatthu or yatana. The sixth
sense base (the immaterial mind base (manyatana)) is called only yatana. But the physical base of the sixth base is called vatthu, as in hadayavatthu (heart base). All six sense
bases may also be called the six elements (dhtu).
24
Faculty (indriya) is here the same as base, door, element etc. elsewhere. The Brahmin to whom The Buddha is here speaking, used five faculties in his introductory question. (S.V.IV.v.2 ULLbha Brahmin Sutta)
25
The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw refers to the simile in the A55haslin 114
(The Expositor p.96): when a bird lands on the branch of a tree, its shadow strikes the
ground at the same time. In the same way, when the object strikes the material door, it
strikes the mind door at the same time.
Introduction
door alone include also those that are not mentality-materiality, that are
not the world. We have thus six types of object.
1) Colour objects (rprammaBa) 4) Flavour objects
(rasrammaBa)
2) Sound objects (saddrammaBa) 5) Touch objects26 (pho55habbrammaBa)
3) Odour objects (gandhrammaBa) 6) Dhamma objects (dhammrammaBa)
......
............
....
..
..
Dhamma objects are all objects apart from the previous five material
types of object: all other objects in the world, which can be cognized only
by the mind. They comprise six types:
1) Five kinds of translucent materiality (pasdarpa): the eye-, ear-, nose-,
tongue-, and body translucency.27 They are gross materiality (oCrikarpa).28
2) Sixteen kinds of subtle materiality (sukhumarpa)28
3) Six kinds of consciousness element (viBadhtu)29
4) Fifty-two kinds of mental factor (cetasika)30
5) The Nibbna element, the Unformed Element (AsaAkhataDhtu)
6) The infinite number of concepts (paatti): e.g. the concept of the
breath, the kasiLa object, and names for the ultimate realities, without which we cannot communicate.
26
More precisely: 1) visible-/chromatic-, 2) auditory-, 3) olfactory-, 4) gustatory-, and 5)

tangible/tactile objects.
27
translucent/translucency: see dictionary definition, footnote 504, p.276.
28
gross/subtle materiality: two divisions of the twenty-eight types of materiality. Gross
materiality (oCrikarpa) is considered so because it is impingeing materiality (sappa5igharpa) <materiality that impinges upon other materiality>. It is of twelve types: 1-5) the
five translucencies (just mentioned); 6-9) colour, sound, odour, and flavour; 10-12) the
earth-, fire-, and wind element. The translucencies are cognized by mind-door consciousness; the remainder by both mind-door- and five-door consciousness: they are easily discerned by insight. Subtle materiality (sukhumarpa) is considered so because it is nonimpingeing materiality (appa5igharpa). It is of sixteen types: 1) the water element; 2-6)
nutritive-essence, life faculty, heart base-, and female/male sex-materiality; 7-16) the ten
types of unconcrete materiality (See Table 2a The Twenty-Eight Types of Materiality,
p.137). Subtle materiality is cognized only by mind consciousness, and is not easily discerned by insight.
29
consciousness element: eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue-, body-, and mind-consciousness element.
30
fifty-two kinds of mental factors: VARIABLES: seven universals and six occasionals; UNWHOLESOME: fourteen universals, ten occasionals; WHOLESOME: nineteen beautiful universals,
three abstinences, two illimitables and non-delusion. For the wholesome, see, for example,
the thirty-three mental factors of the first jhna, table p.162.
As The Buddha explained, when one of the six sense doors comes together with its appropriate object, consciousness arises. We have thus six
types of consciousness:
1) Eye consciousness (cakkhuviBa) 4) Tongue consciousness (jivhviBa)
2) Ear consciousness
(sotaviBa) 5) Body consciousness (kyaviBa)
3) Nose consciousness (ghnaviBa) 6) Mind consciousness (manoviBa)
As The Buddha also explained to the Brahmin, when an object strikes
upon one of the five material sense doors, it strikes also upon the mental
sense door. When you have developed strong and powerful concentration,
you will be able to see that the object is reflected in the mind door (bhavaOga) as in a mirror.
Then will you also be able to see that the consciousnesses that arise in
one of the material sense doors are very weak. They just pick up the
object (abhiniptamatt). The actual knowing of the object is done by a series
of mind consciousnesses (manoviBa) that arise later.31
For example, when a material object such as colour strikes the materiality of the eye door, and strikes at the same time the mind door (the bhavaOga), a mind consciousness arises followed by an eye consciousness:
they do not know the object; they do not know that it is colour. The object is known by mind consciousnesses that arise afterwards.
We may thus understand that to know mentality-materiality we need to
know each type of mentality, each type of materiality, and how they work
together. We need to know:
1) The materiality of the door.
2) The materiality of the object.
3) The mentality that arises in the material door and mind door.
We need to know and see the eye door, its object (colour), and the mind
consciousnesses and eye consciousness that arise when colour strikes the
eye door. And we need to know and see that without the materiality of the
eye door, no eye consciousness arises, without the materiality of the heart
base no mind consciousness arises either, and without the materiality of
the object (colour), no eye- or mind consciousness arises either. We need
to know and see this for the ear, the nose, the tongue, and body too, and
need to know and see that there are objects known by mind consciousnesses alone, which also arise dependent on heart-base materiality.
But these realities are not to be known only as concepts, because that is
only to know and see things as they appear, which means we remain what
...
.........
..
31
.......
.....
See table 1b: The Mind-Door Process, p.164, and quotation p.125, from Dispeller of
Delusion.
Introduction
The Buddha called a foolish common person, blind and sightless, who does not
know and does not see.
To know and see these things as they really are we need to penetrate to
ultimate reality (paramatthasacca); we need to know and see ultimate mentality-materiality (paramatthanmarpa).
KNOWING AND SEEING THE FIRST NOBLE TRUTH
We need to know and see each and every type of mentality. We need to
see that in the five sense bases arises one of two types of consciousness,
two times five consciousness (dvepacaviBa):
1) Wholesome resultant consciousnesses (kusala vipkaviBa): that is,
eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue-, and body consciousness: five types of
consciousness.
2) Unwholesome resultant consciousnesses (akusalavipkaviBa): that is
also, eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue-, and body consciousness: again five
types of consciousness.
That is in total ten types of consciousness. And in the heart base arise
all other types of consciousness:
Twelve types of unwholesome consciousness (akusalacitta): eight greedrooted, two hatred-rooted, and two delusion-rooted.
Eighteen types of rootless consciousness (ahetukacitta): ten are the same
as the ten types of two times five consciousness that we just mentioned. There are also the two types of receiving consciousness, the
three types of investigating consciousness, the five-door adverting
consciousness, the mind-door adverting consciousness, and the Arahants smile-producing consciousness.
Twenty-four types of sensual-sphere beautiful consciousness (kmasobhaBacitta): that is eight types of sensual-sphere wholesome consciousness, eight types of sensual-sphere resultant consciousness, and
the Arahants eight types of sensual-sphere functional consciousness.
Fifteen types of fine-material sphere consciousness (rpvacaracitta):
that is, the five types of jhna wholesome consciousness, the five
types of jhna resultant consciousness, and the Arahants five types
of jhna functional consciousness.
Twelve types of immaterial-sphere consciousness (arpvacaracitta):
that is, the four types of immaterial-jhna wholesome consciousness,
the four types of immaterial-jhna resultant consciousness, and the
Arahants four types of immaterial-jhna functional consciousness.
10
Eight types of supramundane consciousness (lokuttarcitta): that is, the
four types of Path Consciousness and four types of Fruition Consciousness.

This gives eighty-nine types of consciousness. And whenever one of
these types of consciousness arises, there arise also a number of associated mental factors, of which there are fifty-two in total. Mentality comprises thus eighty-nine types of consciousness and fifty-two types of associated mental factors.32 They are included in the Noble Truth of Suffering.
So long as we are yet unenlightened, however, we are able to discern
only fifty-four of the eighty-nine types of consciousness and their mental
factors. That is:
Twelve types of unwholesome consciousness (akusalacitta)
Only seventeen types of rootless consciousness (ahetukacitta) (we cannot yet discern the rootless Arahant smiling-consciousness)
Only sixteen types of sensual-sphere wholesome consciousness (we
cannot yet discern the eight types of sensual-sphere functional consciousness, because they are found only in an Arahant)
Only the five types of fine-material sphere wholesome consciousness
(we cannot yet discern the five types of fine-material resultant and
five types of fine-material functional consciousness)
Only the four types of immaterial-sphere wholesome consciousness
(we cannot yet discern the four types of immaterial-sphere resultant
and four types of immaterial-sphere functional consciousness).
To know and see the Noble Truth of Suffering as it really is, we need
thus to directly know and directly see these fifty-four types of consciousness and associated mental factors. But as The Buddha explained, in this
our five aggregates world, mentality arises dependent on materiality; the
individual consciousness arises dependent on its respective base. That
means we need to directly know and directly see also the materiality.
To know and see materiality as it really is we need to know and see how
materiality consists of sub-atomic particles that are in Pali called rpakalpas.33 They arise and perish very quickly, but that is only conceptual
reality (vijjamnapaatti), not ultimate materiality (paramattharpa). To know
32
When doing nmakamma55hna (mentality meditation) one knows and sees these things
directly (see also p.159ff). Until then, one is referred to the Abs.
33
sub-atomic: The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw is here using the term subatomic to indicate what kind of reality one is looking at: he is not making any kind of
equation between the hypotheses of modern science and the realities that one sees in the
Buddhas ancient science.
Introduction
11
and see materiality as it really is, we need to penetrate the concept of

rpa-kalpas (penetrate the delusion of compactness34) and see the ultimate realities (paramatthasacc), the different types of ultimate materiality
(paramattharpa), that comprise the individual types of rpa-kalpa.
In the MahGoplaka sutta,35 The Buddha explains the knowledge of
materiality that is necessary for a bhikkhu to progress in the Dhamma and
Vinaya:
How does a bhikkhu have knowledge of materiality (rpa)? Here a bhikkhu understands as it really is: All materiality of whatever kind consists of the four great
essentials (cattri mahbhtni), and materiality derived from the four great essentials
(catunnaca mahbhtna6 updyarpa6).
That is how a bhikkhu has knowledge of materiality.
And He says that without this knowledge the bhikkhu is

incapable of growth, increase, and fulfilment in this Dhamma-Vinaya.
This means we need to know and see all twenty-eight types of materiality. That is, the four great essentials (mahbhta):
1) earth element (pathavdhtu) 3) fire element (tejodhtu)
2) water element (podhtu)
4) wind element (vyodhtu)
And the twenty-four types of derived materiality (updyarpa), such as:36
The five types of translucent materiality (pasdarpa): the eye-, ear-,
nose-, tongue-, and body translucency, which comprise the five
physical sense doors.
The four types of sense-field materiality (gocararpa): colour, sound,
odour, flavour.
Nutritive essence (oj)
Life faculty (jvitindriya)
Heart materiality (hadayarpa): the material base for mind consciousnesses (manoviBa) and their associated mental factors.
34
For details about penetrating the delusion of compactness, see Q&A 1.3, p.49, and How
You Analyse the Rpa-Kalpas, p.124.
35
M.I.iv.3 MahGoplakaSutta6 (The Great Cowherd Sutta)
36
For a complete list of the twenty-eight types of materiality, see Table 2a The TwentyEight Types of Materiality, p.137.
12
HOW YOU KNOW AND SEE THE FIRST AND SECOND NOBLE TRUTH
YOU DEVELOP CONCENTRATION
To be able to see the individual types of materiality of individual rpakalpas is to be able to see ultimate materiality, and that requires strong
and powerful concentration. Only strong and powerful concentration is
able to know and see things as they really are.37 It is explained by The
Buddha in, for example, the Samdhi sutta (The Concentration Sutta)
of the SaccaSa6yutta (Section on the Truths):38
Develop concentration (samdhi), bhikkhus. Concentrated (samhito), bhikkhus, a
bhikkhu understands according to reality. And what does he understand according
to reality ?
[1] He understands This is suffering according to reality;
[2] He understands This is the origin of suffering according to reality.
[3] He understands This is the cessation of suffering, according to reality.
[4] He understands This is the path leading to the cessation of suffering according to reality.
Develop concentration (samdhi), bhikkhus. Concentrated (samhito), bhikkhus, a
bhikkhu according to reality understands.
That is why, at Pa-Auk, we teach first to develop the strong and powerful concentration of the jhnas (absorption concentration (appansamdhi))
using, for example, mindfulness-of-breathing (npnasati) and the ten
kasiLas, or access concentration (upacrasamdhi)39 using four-elements
meditation (catu-dhtu vavatthna).40
37
This is what is called vipassan-basis jhna (vipassanpdakajjhna): see footnote 330,

p. 173. It is mentioned in many suttas, for example, D.i.2 SmaaPhalaSuttaD (The
Asceticism-Fruit Sutta). There, The Buddha explains how the bhikkhu develops the four
jhnas, and then: With consciousness thus concentrated (samhite citte), purified (parisuddhe), cleansed (pariyodte), unblemished (anaAgaBe), with contaminations gone (vigatpakkilese), become flexible (mudubhte), wieldy (kammaniye), fixed (5hite), attained to imperturbability (nejappatte), he directs and turns his consciousness towards knowledge and
vision (Badassananya cittaD abhinharati abhininnmeti).
38
S.V.XII.i.1 The Concentration Sutta
39
For a discussion about the different types of concentration, see Q&A 3.1, p.95.
40
For mindfulness-of-breathing, see How You Develop Mindfulness-of-Breathing p.33ff,
for the ten kasiLas, see How You Develop the Ten KasiLas, p.61ff; for four-elements meditation, see How You Develop Four Elements Meditation, p.116ff.
Introduction
13
YOU DEVELOP THE LIGHT OF WISDOM
Strong and powerful concentration produces strong and powerful light,

and it is by that strong and powerful light that you are able to penetrate to
ultimate truth (paramatthasacca). It is explained by The Buddha in the bhVagga (Splendour Chapter) of the AAguttaraNikya:41
There are, bhikkhus, four splendours. What four? The splendour of the moon,
of the sun, of fire, and of wisdom (pabh).
There are, bhikkhus, four radiances. What four? The radiance of the moon, of
the sun, of fire, and of wisdom (papabh).
There are, bhikkhus, four lights. What four? The light of the moon, of the sun,
of fire, and of wisdom (paloko).
There are, bhikkhus, four brilliances. What four? The brilliance of the moon, of
the sun, of fire, and of wisdom (paobhso).
There are, bhikkhus, four brightnesses. What four? The brightness of the moon,
of the sun, of fire, and of wisdom (papajjoto).
And He refers to the light also in His very first teaching, the DhammaCakkaPpavattana sutta, when He explains His enlightenment:42
thus, bhikkhus, in regard to things (dhamm) unheard before, there arose in me
vision (cakkhu), knowledge (Ba), wisdom (pa), true knowledge (vijj) and light
(loko).
Consciousnesses of mundane vipassan produce strong and powerful

light of enlightenment (vipassanobhso), but consciousnesses of supramundane vipassan produce light that is even more strong and powerful: for
example, the light of the Enlightened Ones enlightenment spread
throughout the ten-thousand-fold world system.43
How does this light arise? The deeply concentrated consciousness is associated with wisdom (pa). Such consciousness produces many generations of consciousness-born materiality (cittajarpa) of great brightness.44
Using that light, we are able to penetrate to ultimate truth (paramatthasacca);
41
A.IV.III.v.1-5 bh-, Pabh-, loka-, Obh-, andPajjotaSutta6

43
VsM.xx.634 VipassanUpakkilesaKath (Vipassan Imperfection Discussion) PP.xx.107. The light is the result of wholesome dhammas and is in itself not an imperfection.
But it can be the basis for imperfection (uppakilesava55hu) if the yogi who experiences it
becomes very attached to it, and develops the wrong view that he has thereby attained Path
and Fruition. See also SA.V.XII.ii.1 DhammaCakkaPpavattanaSutta6 (The DhammaWheel Setting-in-Motion Sutta), and How You Overcome the Ten Imperfections, p.222.
44
For details about the light that arises with very deep concentration and vipassan meditation, see Consciousness-born Materiality, p.112, and Q&A 4.10, p.156.
42
14
to see things as they really are. It is like going into a dark room: we need
light to see the objects there.45
YOU PROTECT YOUR CONCENTRATION
But it is not enough just to develop deep concentration, because to be

able to penetrate to ultimate reality is deep and profound, and is an opportunity we must not lose. We teach therefore also how you protect yourself
and your meditation by developing the four sublime abidings (brahmavihra)
up to jhna or access concentration:46
47
1) Loving-kindness (mett) to overcome anger and hatred.
2) Compassion (karuB) to overcome ill-will and cruelty.
3) Sympathetic joy (mudit) to overcome envy.
4) Equanimity (upekkh) to overcome indifference towards beings.
For the same reason, we teach also the four Protective Meditations (caturrakkhabhvan) up to jhna or access concentration:48
1) Lovingkindness (mett) to protect you against dangers from other beings.49
45
In S.IV.I.xvi.5 JvakAmbaVanaSamdhiSutta6 (The Jvakas-Mango-Grove Concentration Sutta), The Buddha explains this in accordance with the six bases: Develop
concentration, bhikkhus. When concentrated (samhitassa), bhikkhus, things become manifest to the bhikkhu, according to reality. And what becomes manifest according to reality?
The eye becomes manifest according to reality as impermanent. Sights Eye consciousness Eye contact And any feeling that arises because of eye contact, be it pleasant,
unpleasant, or neither unpleasant nor pleasant [the ear, nose, tongue, body, mind, their
objects, respective consciousnesses, contact, and feelings: the same as the all referred to
in quotation, p.152]. SA explains that become manifest (okkhyati) means they become
manifest (paccakkhyati), knowable (payati), and evident (pkata6): paccakkha (discernible, perceivable, known to the senses, manifest) is the opposite of anumna (inference).
And in S.V.III.i.4 SlaSuttaD (The Sla Sutta), The Buddha explains that newly ordained bhikkhus should be trained to abide contemplating the four foundations of mindfulness of unified (ekodibht) clear consciousness (vippasannacitt), concentrated (samhit),
of one-pointed consciousness (ekaggacitt), in order to know [the four foundations of
mindfulness] according to reality (kyassa yathbhtaD Bya).
46
See The Buddhas analysis of the four divine abidings, A.VI.I.ii.3 NissraByaSutta6
(The Escape Sutta), and M.II.ii.2 MahRhulOvdaSutta6 (The Great Advice-toRhula Sutta), and Q&A 2.2, p.72.
47
See The Buddhas advice, U.iv.1MeghiyaSutta6 (The Meghiya Sutta), discussed
also Summary, p.93, and Q&A 7.13, p.235.
48
These are also called the four protective meditation subjects (rakkhakamma55hna).
49
See The Buddhas explanation of the benefits of loving-kindness practice, A.XI.ii.5
MettaSutta6 (The Loving-Kindness Sutta): quoted p.87. For an example of this meditations efficacy, see also Q&A 2.2, p.72.
15
Introduction
50
Buddha Recollection (Buddhnussati) to protect you against fear, and

dangers from other beings.
3) Foulness meditation (asubhabhvan) to protect you against lust and desire.51
4) Death Recollection (maraBnussati) to protect you against laziness in
meditation: to fire you with a sense of urgency (sa6vega).52
With the jhna concentration or access concentration that you have already developed, these subjects do not take long to develop.53
2)
YOU PENETRATE TO ULTIMATE REALITY

PENETRATING TO ULTIMATE MATERIALITY
If you are a samatha yogi, with strong and powerful concentration that
is well protected, we then teach you how to know and see materiality as it
really is, using four-elements meditation (catu-dhtu vavatthna).54 But if you
prefer not to develop samatha, and prefer to develop only access concentration, you go straight to four-elements meditation.
We teach the discernment of materiality first for several reasons. One
reason is that to discern materiality is very subtle and profound. But although materiality changes billions of times per second, it does not
change as quickly as mentality does. This means that once you have
completed the profound discernment of materiality, the more profound
discernment of mentality becomes easier for you to do. Another reason is
that mentality depends on materiality, and unless one can see the specific
materiality that a consciousness depends upon, one cannot see the mentality at all. To be able to see it, one needs to see its arising.55
50
See The Buddhas advice, S.I.XI.i.3 DhajaggaSutta6 (The Standard Sutta).

For details on this meditation, see p.92f.
52
See The Buddhas advice, A.VI.ii.10&11 Pa5hama- & DutiyaMaraBassatiSutta6
(The First- & Second Death-Recollection Sutta).
53
For the sublime abidings and protective meditations see Talk 3 How You Develop the
Sublime Abidings and Protective Meditations, p.81ff.
54
For four-elements meditation, see How You Develop Four Elements Meditation,
p.116ff.
55
This is explained VsM.xviii.669-671 NmaRpaPariggahaKath (MentalityMateriality Definition Discussion) PP.xviii.16-23, where is added that if one does not
complete the discernment of materiality before proceeding to discern mentality, one falls
from ones meditation subject like the [foolish] mountain cow. (A.IX.I.iv.4 Gv-UpamSutta6 (The Cow Simile Sutta) mentioned p.46.). But this refers only to sensual
sphere mentality, not fine-material sphere mentality (jhna). See also p.160.
51
16
Four-elements meditation means you discern the four elements in materiality, and you start with the materiality that is your own body, that is,
you start with materiality that The Buddha called internal (ajjhatta). The
Buddha explains four-elements meditation in the MahSatiPa55hna
sutta:56
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu reviews this body, however it may be placed or disposed, in terms of the elements (dhtu): There are in this body
[1] earth element . . . (pathavdhtu), [3] fire element. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (tejodhtu),
[2] water element . . . . . . . . . (podhtu), [4] wind element . . . . . . . . (vyodhtu).
It is easier to start with ones own materiality because it is easier to

know that ones own materiality is hot or cold or hard or soft than it is to
know it in external materiality such as the materiality of another being.
But once you have become skilled in discerning internal materiality, you
will need to discern also the remaining ten categories of materiality enumerated by The Buddha: past, future, present, external, gross, subtle, inferior, superior, far and near.57
The Buddha taught four-elements meditation in order that we may be
able to know and see ultimate materiality. First, you develop the ability to
know and see the different characteristics of the four elements in your
body as one compact mass of materiality, as one lump. As your skill and
concentration develops you will eventually be able to see the rpakalpas, and then, using the light of concentration that you have developed, you will then be able to penetrate the delusion of compactness,58
penetrate to ultimate materiality, to know and see, to identify and analyse
the individual types of materiality in the different types of rpa-kalpa.
PENETRATING TO ULTIMATE MENTALITY
Having now truly known and seen the different types of ultimate materiality, you can proceed to knowing and seeing ultimate mentality, which
is meditation on mentality (nmakamma55hna).
We can discern mentality either by way of the six sense bases or by way
of the six sense doors.59 But, since you discerned materiality by way of the
56
D.ii.9 The Great Mindfulness-Foundation Sutta (Also M.I.i.10). See also M.II.ii.2
MahRhulOvdaSutta6 (The Great Advice-to-Rhula Sutta).
57
See KhandhaSutta6 (The Aggregates Sutta) quoted, p.4.
58
For details regarding the delusion of compactness, see Q&A 1.3, p.49, and How You
Analyse the Rpa-Kalpas, p.124.
59
When you discern by way of the sense bases, you discern the consciousnesses and associated mental factors that arise dependent on each of the sense bases. (E.g. you discern the
Introduction
17
sense doors, the VisuddhiMagga says you should do the same for mentality:60 When he has discerned materiality thus, the immaterial states become plain to him in
accordance with the sense doors. And the sub-commentary says further that to
discern mentality by way of the doors is to be free from confusion.61
The six sense doors and their objects were mentioned earlier, and are:
1) The eye door, which takes colour objects.
2) The ear door, which takes sound objects.
3) The nose door, which takes odour objects.
4) The tongue door, which takes flavour objects.
5) The body door, which takes touch objects.
6) The mind door (bhavaOga), which takes the previous five objects of
the five material sense doors, and dhamma objects.62
When one of the six types of object strikes its respective door, a series of
consciousnesses (citta) arise, and with each consciousness arise also a number of associated mental factors (cetasika): this is according to the natural
law of consciousness (cittaniyma). Such a series of consciousnesses and
associated mental factors is called a mental process (cittavthi), and there are
accordingly six types:
1) Eye-door process (cakkhudvravthi)
2) Ear-door process (sotadvravthi)
3) Nose-door process (ghnadvravthi)
4) Tongue-door process (jivhdvravthi)
5) Body-door process (kyadvravthi)
6) Mind-door process (manodvravthi)
When a material object strikes upon its material door, a mental process
of the first five doors arises: this is called a five-door process (pacadvravthi). But a mental process of the sixth door, the mind door (the bhavaOga), is called a mind-door process (manodvravthi).
eye base (the eye-translucent element), and then the eye consciousness (1) and associated
mental factors (7) that arise dependent on the eye base.) When you discern by way of the
six sense doors, you discern the different types of consciousness in the mental processes of
each door. For example, the different consciousness and associated mental factors of the
eye-door process. See also p.9 and following.
60
VsM.xviii.664 NmaRpaPariggahaKath (Mentality-Materiality Definition Discussion) PP.xviii.8
61
VsM^.ibid. For each of the five sense bases only one such type of consciousness arises,
but for the heart base, there arise all other types of consciousness. Unless one is well familiar with the Abhidhammas explanation of the different types of consciousnesses in the
different types of mental process, this may be very confusing to the beginning yogi.
62
See p.7 for explanation of dhamma objects.
18
As also mentioned before, when one of the five types of material object
strikes upon its material door, it strikes at the same time upon the mind
door (bhavaOga):63 both a five-door- and a mind-door process arise.
When, for example, a colour object strikes upon the eye door, it strikes at
the same time upon the mind door (bhavaOga), which gives rise first to an
eye-door process, and then to many mind-door process.64 This too takes
place according to the natural law of consciousness (cittaniyma).
It is thus clear that to know and see mentality, we need first to know and
see materiality, because to know and see these mental processes, we need
first to know and see the sense doors and their objects. This you did when
you discerned materiality.65
When discerning mentality, you first discern the different types of mental process, which means you discern how many consciousness moments
(cittakkhaBa) there are in each mental process, and discern the different types
of consciousness moment. But that is not ultimate mentality (paramatthanma). Just as you with materiality had to break down the delusion of
compactness that is the rpa-kalpa, so do you here need to break down
the delusion of compactness that is the mental process.66
Each mental process comprises what we call consciousness moments
(cittakkhaBa), and each consciousness moment is the time it takes for one
consciousness (citta) and its associated mental factors (cetasika) to arise,
stand and perish. A consciousness does not arise alone: it arises always
together with associated mental factors. Likewise, associated mental factors do not arise alone: they arise always together with a consciousness.
Hence, a consciousness and its associated mental factors arise as a compact group. To break down this compactness, you need to analyse each
type of consciousness moment and know and see the individual consciousness and its associated mental factors. That is knowing and seeing the
different types of ultimate mentality (paramatthanma). It is far subtler than
knowing and seeing the different types of ultimate materiality. But you
can do it because of the strong and powerful light of concentration that
you have developed, and because of the power of discernment that you
developed when discerning materiality.
63
See ULLbha Brahmin Sutta (quoted) etc., p.6ff.

For details, see tables 1b and 1c, p.164ff.
65
See How You Analyse the Translucencies, p.129ff.
66
For details regarding the delusion of compactness, see also Q&A 1.3, p.49.
64
Introduction
19
67
Mentality comprises, as mentioned, eighty-nine types of conscious and

fifty-two types of associated mental factors. But eight of those consciousnesses are supramundane (lokuttar): four Paths and four Fruitions), and arise
only when you do vipassan practice on one of the remaining eighty-one
types of consciousness (all mundane), and its associated mental factors. In
other words, the objects of vipassan are only the mundane eighty-one
types of consciousness, and their associated mental factors, whereas the
results of that vipassan are the eight supramundane consciousnesses.
Furthermore, included in those eighty-one types of mundane consciousnesses are the jhnas. But you cannot discern unless you have attained
them. Should you therefore be a pure-vipassan yogi, you leave out the discernment of jhna consciousnesses.
What you will now be able to discern is explained by the Buddha in the
MahSatiPa55hna sutta:68
Again and further, bhikkhus, how does a bhikkhu abide contemplating consciousness as consciousness? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu understands:
[1] lustful consciousness (saragacitta) as lustful consciousness,
[2] unlustful consciousness (vitaragacitta) as unlustful consciousness,
[3] hateful consciousness (sadosacitta) as hateful consciousness,
[4] unhateful consciousness (vitadosacitta) as unhateful consciousness,
[5] deluded consciousness (samohacitta) as deluded consciousness,
[6] undeluded consciousness (vitamohacitta) as undeluded consciousness,
[7] contracted consciousness (samkhittacitta) as contracted consciousness,
[8] distracted consciousness69 (vikkhittacitta) as distracted consciousness,
[9] exalted consciousness69 (mahaggatacitta) as exalted consciousness,
[10] unexalted consciousness (amahaggatacitta) as unexalted consciousness,
69
[11] surpassed consciousness (sauttaracitta) as surpassed consciousness,
[12] unsurpassed consciousness (anuttaracitta) as unsurpassed consciousness,
69
[13] concentrated consciousness (samahitacitta) as concentrated consciousness,
[14] unconcentrated consciousness (asamahitacitta) as unconcentrated consciouness,
[15] liberated consciousness69 (vimuttacitta) as liberated consciousness,
67
See p.10f.
The Great Mindfulness-Foundation Sutta (Also M.I.i.10)
69
D.ii.9: CONTRACTED shrunken, slothful and torpid, without interest in the object; DISTRACTED agitated, restless, worried; EXALTED of a fine-material/immaterial sphere (jhna);
UNEXALTED of the sensual sphere; SURPASSED of the sensual sphere; UNSURPASSED of a
fine-material/immaterial sphere (jhna); CONCENTRATED of access-concentration or jhna;
UNCONCENTRATED otherwise; LIBERATED at this stage, this refers to a consciousness that is
temporarily liberated owing to wise attention or because the hindrances have been suppressed by concentration; UNLIBERATED not so. The pairs 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, each
cover all types of mundane consciousness.
68
20
[16] unliberated consciousness (avimuttacitta) as unliberated consciousness.
Thus he abides contemplating mind as mind internally (ajjhatta6),

or he abides contemplating mind as mind externally (bahiddh),
or he abides contemplating mind as mind [both] internally and externally
(ajjhattabahiddh).
Here, The Buddha explains mentality as comprising sixteen types of

consciousness. That means you should know and see each pair, such as a
consciousness associated with lust,and one dissociated from lust, as they
really are, by way of each of the six sense doors, and do it internally, externally and both internally and externally. Then will you have penetrated
to ultimate mentality, and know and see it as it really is.
THE THREE PURIFICATIONS
Having now known and seen mentality-materiality as they really are,

you have realized what is called the three purifications.70 The VisuddhiMagga,71 explains:72
[1] morality purification (slavisuddhi) is the quite purified fourfold morality beginning
with Pimokkha restraint

[2] consciousness purification (cittavisuddhi), namely, the eight attainments [the
jhnas] together with access concentration73

[3] view purification (di55hivisuddhi) is the correct seeing of mentality-materiality.
KNOWING AND SEEING THE SECOND AND THIRD NOBLE TRUTH
To attain Nibbna, however, we need to know and see also the Noble
Truth of the Origin of Suffering. The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering is explained by The Buddha in the DhammaCakkaPpavattana
sutta:74
70
See further Q&A 2.3, p.77.

VisuddhiMagga (Purification Path): authoritative and extensive instruction manual on
meditation, compiled from ancient, orthodox Sinhalese translations of the even earlier Pali
Commentaries (predominantly The Ancients (PorB), dating back to the time of The
Buddha and the First Council) as well as later Sinhalese Commentaries, and translated
back into Pali by Indian scholar monk Venerable Buddhaghosa (approx. 500 A.C.).
72
VsM.xviii.587 Di55hiVisuddhiNiddesa (View-Purification Description) PP.xviii.1-2
73
For how concentration purifies the mind, see also Q&A 7.8, p.232.
74
71
Introduction
21
Now this, bhikkhus, is the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering: it is this craving
(taBh) that leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there; that is,
[1] craving for sensual pleasures (kmataBh),
[2] craving for existence (bhavataBh),
[3] craving for non-existence (vibhavataBh).
In more detail, The Buddha explains the Noble Truth of the Origin of
Suffering as dependent origination (pa5iccasamuppda):75
And what, bhikkhus, is the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering (DukkhaSamudaya6 AriyaSacca6)?
[1] Because of ignorance (avijj), formations [arise] (saAkhr);
[2] because of formations, consciousness (viBa);
[3] because of consciousness, mentality-materiality (nmarpa);
[4] because of mentality-materiality, the six bases (saCyatana);
[5] because of the six bases, contact (phassa);
[6] because of contact, feeling (vedan);
[7] because of feeling, craving (taBh);
[8] because of craving, clinging (updna);
[9] because of clinging, existence (bhava);
[10] because of existence, birth (jti);
[11] because of birth,
[12] ageing&death (jarmaraBa), sorrow (soka), lamentation (parideva), pain (dukkha),
grief (domanassa) and despair (upys) arise.
Such is the origin of this whole mass of suffering.
This is called, bhikkhus, the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering (Ida6 vuccati,
bhikkhave, DukkhaSamudaya6 AriyaSacca6).
Also this needs to be known and seen as it really is, which is to know
and see how five causes in one life (ignorance, volitional formations,
craving, clinging and existence76) give rise to rebirth, which is five results
(consciousness, mentality-materiality, the six sense bases, contact and
feeling). You need to see how this ongoing process continues from life to
life.
75
A.III.II.ii.1 TitthyatanaSutta6 (The Sectarian Doctrines Sutta)

There are two types of existence (bhava): 1) kamma-process existence (kammabhava),
which is the production of kamma; 2) rebirth-process existence (upapattibhava), which is
the result of kamma (rebirth in any sphere of existence). See quotation, footnote 364,
p.192.
76
22
HOW YOU KNOW AND SEE THE THIRD NOBLE TRUTH
But it is not enough to see dependent origination only as the arising of

formations; you need also to see it as the perishing and cessation of formations:77
And what, bhikkhus, is the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (DukkhaNirodha6 AriyaSacca6) ?
[1] With ignorances remainderless fading away and cessation (avijjya tveva asesavirganirodh),
[2] volitional formations cease (saAkhranirodho);
[3] with volitional formations cessation, consciousness ceases (viBanirodho);
[4] with consciousnesss cessation, mentality-materiality ceases (nmarpanirodho);
[5] with mentality-materialitys cessation, the six sense bases cease (saCyatananirodho);
[6] with the six sense bases cessation, contact ceases (phassanirodho);
[7] with contacts cessation, feeling ceases (vedannirodho);
[8] with feelings cessation, craving ceases (taBhnirodho);
[9] with cravings cessation, clinging ceases (updnanirodho);
[10] with clingings cessation, existence ceases (bhavanirodho);
[11] with existences cessation, birth ceases (jtinirodho);
[12] with births cessation, ageing&death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief and despair cease (jarmaraBa6, sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupys nirujjhanti).
Such is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering.
This is called, bhikkhus, the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (Ida6 vuccati,
bhikkhave, DukkhaNirodha6 AriyaSacca6).
You need to see the momentary cessation of formations that takes place
from consciousness moment to consciousness moment, which is knowing
and seeing the (mundane) Truth of Suffering. And you need to continue
until you see that you in the future attain Arahantship and later attain
Parinibbna.
When you in the future attain Arahantship, ignorance (1) will have been
destroyed, and there will have been the remainderless cessation (anavasesanirodh) of volitional formations (2), craving (8), and clinging (9): the causes
for suffering will have ceased. But suffering itself will not have ceased,
because the results of past kamma still operate: you will still be possessed
of the five aggregates.78 (Even The Buddha was possessed of the five aggregates, and suffered pleasant and unpleasant feelings.79) It is only at
77
A.III.II.ii.1 TitthyatanaSutta6 (The Sectarian Doctrines Sutta)

The five aggregates = consciousness (3), mentality-materiality (4), the six sense bases
(5), contact (6), and feeling (7).
79
The Buddha suffered, for example, because of a back pain (see p.241), and at old age
78
Introduction
23
your Parinibbna that the five aggregates cease without remainder: it is

only at your Parinibbna that suffering ceases. This means there are two
types of cessation:
1) the cessation at your attainment of Arahantship
2) the cessation at your Parinibbna
The cause for these two cessations is the Arahant Path Knowledge,
which knows and sees (the Unformed (ASaAkhata)) Nibbna, the Noble
Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (Nirodha AriyaSacca). But this does not
mean that when you now look into the future and know and see your attainment of Arahantship and Parinibbna, you know and see Nibbna:
you do not at this stage know and see Nibbna. At this stage you know
and see only when the five causes that give rise to formations cease, there
are no more formations. With that knowledge, you understand that your
Parinibbna will have been realized.
Without seeing this, says The Buddha, you cannot realize Nibbna, the
goal of asceticism and Brahminhood:80
Those, bhikkhus, ascetics or Brahmins (samaB v brhman v)
[1] who do not understand ageing&death,
[2] who do not understand ageing&deaths origin (samudaya),
[3] who do not understand ageing&deaths cessation (nirodha),
[4] and who do not understand the way leading to ageing&deaths cessation (nirodhagminipa5ipada6);
who do not understand birth existenceclinging craving feeling contact
the six sense bases mentality-materiality consciousness volitional formations,
their origin, their cessation, and the way leading to their cessation: these I do not
consider to be ascetics among ascetics or Brahmins among Brahmins, and such venerable ones do not, by realizing it for themselves with direct knowledge, in this very
life enter and dwell in the goal of asceticism or the goal of Brahminhood.
But you can enter and dwell in the goal of asceticism, you can see these
things, because you have developed strong and powerful concentration.
The Buddha explains in the Samdhi sutta (The Concentration Sutta)
of the KhandhaSa6yutta (The Aggregate-Section):81
because of ageing (see quotation p.252).
80
S.II.I.ii.3 SamaBaBrhmaBaSutta6 (The Ascetics and Brahmins Sutta). In
M.II.iii.10 VekhanassaSutta6 (Vekhanassa is a wanderers name), The Buddha also
explains: If any, Kaccna, ascetics and brahmins, without knowing the past, without seeing the future, claim Birth is destroyed, the holy life has been lived, what had to be done
has been done, there is no more coming into any state of being, such with this, in accordance with the Dhamma, are confuted.
81
S.III.I.i.5
24
Develop concentration, bhikkhus (Samdhi6, bhikkhave, bhvetha).

Concentrated, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu according to reality understands (yathbhta6
pajnti). And what according to reality does he understand?
[1] Materialitys appearance and disappearance;
[2] feelings appearance and disappearance;
[3] perceptions appearance and disappearance;
[4] formations appearance and disappearance;
[5] consciousnesss appearance and disappearance.
YOU KNOW AND SEE DEPENDENT ORIGINATION
The splendour, radiance, light, brilliance and brightness of wisdom that

you have developed enables you to go back along the line of successive
mentality-materiality from the present to the moment of your rebirth in
this life, to the moment of your death in your past life, and further back in
the same way to as many lives as you can discern, and then also look into
the future, to the time of your own Parinibbna.82 By looking at the individual constituents of mentality-materiality, you will be able to identify
the causes and effects.
At the time of practising diligently and with a mind that is purified by
strong and powerful concentration, engaged in the deep and profound
practice of discerning ultimate mentality-materiality, you will see that in
the future there is the attainment of final cessation: Nibbna. But if you
stop meditating etc., the conditions will have changed, in which case the
future results will also have changed.
An example of this is Mahdhana the Treasurers Son and his wife.83
They both inherited very much wealth, but Mahdhana squandered it on
drink and entertainment. Finally, he and his wife had nothing at all, and
were begging in the streets. The Buddha explained to nanda that if Mahdhna had become a bhikkhu when young, he would have become an
Arahant; if he had become a bhikkhu when middle-aged, he would have
become a Non-Returner; and if he had become a bhikkhu when elderly,
he would have become a Once-Returner: such were his pram. But because of drink, he attained nothing at all, and was now a beggar. This
shows that our future is determined all the time by our present. That is
why, at the time of practising deep and profound meditation continuously
over a period, you will see your own Parinibbna either in this life or in
the future.
82
For details see How You Discern Your Future, p.191, and Table 1d Death and Rebirth,
p.188.
83
DhP.A.xi.9 MahdhanaSe55hiPuttaVatthu (The Case of Mahdhana the Lord-Son)
Introduction
25
Without seeing past lives and future lives it is impossible for you to understand dependent origination as it really is: to know and see how past
causes have given results in the present, and present causes will give results in the future, and how the cessation of the causes gives the cessation
of the results. And without knowing and seeing dependent origination, it
is impossible to know and see the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering
as it really is. It is explained in the VisuddhiMagga:84
There is no one, even in a dream, who has got out of the fearful round of rebirths, which is
ever destroying like a thunderbolt, unless he has severed with the knife of knowledge well whetted on the stone of sublime concentration, this Wheel of Existence, which offers no footing owing to its great profundity, and is hard to get by owing to the maze of many methods. And this
has been said by the Blessed One:
This dependent origination is profound, nanda, and profound it appears. And,
nanda, it is through not understanding, through not penetrating it, that this generation has become a tangled skein, a knotted ball of thread, matted as the roots in a
bed of reeds, and finds no way out of the round of rebirths, with its states of loss,
unhappy destinations perdition.85
Once you have known and seen the Second Noble Truth (the Noble
Truth of the Origin of Suffering) as it really is, you will have overcome
doubt about the three divisions of time: present, past, and future. It is explained in the VisuddhiMagga:86
When he has thus seen that the occurrence of mentality-materiality is due to conditions (paccayato), then he sees (samanupassati) that, as now, so in the past too its occurrence was due to
conditions, and in the future too its occurrence will be due to conditions.
Having reached this stage, you have realized the Doubt-Overcoming

Purification (KaAkhVitaraBa Visuddhi).87 It is only at this stage that you can
begin to practice Vipassna, because it is only at this stage that you know
and see ultimate reality: you cannot practise vipassan until you have
seen dhammas88 as they really are.
84
VsM.xvii.659 BhavaCakkaKath (The Wheel of Existence Discussion) PP.xvii.314:

the quotation is from D.ii.2 MahNidnaSutta6 (The Great Causation Sutta).
85
This passage is quoted and analysed p.79.
86
VsM.xix.679 PaccayaPariggahaKath (Cause-Apprehending Discussion) PP.xix.5
87
For the discernment of dependent origination/cessation, and past and future mentality/materiality, see Talk 6 How You See the Links of Dependent Origination, p.183ff.
88
For dhammas, see footnote 22, p.5.
26
YOU PRACTISE VIPASSAN
When practising vipassan, you go back and again know and see the
Noble Truth of Suffering as it really is, and the Noble Truth of the Origin
of Suffering as it really is: you know and see the arising and perishing of
all eleven categories of mentality-materiality. But this time you know and
see them as impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha) and without a self,
non-self (anatta). You know and see formations as they really are, and reflect on them according to the instructions given by The Buddha in His
second teaching, the AnAttaLakkhaBa sutta (The Non-Self Characteristic Sutta), which He taught to the group of five bhikkhus (pacavaggiy
bhikkh):89
[1] What do you think, bhikkhus, is materiality permanent or impermanent
(nicca6 v anicca6 v)? (Impermanent, Venerable Sir.)

[2] That which is impermanent, is it suffering or happiness (dukkha6 v ta6 sukha6
v)? (Suffering, Venerable Sir.)

[3] Is that which is impermanent, suffering and subject to change, fit to be regar-
ded thus: This is mine (eta6 mama); this I am (esohamasmi); this is my self (eso
me att)? (No, Venerable Sir.)
Therefore, bhikkhus,
[1] whatever kind of materiality there is, whether past, future, or present; internal or external; gross or subtle; inferior or superior; far or near, all materiality should be seen as it really is with right wisdom thus: This is not mine
(neta6 mama;); this I am not (nesohamasmi;); this is not my self (na meso att).
[2] Whatever kind of feeling there is whether past, future, or present; internal or
external; gross or subtle; inferior or superior; far or near, all feeling.
[3] Whatever kind of perception there is whether past, future, or present; internal
or external; gross or subtle; inferior or superior; far or near, all perception.
[4] Whatever kind of mental formations there are whether past, future, or present; internal or external; gross or subtle; inferior or superior; far or near all
mental formations.
[5] Whatever kind of consciousness there is whether past, future, or present; internal or external; gross or subtle; inferior or superior; far or near, all consciousness should be seen as it really is with right wisdom thus: This is not
mine; this I am not; this is not my self.90
In other words, formations (saAkhr), which is mentality-materiality and

their causes, perish as soon as they arise, which is why they are
89
S.III.I.II.i.7
The commentary to the ChannOvdaSutta6 (The Advice-to-Channa Sutta);
M.III.v.2) explains that This is not mine is a reflection on impermanence; This I am not
is a reflection on suffering; This is not my self is a reflection on non-self.
90
Introduction
27
impermanent (anicca); they are subject to constant arising and perishing,

which is why they are suffering (dukkha); they have no self (atta), or stable
and indestructible essence, which is why they are non-self (anatta).
YOU KNOW AND SEE THE UNFORMED
Through a series of exercises in which you contemplate the rising and

perishing of formations, and then only the perishing of formations, you
progress through the remaining Knowledges (Ba), after which you will
eventually know and see the Unformed (AsaAkhata), which is Nibbna.
When you know and see the unformed, you know and see the Deathless
(Amata). This is explained by The Buddha:91
Let him look on the world as void:
Thus, Mogharja, always mindful,
He may escape the clutch of death
By giving up belief in self.
For King Death cannot see the man
Who looks in this way on the world.
When The Buddha says we must know and see the world as void, He
means that we must know and see it as void of permanence (nicca), void of
happiness (sukha) and void of self (atta).92 In ordinary language, we may say
that you must see absolute zero.
But this does not mean that your consciousness is absolute zero: your
consciousness is fully aware: it is the object that your consciousness
knows and sees which is absolute zero. The object that your consciousness is fully aware of and knows and sees is the Nibbna element: the
Unformed Element (AsaAkhataDhtu).93 This is realization of the Supramundane Eightfold Noble Path, when all eight factors take Nibbna as object.94
91
SuN.v.15 MogharjaMBavaPucch (The Student Mogharjas Questions), quoted

VsM.xxi.765 SaAkhrUpekkhBaKath (Equanimity-Towards-Formations-Knowledge Discussion) PP.xxi.60.
92
Further to the perception of voidness, see also Q&A 5.9, p.181.
93
For a discussion of the inevitable full awareness at the realization of Nibbna, see Q&A
3.2, p.97.
94
For the realization of Nibbna, see You Know and See Nibbna, p.224.
28
YOU FULLY REALIZE THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
It is at this stage that you will have realized the Four Noble Truths as
they really are, and that has been possible only because the necessary
conditions for doing so have been present. In the K5gra sutta (The
Peaked-House Sutta) mentioned previously, the Buddha explains also
how those conditions make it possible to put a complete end to suffering:95
Indeed, bhikkhus, if anyone said: Having built the lower structure of a peaked
house, I shall erect the upper structure, such a thing is possible. So too, if anyone
said:
[1] Having realized the Noble Truth of Suffering as it really is;
[2] having realized the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering as it really is;
[3] having realized the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering as it really is;
[4] having realized the Noble Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering as it really is, I shall put a complete end to suffering; such a thing is
possible.
And He adds:
[1] Therefore, bhikkhus, an exertion should be made (yogo karaByo) to under-
stand: This is suffering (ida6 dukkhanti).

[2] Therefore, bhikkhus, an exertion should be made to understand: This is the
origin of suffering (ida6 dukkhasamudayanti).

cessation of suffering (ida6 dukkhanirodhanti).

path leading to the cessation of suffering (ida6 dukkhanirodhagminpa5ipadti).
May all beings find the opportunity to make the necessary exertion to
fully realize the Four Noble Truths, and put a complete end to suffering.
Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw
Pa-Auk Tawya Monastery
95
S.V.XII.v.4 The Peaked-House Sutta.
Talk 1
H OW Y OU D EVELOP
M INDFULNESS - OF -B REATHING TO A BSORPTION
INTRODUCTION
We are very happy to have come to Taiwan, at the invitation of some

Taiwanese monks and nuns who stayed at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery, near
Mawlamyine in Myanmar.96 While in Taiwan we should like to teach you
something about the system of meditation taught at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery. It is based upon instructions found in the Pali97 Buddhist texts and
the VisuddhiMagga.98 We believe that the meditation taught in the Pali
Buddhist texts is the same as the meditation practised by The Buddha
Himself, and taught by Him to His disciples during His lifetime.
WHY MEDITATE?
First we should ask ourselves, Why did The Buddha teach meditation?
or, What is the purpose of meditation?
The purpose of Buddhist meditation is to attain Nibbna. Nibbna is the
cessation of mentality (nma) and materiality (rpa). To reach Nibbna,
therefore, we must completely destroy both wholesome volitional formations, rooted in non-greed, non-hatred, and non-delusion, and unwholesome mental formations, rooted in greed, hatred, and delusion, all of
which produce new birth, ageing, sickness and death. If we destroy them
totally with the Path Knowledge (Ariyamagga), then we will have realized
Nibbna. In other words, Nibbna is release and freedom from the suffering of the round of rebirths (sa6sra), and is the cessation of rebirth, ageing,
sickness, and death. We are all subject to the suffering of rebirth, ageing,
sickness, and death, and so to free ourselves from the many forms of suffering we need to meditate. Since we wish to be free from all suffering,
we must learn how to meditate in order to attain Nibbna.
WHAT IS MEDITATION?
So what is meditation? Meditation consists of samatha and vipassan

meditation, which must both be based upon moral conduct of body and
96
Pa-Auk Tawya = Pa-Auk Forest

For untranslated Pali terms, see Appendix 1, p.283.
98
VisuddhiMagga: see footnote 71, p.20.
97
30
speech. In other words, meditation is the development and perfection of

the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariya A55haAgika Magga). The Noble Eightfold Path
is:
1) Right View
(SammDi55hi) 5) Right Livelihood
(Sammjva)
2) Right Thought (SammSaAkappa) 6) Right Effort
(SammVyma)
3) Right Speech
(SammVc) 7) Right Mindfulness
(SammSati)
4) Right Action (SammKammanta) 8) Right Concentration (SammSamdhi)
Right View is two types of view: Vipassan Right-View (VipassanSammDi55hi) and Path Right-View (MaggaSammDi55hi). Right View and Right
Thought are together called the training of wisdom (pa).
Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood are together called
the training of morality (sla).
Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration are together
called the training of concentration (samdhi), which is samatha meditation
(samathabhvan).
.................
...
..............
.....
...............
.......................
..............
..
THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH
Now, let us look a little bit more at each of the eight factors of the Noble Eightfold Path.
The first factor is Right View (SammDi55hi). What is Right View? Right
View consists of four kinds of knowledge:
1) Vipassan knowledge of the Noble Truth of Suffering, which is the
five clinging-aggregates.
2) Vipassan knowledge of the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering,
which discerns the causes for the five clinging-aggregates, in other
words, it is the vipassan knowledge of dependent origination.
3) Realization and knowledge of the Cessation of Suffering, which is
the cessation of the five clinging-aggregates, Nibbna.
4) Knowledge of the Noble Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation
of Suffering, which is the way of practice leading to realization of
Nibbna, the Noble Eightfold Path.
The second factor of the Noble Eightfold Path is Right Thought (SammSaAkappa). Right Thought too is four-fold:
1) Application to the object of the Noble Truth of Suffering, which is
the five clinging-aggregates.
2) Application to the object of the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering, which is the causes for the five clinging-aggregates.
3) Application to the object of the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering, which is Nibbna.
1 - How You Develop Mindfulness-of-Breathing to Absorption
31
Application to the object of the Noble Truth of the Path Leading to

the Cessation of Suffering, which is the Noble Eightfold Path.
Thus, Right Thought applies the mind to the object of the Truth of Suffering, the five clinging-aggregates, and Right View understands it as it
really is. These two factors work together to apply the mind to each of the
Four Noble Truths, and to understand them. Since they work together in
this way, they are called the training of wisdom (pa sikkh).
The third factor of the Noble Eightfold Path is Right Speech (SammVc).
Right Speech is to abstain from lying, slander, harsh speech, and useless
talk.
The fourth factor of the Noble Eightfold Path is Right Action (SammKammanta). Right Action is to abstain from killing, from theft, from sexual
misconduct, and from taking beer&wine liquor and other intoxicants.99
The fifth factor of the Noble Eightfold Path is Right Livelihood (Sammjva). Right Livelihood is to abstain from obtaining a living by wrong
speech or wrong actions, such as killing, stealing, or lying. For laypeople
it includes to abstain from the five types of wrong trade: trade in weapons, humans, animals for slaughter, liquor and other intoxicants, and poisons.
The three factors of Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood
are called the training of morality (sla sikkh).
The sixth factor of the Noble Eightfold Path is Right Effort (SammVyma). Right Effort is also of four kinds:
1) The effort to prevent the arising of unwholesome states that have not
yet arisen;
2) The effort to remove unwholesome states that have already arisen;
3) The effort to arouse the arising of wholesome states that have not yet
arisen;
4) The effort to increase wholesome states that have already arisen.
In order to develop these four types of Right Effort, we must practise
and develop the three trainings of morality, concentration, and wisdom.
The seventh factor of the Noble Eightfold Path is Right Mindfulness
(SammSati). Right Mindfulness is also of four kinds, the four foundations
of mindfulness (satipa55hna):
1) Body-contemplation (kynupassan satipa55hna)
2) Feelings-contemplation (vedannupassan satipa55hna)
3) Consciousness-contemplation (cittnupassan satipa55hna)
4) Dhammas-contemplation (dhammnupassan satipa55hna)
4)
99
beer&wine liquor: see footnote 471, p.246.
32
Here, dhammas are the fifty-one associated mental factors excluding

feeling, or the five clinging-aggregates, or the twelve internal and external sense bases, or the eighteen elements, or the seven enlightenmentfactors, or the Four Noble Truths, etc. But the four types of mindfulness
can in fact be reduced to just two, mindfulness of materiality and mindfulness of mentality.
The eighth factor of the Noble Eightfold Path is Right Concentration
(SammSamdhi). Right Concentration is the first jhna (absorption), second
jhna, third jhna, and fourth jhna. These are called Right Concentration
according to the MahSatiPa55hna sutta, The Great MindfulnessFoundation Sutta.100 In the VisuddhiMagga,101 Right Concentration is
explained further as the four jhnas (rpajhna), the four immaterial jhnas
(arpajhna) and access concentration (upacrasamdhi).
Some people have a great accumulation of pram, and can attain Nibbna by simply listening to a brief or detailed talk on the Dhamma. Most
people, however, do not have such pram, and must practise the Noble
Eightfold Path in its gradual order. They are called person-to-be-led
(neyyapuggala), and must develop the Noble Eightfold Path step by step, in
the order of morality, concentration, and wisdom. After purifying their
morality they must train in concentration, and after purifying their mind
by way of concentration practice, they must train in wisdom.
HOW YOU DEVELOP CONCENTRATION
How should you develop concentration? There are forty subjects of

samatha meditation, and a person can develop any of these to attain
concentration.
Those who cannot decide which meditation subject to develop should
start with npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing). Most people succeed
in meditation by using either npnasati or four-elements meditation.
Therefore, let us now look briefly at how to practise npnasati.
100
D.ii.9 (Also M.I.i.10) For bibliographical abbreviations and source references, see p.281.
Vis.xviii.662 Di55hi-Visuddhi Niddesa (Description of View Purification) PP.xviii.1.
Here, the VisuddhiMagga explains that Purification of Consciousness is the eight attainments together with access concentration: this is the same as Right Concentration.
101
33
HOW YOU DEVELOP MINDFULNESS-OF-BREATHING
The development of npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing) is taught

by The Buddha in the MahSatiPa55hna sutta102 He begins:
And how then, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu abide contemplating the body as a body?
Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu (gone to the forest, or gone to the foot of a tree, or gone
to a secluded place) sits down, having crossed his legs, set his body straight, having
mindfulness established before him [established upon his meditation subject].
Then The Buddha explains mindfulness-of-breathing (npnasati):
He mindfully breathes in; mindfully breathes out.
Breathing in long, he understands: I breathe in long;
breathing out long, he understands: I breathe out long.
Breathing in short, he understands: I breathe in short;
breathing out short, he understands: I breathe out short.
Experiencing the whole [breath] body, I shall breathe in: thus he trains;
experiencing the whole [breath] body, I shall breathe out: thus he trains.
Tranquillizing the body-formation, I shall breathe in: thus he trains;
tranquillizing the body-formation, I shall breathe out: thus he trains.
To begin meditating, sit in a comfortable position and try to be aware of

the breath as it enters and leaves the body through the nostrils. You
should be able to feel it either just below the nose or somewhere around
the nostrils: that is called the touching-point. Do not follow the breath
into the body or out of the body, because then you will not be able to perfect your concentration. Just be aware of the breath at the most obvious
place it brushes against or touches, either the top of the upper lip or
around the nostrils. Then you will be able to develop and perfect your
concentration.
Do not pay attention to the natural characteristics (sabhvalakkhaBa), general characteristics (sammaalakkhaBa),103 or colour of the nimitta (sign of
concentration). The natural characteristics are the characteristics of the
four elements in the breath: hardness, roughness, flowing, heat, supporting, pushing, etc. The general characteristics are the impermanent (anicca),
suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anatta) characteristics of the breath. This
means, do not note in-out-impermanent, or in-out-suffering, or inout-non-self. Simply be aware of the in&out breath as a concept.
102

natural characteristic (sabhvalakkhaBa): the characteristic peculiar to one type of ultimate reality, be it materiality or mentality: also called individual characteristic (paccattalakkhaBa); general characteristic (samaalakkhaBa): the three characteristics general to all
formations, be they material or mental: impermanence, suffering, non-self.
103
34
The concept of the breath is the object of npnasati. It is this object

you must concentrate on to develop concentration. As you concentrate on
the concept of the breath in this way, and if you practised this meditation
in a previous life, and developed some pram, you will easily be able to
concentrate on the in&out breath.
If not, the VisuddhiMagga suggests counting the breaths. You should
count after the end of each breath: In-out-one, in-out-two, etc.104
Count up to at least five, but to no more than ten. We suggest you count
to eight, because that reminds you of the Noble Eightfold Path, which
you are trying to develop. So you should count, as you like, up to any
number between five and ten, and determine that during that time you
will not let your mind drift, or go elsewhere, but be only calmly aware of
the breath. When you count like this, you find that you are able to concentrate your mind, and make it calmly aware of only the breath.
After concentrating your mind like this for at least half an hour, you
should proceed to the first and second stage of the meditation:
[1] Breathing in long, he understands: I breathe in long (dgha6 assasmi);
breathing out long, he understands: I breathe out long (dgha6 passasmi).

[2] Breathing in short, he understands: I breathe in short (rassa6 assasmi);
breathing out short, he understands: I breathe out short (rassa6 passasmi).
At this stage, you have to develop awareness of whether the in&out

breaths are long or short. Long or short here do not refer to length in
feet and inches, but length in time, the duration. You should decide for
yourself what length of time you will call long, and what length of time
you will call short. Be aware of the duration of each in&out breath. You
will notice that the breath is sometimes long in time, and sometimes
short. Just knowing this is all you have to do at this stage. Do not note,
In-out-long, In-out-short, just In-out, and be aware of whether the
breaths are long or short. You should know this by being just aware of the
length of time that the breath brushes against and touches the upper lip, or
around the nostrils, as it enters and leaves the body. Sometimes the breath
may be long throughout the sitting, and sometimes short, but do not purposely try to make it long or short.
At this stage the nimitta may appear, but if you are able to do this calmly for about one hour, and no nimitta appears, you should move on to the
third stage;
104
VsM.viii.223ff npnaSatiKath (Mindfulness-of-Breathing Discussion)

PP.viii.90ff
35
[3] Experiencing the whole [breath] body (sabbakyapa5isa6ved), I shall breathe in
(assasissmi): thus he trains.

Experiencing the whole [breath] body (sabbakyapa5isa6ved), I shall breathe
out (passasissm): thus he trains.
Here The Buddha is instructing you to be aware of the whole breath

from beginning to end. As you do this the nimitta may now appear. If it
does, do not immediately shift your mind to it, but stay with the breath.
If you are calmly aware of the breath from beginning to end for about
an hour, and no nimitta appears, you should move on to the fourth stage:
[4] Tranquillizing the body-formation (passambhaya6 kyasaAkhra6), I shall
breathe in (assasissmi): thus he trains.

Tranquillizing the body-formation (passambhaya6 kyasaAkhra6), I shall
breathe out (passasissmi): thus he trains.
To do this, you should decide to make the breath tranquil, and go on being continuously aware of the breath from beginning to end. You should
do nothing else, otherwise your concentration will break and fall away.
The VisuddhiMagga gives four factors for making the breath tranquil:105
1) Concern
(bhoga) 3) Attention
(manasikra)
2) Reaction
(samannhra) 4) Reviewing
(paccavekkhaBa)
And they are explained first with a simile:
..................................
......................
........................
..............
Suppose a man stands still after running or after descending from a hill, or putting down a
load from his head; then his in-breaths and out-breaths are gross, his nostrils become inadequate, and he keeps on breathing in and out through his mouth. But when he has rid himself of
his fatigue and has bathed and drunk and put a wet cloth on his chest, and is lying in the cool
shade, then his in-breaths and out-breaths eventually occur so subtly that he has to investigate
whether they exist or not.
Likewise, says the VisuddhiMagga, the bhikkhus in&out-breaths are

gross to begin with, become increasingly subtle, after which he has to investigate whether they exist or not.
To further explain why the bhikkhu needs to investigate the in&outbreaths, the VisuddhiMagga says:
Because previously, at the time when the yogi had not yet discerned the [in&out breath]
there was no concern in him, no reaction, no attention, no reviewing, to the effect that [he
knew]: I am progressively tranquillizing each grosser bodily formation [the in&out
breath]. But once he has discerned [the in&out breath], there is. So his bodily formation
[the in&out breath] at the time when he has discerned [it] is subtle in comparison with what
it was at the time when he had not [discerned it].
105
VsM.viii.220 npnaSatiKath (Mindfulness-of-Breathing Discussion)
PP.viii.178
36
Concern (bhoga): you pay initial attention to the breath, you apprehend the breath, you advert the mind towards the breath, to the effect: I will try to make the breath tranquil.
2) Reaction (samannhra): you continue to do so, i.e. you pay sustained
attention to the breath that way, do it again and again, keep the
breath in the mind, to the effect: I will try to make the breath tranquil.
3) Attention (manasikra): literally deciding to make the breath tranquil.
Attention is the mental factor that makes the mind advert towards
the object. Attention makes the mind conscious of the breath and
know the breath.
106
4) Reviewing (paccavekkhaBa): you review (vma6sa) the breath, make it
clear to the mind, to the effect: I will try to make the breath tranquil.
So all you need to do at this stage is to decide to tranquil the breath, and
to be continuously aware of it. That way, you will find the breath becomes more tranquil, and the nimitta may appear.
Just before the nimitta appears, a lot of yogis encounter difficulties.
Mostly they find that the breath becomes very subtle and unclear; they
may think the breath has stopped. If this happens, you should keep your
awareness where you last noticed the breath, and wait for it there.
A dead person, a foetus in the womb, a drowned person, an unconscious
person, a person in the fourth jhna, a person in the attainment of cessation (nirodhasampatti)107, and a brahm: only these seven types of person do
not breathe. Reflect on the fact that you are not one of them, that you are
in reality breathing, and that it is just your mindfulness which is not
strong enough for you to be aware of the breath.
When it is subtle, you should not make the breath more obvious, as the
effort will cause agitation, and your concentration will not develop. Just
be aware of the breath as it is, and if it is not clear, simply wait for it
where you last noticed it. You will find that, as you apply your mindfulness and wisdom in this way, the breath will reappear.
1)
106
Here, vima6sa is synonymous with paccavekkhaBa, and is the term employed in the
sub-commentarys discussion.
107
When consciousness, associated mental factors, and materiality produced by consciousness are suspended. For details regarding this attainment, see Q&A 5.1, p.173.
37
THE NIMITTA
For some yogis, there is first light before the nimitta appears, for others,
the nimitta appears directly. They are not the same thing. They are different just as the sun is different from sunlight.
The nimitta of npnasati varies according to the individual yogi. To
some the nimitta is pure and fine like cotton wool, or drawn out cotton,
moving air or a draught, a bright light like the morning star Venus, a
bright ruby or gem, or a bright pearl. To others it is like the stem of a cotton plant, or a sharpened piece of wood. To yet others it is like a long
rope or string, a wreath of flowers, a puff of smoke, a stretched out cobweb, a film of mist, a lotus, a chariot wheel, a moon, or a sun.
In most cases, a pure white nimitta like cotton wool is the uggaha-nimitta (taken-up sign or learning sign), and is usually dull and opaque. When
the nimitta becomes bright like the morning star, brilliant and clear, it is
the pa5ibhga-nimitta (counterpart sign). When like a dull ruby or gem, it
is the uggaha-nimitta, but when bright and sparkling, it is the pa5ibhganimitta. The other images should be understood in this way too.
So, even though npnasati is a single meditation subject, it produces
various types of nimitta: the nimitta appears differently to different people.
The VisuddhiMagga explains that this is because the nimitta is produced by perception.108 And the sub-commentary of the VisuddhiMagga
explains that it is the different perceptions which the different yogis had
before the nimitta arose.109
Thus, the nimittas are different because of perception. But perception
does not arise alone. It is a mental formation that arises always together
with the individual consciousness and other mental formations: these
mental formations associated with the individual consciousness are called
associated mental factors (cetasika).110 So, for example, if a yogi concentrates on the npna nimitta with a happy mind, the mental factors are
not only the one perception, but are altogether thirty-three, such as, contact, volition, one-pointedness, attention, application, sustainment, decision, effort, and desire: not only perception differs, but also all the other
mental factors differ.
108

PP.viii.216
109
VsM^.ibid.
110
For the mental formations of jhna, see table, p.162.
38
This is in fact explained elsewhere in the VisuddhiMagga, in its explanation of the attainment of the base of neither perception nor non-perception (nevasansayatana), the fourth immaterial jhna.111
There, the VisuddhiMagga explains that the perception in that jhna is
very subtle, which is why we call it the attainment of neither perception
nor non-perception. But it is not only the perception that is very subtle.
The feelings, the consciousness, the contact and all the other mental formations are also very subtle. Thus, says the VisuddhiMagga, in the attainment of neither perception nor non-perception there is also neither
feeling nor non-feeling, neither consciousness nor non-consciousness,
neither contact nor non-contact, etc.112
So, when the commentaries say the nimittas are different because of
perception, they are merely explaining the npna-nimitta from the single point-of-view of perception, in terms of perception (sassa), using
perception as their example.
But, whatever the shape or colour of your nimitta, whatever your perception of the in&out breath, it is important not to play with your nimitta.
Do not let it go away, and do not intentionally change its shape or appearance. If you do, your concentration will not develop any further and your
progress will stop. Your nimitta will probably disappear. So when your
nimitta first appears, do not move your mind from the breath to the nimitta. If you do, you will find it disappears.
If you find that the nimitta is stable, and your mind by itself has become
fixed on it, then just leave your mind there. If you force your mind to
come away from it, you will probably lose your concentration.
If your nimitta appears far away in front of you, ignore it, as it will probably disappear. If you ignore it, and simply concentrate on the breath at
the place where the breath touches, the nimitta will come and stay there.
If your nimitta appears at the place where the breath touches, is stable,
and appears as the breath itself, and the breath as the nimitta, then forget
about the breath, and be aware of just the nimitta. By moving your mind
from the breath to the nimitta, you will be able to make further progress.
As you keep your mind on the nimitta, the nimitta becomes whiter and
whiter, and when it is white like cotton wool, it is the uggaha-nimitta.
You should determine to keep your mind calmly concentrated on the
white uggaha-nimitta for one, two, three hours, or more. If you can keep
your mind fixed on the uggaha-nimitta for one or two hours, it should
111
For details regarding this jhna, see p.68.

VsM.x.287 Neva-Sa-N-sa-yatanaKath (Neither-Perception-Nor-Non-Perception Base Discussion) PP.x.50
112
39
become clear, bright, and brilliant. This is then the pa5ibhga-nimitta

(counterpart sign). Determine and practise to keep your mind on the pa5ibhga-nimitta for one, two, or three hours. Practise until you succeed.
At this stage you will reach either access (upacra) or absorption (appan)
concentration. It is called access concentration because it is close to and
precedes jhna. Absorption concentration is jhna.
Both types of concentration have the pa5ibhga-nimitta as their object.
The only difference between them is that in access concentration the
jhna factors are not fully developed. For this reason bhavaOgas still occur, and one can fall into bhavaOga (life-continuum consciousness). The
yogi will say that everything stopped, and may even think it is Nibbna.
In reality the consciousness has not stopped, but the yogi is just not sufficiently skilled to discern this, because the bhavaOgas are very subtle.
HOW YOU BALANCE THE FIVE CONTROLLING FACULTIES
To avoid dropping into bhavaOga and to develop further, you need the
help of the five controlling faculties (pacindriy) to push the mind and fix it
on the pa5ibhga-nimitta. The five controlling faculties are:
1) Faith
(saddh) 4) Concentration
(samdhi)
2) Effort
(vriya) 5) Understanding
(pa)
3) Mindfulness
(sati)
The five controlling faculties are the five powers that control the mind,
and keep it from straying off the path of samatha (tranquillity) and vipassan (insight) that leads to Nibbna. If one or more of the controlling faculties are in excess, there will be an imbalance.
The first controlling faculty is faith in what one should have faith in,
such as the Triple Gem, or faith in kamma and its results. It is important
to have faith in the enlightenment of The Buddha, because without it, a
person will regress from his work in meditation. It is also important to
have faith in the teaching of The Buddha, namely the Four Paths, the
Four Fruitions, Nibbna, etc. The teaching of The Buddha shows us the
way of meditation, so at this stage it is important to have complete faith
in it.
Let us say the yogi thinks, Can jhna really be attained by just watching the in-breath and out-breath? Is it really true that the uggaha-nimitta
is like white cotton wool, and the pa5ibhga-nimitta like clear ice or
glass? If these kinds of thought persist, they result in views such as,
Jhna cannot be attained in the present age, and the yogis faith in the
teaching will decline, and he will be unable to stop himself from giving
up the development of samatha.
...........................................
...........................................
...............................
...................
.....................
40
So a person who is developing concentration with a meditation subject

like npnasati needs to have strong faith. He should develop npnasati without any doubts. He should think, Jhna can be achieved if I
follow the instructions of The Fully Enlightened Buddha systematically.
If, however, a person lets his faith become excessive, and here it is faith
in the meditation pa5ibhga-nimitta, his concentration will decrease.
Excessive faith contains excessive joy (pti), which leads to emotions. This
means the yogis mind is disturbed by joyful excitement, and wisdom is
unable to understand the pa5ibhga-nimitta. Then, because excessive
faith has decided on the object, wisdom is not clear and firm, and also the
remaining faculties, effort, mindfulness and concentration are weakened:
effort is unable to raise associated mental formations to the pa5ibhganimitta, and keep them there; mindfulness is unable to establish knowledge of the pa5ibhga-nimitta; concentration is unable to prevent the
mind from going to another object; and wisdom is unable to see the
pa5ibhga-nimitta penetratively. Thus excessive faith leads actually to a
decrease in faith.
If effort is too strong, the remaining faculties, faith, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom, will be unable to respectively decide, establish,
prevent distraction, and develop penetrative discernment. Thus excessive
effort causes the mind not to stay calmly concentrated on the pa5ibhganimitta.
This can be illustrated by the case of the Venerable SoLa. In the city of
Rjagaha, he heard the Buddha teach, and winning faith, he got his parents consent and ordained. The Buddha taught him a subject for meditation, and he went to the monastery Stavana. He worked very hard, but
pacing up and down in meditation with great energy, he developed painful sores on his feet. He did not lie down and sleep, and when he could no
longer walk, he crawled on his hands and knees. He worked so hard that
his meditation path was stained with blood. Even so, he won no attainment and was filled with despair.
The Buddha, on GijjhaKta (Vulture Peak mountain), became aware of
his despair and visited him. And The Buddha reminded him that when he
as a layman had played the vB (a type of Indian lute), the lute was not
tuneful or playable if the strings were strung either too tight or too loose:
they had to be strung evenly. The Buddha explained that in the same way,
too much energy or effort ends in flurry, and too little energy or effort
ends in idleness. The Venerable SoLa profited from the lesson, because
not long afterwards, having reflected on the lesson, he became an Arahant.
41
To balance faith with wisdom, and concentration with effort, is praised

by the wise. If, for instance, faith is strong and wisdom is weak, a person
will develop faith in, and respect for objects without use and essence. For
instance, he will develop faith in, and reverence for objects revered and
respected by religions outside orthodox Buddhism, such as guardian spirits or protective deities.
If, on the other hand, wisdom is strong and faith is weak, a person can
become quite crafty. Without meditating, he will spend his time simply
passing judgements. This is as difficult to cure as to cure a disease caused
by an overdose of medicine.
If faith and wisdom are balanced, however, a person will have faith in
objects he should have faith in: the Triple Gem, kamma, and its effects.
He will believe that if he meditates in accordance with The Buddhas instructions, he will be able to attain the pa5ibhga-nimitta, and jhna.
Again, if concentration is strong and effort is weak, a person can become lazy. For example, if, when the yogis concentration improves, he
pays attention to the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta with a relaxed mind,
without knowing it penetratively, he may become lazy. The five jhnafactors will in that case not be strong enough to maintain the high level of
concentration, which means his mind will very often fall into bhavaOga.
But if effort is strong, and concentration weak, however, he can become
agitated. When concentration and effort are balanced, he will become
neither lazy, nor agitated, and will be able to attain jhna.
When a person wishes to cultivate a samatha subject, it is in any case
good to have very strong faith. If he thinks, I will certainly reach jhna,
if I develop concentration on the pa5ibhga-nimitta, then by the power of
that faith, and by concentrating on the pa5ibhga-nimitta, he will definitely achieve jhna. This is because jhna is based primarily on concentration.
For a person developing vipassan it is good that wisdom be strong, because when wisdom is strong he will be able to know and see the three
characteristics of impermanence, suffering, and non-self penetratively.
Only when concentration and wisdom are balanced can mundane jhnas
(lokiyajjhna) arise. The Buddha taught that this applies equally to supramundane jhnas (lokuttarajjhna), which further require that concentration
and wisdom be balanced with effort and faith.
Mindfulness is necessary under all circumstances, because it protects
the mind from agitation due to excess faith, effort, or wisdom, and from
laziness due to excess concentration. It balances faith with wisdom, concentration with effort, and concentration with wisdom.
42
So mindfulness is always necessary, as is the seasoning of salt in all

sauces, and a prime minister for all the kings affairs. Hence the ancient
commentaries say The Blessed One said, Mindfulness is always necessary in any meditation subject. Why? Because it is a refuge and protection for the meditating mind. Mindfulness is a refuge, because it helps the
mind arrive at special and high states it has never reached or known before. Without mindfulness the mind is incapable of attaining any special
and extraordinary states. Mindfulness protects the mind, and keeps the
object of meditation from becoming lost. That is why to one discerning it
with vipassan knowledge, mindfulness appears as that which protects
the object of meditation, as well as the mind of the yogi. Without mindfulness, a person is unable to lift the mind up or restrain the mind, which
is why The Buddha said it is necessary in all instances.113
HOW YOU BALANCE THE SEVEN ENLIGHTENMENT-FACTORS
If one is to achieve jhna using npnasati, it is also important to balance the seven enlightenment-factors (bojjhaAga). They are:
1) Mindfulness (sati): remembers the pa5ibhga-nimitta and discerns it
again and again.
2) Investigation of Phenomena (dhammavicaya): understands the pa5ibhga-nimitta penetratively.
3) Effort (vriya): brings the enlightenment factors together, and balances
them on the pa5ibhga-nimitta; and especially reinforces itself, and
the Factor of Investigation of Phenomena.
4) Joy (pti): gladness of the mind when experiencing the pa5ibhga-nimitta.
5) Tranquillity (passaddhi): tranquillity of the mind and associated mental
factors, that have the pa5ibhga-nimitta as their object.
6) Concentration (samdhi): one-pointedness of the mind on the pa5ibhga-nimitta.
7) Equanimity (upekkh): evenness of mind that neither becomes excited,
nor withdraws from the pa5ibhga-nimitta.
A yogi must develop and balance all seven enlightenment factors. With
insufficient effort the mind will fall away from the object of meditation,
in this case the pa5ibhga-nimitta. Then one should not develop tranquillity, concentration, and equanimity, but instead develop investigation of
phenomena, effort, and joy. That way the mind is raised up again.
113
See also VsM.iv.62 DasaVidhaAppan Kosalla6 (The Ten Kinds of Skill in Absorption) PP.iv.45-49, and VsM^.ibid.
43
When there is too much effort, however, the mind will become agitated
and distracted. Then one should do the opposite, and not develop investigation of phenomena, effort, and joy, but instead develop tranquillity,
concentration, and equanimity. This way the agitated and distracted mind
becomes restrained and tranquillized.
This is how the five controlling faculties, and seven enlightenmentfactors are balanced.
HOW YOU ATTAIN JHNA
When the five controlling faculties, faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration, and understanding are sufficiently developed, concentration will
go beyond access, up to jhna, absorption concentration. When you reach
jhna, your mind will know the pa5ibhga-nimitta without interruption.
This can continue for several hours, even all night, or for a whole day.
When your mind stays continuously concentrated on the pa5ibhga-nimitta for one or two hours, you should try to discern the area in the heart
where the bhavaOga consciousness rests, that is the heart materiality. The
bhavaOga consciousness is bright and luminous, and the commentaries
explain that it is the mind door (manodvra). If you try many times, again
and again, you will eventually discern both the mind door (bhavaOga),
and pa5ibhga-nimitta as it appears there. You should then discern the
five jhna factors one at a time. With continued practice, you will be able
to discern them all at once. In the case of npnasati, the five jhna
factors are:
1) Application (vitakka): directing and placing the mind on the npna
pa5ibhga-nimitta.
2) Sustainment (vicra): maintaining the mind on the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta.
3) Joy (pti): liking for the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta.
4) Bliss (sukha): happiness about the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta.
5) One-pointedness (ekaggat): one-pointedness of mind on the npna
pa5ibhga-nimitta.
44
45
Further Notes for Table 1a The Jhna-Attainment Process
The procedure of the jhna-attainment process is:

A mind-door adverting consciousness: it takes as object the counterpart
sign (pa5ibhganimitta) of the meditation subject.
2-4) Three preparatory impulsions with that same object:
(i) Preparation- (ii) Access- (iii) Conformity Knowledge
Their application, sustainment, happiness, joy and one-pointedness are
stronger than normal sensual-sphere consciousnesses. Thus they prepare the
way for absorption, are in the access of jhna, and conform to the consciousness preceding them, and the succeeding Change of Lineage. (In one of
keen faculties, the preparation consciousness does not arise: there are only
three preparatory impulsions.)
5)
Change of Lineage Knowledge: it marks the transition from consciousness
of the limited lineage (parittagotta) of sensual-sphere consciousness to the
exalted lineage (mahaggatagotta), of fine-material- or immaterial-sphere
jhna consciousness.
6)
Countless absorption impulsion consciousnesses (mental formations (saAkhr)), with the same object; each cognition reinforcing the next.114 The number of absorption impulsions depends on how long the jhna attainment
lasts, which depends on the yogis practice and skill: it may last only some
fractions of a second, it may last an hour, it may last several days. The yogi
who has developed the five masteries of jhna determines beforehand how
long the jhna attainment will last. But when the beginner first attains
jhna, there arises only one jhna.
This same procedure is followed when one enters into the supramundane
Fruition Attainment.115
In a five-door-, and mind-door process of the sensual sphere, the impulsions are all the same, but in a jhna-attainment process (which is of the
fine-material- or immaterial sphere) the impulsions are different. The fifth
impulsion, which is the actual jhna consciousness, is not only one, but
many thousand million, and they are all the same. If one is in the same
jhna for a longer period, the number of fifth impulsions is uncountable.
The yogi enters the jhna attainment in accordance with the way the mind
is conveyed (yathbhinhravasena): the yogi decides which jhna to attain.
The wholesome kamma of a jhna attainment becomes a wholesome

weighty kamma when it is maintained up to the near-death mental process.
1)
The jhna factors are together called jhna. When you are just beginning to practise jhna, you should practise entering jhna for a long
114
For the mental-formations of each absorption consciousness, see How You Discern
Jhna Mental-Processes, p.161.
115
See You Know and See Nibbna, p.224.
46
time, and not spend too much time discerning the jhna factors. You
should develop mastery (vas-bhva) of the jhnas.
There are five masteries:
1) To enter jhna whenever desired.
2) To resolve (adhi55hna) to stay in jhna for a determined duration, andcarry out the resolve.
3) To emerge from jhna at the determined time.
4) To advert to the jhna factors.
5) To review the jhna factors.116
In the PabbateyyaGv sutta of the AAguttaraNikya,117 The Buddha
says one should not try going to the second jhna before mastering the
first jhna. He explains that if one does not master the first jhna completely, and tries to go to higher jhnas, one will lose the first jhna, as
well as be unable to attain the other jhnas. One will lose all the jhnas.
When you have mastered the first jhna, you can try to progress to the
second jhna. You need to enter the now familiar first jhna, emerge from
it, reflect on its faults, and reflect on the advantages of the second jhna.
That is: the first jhna is close to the five hindrances, and has the gross
jhna factors of applied and sustainment, making it less tranquil than the
second jhna, which is without them. So, with no desire now for those
two jhna factors, a desire for only joy, happiness, and one-pointedness,
you should again concentrate on the pa5ibhga-nimitta, and attain the first
jhna. When you now emerge from the first jhna, and again review the
jhna factors with mindfulness and full awareness, the two jhna factors
of application and sustainment will appear gross to you, while joy, happiness or bliss and one-pointedness appear peaceful. So, in order to abandon the gross factors and obtain the peaceful factors, you should again
concentrate on the pa5ibhga-nimitta.
This way you will be able to attain the second jhna, possessed of only
those three factors, joy, bliss, and one-pointedness. You should then develop the five masteries of the second jhna.
When you have succeeded, and want to develop the third jhna, you
should emerge from the now familiar second jhna, reflect on its faults,
116
Adverting and reviewing occur in the same mind-door process (manodvravthi). Adverting is performed by the mind-door adverting consciousness (manodvrvajjana), which
in this case takes as object one of the five jhna factors. It is followed by the four, five, six,
or seven reviewing impulsion consciousnesses, which have the same object. For details, see
table 1b: The Mind-Door Process, p.164.
117
A.IX.I.iv.4 The Mountain Cow Sutta, also called Gv-UpamSutta6 (The Cow
Simile Sutta).
47
and reflect on the advantages of the third jhna. That is: the second jhna
is close to the first jhna, which has the gross jhna factor of applied- and
sustainment. And the second jhna itself has the gross jhna factor of
joy,118 making it less tranquil than the third jhna, which is without it. So,
with no desire now for that gross factor, a desire for only the peaceful
factors, you should again concentrate on the pa5ibhga-nimitta, and attain
the second jhna. When you now emerge from the second jhna, and
again review the jhana factors, the jhna factor of joy will appear gross to
you, while bliss and one-pointedness appear peaceful. So, in order to
abandon the gross factor and obtain the peaceful factors, you should
again concentrate on the pa5ibhga-nimitta. This way you will be able to
attain the third jhna, possessed of only happiness and one-pointedness.
You should then develop the five masteries of the third jhna.
When you have succeeded, and want to develop the fourth jhna, you
should emerge from the now familiar third jhna, reflect on its faults, and
reflect on the advantages of the fourth jhna. That is, the third jhna is
close to the second jhna, which has the gross jhna factor of joy. And
the third jhna itself has the gross jhna factor of happiness, making it
less tranquil than the fourth jhna, which is without it. With the desire
now to attain the fourth jhna, you should again concentrate on the pa5ibhga-nimitta and attain the third jhna. When you now emerge from the
third jhana, and again review the jhna factors, the jhna factor of bliss
will appear gross to you, while equanimityand one-pointedness appear
peaceful. So, in order to abandon the gross factor and obtain the peaceful
factors, you should again concentrate on the pa5ibhga-nimitta.This way
you will be able to attain the fourth jhna, possessed of only equanimity
and one-pointedness. You should then develop the five masteries of the
fourth jhna.
With the attainment of the fourth jhna, the breath stops completely.
This completes the fourth stage in the development of npnsati:
[4] Tranquillizing the body-formation, I shall breathe in: thus he trains.
Tranquillizing the body-formation, I shall breathe out: thus he trains.
This stage began just before the nimitta appeared, and as concentration
developed through the four jhnas, the breath became progressively more
and more tranquil, until it stopped in the fourth jhna. The four jhnas
are also called fine-material-sphere jhnas (rpvacarajhna), because they
118
The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw explains that the jhna factor of joy (pti)
is a contributory factor towards developing attachment for jhna happiness (jhnasukha),
which, because the object is very subtle, cannot develop into sensual happiness (rga); it is
only subtle (pha).
48
may cause rebirth in the fine-material realm. But here we do not encourage you to develop jhnas for the sake of attaining rebirth in the finematerial realm, but for the sake of using them to develop vipassan meditation.
When a yogi has reached the fourth jhna by using npnasati, and
has developed the five masteries, the light of concentration is bright, brilliant and radiant, and he can, if he wishes, move on to develop vipassan
meditation. The yogi can, on the other hand, continue to develop samatha
meditation. That will be the subject of our next talk, namely, how you
develop samatha meditation on the thirty-two parts of the body, the skeleton, ten kasiLas, etc.
Q UESTIONS AND A NSWERS 1

How do we, in the four stages of npnasati (mindfulnessof-breathing), decide when to go from one stage to another?
Answer 1.1 The Buddha taught npnasati step by step: long breath, short
breath, whole breath and subtle breath, only for easy understanding. At
the time of actual practice, all four stages may occur at the same time.
Then, if you can concentrate on the whole long breath, and the whole
short breath for about one hour, then (as your concentration improves) the
breath will automatically become subtle, and you can change to concentrate on the subtle breath. When the subtle breath is long, you should try
to know the whole, long, subtle breath; when the subtle breath is short,
you should try to know the whole, short, subtle breath.
If the breath does not become subtle by itself, you should concentrate
on it (attention (mansikra)) with the decision that it should be subtle.119
That way it will become subtle, but you must not make the breath subtle
on purpose, nor make it long or short on purpose; just decide that it
should be tranquil. In this way, long breath, short breath, whole breath
and subtle breath, all the four stages, are included in a single stage.
At the early part of the fourth stage, the breath becomes only very subtle. It does not cease entirely. The breath ceases entirely only at the fourth
jhna. This is the subtlest stage.
Question 1.2 Is it necessary, in meditation, to have a nimitta?
Answer 1.2 In some meditation subjects (kamma55hna) like npnasati
(mindfulness-of-breathing), kasiLa meditation and repulsiveness meditation (asubha), a nimitta is necessary. If one wants to attain jhna in other
meditation subjects, like Buddha Recollection (Buddhnussati), a nimitta is
not possible. In loving-kindness meditation (mettbhvan), breaking down
the barriers is called the nimitta.120
Question 1.3 Some say that while practising npnasati (mindfulness-ofbreathing) their soul goes out of the body. Is that true, or are they on the
wrong path?
Answer 1.3 A concentrated mind can usually create a nimitta. When concentration is deep, strong, and powerful, then because of different perceptions, different nimittas appear. For example, if you want the nimitta to be
long, it will be long; if you want it to be short, it will be short; if you want
it to be round, it will be round; if you want it to be red, it will be red. So,
various perceptions may arise while practising npnasati. You may
Question 1.1
119
120
For more details about tranquillizing the breath, see p.35.

Only a name, for it is in fact not a nimitta.
50
perceive yourself as outside the body. It is simply a mental creation, not

because of a soul. It is not a problem. Just ignore it, and return to being
mindful of your breath.
Only when you discern ultimate mentality-materiality (paramatthanmarpa)
internally and externally, can you solve the problem of a soul: you will
not find a soul anywhere. So, you need to break down the compactness
(ghana) of mentality and materiality, and realize ultimate mentality and
materiality.
Nndhtuyo vinibbhujitv ghanavinibbhoge kate anattalakkhaBa6 ythvasarasato
upa55hti.
When compactness is broken down with the breaking down into different elements, the nonself characteristic (anattalakkhaBa) in its true nature will arise.121
It is because of the perception of compactness, that the perception of a

soul arises.
In the case of materiality, there are three types of compactness (ghana):122
1) Continuity compactness (santatighana): because materiality seems to be
one compact continuity, a continuous whole, one may think ones
body and limbs have actual existence. And one may think the same
self migrates from life to life, taking different forms. To overcome
this delusion, we need to resolve the seeming compactness of the
body. We need to see that the body comprises rpa kalpas that arise
and perish. That way, we see that a kalpa has no continuity; as soon
as it arises, it perishes. There is no time for a kalpa to go anywhere,
not from life to life, not even from second to second.
2) Synthesis compactness (samhaghana): because materiality seems to be
a synthetic whole, one may think the kalpas are ultimate materiality. And one may think they are ones self. To overcome this delusion, we need to resolve the seeming compactness of the individual
type of kalpa: we need to analyse the individual type of kalpa.
That way, we see that a kalpa comprises elements: earth element,
water element, fire element, wind element, colour, odour, flavour,
121
VsM.xxi.739 UpakkilesaVimutta-UdayaBbayaBaKath (Imperfections-Free

Arise&Peris Knowledge Discussion) PP.xxi.4
122
In VsM.xi.306 CatuDhtuVavatthnaBhvanVaBBan (Description of the FourElements Definition Meditation) PP.xi.30, reference is made to the Buddhas simile of the
butcher who has killed a cow and cut it into pieces: in D.ii.9 MahSatiPa55hnaSutta6
(The Great Mindfulness-Foundation Sutta), and M.I.i.10 SatiPa55hnaSutta6 (The
Mindfulness-Foundation Sutta). The Subcommentaries to these texts explain how this
involves resolving the three kinds of compactness.
51
nutritive-essence, life faculty, etc. There is no synthetic whole anywhere.

3) Function compactness (kiccaghana): because of insufficient understanding about ultimate materiality, one may think the elements rest upon
a self, like seeds and plants rest upon earth. To overcome this delusion, we need to see that each element has its own characteristic (lakkhaBa), function (rasa), manifestation (paccupa55hna), and proximate cause
(pada55hna): it does not depend on any external thing such as a self.
How do you break down the compactness of materiality? You must first
discern the rpa-kalpas (small particles). Then you must analyse the different rpa-kalpas, and see that they comprise different types of materiality, which are at least eight in each rpa-kalpa. And then you need to
analyse each type of materiality. Without doing this the perception of a
soul will not disappear.
Similarly, without breaking down the compactness of mentality, the
perception of a soul will not disappear. For example, when your mind
wanders, you may think that the wandering mind is your soul.
There are four types of compactness in such a mental process that need
to be broken down by vipassan knowledge:123
1) Continuity compactness (santatighana): because mentality seems to be
one compact continuity, a continuous whole, one may think it is the
same mind that cognizes objects through the eye, ear, nose, tongue,
body, and mind. And one may think it is the same self, the same
mind, the same pure consciousness, etc., that migrates from life
to life, entering different bodies. And in this life, one may think
ones mind wanders outside the body. To overcome this delusion,
we need to resolve the seeming compactness of the mind. We need
to see that cognition takes place by way of mental processes that
arise and perish. That way, we see that the mind has no continuity;
as soon as it arises, it perishes. There is no time for consciousness to
go anywhere, not from life to life, not even from second to second.
2) Synthesis compactness (samhaghana): because mentality seems to be a
synthetic whole, one may think it is pure consciousness that cognizes the object. And one may think it is ones self. To overcome
this delusion, we need to resolve the seeming compactness of the individual type of consciousness: we need to analyse the individual
type of consciousness in each type of mental process. That way, we
123
VsM^.xxi.739 UpakkilesaVimutta-UdayaBbayaBaKathVaBBan (Description

of Explanation of the Corruption-Freed Arise&Perish Knowledge)
52
see that a consciousness comprises consciousness and a given number mental factors, such as feeling, perception, and volition, and application, and sustainment, or hatred, delusion, wrong view, conceit,
and scepticism, or non-greed, non-hatred, non-delusion, happiness,
mindfulness, faith and Right View. There is no synthetic whole anywhere.
3) Function compactness (kiccaghana): because of insufficient understanding about ultimate mentality, one may think the elements rest upon a
self, like seeds and plants rest upon earth. To overcome this delusion, we need to see that each consciousness and mental factor has
its own characteristic, function, manifestation, and proximate cause:
it does not depend on any external thing such as a self.
4) Subject compactness (rammaBaghana): having penetrated the previous
three compactnesses, one may think, for example, I saw ultimate
materiality and mentality, or, the knowing self saw ultimate materiality and mentality.124 To overcome this delusion, we need to resolve the three types of compactness in the vipassan mental-processes that penetrated the three types of compactness, with subsequent
vipassan knowledge. We need to see that the mentality that is the
object of our vipassan knowledge was also the subject of vipassan
knowledge: it penetrated the three types of compactness of mentality
that also was a subject with an object.
And how do you break down the compactness of mentality? Take, for
example a mind-door process of access concentration that has the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta as object.
Such a mental process has one mind-door adverting consciousness and
seven impulsion consciousnesses (javana). In the mind-door adverting consciousness moment there are twelve mental formations, and in each impulsion moment there are thirty-four mental formations.
If you break down the four types of compactness of mentality this way,
you will see only the rapid arising and perishing of consciousnesses and
their associated mental factors.
With that perception of impermanence, one can no longer think ones
consciousness is ones soul, because with the perception of impermanence comes the perception of non-self. As said by The Buddha, in the
Meghiya sutta:125
124
Other variations of this delusion would be, for example, the knower knows, the doer
knows, that which knows knows, etc. One may also think ultimate materiality and mentality change, but the knowing mind does not change.
125
U.iv.1 (also A.IX.I.i.3)
53
Aniccasaino meghiya anattasa saB5hti.

For those who have powerful vipassan knowledge of impermanence, vipassan
knowledge of non-self will also appear clearly.
Question 1.4 Where does the [npna] nimitta come from? What makes it
appear?
Answer 1.4 Most mind states that arise dependent upon the heart base produce breathing. A real npna-nimitta comes from the breath. But not
every mind state produces a nimitta. Only a deeply concentrated mind
produces a nimitta. Therefore, the breath produced by a deep and concentrated mind makes an npna-nimitta appear. If the nimitta is far from
the nostrils, it is not a real nimitta. A nimitta may appear because of concentration, but not necessarily the real npna-nimitta. If the nimitta
produces jhna, we call it an npna-nimitta. But if it does not produce
jhna, it is not the real npna-nimitta. If you concentrate on that
nimitta, jhna will not arise. Usually the concentration cannot become
strong and powerful. If you meditate on that nimitta, it will very soon
disappear.
Question 1.5 What are the seven stages of purification and sixteen vipassan
knowledges?
Answer 1.5 The seven stages of purification are:
1) Morality Purification (SlaVisuddhi)
2) Consciousness Purification (CittaVisuddhi)
3) View Purification (Di55hiVisuddhi)
4) Doubt-Overcoming Purification (KaAkhVitaraBaVisuddhi)
5) Path&Non-Path Knowledge&Vision Purification (MaggmaggaBaDassanaVisuddhi)
Practice Knowledge&Vision Purification (Pa5ipadBaDassanaVisuddhi)

Knowledge&Vision Purification (BaDassanaVisuddhi)
And the sixteen vipassan knowledges are:
1) Mentality-Materiality Definition Knowledge (NmaRpaParicchedaBa)
2) Cause-Apprehending Knowledge (PaccayaPariggahaBa)
3) Comprehension Knowledge (SammasanaBa)
4) Arise&Perish Knowledge (UdayabbayaBa)
5) Dissolution Knowledge (BhaAgaBa)
6) Fearsomeness Knowledge (BhayaBa)
7) Danger Knowledge (dnavaBa)
8) Disenchantment Knowledge (NibbidBa)
9) Liberation-Longing Knowledge (MucitukamyatBa)
10) Reflection Knowledge (Pa5isaAkhBa)
11) Formations-Equanimity Knowledge (SaAkhrupekkhBa)
6)
7)
54
Conformity Knowledge (AnulomaBa)

Change-of-Lineage Knowledge (GotrabhuBa)
Path Knowledge (MaggaBa)
Fruition Knowledge (PhalaBa)
Reviewing Knowledge (PaccavekkhaBaBa)
Now you know the names of the vipassan knowledges: have you experienced them? No. That is why to have only theoretical knowledge is
not enough; you must practise with great effort to also realize them.
[At the end of this talk the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw
added the following comment on the five hindrances.]
Now let us discuss briefly the five hindrances (nvaraBa):
1) sensual desire (kmacchanda) 4) restlessness&remorse (uddhaccakukkucca)
2) ill-will
(bypda) 5) doubt
(vicikicch)
3) sloth&torpor (thinamiddha)
The first hindrance, sensual desire (kmacchanda), is attachment to property or people. It is the desire for sense objects. For example, you may get
attached to your ku5i126 or room. While meditating you may think, Oh, it
would be good if my ku5i were beautiful. Or you may think, Oh, it
would be good if the whole room belonged to me! If you are overwhelmed by sensual desire, you will not be able to concentrate well on your
meditation object. You must exert strong mindfulness and make effort to
stop the arising of sensual desire.
The second hindrance is ill-will (bypda). It is hatred for or dissatisfaction with people or things. For example, if the yogi sitting next to you,
while sitting down, makes a noise with his robes, you may become angry
and think, Oh, why is he making so much noise!! If your mind is overwhelmed by hatred or dissatisfaction, you will not be able to concentrate
well on your meditation object either.
The third hindrance is sloth and torpor (thinamiddha). If the mind is weak,
or not interested in the meditation object, sloth and torpor can occur.
Sometimes, however, sleepiness may be due to tiredness, illness, or lack
of rest.
The fourth hindrance is restlessness and remorse (uddhaccakukkucca). If
your mind is restless, it will be like a heap of ashes hit by a stone, flying
about and scattering. The mind is scattered. While meditating, you must
not relax the mind, and let it leave your meditation object. If you do, restlessness will occur. Remorse is to regret bad deeds done, and good deeds
12)
13)
14)
15)
16)
.............................
........................................................
......
126
A ku5i is a monastic dwelling for one, a cell or lodge.
55
not done in the past. Here too, you must exert strong mindfulness, and
make great effort to stop the arising of restlessness and remorse.
The fifth hindrance is doubt (vicikicch). It is having doubts about eight
things:
1) The Buddha
2) The Dhamma
3) The SaOgha
4) The three trainings: morality, concentration, and wisdom.
5) The past five aggregates (khandh), which is past lives.
6) The future five aggregates, which is future lives.
7) Both the past and future five aggregates, which is past and future
lives.
8) Dependent Origination (pa5iccasamuppda), which includes the present
five aggregates.
If you have doubts about the training in concentration, you cannot
meditate well. For example, you may think: Is it possible to attain jhna
through npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing)? Can jhna be attained
by concentrating on the npna-nimitta?
The five hindrances are opposite jhna concentration.
Talk 2
H OW Y OU D EVELOP A BSORPTION
ON O THER S UBJECTS
In the previous talk we discussed how to develop the meditation subject
of npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing) up to the fourth jhna, and
how to develop the five masteries. As discussed, the light of concentration is then bright, brilliant and radiant, which means the yogi can, if he
wishes, move on to develop vipassan meditation.
But at this point the yogi can also go on to develop his samatha meditation further. Today, we shall discuss how to develop other samatha subjects: meditation on the thirty-two parts of the body, the skeleton, ten
kasiLas, etc.
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE THIRTY-TWO PARTS OF THE BODY
If you want to develop meditation on the thirty-two parts of the body,

you should first re-establish the fourth npna jhna so the light of concentration is bright, brilliant, and radiant. You should then use the light to
try to discern the thirty-two parts of the body, one at a time. The thirtytwo parts of the body are twenty parts with predominantly the earth element, and twelve parts with predominantly the water element. The twenty
earth-element parts should be discerned in four sets of five:
I
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
head hairs
body hairs
nails
teeth
skin
II
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
flesh
sinews
bones
bone marrow
kidneys
III
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
heart
liver
membrane
spleen
lungs
IV
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
intestines
mesentery127
gorge127
faeces
brain
The twelve water-element parts should be discerned in two sets of six:

I
II
1. bile
4. blood 7. tears 10. snot
2. phlegm 5. sweat 8. grease 11. synovia127
3. pus
6. fat
9. saliva 12. urine
127
MEMBRANE: the white, net-like membrane that separates the different sections of flesh
throughout the body; MESENTERY: the fastenings of the bowels; GORGE: undigested food,
contents of the stomach; SYNOVIA: unctuous fluid, oil in the joints.
58
Discern the parts in the given order, but one at a time. Try to see each
part as distinctly as you would see your face in a clean mirror.
If, while doing this, the light of concentration should fade, and the part
of the body being discerned become unclear, you should re-establish the
fourth npna jhna, so the light is again bright and strong. Then return
to discerning the parts of the body. Do this whenever the light of concentration fades.
Practise so that you are, from head hairs down to urine, or from urine
back to head hairs, able to see each one clearly and with penetrating
knowledge; keep practising until you become skilful.
Then, again using the light of concentration and with your eyes still
closed, you should try to discern another being close by. It is especially
good to discern someone in front of you. Discern the thirty-two parts of
the body in that person or being, from head hairs down to urine, and from
urine back to head hairs. Discern the thirty-two parts forwards and backwards many times. When you have succeeded, discern the thirty-two
parts once internally, that is in your own body, and once externally, that
is in the other persons body; do this many times, again and again.
When you are able to discern internally and externally like this, the
power of meditation will increase. You should thus gradually extend your
field of discernment bit by bit, from near to far. Do not think that you
cannot discern beings far away. Using the brilliant light of the fourth
jhna, you can easily see beings far away, not with the naked eye, but
with the eye of wisdom (Bacakkhu). You should be able to extend your
field of discernment in all ten directions: above, below, east, west, north,
south, north east, south east, north west, south west. Take whomever you
discern, be they human, animal or other beings, in those ten directions,
and discern the thirty-two parts, once internally and once externally, one
person or other being at a time.
When you no longer see men, women, devas, or buffaloes, cows, and
other animals as such, but see only groups of thirty-two parts, whenever
and wherever you look, internally or externally, then can you be said to
be successful, skilful, and expert in discerning the thirty-two parts of the
body.
THE THREE ENTRANCES TO NIBBNA
Here, let us look at what is called the three entrances to Nibbna. In the
MahSatiPa55hna sutta,128 The Buddha teaches that the four founda128
2 - How You Develop Absorption on Other Subjects
59
tions of mindfulness is the only way to Nibbna. The commentary explains further that there are three entrances to the way to Nibbna. They
are the samatha subjects of the colour kasiLas (vaBBakasiBa), repulsiveness
(pa5ikklamanasikra), and voidness of self (suat), which is four-elements
meditation.129
Therefore, when a person has become proficient in discerning the thirtytwo parts of the body, internally and externally, he can choose to develop
any of those three entrances. The first entrance we shall discuss is repulsiveness meditation.
HOW YOU DEVELOP SKELETON MEDITATION
To develop meditation on repulsiveness (pa5ikklamanasikra) you take as

object either all thirty-two parts of the body or only one part. Let us look
at how to meditate on, for example, the skeleton, the bones, which is one
of the thirty-two parts of the body.
You should first re-establish the fourth npna jhna, so the light is
bright, brilliant and radiant. Then use the light to discern the thirty-two
parts in your own body, and then in a being nearby. Discern thus internally and externally once or twice. Then take the internal skeleton as a
whole, and discern it with wisdom. When the whole skeleton is clear,
take the repulsiveness of the skeleton as object, that is the concept, and
note it again and again as either: repulsive - repulsive; or repulsive
skeleton - repulsive skeleton; or skeleton - skeleton.
Note it in any language you like. You should try to keep your mind
calmly concentrated on the object of repulsiveness of the skeleton for one
or two hours. Be careful to see the colour, shape, position and delimitation of the skeleton, so that its repulsive nature can arise.
Because of the strength and momentum of the fourth-jhna concentration based on npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing), you will find that
this meditation will also become deep and fully established: you will be
able to produce, sustain and develop the perception and knowledge of
repulsiveness.
129
The entrance of colour kasiLas is mentioned in the Mah ParinibbnaSutta6 (The

Great Parinibbna Sutta D.ii.3), the AbhibhyatanaSutta6 (The Mastery-Base Sutta
A.VIII.V.ii.5), and the AbhibhyatanaKath( Discussion of the Mastery Base
DhSA.1). The entrance of repulsiveness and voidness (of self) are mentioned in the Mah
Satipa55hnaSutta6 (The Great Mindfulness-Foundation Sutta D.ii.9) in the section
Kynupassan (Body-Contemplation). Further to the perception of voidness, see
p.27, and Q&A 5.9, p.181.
60
Once your concentration on the repulsiveness of the skeleton is established, you should drop the perception of skeleton, and just be mindful
of the repulsiveness. According to the VisuddhiMagga, seeing the colour,
shape, position, and delimitation of a part is seeing the uggaha-nimitta.
Seeing and discerning the repulsiveness of that part is seeing the pa5ibhga-nimitta.130
By concentrating on the pa5ibhga-nimitta of the repulsiveness of the
skeleton, you can attain the first jhna, at which time the five jhna factors will be present. They are:
1) Application (vitakka): directing and placing the mind on the pa5ibhganimitta of the repulsiveness of the skeleton.
2) Sustainment (vicra): maintaining the mind on the pa5ibhga-nimitta
of the repulsiveness of the skeleton.
3) Joy (pti): liking for the pa5ibhga-nimitta of the repulsiveness of the
skeleton.
4) Bliss (sukha): happiness associated about the pa5ibhga-nimitta of the
repulsiveness of the skeleton.
5) One-pointedness (ekaggat): one-pointedness of mind on the pa5ibhga-nimitta of the repulsiveness of the skeleton.
You can, in a similar way, attain the first jhna on the repulsiveness of
one of the other parts of the body.
A question arises: How can joy and happiness arise with the repulsiveness of the skeleton as object? The answer is that, although you are concentrating on the repulsiveness of the skeleton, and experience it as really
repulsive, there is joy because you have undertaken this meditation, because you have understood the benefits of it, and because you have understood that it will help you to eventually attain freedom from ageing,
sickness, and death. Joy and happiness can arise also because you have
removed the defilements of the five hindrances, which make the mind hot
and tired.
It is just like a scavenger would be delighted to see a big heap of garbage, thinking, I will earn a lot of money from this. Or like a person
who is severely ill would be happy and joyful when relieved by vomiting
or having diarrhoea.
The Abhidhamma Commentary explains that whoever has attained the
first jhna on the repulsiveness of the skeleton should go on to develop
the five masteries of the first jhna. After that, the yogi should here too
130
VsM.viii.214 KyaGatSatiKath (Body-Related Mindfulness Discussion)

PP.viii.141
61
take the nearest being, best of all a person sitting in front of him, and with
his light of concentration take that persons skeleton as object. He should
concentrate on it as repulsive, and develop this until the jhna factors become prominent. Even though they are prominent, it is, according to the
commentary, neither access concentration (upacrasamdhi) nor absorption
concentration (appansamdhi), because the object is living.131 If, however,
you concentrate on the external skeleton as if it were dead, you can, according to the sub-commentary to the Abhidhamma, the MlaIk, attain
access concentration.132
When the jhna factors are clear, you should again concentrate on the
internal skeleton as repulsive. Do this alternately, once internally then
once externally, again and again. When you have meditated like this on
the repulsiveness of the skeleton, and it has become deep and fully developed, you should extend your field of discernment in all ten directions.
Taking one direction at a time, wherever your light of concentration
reaches, develop each direction in the same way. You should apply your
penetrating knowledge both near and far, in all directions, once internally
and once externally. Practise until wherever you look in the ten directions, you see only skeletons. Once you have succeeded, you are ready to
develop the white kasiLa meditation.
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE TEN KASIbAS
THE COLOUR KASIbAS
There are four colours used for kasiLa meditation: blue, yellow, red, and
white. Blue (nla) can also be translated as black, or brown. All four
kasiLas can be developed up to the fourth jhna by using as object the
colours of different parts of the body.
According to the Abhidhamma Commentary, the head hairs, body hairs,
and irises of the eyes can be used for the blue, brown, or black kasiLa up
to the fourth jhna; fat and urine can be used for the yellow kasiLa; blood
and flesh can be used for the red kasiLa; and the white parts, the bones,
teeth, and nails can be used for the white kasiLa.133
131
VbhA.vii.1 SuttantaBhjanya KynupassanNiddesa (Sutta-Classification BodyContemplation Description)

132
Vbh^.ibid.
133
VbhA.ibid.
62
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE WHITE KASIbA
It says in the suttas, that the white kasiLa is the best of the four colour
kasiLas, because it makes the mind clear and bright.134 For that reason, let
us first discuss how to develop the white kasiLa.
You should first re-establish the fourth npna jhna, so the light of
concentration is bright, brilliant, and radiant. You should then use the
light to discern the thirty-two parts of the body internally and then externally in a being nearby. Then discern just the skeleton. If you want to discern it as repulsive you can, if not, simply discern the external skeleton.
Then take either the whitest place in that skeleton, or, if the whole
skeleton is white, the whole skeleton, or the back of the skull, and concentrate on it as white - white.
Alternatively, if you want to, and your concentration is really sharp, you
can, if you have seen the internal skeleton as repulsive and reached the
first jhna, take the skeleton as white, and use that as your preliminary
object.
You can also discern first the repulsiveness in an external skeleton, and
make that perception stable and firm, thus making the white of the skeleton more evident. Then, you can change to the perception of it to white white, and instead develop the white kasiLa.
With one of the objects of white in the external skeleton as object, you
should practise to keep the mind calmly concentrated for one or two
hours.
Because of the strength and momentum of the fourth-jhna concentration based on npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing), you will find that
your mind will stay calmly concentrated on the object of white. When
you are able to concentrate on the white for one or two hours, you will
find that the skeleton disappears and only a white circle remains.
When the white circle is white as cotton wool, it is the uggaha-nimitta
(taken-up sign). When it is bright and clear like the morning star, it is the
pa5ibhga-nimitta (counterpart sign). Before the uggaha-nimitta arises,
the skeleton nimitta from which it arises is the parikamma-nimitta (preparatory sign).
Continue to note the kasiLa as white - white until it becomes the pa5ibhga-nimitta. Continue concentrating on the pa5ibhga-nimitta until you
enter the first jhna. You will find, however, that this concentration is not
very stable and does not last long. In order to make it stable and last a
long time, you need to expand the nimitta.
134
A.X.I.iii.9 Pa5hamaKosalaSutta6 (The First Kosala Sutta)
63
To do this, you should concentrate on the white pa5ibhga-nimitta for

one or two hours. Then determine to expand the white circle by one, two,
three, or four inches, depending on how much you think you are able to
expand it. See if you succeed, but do not try to expand the nimitta without
first determining a limit: make sure to determine a limit of one, two,
three, or four inches.
While expanding the white circle, you may find that it becomes unstable. Then go back to noting it as white - white to make it stable. But as
your concentration increases the nimitta will become stable and tranquil.
When the first expanded nimitta has become stable, you should repeat
the process, that is, again determine to expand it by a few inches. This
way you can expand the nimitta in stages, until it is one yard in size, then
two yards, and so on. Do this until it extends in all ten directions around
you, without limit, and so that wherever you look, you see only white. Do
it till you see not even a trace of materiality, whether internal or external.
If you developed the white kasiLa in a past life, during this or a previous
Buddhas dispensation, that is, if you have white kasiLa pram, then you
will not need to expand the pa5ibhga-nimitta, because as you concentrate on it, it will automatically expand in all ten directions.
You should in either case now keep your mind calmly concentrated on
the expanded white kasiLa. And when it is stable, then just as if you were
to hang a hat on a hook in a wall, put your mind on one place in that
white kasiLa. Keep your mind there, and continue to note white - white.
When your mind is tranquil and stable, the white kasiLa will also be
tranquil and stable, and will be exceedingly white, bright, and clear. This
too is a pa5ibhga-nimitta, produced by expanding the original white
kasiLa pa5ibhga-nimitta.
You must continue to meditate, until you can concentrate on that white
kasiLa pa5ibhga-nimitta continuously for one or two hours. Then the
jhna factors will become very prominent, clear, and strong in your mind,
and you will have reached the first jhna. The five jhna factors are:
1) Application (vitakka): directing and placing the mind on the pa5ibhganimitta of the white kasiLa.
2) Sustainment (vicra): maintaining the mind on the pa5ibhga-nimitta
of the white kasiLa.
3) Joy (pti): joy at the pa5ibhga-nimitta of the white kasiLa.
4) Bliss (sukha): blissful about the pa5ibhga-nimitta of the white kasiLa.
5) One-pointedness (ekaggat): one-pointedness of mind on the pa5ibhga-nimitta of the white kasiLa.
64
The jhna factors are together called jhna. In the way described in the
talk on npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing), develop the five masteries135 of the first white kasiLa jhna, and then develop the second, third,
and fourth jhnas, and the masteries of them too.
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE REMAINING COLOUR KASIbAS
If you have developed the white kasiLa meditation up to the fourth

jhna using the white of an external skeleton, then you will also be able to
develop the brown, blue, or black kasiLa using external head hairs, the
yellow kasiLa using external fat or urine, and the red kasiLa using external blood, etc. You can also use those parts in your own body.
When you have succeeded, you can develop the colour kasiLas using
the colour of also flowers, or other external objects. All blue and brown
flowers are calling out, inviting you to develop the blue kasiLa. All yellow flowers are calling out, inviting you to develop the yellow kasiLa. All
red flowers are calling out, inviting you to develop the red kasiLa. All
white flowers are calling out, inviting you to develop the white kasiLa.
Thus, a skilled yogi can use whatever he sees to develop kasiLa concentration and vipassan, be it animate or inanimate, internal or external.
According to the Pali texts, The Buddha taught ten kasiLas. They are the
mentioned four colour kasiLas, plus a further six: the earth, water, fire,
wind, space, and light kasiLas.136
Now, let us discuss how to develop the remaining six types of kasiLa.
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE EARTH KASIbA
To develop the earth kasiLa, you should find a piece of plain earth,
which is reddish brown like the sky at dawn, and with no sticks, stones,
or leaves. Then with a stick or some other instrument, draw a circle about
one foot across. That is your meditation object: an earth kasiLa. You
should concentrate on it, and note it as earth - earth. Concentrate on it
for a while with your eyes open, and then close them, and visualize the
earth kasiLa. If unable to visualize the nimitta in this way, you should reestablish the fourth npna-, or white kasiLa-jhna. Then use the light
of concentration to look at the earth kasiLa. When you see the nimitta of
135
See p.46.
M.II.iii.7 MahSakuludySutta6 (The Great Sakuludy Sutta) & Dhs.I A55haKasiBa6 SoCasaKkhattuka6 (Eight KasiLas & Sixteen Times)
136
65
earth as clearly as if you were looking at it with your eyes open, and it is
thus an uggaha-nimitta, you can go and develop it somewhere else.
You should not concentrate on the colour of the earth nimitta, or the
characteristics of hardness, roughness, etc. of the. earth element, but concentrate on only the concept of earth. Continue to develop this uggahanimitta until it becomes pure and clear, and is the pa5ibhga-nimitta.
You should then expand the pa5ibhga-nimitta a little at a time, in all
ten directions, and develop this meditation up to the fourth jhna.
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE WATER KASIbA
To develop the water kasiLa, you should use a bowl, bucket or well of
pure, clear water. Concentrate on the concept of water as water - water
till you get the uggaha-nimitta, and then develop it as you did the earth
kasiLa.
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE FIRE KASIbA
To develop the fire kasiLa, you should use a candle, a fire, or any other
flames you remember seeing. If unable to visualize it, you can make a
screen with a circular hole in it about one foot across. Put the screen in
front of a wood- or grass-fire, so you see only the flames through the
hole.
Ignoring the smoke, and burning wood or grass, concentrate on the concept of fire as fire - fire till you get the uggaha-nimitta, and then develop it in the usual way.
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE WIND KASIbA
The wind kasiLa is developed through the sense of touch, or sight. You
should concentrate on the wind coming in through a window or door,
touching the body; or the sight of leaves or branches moving in the wind.
Concentrate on the concept as wind - wind till you get the uggaha-nimitta. You can discern the nimitta of the wind by re-establishing the fourth
jhna with another kasiLa object, and using the light of concentration see
this movement externally. The uggaha-nimitta looks like steam coming
off hot milk rice, but the pa5ibhga-nimitta is motionless. Develop the
nimitta in the usual way.
66
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE LIGHT KASIbA
To develop the light kasiLa, you should look at rays of light, as they
stream into a room through, for example, a crack in the wall, and fall on
the floor or as they stream through the leaves of a tree and fall on the
ground. You can also look up through the branches of a tree, at the light
in the sky above. If unable to visualize it, you can put a candle or lamp
inside an earthen pot, and place the pot in such a way that rays of light
come out of the opening of the pot, and fall upon the wall. Concentrate on
the circle of light on the wall as a concept, as light - light till you get the
uggaha-nimitta, and then develop it in the usual way.
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE SPACE KASIbA
To develop the space kasiLa, you should look at the space in a doorway,
window, or keyhole. If unable to visualize it, you can make a circular
hole in a piece of board, about eight inches to one foot across. Hold the
board up so you see only the sky through the hole, no trees or other objects. Concentrate on the space within that circle as a concept, as space space, and develop the nimitta in the usual way.
THE FOUR IMMATERIAL JHNAS
Once you have attained the four jhnas with each of the ten kasiLas, you
can proceed to develop the four immaterial jhnas (arpa jhna), also called
the four immaterial states. They are:
1) The Base of Boundless Space (ksnacyatana)
2) The Base of Boundless Consciousness (viBacyatana)
3) The Base of Nothingness (kicayatana)
4) The Base of Neither Perception nor Non-Perception (nevasansayatana)
You can develop them with all the kasiLas except the space kasiLa.137
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE BASE OF BOUNDLESS SPACE
To develop the four immaterial jhnas, you should first reflect upon the
disadvantages of materiality. The human body produced by the sperm and
egg of your parents is called the produced body (karajakya). Since you
have a produced body, you are open to assault with weapons such as
137
See footnote 138, p.67.
67
knives, spears, and bullets, and to being hit, beaten, and tortured. The
produced body is also subject to many diseases of, for example, the eyes,
ears, and heart. So you should consider with wisdom that because you
have a produced body made of materiality, you are subject to various
kinds of suffering, and that if you can be free of that materiality, you can
also be free of the suffering.
Even though a fourth fine-material jhna surpasses gross physical materiality, it is still based on it. Thus you need to surmount the kasiLa materiality. Having considered this, and with no desire now for the kasiLa materiality, you should re-establish the fourth jhna with one of the nine
kasiLas,138 such as the earth kasiLa, emerge from it, and reflect on its disadvantages: it is based on materiality, which you no longer desire; it has
joy of the third jhna as its near enemy; and it is grosser than the four
immaterial jhnas. But you do not need to reflect on the disadvantages of
the mental formations (the two jhna factors) in the fourth jhna, because
they are the same as in the immaterial jhnas. With no desire now for the
fourth fine-material jhna, you should also reflect on the more peaceful
nature of the immaterial jhnas.
Then expand your nimitta, say, of the earth kasiLa, so that it is boundless, or as much as you wish, and replace the kasiLa materiality with the
space it occupies, by concentrating on the space as space - space or
boundless space - boundless space. What remains is the boundless space
formerly occupied by the kasiLa.
If unable to do so, you should discern and concentrate on the space of
one place in the earth-kasiLa nimitta, and then expand that up to the infinite universe. As a result, the entire earth-kasiLa nimitta is replaced by
boundless space.
Continue to concentrate on the boundless space nimitta, until you reach
jhna, and then develop the five masteries. This is the first immaterial
jhna, also called the base of boundless space (ksnacyatana).
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE BASE OF BOUNDLESS CONSCIOUSNESS
The second immaterial jhna, also called the base of boundless consciousness (viBacyatana citta), has as its object the base-of-boundless-space
consciousness (ksnacyatana citta), which had boundless space as its object.
138
Since space is not materiality, the space kasiLa cannot be used to surmount the kasiLa
materiality to attain an immaterial jhna.
68
To develop the base of boundless consciousness, you should reflect on

the disadvantages of the base of boundless space: it has the fourth finematerial jhna as its near enemy, and is not as peaceful as the base of
boundless consciousness. With no desire now for the base of boundless
space, you should also reflect on the more peaceful nature of the base of
boundless consciousness. Then concentrate again and again on the consciousness that had boundless space as its object, and note it as boundless consciousness - boundless consciousness or just consciousness consciousness.
Continue to concentrate on the boundless-consciousness nimitta, until
you reach jhna, and then develop the five masteries. This is then the second immaterial jhna, also called the base of boundless consciousness.
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE BASE OF NOTHINGNESS
The third immaterial jhna, also called the base of nothingness (kicayatana), has as its object the absence of the consciousness that had boundless space as its object, and which was itself the object of the base of
boundless consciousness.
To develop the base of nothingness, you should reflect on the disadvantages of the base of boundless consciousness: it has the base of boundless
space as its near enemy and is not as peaceful as the base of nothingness.
With no desire now for the base of boundless consciousness, you should
also reflect on the more peaceful nature of the base of nothingness. Then
concentrate on the absence of the consciousness that had boundless space
as its object. There were two jhna consciousnesses: first the consciousness of base of boundless space (ksnacyatana citta) and then that of the
base of boundless consciousness (viBacyatana citta). Two consciousnesses cannot arise in one consciousness moment (cittakkhaBa). When the consciousness of the base of boundless space was present, the other consciousness could not be present too, and vice versa. So, you take the absence
of the consciousness of the base of boundless-space as object, and note it
as nothingness - nothingness or absence - absence.
Continue to concentrate on that nimitta, until you reach jhna, and develop the five masteries. This is then the third immaterial jhna, also
called the base of nothingness.
HOW YOU DEVELOP
THE BASE OF NEITHER PERCEPTION NOR NON-PERCEPTION
The fourth immaterial jhna is also called the base of neither perception
nor non-perception (nevasansayatana). That is because the perception
69
in this jhna is extremely subtle. In fact, all the mental formations in this
jhna are extremely subtle; there is also neither feeling nor non-feeling,
neither consciousness nor non-consciousness, neither contact nor noncontact etc. But the jhna is explained in terms of perception, and it has
as object the consciousness of the base of nothingness.139
To develop the base of neither perception nor non-perception, you
should reflect on the disadvantages of the base of nothingness: it has the
base of boundless consciousness as its near enemy, and is not as peaceful
as the base of neither perception nor non-perception. Furthermore, perception is a disease, a boil and a dart. With no desire now for the base of
nothingness, you should also reflect on the more peaceful nature of the
base of neither perception nor non-perception. Then concentrate again
and again on the consciousness of the base of nothingness as peaceful peaceful. Continue to concentrate on the peaceful - peaceful nimitta,
until you reach jhna, and develop the five masteries. This is then the
fourth immaterial jhna, also called the base of neither-perception-nor
non-perception.
Today we discussed how to develop the ten kasiLas, and the eight attainments: the four fine-material jhnas and the four immaterial jhnas. In
the next talk, we shall discuss how to develop the four sublime abidings
(brahmavihra) of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic-joy, and equanimity; and the four protective meditations (caturrakkhabhvan) of lovingkindness, Buddha Recollection, foulness meditation and death recollection.
139
This is discussed in connection also with the different nimittas in mindfulness of
breathing (npnasati), p.38.

Question 2.1 How should beginners balance the faculties (indriya) of concentration and wisdom? How should they practise wisdom in npnasati
(mindfulness-of-breathing)?
Answer 2.1 We already talked about balancing the five controlling faculties
in the very first talk, but we can summarize what was said. It is not so
important for beginners to balance concentration and wisdom. This is
because they are only beginners, and their five controlling faculties are
not yet developed. In the beginning of meditation, there is usually much
restlessness in the mind. So the faculties are not yet strong and powerful.
Only when they are strong and powerful is it necessary to balance them.
But if beginners are able to balance the faculties already at the beginning
stage, that is of course also good.
For example, you are now practising npnasati; npnasati is
mindfulness-of-breathing. Knowing the breath is wisdom (pa). Being
mindful of the breath is mindfulness (sati). One-pointedness of mind on
the breath is concentration (samdhi). The effort to know the breath clearly
is effort (vriya). Having faith that npnasati can lead to jhna is faith
(saddh).
Beginners must try to develop strong and powerful controlling faculties.
Their faith in npnasati must be strong enough. Their effort to know
the breath clearly must be strong enough. Their mindfulness of the breath
must be strong enough. Their concentration on the breath must be strong
enough. They must see the breath clearly. They must try to make their
five controlling faculties strong and powerful, as well as try to balance
them. If one is excessive, the others cannot function properly.
For example, if faith is too strong and powerful, it produces emotion.
This means that the effort faculty cannot maintain associated mental formations on the breath; mindfulness cannot become established on the
breath; the concentration faculty too, cannot concentrate deeply on the
breath; and wisdom cannot know the breath clearly.
When, for example, effort is excessive, it makes the mind restless, so
the other controlling faculties become again weak, and cannot function
properly. When mindfulness is weak, you cannot do anything, because
you cannot concentrate on the breath, will make little or no effort to discern the breath, and may have no faith.
Now you are practising samatha. In samatha meditation, strong and
powerful concentration is good, but excessive concentration produces
laziness. With laziness, the other faculties become again very weak, and
cannot function properly.
72
At this stage wisdom is very dull or inferior. It knows only the natural
breath. So for the beginner who is practising samatha meditation, it is
enough just to know the breath clearly. When the uggaha or pa5ibhganimitta appears, wisdom knows the uggaha or pa5ibhga-nimitta. Too
much general knowledge apart from this is not good, as you may always
be discussing and criticizing. If a yogi discusses and criticizes npnasati too much, we can say his wisdom is excessive, which also makes the
other controlling faculties weak, and unable to function properly.
So, even though it is not yet very important, it is still good for a beginner to balance his five controlling faculties. How to balance them? We
must practise with strong and powerful mindfulness and effort to know
the breath clearly, and concentrate on the breath with faith.
Question 2.2 Why dont we, after attaining the fourth jhna, go straight to
discern the five aggregates, their nature of impermanence, suffering, and
non-self, and attain Nibbna? Why do we before attaining Nibbna need
to practise meditation on the thirty-two parts of body, skeleton, white
kasiLa, four elements, materiality, mentality, dependent origination, and
vipassan?
Answer 2.2 The Buddha taught the five-aggregates method of practising
vipassan to three types of person: those who have sharp wisdom, those
whose vipassan knowledge of mentality is not clear, and those who prefer to practise vipassan in the brief way.
What are the fiveaggregates? What is the difference between the five
aggregates and mentality-materiality? Do you know the answer?
Before answering your second question, let us discuss mentalitymateriality and the five aggregates. There are four ultimate realities (paramattha sacca): consciousnesses (citt), associated mental factors (cetasik), materiality (rpa), and Nibbna.
To attain Nibbna, the fourth ultimate reality, we must see the impermanent, suffering and non-self nature of the other three, that is, we must
see:140
1) Eighty-nine types of consciousness (viBa)
2) Fifty-two types of associated mental factors (cetasika)
141
3) Twenty-eight types of materiality (rpa)
The eighty-nine types of consciousness are called the consciousness aggregate (viBakkhandha). Of the fifty-two associated mental factors, feeling
140
The Most Venerable Sayadaw is here making only a general statement: see Knowing
and Seeing The First Noble Truth, p.9.
141
For a full list, see table 2a: The Twenty-Eight Types of Materiality, p.137.
Questions and Answers22
73
is the feeling aggregate (vedankkhandha); perception is the perception aggregate (sakkhandha); and the remaining fifty associated mental factors are
the formations-aggregate (saAkhrakkhandha). Sometimes the consciousnesses
(citt) and associated mental factors (cetasik) together are called mentality
(nma). Sometimes they are seen as four aggregates, the feeling aggregate,
the perception aggregate, the formations aggregate and the consciousness
aggregate, which together are the mentality-aggregate (nmakkhandha). The
materiality aggregate (rpakkhandha) is the twenty-eight types of materiality.
The consciousnesses, associated mental factors and materiality together
are called mentality-materiality (nmarpa). They are sometimes also
called the five aggregates: materiality, feeling, perception, formations,
and consciousness. Their causes are also only mentality-materiality.
These five clinging-aggregates are DukkhaSaccadhamm: dhammas of
the Noble Truth of Suffering. They need to be understood as such.
In the MahNidna sutta of the DghaNikya, The Buddha explains:
This dependent origination is profound, nanda, and profound it appears.
And, nanda, it is through not knowing, through not penetrating this Dhamma,
that this generation has become a tangled skein, a knotted ball of thread,
matted as the roots in a bed of reeds, and finds no way out of the round of rebirths
with its states of loss, unhappy destinationsperdition.142
With regard to this statement, the commentaries explain:

There is no one, even in a dream, who has got out of the fearful round of rebirths, which is
ever destroying [beings] like a thunderbolt, unless he has severed with the knife of knowledge,
well whetted on the stone of sublime concentration, this Wheel of Existence [Dependent Origination], which offers no footing owing to its great profundity and is hard to get by owing to the
maze of many methods.143
This means that the yogi who does not know, and has not penetrated
Dependent Origination by the different stages of vipassan knowledge,
cannot escape from the round of rebirths.
And in the Titthyatana sutta of the AAguttaraNikya, this was said
by The Buddha:144
And what, bhikkhus, is the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering (DukkhaSamudaya6 AriyaSacca6)?
[1] Because of ignorance (avijj), formations [arise] (saAkhr);
[2] because of formations, consciousness (viBa);
[3] because of consciousness, mentality-materiality (nmarpa);
142
D.ii.2 MahNidnaSutta6 (The Great Causation Sutta)

VbhA.vi.1 SuttantaBhjanyaVaBBan (Sutta-Classification Description).
VsM.xvii.661 BhavaCakkaKath (The Wheel of Existence Discussion) PP.xvii.344
144
A.III.II.ii.1 TitthyatanaSutta6 (The Sectarian-Doctrines Sutta)
143
74
because of mentality-materiality, the six bases (saCyatana);

because of the six bases, contact (phassa);
because of contact, feeling (vedan);
because of birth,
ageing&death (jarmaraBa), sorrow (soka), lamentation (parideva), pain (dukkha),
This is called, bhikkhus, the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering (Ida6 vuccati,
bhikkhave, DukkhaSamudaya6 AriyaSacca6).
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
This is also called dependent origination. And The Buddha says dependent origination is the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering (Samudaya
Sacca).
The Noble Truth of Suffering, which is the five clinging aggregates,

and the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering, which is dependent origination, are called formations (saAkhr). They are the object of vipassan,
vipassan knowledge. At the different stages of vipassan knowledge you
comprehend these formations as impermanence (anicca), as suffering (dukkha), and as non-self (anatta). Without knowing and penetrating them, how
can you comprehend them that they are impermanent etc.? That is why
we teach vipassan systematically.
To know ultimate materiality, the materiality clinging-aggregate, you
must practise four-elements meditation till you see that materiality consists of small particles that we call rpa-kalpas, and you need to see the
four elements in those small particles.145 And you need to discern both the
base and its object together.146 Without discerning materiality this way,
you cannot discern mentality, the four mental clinging-aggregates. That is
why we teach vipassan stage by stage.
Now your second question. According to the Theravda tradition, there
are two types of meditation subject (kamma55hna): prihriyakamma55hna
and sabbatthakakamma55hna. Prihriyakamma55hna is the meditation subject by which the individual yogi develops concentration to be
used for vipassan. The yogi must always use that meditation subject as
his foundation. Sabbatthakakamma55hna, on the other hand, is the medi-
145
146
See further Introduction, p.107.

See further quotation, p.5.
75

147
tation subjects to be developed by all yogis alike. They are the four
protective meditations:
1) Loving-kindness meditation (mettbhvan)
2) Buddha Recollection (Buddhnussati)
3) Death recollection (maraBnussati)
4) Foulness meditation (asubhabhvan)
So although a yogi uses npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing) as his
prihriyakamma55hna, he must practise the four protective meditations
before going on to vipassan. This is the orthodox procedure.
To develop loving-kindness meditation up to jhna, it is better if the
yogi has already developed the white-kasiLa meditation up to the fourth
jhna. An example of this is the five hundred bhikkhus to whom The
Buddha taught the KaraByaMett sutta.148 Those bhikkhus were expert
in the ten kasiLas and eight attainments (sampatti), had practised vipassan
up to the Arise&Perish Knowledge (UdayaBbayaBa), and had gone to the
forest to meditate further. But they returned to the Buddha, because the
devas resident in the forest had become annoyed and had frightened the
bhikkhus. The Buddha taught the bhikkhus the KaraByaMett sutta
both as a meditation subject and as a protective chant (paritta). As a meditation subject it is for those who have already attained loving-kindness
jhna (mett jhna), and have broken down the barriers between the different
types of person.149 The KaraByaMett sutta is a more specialized practice of loving-kindness, in which one practises up to the third jhna by
extending loving-kindness to eleven categories of beings with the
thought: Sukhino v khemino hontu, sabbe satt bhavantu sukhitatt
(May all beings be happy and secure etc.). The Texts say The Buddha
knew those five hundred bhikkhus would very easily be able to do this,
because they were already expert in the ten kasiLas. And how is lovingkindness jhna made easier by kasiLa meditation?
In the AAguttaraNikya, The Buddha taught that of the four colour
kasiLas, the white kasiLa is best.150 The white kasiLa makes the yogis
mind clear and bright. A clear and tranquil mind is superior and powerful.
If a yogi practises loving-kindness meditation with a clear mind, free
147
For how and why you must protect your meditation, see p.14; for details, see Talk 3
How You Develop the Sublime Abidings and Protective Meditations.
148
SuN.i.8 KaraByaMettSuttaD (To-Be-Done Loving-Kindness Sutta), also called
MettSuttaD (Loving-Kindness Sutta).
149
For details about loving-kindness jhna, see How You Develop Loving-Kindness,
p.81.
150
A.X.I.iii.9 Pa5hamaKosalaSutta6 (The First Kosala Sutta)
76
from defilements, he usually attains loving-kindness jhna within one

sitting. So if one enters the fourth white-kasiLa jhna, and after emerging
from it, practises loving-kindness jhna, it is very easy to succeed.
In order to attain the fourth white-kasiLa jhna, a yogi should first practise skeleton meditation internally and externally, because this makes the
white-kasiLa meditation very easy. Therefore, after the fourth npna
jhna we usually teach yogis to do the thirty-two parts of the body, skeleton meditation and white-kasiLa meditation. In our experience, most
yogis say that the fourth white-kasiLa jhna is better than the fourth npna jhna, because it produces a clearer, brighter and more tranquil
mind, which is also very helpful for practising other meditation subjects.
So we usually teach white-kasiLa meditation before loving-kindness
meditation.
There is also a problem common to beginners. You may have practised
loving-kindness meditation. Did you attain jhna? In practice, if a yogi
wants to extend loving-kindness to someone of the same sex, he should
first take the smiling face of that person as object, and then develop loving-kindness towards him with: May this good person be free from mental suffering, etc. With a beginner that smiling face very soon disappears.
He cannot continue his loving-kindness meditation, because there is no
object, and so he cannot attain loving-kindness jhna or anything.
If he uses the fourth white-kasiLa jhna, it is different. He emerges from
the jhna, and when he develops loving-kindness, then, because of the
preceding concentration, the smiling face will not fade away. He is able
to concentrate deeply on that image, and able to attain up to the third loving-kindness jhna within one sitting. If he practises systematically up to
the breaking down of barriers between the different types of person, he
can even practise the eleven ways of the KaraByaMett sutta, and five
hundred and twenty-eight ways mentioned in the Pa5isambhidMagga
Pali Text.151 For this reason too, we usually teach the white-kasiLa meditation before loving-kindness meditation.
You may also have practised Buddha Recollection (Buddhnussati). Did
you attain access concentration? When those who have succeeded in loving-kindness jhna practise Buddha Recollection, they are able to reach
access concentration within one sitting, again because of the preceding
concentration. Foulness meditation (asubha) too becomes easy. If a yogi
practises foulness meditation up to the first jhna, and then death recollection (maraBnussati), he is able to succeed within one sitting.
151
PsM.II.iv MettKath (Loving-Kindness Discussion)
77
That is why we teach the white-kasiLa meditation before the four protective meditations. If, however, a yogi wants to go straight to vipassan,
without practising the four protective meditations, he can do so: no problem.
Question 2.3 Why, after having discerned materiality and mentality, must
one practise the first and fifth methods of dependent origination
(pa5iccasamuppda)? What are the first and fifth methods?152
Answer 2.3 There are, according to the Theravda tradition, seven stages of
purification (visuddhi). The first five are:
1) Morality Purification (SlaVisuddhi): that is morality (sla) of four
types:153
i) Ptimokkha restraint (ptimokkhsa6varasla)
ii) Sense restraint (indriyasa6varasla)
iii) Livelihood purification (jvaprisuddhisla)
iv) With regard to requisites (paccayasannissitasla)
2) Consciousness Purification (CittaVisuddhi): that is access concentration
(upacrasamdhi) and the eight attainments (sampatti): absorption concentration (appansamdhi).154
3) View Purification (Di55hiVisuddhi): that is Mentality-Materiality Definition Knowledge (NmaRpaParicchedaBa).
4) Doubt-Overcoming Purification (KaAkhVitaraBaVisuddhi): that is CauseApprehending Knowledge (PaccayaPariggahaBa), in other words, seeing dependent origination (pa5iccasamuppda).
5) Path&Non-Path Knowledge&Vision Purification (MaggmaggaBaDassanaVisuddhi): that is Comprehension Knowledge (SammasanaBa)
and Arise&Perish Knowledge (UdayaBbayaBa), which is the beginning of vipassan.
So before vipassan there are four purifications. Why? Vipassan is to
comprehend the impermanence, suffering, and non-self nature of mentality-materiality and their causes. Without knowing mentality-materiality
and their causes, how can we comprehend that they are impermanent,
suffering, and non-self? How can we practise vipassan? It is only after
we have thoroughly discerned mentality-materiality and their causes, that
we can practise vipassan meditation.
152
For details about how you practise the first and fifth methods of dependent origination,
see The Fifth Method, p.183ff.
153
VsM.i.13ff SlaPpabhedaKath (Morality-Classification Discussion) PP.i.42 for
details.
154
Vis.xviii.662 Di55hi-Visuddhi Niddesa (Description of View-Purification) PP.xviii.1
78
Mentality-materiality and their causes are called formations (saAkhr).

They perish as soon as they arise, which is why they are impermanent;
they are subject to constant arising and perishing, which is why they are
suffering; they have no self (atta), or stable and indestructible essence,
which is why they are non-self.
Comprehending impermanence, suffering, and non-self in this way is
real vipassan. So before vipassan, we teach yogis to discern mentality,
materiality and dependent origination. The commentaries explain it as,
aniccanti pacakkhandh.,155 and aniccanti khandha pacaka6.156
That means, impermanence is the five aggregates. The five aggregates
are, in other words, mentality-materiality and their causes. So, real vipassan requires that you know the five aggregates, and their causes and effects.
The Buddha taught according to the character of his listeners, and
taught four methods for discerning dependent origination. In the Pa5isambhidMagga, there is yet another method.157 Altogether there are five
methods. The first of the methods taught by The Buddha is to discern dependent origination in forward order:
Avijjpaccay saAkhr, saAkhrapaccay viBa6, viBapaccay
nmarpa6, [etc.]
Because of ignorance (avijj), formations (saAkhr) [arise]; because of formations,
consciousness (viBa6); because of consciousness, mentality-materiality (nmarpa),
[etc.]
The first method is popular in Theravda Buddhism, but may be very

difficult for those who have no Abhidhamma knowledge. Even yogis
with good Abhidhamma knowledge may have many difficulties.
The fifth method taught by the Venerable Sriputta, and recorded in the
Pa5isambhidMagga Pali Text, is easy for beginners. It is to discern that
five past causes have produced five present effects, and that five present
causes will produce five future effects. This is the main principle in the
fifth method. If you want to know it with direct experience, you should
practise up to this stage.
After practising the fifth method systematically, you will not have much
difficulty in practising the first method. For this reason we teach the fifth
155

PP.viii.234. VsM.xxi.740 UpakkilesaVimutta-UdayaBbayaBaKath (Imperfections-Free Arise&Perish Knowledge Discussion) PP.xxi.6
156
VbhA.ii.1SuttantaBhjanyaVaBBan (Sutta-Classification Description)
157
PsM.I.i.4 DhammaI5hitiBaNiddeso (Standing-on-Phenomena Knowledge Description)
79
method before the first method. We teach all five methods to those who
have time, and want to practise further. But although The Buddha taught
dependent origination according to the character of his listeners, one
method is enough to attain Nibbna. Even so, because the first method is
popular in Theravda Buddhism, we teach both the fifth and first methods.
One day, the Venerable nanda practised dependent origination in all
four ways. In the evening, he went to The Buddha and said: It is wonderful,
Venerable Sir, it is marvellous how profound this dependent origination is, and how profound it
appears! And yet it appears to me as clear as clear!
The Buddha replied:158

Do not say so, nanda! Do not say so, nanda!
This dependent origination is profound (gambhro), and appears profound (gambhrvabhso).
It is through not understanding (ananubodh), not penetrating this truth (appa5ivedh), that the world has become like a tangled skein, matted like a birds nest, tangled like reeds, unable to pass beyond the states of woe, the woeful destination, ruin,
and the round of rebirths.
This means that without knowing dependent origination, with the AnubodhaBa and the Pa5ivedhaBa, one cannot escape the round of rebirths (sa6sra), and four woeful realms (apya). The AnubodhaBa is the
Mentality-Materiality Definition Knowledge (NmaRpaParicchedaBa), and
Cause-Apprehending Knowledge (PaccayaPariggahaBa). The Pa5ivedhaBa is all the vipassan knowledges (VipassanBa). So without knowing
dependent origination with the AnubodhaBa and Pa5ivedhaBa, one
cannot attain Nibbna. With this quotation, the commentary says that
without knowing dependent origination, no one can escape from the
round of rebirths, even in a dream.159
158
159
D.ii.2 MahNidnaSutta6 (Great Causation Sutta)

See quotation p.25.
Talk 3
H OW Y OU D EVELOP
THE S UBLIME A BIDINGS AND P ROTECTIVE M EDITATIONS
INTRODUCTION
Today let us look at how you develop the four sublime abidings (cattro
brahmavihr), and four protective meditations (caturrakkhabhvan). The four
sublime abidings are:
1) Loving-kindness
(mett) 3) Sympathetic joy
(mudit)
2) Compassion
(karuB) 4) Equanimity
(upekkh)
The four protective meditations (caturrakkhabhvan) are:
1) Loving-kindness (mett)
2) Buddha Recollection (Buddhnussati)
3) Foulness meditation (asubhabhvan)
4) Death Recollection (maraBnussati)
.................
.........................
................
.........................
HOW YOU DEVELOP LOVING-KINDNESS

INTRODUCTION
To develop the sublime abiding of loving-kindness (mett), you need first

of all be aware that it should not be developed towards a person of the
opposite sex (liAgavisabhga), or a dead person (klakatapuggala).
A person of the opposite sex should not be used as object, because lust
towards him or her will probably arise. After you have attained jhna,
however, it is possible to develop loving-kindness towards the opposite
sex as a group with, for example, May all women be happy. A dead person should at no time be used, because you cannot attain loving-kindness
jhna with a dead person as object.
The people you should develop loving-kindness towards are:
1) Yourself (atta)
2) A dear person (piyapuggala): someone you like and respect.
3) An indifferent person (majjhattapuggala): someone your are indifferent
towards.
4) A hated person (verpuggala)
In the very beginning, though, you should develop loving-kindness towards only the first two, yourself and the person you like and respect.
This means that in the very beginning, you should not develop lovingkindness towards the following types of person: a person you do not like
82
(appiyapuggala), a person very dear to you (atippiyasahyakapuggala), a person

you are indifferent to (majjhattapuggala), and a person you hate (verpuggala).
A person you do not like is one who does not do what is beneficial to
you, or to those you care for. A person you hate is one who does what is
detrimental to you, or to those you care for. They are in the beginning
both difficult to develop loving-kindness towards, because anger may
arise. It is in the beginning also difficult to develop loving-kindness towards a person to whom you are indifferent. In the case of a person who
is very dear to you, you may be too attached to that person, and be filled
with concern and grief, and even cry if you hear something has happened
to him or her. So these four should not be used in the very beginning.
Later, though, once you have attained loving-kindness jhna, you will be
able to develop loving-kindness towards them.
You cannot attain jhna using yourself as object even if you were to develop that meditation for a hundred years. So why begin by developing
loving-kindness to yourself? It is not to attain even access concentration,
but because when you have developed loving-kindness towards yourself,
with the thought, May I be happy, then are you able to identify yourself
with others; to see that just as you want to be happy, do not want to suffer, want to live long, and do not want to die, so too do all other beings
want to be happy, not want to suffer, want to live long, and not want to
die.
Thus you are able to develop a mind that desires the happiness and
prosperity of other beings. In the words of The Buddha:160
Sabb dis anuparigamma cetas,
Nevajjhag piyatara mattan kvaci.
Eva6 piyo puthu att paresa6,
Tasm na hi6se paramattakmo.
Having searched in all directions with the mind, one cannot find anyone anywhere
whom one loves more than oneself. In this same way do all beings in all directions
love themselves more than anyone else, therefore, one who desires his own welfare
should not harm others.
So in order to identify yourself in this way with others and make your
mind soft and kind, you should first develop loving-kindness towards
yourself with the following four thoughts:
1) May I be free from danger (aha6 avero homi)
2) May I be free from mental pain (abypajjo homi)
3) May I be free from physical pain (angho homi)
160
S.I.III.i.8 MallikSutta6 (The Mallik Sutta)
3 - H o w Y o u D e v e l o p T h e S u b l i m e A b i d i n g s a n d P r o t e c t i v e M e d i t a t i o n s 83
May I be well and happy (sukh attna6 pariharmi)

If ones mind is soft, kind, understanding, and has empathy for others,
one should have no difficulty developing loving-kindness towards another. So it is important that the loving-kindness you have developed towards yourself be strong and powerful. Once your mind has become soft,
kind, understanding, and has empathy for other beings, then can you begin to develop loving-kindness towards them.
4)
HOW YOU DEVELOP LOVING-KINDNESS PERSON BY PERSON
If you have attained the fourth npna-, or white kasiLa-jhna, you

should re-establish it so the light is bright, brilliant, and radiant. With the
light of particularly the fourth white-kasiLa jhna, it is really very easy to
develop loving-kindness meditation (mettbhvan).161 The reason is that
with the concentration of the fourth jhna, the mind is purified of greed,
hatred, delusion, and other defilements. After having emerged from particularly the fourth white-kasiLa jhna, the mind is pliant, workable, pure,
bright, brilliant and radiant, and because of this, you will in a very short
time be able to develop powerful and perfect loving-kindness (mett).
So, with the strong and bright light, you should direct your mind towards a dear person of your own sex, whom you like and respect: maybe
your teacher or a fellow yogi. You will find that the light spreads out
around you in all directions, and that whomever you pick as object becomes visible. You then take an image of that person, sitting or standing,
and select the one you like most, and which makes you the happiest. Try
to recall the time when he or she was the happiest you ever saw, and
choose that image. Make it appear about two yards in front of you: so you
can see the whole body. When you can see the image clearly before you,
develop loving-kindness towards him or her with the four thoughts:
1) May this good person be free from danger (aya6 sappuriso avero hotu)
2) May this good person be free from mental pain (aya6 sappuriso abypajjo
hotu)
3)
May this good person be free from physical pain (aya6 sappuriso angho
hotu)
4)
May this good person be well and happy (aya6 sappuriso sukh attna6 pariharatu)
Extend loving-kindness towards that person with these four phrases

three or four times, and then select the one you like most, for example,
May this good person be free from danger. Then, with a new image of
161
In this regard, see further Q&A 2.2, p.72ff.
84
that person, in this case free from danger, extend loving-kindness using
the corresponding thought, in this case, May this good person be free
from danger - may this good person be free from danger. Do it again
and again, until the mind is tranquil and steadily fixed on the object, and
you can discern the jhna factors. Then, keep practising until you reach
the second and third jhnas. After that take each of the other three phrases
and develop loving-kindness up to the third jhna. You should have an
appropriate image for each of the four phrases, that is, when thinking
May this good person be free from danger, you should have a particular
image of that person as free from danger; when thinking May this good
person be free from mental pain, you should have another image, one of
that person as free from mental pain, and so on. In this way you should
develop the three jhnas, and remember in each case to practise the five
masteries (vas-bhva).
When you have succeeded with one person you like and respect, do it
again with another person of your own sex whom you like and respect.
Try doing this with about ten people of that type, until you can reach the
third jhna using any of them. By this stage you can safely go on to people, still of your own sex, who are very dear to you (atippiyasahyaka). Take
about ten people of that type, and develop loving-kindness towards them
one by one, in the same way, until the third jhna.
Then you can also take about ten people of your own sex whom you are
indifferent to, and in the same way develop loving-kindness towards them
until the third jhna.
You will by now have mastered the loving-kindness jhna to such an
extent that you can in the same way develop it towards about ten people
of your own sex whom you hate. If you are a type of Great Being like the
Bodhisatta when he was Mahkapi, the monkey king, who never hated
anyone who harmed him and you really neither hate, nor despise anyone,
then do not look for someone to use here. Only those who have people
they hate or despise can develop loving-kindness towards that type.
Practising loving-kindness in this way, that is, by developing concentration up to the third jhna on each type of people, progressively from one
to the next, from the easiest to the more difficult, you make your mind
increasingly soft, kind and pliant, until you are finally able to attain jhna
on any of the four types: those you respect, those very dear to you, those
you are indifferent to, and those you hate.
HOW YOU BREAK DOWN THE BARRIERS
As you continue to thus develop loving-kindness, you will find that

your loving-kindness towards those you like and respect, and those very
dear to you, becomes even, and you can take them as one, as just people
you like. Then you will be left with only these four types of person:
1) Yourself
2) People you like
3) People you are indifferent to
4) People you hate
You will need to continue developing loving-kindness towards these
four, until it becomes balanced and without distinctions. Even though you
cannot attain loving-kindness jhna with yourself as object, you still need
to include yourself in order to balance the four types.
To do this, you need to re-establish the fourth npna-, or white kasiLa-jhna. With the strong and bright light, extend loving-kindness to
yourself for about a minute or even a few seconds; then towards someone
you like, then someone you are indifferent to, and then someone you hate,
each one up to the third jhna. Then again yourself briefly, but the other
three types must now each be a different person. Remember to develop
them with each of the four phrases, May this good person be free from
danger etc. each, up to the third jhna.
Thus you should every time change the person of each of the three
types: a person you like, one you are indifferent to, and one you hate. Do
this again and again, with different groups of four, many times, so that
your mind is continuously developing loving-kindness without interruption, and without distinctions. When you are able to develop loving-kindness jhna towards any of the three persons without distinction, you will
have achieved what is called breaking down the barriers (smsambheda).
With the barriers between types and individuals broken down, you will be
able to further develop your loving-kindness meditation, by taking up the
method taught by the Venerable Sriputta; recorded in the Pa5isambhidMagga.162
THE TWENTY-TWO CATEGORIES
The method in the Pa5isambhidMagga involves twenty-two categories

by which to extend ones loving-kindness: five unspecified categories
162
PsM.II.iv MettKath (Loving-Kindness Discussion)
86
(anodhiso pharaB), seven specified categories (odhiso pharaB), and ten directional categories (dis pharaB). The five unspecified categories are:
All beings
(sabbe satt) 4) All people
(sabbe puggal)
All breathers (sabbe pB) 5) All possessing
All creatures (sabbe bht)
individuality (sabbe attabhvapariypann)
The seven specified categories are:
1) All women
(sabb itthiyo) 5) All devas
(sabbe dev)
2) All men
(sabbe puris) 6) All human beings (sabbe manuss)
3) All Noble Ones
(sabbe ariy) 7) All in the
4) All who are
lower realms
(sabbe viniptik)
not Noble Ones (sabbe anariy)
The ten directional categories are:
1) In the eastward direction (puratthimyadisya)
2) In the westward direction (pacchimyadisya)
3) In the northward direction (uttaryadisya)
4) In the southward direction (dakkhiByadisya)
5) In the eastward intermediate direction (puratthimyaanudisya)
6) In the westward intermediate direction (pacchimya anudisya)
7) In the northward intermediate direction (uttarya anudisya)
8) In the southward intermediate direction (dakkhiBya anudisya)
9) In the downward direction (he55himyadisya)
10) In the upward direction (uparimyadisya)
1)
2)
3)
..........
..................................
....
...
..................
.................................
..........................
......
.........
................
...
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE UNSPECIFIED/SPECIFIED CATEGORIES
To develop this method of loving-kindness meditation, you should as

before re-establish the fourth jhna with the white kasiLa, and develop
loving-kindness towards yourself, a person you respect or who is dear to
you, one you are indifferent to, and one you hate, until there are no barriers between them and you.
Then use the bright and brilliant light to see all the beings in as big an
area as possible around you, around the building or monastery. Once they
are clear, you can develop loving-kindness towards them according to the
five unspecified categories, and seven specified categories: twelve in total. You should at each category pervade loving-kindness in four ways:
1) May they be free from danger,
2) May they be free from mental pain,
3) May they be free from physical pain,
4) May they be well and happy.
They is in each case one of your twelve categories, all beings, all
devas, etc. Thus you will be pervading loving-kindness in a total of fortyeight ways ((5+7) x 4 = 48).
The beings in each category should be clearly visible in the light of
concentration and understanding. For example, when you extend lovingkindness to all women, you should actually see, in the light, the women
within the determined area. You should actually see the men, devas, beings in lower realms etc., in the determined area.163 You must develop
each category up to the third jhna before moving on to the next. You
should practise in this way until you become proficient in pervading loving-kindness in all forty-eight ways.
Once proficient, you should expand the determined area to include the
whole monastery, the whole village, the whole township, the whole state,
the whole country, the whole world, the whole solar system, the whole
galaxy, and the whole of the infinite universe. Develop each of the expanded areas in the forty-eight ways up to the third jhna.
Once proficient you may proceed to the ten directional categories.
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE TEN DIRECTIONAL CATEGORIES
The ten directional categories of loving-kindness involve the previously

discussed forty-eight categories in each of the ten directions.
You should see all beings in the whole of the infinite universe to the
east of you, and extend loving-kindness to them in the forty-eight ways.
Then do the same thing to the west of you, and so on in the other directions.
This gives a total of four hundred and eighty ways to extend lovingkindness (10 x 48 = 480). When we add the original forty-eight categories
of pervasion, we get five hundred and twenty-eight ways to extend loving-kindness (480 + 48 = 528).
Once you master these five hundred and twenty-eight ways of pervading loving-kindness, you will experience the eleven benefits of practising
loving-kindness, which The Buddha taught in the AAguttaraNikya:164
When the mind-deliverance of loving-kindness, bhikkhus, is cultivated, developed,
much practised, made the vehicle, made the foundation, established, consolidated,
and properly undertaken, eleven benefits can be expected. What are the eleven?
163
This does not mean that the yogi can actually see every single woman, man, deva etc.
within the determined area: it means that the yogi should extend loving-kindness with the
intention that it is for every single woman, man, deva etc., and that insofar as he can, he
should see them all.
164
A.XI.ii.5 MettSutta6 (The Loving-Kindness Sutta)
88
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
One sleeps in comfort;

one wakes in comfort; and
one dreams no evil dreams;
one is dear to human beings;
one is dear to non-human beings;
devas guard one;
fire, poison and weapons do not affect one;
ones mind is easily concentrated;
ones complexion becomes bright;
one dies unconfused; and
if one penetrates no higher, one will be reborn in the Brahma World.
HOW YOU DEVELOP COMPASSION
Once you have developed loving-kindness as just described, it should

not be difficult to develop the sublime abiding of compassion (karuB). To
develop compassion, you should first select a living person of your own
sex who is suffering. You should arouse compassion for him or her by
reflecting on his or her suffering.
Then re-establish the fourth jhna with the white kasiLa, so the light is
bright and clear, and use the light to see that person, and then develop
loving-kindness up to the third jhna. Emerge from it, and develop compassion towards that suffering person with the thought, May this good
person be released from suffering (aya6 sappuriso dukkh muccatu). Do this
many times, again and again, until you attain the first, second, and third
jhnas, and the five masteries of each. After that, you should develop
compassion as you did loving-kindness, that is, towards yourself, towards
a person you like, one you are indifferent to, and one you hate: and with
those three persons, you develop loving-kindness up to the third jhna,
until the barriers have been broken down.
To develop compassion towards beings who are not suffering in any
apparent way, you should reflect on the fact that all unenlightened beings
are liable to experience the results of the evil they have done while wandering through the round of rebirths: all unenlightened beings are liable
therefore to be reborn in the lower realms. Furthermore, every being is
worthy of compassion, because they are not free from the suffering of
ageing, sickness, and death.
After reflecting thus, you should also here develop compassion as you
did loving-kindness: towards yourself and the usual three types of person:
and with those three persons, you develop loving-kindness up to the third
jhna, until the barriers have been broken down.
After that you should develop compassion in the same hundred and
thirty-two ways you developed loving-kindness, namely: five unspecified
categories, seven specified categories, and one hundred and twenty directional categories (5 + 7 + (10 x 12) = 132).
HOW YOU DEVELOP SYMPATHETIC JOY
To develop the sublime abiding of sympathetic joy (mudit), you should

select a living person of your own sex who is happy, the sight of whom
makes you happy, and whom you are very fond of and friendly with.
Then re-establish the fourth jhna with the white kasiLa, so the light is
bright and clear, and use the light to see that person, and then develop the
third loving-kindness jhna. Emerge from it and develop compassion
jhna. Emerge from that, and develop sympathetic joy towards the happy
person with the thought: May this good person not be separated from the
prosperity he has attained, (aya6 sappuriso yathladdhasampattito mvigacchatu).
Do this many times, again and again, until you attain the first, second and
third jhnas, and the five masteries of each.
Then develop sympathetic-joy jhna towards yourself and the usual
three types of person: and with those three persons, you develop lovingkindness up to the third jhna, until the barriers have been broken down.
Finally develop sympathetic-joy towards all beings in the infinite universe in the hundred and thirty-two ways.
HOW YOU DEVELOP EQUANIMITY
To develop the sublime abiding of equanimity (upekkh), you should first

re-establish the fourth jhna with the white kasiLa. Then choose a living
person of your own sex, towards whom you are indifferent, and develop
loving-kindness, compassion, and sympathetic joy, each up to the third
jhna. Then emerge from the third jhna and reflect on the disadvantages
of those three sublime abidings, namely their closeness to affection, to
like and dislike, and to elation and joy. Afterwards reflect on the fourth
jhna based on equanimity as peaceful. Then develop equanimity towards
a person you are indifferent to with the thought: This good person is heir
to his own kamma (aya6 sappuriso kammassako). Do this many times, again
and again, until you attain the fourth jhna and the five masteries of it.
With the support of the third jhnas of loving-kindness, compassion, and
sympathetic-joy, it should not take you long to develop the fourth jhna
of equanimity. Afterwards develop it towards a person you respect or
90
who is dear to you, one who is very dear to you, and one you hate. Then
again towards yourself, a person you respect or who is dear to you, one
you are indifferent to, and one you hate, until you have broken down the
barriers between you. Finally develop equanimity towards all beings in
the infinite universe in the previously mentioned hundred and thirty-two
ways.
This completes the development of the four sublime abidings.
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE FOUR PROTECTIVE MEDITATIONS
The four meditation subjects of loving-kindness, Buddha Recollection,

foulness meditation and death recollection are called the Four Protections, or the Four Protective Meditations. This is because they protect
the yogi from various dangers. It is for this reason worthwhile to learn
and develop them before proceeding to vipassan meditation. We have
already discussed how to develop loving-kindness, so we need now only
discuss how to develop the other three protective meditations. Let us begin with Buddha Recollection.
HOW YOU DEVELOP BUDDHA RECOLLECTION
Buddha Recollection (Buddhnussati) can be developed by looking at the

nine qualities of The Buddha, using a formula He gives frequently in the
suttas:165
Itipi So Bhagav (The Blessed One is such):
[1] Araha6
[6] Anuttaro PurisadammaSrathi
[2] SammSambuddho
[7] Satth DevaManussna6
[3] Vijj-CaraBaSampanno [8] Buddho
[4] Sugato
[9] Bhagavti.
[5] Lokavid
This can be explained as:
1) This Blessed One, having destroyed all defilements, is a worthy one:
Araha6.
2) He has attained perfect enlightenment by Himself:
SammSambuddho.
3) He is perfect in knowledge and morality: Vijj-CaraBaSampanno.
165
D.iii.1 PathikaSutta6 (The Traveller Sutta); Vinaya.I.1 VerajaKaBJa (Veraja

Section); VsM.vii.125-130 BuddhnussatiKath (Recollection of The Buddha Discussion) PP.vii.4-25
He speaks only what is beneficial and true: Sugato.

He knows the worlds: Lokavid.
He is the unsurpassed tamer of men fit to be tamed: Anuttaro PurisdammaSrathi.
7) He is the teacher of devas and human beings: Satth DevaManussna6.
8) He is an Enlightened One: Buddho.
9) He is the most fortunate possessor of the results of previous meritorious actions: Bhagav.
Let us discuss how to develop concentration with, for example, the first
quality, Araha6. According to the VisuddhiMagga, the Pali word Araha6
has five definitions:
1) Since He has removed totally, without remainder, all defilements
and habitual tendencies, and has thereby distanced Himself from
them, The Buddha is a worthy one: Araha6.
2) Since He has cut off all defilements with the sword of the Arahant
Path, The Buddha is a worthy one: Araha6.
3) Since He has broken and destroyed the spokes of the wheel of dependent origination, led by ignorance and craving, The Buddha is a
worthy one: Araha6.
4) Since His virtue, concentration, and wisdom are unsurpassed, The
Buddha is paid the highest reverence by brahms, devas, and men,
and is a worthy one: Araha6.
5) Since He does not, even when in seclusion and unseen, do any evil
by body, speech, or mind, The Buddha is a worthy one: Araha6.
To develop this meditation, you should memorize these five definitions
well enough to recite them. Then re-establish the fourth npna-, or
white kasiLa-jhna, so the light is bright and clear. Then use the light to
visualize a Buddha image you remember, like, and respect. When it is
clear, see it as the real Buddha and concentrate on it as such.
If you were in a past life fortunate enough to meet The Buddha, His image may re-appear. If so, you should concentrate on also the qualities of
The Buddha; not just His image. If the image of The real Buddha does
not appear, then first see the visualized image as The real Buddha, and
then recollect His qualities. You can choose the definition of Araha6 you
like most, take the meaning as object, and recollect it again and again as
Araha6-Araha6.
As your concentration develops and becomes stronger, the image of The
Buddha will disappear, and you should simply remain concentrated on
the chosen quality. Continue to concentrate on that quality until the jhna
4)
5)
6)
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factors arise, although you can with this meditation subject attain only
access-concentration (upacrasamdhi). You can concentrate on the remaining qualities of The Buddha too.
HOW YOU DEVELOP FOULNESS MEDITATION
The second protective meditation is foulness meditation (asubhabhvan)

on a corpse. To develop it you should re-establish the fourth npna-,
or white kasiLa-jhna, so the light is bright and clear. Then use the light
to visualize the foulest corpse of your own sex that you remember seeing.
Use the light to see the corpse exactly as it was when you really saw it in
the past. When it is clear, make it appear as repulsive as possible. Concentrate on it, and note it as, repulsive - repulsive (pa5ikkla, pa5ikkla).166
Concentrate on the object of the repulsiveness of the corpse until the uggaha-nimitta (taken-up sign) becomes the pa5ibhga-nimitta (counterpart
sign). The uggaha-nimitta is the image of the corpse as you really saw it
in the past, and is a hideous, dreadful, and frightening sight, but the pa5ibhga-nimitta is like a man with big limbs, lying down after having eaten
his fill. Continue to concentrate on that nimitta, until you reach the first
jhna, and then develop the five masteries.
HOW YOU DEVELOP DEATH RECOLLECTION
The third protective meditation is death recollection (maraBnussati). According to the MahSatiPa55hna sutta167 and the VisuddhiMagga,168
death recollection too can be developed using a corpse you remember
seeing. Therefore, you should re-establish the first jhna with the repulsiveness of a corpse, and with that external corpse as object, reflect: This
body of mine is also of a nature to die. Indeed, it will die just like this
one. It cannot avoid becoming like this. By keeping the mind concentrated on and mindful of your own mortality, you will also find that the
sense of urgency (sa6vega) develops. With that knowledge, you will probably see your own body as a repulsive corpse. Perceiving that the life faculty has in that image been cut off, you should concentrate on the absence
of the life faculty with one of the following thoughts:
166
Here, asubha (foulness) and pa5ikkla (repulsiveness) are synonyms.

D.ii.9 The Great Mindfulness-Foundation Sutta (also M.I.i.10)
168
VsM.viii.168 MaraBnussatiKath (Death-Mindfulness Discussion) PP.viii.6-7
167
My death is certain (maraBa6 me dhuva6); my life is uncertain (jvita6 me

adhuva6).
2) I shall certainly die (maraBa6 me bhavissati).
3) My life will end in death (maraBapariyosna6 me jvita6).
4) Death - death (maraBa6 - maraBa6).
Choose one and note it in any language. Continue to concentrate on the
image of the absence of the life faculty in your own corpse, until the
jhna factors arise, although you can with this meditation subject attain
only access concentration.
1)
SUMMARY
As mentioned earlier, the four meditation subjects of loving-kindness,

Buddha Recollection, foulness, and death recollection are called the Four
Protections, or the Four Protective meditations, because they protect the
yogi from various dangers.
In the Meghiya sutta of the KhuddakaNikya it says:169
Asubh bhvetabb rgassa pahnya;
mett bhvetabb bypdassa pahnya;
npnassati bhvetabb vitakkupacchedya.
For the removal of lust, meditation on foulness should be developed;
for the removal of ill-will, loving-kindness should be developed;
mindfulness-of-breathing should be developed for the cutting off of discursive
thought.
According to this sutta, foulness meditation is the best weapon for removing lust. If you take a corpse as object, and see it as repulsive, it is
called foulness of a lifeless body(aviBaka asubha). To take the thirty-two
parts of the body of a being, and see them as repulsive (as taught in the
Girimnanda sutta of the AAguttaraNikya170) is called foulness of a
living body (saviBaka asubha). Both these forms of foulness meditation
are weapons for removing lust.
The best weapon for removing ill-will is to develop loving-kindness,
and for removing discursive thought npnasati is the best weapon.
Furthermore, when faith in meditation slackens, and the mind is dull,
the best weapon is to develop Buddha Recollection. When the sense of
urgency is lacking, and you are bored with striving in meditation, the best
weapon is death recollection.
169
170
U.iv.1 MeghiyaSutta6 (The Meghiya Sutta) (also A.IX.I.i.3)

A.X.II.i.10
94
Today we discussed how to develop the four sublime abidings and Four
Protective meditations. In the next talk, we shall discuss how to develop
vipassan meditation, beginning with the four-elements meditation, and
analysis of the various kinds of materiality.
BENEFITS OF SAMATHA
Before ending, we should like to discuss briefly the relation between

samatha and vipassan.
In the Samdhi sutta of the KhandhaVagga in the Sa6yuttaNikya,
The Buddha said:171
Develop concentration, bhikkhus (Samdhi6, bhikkhave, bhvetha). Concentrated,
bhikkhus, a bhikkhu according to reality understands (yathbhta6 pajnti). And
what according to reality does he understand?
[1] Materialitys appearance and disappearance;
[2] feelings appearance and disappearance;
[3] perceptions appearance and disappearance;
[4] formations appearance and disappearance;
[5] consciousnesss appearance and disappearance.
Therefore, a bhikkhu who is concentrated knows the five aggregates

and their causes, and their arising and perishing. He sees clearly that because of the arising of their causes the five aggregates arise, and because
of the complete cessation of their causes, the five aggregates also completely cease.
The samatha we discussed in the first two talks and today produces
strong concentration. It is the light of this concentration (the light of wisdom) that lets you see ultimate mentality-materiality for vipassan. With
that deep, strong and powerful concentration, you can see clearly the impermanent, suffering, and non-self nature of mentality-materiality and
their causes. This clarity is a great benefit coming from samatha.
Samatha also gives you a resting-place. There is much to discern in vipassan and tiredness may occur. In that case, you can stay in one of the
jhnas for a long time. That rests and refreshes your mind, and then you
can go back to vipassan. Whenever tiredness occurs, you can again enter
jhna to rest.
It is good to remember these benefits of samatha, when in the following
talks we discuss vipassan.
171
S.III.I.i.5, quoted also p.23, and mentioned Q&A 4.6, p.149.

In npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing), there are the parikamma-nimitta, the uggaha-nimitta, and the pa5ibhga-nimitta. What is
the parikamma-nimitta? Is the parikamma-nimitta always grey? What is
the difference between the parikamma-nimitta and the uggaha-nimitta?
Answer 3.1 In npnasati, there are three types of nimitta, three types of
concentration (samdhi) and three types of meditation (bhvan).
The three types of nimitta are:
1) The parikamma-nimitta (preparatory sign)
2) The uggaha-nimitta (taken-up sign)
3) The pa5ibhga-nimitta (counterpart sign)
The three types of concentration are:
1) Preparatory concentration (parikammasamdhi): it is sometimes called
momentary concentration (khaBikasamdhi).
2) Access concentration (upacrasamdhi)
3) Absorption concentration (appansamdhi): it is also called jhna concentration: the eight attainments.172
The three types of meditation are:
1) Preparatory meditation (parikammabhvan)
2) Access meditation (upacrabhvan)
3) Absorption meditation (appanbhvan)
The object of preparatory concentration can be the parikamma-nimitta,
the uggaha-nimitta, and occasionally the pa5ibhga-nimitta. Preparatory
meditation is the same as preparatory concentration.
Real access concentration, and real access meditation are very close to
absorption concentration (jhna); this is why they are called access. But
sometimes deep and strong concentration before absorption concentration, with the pa5ibhga-nimitta as object, is as a metaphor also called
access concentration or access meditation.173 When preparatory concentration, or momentary concentration, is fully developed it leads to access concentration. When access concentration is fully developed, it leads
to absorption concentration (jhna).
We already discussed the nimitta in previous talks. There are, as mentioned, three types of nimitta: the parikamma-nimitta, the uggaha-nimitta,
and the pa5ibhga-nimitta.
Question 3.1
172
173
eight attainments: the four material jhnas, and four immaterial jhnas.
In this connection, see also Q&A 4.6, p.149.
96
The parikamma-nimitta (preparatory sign): the natural breath is a

nimitta. The touching point is also a nimitta. Here the nimitta is the
object of concentration. The commentary says the nostril nimitta
(nsikanimitta), and upper-lip nimitta (mukhanimitta) are the parikammanimitta for beginners. When the concentration is a little stronger, a
smoky grey usually appears around the nostrils. This smoky grey is
also the parikamma-nimitta. It may have another colour too. The
concentration and meditation at the parikamma-nimitta stage are
preparatory.
2) The uggaha-nimitta (taken-up sign): when the preparatory concentration increases in strength and power, the smoky grey usually
changes to white: white like cotton wool. But it may become another
colour, owing to a change in perception.174 When the perception
changes, the colour and shape of the nimitta may also change. If the
colour and shape change very often, the concentration will gradually
decrease. This is because whenever yogis perception changes, his
object thereby also changes, which means he has different objects.
So the yogi should ignore the colour and shape of the nimitta. He
should concentrate on it only as an npna-nimitta. The concentration and meditation on the uggaha-nimitta are also preparatory.
3) The pa5ibhga-nimitta (counterpart sign): when the concentration
has become even stronger and more powerful, the uggaha-nimitta
changes to the pa5ibhga-nimitta. Usually the pa5ibhga-nimitta is
clear, bright and radiant, like the morning star. In this case too, if the
perception changes, the nimitta may also change. If, when the concentration is strong and powerful, the yogi wants the nimitta to be
long it will become long; if he wants it to be short it will become
short; if he wants it to be ruby red, it will become ruby red. The
VisuddhiMagga says one should not do so.175 If one does, then even
though the concentration is deep, it will gradually decrease. This is
because one has different perceptions, and thereby different objects.
So a yogi should not play with the nimitta. If he plays with it he cannot attain jhna.
The beginning stage of concentration and meditation on the pa5ibhganimitta are also preparatory. But close to jhna they are access concentration, and access meditation. When absorption arises, the nimitta is still
1)
174
For further details on the relationship between the nimitta and perception, see p.38.
VsM.iii.47 CattlsaKamma55hnaVaBBan (Forty Meditations-Subjects Description) PP.iii.113
175
97
the pa5ibhga-nimitta, but the concentration is now absorption concentration, and the meditation is absorption meditation.
Question 3.2 What is the difference between access concentration and absorption concentration?
Answer 3.2 When the pa5ibhga-nimitta appears, the concentration is powerful. But at this stage, which is the stage of access concentration, the
jhna factors are not fully developed, and bhavaOgas (life-continuum
consciousnesses) still occur; one falls into bhavaOga. The yogi will say
that everything stopped, or may think it is Nibbna, and say: I knew
nothing then. If one practises in this way, one can eventually stay in bhavaOga for a long time.
In any kind of practice, be it good or bad, one will achieve ones aim, if
one practises again and again. Practice makes perfect. In this case too, if
one practises again and again, in the same way, one may fall into bhavaOga for a long time. Why does one say one knew nothing? Because the
object of the bhavaOga is the object of the near-death consciousness in the
past life. That object may be kamma, a kamma sign (kammanimitta) or a destination sign (gatinimitta). But one cannot see this unless one has discerned
dependent origination. It is only once one has discerned dependent origination that one sees that the bhavaOga took one of those objects.176
If one thinks it is Nibbna, this idea is a very big rock blocking the
way to Nibbna. If one does not remove this big rock, one cannot attain
Nibbna. Why does this idea occur? Many yogis think that a disciple
(svaka) cannot know mentality-materiality as taught by The Buddha. So
they think it is not necessary to develop sufficiently deep concentration in
order to discern mentality-materiality and their causes as taught by The
Buddha. Thus their concentration is only weak, and bhavaOgas still occur,
because the jhna factors too are weak. Their concentration cannot be
maintained for long. If one purposely practises to fall into bhavaOga, one
will achieve ones aim, but it is not Nibbna. To attain Nibbna one must
practise the seven stages of purification step by step; without knowing
ultimate mentality, ultimate materiality, and their causes, one cannot attain Nibbna.
The problem of thinking that the attainment of knowing nothing is Nibbna needs perhaps to be explained further.
Nibbna is visaAkhra: that is, without formations. Formations (saAkhr) are mentality-materiality and their causes, and Nibbna is without
either of them. The mind that knows Nibbna is called visaAkhragata176
For details, see Table 1d Death and Rebirth, p.188.
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citta. But it is not itself visaAkhra: the act of seeing Nibbna requires
the formation of consciousness.
The consciousness that is formed when, for example, a Buddha or Arahant enters the Fruition Attainment, and sees Nibbna, is the Arahant
Fruition-Consciousness (ArahattaPhalaCitta), together with its associated
mental factors. If the Arahant Fruition-Consciousness is entered upon
from the first jhna, and is thus a first-jhna Arahant Fruition-Consciousness, there are thirty-seven mental formations. This principle applies in
all the other Path and Fruition Knowledges. Together with their associated mental factors, they all take Nibbna as object; and Nibbna has the
characteristic of peaceful bliss.
Whenever a Noble One (Ariya) enters the Fruition Attainment, she or he
knows Nibbna, and with the Fruition Knowledge enjoys the peaceful
bliss that is Nibbna.
It is therefore, impossible to enter one of the Fruition attainments and
say about it: Everything stopped: I knew nothing then. Before entering a
Fruition Attainment, one determines how long it will last, for example
one or two hours. And for the duration of that period, Nibbna is known
continuously as the peaceful bliss it is (santisukha).
It is therefore clear that when one knows nothing, it is not because one
has attained Nibbna; it is because ones concentration is still weak.
When the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta appears, the yogis mind may fall
into bhavaOga, because the jhna factors are not yet strong. Just like,
when learning to walk, a small child who is too weak to stand by himself,
will fall down again and again. In the same way, at the access concentration stage, the jhna factors are still not fully developed, and one may fall
into bhavaOga: it is not Nibbna.
To avoid falling into bhavaOga, and to develop concentration further,
you need the help of the five controlling faculties: faith (saddh), effort
(vriya), mindfulness (sati), concentration (samdhi), and wisdom (pa), to
push the mind and fix it on the pa5ibhga-nimitta. It takes effort to make
the mind know the pa5ibhga-nimitta again and again, mindfulness to not
forget it, and wisdom to know it.
At the absorption-jhna stage, the jhna factors are fully developed. Just
like a strong and powerful man can stand up straight the whole day, a
yogi can, taking the pa5ibhga-nimitta as object, stay in absorption jhna
for a long time without falling into bhavaOga. Complete and uninterrupted absorption may continue for one, two, three hours, or more. At
that time one does not hear a sound. Ones mind does not go to other objects. Apart from the pa5ibhga-nimitta, one knows nothing.
99
Under what conditions, or in what state, can we say that a

meditation experience is access concentration or absorption concentration?
Answer 3.3 If many bhavaOgas occur during concentration, one can say that
it is access concentration. But the nimitta must be the pa5ibhga-nimitta.
Only if one is able to stay in complete absorption for a long time, without
interruption, with also the pa5ibhga-nimitta as object, can one say it is
absorption concentration.
How does a yogi know his mind is falling into bhavaOga? When he notices that he has very often been unaware of the pa5ibhga-nimitta, he
knows there were bhavaOgas. His mind may also for brief moments have
thought of an object other than the pa5ibhga-nimitta. This does not happen in absorption concentration. In absorption concentration there is only
complete absorption without interruption.
Question 3.4 Is there access concentration, as well as absorption concentration at each of the four jhnas? What are their characteristics?
Answer 3.4 Let us take the example of the npna jhnas, which take the
npna pa5ibhga-nimitta as object. There are four levels of access
concentration, and four levels of absorption concentration. At each level
there is access jhna first, and then absorption jhna. Both take the same
npna pa5ibhga-nimitta as object. So it is the level of concentration
that is different.
In the first, second, and third access-jhna, there are five jhna factors.
But in the fourth access-jhna, there is no bliss (sukha), only application
(vitakka), sustainment (vicra), equanimity (upekkh) and one-pointedness (ekaggat). Although they take the same nimitta as object, the jhna factors
become increasingly powerful at each access-jhna.
The jhna factors at the first access-jhna suppress physical pain (kyikadukkhavedan); at the second, mental suffering (domanassavedan); at the third,
physical pleasant feeling (kyikasukhavedan); and at the fourth, mental pleasant feeling or happiness (somanassavedan). This is how we distinguish between the different levels of access concentration, especially the fourth.
At that level, the breath is the subtlest, and has nearly stopped. It stops
completely at the fourth absorption-jhna.
We distinguish between the absorption-jhnas also by looking at the
jhna factors. In the first absorption jhna, five jhna factors are present:
application, sustainment, joy, bliss and one-pointedness; in the second,
three: joy, bliss and one-pointedness; in the third, two: bliss and onepointedness; and in the fourth, also two: equanimity and one-pointedness.
By looking at the jhna factors, we can say, This is the first absorption
Question 3.3
100
jhna, This is the second absorption jhna, etc. Also, here the concentration increases level by level. Fourth-jhna concentration is the highest.
How is it the highest? You should try for yourself. Many yogis report that
the fourth jhna is the best and the quietest.
Question 3.5 Under what conditions does a yogi drop or regress from absorption to access concentration? Under what conditions does a yogi in
access concentration attain absorption concentration?
Answer 3.5 If the yogi does not respect his meditation practice, but respects
objects other than the pa5ibhga-nimitta, many hindrances (nvaraBa) will
arise. Many thoughts of greed and hatred will arise. They arise due to
unwise attention (ayoniso manasikra). Those objects reduce the concentration,
because wholesome dhammas and unwholesome dhammas are always in
opposition. When wholesome dhammas are strong and powerful, unwholesome dhammas are far away, and when (because of unwise attention) unwholesome dhammas are strong and powerful, wholesome
dhammas are far away. Wholesome and unwholesome dhammas cannot
arise simultaneously in one consciousness moment or mental process.
Here we need to understand wise attention (yoniso manasikra) and unwise
attention (ayoniso manasikra). When a yogi practises npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing), and concentrates on the natural breath, his attention is
wise attention. When the uggaha-nimitta or pa5ibhga-nimitta appears,
and the yogi concentrates on it, his attention is still wise attention. If, in
vipassan meditation, a yogi sees: This is materiality, This is mentality, This is cause, This is effect, This is impermanence, This is suffering, or This is non-self, his attention is also wise attention.
But if he sees: This is a man, a woman, a son, a daughter, a father, a
mother, a deity, a brahm, an animal, etc.; This is gold, money, etc.
then his attention is unwise attention. Generally speaking, we can say that
because of wise attention many wholesome dhammas arise, and because
of unwise attention many unwholesome dhammas arise. If, while you are
practising meditation, unwise attention arises, then hindrances or defilements will certainly follow; they are unwholesome dhammas. Those unwholesome dhammas reduce the concentration, or cause it to regress and
drop.
If you look at your meditation object with wise attention, again and
again, then wholesome dhammas will arise and increase. Jhna wholesome dhammas, for example, are among those wholesome dhammas. So,
if you concentrate on the nimitta, such as the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta,
again and again, it is wise attention. If you develop this wise attention to
101
full strength, then from access concentration you will attain absorption
concentration.
Question 3.6 When a person dies, a kamma-nimitta may arise because of
past wholesome or unwholesome kamma. Is this phenomenon similar to
that which occurs during meditation, when images of past events, which
the yogi had forgotten, appear?
Answer 3.6 There may be some similarity, but only in some cases. It may be
similar to the arising of a kamma-nimitta in those whose death took place
quickly.
Question 3.7 While meditating, images of events from more than thirty years
back, which the yogi had forgotten, appear. Is this due to lack of mindfulness, which lets the mind leave the object?
Answer 3.7 It could be. But it could also be because of attention (manasikra).
Many yogis do not know about attention. Only once they have practised
meditation on mentality do they understand it. Mental processes occur
very quickly, so they do not understand that these images appear because
of attention. But no formation occurs by itself, without a cause. This is
because all formations are conditioned.
Question 3.8 If, when dying, a person has strong mindfulness, can he prevent a kamma sign (kammanimitta) of previous unwholesome or wholesome
kamma from arising?177
Answer 3.8 Strong, powerful mindfulness can prevent such nimittas from
arising; but what is strong, powerful mindfulness? If a yogi enters jhna,
and keeps it completely stable right up to the time of death, you can say
that the mindfulness of that jhna is strong and powerful. That type of
mindfulness can prevent an unwholesome sign or sensual-sphere wholesome sign from arising. It takes only the jhna object, for example, an
npna pa5ibhga-nimitta or white-kasiLa pa5ibhga-nimitta.
Another type of strong, powerful mindfulness is the mindfulness associated with vipassan knowledge. If a yogis vipassan knowledge is the
Formations-Equanimity Knowledge (SaAkhrUpekkhBa), and if he practises vipassan up to the near-death moment, then his near-death impulsion is vipassan knowledge associated with strong and powerful mindfulness. That type of mindfulness can also prevent unwholesome signs
from appearing, as well as prevent other wholesome signs from replacing
his vipassan sign. The vipassan sign is the impermanent, suffering, or
non-self nature of a chosen formation. He may die with such a sign as the
object of his near-death impulsion (maraBsannajavana). It can produce a
177
For details in this regard, see Table 1d Death and Rebirth, p.188.
102
deva rebirth-linking consciousness (pa5isandhicitta), so that he is spontaneously reborn as a deva.

Concerning the benefits that this type of yogi may get in his future life
as a deva, The Buddha says in the Sotnugata sutta of the AAguttara
Nikya, Catukka Nipta:178
So mu55hassati179 kla6 kurumno aatara6 devanikya6 upapajjati. Tassa
tattha sukhino dhammapad plavanti. Dandho bhikkhave satuppdo, atha so satto
khippameva visesagm hoti.
Bhikkhus, an ordinary person (puthujjana) who has heard the Teachings, often repeated them, reflected upon them, and thoroughly penetrated them with vipassan
knowledge, if he dies, he may be reborn in one of the deva realms, where all formations appear clearly in his mind. He may be slow to reflect on the Dhamma or to do
vipassan, but he attains Nibbna very quickly.
Why do formations appear clearly in his mind? Because the near-death

impulsion consciousness of the previous human life, and the bhavaOga
consciousness of the following deva life take the same object, in this case
the impermanent, suffering, or non-self nature of formations. The host,
the bhavaOga that is, already knows the vipassan object, which is why
vipassan knowledge can easily be developed. So according to that sutta,
strong mindfulness associated with vipassan knowledge can prevent
unwholesome signs from appearing, as well as other wholesome signs
that may replace his vipassan sign. You should try to possess this type of
mindfulness before death takes place.
An example of this is the SakkaPaha sutta, about three bhikkhus
who practised samatha and vipassan.180 They had good morality and
good concentration, but their minds inclined towards life as male gandhabbas.181 When they died they went to the deva realm. They were reborn
as very beautiful and radiant gandhabbas, who looked sixteen years old.
During their lives as bhikkhus, the three bhikkhus had gone to a laywomans house every day for almsfood, and had taught her Dhamma. She
had become a Stream-Enterer, and when she died, she was reborn as
Gopaka, the son of Sakka. The three gandhabbas performed for the son
of Sakka, and he saw that they were very beautiful and radiant. He
thought: They are very beautiful and radiant. What was their kamma?
178
A.IV.IV.v.1 SotnugataSutta6 (The One-Who-Has-Heard Sutta), mentioned also

p.147.
179
Mu55hasati means muddled mindfulness, but in this context, The Buddha means that
he is reborn as an ordinary person(puthujjana) and not a Noble One(Ariya).
180
D.ii.8 SakkaPahaSutta6 (The Sakkas Questions Sutta)
181
Musicians and dancers in the deva realm.
103
He saw they were the three bhikkhus who had come to his house when he
was a laywoman. He knew that their virtue, concentration and wisdom
had been very good. So he reminded them of their past life. He said:
When you listened to the teachings and practised the Dhamma, what
were your eyes and ears directed at? Two of the gandhabbas remembered their past lives and were ashamed. They developed samatha and
vipassan again, quickly attained the Non-Returning Path and Fruition,
and died. They were reborn in the realm of BrahmaParohit (Brahmas
Ministers),182 and attained Arahantship there. The third bhikkhu was not
ashamed, and remained a gandhabba.
So, it is not necessary to contact a life insurance company. This type of
mindfulness is the best insurance.
Question 3.9 Is it necessary when discerning the twelve characteristics in
four-elements meditation, to start with hardness, roughness, and heaviness in that sequence? Can one choose to start with any one of the characteristics?
Answer 3.9 In the beginning we can start with a characteristic that is easy to
discern. But once we can discern all the characteristics easily and clearly,
we must follow the sequence given by The Buddha: earth element (pathavdhtu), water element (podhtu), fire element (tejodhtu), and wind element
(vyodhtu). This is because that sequence produces strong, powerful concentration. When we see the rpa-kalpas, and are able to easily discern
the four elements in each one, the sequence is not important; what is very
important then is to discern them simultaneously.
Why? The life span of a rpa-kalpa is very short. It may be less than a
billionth of a second. When discerning the four elements in a rpa-kalpa
there is not enough time to recite earth, water, fire, wind, so we must
discern them simultaneously.
Question 3.10 Practising four-elements meditation enables one to balance the
four elements in the body. One may at some time get sick because the
four elements are out of balance. When one is sick, can one practise fourelements meditation with strong mindfulness to cure the sickness?
Answer 3.10 There are many types of affliction. Some afflictions are due to
previous kamma, such as The Buddhas back pain. Some afflictions are
due to unbalanced elements. The afflictions born of previous kamma cannot be cured by balancing the four elements. But some of the afflictions
that occur because of unbalanced elements may disappear when the yogi
tries to balance them.
182
DA-II-8 SakkaPahaSutta6 (The Sakkas Questions Sutta)
104
There are also afflictions that occur because of food, temperature (utu) or
the mind (citta). If an affliction arises because of the mind, and we can cure
the mind, the affliction may disappear; if the affliction arises because of
temperature, fire element, as with cancer, malaria, etc., it can be cured
only by taking medicine, not by balancing the elements. This is the same
for afflictions born of unsuitable food.
183
Question 3.11 Before we attain the fourth jhna, and eradicate ignorance
(avijj), many unwholesome thoughts still arise due to bad habits. For example, in our daily life (outside a meditation retreat) we know that greed
or hatred arises. Can we use foulness meditation (asubha) or loving-kindness meditation (mettbhvan) to remove them? Or should we ignore them
and just concentrate on our meditation subject, and let them disappear
automatically?
Answer 3.11 Unwholesome kamma has ignorance (avijj) as a latent cause,
and unwise attention (ayoniso manasikra) as the proximate cause. Unwise
attention is very harmful. If you are able to replace unwise attention with
wise attention, the greed or hatred will disappear for a while, or maybe
forever if the wise attention is very strong and powerful. We already discussed wise and unwise attention in a previous question.
You can use foulness meditation or loving-kindness meditation to remove greed and hatred. These meditations are also wise attention. But
vipassan is the best weapon to destroy defilements. It is the best wise
attention.
Question 3.12 How does the bhavaOga function in the sensual sphere planes,
fine-material sphere planes, immaterial sphere planes and supramundane
sphere planes? Would the Sayadaw please explain with examples?184
183
The fourth jhna does not eradicate ignorance; it only suppresses ignorance. See further
Q&As 7.7, 7.8 and 7.9 p.232ff.
184
bhavaOga: This does not correspond to the subconscious/unconscious as hypothesized in
Freudian psychology: two consciousnesses cannot arise at the same time. The life-continuum consciousness is a flow of resultant consciousnesses, maintained by the kamma that
matured at the time of death in the previous life. It maintains the continuum of mentality
between mental processes. It functions also as the mind door (manodvra). Once the
kamma that produces this life comes to an end, the life-continuum consciousness of this
life stops. In the non-Arahant, a new life-continuum consciousness, with a new object,
arises after the first consciousness of the new life, i.e. after the rebirth-linking consciousness there arise sixteen life-continuum consciousnesses. Being produced by the same
kamma as the kamma that produces the rebirth-linking consciousness, the new life-continuum consciousness takes the same object (see Table 1d, Death and Rebirth, p.188).
Hence, the life-continuum is not a subconscious undercurrent operating below the mental processes of the six doors. As can be seen in table 1c: The Five-Door Process, (p.168),
prior to the arising of a five-door process, the flow of life-continuum consciousnesses is
105
The function of the bhavaOga is the same on the first three

types of plane.185 It arises so the consciousness moments in a life do not
stop; it maintains the mentality, which is the life-continuum. This is because the kamma that produces this life has not yet been exhausted. Since
there is materiality-mentality (nmarpa) in the sensual and fine-material
sphere planes, and mentality in the immaterial sphere planes, there is also
a bhavaOga there.
In the sensual sphere planes (kmvacarabhmi), the bhavaOga may have as
object a kamma, kamma sign (kammanimitta) or rebirth sign (gatinimitta). For
example, one beings bhavaOga may have as object the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, while anothers may have as object the Shwedagon Pagoda:186 these
objects are concepts.
In the fine-material sphere plane (rpvacarabhmi), the bhavaOga has as
object only a kamma sign: no kamma and no rebirth sign. The bhavaOga
of one on a fine-material sphere plane is called the fine-material sphere
resultant jhna (rpvacaravipkajhna), because it is the result of the jhnaattainment at death in the foregoing life. Since the object of the bhavaOga
is thus the same as the object of the jhna attainment, the object of the
bhavaOga will depend upon the jhna. For example, the bhavaOga of one
who has reached a fine material sphere plane due to npna jhna will
have as object the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta, while the one who is there
due to mett-jhna will have as object all beings in the infinite universe:
both these objects are concepts.
In the immaterial sphere planes (arpvacarabhmi), the bhavaOga has as
object only kamma or a kamma sign: no rebirth sign. For example, on the
plane of the base of boundless space ones bhavaOga will have as object
boundless space, and on the plane of the base of nothingness, it will have
as object the absence of the base-of-boundless-space consciousness: both
these objects are concepts.
On the plane of the base of boundless consciousness, ones bhavaOga
will have as object the consciousness of the base of boundless space, and
on the plane of the base of neither perception nor non-perception, it will
Answer 3.12
arrested. And it is resumed once the mental process is complete (see also table 1b: The
Mind-Door Process, p.164). The life-continuum cognizes always the same object, which is
independent of the objects that enter the six doors: that is why it is called process-separate
(vthi-mutta). See also explanation, p.159.
185
The three spheres: 1) The sensuous sphere (kmvacara), which includes the human
world, the animal-, ghost-, and asura worlds, the hells and the deva-worlds. 2) The finematerial sphere (rpvacara), which includes the Brahma worlds, where the materiality is
very subtle. 3) The immaterial sphere (arpvacara), where there is only mentality.
186
The two most famous pagodas in Myanmar.
106
have as object the consciousness of the Base of Nothingness: being consciousnesses, these objects are kamma.
When we say sensual sphere planes, fine-material sphere planes and
immaterial sphere planes, we are referring to planes of existence that
exist, places that exist. But when we say supramundane plane (lokuttarabhmi), the word plane is only a metaphor. It is, in fact, not a place at all.
When we say supramundane plane we mean only the four Paths, four
Fruitions, and Nibbna; not a place. Hence, there is no bhavaOga in the
supramundane plane. There is none in the four Path and four Fruition
consciousnesses, and since there is no mentality-materiality (nmarpa) in
Nibbna, there is no mentality for the bhavaOga to maintain, which means
there cannot be any bhavaOga in Nibbna.
Question 3.13 What is the difference between mundane jhnas (lokiyajhna)
and supramundane jhnas (lokuttarajhna)?
Answer 3.13 The mundane jhnas are the four fine-material sphere jhnas
and four immaterial-sphere jhnas (arpvacarajhna), that is, the eight attainments (sampatti). The supramundane jhnas are the jhna factors associated with the Path and Fruition Knowledges. When you discern the
mental formations of, for example, the mundane fine-material sphere first
jhna as impermanence, suffering or non-self, and if you see Nibbna,
your Path Knowledge is the first jhna. This is a supramundane jhna.
Why? In the mundane fine-material sphere first jhna, which was the
object of vipassan, there are the five jhna factors: application, sustainment, joy, bliss and one-pointedness. In the supramundane first jhna
there are the same five. This is how the Path and Fruition can be the first
jhna Path, and first jhna Fruition. The other jhnas can in the same way
be (the conditions for their respective) supramundane (jhnas).
Talk 4
H OW Y OU D ISCERN M ATERIALITY
INTRODUCTION
Today, we shall discuss materiality meditation (rpakamma55hna). That is

four-elements meditation (catudhtuvavatthna), which is discerning the different types of ultimate materiality (paramattharpa). Materiality is the first
of the five clinging-aggregates, and the remaining four (feeling (vedan),
perception (sa), mental formations (saAkhr), and consciousness (viBa))
can together be called mentality (nma). In our five-constituent existence
(pacavokrabhava), mentality depends on materiality, which means that consciousnesses arise dependent on their respective material base. For eye-,
ear-, nose-, tongue- and body materiality, the base (vatthu) and the door
(dvra) are the same thing. Thus, an eye consciousness arises dependent on
the materiality that is the eye door/eye base; an ear consciousness arises
dependent on the materiality that is the ear door/ear base, etc. But a mind
consciousness arises dependent on the mind door (bhavaOga), which is
mentality: and in our five-constituent existence, mentality arises dependent on a material base that is located in the blood in the heart: it is for that
reason called the heart base (hadayavatthu).187
To see this, you need to see the individual types of materiality, which
means you need first to penetrate to the sub-atomic particles called rpakalpas. You need to see that materiality is nothing except these rpakalpas. But they are not ultimate reality.188 To penetrate to ultimate reality, you need to see that the individual type of rpa-kalpa consists of
elements (dhtu):189 only then can you see what materiality really is, and
can see how it is related to mentality. That is the aim of four-elements
meditation.
But, before explaining the meditation, let us discuss briefly the different
types of rpa-kalpa and their elements, and then explain about the origin
187
For the necessity of discerning the different types of materiality etc. see also The Buddhas explanation in M.I.iv.3 MahGoplakaSutta6 (The Great Cowherd Sutta),
quoted p.11. For the difference between yatana and vatthu, see footnote 23, p.6.
188
For the difference between rpa-kalpas and ultimate materiality, see also Q&A 7.6,
p.231.
189
dhtu: element, substance that cannot be analysed further. See, for example, M.III.ii.5
BahuDhtukaSutta6 (The Many-Element Sutta). The VisuddhiMagga explains that
the elements cause the individual characteristic to be carried (attano sabhva6 dhrentti
dhtuyo) (VsM.xv.518 DhtuVitthraKath (Elements Details Discussion) PP.xv.21).
108
of materiality, in order that it may be easier for you to understand the profound meditation that is four-elements meditation (catudhtuvavatthna).190
THREE TYPES OF RPA-KALPA
As mentioned, materiality is nothing except rpa-kalpas, and there are

basically three types of rpa-kalpa:
1) Octad-kalpas (a55haka): they comprise a basic eight types of materiality.
2) Nonad-kalpas (navaka): they comprise the basic eight plus a ninth.
3) Decad-kalpas (dasaka): they comprise the nine plus a tenth.
Generally speaking, the materiality of our body is composed of these
three types of rpa-kalpa mixed together in different ways.
THE MATERIALITY OF THE THREE TYPES OF RPA-KALPA
The first type of rpa-kalpa comprises the four elements (catudhtu),

which are the four great essentials (mahbht), and four types of derived
materiality (updrpa);191 in total eight types of materiality:
1) Earth element
(pathavdhtu) 3) Fire element
(tejodhtu)
2) Water element
(podhtu) 4) Wind element
(vyodhtu)
And then:
5) Colour
(vaBBa) 7) Flavour
(rasa)
6) Odour
(gandha) 8) Nutritive Essence
(oj)
Because it has eight types of materiality, this type of rpa-kalpa is
called an octad-kalpa (a55hakakalpa), and because nutritive essence is the
eighth, it is also called a nutritive-essence octad-kalpa (oja55hamakakalpa).192 They are found throughout the body, and are untranslucent materiality (napasdarpa).193
The second type of rpa-kalpa comprises these basic eight types of
materiality, and a ninth, life faculty (jvitindriya).194 Because it has nine
.........
..............
........................................
.......................................
190
...................
..............
.........................................
...................
See also Q&A 2.2 p.72.

derived materiality: so called because it derives from, depends on the four great essentials.
192
The Pali for the different types of rpa-kalpa is kalpa that has x as the yth.
193
translucent/translucency: see dictionary definition, footnote 504, p.276.
194
There are also rpa-kalpas of derived materiality that need to be discerned but are
here not discussed, for example, rpa-kalpas with sound/bodily intimation as the
ninth/twelfth; verbal intimation as the tenth/thirteenth; lightness as the eleventh. For these
191
4 - How You Discern Materiality
109
types of materiality, this type of rpa-kalpa is called a nonad-kalpa (navakakalpa), and because it has life faculty as the ninth, it is also called a
life nonad-kalpa (jvitanavakakalpa). They are found throughout the body
and are also untranslucent.195
The third type of rpa-kalpa comprises the basic eight types of materiality, life faculty as the ninth, and a tenth. Because it has ten types of materiality, this type of rpa-kalpa is called a decad-kalpa (dasaka). There
are three types of decad-kalpa:
1) Eye- (cakkhu-), ear- (sota-), nose- (ghna-), tongue- (jivh-), and body (kya-)
decad-kalpas (dasakakalpa): their tenth type of materiality is eye-,
ear-, nose-, tongue-, and body translucent-materiality (pasdarpa).
2) Heart decad-kalpas (hadyadasakakalpa): their tenth type of materiality
is heart materiality (hadyarpa).
3) Sex decad-kalpas (bhvadasakakalpa): their tenth type of materiality is
sex materiality (bhvarpa).
1) Eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue-, and body decad-kalpas are found in the
respective organ. Their tenth, translucent materiality (pasdarpa), is
the respective sense base. The five material sense bases are also the
five material sense doors, i.e., the five material sense bases (vatthu)
(eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue- and body base) are also the five material
sense doors (dvra)196 (eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue- and body door).
2) Heart decad-kalpas are found in the blood in the heart. Their tenth
type of materiality is also the sense base: the heart base (hadayavatthu).
But it is not the mind door (the bhavaOga), because the mind door is
mentality, although it depends on the heart decad-kalpas tenth type
of materiality.
Whenever an object strikes upon one of the five sense doors, it
strikes the sixth sense door (the mind door, bhavaOga) at the same
time.197 For example, when a colour object198 strikes upon the eye
and other elements, see VsM.xiv RpaKkhandhaKath (Materiality Aggregate Discussion), or the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaws little book Mindfulness-ofBreathing and Four-Elements-Meditation (WAVE Publications, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).
195
The fire element of rpa-kalpas that have life faculty sustains concomitant octad-kalpas, which is why, although they are without life faculty, they are coexistent with consciousness(saviBaka). Without the heat of the life faculty, the materiality rots, such as
happens when a person dies: the animate body becomes an inanimate corpse.
196
The term dvra (door) describes the fact that objects need an entrance through which to
be known by a consciousness.
197
See also S.V.IV.v.2 UBBbhaBrhmaBaSutta6 (The ULLbha-Brahmin Sutta)
quoted in Introduction, p.6.
198
Strictly speaking a visual/chromatic object, and a sound object is an auditory object etc.
110
door (the translucent, tenth type of materiality of an eye decad-kalpa),199 it strikes at the same time upon the mind door (bhavaOga).
And the mind door is based on the tenth type of materiality of a heart
decad-kalpa.200 The colour object is picked up first by a mind consciousness, second by an eye consciousness, and further by mind
consciousnesses. This same principle applies for when a sound object strikes upon the ear door, which is the translucent, tenth type of
materiality in an ear decad-kalpa, and for an odour object, etc.
Apart from the objects that also strike the five sense doors, there are
also objects that strike the mind door (bhavaOga) alone: they are the
six types of dhamma object.201
3) Sex decad-kalpas are found throughout the body. Their tenth type
of materiality is sex materiality (bhva), which is of two types:202
i) Male sex-materiality (purisabhva): it provides the physical characteristics of males, by which we know: This is a male. It is
found in only males.
ii) Female sex-materiality (itthibhva): it provides the physical characteristics of females, by which we know: This is a female. It
is found in only females.
It is because their tenth type of materiality is translucent that eye-, ear-,
nose-, tongue-, and body decad-kalpas are translucent. All other types of
rpa-kalpa are without translucent materiality, which is why they are
untranslucent, as, for example, the sex- and heart decad-kalpas we just
discussed.
THE FOUR ORIGINS OF MATERIALITY
Having now discussed the basic structures of ultimate materiality, we

can go on to a general discussion about the origin of materiality, which
you will also need to discern when doing four-elements meditation. Mate-

199
Eye decad-kalpa: (8) the basic eight elements [1-earth 2-water 3- fire 4-wind 5-colour
6-odour 7-flavour 8-nutritive essence] + (9) life faculty + (10) eye translucency.
200
Heart decad-kalpa: (8) the basic eight elements [1-earth 2-water 3- fire 4-wind 5colour 6-odour 7-flavour 8-nutritive essence] + (9) life faculty + (10) heart element. See
also table 2d: The Basic Types of Materiality of the Heart, p.140.
201
See Introduction p.7.
202
Also referred to as purisindriya and itthindriya (indriya = faculty).
111
riality has one of four origins: kamma, consciousness, temperature and

nutriment, which means we have four types of materiality:203
1) Kamma-born materiality (kammajarpa)
2) Consciousness-born materiality (cittajarpa)
3) Temperature-born materiality (utujarpa)
4) Nutriment-born materiality (hrajarpa)
As mentioned, the materiality of our body is nothing except rpa-kalpas, and all rpa-kalpas have at least the basic eight types of materiality:
earth, water, fire, wind, colour, odour, flavour and nutritive essence. The
eighth, nutritive essence, maintains materiality, which is why when there
is no longer nutritive essence, the materiality falls apart.
Let us now look further at each of the four origins of materiality.
KAMMA-BORN MATERIALITY
Kamma-born materiality (kammajarpa) comprises life nonad-kalpas, and

decad-kalpas: eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue-, body-, heart- and sex decadkalpas. Their nutritive essence (oj) is kamma-born (kammajaoj).
It is in kamma-born materiality that we see something of the realities of
the Second Noble Truth, the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering.
Kamma-born materiality is materiality with the life faculty, which arises
at rebirth, the First Noble Truth. And, as explained by The Buddha in the
MahSatiPa55hna sutta,204 rebirth (suffering) takes place because of
craving (taBh), and craving arises in anything that is agreeable and pleasant: sights through the eye, striking upon the translucent materiality of
eye decad-kalpas (the eye door) and the bhavaOga (mind door); sounds
through the ear, striking upon the translucent materiality of ear decadkalpas (the ear door) and the bhavaOga (mind door) etc. The translucent
materiality that is the five sense doors/bases, and the materiality that is
the heart base exist because of craving for pleasant and agreeable sights,
sounds, odours, flavours, tangibles and dhamma objects.
As the Buddha also explains, the direct cause for rebirth is kamma, but
for there to be a result, it requires craving. And although the kamma that
203
In the VisuddhiMagga, the order of the four origins of materiality is: 1) kamma, 2)
consciousness, 3) nutriment, 4) temperature. The order here is that taught by the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw.
204
D.ii.9 (The Great Mindfulness-Foundation Sutta) SamudayaSaccaNiddeso (Origin-Noble-Truth Description), and VsM.xiv RpaKkhandhaKath (Materiality Aggregate Discussion).
112
produces the materiality at a human rebirth205 of a human life is wholesome, rebirth itself has taken place because of clinging, which is conditioned by craving, which is conditioned by ignorance: not understanding
the Four Noble Truths.
Kamma-born materiality is being produced all the time. It is the foundation of all other materiality. Each consciousness moment (cittakkhaBa) (of
the seventeen that are materialitys life-span) has three stages (three submoments): arising (uppda), standing (5hiti), and dissolution (bhaAga).
At each stage, new kamma-born materiality is arising. This means that
during one five-door process, countless kamma-born rpa-kalpas are
produced at each of the fifty-one sub-moments (17 consciousness moments x 3 stages). Their temperature produces temperature-born rpakalpas, and their nutritive-essence produces new nutriment-born rpakalpas, and the temperature and nutritive-essence of those rpa-kalpas
produce also more etc.206
CONSCIOUSNESS-BORN MATERIALITY
Consciousness-born materiality (cittajarpa) comprises octad-kalpas.

Their nutritive (oj) essence is consciousness-born, and is produced only
by consciousnesses that arise dependent on the heart base, not consciousnesses of the five sense doors/bases. And, apart from the rebirth-linking
consciousness, all consciousnesses that arise dependent on the heart base
produce consciousness-born materiality.
An example is anger and worry. Anger and worry are both hatred (dosa),
and a consciousness of hatred produces consciousness-born materiality
with predominant fire element. That is why, when we are angry or worried, we get hot.
Another example is bodily movement: moving the limbs and body forwards and backwards, up and down. For example, when we walk, the
mind is directed at the leg and foot. That intention produces consciousness-born materiality in the leg and foot, and throughout the body: it has
predominant. wind element. Just as wind carries objects along, so too the
wind element carries the limbs and body along. The movement is a long
series of different consciousness-born rpa-kalpas being produced in
different places. The consciousness-born rpa-kalpas that arise at the
raising of the foot are different from the consciousness-born rpa-kalpas
205
At a human rebirth, in the womb, the very first materiality is only heart-, body- and sex
decad-kalpas, all kamma-born.
206
For details, see table 1c: The Five-Door Process, p.168.
113
that arise at the lowering of the foot. Each rpa-kalpa arises and passes
away in the same place, and new rpa-kalpas arise elsewhere and perish
there.
A third example is samatha, vipassan, Path and Fruition consciousnesses. Such consciousnesses are very pure, very powerful and superior, because there are no upakkilesa (imperfections). That means these consciousnesses produce very many generations of pure and superior consciousness-born materiality of which the earth-, wind- and fire element are very
soft and subtle. When those soft and subtle rpa-kalpas touch the body
door (the tenth type of materiality in the body decad-kalpas) the yogi
experiences great bodily comfort, with no heaviness (the earth element).
Since, as mentioned before, the fire element of all rpa-kalpas produces
temperature-born rpa-kalpas, the fire element in those superior consciousness-born rpa-kalpas produces many temperature-born rpa-kalpas
inside and outside the body.
The radiance, brilliance and brightness that arise with those superior
consciousnesses is produced by the brilliance of the colour materiality of
the consciousness- and temperature-born materiality.207 This accounts
also for the clear and bright skin and faculties of yogis who develop these
superior consciousnesses.208 The materiality born of, for example, the
Venerable Anuruddhas divine-eye consciousnesses (dibbacakkhu abhiBa)
spread throughout a thousand world-systems: they were lit up by the superior consciousness-born materiality and became visible to him.209 You
too, if you develop sufficiently concentrated and pure consciousness, may
be able to see other realms of existence etc.
TEMPERATURE-BORN MATERIALITY
Temperature-born materiality (utujarpa) comprises octad-kalpas. Their

nutritive essence is temperature-born (utujaoj), which comes from the fire
element (tejodhtu). the third element of all rpa-kalpas.210 The fire element of all rpa-kalpas produces temperature-born rpa-kalpas, which
themselves have fire element that produces temperature-born rpa-kal207
For The Buddhas description of this light, see Introduction, p.13. For a more detailed
explanation of this light, see also Q&A 4.10, p.156.
208
Frequently referred to in the Texts, e.g. the ascetic who meets the newly enlightened
Buddha says: Friend, your faculties are clear, the colour of your skin is pure and bright.
(M.I.iii.6 AriyaPariyesanSutta6 (The Noble Search Sutta))
209
AA.VIII.I.iii.10 AnuruddhaMahVitakkaSutta6 (The Anuruddha GreatApplication Sutta)
210
tejo (fire) and utu (temperature) refer to the same phenomenon.
114
pas, which themselves have fire element etc.211 That is how, according to
its power, the fire element produces materiality through a number of generations.
All inanimate materiality is born of and maintained by temperature. A
good example is plants. Their materiality is temperature-born materiality
and is born of the fire element originally in the seed. Their growth is
nothing except the continued production of temperature-born materiality
through many generations. It takes place with the assistance of the fire
element from the soil, sun (hot), and water (cold).
The fire element in, for example, stones, metals, minerals and hardwood
is very powerful, and produces very, very many generations of materiality. That is why that materiality can last long. But the fire element in, for
example, softwood, tender plants, flesh, food and water is very weak, not
very many generations of materiality are produced, which is why the materiality soon falls apart. When materiality falls apart, it is because the
fire element no longer produces new materiality but instead consumes
itself: the materiality rots, falls apart, and dissolves.
When materiality is consumed by fire, such as when wood is burning, it
is because the fire element of the external materiality (the flames that
strike the wood) supports the fire element of the internal materiality (the
wood), and an huge amount of fire element bursts forth, which means the
fire element becomes predominant and the materiality is consumed.
NUTRIMENT-BORN MATERIALITY
Nutriment-born materiality (hrajarpa) also comprises octad-kalpas.

Their nutritive essence is nutriment-born nutritive essence (hrajaoj). It is
born of the food and drink that we consume. The food in the bowl, the
food in the alimentary canal (the food in the mouth, the newly eaten undigested food in the stomach, semi-digested- and fully digested food in
the intestines, the faeces), pus, blood and urine are the same: nothing but
inanimate temperature-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpas.
The digestive heat is the fire element of life nonad-kalpas, which are
(as mentioned212) born of kamma. When the digestive heat meets with the
nutritive essence of the temperature-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpas
(utujaoja55hamakakalpa) of the undigested and semi-digested food, further
nutritive-essence octad-kalpas are produced: they are nutriment-born
nutritive-essence octad-kalpas, with nutriment-born nutritive-essence
211
212

See Kamma-Born Materiality, p.111.
115
(ahrajaoj) as the eighth. Again, when that nutritive-essence meets the
(kamma-born) digestive heat, it reproduces further through many generations of nutritive-essence octad-kalpas. And it supports also the nutritiveessence in kamma-, consciousness-, and temperature-born rpa-kalpas,
and the existing nutriment-born rpa-kalpas.
The nutriment of food taken in one day may reproduce in this way for
up to seven days, although the number of generations produced depends
on the quality of the food. Divine nutriment, which is of the deva realm
and is most superior, may reproduce this way for up to one or two months.
Since life nonad-kalpas are found throughout the body, the process of
digestion found in the alimentary canal is found to a weaker degree
throughout the body. That is why, for example, when medicinal oil is applied to the skin, or an injection of medicine is made under the skin, the
medicine spreads throughout the body (is digested). But if very much
oil is applied, the weakness of the digestion may mean it takes long to
digest.
That concludes the brief discussion of the origins of materiality. There
is much more that could be explained, but this should be sufficient for
you better to understand four-elements meditation, which will now be
discussed.
If you want to attain Nibbna, you need to know and see all these
things, because you need to see materiality as it really is, not only as a
concept.213 You need first to see that materiality (rpa) consists of rpakalpas, after which you need to penetrate the delusion of compactness to
see the individual types of materiality that comprise the individual rpakalpa: that is seeing ultimate materiality. Then you need to analyse the
materiality: see the different types of materiality, their origin, and how
they function. To be able to do that, you start with four-elements meditation, which is to know and see the four great essentials (mahbht): earth-,
water-, fire- and wind element.
THE BEGINNING OF VIPASSAN
Although you are here not practising vipassan proper, we may say that
this is the beginning of vipassan, because at the end of four-elements
meditation you will have developed the ability to discern ultimate materiality, which is necessary for vipassan. We can say that you are now collecting the material necessary to do the work of vipassan.
213
For The Buddhas words on the need to see the ultimate realities of materiality, see
Introduction, p.11 (M.I.iv.3 MahGoplakaSutta6 (The Great Cowherd Sutta)).
116
That is why it is necessary for all yogis to develop four-elements meditation. Whether ones path to vipassan is first to develop a samatha subject of meditation (such as npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing) up to
jhna), or ones path begins with four-elements meditation (that leads
only up to access concentration), one needs to complete four-elements
meditation before one can do vipassan. Both paths are taught at the PaAuk monasteries in Myanmar. If one has first developed a samatha subject of meditation, one should please enter the fourth jhna at every sitting, until the light is bright, brilliant and radiant. Having emerged from
the jhna, one should then begin four-elements meditation.
HOW YOU DEVELOP FOUR-ELEMENTS MEDITATION
In the Pali texts, there are two ways to develop four-elements meditation: in brief and in detail. The brief is for those of quick understanding,
and the detailed for those who have difficulty with the brief one. The
Buddha taught the brief method in the MahSatiPa55hna sutta:214
A bhikkhu reviews this very body, however it be placed or disposed, as consisting
of just elements, thus: There are in this body just
[1] the earth element . . . . (pathavdhtu), [3] the fire element . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (tejodhtu),
[2] the water element . . . . . . . . . . (podhtu), [4] the wind element . . . . . . . . (vyodhtu).
The VisuddhiMagga explains further:215

So firstly, one of quick understanding who wants to develop this meditation should go into
solitary retreat. Then he should advert to his entire material body, and discern the elements in
brief in this way, In this body,
[1] what is hardness or roughness is the earth element;
[2] what is flowing or cohesion is the water element;
[3] what is maturing or heat is the fire element;
[4] what is pushing or supporting is the wind element,216
and he should advert and give attention to it, and review it again and again as earth element,
water element, fire element, wind element, that is to say, as mere elements, not a being, and
soulless.
As he makes effort in this way, it is not long before concentration arises in him, which is reinforced by understanding that illuminates the classification of the elements, and which is only
access and does not reach absorption because it has states with individual essences as its object.
214

VsM.xi.306 Catu-DhtuVavatthnaBhvan (Four-Elements Definition Meditation) PP.xi.41-43
216
See also footnote 219, p.121.
215
117
Or alternatively, there are these four [bodily] parts mentioned by the Elder Sriputta, for the
purpose of showing the absence of any living being in the four great primary elements thus:
When a space is enclosed with bones, sinews, flesh, and skin, there comes to be the term materiality (rpa). And he should resolve each of these, separating them out by the hand of knowledge, and then discern them in the way already stated thus: In these what is hardness... as its
objects.
As taught at Pa-Auk Tawya Monastery (in accordance with the DhammaSaAgaB),217 you should discern the four elements in the whole body
as twelve characteristics:
earth
1)
2)
3)
water
fire
wind
hardness 4) softness
7) flowing 9) heat 11) supporting
roughness 5) smoothness 8) cohesion 10) cold 12) pushing
heaviness 6) lightness
To develop this meditation, you must learn how to discern each of the
twelve characteristics, one at a time. Usually, the beginner is first taught
the characteristics easier to discern, and later the more difficult ones.
They are usually taught in this order: pushing, hardness, roughness,
heaviness, supporting, softness, smoothness, lightness, heat, coldness,
cohesion, flowing. Each characteristic must be discerned in first one
place in the body, and then throughout the body.
HOW YOU SEE THE TWELVE CHARACTERISTICS
1) Pushing:
to discern pushing, begin by being aware, through the sense

of touch, of pushing in the centre of your head as you breathe in and
out. When you discern it, concentrate on it until it becomes clear to your
mind. Then move your awareness to a part of the body nearby, and try
to find pushing there. This way you will slowly be able to discern pushing first in the head, then the neck, the trunk of the body, the arms, and
the legs and feet. Do it again and again, many times, until wherever you
place your awareness in the body you see pushing easily.If the pushing
of the breath in the centre of the head is not easy to discern, then try to
feel the pushing as the chest expands, or the abdomen moves when
breathing. If that is not clear, try to feel the pulse, or any other obvious
form of pushing. Wherever there is movement, there is pushing.
Wherever you begin, you must slowly develop your understanding, so
that you discern pushing throughout the body, from head to foot. In some
217
The first book of the Abhidhamma.
118
places it will be obvious, in other places less so, but it is present throughout the body. When you are satisfied that you can see pushing, try to find
hardness.
2) Hardness: to discern hardness, bite your teeth together and feel how
hard they are. Relax your bite, and feel their hardness. When you can
feel this, try to discern hardness throughout the body systematically
from head to foot, in the same way as you did to discern pushing. Do
not deliberately tense the body.
When you can discern hardness throughout the body, again try to find
pushing throughout the body. Alternate between these two, pushing and
hardness, again and again, discerning pushing throughout the body, and
then hardness throughout the body, from head to foot. Repeat this many
times until you are satisfied that you can do it.
3) Roughness: to discern roughness, rub your tongue over the edge of
your teeth, or brush your hand over your robe, or the skin of your arm,
and feel roughness. Now try to discern roughness throughout the body
systematically as before. If you cannot feel roughness, try looking at
pushing and hardness again, and you may discern it with them.
When you can discern roughness, go back to discern the three, pushing,
hardness, roughness, one at a time, again and again, throughout the body,
until you are satisfied.
4) Heaviness: to discern heaviness, place one hand on top of the other in
your lap, and feel the heaviness of the top hand, or feel the heaviness of
the head by bending it forward. Practise systematically until you discern
heaviness throughout the body.
When you can discern heaviness clearly, try to find the four, pushing,
hardness, roughness, and heaviness, in turn, throughout the body until
you are satisfied.
5) Supporting: to discern supporting, relax your back, so your body
bends forward. Then straighten it, and keep it straight. The force that
keeps the body straight is supporting. Practise systematically until you
discern supporting throughout the body. If it is not clear, try to discern it
together with hardness, as this can make it easier.
Then, when you can discern supporting easily try to find the five, pushing, hardness, roughness, heaviness, and supporting throughout the body.
6) Softness: to discern softness, press your tongue against the inside of
your lower lip to feel its softness. Then relax your body, and practise
systematically until you can discern softness easily throughout the
body.
Now try to find the six, pushing, hardness, roughness, heaviness, supporting, and softness throughout the body.
119
7) Smoothness:
to discern smoothness, wet your lips and rub your

tongue over them from side to side. Practise until you can discern
smoothness throughout the body.
Then try to find all seven characteristics throughout the body.
8) Lightness: to discern lightness, wag a finger up and down, and feel
its lightness. If you cannot feel it, try to find heaviness again. When you
can feel the heaviness of the whole body, then again wag a finger up
and down and feel its lightness. Practise until you can discern lightness
throughout the body.
And then try to find all eight characteristics.
9) Heat: it is usually very easy to discern heat (or warmth) throughout
the body. Begin by being aware, through the sense of touch, of heat in
any place where it is clear to you.
And then try to find all nine characteristics.
10) Cold: to discern cold, feel the coldness of the breath as it enters the
nostrils, and then discern it systematically throughout the body.
You can now discern ten characteristics.
The first ten characteristics are all known directly through the sense of
touch, but the last two characteristics, flowing and cohesion, are inferred
from the other ten characteristics. That is a good reason to teach them
last.
11) Cohesion: to discern cohesion, be aware of how the body is held together by the skin, flesh, and sinews. The blood is held inside by the
skin, like water in a balloon. Without cohesion the body would fall into
separate pieces and particles. The force of gravity that keeps the body
stuck to the earth is also cohesion. If this is not clear, discern all ten
qualities again and again, one at a time throughout the body. When you
have become skilled in that, you will find that the quality of cohesion
also becomes clear. If it is still not clear, discern just the qualities of
pushing and hardness again and again. Then you should feel as if your
whole body was wound up in rope. Discern this as cohesion, and develop it as you developed the other characteristics.
12) Flowing: to discern flowing, be aware of the saliva flowing in the
mouth, the blood flowing through the blood vessels, the air flowing into
the lungs, or heat flowing throughout the body. If this is not clear, look
at it together with coldness, heat, or pushing, and you may discern flowing.
When you can discern all twelve characteristics clearly throughout the
body, from head to foot, you should discern them again and again in this
order. When satisfied you should rearrange the order to the one first men-
120
tioned in the beginning: hardness, roughness, heaviness, softness,

smoothness, lightness, flowing, cohesion, heat, coldness, supporting, and
pushing. In that order try to discern each characteristic one at a time from
head to foot. You should try to develop this until you can do it quite
quickly, at least three rounds a minute.
While practising in this way, the elements will for some yogis become
unbalanced, some elements may become excessive and even unbearable.
Particularly hardness, heat, and pushing can become excessive. If this
occurs, you should concentrate more on the opposite quality, and continue to develop concentration in that way.
For example, if flowing is in excess concentrate more on cohesion, or if
supporting is in excess concentrate more on pushing. The opposites are:
hardness and softness, roughness and smoothness, heaviness and lightness, flowing and cohesion, heat and coldness, and supporting and pushing.
It is for the sake of balancing the elements that twelve characteristics
were taught in the first place. When the elements are balanced, it is easier
to attain concentration.
Having now become skilled in the discernment of the twelve characteristics in the whole body, with the twelve characteristics having become
clear, you should discern the first six at one glance as the earth element,
the next two at one glance as the water element, the next two as the fire
element, and the last two as the wind element. You should thus continue
to discern earth, water, fire, and wind, in order to traquillize the mind and
attain concentration. You should do this again and again hundreds, thousands, or millions of times.
A good method for keeping the mind tranquil and concentrated is to no
longer move your awareness from one part of the body to another. Instead, take an overview of the body. It is usually best to take the overview
as if you were looking from behind your shoulders. It can also be done as
if looking from above your head down, although this may lead to tension
and imbalance of the elements.
THE TEN WAYS TO DEVELOP YOUR CONCENTRATION
The sub-commentary to the VisuddhiMagga says now to develop your

concentration in ten ways.218 You should discern the four elements
218
VsM^.xi.308 CatuDhtuVavatthnaBhvan (Four-Elements Definition Meditation)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
219
121
In sequence (anupubbato): that is the sequence given by The Buddha:

earth, water, fire, and wind.
Not too fast (ntisghato): if you discern the four elements too fast, you
will not see them clearly.
Not too slow (ntisaBikato): if you discern the four elements too slowly,
you will not reach the end.
Warding off distractions (vikkhepapa5ibhanato): you should keep the mind
with only the object of meditation, the four elements, and not let it
wander.
Going beyond concepts (paattisamatikkamanato): you should not just mentally note, earth, water, fire, wind, but be aware of the actual realities the concepts represent: hardness, roughness, heaviness, softness,
smoothness, lightness, flowing, cohesion, heat, coldness, supporting,
and pushing.
Discarding what is unclear (anupa55hnamucanato): once you can discern all
twelve characteristics, you may temporarily leave out characteristics
that are unclear, but not if it leads to pain or tension, because of an
imbalance in the elements. You need also to keep at least one characteristic for each of the four elements. You cannot work on just
three, two, or one element. And it is best if all twelve characteristics
are clear, with none left out.
Discerning the characteristics (lakkhaBato): when you begin to meditate, and
the characteristics of each element are not yet clear, you can also
concentrate on the function and manifestation of the elements.219
When your concentration gets better, however, you should concentrate on only the natural characteristics (sabhvalakkhaBa): the hardness
and roughness of the earth element, the flowing and cohesion of the
water element, the heat and coldness of the fire element, and the
supporting of the wind element.
At this point you will see only elements, and not see them as a person
or self.
EARTH Characteristic (natural): hardness(1), softness(2), roughness(3), smoothness(4),

heaviness(5), lightness(6); Function: act as foundation (for all other types of materiality);
Manifestation: receive (all other types of materiality within the same rpa-kalpa) WATER
Ch: fluidity/flow/trickle(7); Fct: expand/dilate; Mf: bind/cohere [here Ch and Mf are
sometimes seen as the same thing](8) FIRE Ch: heat(9)/cold(10); Fct: warm/age/digest/
consume/mature; Mf: soften (as in cooking raw materials into edible food) WIND Ch: support(11) Fct: move/push(12) Mf: carry. <See also M.II.ii.2 MahRhulOvdaSutta6
(The Great Advice-to-Rhula Sutta), and VsM.xi.350 CatuDhtuVavatthnaBhvan
(Four-Elements Definition Meditation) PP.xi.93.>
122
The sub-commentary further recommends that you develop your concentration according to three suttas:
8) The AdhiCitta sutta (The Higher-Mind Sutta)
9) The StiBhva sutta (The Becoming-Cool Sutta)
10) The BojjhAAga sutta (The Enlightenment-Factors Sutta)220
In those three suttas, The Buddha advises balancing the five faculties
(indriya): faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration, and understanding;
and balancing the seven enlightenment-factors (bojjhaAga): mindfulness,
investigation of phenomena, effort, joy, tranquillity, concentration
and equanimity. We discussed them in our first talk.221
HOW YOU SEE ULTIMATE MATERIALITY
SEEING THE BODY TRANSLUCENT- ELEMENT AS ONE BLOCK
As you continue to develop concentration on the four elements, and approach access concentration (upacrasamdhi), you will see different kinds of
light. To some yogis it is a smoky grey light. If you continue to concentrate on the four elements in that grey light, it will become whiter like
cotton wool, and then bright white, like clouds, and your whole body will
appear as a white form. As you continue to concentrate on the four elements in the white form, it will eventually become translucent like a block
of ice or glass.
This translucent materiality is the five translucencies (pasda):222 the
body-, eye-, ear-, nose-, and tongue translucencies. The body translucency is found throughout the body, in all six sense bases, which is why your
whole body appears translucent. You see the translucencies as one translucent form or block, because you have not yet seen through the three
kinds of compactness (ghana): compactness of continuity, of group and of
function.223
HOW YOU SEE THE RPA-KALPAS
If you continue to discern the four elements in the translucent form (or
block) it will sparkle and emit light. When you can concentrate on the
220
8) A.III.II.v.11 (Also called NimittaSutta6 (The Sign Sutta)); 9) A.VI.IX.1 StiBhvaSutta6 (The Becoming Cool Sutta); 10) S.V.II.vi.3 The Enlightenment Factors
Sutta also called AggiSutta6 (The Fire Sutta).
221
Balancing the five faculties, see p.39 ff, and the enlightenment factors, see p.42 ff.
222
Some also translate pasda as the abstract sensitivity.
223
Regarding compactness of materiality and mentality, see also Q&A 1.3, p.49.
123
four elements in this form (or block) continuously for at least half an
hour, you have reached access concentration. With the light, discern the
space element in the translucent form, by looking for small spaces in it.
You will now find that the translucent form breaks down into small particles; they are called rpa-kalpas.224 Having reached this stage, which is
consciousness purification (cittavisuddhi), you can proceed to develop view
purification (di55hivisuddhi), by analysing the rpa-kalpas. That is the beginning of vipassan meditation.
(BENEFITS OF CONCENTRATION)
Before explaining how to develop vipassan meditation, let us look at a

practical benefit that is to be gained from both the access concentration
that a pure-vipassan yogi has here reached, and the jhna concentration
of a samatha yogi. There is much to discern in vipassan meditation, and
tiredness will usually occur. When this happens, it is good to take a rest.
There is a simile in the commentary to the DvEdhVitakka sutta225 of
the MajjhimaNikya, which explains how a yogi can rest in jhna. It says
that during a battle, sometimes the warriors feel tired. The enemy may be
strong, and many arrows flying. So the warriors retreat to their fortress.
Inside the fortress they are safe from the enemys arrows and can rest.
Then, when they feel strong and powerful again, they leave the fortress
and return to the battle-field. Jhna is like a fortress, and can be used as a
resting-place during vipassan meditation. Pure-vipassan yogis, who
have no jhna, and have started directly with four-elements meditation,
can instead use their access concentration as a fortress to rest in. In both
cases, the yogi can then return to the battle-field of vipassan clear and
refreshed. There is thus great benefit in having a resting-place.
Let us then go back to discussing how you develop vipassan meditation, and start with the analysis of rpa-kalpas.
TRANSLUCENT AND UNTRANSLUCENT RPA-KALPAS
Rpa-kalpas fall into two groups: translucent rpa-kalpas and untranslucent ones. Rpa-kalpas that include one of the five translucencies
(eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue- or body translucency) are the translucent rpakalpas. All other rpa-kalpas are untranslucent.
224
225
Rpa (materiality) + kalpa (group/cluster)

MA.I.ii.9 DvEdhVitakkaSutta6 (The Two Kinds of Application Sutta)
124
HOW YOU ANALYSE THE RPA-KALPAS

HOW YOU SEE THE FOUR ELEMENTS
You should first discern the four elements, earth, water, fire, and wind,
of individual translucent- and untranslucent rpa-kalpas. You will find
that the rpa-kalpas arise and perish very, very quickly, and will be unable to analyse them, because you still see them as small particles with
size. Since you have not yet seen through the three kinds of compactness,
you are still in the realm of concepts (paatti), and have not arrived at ultimate truth (paramattha sacca).226
It is because you have not seen through the concepts of group and shape
that the particles, the small lumps, remain. If you do not go any further,
but try to do vipassan by contemplating the arising and perishing of
those small lumps, which are the rpa-kalpas, you will be trying to do
vipassan on concepts.227 So you must analyse the rpa-kalpas further,
until you can see the elements in single ones: in order to reach ultimate
reality.
If, because they arise and perish very, very quickly, you are unable to
discern the four elements in single rpa-kalpas, then ignore their arising
and perishing: just as when meeting someone you do not want to meet,
you would pretend not to see or notice him. You should in the same way
take no notice of the arising and perishing of the rpa-kalpas, and concentrate on only the four elements in single ones. It is possible for you to
do this because of the power of your concentration.
If you are still unsuccessful, you should concentrate on the earth element alternately in the whole body at once and in a single rpa-kalpa.
And do the same with the water-, fire-, and wind element. You need to
discern the four elements in a single translucent rpa-kalpa and a single
untranslucent one.
This is the procedure that we teach at Pa-Auk: you discern the elements
one-by-one. The Texts explain that one should discern all the elements at
once, but they were composed by skilled yogis and also meant for skilled
yogis. Because discerning the elements of materiality is very profound,
the power of vipassan of beginners is usually not yet strong and powerful enough for them to see all the elements at once. So we teach them to
discern the elements one-by-one, base-by-base, from the easiest to the
226
Compactness of continuity (santatighana), of group (samhaghana), and of function

(kicca-ghana). For details about compactness of materiality and mentality, see Q&A 1.3
p.49.
227
For a discussion of vipassan on concepts, see Introduction p.8ff.
125
more difficult. Then, when they have become very skilled in the practice,
they can see all four elements (eight characteristics) in a rpa-kalpa at
once.228
When you have seen the four elements in a single translucent- and a
single untranslucent rpa-kalpa, it is the end of your samatha practice,
the end of consciousness purification (cittavisuddhi), and the beginning of
your vipassan practice, the beginning of view purification (di55hivisuddhi):
you have begun the discernment of ultimate mentality-materiality (nmarpapariggaha) and the analysis of ultimate mentality-materiality (nmarpapariccheda). That is how four-elements meditation comprises both samatha
and vipassan.
When you have succeeded, discern the four elements in a number of
translucent and untranslucent rpa-kalpas of the six sense bases: the eye-,
ear-, nose-, tongue-, body- and heart base in turn.
As mentioned before, translucent and untranslucent rpa-kalpas all
comprise a basic eight types of materiality. You will now have discerned
the first four, and should go on to discern the remaining four: colour,
odour, flavour, and nutritive essence. But before proceeding, let us first
discuss the general procedure for discerning these four elements.
The Dispeller of Delusion, an Abhidhamma commentary, says:229
Sabbopi panesa pabhedo manodvrikajavaneyeva labbhati.
All phenomena are known by the mind-door impulsion (javana)230 alone.231
The earth, water, fire and wind elements of a rpa-kalpa you knew
with mind consciousnesses alone. And you can know, for example, also
the colour, odour, and flavour of a rpa-kalpa that way. But although it
is easy to see colour with a mind consciousness alone, it is difficult to see
odour and flavour that way, because it is a life-long habit to use the nose
and tongue. Therefore, until your meditation has become strong and powerful, you use a nose- or tongue consciousness to help you.
228
Although the yogi has discerned twelve characteristics, he can discern only eight characteristics in one given rpa kalpa: 1) hardness, 2) roughness, 3) heaviness (or 1) softness,
2) smoothness, 3) lightness), 4) flowing, 5) cohesion, 6) heat (or coldness), 7) supporting,
8) pushing. There are not opposing characteristics within one rpa kalpa.
229
VbhA.xvi.1 (766) EkakaNiddesaVaBBana (One-Description Commentary)
230
The actual knowing of an object is performed by seven javana consciousnesses in the
mind-door process, this regardless of the door through which the object has arrived. See
also Introduction p.8, and table 1b: The Mind-Door Process, p.164.
231
For The Buddhas explanation of how the mind faculty knows the objects of the other
five faculties, see quotation, p.6.
126
Having now explained the two ways for discerning an object, we can
then look at how you discern the colour, odour, flavour and nutritiveessence in rpa-kalpas.
HOW YOU SEE COLOUR
Colour (vaBBa), the fifth type of materiality to be discerned, is the object

of sight (rprammaBa), and is found in all rpa-kalpas. It is very easily
known with a mind consciousness alone, because by seeing the rpakalpas you have already seen colour. Colour is always the colour of
something, and that something is the four elements.232
HOW YOU SEE ODOUR
Odour (gandha), the sixth type of materiality to be discerned, is the object

of smell (gandhrammaBa), and is also found in all rpa-kalpas. Because it is
a lifelong habit to use the nose to smell with, you will in the beginning
need a nose consciousness to help you know odour with a mind consciousness.
To do this, you need first to discern the materiality that the two types of
consciousness depend on, namely the nose translucency and heart materiality. The nose translucency is the tenth type of materiality of a nose
decad-kalpa, and heart materiality is the tenth type of materiality of a
heart decad-kalpa.
To find the nose translucency, first discern the four elements in the
nose, but be sure to look at a decad-kalpa in the nose that is of the nose
base and not of the body base. Only nose decad-kalpas have the nose
translucency.
Next, to find heart materiality, you need to discern the bright, luminous
mind door (the bhavaOga).233 It should be easy to do because you have
already discerned the four elements in the translucent and untranslucent
rpa-kalpas of the six sense bases.
Having now discerned the nose translucency (the nose door) and the
bhavaOga (the mind door), you can proceed to discern the odour of a
rpa-kalpa near the nose decad-kalpa where you discerned the translu232
The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw explains that just as we see the translucency of a glass by looking at the glass, so do we see the translucency of a rpa-kalpa by
discerning the four elements: they are the glass that possesses the translucency.
233
To speak of the bhavaOgas luminosity is to use a metaphor, because it is in fact the
luminosity of the rpa-kalpas produced by the bhavaOga: consciousness-born rpakalpas, the temperature of which produces further bright rpa-kalpas. A samathavipassan mind produces particularly bright rpa-kalpas because there are no upakkilesa
(imperfections). For details, see Consciousness-Born Materiality p.112.
127
cency. You will see that the odour impinges on the nose- and mind door
at the same time.
HOW YOU SEE FLAVOUR
Flavour (rasa) is the seventh type of materiality to discern, is the object

of taste (gandhrammaBa), and is also found in all rpa-kalpas. As with the
nose, you will in the beginning need a tongue consciousness to help you
know flavour with a mind consciousness. And here too, you need first to
discern the materiality that the two types of consciousness depend on: the
tongue translucency and heart materiality. Having done that, you then
discern the flavour of a rpa-kalpa. You can take a rpa-kalpa from the
saliva on your tongue.
HOW YOU SEE NUTRITIVE ESSENCE
Nutritive essence (oj) is the eighth type of materiality to discern. It is

also found in all rpa-kalpas, and is, as mentioned earlier, of four
types:234
1) Kamma-born nutritive-essence (kammajaoj)
235
2) Consciousness -born nutritive-essence (cittajaoj)
3) Temperature-born nutritive-essence (utujaoj)
4) Nutriment-born nutritive-essence (hrajaoj)
Examine any rpa-kalpa, and you will find nutritive essence from
which rpa-kalpas are seen to multiply forth again and again.
Having now discerned the eight basic types of materiality that are found
in all rpa-kalpas, you should try to discern the remaining three basic
types of materiality found in specific rpa-kalpas: the life faculty-, sex-,
and heart materiality.
HOW YOU SEE LIFE FACULTY- AND SEX MATERIALITY
Life faculty (jvitindriya) materiality sustains only kamma-born materiality, which means it is found only there. Since, as explained earlier,236 all
translucent rpa-kalpas are kamma-born, it is easiest for you to discern
the life faculty first in a translucent rpa-kalpa. Discern an eye decad234
For an explanation of kamma-, consciousness-, temperature- and nutriment-born materiality, see p.110ff.
235
According to usage in the Pali Texts, citta is synonymous with vina (consciousness):
see also S.II.I.vii.1ASsutavSutta6 (The Unlearned Sutta). Out of respect for the authority of the Pali Texts, the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw remains faithful also
to the terminology used in the particular Pali Text, which is why he will often use more
than one Pali term for the same thing: depending on which text he is referring to.
236
See Kamma-Born Materiality p.111.
128

237
kalpa, and see that the life faculty sustains the materiality of its own
rpa-kalpa only, not the materiality of others.
Then you need also try to discern life faculty in an untranslucent rpakalpa. The body has three types of untranslucent rpa-kalpa with lifefaculty materiality:
1) Heart decad-kalpas238 (hadayadasakakalpa): only in the heart.
2) Sex decad-kalpas238 (bhvadasakakalpa): throughout the body.
3) Life nonad-kalpas238 (jvitanavakakalpa): throughout the body.
It is easiest first to discern the life faculty of either a life nonad-kalpa
or a sex decad-kalpa. To tell the two rpa-kalpas apart, you try to find
sex materiality (bhvarpa).
Just now you discerned the life faculty in a translucent rpa-kalpa of
the eye, so look again in the eye and discern an untranslucent rpa-kalpa
with the life faculty. Since life nonad-kalpas and sex decad-kalpas are
found in all six sense-organs, it will be either one. If it has the sex materiality, it is a sex decad-kalpa, if not it is a life nonad-kalpa. In that case,
discern another untranslucent rpa-kalpa until you discern the sex materiality, and then try to find it in a rpa-kalpa of also the ear, nose, tongue, body and heart.
HOW YOU SEE HEART MATERIALITY
To discern an untranslucent rpa-kalpa of the heart, you concentrate

again on the bright, luminous mind door, the bhavaOga. To see it very
clearly, wiggle your finger, and see the consciousness that wants to wiggle the finger. Then try to discern how the bhavaOga arises dependent on
the heart base: the untranslucent, heart decad-kalpas. You should be able
to find them in the lower part of the bhavaOga.238
With this, you have completed the discernment of all the types of materiality in rpa-kalpas: earth, water, fire, wind, colour, odour, flavour, nutritive essence, life faculty and sex materiality. And you have discerned
them in the appropriate translucent and untranslucent rpa-kalpas in all
six sense-organs. The next stage in discerning materiality is to analyse the
materiality of each of the six sense-organs: the eye, ear, nose, tongue,
237
6-odour 7-flavour 8-nutritive essence] + (9) life faculty + (10) eye translucency
238
Heart decad-kalpa: (8) the basic eight elements [1-earth 2-water 3- fire 4-wind 5colour 6-odour 7-flavour 8-nutritive essence] + (9) life faculty + (10) heart element. Sex
decad-kalpa: (8) the basic eight elements + (9) life faculty + (10) sex materiality. Life
nonad-kalpa: (8) the basic eight elements + (9) life faculty. See also Tables 2b-2c,
p.138ff.
129
body and heart, and see the different types of rpa-kalpa there.
start by analysing just the two types of translucency.
239
You
HOW YOU ANALYSE EACH SENSE ORGAN

HOW YOU ANALYSE THE TRANSLUCENCIES
Each organ has several kinds of rpa-kalpa mixed together. The eye,
ear, nose, and tongue have, for example, two types of translucent materiality mixed together like rice- and wheat flour: the translucent rpa-kalpas of the respective organ and translucent rpa-kalpas of the body.
The two types of translucent rpa-kalpas of, for example, the eye are:
1) The eye decad-kalpa (cakkhudasakakalpa): its tenth type of materiality
is the eye translucency.
2) The body decad-kalpa (kyadasakakalpa): its tenth type of materiality
is the body translucency.
Body decad-kalpas are found throughout the six sense-organs (eye,
ear, nose-, tongue, body and heart), mixed with the respective types of
decad-kalpas there: in the eye mixed with the eye decad-kalpas, in the
ear mixed with the ear decad-kalpas (sotadasakakalpa) etc. To see this, you
need to analyse the translucent rpa-kalpas in the five sense-organs, and
identify the translucency respective to each (the eye-, ear-, nose- and
tongue translucency) as well as the body translucency there. You begin
with the eye.
1) The eye translucency (cakkhupasda): it is sensitive to colour, whereas
the body translucency is sensitive to touch (tangible objects). This
difference allows you to know which is which. First discern the four
elements in the eye to discern a translucent rpa-kalpa, and discern
that rpa-kalpas translucency. Then look at the colour of a group
of rpa-kalpas some distance away from the eye. If it impinges on
the translucency, the translucency is an eye-translucency (of an eye
decad-kalpa). Otherwise it is a body translucency (of a body decadkalpa).
2) The body translucency (kyapasda): it is sensitive to touch, to tangible
objects. Tangible objects are the earth, fire, and wind elements.
Again discern a translucency in the eye. Then look at the earth-, fire-,
239
These six sense-organs are referred to also as the six sense bases, but since the bases
have already been explained as being in fact only the tenth element in the appropriate rpakalpas, it has been considered safer to say sense-organ here, referring to the actual
physical entity, the eye-ball etc.
130
or wind element of a group of rpa-kalpas nearby. If it impinges on

the translucency, the translucency is a body translucency (of a body
decad-kalpa).
Now you will have discerned both the eye-translucency in the eye, and
the body-translucency in the eye. You then follow the same procedure for
the remaining organs. You begin with the ear.
1) The ear translucency (sotapasda): it is sensitive to sound. Discern a
translucency in the ear. Then listen. If a sound impinges on the translucency, the translucency is an ear translucency (of an ear decadkalpa). Then discern the body translucency as you did it in the eye.
2) The nose translucency (ghnapasda): it is sensitive to odour. Discern a
translucency in the nose. Then smell the odour of a group of rpakalpas nearby. If it impinges on the translucency, the translucency
is a nose translucency (of a nose decad-kalpa). Discern the body
decad-kalpa as you did it in the eye and ear.
3) The tongue translucency (jivhpasda): it is sensitive to taste. Discern a
translucency in the tongue. Then taste the flavour of a group of rpakalpas nearby. If it impinges on the translucency, the translucency
is a tongue translucency (of a tongue decad-kalpa). Discern the
body decad-kalpa as you did it in the eye, ear and nose.
Once you have analysed the two types of translucency in each of the
five sense-organs, you need also to see that the body translucency (in
body decad-kalpas) is found in also the heart. Having done that, you will
have analysed all five types of translucent materiality.
HOW YOU ANALYSE SEX MATERIALITY
Sex decad-kalpas too are found throughout the six sense-organs, and
are also mixed with the translucent rpa-kalpas. You discerned sex
decad-kalpas when you discerned life faculty. Now you discern them in
all six sense-organs.
THE FIFTY-FOUR TYPES OF MATERIALITY OF THE EYE
So far, we have discussed three basic types of rpa-kalpa:

1) The decad-kalpas of each of the six sense-organs
(the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and heart).
2) The life nonad-kalpas.
3) The octad-kalpas.
131
The eye, ear, nose, tongue, and heart comprise, as we have now seen,
seven types of rpa-kalpa, with altogether sixty-three types of materiality.240 But when analysing the materiality of each sense-organ, the Pali
Texts say you should look at only six types of rpa-kalpa (not the life
nonad-kalpas): you should concentrate on only fifty-four types of materiality (63 9 = 54).241 The life nonad-kalpas you discern in another way
later. And since one of the six types of rpa-kalpa is (as you just saw)
the body decad-kalpa, when you analyse the materiality of the body itself (outside the eye, ear, nose, tongue, and heart), you can analyse only
five types of rpa-kalpa, only forty-four types of materiality.
Let us then look at the said fifty-four types of materiality of, for example, the eye. The six types of rpa-kalpa in the eye are first the three
types of rpa-kalpa you just discerned and analysed, altogether thirty
types of materiality:
242
1) The eye decad-kalpa (cakkhudasakakalpa): it is sensitive to colour, is
translucent, and born of kamma.
242
2) The body decad-kalpa (kyadasakakalpa): it is sensitive to tangible
objects (earth, fire, and wind elements), is translucent, and born of
kamma.
3) The sex decad-kalpa242 (bhvadasakakalpa): it is untranslucent, and
born of kamma.
And then there are three more types of rpa-kalpa, with eight types of
materiality each, altogether twenty-four (3 x 8 = 24). They are the three
types of nutritive-essence octad-kalpa, which are untranslucent:
240
Taking the eye as example: 1) eye decad-kalpas (ten types of materiality), 2) body
decad-kalpas (ten types), 3) sex decad-kalpas (ten types), 4) life nonad-kalpas (nine
types), 5) consciousness-born octad-kalpas (eight types), 6) temperature-born octadkalpas (eight types), 7) nutriment-born octad-kalpas (eight types) (10 + 10 + 10 + 9 + 8
+ 8 + 8 = 63). The same equation applies for the ear, nose, tongue, and heart. Since the
body has only its own type of decad-kalpa and sex decad-kalas, it has in all only fiftythree types of materiality (10 + 10 + 9 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 53).
241
The life nonad-kalpas are included in only the analysis of what is called the forty-two
parts of the body (VsM.xviii.664 Mentality-Materiality Definition Discussion PP.xviii.6). Only then (following the Texts) does the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw instruct the yogi to discern the life nonad-kalpas. Nevertheless, the yogi can, if he so
wishes, include them at this point.
242
6-odour 7-flavour 8-nutritive essence] + (9) life faculty + (10) eye translucency. Body
decad-kalpa: (8) the basic eight elements + (9) life faculty + (10) body translucency. Sex
decad-kalpa: (8) the basic eight elements + (9) life faculty + (10) sex materiality. Nutritive-essence octad-kalpas: (8) the basic eight elements, which includes nutritive essence
as the eighth. See also table 2b: The Basic Types of Materiality of the Eye, p.138.
132
1)
The consciousness-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpa (cittajaoja55ha-
2)
The temperature-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpa (utujaoja55hamaka-
3)
The nutriment-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpa (hrajaoja55hamaka-
makakalpa)
kalpa)
kalpa)
The first three types of rpa-kalpa (the decad-kalpas) are kammaborn, whereas the last three types of rpa-kalpa (the octad kalpas) are
either temperature-, consciousness-, or nutriment-born. As discussed in
the beginning of this talk, there are four origins of materiality.243 Since
you have by now discerned the kamma-born rpa-kalpas, we will discuss how to discern which type of octad kalpa is which.
HOW YOU SEE CONSCIOUSNESS-BORN MATERIALITY
As also mentioned in the introduction,244 every single consciousness

that arises dependent on heart materiality (apart from the rebirth-linking
consciousness) produces a great number of consciousness-born nutritiveessence octad-kalpas (cittajaoja55hamakakalpa). They are untranslucent and
spread throughout the body.
That is why, if you concentrate on the bhavaOga, you will see many
consciousnesses dependent on heart materiality producing rpa-kalpas.
If it is not clear, concentrate again on the bhavaOga, and again wiggle one
of your fingers. You will then see a large number of rpa-kalpas being
produced because the mind wants to wiggle the finger. And you will see
that such rpa kalpas can arise anywhere in the body.
HOW YOU SEE TEMPERATURE BORN MATERIALITY
As mentioned in the introduction,245 the fire element (tejo) is also called

temperature (utu), and is found in all rpa-kalpas. The fire element of all
rpa-kalpas produces temperature-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpas
(utuja oja55hamakakalpa). They themselves contain the fire element, which
produces further temperature-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpas. You
need to see that this process takes place in all the types of rpa-kalpa in
each sense-organ.
243
For a brief discussion of the four origins of materiality (kamma, consciousness, temperature and nutriment) see p.110ff.
244
For a brief discussion (with examples) of consciousness-born materiality, see p.112.
245
For a brief discussion (with examples) of temperature-born materiality, see p.113ff.
133
First discern the fire element in, for example, an eye decad-kalpa. Then
see that it produces temperature-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpas:
that is the first generation. Then discern the fire element in a rpa-kalpa
of that first generation of temperature-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpas, and see that it too reproduces: that is the second generation. In this
way, see that the fire element in the eye decad-kalpa (which is itself
kamma-born)246 reproduces through four or five generations, depending
on the strength of the food and the power of the kamma.247
You need to see that this process takes place for each type of rpa-kalpa in each sense-organ, and need yourself to see how many generations
of temperature-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpas each type of rpakalpa produces.
HOW YOU SEE NUTRIMENT-BORN MATERIALITY
As mentioned before,248 four parts of the body, namely, undigested

food, digested food (faeces), pus, and urine, are nothing but inanimate
temperature-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpas (utuja oja55hamakakalpa).
And the bodys digestive heat (which is most powerful in the alimentary
canal) is just the fire element of life nonad-kalpas (jvitanavakakalpa),
which are kamma-born.249
When the nutritive essence of the temperature-born nutritive-essence
octad-kalpas meets with the digestive heat, further materiality is produced, namely, nutriment-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpas (hraja oja55hamakakalpa). They have themselves nutritive-essence (nutriment-born nutritive essence (hraja oj)) which reproduces in the same way through many
generations. Nutriment taken in one day reproduces like this for up to a
week, during which time it also supports the nutritive essence in kamma-,
consciousness-, and temperature-born rpa-kalpas, as well as preceding
nutriment-born rpa-kalpas.250 Divine nutriment reproduces for up to
one or two months.
To see these things you meditate when eating. At that time the nutriment-born rpa-kalpas can be seen to spread throughout the body, from
246
For a brief discussion (with examples) of kamma-born materiality, see p.111ff.

The fire element (tejo) of a kamma-born (kammaja) rpa-kalpa produces temperatureborn (utuja) rpa-kalpas through five generations:
kammaja 1st utuja 2nd utuja 3rd utuja 4th utuja 5th utuja
248
For a brief discussion (with examples) of nutriment-born materiality, see p.114ff.
249
For a brief discussion (with examples) of kamma-born materiality, see p.111ff.
250
preceding nutriment-born rpa-kalpas: see p.134.
247
134
the entire alimentary canal: the mouth, the throat, the stomach, and the
intestines. First you discern the four elements in the newly eaten food in
those places, and see the rpa-kalpas there. Continue to look until you
see that when the digestive heat (the fire element of the life nonad-kalpas) meets the nutritive essence of the newly eaten food (temperatureborn nutritive-essence octad-kalpas), many generations of nutrimentborn nutritive-essence octad-kalpas are produced, which spread throughout the body. See that they are untranslucent, and contain the eight types
of materiality. You can also see these things after you have eaten, in
which case you analyse the undigested food in the stomach and intestines.
Next, you need to discern these nutriment-born nutritive-essence octadkalpas as they spread out through the body, and reach, for example, the
eye. Discern the eight types of materiality in them there, and see that their
nutritive essence is nutriment-born nutritive essence. Then see what happens when it meets the kamma-born nutritive essence of the eye decadkalpas: together with the digestive heat, it causes the nutritive essence of
the eye decad-kalpas (cakkhudasakakalpa) to produce four or five generations of nutriment-born nutritive-essence octad kalpas.251 The number of
generations produced depends on the strength of both the nutritive essences.
Again, in those four or five generations of rpa-kalpas, there is temperature. Try again to discern that at its standing phase it too reproduces
through many generations.
Try also to discern that when the nutriment-born nutritive essence meets
the nutritive essence of the eyes kamma-born body- and sex decad-kalpas, four or five generations of nutriment-born nutritive-essence octad
kalpas are produced. In also these many generations, the temperature
reproduces through many generations.
Furthermore, when the nutriment-born nutritive essence meets the nutritive essence of the eyes consciousness-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpa (cittaja oja55hamakakalpa) two or three generations of nutriment-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpas are produced, and in also these generations,
the temperature reproduces through many generations.
And again, there are two types of nutriment-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpa: preceding and succeeding.
When the preceding nutriment-born nutritive-essence meets the succeeding nutritive-essence of nutriment-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpas and the digestive heat, ten to twelve generations of nutriment-born
251
The nutriment-born nutritive-essence and digestive heat are the supporting cause, and
the nutritive-essence of the eye decad-kalpas is the generating cause.
135
nutritive-essence octad-kalpas are produced: the temperature also there

reproduces through many generations.
In every case, the nutritive essence of any rpa-kalpa (born of either
kamma, consciousness, temperature or nutriment) reproduces only when
it is supported by digestive heat.
Having discerned all the types of nutritive-essence octad kalpa in the
eye, how they reproduce, and how the materiality of the rpa-kalpas that
they produce also reproduce, you will have discerned all fifty-four types
of materiality in the eye. You should then do the same for all the types of
materiality in the remaining five sense-organs: the ear, nose, tongue, body
and heart.
SUMMARY
Today, we have discussed very briefly how to analyse rpa-kalpas, but

the actual practice involves much more. For example, the so-called detailed method, involves analysing what are called the forty-two parts of the
body mentioned in the DhtuVibhaAga sutta of the MajjhimaNikya:
twenty earth-, twelve water-, four fire-, and six wind-element parts.252 If
you wish to know how to develop this, you should approach a proper
teacher. By practising systematically, you will gradually become proficient in the discernment of rpa-kalpas, which are born of the four
causes: kamma, consciousness, temperature, and nutriment.
With the complete discernment of materiality, you will have finished
the first part of the first vipassan knowledge, the Mentality-Materiality
Definition Knowledge (NmaRpaParicchedaBa).
Let us then summarize the discernment of materiality (rpakamma55hna):
To see the rpa-kalpas, you must develop concentration up to access
concentration by concentrating on the four elements: earth, water,
fire, and wind.
When you can see the rpa-kalpas, you must analyse them to see all
the different types of materiality in single rpa-kalpas, for example:
in one eye decad-kalpa, you must see earth, water, fire, wind, colour, odour, flavour, nutritive-essence, life faculty, and eye translucency.
252
M.III.iv.10 DhtuvibhaAgaSutta6 Elements Analysis Sutta. The four fire-element

parts are: 1) warming heat, 2) maturing/ageing heat, 3) burning heat, 4) digestive heat. The
six wind-element parts are: 1) up-going wind, 2) down-going wind, 3) abdominal wind, 4)
intestinal wind, 5) wind in the limbs, 6) in&out-breath.
136
With the brief method you must discern the different types of materi-
ality in one sense-organ, and then do the same for the remaining five
sense-organs.
With the detailed method you must discern all the types of materiality
in all forty-two parts of the body.
When you have completed the discernment of materiality (rpakamma55hna), you will be skilful enough to see all the elements of all six senseorgans at a glance, and see also all forty-two parts of the body at a glance.
This was what you were aiming at as you progressed through the meditation, going from element to element, and then from sense-organ to senseorgan: from the easier to the more difficult.
It is like looking at ten banisters that support a hand-rail. We may look
at them individually, as one, two, three, four etc. up to ten, and we may
look at all ten at once, at a glance. When you are able to see all types of
element at a glance, they become your object for vipassan: you see all
the elements as impermanence, suffering and non-self.253 But if, even after completing the discernment of materiality, you are still unable to see
them all at a glance, you take them individually, one-by-one, do it again
and again, and try to see them all at a glance.254
This completes our discussion of the materiality meditation-subject
(rpakamma55hna). In the next talk we shall discuss the mentality meditation
subject (nmakamma55hna).
253
For details, see Knowledge of Comprehension, p.209.

There are two ways of discerning: As a group (kalpa sammsana) and consecutively
(anupada). See VsM.xx.606 MaggMaggaBaDassanaVisuddhiNiddesa (Description of Path&Non-Path Knowledge&Vision Purification) PP.xx.704. See also e.g.
M.III.ii.1 AnupadaSutta6 (The Consecutive Sutta), mentioned at Q&A 4.6, p.149ff.
254
137
Table 2a: THE TWENTY-EIGHT TYPES OF MATERIALITY

FOUR GREAT ESSENTIALS (mahbhta):
255
Concrete Materiality (nipphannarpa)

1) Earth element . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (pathavdhtu)
2) Water element . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (podhtu)
3) Fire element . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (tejodhtu)
4) Wind element . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (vyodhtu)
TWENTY-FOUR TYPES OF DERIVED MATERIALITY (updyarpa)
Concrete Materiality (nipphannarpa)
Field Materiality (gocararpa):
Translucent Materiality (pasdarpa):256
(objective materiality)
1) Colour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (vaBBa)
2) Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (sadda)
3) Odour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (gandha)
4) Flavour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (rasa)
(subjective materiality)
1) Eye translucency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (cakkhupasda)
2) Ear translucency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (sotapasda)
3) Nose translucency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (ghnapasda)
4) Tongue translucency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (jivhpasda)
5) Body translucency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (kyapasda)
(Tangible (pho55habba))256
1) Nutritive Essence256 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (oj) Sex Materiality (bhva-rpa):256
1) Life faculty256 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (jvitindriya) 1) Male sex-materiality . . . . . . . . . . . (purisabhvarpa)
1) Heart materiality256 . (hadayarpa) 2) Female sex-materiality . . . . . . . . . . (itthibhvarpa)
Unconcrete Materiality (anipphannarpa)
257
257
1) Space element . . . . . (ksadhtu) 6) Wieldiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (kammaat)
257
2) Bodily Intimation . . (kyaviatti) 7) Generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (upacaya)
257
3) Verbal Intimation . . . (vacviatti) 8) Continuity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (santati)
257
4) Lightness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (lahut) 9) Ageing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (jarat)
257
5) Softness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (mudut) 10) Impermanence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (aniccat)
255
At the end of discerning materiality, the yogi will have examined all types of concrete
materiality (four great essentials & first fourteen types of derived materiality), and nine of
the ten types of unconcrete materiality (see generation).
256
TANGIBLE: the object of body consciousness is not an element of its own, but three of the
four great essentials: earth-, fire-, and wind element. NUTRITIVE ESSENCE is also called nutriment materiality (hrarpa). LIFE FACULTY also life materiality (jvitarpa). HEART MATERIALITY also heart base (hadayavatthu). TRANSLUCENT/TRANSLUCENCY: see dictionary definition, footnote 504, p.276. SEX MATERIALITY also sex faculty (indriya). Other names may also
be found.
257
SPACE ELEMENT: delimitation, boundary of rpa-kalpas, separating one from the other.
LIGHTNESS/ SOFTNESS/ WIELDINESS: exist only in consciousness-, temperature-, and nutrimentborn materiality. GENERATION: generation of the foetuss physical faculties: discerned only
when discerning dependent origination (see How You Discern Your Past, p.184); CONTINUITY: generation of materiality thereafter; IMPERMANENCE: the dissolution (bhaAga) of materiality.
138
Table 2b: The Basic Types of Materiality of the Eyea

(3 types of decad-kalpa [3 x 10 = 30]+ nonad kalpas [9] + 3 types of octad-kalpa[3 x 8= 24] = 63)
type
EYE DECAD-KALPA
translucent
kamma
c
c
function base/door for sights
quality
origin
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 d
earth
water
fire
wind
colour
odour
flavour
nutritive essence
life faculty
eye translucency d
BODY DECAD-KALPA
translucent
kamma
door to tangiblesc
(earth, fire, and wind)
earth
water
fire
wind
colour
odour
flavour
nutritive essence
life faculty
body translucencyd
SEX DECAD-KALPA
untranslucent
kamma
determines sexc
earth
water
fire
wind
colour
odour
flavour
nutritive essence
life faculty
sex materialityd
With due changes, read the same for the ear, nose and tongue. For the body and heart,
see Tables 2c and 2d just following.
b
For the ear, nose and tongue, read EAR DECAD-KALPA, NOSE DECAD-KALPA and
TONGUE DECAD-KALPA respectively.
c
For the ear-, nose- and tongue door, read sound, odour, and flavour respectively.
d
For the ear-, nose- and tongue door, read ear-, nose- and tongue translucency respectively.
type
LIFE NONAD-KALPA
quality untranslucent
origin kamma
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
untranslucent
consciousness
earth
earth
water
water
fire
fire
wind
wind
colour
colour
odour
odour
flavour
flavour
nutritive essence nutritive essence
life faculty
OCTADKALPA
untranslucent
temperature
earth
water
fire
wind
colour
odour
flavour
nutritive essence
untranslucent
nutriment
earth
water
fire
wind
colour
odour
flavour
nutritive essence
The life nonad-, and octad-kalpas are the same throughout the six sense-organs.
139
Table 2c: The Basic Types of Materiality of the Body

(2 types of decad-kalpa [2 x 10 = 20] + nonad kalpas [9] + 3 types of octad-kalpa [3 x 8= 24] = 53)
type
quality
origin
function
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
BODY DECAD-KALPA
SEX DECAD-KALPA
translucent
kamma
base/door for tangibles
earth
water
fire
wind
colour
odour
flavour
nutritive essence
life faculty
body translucency
untranslucent
kamma
determines sex
earth
water
fire
wind
colour
odour
flavour
nutritive essence
life faculty
sex materiality
These two types of decad-kalpa are found in all six sense-organs.
+
type
LIFE NONAD-KALPA
origin kamma
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
untranslucent
consciousness
earth
earth
water
water
fire
fire
wind
wind
colour
colour
odour
odour
flavour
flavour
life faculty
OCTADKALPA
untranslucent
temperature
earth
water
fire
wind
colour
odour
flavour
nutritive essence
untranslucent
nutriment
earth
water
fire
wind
colour
odour
flavour
nutritive essence
The life nonad-, and octad-kalpas are the same throughout the six sense-organs.
140
Table 2d: The Basic Types of Materiality of the Heart

(3 types of decad-kalpa [3 x 10 = 30] + nonad kalpas [9] + 3 types of octad-kalpa [3 x 8= 24] = 63)
type
HEART DECAD-KALPA
BODY DECAD-KALPA
translucent
origin
kamma
kamma
function base for the mind- and base/door for tangibles
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
mind-consciousness
element b
earth
water
fire
wind
colour
odour
flavour
nutritive essence
life faculty
heart materiality
SEX DECAD-KALPA
untranslucent
kamma
determines sex

earth
water
fire
wind
colour
odour
flavour
nutritive essence
life faculty
body translucency
earth
water
fire
wind
colour
odour
flavour
nutritive essence
life faculty
sex materiality
Eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue- and body consciousnesses arise dependent upon the translucent, tenth type of materiality (the door) of respectively the eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue- and
body decad-kalpas, whereas all other consciousnesses (which comprise the mind element
and mind-consciousness element) arise dependent upon the heart materiality of heart
decad-kalpas. See also p.109ff.
b
Mind element (manodhtu): the five-door adverting- and un/wholesome receiving consciousness; mind-consciousness element (manoviBadhtu): the investigation-, impulsion-, registration, and process-separate consciousness (see table 1c: The Five-Door
Process, p.168). +
type
LIFE NONAD-KALPA
origin kamma
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
untranslucent
consciousness
earth
earth
water
water
fire
fire
wind
wind
colour
colour
odour
odour
flavour
flavour
life faculty
OCTADKALPA
untranslucent
temperature
earth
water
fire
wind
colour
odour
flavour
nutritive essence
untranslucent
nutriment
earth
water
fire
wind
colour
odour
flavour
nutritive essence
The life-nonad-, and octad kalpas are the same throughout the six sense-organs.

Question 4.1 Is
a Bodhisatta, including Arimetteyya Bodhisatta, an ordinary

person (puthujjana)? If Arimetteyya Bodhisatta is an ordinary person like
us, then at the time for him to come down to become Metteyya Buddha,
what is the difference between the conditions for him to become a Buddha and for us?258
Answer 4.1 The difference is that his pram have matured, as they had for
our Sakyamuni Buddha as the Bodhisatta Prince Siddhattha. Such Bodhisattas will for many lives have been cultivating their pram. There are
ten pram:
1) Generosity
(dna) 6) Patience
(khant)
2) Virtue
(sla) 7) Truthfulness
(sacca)
3) Renunciation
(nekkhamma) 8) Resolution
(adhi55hna)
4) Wisdom
(pa) 9) Loving-kindness
(mett)
5) Energy
(vriya) 10) Equanimity
(upekkh)
When these ten pram are mature, they push the Bodhisatta to renounce the world, even though he is enjoying sensual pleasures. In his
last life, a Bodhisatta marries and has a son; this is a law of nature. We
forget the names of Metteyya Bodhisattas wife and son. According to the
Theravda Tipi5aka, it is his last life, because no Arahant, including The
Buddha, is reborn after his Parinibbna. His Parinibbna is the end of his
round of rebirths. He will not be reborn anywhere.259
Take our Sakyamuni Bodhisatta: in his last life, before his enlightenment, he was a ordinary person. How? When he was sixteen years old, he
became Prince Siddhattha and married princess Yasodhar. They had a
son. He enjoyed sensual pleasures for more than thirteen years. He did
not have five hundred female deities on his left, and five hundred female
deities on his right, but was surrounded by twenty thousand princesses.
This is kmasukhallikanuyogo: devotion to sensual pleasures.
After he had renounced those sensual pleasures, he practised self-mortification in the Uruvela forest. After six years of that futile practice, he
abandoned it, practised the middle way, and before long attained enlightenment. After His enlightenment, in His first sermon, the DhammaCakkaPavattana sutta, He declared:260
.................................
..............................................
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.....................................
........................................
.....................................
...........................
.......................
.................
.........................
Kmesu kmasukhallikanuyogo hno, gammo, puthujjaniko, anariyo, anat258
The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaws audience was almost only Buddhists of
the Mahyana tradition, for whom the goal is not Arahantship but Buddhahood.
259
See also The Buddhas words quoted Q&A, 5.4, p.178.
260
142
thasa6hito.
This enjoyment of sensual pleasures is inferior (hno), the practice of villagers (gammo), the practice of ordinary persons (puthujjaniko). It is the practice of unenlightened
ones (an.ariyo). It is unbeneficial (anatthasa6hito).
This means that the enjoyment of sensual pleasures is not the practice
of enlightened ones. And sensual pleasures are unbeneficial because although they provide mundane benefit such as human happiness, deva
happiness and brahma happiness, they do not provide the supramundane
benefit that is Nibbna happiness, which can be enjoyed only by Pathand Fruition Knowledge.
So, in His first sermon The Buddha declared that anyone who enjoys
sensual pleasures is a ordinary person. When he was still a Bodhisatta, he
too had enjoyed sensual pleasures, that is, with Yasodhar in the palace.
At that time, he too was a ordinary person, because enjoyment of sensual
pleasures is the practice of a ordinary person.
This is not only for our Bodhisatta, but for every Bodhisatta. There may
be many Bodhisattas here among the present audience. You should consider this carefully: are the Bodhisattas here ordinary persons (puthujjana) or
Noble Ones (Ariya)? We think you may know the answer.
Question 4.2 After finishing the meditation course, can a yogi attain Path
(MaggaBa) and Fruition Knowledges (PhalaBa) and? If not, why not?
Answer 4.2 Maybe he can; it depends on his pram. Take, for example, the
case of Bhiya Drucriya.261 He practised samatha-vipassan up to the
Formations-Equanimity Knowledge (SaAkhrUpekkhBa) in the time of
Kassapa Buddhas dispensation. He had about twenty thousand years of
practice, but did not attain any Path and Fruition Knowledges, because he
had received a definite prophecy from Padumuttara Buddha. It was that
he was to be the khippbhia, the quickest to attain Arahantship in
Sakyamunis dispensation. Hence, his pram would mature only then.262
In the same way, other disciples (svaka), who attained the Four Analytical
Knowledges (Pa5isambhidBa) in this Sakyamuni Buddhas dispensation,
had also practised samatha-vipassan up to the Formations-Equanimity
Knowledge in the dispensation of previous Buddhas; this is a law of nature. The four analytical knowledges they attained are:
1) The Analytical Knowledge of Meaning (AtthaPa5isambhidBa): this is
the vipassan knowledge of effect, the Noble Truth of Suffering.
261
Ap.II.liv.6 (&A.)BhiyaTtheraApadna (The Elder Bhiyas Heroic Deed)

AA.I.XIV.iii.216 BhiyaDrucriyaTtheraVatthu (The Case of the Elder Bhiya
Drucriya)
262
143
The Analytical Knowledge of Dhamma (DhammaPa5isambhidBa): this

is the vipassan knowledge of cause: the Noble Truth of the Cause
for Suffering.
3) The Analytical Knowledge of Enunciation of Language (NiruttiPa5isambhidBa): this is knowledge of grammar, especially Pali grammar.
4) The Analytical Knowledge of the Kinds of Knowledge (Pa5ibhnaPa5isambhidBa): this is the vipassan knowledge that knows the previous three analytical knowledges.
There are five causes (pram) for attaining these four analytical knowledges:263
1) Achievement (adhigama): this is the attainment of the Arahant Path and
Fruition, or any other Path and Fruition.
2) Mastery of scriptures (pariyatti): this is learning the Dhamma scriptures.
3) Hearing (savana): this is listening to Dhamma explanations attentively
and respectfully.
4) Inquiry (paripuccha): this is discussing the difficult passages and explanations in the texts and commentaries.
5) Prior effort (pubbayoga): this is the practice of samatha-vipassan up to
the Formations-Equanimity Knowledge (SaAkhrUpekkhBa) during
the dispensations of former Buddhas.
If those who practise in this dispensation do not attain Nibbna, it is because their pram have not yet matured. The reason may also be that
they have received a definite prophecy from a previous Buddha, or have
made an aspiration to escape from the round of rebirths (sa6sra) in a future
dispensation such as Arimetteyya Buddhas. For example, there were two
thousand bhikkhuns, all ordinary Arahants, who attained Parinibbna on
the same day as Yasodhar. They had, during DpaOkara Buddhas time,
made an aspiration to escape from the round of rebirths (sa6sra) in the
dispensation of Sakyamuni Buddha, which would be four incalculables
and one hundred thousand aeons later. To become an ordinary Arahant
does not require that one cultivate ones pram for that long, but these
two thousand bhikkhunis had remained in the round of rebirths for that
long period because of their aspiration only, not because of a definite
prophecy.
Question 4.3 A yogi who has finished the meditation course, but not yet attained the Path Knowledge (MaggaBa) and Fruition Knowledge (Phala2)
263
VsM.xiv.429 PaPabhedaKath (How Many Kinds of Understanding Are

There? [title in PP] PP.xiv.28)
144
Ba), if his concentration drops, will his vipassan knowledge also drop?
Can he be reborn in a woeful state (apya)?
Maybe his vipassan knowledge will also drop, but it is very

rare. If he does not practise for a long time, his samatha-vipassan may
slowly weaken. The potency of kamma, however, remains.
There is an example of this in the Pali Texts.264 It takes place in Sri
Lanka. Some thirty bhikkhus and novices (smaBeras) had paid homage at
the Great Shrine at KalyL, and as they were coming down the forest
track on to the main road, they saw a man coming in the opposite direction. He had been working in a charcoal burners field beside the road;
his body was smeared with ashes, and the single yellow loin-cloth he
wore hitched up was also smeared with ashes, so that he seemed like a
charcoal stump. Having done his days work, he had picked up a bundle
of half-burnt wood and was coming along a by-path with his hair hanging
down his back; and he stood facing the bhikkhus.
The novices, when they saw him, joked with each other, saying, That
is your father, that is your grandfather, your uncle! and laughed as they
went along. Then they asked What is your name, lay follower? On being asked his name, the man was remorseful and, putting down his bundle
of wood and arranging his clothes, he did obeisance to the Mahthera in
order to detain him for a while.
The bhikkhus waited, but the novices came up and laughed even in
front of the Mahthera. The man said to the Mahthera: Bhante, you
laugh on seeing me. You think you fulfill the bhikkhus life just on account of your robes. But you have not attained so much as mental onepointedness.
I was once a recluse like you, and I was mighty with the psychic powers and powerful in this dispensation. I treated the air like the earth and
the earth like the air; I treated the far like the near and the near like the
far. I penetrated in a moment the one hundred thousand worlds systems.
You see my hands now? Now they are like the hands of a monkey.
Then pointing to a tree, he said further, Sitting under that tree I would
touch with these very hands the moon and the sun. I would sit with the
moon and the sun as the ground on which to rub these very feet. Such
were my psychic powers, but they vanished through negligence. Do not
be negligent. Through negligence people reach ruin such as this. But
those who live strenuously make an end of birth, old age and death.
Answer 4.3
264
VbhA.viii.1 SuttantaBhjanyaVaBBan (Sutta-Classification Description)
145
Therefore, take me as an example, and do not neglect practising samathavipassan wholesome dhammas. Be strenuous, Venerable Sirs.
Thus, he admonished and warned them. Impelled by the urgency of his
words, standing in that place, thirty Bhikkhus practised samatha-vipassan and attained Arahantship. So samatha-vipassan may drop temporarily because of negligence (pamda), but the potency of kamma remains.
There are four types of person who attain Nibbna. The first type is a
Paccekabuddha, which we shall not discuss. The remaining three types
are: 1) a Bodhisatta, 2) a chief disciple (aggasvaka) or great disciple (mahsvaka), and 3) an ordinary disciple (pakatisvaka).
1) Our Bodhisatta had the eight attainments (sampatti) and five mundane
psychic powers during DpaOkara Buddhas time. He had in past
lives also practised samatha-vipassan up to the Formations-Equanimity Knowledge (SaAkhrUpekkhBa). Had he really wanted to attain
Nibbna, he could have attained it quickly, by listening to a short
stanza by DpaOkara Buddha about the Four Noble Truths. But he
did not want only to attain Nibbna, so he made an aspiration to be a
Buddha in the future, after which he received a definite prophecy
from DpaOkara Buddha.
During the four incalculables (asaAkhyeyya) and one hundred thousand
aeons (kappa) which followed, that is from DpaOkara Buddhas time
to Kassapa Buddhas time, our Bodhisatta was ordained as a
bhikkhu in nine lives, each time under the guidance of a Buddha. In
each life as a bhikkhu, our Bodhisattas training included seven
practices:265
i) Study of the Three PiTakas by recitation266 (tipi5aka6 Buddhavacana6
ugga6hitv)
ii) Purification in the four types of morality267 (catu prisuddhi sle supati55hya)
iii) The thirteen ascetic practices (terasa dhutaAgni samdya)
265
MA.II.iv.1 Gha5ikraSutta6 (The GhaTikra Sutta). This text lists only 1, 2, 3 and 4,
with a fifth being: gata-paccgata-vatta6 prayamn samaBadhamma6 karont (practising the going &going-back duty recluse practice), which refers to full-time meditation
(samatha and vipassan), also when going out for alms, and going back to the dwelling
from alms. From sources that explain the Bodhisattas practice, this fifth one may be understood specifically to be 5,6 & 7. In other contexts, however, samaBa dhamma (ascetic
practices) refers to all these seven practices.
266
This is ganthadhura (book burden/obligation), which is also called pariyatti (learning),
and 2-7 are vipassandhura (Vipassan burden/obligation), which is also called pa5ipatti
(practice). See p.278.
267
For the four types of morality purification, see Q&A 2.3, p.77.
146
Always the forest-dweller ascetic practice268 (araa6 pavisitv)

The eight attainments (a55ha sampattiyo)
The five mundane psychic powers (paca abhi)
Vipassan meditation up to (vipassana6 vaJJhatv) the Conformity
Knowledge269 (yva anuloman6)
These pram must be fulfilled for the attainment of Omniscient
Knowledge (SabbautaBa). But before his pram had matured, that
is, from the time of his definite prophecy till his birth as Prince
Siddhattha, our Bodhisatta was sometimes reborn in the animal kingdom because of previous unwholesome kamma. The lives as a bhikkhu and the lives as an animal, however, were very far apart. This is
the nature of a Bodhisatta.
2) Some Chief Disciples will also have received a definite prophecy;
for example, the Venerables Sriputta and Mahmoggallna had received one from Anomadass Buddha. Also great disciples will
sometimes have received a definite prophecy; the Venerable Kassapa and The Venerable nanda had received one from Padumuttara Buddha. In our Buddhas time, all these disciples became Arahants possessed of the Four Analytical Knowledges.270 This type of
Arahants will also have been skilful in samatha-vipassan up to the
Formations-Equanimity Knowledge (SaAkhrUpekkhBa), in times of
many previous Buddhas; this is a law of nature. Even so, from the
time of their definite prophecy till the time of our Buddha, some of
them were sometimes reborn in one of the four woeful states, because of unwholesome kamma, sometimes together with our Bodhisatta. This is the nature of a chief or great disciple.271
3) As for ordinary disciples, if they have practised samatha-vipassan
thoroughly up to the Cause-Apprehending Knowledge (Paccaya-PariggahaBa) or the Arise&Perish Knowledge (UdayaBbayaBa), or the
Formations-Equanimity Knowledge (SaAkhrUpekkhBa), they will not
be reborn in one of the four woeful realms (apya) after death, even
though they may not have attained Path and Fruition in this life. This
is explained in the VisuddhiMagga as:
iv)
v)
vi)
vii)
268
Although the forest-dweller practice is included in the thirteen ascetic practices, the
Commentary mentions it separately for emphasis.
269
This is the Formations-Equanimity Knowledge (SaAkhrUpekkhBa).
270
For the Four Analytical Knowledges, see Q&A 4.2, p.142.
271
VsM.xiv.429 PaPabhedaKath (How Many Kinds of Understanding Are
There? [title in PP] PP.xiv.28)
147
laddhassso laddhapati55ho niyatagatiko cCasotpanno nma hoti

he has found relief in the Buddhas Dispensation, he has found a secure place, he has a
sure, good destination, so he is called a Lesser Stream-Enterer (CCa Sotpanna).
Lesser Stream-Enterers may thus be reborn in the deva realm, and then
there are four things that can happen. In the Sotnugata sutta, The Buddha taught which four:272
1) If, as soon as he attains rebirth in the deva realm, the Lesser StreamEnterer reflects on the Dhamma, it will be clear to his vipassan
knowledge, and he can attain Nibbna quickly.
2) If he does not attain Nibbna by reflecting on the Dhamma with
vipassan knowledge, he can attain Nibbna by listening to a bhikkhu who has psychic powers, and has come to the deva realm to
teach the Dhamma.
3) If he does not get the opportunity to listen to the Dhamma from a
bhikkhu, he may get the opportunity to listen to it from Dhammateaching devas (Dhammakathikadeva), like SanaOkumra Brahm, etc.
and attain Nibbna by listening to them.
4) If he does not get the chance to listen to the Dhamma from Dhammateaching devas, he may get the chance to meet friends who were fellow yogis in his past human life in a dispensation. Those fellow
yogis may say, for example: Oh friend, please remember this and
that Dhamma which we practised in the human world. He may then
remember the Dhamma, and if he practises vipassan, he can attain
Nibbna very quickly.
An example of a Lesser Stream-Enterer who was reborn in the deva
realm, and who attained Nibbna very quickly afterwards, is the Venerable SamaLa-Devaputta.273 He was a bhikkhu who practised samathavipassan earnestly. He died while practising, and was reborn in the deva
realm. He did not know he had died, and continued meditating in his
mansion in the deva realm. When the female devas in his mansion saw
him, they realized he must have been a bhikkhu in his previous life, so
they put a mirror in front of him and made a noise. He opened his eyes,
and saw his image in the mirror. He was very disappointed, because he
did not want to be a deva; he wanted only Nibbna.
272
A.IV.IV.v.1 SotnugataSutta6 (The One Who Has Heard Sutta), mentioned also
p.102.
273
The case of SamaLa-Devaputta is described in the commentary to S.I.I.vi.6 AccharSutta6 (The Nymph Sutta).
148
So immediately he went down to The Buddha to listen to the Dhamma.

The Buddha was teaching Dhamma about the Four Noble Truths. After
listening to the Dhamma, SamaLa-devaputta attained the Stream-Entry
Path Knowledge (SotpattiMaggaBa) and Stream-Entry Fruition Knowledge (SotpattiPhalaBa).274
Thus, when an ordinary disciple practises samatha and vipassan very
hard, and even attains the Cause-Apprehending Knowledge, the Arise&Perish Knowledge, or the Formations-Equanimity Knowledge, although
he may not attain a Path and Fruition in this life, the practice he has done
does mean that he will very likely attain them in one of his future lives.
At the time of death, a yogi may not have strong samatha or vipassan,
but because of the powerful samatha-vipassan meditation wholesome
kamma, a good nimitta appears at his mind door. Death may take place
with that good nimitta as object, and because of this wholesome kamma,
he will definitely reach a good place, and can there attain Nibbna.
If, however, he practises vipassan up to the moments of the near-death
impulsion (maraBsannajavana), he will be of the first type of person mentioned in the Sotnugata sutta, which we just discussed.
Question 4.4 Can a yogi who has finished the course, but not yet attained
Nibbna, attain the Knowledge Standing on Phenomena (DhammaI5hitiBa)? If so, can it regress?
Answer 4.4 Yes, he can attain that knowledge.
Pubbe kho Susma dhamma55hitiBa6 pacch Nibbne Ba6.
The Knowledge Standing on Phenomena (Dhamma55hitiBa) comes first, the [Path]
Knowledge that takes Nibbna as object comes next.
This was The Buddhas explanation to Susma.275 Susma was a wanderer
(paribbjaka), who ordained to steal the Dhamma. But The Buddha saw
that he would attain Nibbna within a few days, so He accepted him.
Susma had heard that many Arahants went to The Buddha and reported
that they had attained Arahantship. So Susma asked them whether they
had the eight attainments and five psychic powers. They answered No.
If you do not have the eight attainments and five psychic powers, how
did you attain Arahantship? Then they answered Pavimutt kho
maya6 vuso Susma: Oh, friend Susma, we are free from defilements,
and attained Arahantship by the pure-vipassan vehicle (suddha-vipassan
ynika). He did not understand, so he asked The Buddha the same question. The Buddha said:
274
275
S.I.I.v.6 AccharSutta6 (The Deva Sutta) & SA.ibid.

S.II.I.vii.10 SusmaSutta6 (The Susma Sutta)
149
Pubbe kho Susma dhamma55hitiBa6 pacch Nibbne Ba6.

The Knowledge Standing on Phenomena comes first; the [Path] Knowledge that takes
Nibbna as object comes next.
What does this mean? The Path Knowledge is not the result of the eight
attainments and five psychic powers; it is the result of vipassan knowledges. So the Path Knowledge can occur only after the vipassan knowledges have occurred. In the Susma sutta, all vipassan knowledges are
referred to as the Knowledge Standing on Phenomena. The Knowledge
Standing on Phenomena is the vipassan knowledge of the impermanent,
suffering and non-self nature of all formations, conditioned things (saAkhradhamma), that is, mentality, materiality, and their causes. This is how
the Knowledge Standing on Phenomena comes first, and the Path Knowledge that takes Nibbna as object comes next.
Afterwards, The Buddha gave a Teaching on the Three Rounds276 (tepariva55a Dhamma-desan), which is like the AnAttaLakkhaBa sutta (Non-selfCharacteristic Sutta).277 When the teaching was finished, Susma attained
Arahantship, even though he did not have the eight attainments or five
psychic powers. He too became a pure-vipassan-vehicle person. At that
time he understood clearly the meaning of The Buddhas discourse.
If a yogi attains the Knowledge Standing on Phenomena, then although
he does not attain Nibbna in this life, his vipassan knowledge will not
decrease. His vipassan kammic potency is still powerful. If he is an ordinary disciple, he may attain Nibbna in his next life.
278
Question 4.5 Can one attain supramundane states
with only access concen279
tration?
Answer 4.5 Yes, one can. At access concentration there is also bright, brilliant and radiant light. With that light, one can discern the rpa-kalpas,
materiality, ultimate mentality, and their causes. One can then continue
with vipassan meditation stage by stage.
Question 4.6 Can one with only momentary concentration (khaBikasamdhi),
practise mindfulness of feeling (vednnupassan satipa55hna) to attain supramundane states?279
Answer 4.6 Here we need to define momentary concentration. What is momentary concentration? There are two types of momentary concentration:
276
Here, the three rounds refer to the three characteristics: impermanence, suffering, and
non-self.
277
S.III.I.II.i.7, quoted Introduction p.26.
278
This would be a Path&Fruition attainment.
279
For a discussion of the different types of concentration, see also Q&A 3.1, p.95.
150
Momentary concentration in samatha meditation

Momentary concentration in vipassan meditation
In samatha meditation there are three types of concentration:
1) Momentary concentration (a type of preparatory concentration)
2) Access concentration
3) Absorption concentration
The momentary concentration in samatha refers in particular to the concentration that takes a pa5ibhga-nimitta as object, like the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta. It is the concentration before access concentration. This is
for a samatha vehicle person (samathaynika).
There is another type of momentary concentration for a pure-vipassan
vehicle yogi (suddhavipassanynika). A pure-vipassan-vehicle yogi must
usually begin with four-elements meditation in order to attain access concentration or momentary concentration, and see the rpa-kalpas, and the
four elements in one kalpa. The VisuddhiMagga says that is access concentration. But the sub-commentary to the VisuddhiMagga says it is only
a metaphor, not real access concentration, because real access concentration is close to jhna concentration.280
Jhna cannot, however, be attained with four-elements meditation.
When one is able to see the four elements in individual rpa-kalpas there
is deep concentration, and there is bright, brilliant and radiant light. Even
so, one cannot attain jhna using them as object. There are two reasons
for this:
1) To see the four elements in individual rpa-kalpas is to see ultimate
materiality (paramattharpa), and to see ultimate materiality is deep and
profound. One cannot attain jhna with ultimate reality as object.281
2) Even though ones concentration while analysing the rpa-kalpas is
deep, it cannot become as deep as jhna concentration. Why? Because the rpa-kalpas perish as soon as they arise. That means the
1)
2)
280
Access concentration is the three impulsion consciousnesses that follow the mind-door
adverting consciousness and precede the Change-of-Lineage to the jhna process. See table
1a: The Absorption-Process, p.44, and notes.
281
VsM.xi.308 CatuDhtu Vavatthna Bhvan (Four-Elements Definition Meditation) PP.xi.42 explains that since four-elements meditation has as object phenomena with
natural characteristics (sabhvadhammrammaBatt), one reaches only access-concentration: not absorption (jhna). VsT then explains that this it is called access-concentration
only according to popular speech (ruChvasena). VsM.viii.177 MaraBaSsatiKath (Discussion of Death-Mindfulness) PP.viii.40 explains, however, that because of the preceding
practice leading up to the supramundane- and second- and fourth immaterial attainments,
then even though their object is also a phenomenon with natural characteristics, their concentration is nonetheless absorption concentration, jhna. See also footnote 385, p.204.
151
object is always changing. One cannot attain jhna with an object

that is always changing.
Thus, since four-elements meditation does not produce jhna, we may
understand that the access concentration which takes the four elements in
individual rpa kalpas as object is not real access concentration, but
momentary concentration. Then let us discuss the momentary concentration in vipassan. It is discussed in the section on npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing) of the VisuddhiMagga.282
Here you should know that vipassan momentary concentration is seeing thoroughly the impermanent, suffering, and non-self nature of ultimate mentality-materiality and their causes. Without seeing ultimate
mentality-materiality and their causes, how can there be vipassan momentary concentration? It is impossible.
When a samatha-vehicle yogi wants to practise vipassan, he enters the
first jhna, for example, the first npna jhna. This is samatha. He
emerges from it, and discerns the thirty-four mental formations of the
first jhna, and then impermanence, suffering or non-self by seeing the
arising and perishing nature of those jhna formations (jhna dhamma). He
does the same with the second jhna, etc.
At the time of discerning there is still concentration. He concentrates on
the impermanent, suffering, or non-self nature of those jhna formations.
His concentration is at that time deep and profound, and does not go to
other objects. This is momentary concentration, because the object is
momentary; as soon as it arises, it passes away.
In the same way, when a yogi is practising vipassan to see either the
impermanent, suffering, or non-self nature of ultimate mentality-materiality and their causes, then usually his mind does not leave the object. His
mind has sunk into one of the characteristics. This is also called momentary concentration.
If a yogi can see ultimate mentality-materiality and their causes thoroughly and clearly, without having done any samatha meditation, it is of
course not necessary for him to practise samatha meditation. If not, he
should cultivate one of the samatha meditation subjects, and develop sufficient concentration so as to be able to see ultimate mentality-materiality
and their causes.
282

PP.viii.232
152
But in the Samdhi sutta of the Khandha Sa6yutta The Buddha

says:283
Samdhi6, bhikkhave, bhvetha. Samhito, bhikkhave, bhikkhu
yathbhta6 pajnti.
Develop concentration, bhikkhus (Samdhi6, bhikkhave, bhvetha). Concentrated,
bhikkhus, a bhikkhu according to reality understands (yathbhta6 pajnti).
So, you should cultivate concentration to know the five aggregates, their
causes and cessation; you should cultivate concentration to know their
nature of impermanence, suffering, and non-self. Their cessation you will
be able to see at the time of the Arahant Path and Parinibbna.
Also in the Samdhi sutta of the Sacca Sa6yutta, The Buddha says
one should cultivate concentration to know the Four Noble Truths.284
Now, if a yogi wants to contemplate only feeling, he should be aware of
the following facts explained by The Buddha:
Sabba6, bhikkhave, anabhijna6 aparijna6 avirjaya6 appajaha6
abhabbo dukkhakkhayya
Sabbaca kho, bhikkhave, abhijna6 parijna6 virjaya6 pajaha6
bhabbo dukkhakkhayya.
The all, bhikkhus, not knowing directly (sabbaD anabhijnaD), not fully understanding (aparijnaD), not having dispassion for (avirjayaD), not abandoning (appajahaD),
it is impossible to destroy suffering (abhabbo dukkhakkhayya).
But, bhikkhus, the all knowing directly, fully understanding, having dispassion for,
and abandoning, it is possible to destroy suffering (bhabbo dukkhakkhayya).
This is from the first Aparijnana sutta in the SaCyatanaVagga of

the Sa6yuttaNikya.285 What is the all? It is all mentality and materiality
and their causes.286 Unless one knows the all with the three types of full
understanding (pari), one cannot attain Nibbna. Only those who know
the all with those three types of full knowledge can attain Nibbna.
283
SamdhiSutta6 (The Concentration Sutta) of the Khandha Sa6yutta (Section on

the Aggregates) S.III.I, quoted, p.23.
284
SamdhiSutta6 (The Concentration Sutta) of the Sacca Sa6yutta (Section on the
Truths) S.V.XII quoted, p.12. See also related quotation, footnote 45, p.14.
285
S.IV.I.iii.4 Pa5hama-AparijnanaSutta6 (The First Non-Understanding Sutta)
286
In the sutta, The Buddha explains the all as: the eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue-, body-, and
mind base; the sight-, sound-, odour-, flavour-, tangible- and dhamma base; the six types of
consciousness (viBa) that arise when those bases meet: eye-, ear, nose-, tongue-, body-,
and mind consciousness respectively; the six types of contact (phassa) that arise with the
six types of consciousness: eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue-, body-, and mind contact respectively;
and the feelings (vedan) that arise with the six types of contact: pleasant feelings, painful
feelings, and neither painful nor pleasant feelings, that arise because of eye-, ear-, nose-,
tongue-, body-, and mind contact.
153
In the same way, The Buddha says in the K5gra sutta of the
SaccaVagga that, without knowing the Four Noble Truths with vipassan knowledge and Path Knowledge, one cannot reach the end of the
round of rebirths (sa6sra).287 So if a yogi wants to attain Nibbna, he must
try to know all mentality, materiality, and their causes with the three
types of full understanding.
What are the three types of full understanding? They are:
1) Full Understanding as the Known (tapari): this is the MentalityMateriality Definition Knowledge (NmaRpaParicchedaBa), and
Cause-Apprehending Knowledge (PaccayaPariggahaBa). They are the
vipassan knowledges that know all ultimate mentality-materiality
and their causes.
2) Full Understanding as Investigation (traBapari): this is the Comprehension Knowledge (SammasanaBa), and Arise&Perish Knowledge
(UdayabbayaBa). These two vipassan knowledges comprehend
clearly the impermanent, suffering, and non-self nature of ultimate
mentality-materiality and their causes.
3) Full Understanding as Abandoning (pahnapari): this is the higher
vipassan knowledges from the Dissolution Knowledge (BhaAgaBa)
to the Path Knowledge (MaggaBa).
The teaching in those two suttas, the Pa5hama Aparijnana sutta, and
K5gra sutta, is very important. So, if a yogi wants to practise vipassan beginning with mindfulness of feeling, he should remember the following:
He must have discerned ultimate materiality.
Discerning feeling alone is not enough: he must also discern the mental formations associated with feeling in the six-door processes.
Nevertheless, it is in fact possible to become enlightened by discerning
only one dhamma, but that is only so long as all the other dhammas have
been discerned before: either in this life or in a past life. Take for, example, the Venerable Sriputta. When he heard the Venerable Assaji utter
one sentence of Dhamma, he became a Stream-Enterer. Then he became
a bhikkhu and practised meditation. In the Anupada sutta,288 The Buddha describes how the Venerable Sriputta was very skilled in discerning
the individual mental formations of his jhna attainments consecutive-
287
288
S.V.XII.v.4 The Peaked House Sutta, quoted Introduction p.2.

M.III.ii.1 AnupadaSutta6 (The Consecutive Sutta)
154
289
ly. But even though the Venerable Sriputta meditated hard, he did not
attain Arahantship.
Then one day, The Buddha taught the Dghanakha sutta to the Venerable Sriputtas nephew, explaining one dhamma: feeling (vedan).290 At
this time, the Venerable Sriputta was standing behind The Buddha fanning Him, and listening to the teaching. At the end of the teaching, the
Venerable Sriputta attained Arahantship, and his nephew attained
Stream-Entry. He attained Arahantship by contemplating only one
dhamma, but that was because he had meditated on all five aggregates
beforehand.291
We shall repeat: The Buddha said that if a bhikkhu does not know all
mentality-materiality and their causes with the three types of full-understanding, he cannot attain Nibbna. It is, therefore, not enough if a yogi
tries to discern feeling alone, such as unpleasant feeling, and does not
discern ultimate mentality-materiality thoroughly. Here it is not enough
means he will not attain Nibbna.
Question 4.7 The Buddha was a great Arahant. What was the difference between Him, and disciples like the Venerables Sriputta and Mahmoggallna who were also Arahants?
Answer 4.7 A Buddhas Arahant Path is always associated with Omniscient
Knowledge (SabbautaBa), but the Arahant Path of disciples is not. The
Arahant Path of disciples comprises the enlightenment (bodhi) of the three
types of disciples:
1) Chief Disciple Enlightenment (aggasvaka bodhi)
2) Great Disciple Enlightenment (mahsvaka bodhi)
3) Ordinary Disciple Enlightenment (pakatisvaka bodhi)
The Arahant Path of disciples is sometimes associated with the Four
Analytical Knowledges (Pa5isambhidBa);292 sometimes with the Six Direct
Knowledges (Abhi);293 sometimes with the three Direct Knowledges
(tevijja);294 or is sometimes a pure Arahant Path: either Both Ways Liber289
For details about how to discern the individual mental formations of ones jhna attainments, see How You Discern Jhna Mental-Processes, p.161.
290
M.II.iii.4 DghanakhaSutta6 (The Dghanakha Sutta)
291
For details regarding the past practice of those who attain, see Q&A 4.3, p.143, and
Q&A 5.2, p.176.
292
293
1) various kinds of supernormal power (iddhividh), 2) divine ear (dibbasota), 3) knowledge of the minds of others (parassa cetopariyaBa), 4) divine eye (dibbacakkhu), 5) recollection of past lives (pubbenivsnussati), 6) destruction of the taints (savakkhaya).
294
Nos. 4, 5, and 6 of the Direct Knowledges just mentioned.
155

295
296
ated (UbatobhgaVimutta), or Wisdom Liberated (PaVvimutta)). But it is

never associated with Omniscient Knowledge (SabbautaBa). Thus, for
example, the Venerables Sriputtas and Mahmoggallnas Arahant
Paths were not associated with Omniscient Knowledge. A Buddhas Arahant Path, on the other hand, is not only associated with Omniscient
Knowledge, but also all the other knowledges, as well as all special qualities of a Buddha.
Another thing is that Buddhas have (because of their matured pram)
attained the Path, Fruition, and Omniscient Knowledges by themselves
without a teacher. But a disciple can only attain the Path and Fruition
Knowledges by listening to Dhamma related to the Four Noble Truths
from a Buddha, or a Buddhas disciple. They cannot practise by themselves, without a teacher. These are the differences.
Question 4.8 What is the intermediate life(antarabhava)?
Answer 4.8 According to the Theravda PiTaka there is no such thing as an
intermediate life (antarabhava). Between a decease consciousness (cuti citta)
and its subsequent rebirth-linking consciousness (pa5isandhicitta), there are
no consciousness moments, or anything resembling an intermediate
life.297 If a person were to reach the deva world after death, then between
his decease consciousness and the devas rebirth-linking consciousness,
there would be no consciousness moment or anything like an intermediate life. As soon as death takes place, the deva rebirth-linking consciousness arises. In the same way, if a person were to reach hell after death,
then between his decease consciousness and the rebirth-linking consciousness in hell, there would be no such thing as an intermediate life.
He would go to hell directly after death.
The idea of an intermediate life usually arises when someone dies, inhabits the peta world for a short time, and is then reborn as a human being again. He may think his peta life was something like an intermediate
life, even though it was, in fact, nothing like an intermediate life. What
really happened is this: after the human decease consciousness had
passed, the peta rebirth-linking consciousness arose; after the peta decease consciousness had passed, a human rebirth-linking consciousness
arose again. The person suffered in the peta world because of his unwholesome kamma. The kammic potency of that unwholesome kamma
295
Both Ways Liberated (ubhatobhgavimutta): this refers to those who escape first from
the material sphere with the attainment of the immaterial jhnas, and second, escape also
from the immaterial sphere with the attainment of Arahantship.
296
Wisdom Liberated (pavimutta): this refers to pure-vipassan Arahants.
297
For details in this regard, see Table 1d Death and Rebirth, (and footnote 360) p.188.
156
finished after only a short time, and he took a human rebirth-linking consciousness again, because of wholesome kamma that had matured.
The short life in the peta world is mistaken for an intermediate life by
those who cannot see the reality of the round of rebirths or dependent
origination. If they could discern dependent origination with vipassan
knowledge, then this misbelief would disappear. So we should like to
suggest that you discern dependent origination with your own vipassan
knowledge. Then the question about an intermediate life will disappear
from your mind.
Question 4.9 Are the methods for npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing)
and four-elements meditation the same? Why must we practise fourelements meditation only after npnasati?
Answer 4.9 No, the methods are not the same. In vipassan you must discern
materiality and mentality, and their causes, which is why there are two
types of meditation: discernment of materiality and discernment of mentality.
When The Buddha taught discernment of materiality, he always taught
four-elements meditation, either in brief or in detail. So if you want to
discern materiality, you must practise according to The Buddhas instructions. It is better to practise four-elements meditation with deep concentration like the fourth npna jhna, because it helps us see ultimate
materiality, ultimate mentality, and their causes clearly.
But if you do not want to practise samatha meditation like npnasati, you can practise the four-elements meditation directly: no problem.
We discussed this in a previous question.
Question 4.10 Could the Sayadaw please explain the light experienced in
meditation scientifically?
Answer 4.10 What is the light seen in meditation? Every consciousness (citta),
except rebirth-linking consciousnesses, which arises dependent upon the
heart base (hadayavatthu), produces consciousness-born materiality (cittajarpa): consciousness-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpas (cittajaoja55hamakakalpa).298 One consciousness produces many consciousness-born rpa-kalpas. Of the heart-base-dependent consciousnesses, samatha-meditation
consciousnesses (samathabhvan-citta) and vipassan-meditation consciousnesses (vipassanbhvan-citta) are very strong and powerful; they produce
very many rpa-kalpas. When we analyse those rpa-kalpas, we see the
eight types of materiality. They are: the earth, water, fire, and wind elements, colour, odour, flavour, and nutritive essence. The materiality of
298
See further Consciousness-Born Materiality, p.112.
157
colour is bright. The more powerful the samatha and vipassan-meditation consciousnesses are, the brighter is the colour. Since, rpa-kalps
arise simultaneously as well as successively, the colour of one rpakalpa and the colour of another rpa-kalpa arise closely together like in
an electric bulb: that is why light appears.
Again, in each rpa-kalpa born of samatha and vipassan-meditation
consciousnesses, there is the fire element, which also produces many new
rpa-kalpas. They are called temperature-born materiality, because they
are produced by the fire element, which is temperature (utu). This occurs
externally as well as internally. When we analyse these rpa-kalpas we
see the same eight types of materiality: earth-, water-, fire-, and wind element, colour, odour, flavour, and nutritive essence. Colour is again one of
them. Because of the power of the samatha and vipassan-meditation
consciousnesses that colour too is bright. So the brightness of one colour
and the brightness of another colour arise closely together, like in an electric bulb.
The light of consciousness-born materiality and temperature-born materiality appear simultaneously. Consciousness-born colour materiality
arises internally only, but temperature-born colour materiality arises both
internally and externally and spreads in all directions up to the whole
world system or universe (cakkavCa) or farther, depending on the power of
the samatha and vipassan-meditation consciousnesses. A Buddhas
Mentality-Materiality Definition Knowledge produces light in up to ten
thousand world systems. The Venerable Anuruddhas divine-eye consciousness (dibbacakkhucitta) produced light in up to one thousand world
systems. Other disciples vipassan knowledge produces light going up to
one league (yojana), two leagues, etc. in every direction depending on the
power of their samatha and vipassan-meditation consciousnesses.
Usually many yogis realize that this light is a group of rpa-kalpas
when they have reached the Arise&Perish Knowledge. While practising
samatha meditation, they do not yet understand that it is a group of rpakalpas, because the rpa-kalpas are very subtle. It is not easy to understand and see the rpa-kalpas when practising only samatha meditation.
If you want to know with certainty, you should try to acquire the Arise&Perish Knowledge. That is the most scientific way to understand the light
experienced in meditation.
Question 4.11 Can those who have discerned the thirty-two parts of the body
see them in someone else, with their eyes open?
Answer 4.11 It depends. Beginners can with their eyes open see only the
external parts. They can see the internal parts only with their vipassan
158
knowledge eyes. If you want to know this scientifically, please try to see
it yourself with your vipassan knowledge.
A Mahthera, however, may, because of previous practice, be able to
see anothers skeleton with his eyes open, like the Venerable Mah-Tissa,
who was an expert in skeleton meditation. He always practised internal
skeleton meditation as repulsiveness up to the first jhna, and then vipassan. He discerned mentality-materiality, their causes, and nature of impermanence, suffering, and non-self. This was his usual practice.
One day he went for alms (piBJapta), from Anuradhapura to Mahgma
village. On the way, he met a woman who tried to attract his attention
with loud laughter. When he heard the sound, he looked her way, saw
only her teeth, and then used them for skeleton meditation. Because of his
previous constant practice he saw her as a skeleton, and not as a woman.
He saw only a skeleton. Then he concentrated on his own skeleton, attained the first jhna, and practised vipassan quickly. He attained the
Arahant Path standing in the road.
The woman had quarrelled with her husband, and had left home to go to
her parents house. Her husband followed her, and also met Mah Tissa
Mahthera. He asked him, Bhante, did you see a woman go this way?
The Mahthera answered, Oh, lay-supporter (dyaka), I saw neither man
nor woman, I saw only a skeleton going this way. This story is mentioned in the VisuddhiMagga in the Morality Chapter.299
This is an example of how someone who has, like Mah Tissa Mahthera, practised skeleton meditation thoroughly may be able to see anothers skeleton with his eyes open.
299
VsM.i.15 IndriyaSa6varaSla6 (Sense Restraint Morality) PP.i.55
Talk 5
H OW Y OU D ISCERN M ENTALITY
INTRODUCTION
In our last talk, we discussed how to develop four-elements meditation,

and also how to analyse the particles of materiality called rpa-kalpas.
In this talk, we shall discuss briefly about how to discern mentality (nmakamma55hna), which is the next stage in vipassan meditation.300
Let me begin by explaining briefly the basic facts of the mind necessary
to understand the discernment of mentality.
As is explained in the Abhidhamma, the mind consists of a consciousness (citta) that knows its object, and associated mental factors (cetasika) that
arise with that consciousness. There are fifty-two such associated mental
factors, for example: contact (phassa), feeling (vedan), perception (sa), volition (cetan), one-pointedness (ekaggat), life faculty (jvitindriya), and attention (manasikra).301
There are a total of eighty-nine types of consciousness,302 and they can
be classified according to whether they are wholesome, unwholesome, or
indeterminate, or according to their sphere of existence, the sensual
sphere (kmvacara), fine-material sphere (rpvacara), immaterial sphere
(arpvacara), or according to whether they are mundane (lokiya) or supramundane (lokuttar).303 We may, however, speak of just two basic types of
consciousness:
1) The consciousness of the mental process (cittavthi).
2) The process-separate (vthimutta) consciousness outside the mental
process: at rebirth and death, and of the bhavaOga.304
300
Vipassan refers sometimes to all sixteen knowledges, including the MentalityMateriality Definition Knowledge and Cause-Apprehending Knowledge (knowledge of
materiality and mentality); sometimes vipassan refers only to knowledge of materiality
and mentality as impermanent, suffering and non-self, beginning with the Comprehension
Knowledge: for the sixteen knowledges, see Q&A 1.5, p.53.
301
Mentality consists thus of 1 consciousness + 52 mental factors = 53 types of mentality.
302
For the eighty-nine types of consciousness, see p.10.
303
The three spheres: 1) The sensuous sphere (kmvacara): deva, human, animal worlds,
and hells. 2) The fine-material sphere (rpvacara): Brahma worlds, with only subtle materiality. 3) The immaterial sphere (arpvacara): only mentality, no materiality.
304
For details regarding these consciousnesses, see Table 1d Death and Rebirth, p.188,
and notes; for the bhavaOga, see also Q&A 3.12, p.104, and footnote 184, p.104.
160
There are six types of mental process. The first five are the eye door-,
ear door-, nose door-, tongue door-, and body-door processes, whose respective objects are visible forms, sounds, smells, tastes, and tangibles.
They are together called the five-door process (pacadvra vthi).305 The
sixth type of process has all objects306 as its objects, and is called the
mind-door process (manodvravthi).307 Each mental process comprises a
series of different types of consciousness. The consciousnesses in any one
mental process occur according to the natural law of consciousness (cittaniyma). If you want to discern mentality, you must see them as they occur
in the order of that natural law.
To do so, you must first have developed concentration with either npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing), another samatha meditation subject, or four-elements meditation. A pure-vipassan-vehicle yogi must
also have finished the discernment of materiality (rpakamma55hna), before
he starts on discernment of mentality (nmakamma55hna). A samatha-vehicle
yogi, however, can choose: he can first discern materiality, or first discern the mentality of the jhnas he has attained (fine-material308/immaterial mentality309). Although to discern sensual realm mentality, he too
needs first to have finished the discernment of materiality.310
THE FOUR STAGES TO DISCERNING MENTALITY
Mentality is discerned in four stages:

1) Discerning all the types of consciousness (citta) that occur internally.
2) Discerning each and every mental formation (nmadhamma) in all the
types of consciousness one is able to discern.
3) Discerning the sequences of consciousnesses, that is, the mental
processes (vthi) that occur at the six sense doors (dvr).
311
4) Discerning external mentality (bahiddhanma) generally.
305
See also table 1c: The Five-Door Process, p.168.

For the mind facultys taking of all objects, see quotation p.6 (The ULLbha Brahmin
Sutta).
307
See also table 1b: The Mind-Door Process, p.164.
308
These are the four jhnas.
309
These are the immaterial jhnas, but not the Base of Neither-Perception-Nor-Non-Perception. (VsM.xviii.663 Di55hiVisuddhiNiddesa (Description of View Purification)
PP.xviii.3-4).
310
VsM^.xviii.664 Di55hiVisuddhiNiddesa (Description of View Purification)
311
M.I.i.10 Satipa55hnaSutta6 (The Mindfulness Foundations Sutta) explains: In this
way he abides contemplating mind as mind internally, or he abides contemplating mind as
306
5 - How You Discern Mentality
161
HOW YOU DISCERN JHNA MENTAL PROCESSES
If you have attained jhna with, for example, npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing), the best place to start to discern mentality is the jhna
consciousnesses and associated mental factors.
There are two reasons for this. The first reason is that when developing
jhna, you discerned the five jhna factors, which means you have some
experience in discerning those associated mental factors. The second reason is that the jhna impulsion-consciousnesses (jhnajavana-citta) occur
many times in succession, and are therefore prominent, and easy to discern. This is in contrast to a sensual-sphere process (kmvacaravthi), in
which impulsion (javana) occurs only seven times before a new mental
process occurs.312
So, to discern the mentality of jhna you begin by re-establishing the
first jhna with, for example, npnasati, till the light is bright, brilliant, and radiant. Emerge from it and discern the bhavaOga (mind door),
and the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta together. When the nimitta appears
in the bhavaOga, discern the mental formations that are the five jhna factors according to their natural characteristic. The five jhna factors are:
1) Application (vitakka): directing and placing the mind on the npna
pa5ibhga-nimitta.
2) Sustainment (vicra): maintaining the mind on the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta.
3) Joy (pti): liking for the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta.
4) Bliss (sukha): happiness about the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta.
5) One-pointedness (ekaggat): one-pointedness of mind on the npna
pa5ibhga-nimitta.
Practise until you can discern all five jhna factors all at once in each
first-jhna impulsion consciousness (javanacitta). And then proceed to discern all thirty-four mental formations. You begin with either consciousness (viBa), contact (phassa), or feeling (vedan); whichever is most prominent. Then add one mental formation at a time: discern first one type,
then add one, so you discern two types of mental formation; add one
more, so you see three; add one more, so you see four etc. until eventumind externally. This is not the psychic power of penetrating the mind of others (cetopariyaBa), but vipassan power. Hence, it is usually not possible to discern external
mentality in detail. See also quotation The Aggregates Sutta p.4.
312
Jhna-processes are mental processes of the fine-material sphere (rpvacara) or immaterial sphere (arpvacara).
162
ally you see all thirty-four types of mental formation in each first-jhna
impulsion consciousness. They are:
1) consciousness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (citta)
MENTAL FACTORS (cetasika)
Seven Universals (sabbacittasdhraBa) Six Occasionals (pakiBBaka)
1) contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (phassa) 1) application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (vitakka)
2) feeling313 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (vedan) 2) sustainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (vicra)
3) perception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (sa) 3) decision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (adhimokkha)
4) volition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (cetan) 4) energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (viriya)
314
5) one-pointedness . . . . . . . . (ekaggat) 5) joy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (pti)
6) life faculty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (jvitindriya) 6) desire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (chanda)
7) attention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (manasikra)
Nineteen Beautiful Universals (sobhanasdhraBa)315
1) faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (saddh) 11) lightness of consciousness . . . . . . . . (cittalahut)
2) mindfulness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (sati) 12) flexibility of [mental] body . . . . (kyamudut)
3) conscience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (hiri) 13) flexibility of consciousness . . . . (cittamudut)
4) shame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (ottapa) 14) wieldiness of [mental]
body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (kyakammaat)
5) non-greed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (alobha)
6) non-hatred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (adosa) 15) wieldiness of consciousness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (cittakammaat)
7) ever-evenness . . . . . (tatramajjhattat)
16) proficiency of [mental]
8) tranquillity of [mental]
body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (kyapguat)
body316 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (kyapassaddhi)
17) proficiency of
9) tranquillity of
consciousness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (cittapguat)
consciousness . . . . . . . . (cittapassaddhi)
10) lightness of [mental]
18) rectitude of [mental] body . . . . . . . . . (kyujukat)
body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (kyalahut) 19) rectitude of consciousness. . . . . . . . . (cittujukat)
1) Non-Delusion (amoha): wisdom faculty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (paindriya)
After this, discern all the types of mental formation in the sequence of
six types of consciousness that comprises a mind-door process (manodvravthi) of the first jhna. The six types of consciousness are first:317
313
The five underlined factors are the jhna factors.

one-pointedness: a synonym for concentration (samdhi).
315
There are twenty-five beautiful mental factors in all, but these nineteen are present in
any wholesome consciousness.
316
tranquillity of body/ consciousness: body = three mental aggregates (feeling, perception, and formations); consciousness = the consciousness aggregate. There are six such
modes, attributes, of wholesome mentality: 1) tranquillity (opposite restlessness); 2) lightness (opposite sloth&torpor); 3) flexibility (opposite the mental rigidity of views and conceit); 4) wieldiness (opposite the remaining hindrances); 5) proficiency (opposite faithlessness, etc.), 6) rectitude (opposite deceit, dishonesty, etc.). When there is tranquillity, etc. of
the mental body, there comes to be also tranquillity, etc. of the material body. That is why
The Buddha divided these mental attributes into two.
314
163
A mind-door adverting consciousness (manodvrvajjana): 12 mental

formations
2) A preparatory consciousness (parikamma): 34 mental formations
3) An access consciousness (upacra): 34 mental formations
4) A conformity consciousness (anuloma): 34 mental formations
5) A change-of-lineage consciousness (gotrabhu): 34 mental formations
6) An uninterrupted sequence of jhna impulsion-consciousnesses
(jhnajavanacitta): 34 mental formations, which you have by now already discerned.
To discern all these mental formations, you must again re-establish the
first jhna, such as the first npna jhna, emerge from it, and again
discern the bhavaOga and pa5ibhga-nimitta together. When the nimitta
appears in the bhavaOga, discern the jhna mind-door process that just
occured. You discern each of the different consciousnesses in the firstjhna mind-door process, and their twelve or thirty-four types of mental
formation.
After this, and to give you an understanding of mentality as a whole,
discern the characteristic common to all mentality (nma), to all mental
formations, which is the characteristic of bending towards (namana) and
adhering to the object, in this case, the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta.
You need, in the same way, to discern and analyse the mentality of also
the second, third, and fourth npna jhnas, as well as any other jhnas
of other meditation subjects that you have attained; for example, foulness-, white kasiLa-, and loving-kindness jhna.
If, however, you have only access concentration, with four-elements
meditation, you must begin your discernment of mentality there: you cannot discern the mentality of a jhna consciousness without jhna. In that
case, you must with four-elements meditation re-establish access concentration, where the translucent form of your body sparkles and emits light.
After resting there for some time, turn to vipassan with a refreshed and
clear mind, and discern the mentality of that access concentration.
Having now discerned the different mental processes in all your previous samatha practice, be it access or jhna concentration, you then move
on to discern the different mental formations of a sensual-sphere process
(kmvacara vthi).
1)
317
See table 1a: The Jhna-Attainment Process, p.44.
164
165
Further Notes for Table 1b The Mind-Door Process
Cognition follows a fixed procedure, according to the natural law of consciousness (cittaniym). For example, visual cognition:318
1st) Eye-door process that picks-up the object; cognizes colour. (See table 1c:
The Five-Door Process, p.168.)
2nd) Mind-door process that perceives the colour; knows the past colour, the
object of the eye-door process.
3rd) Mind-door process that knows which colour it is; knows the colours name.
4th) Mind-door process that knows the objects meaning; sees the whole image, a concept determined by past experience (perception (sa)).
5th) Mind-door process that judges and feels. This is the beginning of true cognition. In the preceding mental processes, the volition of the impulsions is
only weak, which means the kamma can produce a result only in that lifes
continuance (pavatti): it cannot produce a rebirth-linking consciousness
(pa5isandhicitta).
It is from the fifth mind-door process onwards that the concept is known: a
man, a woman, a pot, a sarong, gold, silver etc. And it is from that mental process onwards that there is mental proliferation (papaca), and the accomplishment of kamma: accomplished by the mental factor volition (cetan) of each
impulsion consciousness, which takes the same object.
With wise attention (yoniso manasikra), wholesome kamma is accomplished with,
for example, respect for and worship of ones teacher, a Buddha-statue or a
bhikkhu; knowing ones samatha meditation subject, and with vipassan knowledge seeing formations as impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), non-self
(anatta), or foulness (asubha).
With unwise attention (ayoniso manasikra), unwholesome kamma is accomplished when one sees self, husband, wife, children, property, etc. as existing
according to reality: as permanence (nicca), happiness (sukha), self (atta), or beauty
(subha).
With this same object and perception arise countless mental processes (series
of mental formations (saAkhr)), reinforcing the cognition, until again the mind
adverts to a new object.
HOW YOU DISCERN SENSUAL SPHERE PROCESSES
WISE AND UNWISE ATTENTION
A jhna-attainment process (which is a mind-door process of either the

fine-material sphere or immaterial sphere) is always wholesome: it can
never be unwholesome. But a sensual-sphere process (either a five-door-,
or a mind-door process) is either wholesome or unwholesome: it depends
on wise attention (yoniso manasikra) or unwise attention (ayoniso manasikra).
318
For further details, see Q&As 3.5, 3.11, 7.9, 7.11, 7.12, and Abs.
166
Attention determines whether a sensual-sphere process is wholesome or

unwholesome.
If you look at an object and know it as materiality, mentality, cause or
effect, impermanence, suffering, non-self, or repulsiveness, then your
attention is wise attention, and the impulsion consciousness is wholesome.
If you look at an object and see it as a concept, such as a person, man,
woman, being, gold, silver, or see it as permanence, happiness, or self,
then your attention is unwise attention, and the impulsion consciousness
is unwholesome.
In exceptional cases, however, an impulsion consciousness connected
with a concept may be wholesome, for example, when practising lovingkindness and making offerings. You will see the difference when you
discern those mental processes.
HOW YOU DISCERN MIND-DOOR PROCESSES
To discern sensual-sphere processes, you should begin by discerning a

mind-door process, because there the types of consciousness are fewer.
You may start with a wholesome mind-door process. A wholesome minddoor process of the sensual sphere consists of a sequence of three types of
consciousness:
1) A mind-door adverting consciousness (manodvrvajjana): 12 mental
formations
2) Seven impulsion consciousnesses (javanacitta): if unwholesome,
16/18/19/20/21/22 mental formations, if wholesome 32/33/34/35
mental formations.
3) Two registration consciousnesses (tadrammaBacitta): 34/33/32/12/11
mental formations
First, you discern the bhavaOga (mind door), and then the eye translucency (cakkhupasda) in a rpa-kalpa in the eye. When it appears in the
bhavaOga, you cognize it with wise attention as: This is eye-translucency, This is materiality, This is impermanent, This is suffering, This
is non-self, or This is repulsive. And there will occur a sensual-sphere
mind-door process.
Then, to discern the different types of mental formation of that minddoor processs consciousnesses, you do as you did with the jhna minddoor process: begin with either consciousness, feeling, or contact: whichever is most prominent. Then add one mental formation at a time: discern
first one type, then add one, so you discern two types of mental formation; add one more, so you see three; add one more, so you see four etc.
167
until eventually you see all thirty-four, thirty-three or thirty-two types of

mental formation of each consciousness of a sensual-sphere wholesome
mind-door process. You should do this again and again until you are satisfied.
You need to thus discern the mind-door processes that take place when
you look at each type of materiality that you examined when you discerned materiality (rpakamma55hna).319
HOW YOU DISCERN FIVE-DOOR PROCESSES
Once you have finished discerning the mind-door processes, you should
go on to discern the five-door processes, starting with the eye-door process.
To discern the mental formations of each consciousness in an eye-door
process, you cause an eye-door process to occur. First, you first discern
the eye-translucency (eye door), then the bhavaOga (mind door), and then
both at once. Then concentrate on the colour of a nearby group of rpakalpas as it appears in both doors, and cognize it with wise attention as
This is colour, etc. And there will occur a first an eye-door process, and
then (in accordance with the natural law of consciousness (cittaniyma))
many mind-door processes, all with the same object.
The eye-door process consists of a sequence of seven types of consciousness.
1) A five-door adverting consciousness (pacadvrvajjana): 11 mental
formations
2) An eye consciousness (cakkhuviBa): 8 mental formations
3) A receiving consciousness (sampa5icchana): 11 mental formations
4) An investigating consciousness (santraBa): 11/12 mental formations
5) A determining consciousness (vo55hapana): 12 mental formations
6) Seven impulsion consciousnesses (javanacitta): if unwholesome,
16/18/19/20/21/22 mental formations, if wholesome 32/33/34/35
mental formations
7) Two registration consciousnesses (tadrammaBacitta): 11/12/32/33/34
mental formations
319
When discerning materiality, all types of materiality need to be discerned, but when
practising vipassan (discerning their impermanence, suffering, and non-self nature), only
concrete materiality is examined. Table 2a: The Twenty-Eight Types of Materiality p.137
lists all the different types of materiality, and Talk 4 How You Discern Materiality explains how to discern them.
168
169
Further Notes for Table 1c The Five-Door Process
One consciousness lasts one consciousness moment (cittakkhaBa), with three

stages: arising (uppda) , standing (5hiti) , dissolution (bhaAga)
The material object that is cognized by a five-door process lasts 17 consciousness moments.
All five-door processes (eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue-, body door) follow the same
procedure, according to the natural law of consciousness (cittaniyma).
Thus, the five-door process only picks up the object (the eye-door process
only cognizes that there is colour), does not yet know the object (colour).
The knowing of the colour and the object takes place at the fourth and subsequent mental processes.320
After this follows a sequence of bhavaOga consciousnesses, and then the

three types of consciousness of the mind-door process, as described before:
1) A mind-door adverting consciousness
2) Seven impulsion consciousnesses
3) Two registration consciousnesses
To discern the different types of mental formation of the consciousnesses of those processes (the eye-door and subsequent mind-door processes
that take the same object), you do as before: begin with either consciousness, feeling, or contact: whichever is most prominent.321 Then, as before,
add one at a time, until you see all the different types of mental formation
of each consciousness.
As you did for the eye door, you then discern the mental processes of
the other four doors: the ear, nose, tongue, and body.
By this stage, you will have developed the ability to discern mentality
associated with wholesome consciousnesses, and now need to discern
mentality associated with also unwholesome consciousnesses. To do this,
you simply take the same objects as you did for the wholesome consciousnesses, and instead pay unwise attention to them.
This is merely a brief explanation, but the examples given here should
be sufficient for you at least to understand what is involved in discerning
mentality internally.
In summary, you have so far completed the first three stages of discerning mentality:
320
321
See table 1b: The Mind-Door Process, p.164.

For details, see tables 1b & 1c, p.164ff.
170
You have discerned all the types of consciousness (citta) that occur internally.322
2) You have discerned each and every mental formation (nmadhamm) in
all the types of consciousness.
3) You have discerned the sequences of consciousnesses, that is, the
mental processes (vthi) that occur at the six sense doors.
As mentioned earlier, there is also a fourth stage to discerning mentality. The fourth stage is to discern mentality also externally.
1)
HOW YOU DISCERN EXTERNAL MENTALITY
To discern mentality externally, you need always first to discern materiality externally.
FIRST YOU DISCERN MATERIALITY INTERNALLY/EXTERNAL
You begin by discerning the four elements internally, and then externally in the clothes you are wearing. You will see that your clothes break
down into rpa-kalpas, and that you are able to discern the eight types of
materiality in each. They are temperature-born nutritive-essence octadkalpas (utuja oja55hamakakalpa), and the temperature they arise from is the
temperature in rpa-kalpas.323
You should alternate between the internal and external materiality three
or four times, and then with the light of concentration discern external
materiality a little farther away, such as the floor. You will also there be
able to discern the eight types of materiality in each rpa-kalpa, and
should again alternate between the internal and external three or four
times.
In this way, gradually expand your field of discernment to the materiality in the building in which you are sitting, the area around it, including
the trees, other buildings, etc., until you discern all inanimate materiality
externally. While doing this, you will see also materiality co-existent with
consciousness (translucent materiality, etc.) in the inanimate objects: it is
the insects and other small animals in the trees, buildings, etc.
Once you have discerned all inanimate materiality externally, you now
go on to discern the materiality of other living beings, external materiality
that is coexistent with consciousness(saviBaka). You discern only their
materiality, and see that they are not a man, a woman, a person, or a be322
323
It is understood that the supramundane types of consciousness are as yet out of reach.
For details regarding temperature-born nutritive-essence octad-kalpas etc., see p.113.
171
ing: only materiality. Discern all external materiality at once, then all the
different types of materiality both internally and externally.
To do this, you should first see the six basic types of rpa-kalpa324 in
your own eye, and then in an external eye, another beings eye. As when
you analysed materiality, discern the fifty-four types of materiality, but
now do it both internally and externally.325 Do the same for the remaining
five sense bases, and remaining types of materiality.
DISCERNING MENTALITY INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY
Having now discerned materiality completely, you proceed to discern

mentality internally and externally.
You discern mentality internally by again starting with the mind door,
and then five-door processes, discerning all their wholesome and unwholesome mental formations.
To do this externally, you do as you did internally, but discern the eye
door and bhavaOga (mind door) of other beings in general. Then, when
the colour of a group of rpa-kalpas appears in both doors, discern also
here the eye-door process that occurs, and the many mind-door processes
that occur, all with the same object.
You should do this again and again, internally and externally, and again
for each of the other four sense doors, until you are satisfied. If you have
jhna, you should also discern external jhna mind-door processes. That
may be in another meditator, although jhna concentration is now very,
very rare in the human world. But you will find beings in jhna in the
deva- and Brahma-worlds.
Following the same procedure as before, you should gradually extend
your range of discernment until you can see materiality throughout the
infinite universe, and can see mentality throughout the infinite universe.
Then you should discern them together throughout the infinite universe.
Lastly, you define all that mentality and materiality with wisdom to see
no beings, men, or women: only mentality and materiality throughout the
infinite universe. That concludes the discernment of mentality (nmakamma55hna).
Having reached this stage in your meditation, you will have developed
concentration, and will have used it to discern all twenty-eight kinds of
324
Six basic types of rpa-kalpa: 1) eye decad-kalpas; 2) body decad-kalpas; 3) sex

decad-kalpas; 4) consciousness-born octad-kalpas; 5) temperature-born octad-kalpas; 6)
nutriment-born octad-kalpas. See also p.131f.
325
Although you have in fact discerned sixty-three types of materiality, you do here discern only fifty-four. Why you do this is explained in detail, p.131f.
172

326
materiality, and all fifty-three kinds of mentality throughout the infinite

universe:327 you will have completed the first vipassan knowledge, the
Mentality-Materiality Definition Knowledge (NmaRpaParicchedaBa).
Our next talk will be about the next stage of vipassan: the discernment
of dependent origination (pa5iccasamuppda).
326
327
For the twenty-eight types of materiality, see p.137.

For the fifty-three types of mentality, see footnote 301, p.159.

The eight attainments (sampatti)328 make it possible to attain the
Mentality-Materiality Definition Knowledge (Nma-RpaParicchedaBa), and
to see their subtle arising and perishing, so as to become disgusted with
them, and attain the Path Knowledge (MaggaBa). Are there, apart from
this, other benefits to the eight attainments?
329
Answer 5.1 There are five benefits to jhna concentration:
The first benefit of jhna concentration is a present blissful abiding (di55hadhammasukhavihra): enjoying jhna happiness in this very life. This refers to Arahants. Even though pure vipassan Arahants naturally possess
the supramundane jhnas (lokuttrajhna), they may still want to develop the
mundane jhnas (lokiyajhna), because they want to enjoy the blissful abiding of jhna. Since they are Arahants, with all defilements removed by
Path Knowledge (which means also their hindrances have been removed),
it is very easy for them to develop jhna. Another reason why they will
usually develop jhna is that they want to attain cessation (nirodhnisa6sa): it
requires mastery of the eight attainments.
A bhikkhus duty is to learn the scriptures (pariyatti), to practise samathavipassan meditation (pa5ipatti), and to attain the four Paths and four Fruitions (pa5ivedha). That is what Arahants have done, so there is no more work
for them to do. They practise jhna concentration for no reason other than
the enjoyment of jhna bliss (jhnasukha) in this very life.
The second benefit of jhna concentration is the benefit of vipassan (vipassannisa6sa).330 Jhna concentration is a support for vipassan knowledge, because with jhna, one can see ultimate mentality-materiality and
their causes clearly, and can discern their impermanent, suffering, and
non-self nature.
When a yogi has practised vipassan thoroughly, especially up to the
Path Knowledge (MaggaBa) and Fruition Knowledge (PhalaBa), or the
Formations-Equanimity Knowledge (SaAkhrUpekkhBa), jhnas are usuQuestion 5.1
328
The four mundane jhnas, and four immaterial jhnas.

Vis.xi.362 Samdhi-nisa6saKath (Discussion of the Concentration-Benefits)
PP.xi.120ff.
330
This is called vipassan-basis jhna (vipassanpdakajjhna). VsM.ibid. explains:
When ordinary people and Trainees [non-Arahant Noble Ones] develop it [concentration],
thinking After emerging we shall exercise vipassan with concentrated consciousness,
the development of absorption concentration provides them with the benefit of vipassan
by serving as the proximate cause for vipassan, and so too does access concentration.
This is followed by a quotation from S.III.I.i.5 SamdhiSutta6 (The Concentration
Sutta): see p.23. See also quotation, footnote 37, p.12.
329
174
ally stable. They make the vipassan knowledge clear, bright, strong and
powerful. That strong and powerful vipassan knowledge, in its turn, also
protects the jhnas from falling down.
Then again, when a yogi has been practising vipassan for a long time,
tiredness may occur. Then he should go into jhna for long, to rest the
mind. Refreshed he can then switch back to vipassan. When it happens
again he can again rest in jhna.331
So, because of concentration, vipassan is clear, bright, strong and powerful, and well protected. vipassan in its turn destroys the defilements
that hinder concentration, and keeps it stable. samatha protects vipassan
and vice-versa.
Furthermore, the concentration of the eight attainments is not only a
support for the discernment of mentality-materiality and their causes, because those eight attainments are themselves mentality, and included in
the discernment of mentality.332 One enters into, for example, the first
jhna, emerges, and then contemplates the formations (saAkhra) associated
with that jhna as impermanence, suffering, and non-self. Then one enters
the second jhna, and does the same. And one can do this with all eight
attainments, up to the fourth immaterial jhna. It is called samatha and
vipassan yoked together (yuganaddha), like two bullocks pulling one cart:
pulling one towards Path, Fruition and Nibbna.333 If one practises vipassan up to the Formations-Equanimity Knowledge (SaAkhrUpekkhBa),
one can also keep ones discernment of the jhna formations to only one
of the jhnas. With such strong and powerful samatha yoked with strong
and powerful vipassan, one may attain Path and Fruition, up to Arahantship.
The third benefit of jhna concentration is psychic powers (abhinisa6sa): If one wants to master the mundane psychic powers, like the recollection of past lives (pubbenivsnussati abhi), the divine eye (dibbacakkhu), the
divine ear (dibbasota), knowing the consciousness of others (paracitta vijnana),
and the supernormal powers (iddhividha), flying, walking on water, etc., one
must develop the ten kasiLas and eight attainments (sampatti) in fourteen
ways.334
The fourth benefit of jhna concentration is what is called a specific
existence (bhavavisesvahnisa6sa). That is, if one wants rebirth in a brahma
331
For a more detailed explanation, see p.123.

See p.161ff.
333
This is explained in A.IV.IV.iv.10 YuganaddhaSuttaD (The Yoked Sutta).
334
For details, see VsM.xii IddhiVidhaNiddesa (Description of Direct Knowledge).
332
175
realm at death, one must develop concentration such as the ten kasiLa-,
npn-, or loving-kindness jhna. But to be sure of rebirth in a brahma
realm means the jhna must be maintained up to the moment of death.
The fifth benefit of jhna concentration is cessation (nirodhnisa6sa): the
attainment of cessation (nirodhasampatti), which is the temporary cessation
of consciousness (citta) , associated mental factors (cetasika) and consciousness-born materiality (cittajarpa). Temporary means usually for a day up
to seven days, depending on ones prior determination (adhi55hna).
Only Non-Returners (Angmi) and Arahants can attain cessation. And for
Arahants, apart from when they are asleep, and apart from when they pay
attention to concepts, they never stop seeing the arising and perishing, or
just the perishing of mentality-materiality and their causes: all day, all
night, for days, months, and years.335 Sometimes they get disenchanted
and bored, and just do not want to see those phenomena of perishing
(bhaAgadhamma) anymore. But, because their life span is not over, it is not
yet time for their Parinibbna. Therefore, to stop seeing those phenomena
of perishing, they enter cessation.
Why do they never stop seeing those phenomena? Because, with Arahantship, they have destroyed all defilements (including the hindrances),
and have therefore concentration. The concentrated mind sees ultimate
phenomena (paramatthadhamma) as they really are, so it sees always ultimate
mentality-materiality as they really are, which are the phenomena of perishing. When one enters cessation, lets say for seven days, one does not
see the phenomena of perishing, because (for as long as the attainment
lasts) the consciousness and associated mental factors that would have
known those phenomena have ceased.
Although Arahants are able to abide in Nibbna-attainment, they may
still prefer to abide in cessation, because although the Nibbna-attainment
takes the Unformed as object, there remains the mental formation of feeling. But in the attainment of cessation the only formation that remains is
the material formation of kamma-, temperature- and nutriment-born materiality: no consciousness-born materiality, and no consciousness.
To enter cessation, one must establish the first jhna, emerge from it,
and discern the first-jhna dhammas as impermanence, suffering, or nonself. One must do the same progressively up to the base of boundless
consciousness, which is the second immaterial jhna (viBacyatanajhna).
335
For related details, see How You Develop the Arise&Perish Knowledge p.216ff. Details regarding the path to Arahantship, and thence the Arahants permanent dwelling
(seeing only the continuous rising and perishing of formations) are described by The Buddha in S.III.I.vi.5 SattaI5hnaSutta6 (The Seven Cases Sutta).
176
Then one must enter the base of nothingness, the third immaterial jhna
(kicayatanajhna), emerge from it and make four determinations:
1) To reflect on the limit of ones life-span, and then within that to determine a period for the attainment of cessation (for example, seven
days), at the end of which one will emerge from the attainment.
2) To emerge from the attainment of cessation should one be wanted by
a Buddha.
3) To emerge from the attainment of cessation should one be wanted by
the SaOgha.
4) That the property in ones immediate surroundings not be destroyed
by, for example, fire or water. Ones robes and the seat one is sitting
on is protected by the attainment itself. But the furniture in the room
one is in, or the room itself or the building will be protected only if
one makes this fourth determination.
Then one enters the base of neither perception nor non-perception, the
fourth immaterial jhna (nevasansayatanajhna). After only one or two
consciousness moments in that attainment, one enters cessation for the
determined period, for example, seven days. One does not see anything
while in the attainment, because all consciousness and associated mental
factors have ceased.336
Question 5.2 Which is easiest and quickest for the attainment of Nibbna:
using theory to perceive impermanence, suffering, and non-self, or using
concentration to discern ultimate phenomena (paramatthadhamma)?
337
Answer 5.2 What is impermanence? Impermanence is the five aggregates.
This definition is mentioned in many commentaries. If a yogi sees the
five aggregates clearly, he can see impermanence, suffering, and nonself: no problem. But without seeing the five aggregates, how can he see
impermanence, suffering and non-self? If he tries to do so without seeing
the five aggregates, his vipassan will be only reciting vipassan; not true
vipassan. Only true vipassan produces the Path and Fruition Knowledges.
What are the five aggregates? They are the materiality aggregate, the
feeling aggregate, the perception aggregate, the formations aggregate and
the consciousness aggregate, of past, future, present, internal and external, gross and subtle, inferior and superior, far and near. The materiality
336
VsM.xxiii.879 NirodhaSampattiKath (Cessation-Attainment Discussion)
PP.xxii.43
337
Aniccanti khandapacaka6 Pacakkhandh aniccanti. (VbhA.ii.1SuttantabhjanyaVaBBan (Sutta-Classification Description)). Quoted also Q&A 2.3, p.77.
177
aggregate is the twenty-eight types of materiality (rpa). The feeling-, perception- and formations aggregate are the fifty-two associated mental
factors (cetasika). The consciousness aggregate is the eighty-nine types of
consciousness (citta). The twenty-eight types of materiality are what is
called materiality, and the fifty-two associated mental factors and eightynine types of consciousness are what is called mentality. So, the five
aggregates and mentality-materiality are one and the same thing.
These are all ultimate mentality-materiality. If a yogi sees these ultimate
mentality-materiality, he can practise vipassan, and see the impermanent, suffering, and non-self nature of these mentality-materiality. But if
he cannot see ultimate mentality-materiality, how can he practise vipassan, since they and their causes are the necessary objects of vipassan
knowledge? This is true vipassan. Only true vipassan produces the Path
and Fruition Knowledges.
In the MahSatiPa55hna sutta,338 The Buddha taught that to attain
Nibbna there is only one way (ekyana): no other way. What is the way?
The Buddha said to practise concentration first, because a concentrated
mind can give rise to the seeing of ultimate mentality-materiality and
their causes. Again, a concentrated mind can give rise to the seeing of
impermanence, suffering, and non-self nature of ultimate mentalitymateriality and their causes.339 But we cannot say which is the quickest
way to attain Nibbna: it depends on ones pram.
For example, the Venerable Sriputta needed about two weeks hard
work to attain the Arahant Path and Fruition, whereas the Venerable Mahmoggallna needed only seven days. And, Bhiya Drucriya needed
only to listen to a very short discourse: Di55he di55hamatta6.In the seen, the
seen merely will be.340 The speed with which they each attained Arahantship was because of their individual pram.
The Venerable Sriputta and the Venerable Mahmoggallna had developed their pram for one incalculable (asaAkhyeyya) and a hundred thousand aeons (kappa), and Bhiya Drucriya for about one hundred thousand
aeons. The Venerable Sriputta and the Venerable Mahmoggallnas
Arahant Paths were associated with the Chief Disciples Enlightenment
Knowledge (AggaSvakaBodhiBa), whereas Bhiya Drucriyas ArahantPath was associated with only the Great Disciples Enlightenment Know-
338
D.ii.9 The Great Mindfulness-Foundation Sutta

See quotation, footnote 45, p.14.
340
U.i.10 BhiyaSutta6 (The Bhiya Sutta)
339
178
ledge (MahSvakaBodhiBa). The Chief Disciples Enlightenment Knowledge is higher than the Great Disciples Enlightenment Knowledge.341
Since there is only one way to attain Nibbna, these disciples did not attain Arahantship because of a wish: they attained Arahantship through
present effort supported by their past effort, their pram.
Question 5.3 The round of rebirths (sa6sra) is without beginning or end. Beings are also infinite in number, so those who have been our mother are
infinite too. How can we develop loving-kindness by contemplating that
all beings have been our mother? Can we attain loving-kindness jhna
(mett jhna) by contemplating that all beings have been our mother?
Answer 5.3 Loving-kindness meditation does not concern the past and future. It concerns only the present. Only an object of the present can produce loving-kindness jhna (mettjhna), not one of the past or future: we
cannot attain jhna by extending loving-kindness to the dead. In the endless round of rebirths (sa6sra), there may very well be no one who has not
been our father or mother, but loving-kindness meditation is not concerned with the endless round of rebirths. It is not necessary to consider
that this was our mother, this our father.
In the KaraByaMett sutta, The Buddha said:
Mt yath niya6puttamyus ekaputtamanurakkhe; evampi sabbabhtesu,
mnasa6 bhvaye aparimBa6.
This means that just as a mother with an only son would give up even
her life for him, so a bhikkhu should extend loving-kindness to all beings.
This is The Buddhas instruction. But the attitude of a mother cannot
alone lead to jhna. If we extend loving-kindness with the thought, May
this person be well and happy it will produce jhna.
Question 5.4 (The following questions are all covered by the same answer.)
Was there a Bodhisatta during The Buddhas time? If so, did he attain a
Path or was he just an ordinary person (puthujjana)?
Why can a Noble One (Ariya) not become a Bodhisatta?
Can a disciple (svaka) change to become a Bodhisatta? If not, why not?
When by following the Sayadaws teaching one is able to attain the
Path and Fruition Knowledges of Stream-Entry (SotpattiMaggaBa/
SotpattiPhalaBa), can one choose to not do so, because of a desire and
vow to practise the Bodhisatta path?
341
For the four types of person who attains Nibbna, see Q&A 4.3, p.143; for the four
types of Arahant path, see Q&A 4.7, p.154.
179
Answer 5.4 One can change ones mind before attaining a Path or Fruition,
but not afterwards. In many suttas, The Buddha taught that the Path occurs according to a law of nature (sammattaniyma). The law of nature says:
1) The Stream-Entry Path (SotpattiMagga) produces the Stream-Entry
Fruition (SotpattiPhala), after which one can progress to the OnceReturner (Sakadgmi) stage, but one cannot regress to the ordinary
person (puthujjana) stage.
2) A Once-Returner can progress to the Non-Returner (Angmi) stage,
but cannot regress to the Stream-Enterer or ordinary person stages.
3) A Non-Returner can progress to Arahantship, but cannot regress to
the Once-Returner, Stream-Enterer or ordinary person stages.
4) An Arahant attains Parinibbna at death, and cannot regress to the
lower noble stages, the ordinary person stage, or any other stage.
Arahantship is the end. This is a law of nature (sammattaniyma). Referring
to Arahantship, The Buddha said many times:342
Ayamantim jti, natthidni punabbhavoti.
This is the last rebirth, now there is no new rebirth.
This means that one cannot change ones mind, and decide to become a
Bodhisatta after having attained a Path or Fruition. Moreover, one cannot
change ones mind after having received a definite prophecy from a Buddha or Arahant. But one may wish to wait, and become an Arahant some
time in the future, and then change ones mind, and attain Arahantship in
this life.
The VisuddhiMagga gives an example of a Mahthera, the Venerable
MahsaOgharakkhita, who did this.343 He was expert in the four foundations of mindfulness, had practised samatha-vipassan up to the Formations-Equanimity Knowledge, and had never performed a bodily or verbal action without mindfulness. And he had developed sufficient
samatha-vipassan pram to be able to attain Arahantship if he wanted
to. But, because he wanted to see Arimetteyya Buddha, he had decided to
wait, and become an Arahant only in that dispensation. According to the
law of nature we just mentioned, he would not be able to see Arimetteyya
Buddha, if he attained Arahantship now.
But, at the time near his death, a large number of people gathered, because they thought he was an Arahant, and thought he was going to attain
Parinibbna, although he was in fact still a ordinary person. When his
disciple told him many people had gathered, because they thought he was
342
343
For example, D.iii.6 PsdikaSutta6 (The Pleasing Sutta)

VsM.i.20 Pa5hamaSlaPacaka6 (First Morality Pentad) PP.i.135
180
going to attain Parinibbna, the Mahthera said, Oh, I had wanted to see
Arimetteyya Buddha. But if there is a large assembly, then let me meditate. And he practised vipassan. Now that he had changed his mind, and
because he had in his past lives not received a definite prophecy, he very
soon attained Arahantship.
During The Buddhas time there was no mention of a definite prophecy
to a Bodhisatta except for Arimetteyya Bodhisatta, who was a bhikkhu
named Ajita. The TipiTaka does not say either when the next Buddha after
Arimetteyya Buddha will arise, so we cannot say how many Bodhisattas
there were during The Buddhas time.
Question 5.5 Is it possible to practise the path to liberation (vimuttimagga) and
the path of Bodhisatta [path to Buddhahood]344 at the same time? If so,
what is the method?
Answer 5.5 Liberation (vimutti) means escape from defilements or the round
of rebirths. When a Bodhisatta becomes a Buddha, he escapes from the
round of rebirths at his Parinibbna. If you, as a disciple (svaka), try to
attain Arahantship and succeed, you will also escape from the round of
rebirth at your Parinibbna. A person cannot become a Buddha as well as
a disciple. He must choose either one or the other, but they both escape
from the round of rebirths when they attain Arahantship. The way to attain the Arahant Path is the final path to liberation (vimuttimagga).
Question 5.6 Is this method [of meditation] for liberation only, or is it also
for the Bodhisatta path?
Answer 5.6 It is for both. In a previous talk, we mentioned that Sakyamuni
Buddha was a bhikkhu in nine of his past lives as a Bodhisatta.345 If we
look at his practice in those nine lives, we see the three trainings: morality (sla), concentration (samdhi), and wisdom (pa). The Bodhisatta was
able to practise the eight attainments, five mundane psychic powers, and
vipassan up to the Formations-Equanimity Knowledge.
Now you too are developing samatha-vipassan meditation based on
morality. When you have practised the three trainings up to the Formations-Equanimity Knowledge, you can choose either way. If you want
liberation you can choose to go to Nibbna; if you want to become a Bodhisatta you can choose the Bodhisatta way: no problem.
344
The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Sayadaws audience was almost only Buddhists of the
Mahyana tradition, for whom the path is not towards Arahantship (liberation) but the
Bodhisatta path towards Buddhahood (saving all beings).
345
See Q&A 4.3, p.143.
181
Do all the good and bad kammas of an Arahant mature prior to

his Parinibbna?
Answer 5.7 Not all. Some good and bad kamma may mature and produce
their results. If they do not mature they do not produce a result, and are
lapsed kamma (ahosikamma), kamma that no longer produce any result. For
example, the unwholesome kamma of one of the Venerable Mahmoggallnas past lives produced its results just before his Parinibbna. In one
of his past lives he had tried unsuccessfully to kill his blind parents. Due
to that unwholesome kamma, he suffered in hell for many thousands of
years, and when he escaped from hell, he was killed in about two hundred
lives. In each of those lives his skull was crushed. In his last life too,
every bone in his body was crushed, including his skull. Why? The unwholesome kamma had matured. Unless unwholesome and wholesome
kammas have matured, they do not produce any results. They are kamma
by name only.
Question 5.8 After His enlightenment, did The Buddha say, Originally all
beings have the Tathgatas wisdom and other qualities?
Answer 5.8 Now you have accepted that Sakyamuni Buddha attained
enlightenment. You should consider whether the Tathgatas qualities of
enlightenment are present in all beings, especially in yourself. Do you
possess any of the Tathgatas qualities?
Question 5.9 Is the Arahants perception of voidness (suat) in his own five
aggregates the same as his perception of voidness in outside inanimate
things? Is Nibbna the same as entering voidness?
Answer 5.9 The perception of voidness in ones five aggregates and in outside inanimate things is the same.
Nibbna was given the name voidness (suat) because of the Path.
When a yogi knows formations (saAkhradhamma) as non-self, and if at that
time he sees Nibbna, his Path Knowledge is called the void liberation
(suatvimokkha). Just like the Path is called the void liberation, so is the
object of the Path, which is Nibbna, also called voidness. Here the void
liberation means the escape from defilements by seeing the non-self nature of formations.346
Question 5.10 Are all suttas taught by The Buddha only?
Answer 5.10 Most of the suttas in the TipiTaka are taught by The Buddha. A
few suttas are said to be taught by disciples like the Venerable Sriputta,
the Venerable Mahkaccyana, and the Venerable nanda. But the suttas
Question 5.7
346
Further to Nibbna as the perception of voidness, see also p.27, and the three entrances
to Nibbna, p.58.
182
taught by disciples have the same meaning as had they been taught by
The Buddha. This is evident when The Buddha in some of the suttas
gives his approval by uttering, It is good (sdhu), for example, in the MahkaccyanaBhaddEkaRatta sutta, of the MajjhimaNikya, which was
taught by the Venerable Mahkaccyana.347
Question 5.11 Since we cannot see The Buddha while in concentration, can
we see Him by psychic powers to discuss Dhamma with Him?348
Answer 5.11 No, you cannot. One of the psychic powers is called recollection of past lives (pubbenivasnussati). If a yogi possesses this psychic power,
and met a Buddha in one of his past lives, he can see that as a past experience only, not as a new experience. If Dhamma was discussed, there
will be only old questions and answers; there cannot be new questions
and answers.
347
M.III.iv.3 Mahkaccyana-BhaddEkaRattaSutta6 (The Mahkaccyana OneExcellent-Night Sutta)

348
See further the end of How You Develop Buddha Recollection, p.91.
Talk 6
H OW Y OU S EE
THE L INKS OF D EPENDENT O RIGINATION
INTRODUCTION
In our last talk, we discussed how to discern mentality (nma), and in the
talk before that, how to discern materiality (rpa). If you are able to discern
mentality and materiality in the way then described, you will also be able
to discern their causes. This means discerning dependent origination (pa5iccasamuppda). Dependent origination is about how causes and effects operate over the three periods of past, present, and future.
The Buddha taught four methods to discern dependent origination, according to the character of his listeners, and there is a fifth method taught
by the Venerable Sriputta, recorded in the Pa5isambhidMagga.349 It
would take some time to explain the many methods in detail, so we shall
look at only the two methods we at the Pa-Auk monasteries teach most
often to yogis. They are what we call the Venerable Sriputtas fifth
method, and then what we call the first method, taught by The Buddha, in
for example, the Mahnidna sutta in the DghaNikya and the NidnaVagga in the Sa6yuttaNikya.350
Both methods involve discerning the five aggregates (khandha) of the present, of the past, and of the future351, discerning which of them is cause
and which is effect. When you can do this, you can also learn how to discern dependent origination in the other ways taught in the suttas and
commentaries.
349
PsM.I.i.4 DhammaI5hitiBaNiddeso (Standing-on-Phenomena Knowledge Description). See also VsM.xvii.653 PaBhmiNiddesa (Description of the WisdomGround) PP.xvii.284ff.
350
MahNidnaSutta6 (The Great Causation Sutta D.ii.2); NidnaVagga (Causation Section S.II)
351
The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw is here speaking of vipassan power,
which enables you to see only the five clinging-aggregates. (SA.III.I.viii.7 KhajjanyaSutta6 (The Being Consumed Sutta). He is not speaking of the psychic power, Recollection of Past Lives (pubbenivsnussatiabhi), which enables you to see: 1) The aggregates (khandh) associated with supramundane states (lokuttaradhamma), which are the aggregates (four/five in the Brahm world; five in the deva/human world) of beings who have
attained one of the four Path Consciousnesses and four Fruition Consciousnesses; 2) The
clinging-aggregates (updnakkhandh); 3) Clan, appearance, food, pleasure and pain etc;
4) Concepts such as names and race.
184
THE FIFTH METHOD

THE THREE ROUNDS OF DEPENDENT ORIGINATION
Dependent origination (pa5iccasamuppda) consists of twelve factors.352

They can be said to comprise three rounds (va55a), two rounds of causes
(five causes), and one round of results (five results):353
1) The defilements round (kilesvatta):
i) ignorance (avijj)
ii) craving (taBh)
iii) clinging (updna)
2) The kamma round (kammava55a):
i) volitional formations (saAkhr)
ii) kamma-process existence (kammabhava)
3) The results round (vipkava55a):
i) consciousness (viBa)
ii) mentality-materiality (nmarpa)
iii) six sense bases (salyatana)
iv) contact (phassa)
v) feeling (vedan)
The defilements round is the cause for the kamma round, which is the
cause for the results round, which is, in other words, birth, ageing and
death (the eleventh and twelfth factors). The discernment of dependent
origination involves seeing this sequence of rounds, and starts with discernment of the past.
HOW YOU DISCERN YOUR PAST
To discern the past, you begin by making an offering of either candles,

flowers, or incense at a pagoda, or to a Buddha image. You should make
a wish for the rebirth you desire, for example, to become a monk, nun,
man, woman, or deva.
Afterwards, you should go and sit in meditation, and enter the fourth
jhna, until the light is bright, brilliant and radiant. Then internal and ex352
1) ignorance, 2) volitional formations, 3) consciousness, 4) mentality-materiality, 5) six

sense bases, 6) contact, 7) feeling, 8) craving, 9) clinging, 10) existence, 11) birth, 12)
ageing and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, suffering and despair. See e.g.
MahNidnaSutta6 (The Great Causation Sutta D.ii.2), or TitthyatanaSutta6
(The Sectarian Doctrines Sutta A.III.II.ii.1) quoted Introduction p.21.
353
See footnote 349, p.183, and table 3a: Dependent Origination from Life to Life, p.192.
6 - How You See the Links of Dependent Origination
185
ternal mentality-materiality (nmarpa) again and again. This is necessary,

because if you cannot discern external mentality-materiality, you will
have great difficulty discerning past mentality-materiality. That is because the discernment of past mentality-materiality is similar to the discernment of external mentality-materiality.
Then you should discern the mentality-materiality that occurred when
you made the offering at the pagoda or Buddha image, as if they were
external objects. When doing this, an image of yourself at the time of offering will appear: you should discern the four elements in that image.
When the image breaks into rpa-kalpas, discern all the different types
of materiality of the six doors, especially the fifty-four types of materiality of the heart base.354 You will then be able to discern the bhavaOga
consciousnesses, and the many mind-door processes that arise inbetween. You should look among those many mind-door processes,
searching backwards and forwards, until you find the defilements round
(kilesava55a) mind-door process with twenty mental formations in each impulsion consciousness-moment, and kamma round (kammava55a) mind-door
process (manodvra vthi) with thirty-four mental formations in each impulsion consciousness-moment.
Let us illustrate with a practical example: the case of making an offering
of candles, flowers, or incense to a Buddha image, and making a wish to
be reborn to become a monk. In this case,
1) ignorance is to deludedly think that a monk truly exists;
2) craving is the desire and longing for life as a monk; and
3) clinging is the attachment to life as a monk.
These three, ignorance, craving, and clinging, are all found in the consciousnesses that make up the defilements round (kilesava55a).
If you had instead made a wish to be reborn to become a woman, then
1) ignorance would be to deludedly think that a woman truly exists;
2) craving would be the desire and longing for life as a woman; and
3) clinging would be the attachment to life as a woman.
In the examples, volitional formations (saAkhra) are the wholesome volition (kusala cetan) of the offering, and kamma is their kammic potency.
Both are found in the consciousnesses that make up the kamma round
(kammava55a) of dependent origination.
When you are thus able to discern the mentality-materiality of the defilements round and kamma round of the recent past, you should go back
to the more distant past, to some time previous to the offering, and in the
354
For how you do this, see Talk 4, How You Discern Materiality.
186
same way discern the mentality-materiality. Then go back a little further

again, and repeat the process.
In this way, you discern the mentality-materiality of one day ago, one
week ago, one month ago, one year ago, two years ago, three years ago
and so on. Eventually you will be able to discern right back to the mentality-materiality of the rebirth-linking consciousness (pa5isandhi citta) that
arose at the conception of your present life.355
When looking for the causes of conception, you go back even further,
and see either the mentality-materiality of the time near death in your
previous life, or the object of the near-death impulsion consciousness
(maraBsanna javana-citta).356
There are three possible objects for the near-death impulsion consciousness:
1) Kamma: the mental formations of a kamma you performed earlier in
this life or a previous life: for example, you may recollect the hatred
associated with slaughtering animals, happiness associated with offering food to bhikkhus, or tranquillity associated with meditation.
2) Kamma Sign (kammanimitta): an image associated with a kamma you
performed earlier in this life or a previous life. A butcher may see a
butchers knife or hear the screams of animals about to be slaughtered, a doctor may see patients, a devotee of the Triple Gem may
see a bhikkhu, a pagoda, a Buddha image, flowers, an object offered,
and a meditator may see the pa5ibhga-nimitta of his meditation subject.
3) Destination sign (gatinimitta): a vision of your destination, where you
are about to be reborn. For rebirth in hell, you may see fire; for a
human, your future mothers womb (usually like a red carpet), for an
animal rebirth, forests or fields; for a deva-rebirth, deva-mansions.
The object appears because of the kammic potency that produced the
rebirth-linking consciousness (pa5isandhicitta).357 When you discern this, you
will be able to discern also the volitional formations and kamma that produced the resultant (vipka) aggregates of this life,358 and the preceding ig355
In the five-constituent existence, mentality-materiality arises dependent on consciousness, and vice-versa. See p.5.
356
See also table 1d: Death and Rebirth, p.188.
357
See also Q&A 3.12, p.104.
358
There are also so-called non-resultant (avipka) aggregates: they are the product (phala)
of a cause (hetu), as in, for example, consciousness-born materiality, which is not the product of kamma.
187
norance, craving, and clinging. And you will discern also the other mental formations of that kamma round and defilements round.
EXAMPLES
WHAT A FEMALE YOGI DISCERNED
To make this clearer, let us give an example of what one yogi was able
to discern. When she discerned the mentality-materiality at the time near
death, she saw the kamma of a woman offering fruit to a Buddhist monk.
Then, beginning with the four elements, she examined further the mentality-materiality of that woman. She found that the woman was a very poor
and uneducated villager, who had reflected on her state of suffering, and
had made an offering to the monk, with the wish for life as an educated
woman in a large town.
In this case,
1) deludedly to think that an educated woman in a large town truly exists is ignorance (avijj);
2) the desire and longing for life as an educated woman is craving
(taBh);
3) the attachment to life as an educated woman is clinging (updna);
4) the wholesome act of offering fruit to a Buddhist monk is volitional
formations (saAkhr), and
5) the kamma is their kammic potency.
In this life the yogi is an educated woman in a large town in Myanmar.
She was able (with Right View) to discern directly how the kammic potency of offering fruit in her past life produced the resultant five aggregates of this life. The ability to discern causes and effects in this way is
called the Cause-Apprehending Knowledge (PaccayaPariggahaBa).
188
189
Further Notes for Table 1d
One consciousness lasts one consciousness moment (cittakkhaBa), with three

stages: arising (uppda) , standing (5hiti) , dissolution (bhaAga) .
Cognition follows a fixed procedure, according to the natural law of consciousness (cittaniym). Thus:
Final Mental Process in One Life: the object of the final mental process is one of
three: kamma, kamma sign, or destination sign (explained above, p.186).
This object serves as the object of the next lifes process-separate consciousnesses (vthimutta) in the next life.359 They arise independently of sense-door processes. They are:
1) The first consciousness of the next life, the rebirth-linking consciousness (pa5isandhicitta)
2) The next lifes life-continuum consciousnesses (bhavaAgacitta)
3) The last consciousness of the next life, the decease consciousness (cuticitta):
the decease consciousness of one life takes always that same lifes kamma,
kamma sign or destination sign as object.
The final mental process of a life has always only five impulsions. Their volition does not alone produce the rebirth-linking consciousness, but functions as a
bridge to cross into the new life. They may be followed by registration consciousnesses. And there may arise also life-continuum consciousness before the
decease consciousness: they may arise for a shorter or longer time, even up to
days or weeks. With the cessation of the decease consciousness, the life faculty
is cut off, and there remains only a corpse: dead materiality.
First Mental Process in One Life: Immediately after the rebirth-linking consciousness (the first consciousness of a life),360 follow sixteen life-continuum consciousnesses with the same object.361 And then always a mind-door process, which
has the new aggregates as object.
359
process-separate: lit. process-freed, also called door-separated (dvravimutta) lit.doorfreed. See also explanation, p.159, and footnote 184, p.104.
360
As may be seen on the chart, rebirth in one of the three realms of existence follows
immediately after death in one of those realms. Nonetheless, there are those who speak of
an intermediate existence (antarbhava). It is hypothesized to be an existence between the
arising of the decease consciousness and the subsequent rebirth-linking consciousness
<where one has been neither reborn nor not reborn>. This wrong view is discussed in
KV.viii.2 AntarBhavaKath (Discussion of Intermeditate Existence). There, it is
explained that such a hypothesis amounts to declaring a realm of existence apart from the
three stated by The Buddha. Such a wrong view arises owing to a misinformed reading of
the different kinds of Non-Returner. It arises also because of misunderstanding a brief
existence as ghost (peta). It is discussed at Q&A 4.8, p.155.
361
An exception is death of the impercipient being (asaasatta). The previous lifes neardeath object is a kasiLa object, with strong revulsion for mentality. And there is rebirth of
only materiality: no mentality, rebirth-, or decease consciousness, or near-death mental
process. The object of the next lifes rebirth-linking consciousness is then a kamma,
190
WHAT A MALE YOGI DISCERNED
Here is a slightly different example. When a male yogi discerned the

mentality-materiality at the time near death, he discerned four competing
kammas. One was the kamma of teaching Buddhist texts, another teaching dhamma, another practising meditation, and finally one teaching
meditation. When he investigated which of the four kammas had produced the resultant five aggregates of this life, he found it was the kamma of
practising meditation. When he investigated further (to discern which
meditation subject had been practised) he saw it was vipassan meditation, seeing the three characteristics, impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anatta) in mentality-materiality. With further investigation, he saw that before and after each meditation sitting, he had made the
wish to be reborn as a human male, to become a monk, and be a monk
who disseminates The Buddhas teachings.
In this case,
1) deludedly to think that a man, a monk, or a monk who disseminates
The Buddhas Teachings truly exists is ignorance (avijj);
2) the desire and longing for life as a man, a monk, or a monk who disseminates The Buddhas Teachings is craving (taBh);
3) the attachment to life as a man, a monk, or a monk who disseminates
The Buddhas Teachings is clinging (updna);
4) the wholesome act of practising vipassan meditation is volitional
formations (saAkhr);
5) the kamma is their kammic potency.
HOW YOU DISCERN MORE PAST LIVES
When you are able to discern your immediate past life in this way, and
are able to see the five causes in the past life (ignorance, craving, clinging, volitional formations, and kamma), and their five results in the present life (the rebirth-linking consciousness (pa5isandhicitta), mentalitymateriality, the six sense bases, contact, and feeling), you need in the
same way to discern progressively back to the second, third, fourth, and
as many lives back as you can.
kamma-, or destination sign from the infinite past. PacaPpakaraBa AnuTka (SubSub-commentary of Five Expositions) PaccayaPaccanynulomaVaBBan 190 explains that this principle applies both to impercipient existence (which is always followed
by sensual-sphere existence), and immaterial existence (which may be followed by another
immaterial existence on the same or a higher plane), or by sensual-sphere existence.
191
Should you discern a past- or future life in the brahma realm, you will
see only three sense bases (eye-, ear- and heart base), in contrast to the
six sense bases that you see in the human-, and deva realms.
HOW YOU DISCERN YOUR FUTURE
Once the power of this vipassan knowledge has been developed (by
discerning the causes and effects through those past lives), you can, in the
same way, discern the causes and effects in future lives. The future you
will see, and which may still change, is the result of both past and present
causes, one of which is the meditation you are doing.362 To discern the
future, you begin by discerning the present mentality-materiality, and
then look into the future until the time of death in this life. Then either the
kamma, kamma sign, or rebirth sign will appear, because of the potency
of a particular kamma you performed in this life. You will then be able to
discern the rebirth-linking mentality-materiality (pa5isandhinmarpa) that
will be produced in the future life.363
You must discern as many lives into the future as it takes till ignorance
ceases without remainder. This happens with the attainment of the Arahant Path (ArahattaMagga), that is, your own attainment of Arahantship. You
should then continue discerning into the future, until you see that the five
aggregates, mentality-materiality, cease without remainder, that is, at the
end of the Arahant life, at your own Parinibbna. You will thus have seen
that with the cessation of ignorance, mentality-materiality cease. You will
have seen the complete cessation of phenomena (dhamma), that is, no further rebirth.
362
For how the future can change, see further p.24f.

Rebirth (jti) is the manifestation of the aggregates, which is also mentality-materiality.
For details, see VsM.xvii.641 Pa Bhmi Niddesa (Description of the WisdomGround) PP.xvii.218f.
363
192
3a: Dependent Origination from Life to Life364

(one life)
(next life)
(last life)
NON-ARAHANT
NON-ARAHANT
FROM ARAHANTSHIP
results
365
366
results
causes
FORMATION CONSCIOUSNESS
ignorance
formation
causes
IGNORANCE
consciousness
mentality
materiality
six bases
contact
feeling
BIRTH
AGEING&DEATH
craving
clinging
existence
MENTALITY
MATERIALITY
SIX BASES
CONTACT
FEELING
birth
ageing&death
CRAVING
results
367
causes
results
IGNORANCE
consciousness
mentality
materiality
six bases
contact
feeling
CLINGING
EXISTENCE BIRTH
AGEING&DEATH
FORMATION
craving
clinging
existence
CONSCIOUSNESS
MENTALITY
MATERIALITY
SIX BASES
CONTACT
FEELING
birth
ageing&death
Discerning, in this way, the five aggregates of the past, present, and future, and also discerning their causal relation, is what we call the fifth
method; taught by the Venerable Sriputta. Having completed it, you can
now learn what we call the first method, the one taught by The Buddha.
364
The Buddha teaches in two ways: according to custom (vohradesan), and according to
ultimate truth (paramatthadesan). Of the twelve factors of dependent origination, birth/
ageing&death are according to custom. They correspond to the five factors consciousness/
mentality-materiality/ six bases/ contact/ feeling, which are according to ultimate truth.
The process going from life to life is explained by The Buddha in, for example, A.III.II.iii.6 Pa5hamaBhavaSutta6 (The First Existence Sutta): Sensual-element [sensualsphere kamma-] result, and, nanda, kamma not existing, would any sensual existence be
manifest? Fine-material element [fine-material sphere, kamma-] result and kamma not
existing, would any fine-material existence be manifest? Immaterial element [immaterial-sphere kamma] result and kamma not existing, would any immaterial existence be
manifest? (Surely not, Venerable Sir.) In this way, nanda, kamma is the field, consciousness is the seed, craving the moisture. For ignorance-hindered beings fettered by
craving in the inferior element [sensual] in the middle element [fine-material] in the
superior element [immaterial], there is consciousness established (viBam pati55hita6).
Thus, in the future, there is re-existence of rebirth.
365
Results in the life of both a non-Arahant and Arahant: kamma formation in a past life
results in the arising of a rebirth consciousness, and subsequent consciousnesses in that
life, and the simultaneous arising of mentality-materiality, the six bases, contact, and feeling. In D.ii.2Mah NidnaSutta6 (The Great Causation Sutta), The Buddha explains
that in one life one can go only as far back as the arising of mentality-materiality and consciousness at rebirth: Thus far the round [of rebirth] goes as much as can be discerned in
this life, namely to mentality-materiality together with consciousness.
366
Causes in non-Arahants life: the non-Arahant is possessed of ignorance. Hence, when
there is feeling, there is craving, and clinging, owing to which there is existence of the
kammic potency, the formation of kamma. This means there is at death the arising of a
rebirth consciousness.
367
Causes in Arahants life: because there is no ignorance, there is no craving, and no
193
THE FIRST METHOD
The first method368 of discerning dependent origination (pa5iccasamuppda)

goes over three lives, and in forward order. It begins with the causes in
the past life, that is, ignorance and volitional formations. They cause the
results in the present life: the resultant consciousnesses (beginning with
the rebirth-linking consciousness),369 mentality-materiality, the six sense
bases, contact, and feeling. There are then the causes in this life, craving,
clinging, and existence, which cause the results of birth, ageing, death,
and all forms of suffering in the future life.
You have to try to find ignorance, craving and clinging in the defilement round, see how it causes the kamma round, and how the kammic
potency of the kamma round in turn causes the five aggregates at conception, and in the course of existence.
That concludes our brief explanation of how to discern dependent origination according to the fifth- and first methods. There are many more
details that you can learn by practising with a proper teacher.
When you have fully discerned the causal relationship between mentality-materiality of the past, present, and future, you will have completed
the second vipassan knowledge, the Cause-Apprehending Knowledge
(PaccayaPariggahaBa).
clinging, which means there is no further existence of the kammic potency, no formation of
kamma. This means there is at death no arising of a rebirth consciousness. Until then, the
five results are still in operation.
368
See MahNidnaSutta6 (The Great Causation Sutta D.ii.2); NidnaVagga
(Causation Section S.II).
369
As an example of this, the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw mentions The Buddhas back-pain (pain-associated body consciousness (dukkhasahagata kyaviBa)), which
arose from past unwholesome kamma: see p.241.

How should a yogi who practises npnasati (mindfulnessof-breathing), but who cannot see a nimitta, check himself physically and
mentally, so that he can improve and enter jhna? In other words, what
are the conditions needed to have a nimitta?
Answer 6.1 Constant practice is necessary in all types of meditation. In
npnasati you should be mindful of the breath in every bodily posture, and be so with respect. Walking, standing or sitting, take no objects
apart from the breath: you should watch only the breath. Try to stop
thinking; try to stop talking. If you try continuously in this way, your
concentration will slowly improve. Only deep, strong and powerful concentration can produce a nimitta. Without a nimitta, especially the pa5ibhga-nimitta, one cannot attain jhna, because the npna jhnas object is the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta.
Question 6.2 Does the sitting posture affect the ability for beginners to concentrate, and enter jhna? There are many yogis who sit on a small stool
to meditate; can they enter jhna?
Answer 6.2 The sitting posture is best for beginners. But those who have
enough pram in npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing) can enter
jhna in any posture. A skilled yogi too can enter jhna in any posture. So
they can go into jhna sitting on a stool or chair.
The Venerable Sriputta and the Venerable Subhti are examples of
this. The Venerable Sriputta was expert in the attainment of cessation
(nirodhasampatti).370 When he went for alms in the village, he always entered the attainment of cessation at every house, before accepting their
offerings. He accepted the offerings only after having emerged from the
attainment of cessation. That was his nature. The Venerable Subhti was
expert in loving-kindness meditation. He entered the loving-kindness
jhna also at every house before accepting the offerings. After emerging
from the loving-kindness jhna he accepted the offerings. Why did they
do this? They wanted the donor to get the maximum benefit. They knew
that if they did this, immeasurable and superior wholesome kamma would
occur in the donors mental process. They had such loving-kindness for
the donors to want to do this. Thus they were able to enter an attainment
while in the standing posture. You should think about npna jhna in
the same way.
Question 6.3 What is the object of the fourth npna jhna? If there is no
breath in the fourth jhna, how can there be a nimitta?
Question 6.1
370
For details regarding this attainment, see Q&A 5.1, p.173.
196
There is still a pa5ibhga-nimitta in the fourth npna jhna,

although there is no in&out-breath. That npna pa5ibhga-nimitta
arose from the ordinary, natural breath. This is why the object is still the
in&out-breath (asssa-passsa). It is explained in the VisuddhiMagga subcommentary.371
Question 6.4 Can one enter an immaterial jhna-attainment (arpajhnasampatti), or practise loving-kindness meditation directly from npnasati
(mindfulness-of-breathing)?
Answer 6.4 One cannot enter an immaterial jhna-attainment directly from
the fourth npna jhna. Why not? Immaterial jhnas, especially the
base of boundless-space jhna (ksnacyatana jhna), are attained by removing a kasiLa object. After removing the kasiLa object and concentrating on the space (ksa) left behind, the object of the base of boundlessspace jhna will appear. When one sees the space, one must extend it
gradually, and when it extends in every direction, the kasiLa object will
have disappeared. One must extend the space further out to the boundless
universe. That is the object of the base of boundless-space jhna, which
in its turn is the object of the base of boundless consciousness jhna
(viBacyatana jhna). The absence of the base of boundless-space jhna is
the object of the base of nothingness jhna (kicayatana jhna), which is
finally the object of the base of neither perception nor non-perception
jhna (nevasansayatana jhna). So the four immaterial jhnas are based
on a fourth kasiLa jhna, and its object. Without removing the kasiLa one
cannot go to the immaterial jhnas. So if a yogi practises npnasati up
to the fourth jhna, and then wants to go to immaterial jhnas, he should
first practise the one of the kasiLas (except the space kasiLa)372 up to the
fourth jhna. Only then can he go on to the immaterial jhna.373
If he wants to practise loving-kindness meditation (mettbhvan) from the
fourth npna jhna he can do so; no problem. He must see the person
who is the object of loving-kindness with the light of the fourth npna
jhna. If his light is not strong enough it may be a little bit problematic.
But that is exceptional. If after the fourth kasiLa jhna, especially the
fourth white kasiLa jhna, he practises loving-kindness he may succeed
Answer 6.3
371
In this case, the npna-nimitta which arises depending on the ordinary, natural
breath is also said to be as asssa-passsa (in-and-out breath). (Asssa-passsa nissya uppannanimittampettha asssa-passsa smaameva vutta6.) (VsM^.viii.215 npnaSatiKath Mindfulness-of-Breathing Discussion).
372
See in this connection footnote 138, p.67.
373
For details regarding how you develop the immaterial jhnas, see p.66ff.
197
quickly. That is why we teach white kasiLa meditation before lovingkindness meditation.374
Question 6.5 How can one decide when to die, that is, choose the time of
ones death?
Answer 6.5 If you have practised npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing)
up to the Arahant Path, you can know the exact time of your Parinibbna.
The VisuddhiMagga mentions a Mahthera who attained Parinibbna
while walking.375 First he drew a line on his walking path, and then told
his fellow-bhikkhus that he would attain Parinibbna when reaching that
line, and it happened exactly as he had said. Those who are not Arahants
can also know their life span if they have practised dependent origination
(pa5iccasamuppda), the relationship between causes and effects of the past,
present and future, but not exactly like the Mahthera just mentioned.
They do not know the exact time, maybe only the period in which they
will die.
But these people do not die and attain Parinibbna according to their
own wish: it is according to the law of kamma. There is a stanza uttered
by the Venerable Sriputta:376
Nbhinandmi jvita6, nbhinandmi maraBa6; klaca pa5ikaAkhmi, nibbisa6 bhatako yath.
I do not delight in life, I do not delight in death; I await the time [of Parinibbna], like a
government servant [waits for] his wages.
To die when one has desired to do so is called death by desire (adhimuttimaraBa). This can usually be done by matured Bodhisattas only. Why do
they do so? When they are reborn in the celestial realms, where there is
no opportunity to develop their pram, they do not want to waste time,
so sometimes they decide to die, and take rebirth in the human world, to
develop their pram.
Question 6.6 If one day we were to die in an accident, for example in an air
crash, could our mind at that time leave so that we would not have any
bodily pain? How? Can one, depending on the power of ones meditation,
be without fear at that time, and be liberated? What degree of concentration is required?
Answer 6.6 The degree of concentration required is that of the psychic
power of supernormal powers (iddhividhaabhi). With those powers you
374
For details in this regard, see Q&A 2.2., p.72.

VsM.viii.238 npnaSatiKath Mindfulness-of-Breathing Discussion
PP.viii.244
376
TG.XVII.2 (v.1002)SriputtaTtheraGth (The Elder Sriputtas Verses)
375
198
can escape from danger, but not if you have a matured unwholesome
kamma ready to produce its result. You should remember the case of
Venerable Mahmoggallna. He was expert in psychic powers, but on the
day when his unwholesome kamma matured he could not enter jhna.
This was not because of defilements or hindrances: it was only because of
his matured unwholesome kamma. That is why the bandits were able to
crush his bones to the size of rice grains.377 Thinking he was dead, the
bandits left, and only then could he enter jhna again, and regain his psychic powers. He made a determination (adhi55hna) that his body should become whole again, and then went to request The Buddha for permission
to attain Parinibbna. Then he returned to his Kalasla Monastery, and
attained Parinibbna there. His matured unwholesome kamma first produced its result, after which it lost its power, and only then could he regain his psychic powers.
Thus, if you have no unwholesome kamma about to mature, and have
psychic powers, you can escape from an air crash. But ordinary jhna
concentration and vipassan knowledge, cannot save you from such danger. We can in fact say that the reason why one meets with this type of
accident in the first place may be that ones unwholesome kamma is
about to mature.
The mind cannot leave the body, because the mind arises dependent
upon one of the six bases. The six bases are the eye base, the ear base, the
nose base, the tongue base, the body base and the heart base. These six
bases are your body. A mind cannot arise in this human world without a
base. That is why the mind cannot leave the body.378
We can, however, suggest that if you have jhna, you should at the time
of danger quickly enter jhna. That means you need to have fully developed the mastery of entering jhna. If you enter jhna at the time of danger, then that wholesome kamma may save you, but we cannot say for
sure. If you are in jhna at the moment of death, you may go up to one of
the brahma realms.
If you are skilled at vipassan, then you should practise it at the time of
danger. You should discern the impermanent (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and
non-self (anatta) nature of formations (saAkhradhamma). If you can practise
vipassan thoroughly before death takes place, you may attain one of the
Paths (Magga) and Fruitions (Phala), and reach a happy realm after death.
But if you attain Arahantship, you attain Parinibbna. Should you, how377
378
For details, see Q&A 5.7, p.181.

For the dependence between mind and body (mentality-materiality), see also p.5.
199
ever, not have psychic powers, nor jhna, nor be able to practise vipassan, you may still escape, due to good kamma alone. If you have good
enough kamma, which ensures a long life, there may also be a chance to
escape from this danger, just like Mahjanaka Bodhisatta. He was the
only person to survive a shipwreck. After swimming for seven days and
seven nights, he was eventually saved by a deva.
Question 6.7 After attaining the Path and Fruition, a Noble One (Ariya) does
not regress to become an ordinary person (puthujjana), this is a natural fixed
law (sammatta niyma). Similarly, one who has received a definite prophecy
cannot abandon his Bodhisatta practice. This too is a natural fixed law.
But The Buddha declared that everything is impermanent379. Are these
fixed laws in accordance with the law of impermanence?
Answer 6.7 Here you should understand what is fixed and what is permanent. The law of kamma says unwholesome kammas (akusalakamma) produce bad results, and wholesome kammas (kusalakamma) produce good results. This is the natural law of kamma (kammaniyma). Does that mean that
the wholesome and unwholesome kammas are permanent (nicca)? Please
think about it.
If the wholesome kammas are permanent then consider this: Now you
are listening to Dhamma concerning The Buddhas Abhidhamma. This is
called wholesome kamma of listening to Dhamma (Dhammasvana kusalakamma). Is it permanent? Please think about it.
If it were permanent, then during your whole life you would have only
this kamma, no other. Do you understand? Wholesome kammas produce
good results and unwholesome kammas produce bad results. This is a
natural law, but it does not mean that the kammas are permanent. Wholesome volition (kusalacetan) and unwholesome volition (akusalacetan) are
kamma. As soon as they arise they perish; they are impermanent. That is
their nature. But the potency of kamma, the capacity to produce the results of kammas, still exists in the mentality-materiality process.
Suppose there is a mango tree. Now there is no fruit on the tree, but it is
certain that one day it will bear fruit. This is a natural law. You could say
the capacity to produce fruit exists in the tree. What is that capacity? If
we study the leaves, branches, bark and stems we cannot see it, but that
does not mean it does not exist, because one day that tree will produce
fruit. In the same way we do not say wholesome and unwholesome kammas are permanent. We say the potency of kamma exists in the mentality379
The Buddha did not say: Everything is impermanent; He said: All formations are
impermanent. (DhP.xx.5 MaggaVagga (Path Chapter))
200
materiality process as a capacity, and that one day, when the potency matures, it produces its result.
Let us now discuss the natural fixed law (sammatta niyma). We say Path
and Fruition dhammas are dhammas of a fixed natural law, but we do not
say they are permanent (nicca). They are also impermanent (anicca), but the
potency of Path Knowledge exists in the mentality-materiality process of
those who have attained a Path, Fruition, and Nibbna. That potency exists because of a natural fixed law, and has a natural result. For example,
the potency of the Stream-Entry Path (SotpattiMagga) results in the StreamEntry Fruition (SotpattiPhala), and is a contributing cause for higher and
higher Fruitions. But it cannot result in lower Fruitions. This is also a law
of nature.
Here you should think about this: to attain Arahantship is not easy. You
have to practise with great effort: strong and powerful perseverance is
necessary. For example, in his last life our Sakyamuni Bodhisatta practised very hard (for over six years) to attain Arahantship associated with
Omniscient Knowledge (SabbautaBa). You can imagine how hard it was.
So if after attaining Arahantship with enormous difficulty, he became an
ordinary person (puthujjana) again, what would be the fruit of the practice?
You should think about this carefully.
In this connection, let us look at when a Bodhisatta can receive a definite prophecy.380
Manussatta6 liAgasampatti, hetu satthradassana6;
pabbjj guBasampatti, adhikro ca chandat;
A55hadhammasamodhn abhinhro samijjhati.
He can receive a definite prophecy when the following eight conditions
are fulfilled:
1) Manussatta6: he is a human being.
2) LiAgaSampatti: he is a male.
3) Hetu (cause or root): he has sufficient pram to attain Arahantship
while listening to a Buddha utter a short stanza related to the Four
Noble Truths. That means, he must have practised vipassan thoroughly up to the Formations-Equanimity Knowledge (SaAkhrUpekkhBa).
4) Satthradassana6 (sight of the Master): he meets a Buddha.
5) Pabbjj (going forth): he has gone forth as a hermit or bhikkhu, and
has strong and firm faith in the law of kamma.
380
BuddhaVa6sa.ii.59 SumedhaPatthanKath (Chronicle of Buddhas: Sumedhas

Aspirations Discussion
201
GuBasampatti (achievement of qualities): he has acquired the eight

attainments (sampatti) and five mundane psychic powers (abhiBa).
7) Adhikro (aspiration): he has sufficient pram to receive a definite
prophecy from a Buddha. That means he must in previous lives have
practised the pram necessary for attaining Omniscient Knowledge
(SabbautaBa). In other words, he must have sowed the seeds of
knowledge (vijj) and conduct (caraBa) for Omniscient Knowledge in a
previous Buddhas dispensation. According to the Yasodhar
Apadna, the future prince Siddhattha had made the wish to attain
(and the future princess Yasodhar had made the wish for him to attain) Omniscient Knowledge in the presence of many billions of
Buddhas, and had developed all the pram under their guidance.
And one way in which he developed his pram was to make a
bridge of himself for DpaOkara Buddha and a hundred thousand
bhikkhus to cross, knowing that this act would cost him his life.
8) Chandata (desire): he has a sufficiently strong desire to attain Omniscient Knowledge. How strong is that desire? Suppose the whole
world system were burning charcoal. If someone told him that he
would attain Omniscient Knowledge by crossing the burning charcoal from one end to the other, he would go across the burning charcoal without hesitation. Here we ask you: Would you go across that
burning charcoal? If not the whole world system, then if just from
Taiwan to Pa-Auk it were all burning charcoal, would you go across
it? If it were certain that one could attain Omniscient Knowledge
that way, the Bodhisatta would go across that burning charcoal. That
is the strength of his desire for Omniscient Knowledge.
If these eight factors are present in a Bodhisatta he will certainly receive a definite prophecy from a Buddha. They were present in our
Sakyamuni Bodhisatta, when he was the hermit Sumedha, at the time of
DpaOkara Buddha. That is why he received a definite prophecy from
DpaOkara Buddha with the words:381
6)
You shall attain Omniscient Knowledge after four incalculables (asaAkhyeyya) and a
hundred thousand aeons (kappa), and shall bear the name of Gotama.
Now, what does it mean that the prophecy is definite? It is definite because it cannot be changed. That does not mean it is permanent. DpaOkara Buddhas mentality-materiality were impermanent. Sumedhas mentality-materiality were also impermanent. This is a fact, but the potency
of kamma, especially the kammic potency of his pram, could not perish
381
ibid.
202
so long as he has not attained Omniscient Knowledge. DpaOkara Buddhas

words, that is the definite prophecy, also could not be changed, and could
not be false. If those words were changed so that the definite prophecy
was not true, then there would be another problem, namely that a Buddha
would have uttered false speech. A Buddha gives a definite prophecy
only when he sees that the previously mentioned eight conditions have
been fulfilled. For example, if a skilful farmer saw a banana tree that was
under the right conditions, he would be able to tell you that the tree was
going to bear fruit in four months. Why? Because he was skilled in agriculture, and he saw flowers and small leaves growing out from the tree.
In the same way, when someone has fulfilled the eight conditions, a
Buddha can see that he will attain the Fruition of Omniscient Knowledge,
which is why he makes a definite prophecy.
At the time of DpaOkara Buddha, our Sakyamuni Bodhisatta was the
hermit Sumedha, an ordinary person (puthujjana). As Prince Siddhattha,
before attaining enlightenment he was still a ordinary person. Only after
his enlightenment did he become Sakyamuni Buddha. After attaining the
Arahant Path associated with Omniscient Knowledge, he could not
change his Arahant Path; this is a natural fixed law (sammattaniyma). Here
fixed law means that the result of that Arahant Path cannot change. This
does not mean that the Arahant Path is permanent. It means that its result
comes because of a potency of kamma that cannot change. What does this
mean exactly? It means that it is certain the Arahant Path will produce
Arahant Fruition, and certain that it will destroy all the defilements, all
the unwholesome kamma and all the wholesome kamma, which would
otherwise have produced their result after the Parinibbna. This law of
kamma is called a natural fixed law and cannot be changed. So a natural
fixed law and a definite prophecy are not contrary to the law of impermanence.
Here again, a further comment is necessary. Making an aspiration or
wish alone is not enough to attain Omniscient Knowledge. When Bodhisattas receive a definite prophecy, the eight conditions must already be
fulfilled. Moreover, a definite prophecy alone cannot produce Buddhahood. Even after the definite prophecy, they must continue to develop the
ten pram on the three levels:
382
1) The ten basic pram (pram): that is offering their sons, daughters,
wives and external property.
382
For a list of the ten pram, see Q&A 4.1, p.141.
203
The ten medium pram (upapram): that is offering their limbs and
organs, such as eyes and hands.
3) The ten superior pram (paramatthapram): that is offering their life.
Altogether there are thirty pram. If we summarize them, we have just:
1) Offering (dna)
2) Morality (sla)
3) Meditation (bhvan): samatha and vipassan.
They are superior wholesome kammas. Bodhisattas must perfect them
by giving up animate and inanimate property, their limbs, and their lives.
If you believe you are a Bodhisatta, can you and will you perfect these
pram? If you can, and if you also have received a definite prophecy
from a Buddha, then you shall one day attain Omniscient Knowledge. But
according to the Theravda teachings, only one Buddha can appear at one
given time. And for how long must they perfect their pram? After he
had received his definite prophecy, our Sakyamuni Bodhisatta developed
the pram for four incalculables and a hundred thousand aeons. This is
the shortest time. But we cannot say exactly how long it takes prior to the
definite prophecy. So you should remember: making an aspiration or
wish alone is not enough to become a Buddha.
Question 6.8 When an ordinary disciple has practised samatha-vipassan up
to the Cause-Apprehending Knowledge, the Arise&Perish Knowledge, or
the Formations-Equanimity Knowledge, he will not be reborn in any of
the four woeful realms. Even if he loses his samatha-vipassan due to
negligence, the kamma of having practised samatha-vipassan still exists.
The Sotnugata sutta says also that he will attain Nibbna quickly.383
So, why did the Sayadaw, in the Question&Answer session of June 2nd,
say that a Bodhisatta who has received a definite prophecy from a
Buddha can (even if he has practised meditation up to the FormationsEquanimity Knowledge) be reborn in a woeful state?384 In which sutta is
this mentioned?
Answer 6.8 This is because the Bodhisatta way and ordinary disciple way
are not the same. You can find this in The BuddhaVa6sa and CariyaPi5aka Pali Texts.
How are the two ways different? Although a Bodhisatta has received a
definite prophecy from a Buddha, his pram have at that time not yet
matured for him to attain Omniscient Knowledge. He must cultivate his
2)
383
A.IV.IV.v.1 SotnugataSutta6 (The One Who Has Heard Sutta). Mentioned p.102
and 147.
384
See Q&A 4.3, p.143.
204
pram further. For example, after receiving the definite prophecy from
DpaOkara Buddha, our Sakyamuni Bodhisatta had to continue cultivating
his pram for four incalculables and a hundred thousand aeons. Between
the definite prophecy and the penultimate life, a Bodhisatta is sometimes
reborn in the animal kingdom, because of previous unwholesome kamma.
At this time he is still unable to totally destroy that unwholesome kammic
potency. So when those unwholesome kammas mature, he cannot escape
their results. This is a law of nature.
But ordinary disciples, who have attained the Cause-Apprehending
Knowledge, the Arise&Perish Knowledge, or the Formations-Equanimity
Knowledge, have pram mature enough to attain the Path Knowledge
and Fruition Knowledge. For this reason, they attain Path and Fruition,
that is, see Nibbna, in this life or in their subsequent future life. This is
also a law of nature.
Question 6.9 An Arahant can also give a definite prophecy; what is the definition of definite prophecy here? In which sutta or other source can this
information be found?
Answer 6.9 For that please refer to The BuddhaVa6saPCi (Chronicle of
Buddhas) and ApadnaPCi (Valorous Deeds). But only Arahants who
possess particularly the Knowledge of the Future (Angata6saBa), a power
secondary to the divine eye (dibbacakkhu), can give a definite prophecy. And
they can see only a limited number of lives into the future, and not many
incalculables (asaAkhyeyya), or aeons (kappa), as can a Buddha.
Question 6.10 Can one practise vipassan while in the base of neither perception nor non-perception attainment (nevasansayatana sampatti)? In
which sutta or other source can the answer be found?
Answer 6.10 One cannot practise vipassan while in any jhna attainment,
and the base of neither perception nor non-perception is a jhna. Why?
Because in developing vipassan, we usually do not use the same objects
as we use for developing jhna.385 Also, jhna we develop by concentrating on one and the same object (e.g. the npna-, or kasiLa-nimitta),
whereas vipassan we develop by examining different objects. For example, the object of the npna jhnas is the npna pa5ibhga-nimitta:
a concept, not ultimate reality. But the object of vipassan is not a concept; it is ultimate mentality-materiality and their causes, including the
jhna dhammas (e.g. the thirty-four mental formations of the first jhna,
385
Exceptions are, for example, the second and fourth immaterial jhnas, when you concentrate on the preceding immaterial jhnas consciousness, which is not a concept but an
ultimate reality: see footnote 281, p.150. See also The Four Immaterial Jhnas, p.66.
205
the thirty-two mental formations of the second jhna, the thirty-one mental formations of the third, fourth and immaterial jhans).386
Only after having emerged from the jhna can one practise vipassan
meditation on, for example, the jhna consciousness and its associated
mental factors, in this case the thirty-one mental formations. It is mentioned in the Anupada sutta in the MajjhimaNikya.387 There The Buddha describes in detail the Venerable Sriputtas meditation in the fifteen
days after he had attained Stream-Entry.
The Venerable Sriputta entered, for example, the first jhna. He emerged from it, and discerned the thirty-four first-jhna mental formations,
one by one, as impermanence, suffering, and non-self, by seeing their
arising-, static- and perishing stages. He discerned in this manner up to
the base of nothingness jhna. This is vipassan of consecutive dhammas
(anupadadhammavipassan), in which the mental formations are discerned one
by one. But when he reached the base of neither perception nor non-perception, he could discern only the mental formations as a group. This is
vipassan of Comprehension in Groups (KalpaSammasanaVipassan). Only a
Buddha can discern the mental formations of the base of neither perception nor non-perception one by one. Because they are extremely subtle,
even a Chief Disciple like the Venerable Sriputta cannot discern them
one by one.388
Question 6.11 Can a person who is mentally abnormal, hears voices, has
schizophrenia, a brain disease, stroke or malfunction of the brain and
nerves, practise this type of meditation? If he can, what kinds of precaution should he take?
Answer 6.11 Such people can practise this type of meditation, but usually
they do not succeed, because they cannot concentrate long enough. By
long enough is meant that when ones concentration is strong and powerful, it must be maintained for many hours, and many sittings. Usually,
such peoples concentration is inconstant. This is a problem. They may
succeed, if they can maintain their concentration over many successive
sittings, over many days or many months.
There is a famous example: the case of PaTcr. Her husband, two
children, parents, and brothers all died on the same day. She went mad
with grief, and wandered about with no clothes on. One day she came to
386
For how you discern jhna-processes, see p.161.

M.III.ii.1 AnupadaSutta6 (The Consecutive Sutta), mentioned also in connection
with vipassan into only feeling, Q&A 4.6, p.149.
388
ibid.A.
387
206
the Jetavana monastery in Svatthi where The Buddha was teaching

Dhamma. Her pram of previous lives were ready to mature. Due to this,
as well as to the loving-kindness and compassion of The Buddha, she was
able to listen to the Dhamma with respect.
Slowly her mind became quiet, and she understood the Dhamma. Very
soon she became a Stream-Enterer (Sotpanna). She ordained as a bhikkhun, and continued her meditation. She could maintain her concentration
and vipassan knowledge, and one day her meditation matured. She became an Arahant with the five mundane psychic powers, and Four Analytical Knowledges.389 Of the bhikkhuns who were expert in the monastic
rule, she was first. She observed the rule very strictly, and learnt it by
heart, including the commentaries.
She had been developing her pram from Padumuttara Buddhas dispensation till Kassapa Buddhas dispensation, and particularly during
Kassapa Buddhas dispensation. At that time she was the daughter of a
King Kik. She practised komribrahmacariya for twenty thousand
years. Komribrahmacariya is to observe the five precepts, but in place
of the ordinary precept of abstinence from sexual misconduct, complete
chastity is observed. She cultivated the three trainings, morality (sla), concentration (samdhi), and wisdom (pa), as a lay devotee, for twenty-thousand years. Those pram matured in Gotama Buddhas dispensation. So,
although she had gone mad, she was able to regain her mind, practise the
three trainings well, and became an Arahant.
When they practise meditation, such people need kalynamitta, which
is good teachers, good friends, and spiritual friends. Proper medicine and
proper food also helps. From our experience, we know that most of them
cannot maintain their concentration for a long time. Usually they do not
succeed.
Question 6.12 If a person, who does not have good human relations, succeeds in attaining the fourth jhna, will this improve his skill in communicating with others? Can attaining jhna correct such problems?
Answer 6.12 These problems occur usually because of hatred (dosa). It is one
of the hindrances. As long as a person is unable to change this attitude, he
cannot attain jhna. But if he can remove this attitude, he can attain not
only jhna, but also the Paths and Fruitions up to Arahantship. A famous
example is the Venerable Channa Thera. He was born on the same day as
our Bodhisatta, in the palace of King Suddhodana in Kapilavatthu. He
was the son of one of King Suddhodanas female slaves. He became one
389
207
of the Bodhisatta prince Siddhatthas playmates, when they were young.

This gave later rise to much conceit in him. He thought things like: This
is my King; The Buddha was my playmate; the Dhamma is our Dhamma;
when he renounced the world, I followed him up to the bank of the
Anom River. No one else did. Sriputta and Mahmoggallna etc.are
flowers that blossomed later, etc. Because of this, he always used harsh
language. He did not show respect to Mahtheras like the Venerable
Sriputta, the Venerable Mahmoggallna and others. So no one had
friendly relations with him. He could not attain jhna or Path and Fruition
in The Buddhas lifetime, because he was unable to remove his conceit
and hatred.
On the night of The Buddhas Parinibbna, The Buddha told the Venerable nanda to mete out the noble punishment (brahmadaBJa) on the Venerable Channa. It means that no one was to talk to the Venerable Channa,
even if he wanted to. When nobody talked with the Venerable Channa,
his conceit and hatred disappeared. This act of the SaOgha (saAghakamma)
took place in the Ghositrma monastery in Kosamb, five months after
The Buddhas Parinibbna. The Venerable left Ghositrma, and went to
the Isipatana monastery in the deer park near Benares. He worked hard on
meditation but was, in spite of great effort, not successful. So one day, he
went to the Venerable nanda and asked him to help him. Why was he
not successful? He discerned the impermanent, suffering, and non-self
nature of the five aggregates, without discerning dependent origination
(pa5iccasamuppda). So the Venerable nanda taught him how to discern dependent origination, and taught him theKaccnagotta sutta.390 After listening to the Venerable nandas Dhamma talk, the Venerable Channa
attained Stream-Entry. He continued his practice and very soon became
an Arahant. So if a person can change his bad character, and practise
samatha-vipassan in the right way, he can attain jhna, Path and Fruition.
390
S.II.I.ii.5KaccnagottaSutta6 (The Kaccnagotta Sutta) & S.III.1.ix.8

ChannaSutta6 (The Channa Sutta)
Talk 7
HOW YOU DEVELOP
THE VIPASSAN KNOWLEDGES TO SEE NIBBNA
INTRODUCTION
In the last talk, we discussed briefly how to discern dependent origination according to the fifth and first methods. Today, we shall discuss
briefly how to develop the vipassan knowledges to see Nibbna.
There are sixteen vipassan knowledges (Ba) that need to be developed
progressively in order to see Nibbna.
The first vipassan knowledge is the Mentality-Materiality Definition
Knowledge (NmaRpaParicchedaBa). This knowledge was explained when
we discussed how to discern mentality and materiality.
The second vipassan knowledge is the Cause-Apprehending Knowledge (PaccayaPariggahaBa). This knowledge was explained in our last talk,
when we discussed how to discern the causal relationship between mentality-materiality of the past, present, and future, which is to discern dependent origination.
After you have developed those two knowledges, you need to complete
them, by again discerning all mentality, all materiality, and all the factors
of dependent origination, according to their individual characteristic,391
function, manifestation, and proximate cause. It is not really possible to
explain this in a brief way, so it is best to learn the details at the time of
actually practising.
Now let us look briefly at the remaining knowledges.
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE COMPREHENSION KNOWLEDGE
The third vipassan knowledge is the Comprehension Knowledge (SammasanaBa), which is to comprehend formations by categories: to see the
three characteristics, impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self
(anatta) in formations according to different categories:392
Two categories, as mentality and materiality
391
individual characteristic: see footnote 103, p.33.

VsM^.xiv PaKath (Understanding Discussion) & VsM.xx.694
MaggMaggaBaDassanaVisuddhiNiddesa (Description of Path&Non-Path
Knowledge&Vision Purification) PP.xx.9
392
210
Five categories, as the five aggregates393

Twelve categories, as the twelve bases394
Twelve categories, as the twelve factors of dependent origination395
Eighteen categories, as the eighteen elements396
For example, in the case of the five categories, The Buddha teaches in
the AnAttaLakkhaBa sutta397 to discern the five aggregates ( all materiality, feeling, perception, formations, and consciousness) with right understanding in three ways, as: This is not mine (neta6 mama), This I am
not (nesohamasmi), and This is not my self (na meso att).398
And in the Khandha sutta, He explains each of the five aggregates as
past, future, and present; internal and external; gross and subtle; inferior and superior; far and near.399
To develop this knowledge, you first re-establish the fourth jhna, with
the light bright, brilliant, and radiant. If you, as a pure-vipassan individual, have developed only the four-elements meditation, you re-establish
concentration until the light is bright and strong. In either case, you take
materiality as your first category. That is, you discern the concrete materiality400 of each of the six sense doors,401 see its arising and perishing,
and know it as impermanence (anicca). You need to do this internally and
externally, alternately, again and again. While doing this externally, you
should gradually extend your range of perception from near to far, to the
infinite universe.
393
five aggregates: materiality, feeling, perception, formations, consciousness, see quotation p.3.
394
twelve bases: eye/sights, ear/sounds, nose/odours, tongue/flavours, body/touches,
mind/dhammas. See quotation, p.5ff.
395
twelve factors of dependent origination: 1) ignorance, 2) volitional formations, 3) consciousness, 4) mentality-materiality, 5) six sense bases, 6) contact, 7) feeling, 8) craving,
9) clinging, 10) existence, 11) birth, 12) ageing&death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, suffering
and despair. See quotation p.21.
396
eighteen elements: the twelve bases and their respective six types of consciousness: eye-,
ear-, nose-, tongue-, body-, and mind consciousness (12 + 6 = 18): see p.5.
397
S.III.I.II.i.7 AnAttaLakkhaBaSutta6 (The Non-Self Characteristic Sutta), quoted
Introduction p.25.
398
The commentary to the M.III.v.2ChannOvdaSutta6 (The Advice to Channa
Sutta) explains that This is not mine is a reflection on impermanence; This I am not is
a reflection on suffering; This is not my self is a reflection on non-self.
399
KhandhaSutta6 (The Aggregates Sutta) S.III.I.v.6, quoted Introduction p.4.
400
For a list of concrete materiality, see table 2a: The Twenty-Eight Types of Materiality
p.137.
401
For how you do this, see p.136.
7 - How You Develop the Vipassan-Knowledges to See Nibbna
211
Then, following the same procedure, see the pain and suffering one has
to constantly experience because of that materialitys arising and perishing, and know it as suffering (dukkha). Lastly, see the materiality as devoid
of a permanent self, and know it as non-self (anatta).
The next category in which you need to see impermanence, suffering
and non-self is mentality. First discern all the mentality at the six sense
doors that you discerned before: that is, the consciousness and associated
mental factors in each consciousness moment of each sense-door process
(vthi), and the bhavaOga consciousnesses that occur between them. You
follow the same procedure as with materiality.
Having seen these two categories (the materiality and mentality of the
six sense doors of the present), you need now to see the impermanence,
suffering and non-self of the materiality and mentality of this life that you
discerned, from the rebirth-linking consciousness up to the decease consciousness. Here again, you see the three characteristics one at a time,
again and again, both internally and externally.
After doing this life, you need to see the impermanence, suffering, and
non-self of the past, present and future lives that you discerned when discerning dependent origination. Here too, you see the three characteristics
one at a time, internally and externally, again and again, in all the materiality and mentality that you discerned of the past, present, and future.
And then you need also to see the impermanence, suffering and non-self
of the factors of dependent origination for the past, present and future,
according to the first method of dependent origination:402 one at a time,
again and again, internally and externally.
At this stage, you may find that you develop the higher vipassan knowledges quickly, stage by stage, up to the attainment of Arahantship. If not,
there are several exercises to increase your vipassan.
HOW YOU INCREASE YOUR VIPASSAN KNOWLEDGE
THE FORTY PERCEPTIONS
The first exercise is to see the impermanent, suffering, and non-self of

mentality and materiality, internally and externally, in the past, present,
and future according to forty different contemplations (cattrskraanupassan).403 In Pali they all end with the suffix to, so we call them the forty
to.
402
403
For the first method of dependent origination, see p.193.

VsM.xx.697 MaggMaggaBaDassanaVisuddhiNiddesa (Description of
212
There are ten different perceptions of impermanence:

1) Impermanence (aniccato) 6) Of a changeable
2) Disintegrating
(palokato)
(vipariBmadhammato)
nature
3) Fickle
(calato) 7) Coreless
(asrakato)
4) Perishable
(pabhaAguto) 8) Extinguishable
(vibhavato)
5) Unenduring
(addhuvato) 9) Of a mortal nature
(maraBadhammato)
10) Formed
(saAkhatato)
.....
........
...................................
...............................
...................................................
...........
....................................
........
............
....................................................
There are twenty-five perceptions of suffering:

1) Suffering
(dukkhato) 14) Murderous
(vadhakato)
2) A disease
(rogato) 15) The root of calamity
(aghamlato)
3) A misery
(aghato) 16) A danger
(dnavato)
4) A tumour
(gaBJato) 17) Tainted
(ssavato)
5) A dart
(sallato) 18) Maras bait
(mrmisato)
6) An affliction
(bdhato) 19) Of a born nature
(jtidhammato)
7) A disaster
(upaddavato) 20) Of an ageing nature
(jardhammato)
8) A fearsome thing (bhayato) 21) Of an ailing nature
(bydhidhammato)
9) A plague
(tito) 22) Of a sorrowful nature
(sokadhammato)
10) A menace
(upasaggato) 23) Of a lamentable nature(paridevadhammato)
11) No protection
(atBato) 24) Of a despairing nature (upaysadhammato)
12) No shelter
(aleBato) 25) Of a defiled nature (sa6kilesikadhammato)
13) No refuge
(asaraBato)
..................
.............................................
......................
....................
.......................
..................................................
....................
........................................................
..............................
..........................................
.........
.........................
............
..............
.............
...........................
..........
............
.........
..................
....
..............
There are five perceptions of non-self:

1) Non-self
(anattato) 4) Empty
2) Void
(suato) 5) Vain
3) Alien
(parato)
....................
...............................
(rittato)
(tucchato)
...............................................................
................................................................
................................
While seeing the forty to in mentality and materiality, internally and

externally, in the past, present, and future, some peoples vipassan progresses to the attainment of Arahantship.
If not, there are then the exercises called the seven ways for materiality
(rpasattaka), and the seven ways for mentality (arpasattaka).404
Path&Non-Path Knowledge&Vision Purification) PP.xx.18

404
VsM.xx.706ff RpaSattakaSammasanaKath, (Material Septad-Group Discussion) PP.xx.46ff; ibid.717ff ArpaSattakaSammasanaKath, (Immaterial SeptadGroup Discussion ibid.76ff)
213
THE SEVEN WAYS FOR MATERIALITY
The materiality you discern in the seven ways for materiality the four
types according to origin (kamma-, temperature-, consciousness-, and
nutriment-born materiality).405
1) In the first of the seven ways for materiality, you see the impermnence, suffering and non-self of the materiality of this entire lifetime, from rebirth-linking to death, both internally and externally.
2) In the second way for materiality you see the impermanence, suffering and non-self of the materiality of different periods in this lifetime, both internally and externally. You consider this lifetime to be
a hundred years, and divide it into three periods of thirty-three years.
Then see that the materiality in one period arises and ceases there,
and does not pass on to the next period, which means it is impermanent, suffering and non-self.
You then divide this lifetime into progressively smaller periods,
and do the same. Divide the hundred years of this lifetime into: ten
periods of ten years, twenty periods of five years, twenty-five periods of four years, thirty-three periods of three years, fifty periods of
two years, and one hundred periods of one year; then three hundred
periods of four months, six hundred periods of two months, and two
thousand four hundred periods of half-a-month; and finally divide
each day into two periods, and then six periods. In each case see that
the materiality in one period arises and ceases there, and does not
pass on to the next period, which means it is impermanent, suffering
and non-self.
You reduce the periods further to the duration of each movement
of the body: the periods of going forth and going back, looking
ahead and looking aside, and bending a limb and stretching a limb.
Then you divide each footstep into six periods: lifting, raising, moving forward, lowering, placing and pressing. Again see the impermanence, suffering and non-self in the materiality of each period in
this hundred-year lifetime.
3) In the third way for materiality you see the impermanence, suffering
and non-self of nutriment-born materiality.406 That is, you see them
in the materiality of the periods when hungry, and when satisfied,
405
For details on these four types of materiality, see p.110ff.

This means that you discern all the four types of materiality that have arisen owing to
the support of nutriment-born materiality. This principle applies also to the discernment of
kamma-, consciousness-, and temperature-born materiality.
406
214
and see that it does not pass on from a period of hunger to a period
of satiety (and vice-versa), every day in this hundred-year lifetime.
4) In the fourth way for materiality you see the impermanence, suffering and non-self of temperature-born materiality. That is, you see
them in the materiality of the periods when hot, and when cold, and
see that it does not pass on from a period of feeling hot to a period of
feeling cold (and vice-versa), every day in this hundred-year lifetime.
5) In the fifth way for materiality you see the impermanence, suffering
and non-self of kamma-born materiality. That is, you see that the
materiality of each of the six sense doors arises and ceases there, and
does not pass on to another door, every day in this hundred-year lifetime.
6) In the sixth way for materiality you see the impermanence, suffering
and non-self of the consciousness-born materiality. That is, you see
them in the materiality of the periods when happy and pleased, and
when unhappy and sad, every day in this hundred-year lifetime.
7) In the seventh way for materiality you see the impermanence, suffering and non-self of present inanimate materiality. Materiality is inanimate when it is without kamma-born materiality such as the life
faculty and the five translucencies. That is, for example, iron, steel,
copper, gold, silver, plastic, pearls, gemstones, shells, marble, coral,
soil, rocks, concrete and plants. Such materiality is found only externally.
These are the seven ways for materiality.
THE SEVEN WAYS FOR MENTALITY
In the seven ways for mentality, you see the impermanence, suffering
and non-self of the vipassan-minds (the mentality) that saw those three
characteristics in the seven ways for materiality. This means your object
is in each case an vipassan-mind, which you see with a subsequent vipassan-mind.407
1) In the first of the seven ways for mentality you see the impermanence, suffering and non-self of the materiality of the seven ways for
407
vipassan-mind: vipassan mind-door process: one mind-door adverting consciousness

and seven impulsions, sometimes followed by two registering consciousnesses. In the
mind-door adverting consciousness there are twelve mental formations, and in each impulsion consciousness, there are thirty-four, thirty-three or thirty-two mental formations. See
also table 1b: The Mind-Door Process, p.164.
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
215
materiality, but see the materiality as a group (kalpa). You then see
the impermanence, suffering and non-self of the mentality that saw
this. That means, you see the grouped materiality as impermanence,
and then see the impermanence, suffering and non-self of that vipassan-mind itself with in each case a subsequent vipassan-mind. You
do the same with the grouped materiality seen as suffering and nonself.
In the second way for mentality you see the impermanence, suffering and non-self of the mentality for each of the seven ways for materiality. That means, you see again the materiality in each of the
seven ways for materiality as impermanence, and then see the impermanence, suffering and non-self of that vipassan-mind itself
with in each case a subsequent vipassan-mind. You do the same
with the materiality seen as suffering and non-self.
In the third way for mentality you see again the impermanence, suffering and non-self of the mentality for each of the seven ways for
materiality, but do so four times in succession. That means, you see
again the materiality in each of the seven ways for materiality as impermanence, and then see the impermanence, suffering and non-self
of that first vipassan-mind with a second vipassan-mind, and the
second with a third etc., until you with a fifth vipassan-mind see the
impermanence, suffering and non-self of the fourth vipassan-mind.
In the fourth way for mentality you do as before, but continue until
you with an eleventh vipassan-mind see the impermanence, suffering and non-self of the tenth vipassan-mind.
In the fifth way for mentality you see the impermanence, suffering
and non-self of mentality for the removal of views (di55hi). Here again,
you see the vipassan-minds of the seven ways for materiality. Then,
once the perceptions of impermanence and suffering have become
strong and powerful, you intensify the perception of non-self. With
the support of the other two perceptions, the intensified perception
of non-self removes views, especially the view of self.
In the sixth way for mentality you see the impermanence, suffering
and non-self of mentality for the removal of conceit (mna). Again
you see the vipassan-minds of the seven ways for materiality. Then,
once the perceptions of suffering and non-self have become strong
and powerful, you intensify the perception of impermanence. With
the support of the other two perceptions, the intensified perception
of impermanence removes conceit.
In the seventh way for mentality you see the impermanence, suffering and non-self of mentality for the removal of attachment (nikanti).
216
Again you see the vipassan-minds of the seven ways for materiality. Then, once the perceptions of impermanence and non-self have
become strong and powerful, you intensify the perception of suffering. Witht the support of the other two perceptions, the intensified
perception of suffering removes attachment.
These are the seven ways for mentality. It is best, although not strictly
necessary, to have done these exercises for the materiality and mentality
of the present, past and future, internally and externally.
With the exercises completed, materiality and mentality will have become very clear to you.
Now the explanation of how to develop the knowledge of formations in
categories is complete, so let us discuss how to develop the Arise&Perish
Knowledge.
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE ARISE&PERISH KNOWLEDGE
408
INTRODUCTION
The Arise&Perish Knowledge (UdayaBbayaBa) is to know the arising

and perishing of formations: mentality-materiality, the five aggregates,
the twelve bases, the eighteen elements, the Noble Truths, and dependent
origination, internally and externally, in the present, past and future.409
This knowledge consists, in fact, of two knowledges:
1) Knowledge of the causal (paccayato): that is the causal arising and perishing of formations.
2) Knowledge of the momentary (khaBato): that is the momentary arising
& perishing of formations.
To see the causal arising and perishing of formations, you see it, for example, according to the fifth method of dependent origination, as described in our previous talk.410
To see the momentary arising and perishing of formations you see how
the five aggregates arise and perish in every consciousness moment of the
mental processes that you have discerned, from rebirth to death of every
life you have discerned.
408
Perishing is here used for vaya, cessation for nirodha, although the two Pali terms
are (as are the English) synonymous.
409
VsM.xx.723 MaggMaggaBaDassanaVisuddhiNiddesa (Description of Path&Non-Path Knowledge&Vision Purification) PP.xx.93
410
For the fifth method, see p.184ff.
217
There are two methods for developing the Arise&Perish Knowledge:

the brief method (seeing only the momentary nature of formations), and
the detailed method (seeing both the causal and momentary nature of
formations). I shall explain only the detailed method.
The detailed method is developed in three stages. You see:
1) Only the arising (udaya): that is the causal and momentary arising of
formations.
2) Only the perishing (vaya): that is the causal and momentary perishing
of formations.
3) Both the arising & perishing (udayabbaya): that is both the causal and
momentary arising and perishing of formations.
ACCORDING TO THE FIFTH METHOD OF DEPENDENT ORIGINATION
THE CONTEMPLATION OF THE NATURE OF ARISING
To begin the detailed method for developing the Arise&Perish Knowledge, you should see again and again the causal and momentary arising of
formations. This is the Contemplation of the Nature of Arising (SamudayaDhammnupassi).
For example, you see the causal arising of materiality according to the
fifth method of dependent origination, as just mentioned. This means you
look back again to the near-death moments of your past life, to see the
five past causes that caused the arising (udaya) in this life of kamma-born
materiality.411 One by one, you see how the arising (1) of ignorance, (2) of
craving, (3) of clinging, (4) of volitional formations, and (5) of kamma,
each caused the arising in this life of kamma-born materiality.
Afterwards, you see the momentary arising of kamma-born materiality
in every consciousness moment of the mental processes that you have
discerned, from rebirth to death.
This means you see the five aggregates at the arising (udaya) of the process-separate consciousnesses (vthimuttacitta),412 and at the arising of each
consciousness moment in all the intervening six sense-door processes
411
For a brief explanation of materiality produced by kamma (with examples), see p.111f.
process-separate consciousnesses (vthimuttacitta): the rebirth-linking consciousness
(pa5isandhicitta), bhavaOga consciousness and decease consciousness (cuticitta). For a brief
explanation of process-separate consciousnesses etc., Table 1d Death and Rebirth, p.188,
p.159, and footnote 184, p.104.
412
218
(vthi) that you have discerned. You see this in every past life that you have
discerned, and in all the future lives up to your Parinibbna.413

You need then to see, one after the other, also the causal arising of temperature-, of consciousness-, and of nutriment-born materiality.414 You
see how:
Consciousness caused the arising of consciousness-born materiality.
Temperature caused the arising of temperature-born materiality.
Nutriment caused the arising of nutriment-born materiality.
In each case, you see also the momentary arising of the particular type
of materiality.
After this you have to see, in the same way, the causal and momentary
arising of mentality, and see the arising of materiality and mentality in all
the mental processes that you have discerned, in all the past and future
lives that you have discerned. It would, however, take some time to list
the details, so we shall pass them over, and in each instance explain the
details for only materiality.
THE CONTEMPLATION OF THE NATURE OF PERISHING
After seeing the causal and momentary arising (udaya) of materiality and
mentality, you now see again and again only their perishing (vaya). This is
the Contemplation of the Nature of Perishing (vayadhammnupassi).
The perishing of ignorance, craving, clinging, volitional formations, and
the kammic potency415 takes place when you attain Arahantship, and the
cessation of the five aggregates takes place at your Parinibbna. Whereas
the causal arising is the individual type of ignorance, craving, clinging,
volitional formation and kammic potency that you discern at each life
where it takes place, the cessation is always in the same life: when the
five aggregates at Parinibbna no longer arise. But actual Nibbna and
the Arahant Path is not evident to us, because we have not yet realized the
Four Path Knowledges (MaggaBa) and Four Fruition Knowledges (PhalaBa): we understand that our Parinibbna has taken place, because there
is no more arising of the aggregates.
413
In some cases, the yogi begins with this life alone, and then looks at past and future
lives.
414
For a brief explanation of materiality produced by consciousness, by temperature, and
by nutriment (with examples), see p.112ff.
415
There is, though, still the kammic potency from past volitional formations (before Arahantship) that manifests as pleasure and pain. There is no kammic potency in the present
volitional formations, however, to produce new such results. See also, p.22.
219
For example, you see the causal cessation (nirodha) of materiality, again
according to the fifth method of dependent origination.416 That is when
you look forward to the time when you become an Arahant, and see that
when you attain the Arahant Path (ArahattaMagga) and Arahant Fruition (ArahattaPhala), all defilements cease, and that at the end of that life all formations cease: it is directly seeing your Parinibbna, after which no new
materiality or mentality arises or passes away. Should you attain Arahantship in this very life, it will be in the future: should you attain Arahantship in one of your future lives, it will also be in the future. One by one,
you see that the cessation (nirodha) (1) of ignorance, (2) of craving, (3) of
clinging, (4) of volitional formations, and (5) of kamma respectively, each
cause the cessation of kamma-born materiality.
Having in that way seen the causal cessation of kamma-born materiality, you now see only its momentary perishing.
Afterwards, you see the momentary perishing of kamma-born materiality in every consciousness moment of the mental processes that you have
discerned, from rebirth to death, in every past and future life that you
have discerned.417 This means you again see the five aggregates at the
arising (udaya) of the process-separate consciousnesses (vthimuttacitta), and at
the arising of each consciousness moment in all the intervening six sensedoor processes (vthi) that you have discerned.418
You need then to see, one after the other, the causal cessation of consciousness-, of temperature-, and of nutriment-born materiality. You see
how:
The cessation of consciousness causes the cessation of consciousness-born materiality.
The cessation of temperature causes the cessation of temperatureborn materiality.
The cessation of nutriment causes the cessation of nutriment-born
materiality.
In each case, you see also the momentary perishing of the particular
type of materiality.
After this you have to see the causal cessation and momentary perishing
of mentality.
416
For causal cessation according to the fifth method of dependent origination, see p.191.
Sometimes the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw instructs the yogi to start by
looking at this life, and then to look at past lives and the future.
418
For a brief explanation of process-separate consciousnesses etc., see Table 1d Death
and Rebirth, p.188, p.159, and footnote 184, p.104.
417
220
THE CONTEMPLATION OF THE NATURE OF ARISING & PERISHING
Once you have seen both the causal and momentary cessation of materiality and mentality, you now see again and again both their arising and
perishing. This is the Contemplation of the Nature of Arising & Perishing
(samudayavayadhammnupassi). It involves seeing first their causal arising and
perishing, and then their momentary arising and perishing. You see each
one in three ways successively:
1) The arising of the cause and its result.
2) The perishing of the cause and its result.
3) The impermanence of the cause and its result.
For example, you see one by one how:
1) The arising of each cause (1- ignorance, 2- craving, 3- clinging,
4- volitional formations, 5- kamma) causes the arising of kammaborn materiality.
2) The cessation of each same cause, causes the cessation of
kamma-born materiality.
3) Each cause and the materiality it produced is impermanent.
Likewise, you see one by one how:
1) Consciousness causes the arising of consciousness-born
materiality.
2) The cessation of consciousness causes the cessation of
consciousness-born materiality.
3) Consciousness is impermanent, and consciousness-born
materiality is impermanent.
And you see the same for temperature-, and nutriment-born materiality.
This is how you see both the causal and momentary arising and perishing of materiality. After that, you have to see the causal and momentary
arising and perishing of mentality.
So, in the way just outlined, you see the causal and momentary arising
and perishing of also the five aggregates, and see the three characteristics
of impermanence, suffering, and non-self in them. You should do this for
the five internal aggregates, the five external aggregates, and the five aggregates of the past, present, and future.
221

ACCORDING TO THE FIRST METHOD OF DEPENDENT ORIGINATION
Next, you need to develop this vipassan with also the first method of
dependent origination.419 In that case, to see the casual arising of formations, you see the factors of dependent origination one-by-one in forward
order, and see that:420
Because of ignorance (avijj), formations [arise] (saAkhr);
because of formations, consciousness (viBa);
because of consciousness, mentality-materiality (nmarpa);
because of mentality-materiality, the six bases (saCyatana);
because of the six bases, contact (phassa);
because of contact, feeling (vedan);
because of birth,
ageing&death (jarmaraBa), sorrow (soka), lamentation (parideva), pain (dukkha),
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
To see the causal cessation of formations at Arahantship, and the resultant Parinibbna, you see the factors of dependent-cessation one-by-one
in forward order, to see that:421
With ignorances remainderless fading away and cessation, volitional formations cease;
[2]
with volitional formations cessation, consciousness ceases;
[3]
with consciousnesss cessation, mentality-materiality ceases;
[4]
with mentality-materialitys cessation, the six sense bases cease;
[5]
with the six sense bases cessation, contact ceases;
[6]
with contacts cessation, feeling ceases;
[7]
with feelings cessation, craving ceases;
[8]
with cravings cessation, clinging ceases;
[9]
with clingings cessation, existence ceases;
[10] with existences cessation, birth ceases;
[11] with births cessation,
[12] ageing&death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief and despair cease.
Such is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering.
[1]
419
See also p.193.

M.I.iv.8 MahTaBhSaAkhayaSutta6 (The Great Craving-Destruction Sutta)
421
ibid.
420
222
As before, you see both the causal and momentary arising and perishing
of formations. You see the factors of dependent origination and cessation
one-by-one in forward order. For example, in the case of ignorance, you
see:
1) Ignorance causes volitional formations.
2) With the remainderless fading away and cessation of ignorance, volitional formations cease.
3) Ignorance is impermanent, volitional formations are impermanent.
You see each of the factors of dependent origination in the same way,
internally and externally, in the past, present, and future.
This is a very brief explanation of how you develop the Arise&Perish
Knowledge of formations.
HOW YOU OVERCOME THE TEN IMPERFECTIONS
It is at this stage that, as you apply these methods, and your vipassan
becomes stronger, the ten imperfections (dasa upakkilesa) may arise. The ten
imperfections are:422
1) Light
(obhsa) 1) Confidence
(adhimokkha)
2) Knowledge
(Ba) 2) Exertion
(paggaha)
3) Joy
(pti) 3) Foundation [mindfulness] (upa55hna)
4) Tranquillity
(passaddhi) 4) Equanimity
(upekkh)
5) Happiness
(sukha) 5) Attachment
(nikanti)
With the exception of light and attachment, the imperfections are
wholesome states, and are as such not imperfections. But they can become the objects for unwholesome state (you may become attached to
them), which is why they are called imperfections. Should you experience any of the ten vipassan imperfections, you need to ovecome the
attachment and desire that may arise, by seeing it as impermanence, suffering, and non-self: that way, you can continue to make progress.
................................
.....................
............................................
...........
......................
422
..................................
...............................................
...
.........................................
...........................................
VsM.xx.634 VipassanUpakkilesaKath (Vipassan Imperfection Discussion)

PP.xx.107 explains how the yogi may experience light such as never experienced before;
knowledge of mentality-materiality sharp as never experienced before, joy, tireless tranquillity, very refined happiness, very strong confidence and decision, very well balanced
and continuous exertion, very well established mindfulness, and very stable equanimity, all
such as never experienced before. Because of inexperience, the yogi may very easily think
these things are equivalent to a Path&Fruit, may become attached to them, and develop
wrong view and conceit. That is how those things can become what we call insight contaminations (vipassanupakkilesa). They are very dangerous, because they lead the yogi off
the right path onto the wrong path.
223
HOW YOU DEVELOP THE DISSOLUTION KNOWLEDGE
After you have developed the Arise&Perish Knowledge, your vipassan

concerning formations is steadfast and pure. Then you have to develop
the Dissolution Knowledge (BhaAgaBa). To do this, you concentrate on
only the momentary perishing (vaya) and dissolution (bhaAga) of formations.
You see neither the arising (uppda) of formations, nor the standing (5hiti) of
formations, nor the signs (nimitta) of individual formations, nor the causal
occurrence (pavatta) of formations. Using the power of your vipassan
knowledge, you see only the dissolution of formations, and perceive them
as impermanence, suffering and non-self.
1) You see the destruction, fall, and dissolution of formations, to see
their impermanence.
2) You see the continuous dissolution of formations as fearful, to see
the suffering in them.
3) You see the absence of any permanent essence in formations, to see
non-self.
You have to see the impermanence, suffering and non-self in not only
the dissolution of mentality-materiality, but also in the dissolution of
those vipassan-minds that saw this. That means, you see the dissolution
of materiality and know it is impermanent. That is your first vipassan
mind. Then, with a second vipassan-mind you see the dissolution of the
first vipassan-mind, and thus know it too is impermanent. You do the
same for mentality, and then again for materiality and mentality to know
them as suffering and non-self. You repeat these exercises again and
again, alternating between internal and external, materiality and mentality, causal formations and resultant formations: past, present and future.
As you continue to discern the perishing and ceasing of formations in
this way, your strong and powerful vipassan will progress through the
next six vipassan knowledges.
YOU KNOW THE FIRST ELEVEN KNOWLEDGES
At this stage, you will have developed the first eleven of the sixteen
knowledges. The first five knowledges that you have already developed
are:
1) Mentality-Materiality Definition Knowledge (NmaRpaParicchedaBa)423
423
See Talk 4 How You Discern Materiality (p.107ff), and Talk 5 How You Discern
224
Cause-Apprehending Knowledge (PaccayaPariggahaBa)424

Comprehension Knowledge (SammasanaBa)425
Arise&Perish Knowledge (UdayabbayaBa)426
Dissolution Knowledge (BhaAgaBa)427
And the next six knowledges that you will progress through are:
6) Fearsomeness Knowledge (BhayaBa)
7) Danger Knowledge (dnavaBa)
8) Disenchantment Knowledge (NibbidBa)
9) Liberation-Longing Knowledge (MucitukamyatBa)
10) Reflection Knowledge (Pa5isaAkhBa)
11) Formations-Equanimity Knowledge (SaAkhrUpekkhBa)
Since you developed the first five vipassan knowledges thoroughly,
these six knowledges develop quickly. There are a few instructions for
them, but we do not have time to explain.
2)
3)
4)
5)
YOU KNOW AND SEE NIBBNA
After realizing these knowledges, as you continue to see the perishing

and vanishing of each formation, with a wish for release from them, you
will find that eventually all formations cease. Your mind knows and sees
Nibbna directly: it is fully aware of the (unformed) Nibbna as object.
This takes place with the arising of the Path-process (Maggavthi).
With the arising of the Path-process (Maggavthi), you go through the remaining five knowledges. They are:
12) Conformity Knowledge (AnulomaBa)
13) Change-of-Lineage Knowledge (GotrabhuBa)
14) Path Knowledge (MaggaBa)
15) Fruition Knowledge (PhalaBa)
16) Reviewing Knowledge (PaccavekkhaBaBa)
These last five knowledges arise with the arising of the Path Process. It
consists of a sequence of seven types of consciousness:
Mentality, p.159ff.
424
See Talk 6 How You See the Links of Dependent Origination, p.183ff.
425
See How You Develop the Comprehension Knowledge, p.209ff.
426
See How You Develop the Arise&Perish Knowledge, p.216ff.
427
See How You Develop the Dissolution Knowledge, p.223f.
225
A mind-door adverting consciousness arises that sees formations as

impermanence, suffering or non-self, depending on how the Formations-Equanimity Knowledge428 arose.
Afterwards, there arise three preparatory impulsion consciousnesses
(javana) which see formations in the same way.
429
2) Preparation (parikamma)
3) Access (upacra)
4) Conformity (anuloma)
These three impulsion consciousnesses comprise, in fact, the twelfth
knowledge: the Conformity Knowledge (AnulomaBa). Conformity to
what? To what came before, and to what will come after. Thus they may
be said to function as preparation for, access to and conformity with the
Change of Lineage. Their repetition prepares the way for transition from
the eight insight knowledges that came before (from the Arise&Perish
Knowledge to the Formations-Equanimity Knowledge) with the formed
as object to the thirty-seven dhammas of the Path&Fruition Knowledges
with the Unformed as object.430
The Conformity Knowledge is the last knowledge that has formations
as its object.
5) A fourth impulsion consciousness arises, with Nibbna as object.
This is the thirteenth knowledge: Change-of-Lineage Knowledge
(GotrabhuBa).
Although this consciousness knows the (unformed) Nibbna, it does not
destroy the defilements: its function is to change the lineage from ordinary person to Noble.
6) A fifth impulsion consciousness arises, with Nibbna as object. This
is the fourteenth knowledge, which destroys the appropriate defilements:431 Path Knowledge (MaggaBa).
1)
428
Knowledge No. 11
In some cases, if the yogis vipassan is very strong, this consciousness does not arise,
and the first impulsion consciousness is access (upacra), which in this case is number
three. See also table 1b: The Mind-Door Process, p.164.
430
These are the thirty-seven requisites of enlightenment (BodhiPakkhiyaDhamma): the four
foundations of mindfulness, the four Right Efforts, the four roads to power, the five faculties, the five powers, the seven enlightenment factors, and the Noble Eightfold Path. For a
brief explanation, see p.245ff, and VsM.xxii.817-826 BaDassanaVisuddhiNiddesa
(Description of Knowledge&Vision Purification) PP.xxii.32-43.
431
For example, Stream-Entry destroys the first three fetters (sa6yojana) (1- personality
view (sakkyadi55hi), 2- doubt about The Buddha, Dhamma and SaOgha, 3- clinging to rule&-rite), and cuts of lust, hatred and delusion powerful enough to lead to a rebirth lower
429
226
7)
A sixth and seventh432 impulsion consciousness arises, with Nibbna

as object. They are the fifteenth knowledge: Fruition Knowledge
(PhalaBa).
YOU REVIEW YOUR KNOWLEDGE
After this follows the last and sixteenth knowledge, the Reviewing
Knowledge (PaccavekkhaBaBa). It is five separate reviewings:
1) Reviewing the Path Knowledge.
2) Reviewing the Fruition Knowledge.
3) Reviewing the defilements that have been destroyed.
433
4) Reviewing the defilements that have yet to be destroyed.
5) Reviewing Nibbna.
Then you will have attained true knowledge of the Four Noble Truths,
and will for yourself have realized Nibbna. With this realization, your
mind will have become purified and free from wrong views. If you continue in this way, you will be able to attain Arahantship and Parinibbna.
There are many more details about this development of vipassan, but we
have had to leave them out, so as to make this explanation as brief as possible. The best way to learn about this practice is by undertaking a meditation course with a competent teacher, because then you can learn in a
systematic way, step by step.434
than a human one. Complete destruction of the defilements is achieved only at Arahantship.
432
If no preliminary work (parikamma) consciousness arose, these consciousnesses will be
a fifth, sixth and seventh (three) to complete the necessary seven impulsion consciousnesses. See also table 1b: The Mind-Door Process, p.164.
433
Nos. 1, 2, and 5 arise automatically. Nos. 3, and 4 you need to do deliberately, and require that you know how to do it.
434
For contact addresses, see Appendix 2, p.287.

What is the difference between perception (sa) and the perception aggregate (sakkhandha), and between feeling (vedna) and the feeling aggregate (vednkkhandha)?
Answer 7.1 The eleven categories of perception (sa) together are called the
perception aggregate (sakkhandha). The eleven categories of feeling
(vedn) together are called the feeling aggregate (vednkkhandha). What are
the eleven? Past, present, future, internal, external, gross, subtle, inferior,
superior, near, and far. All five aggregates should be understood in the
same way. Please refer to the Khandha sutta435 of the KhandhaVagga
in the Sa6yuttaNikya for the explanation.
Question 7.2 To which associated mental factors do memory, inference and
creativity belong? They are part of the five aggregates, but how do they
become suffering (dukkha)?
Answer 7.2 What is memory? If you remember samatha meditation- objects,
such as a kasiLa- or npna nimitta is Right Mindfulness (SammSati). If
you can see past, present, and future ultimate mentality-materiality (paramatthanmarpa) and their causes, and see them as impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anatta), this is also Right Mindfulness (SammSati); the mindfulness associated with vipassan knowledge. This mindfulness is associated with thirty-three mental formations, which together
are the four mentality aggregates (nmakkhandha). Remembering The Buddha, the Dhamma, the SaOgha, and offerings made in the past is also
Right Mindfulness (SammSati). When the remembering of actions produces
wholesome dhammas (kusaladhamm), it is also Right Mindfulness, but not
when it produces unwholesome dhammas (akusaladhamm). These are unwholesome perceptions (akusalasa), perceptions associated with unwholesome dhammas; they are also the four mentality aggregates.
The wholesome and unwholesome mentality aggregates are impermanent. As soon as they arise, they perish; they are subject to constant arising and perishing, which is why they are suffering.
Question 7.3 Which associated mental factor does Taking an object involve?
Answer 7.3 All consciousnesses (citta) and associated mental factors (cetasika)
take an object. Without an object they cannot occur. Consciousness and
associated mental factors are the subject. The subject, rammaBikadhamma, cannot arise without an object (rammaBa). rammaBika is the
dhamma or phenomenon that takes an object. In other words, the dhamma
Question 7.1
435
KhandhaSutta6 (The Aggregates Sutta) quoted p.4.
228
that knows an object. If there is no object to be known, then there is no

dhamma that knows. Different groups of consciousness and associated
mental factors take different objects. There are eighty-nine types of consciousness (citta), and fifty-two types of associated mental factor (cetasika);
they all take their respective object. For example, the Path and Fruition
consciousnesses and associated mental factors (Maggacittacetasika) and (Phalacittacetasika) take only one object, Nibbna; an npna jhna consciousness and associated mental factors take only one object, the npna
pa5ibhga-nimitta; the earth-kasiLa jhna takes only the earth-kasiLa
pa5ibhga-nimitta as object. They are supramundane and fine-material
sphere consciousnesses. But a sensual-sphere consciousness (kmvacaracitta) takes different objects, good or bad. If you want to know in detail,
you should study the Abhidhamma; more exactly the rammaBa section
of the AbhidhammatthaSaAgaha.436
Question 7.4 Does work for the SaOgha affect ones meditation? Does it depend on the individual, or can one achieve a certain degree of concentration, after which work has no effect?
Answer 7.4 In many suttas The Buddha criticizes bhikkhus who practise the
following:
Pleasure in working (kammrmat)
Pleasure in talking (bhassrmat)
Pleasure in sleeping (niddrmat)
Pleasure in company (saAghaBikrmat)
Not controlling the faculties (indriyesu aguttadvrat)
Not knowing the proper amount of food to take (bhojne amattaut)
Not devoted to vigilance (jgariye ananuyutt): to practise samathavipassan with only moderate sleep.
Laziness (kusita [or] kosajja): not practising samatha-vipassan diligently.
So if there is any work you have to do for the SaOgha or yourself, try
to do it as quickly as possible, and then return to your meditation with a
peaceful mind.
If you enjoy working too much, it is a hindrance to meditation, because
strong and powerful mindfulness on the meditation object can then not be
attained: enjoying work does not produce good concentration.
Question 7.5 Can a person who develops the jhnas with evil intent benefit
from attaining them? And how about a person who has, for example,
spent the money of a SaOgha437 for his personal use and does not think it
436
437
e.g. A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma, Ed. Bhikkhu Bodhi, BPS

The Buddha made it a serious offence against the monastic rule (Vinaya) for a monk to
229
is wrong. When he attains jhna up to the fourth jhna, does his mind or
view change?
Answer 7.5 In this case you should distinguish between a layman and a
bhikkhu. If a bhikkhu has committed an offence (patti), it is a hindrance to
attain jhna. For example, if he has appropriated an allowable requisite of
a SaOgha for his personal use, it is not easy for him to attain jhna, unless
he corrects that offence (patti).438 That means he must pay it back with
requisites of equal value to the allowable requisites he used. Then he
should confess his offence in front of the SaOgha, or to another bhikkhu.
That means he should do a confession of offence (pattipa5idesan). After
correcting his fault, if he practises samatha-vipassan, he can attain jhna,
Path, and Fruition. If, without correcting his fault he really did attain
jhna, then maybe he is not a real bhikkhu, and so the offence was in fact
not an offence.
For lay-people, purification of conduct is also necessary, and it is better
if they purify their conduct before meditating, that is, if they undertake
either the five or eight precepts. That way, while meditating, their conduct is pure, and they can attain jhna, although they were evil before
meditation. For example, in the DhammaPada Commentary, there is a
story about the servant Khujjuttar.439 She was a servant of King Udenas
wife Queen Smvat. Every day King Udena gave her eight coins to buy
flowers for the queen, and every day Khujjuttar put four of the coins into
her pocket, and bought flowers with only the other four. One day, The
Buddha came with the SaOgha for almsfood at the florists house. Khujjuttar helped the florist give the almsfood. After the meal The Buddha
gave a Dhamma-talk, during which Khujjuttar developed shame at having stolen the money, and decided not to steal any more. Her decision is
an example of morality purified while listening to the Dhamma. With
meditation, Khujjuttar became a Stream-Enterer (Sotpanna). On that day
accept, receive, possess, or handle money under any form. This prohibition is observed and
taught by the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw.
438
This question involves two offences. One is the use of property belonging to the
SaOgha (money cannot be handled by the SaOgha, but may be held in custody and handled
by a layperson, although he may not be appointed to do so by the SaOgha). The other offence is using and handling money. The first offence cannot be rectified by again committing the offence of using money. The first offence can be rectified only by allowable
means, which is to compensate the SaOgha with allowable requisites (money is not an allowable requisite) that have been obtained in an allowable way (not purchased by a bhikkhu). Hence, in his answer, the Most Venerable Sayadaw discusses rectification of the
offence only in terms of allowable requisites.
439
DhPA.I.ii.1 SmvatVatthu (The Smvat Case)
230
she did not put four coins in her pocket, but bought flowers for all eight
coins. When she gave the flowers to Queen Smvat, the queen was surprised because there were more flowers than usual. Then Khujjuttar confessed.
Consider also the case of the Venerable AOgulimla. Before he became
a bhikkhu, he was a notorious murderer. But as a bhikkhu, he purified his
conduct and strove hard in meditation. So he was able to attain Arahantship.
Consider also this fact: in the round of rebirths everybody has done
good and bad actions. There is no one who is free from bad actions.440
But if they purify their conduct while meditating, then previous bad actions cannot prevent them from attaining jhna. That is, however, only as
long as those previous bad actions are not any of the five unintervenable
kammas (anantariyakamma).441
The five unintervenable kammas are:
1) Killing ones mother,
2) Killing ones father,
3) Killing an Arahant,
4) With evil intention shedding the blood of a Buddha,
5) Causing a schism in the SaOgha.
If any of these evil actions has been done one cannot attain jhna, Path,
and Fruition, just like King Ajtasattu. King Ajtasattu had enough
pram to become a Stream-Enterer (Sotpanna) after listening to the
SmaaPhala sutta.442 But because he had killed his own father, King
Bimbisra, it did not happen.
You asked whether after attaining jhna, such peoples mind or view
changes. Jhna can remove the hindrances for a long time. A long time
means, if they enter jhna for about an hour, then within that hour the
hindrances do not occur. When they emerge from jhna, the hindrances
may recur because of unwise attention. So we cannot say for certain
whether such a persons mind will change with jhna. We can say only
that so long as he is in jhna, the hindrances do not occur.443
440
In other words, if bad actions in the past made it impossible for one to attain jhna, no
one would be able to attain jhna.
441
See e.g. A.V.ix.3 ParikuppaSutta6 (The Festering Sutta).These five kammas are
called immediate, because they will definitely ripen in the present life, and give rise to
rebirth in the big hell of Avci, or one of its minor hells, as was the case for King Ajtasattu.
442
D.2 The Fruits of Asceticism Sutta
443
Regarding jhna and vipassan and views, see also Q&As 7.7 and 7.9, p.232.
231
There are exceptions, as for example, with the Venerable Mahthera

Mahnga.444 Although he had practised samatha and vipassan meditation for more than sixty years, he was still an ordinary person (puthujjana).
Even so, because of his strong, powerful samatha and vipassan practices,
no defilements appeared in those sixty years. Due to this, he thought he
was an Arahant. But one of his disciples, the Arahant Dhammadinna,
knew he was still a ordinary person, and helped him realize indirectly that
this was so. When Mahnga Mahthera discovered that he was still a
ordinary person, he practised vipassan, and within a few minutes attained Arahantship. But this is a most exceptional case.
You should remember another thing too: he was expert in the scriptures
(pariyatti) as well as practice (pa5ipatti). He was also a meditation teacher (kamma55hncariya), and there were many Arahants who, like Dhammadinna,
were his disciples. Although he was expert in samatha and vipassan,
sometimes misunderstandings occured in his mind because of a similarity
in experiences. So if you think to yourself, I have attained the first jhna,
etc., you should examine your experience thoroughly over many days
and many months. Why? If it is real jhna and real vipassan, then they
are beneficial to you, as they can help you attain real Nibbna, which is
the Pureland445 of Theravda Buddhism. But artificial jhna and artificial vipassan cannot give rise to this benefit. Do you want the real benefit or the artificial benefit? You should ask yourself this question.
So we should like to suggest, that you do not say to others, I have attained the first jhna, etc. too soon, because there may be someone who
does not believe you. It could be that your experience is genuine, but it
could also be false like with Mahnga Mahthera. You should be aware
of this problem.
Question 7.6 What is the difference between rpa-kalpas and ultimate materiality (paramattharpa)?446
444
VsM.xx.733 VipassanUpakkilesaKath (Vipassan Imperfection Discussion

PP.xx.110-113)
445
Pureland: The so-called Western Land, Land of Ultimate Bliss in Mahyna teaching, where a Buddha called Amitabbha Buddha is waiting. Rebirth there is obtained by
reciting his name. The aim in the Mahyna tradition is, on the whole, rebirth in Pureland,
as all who go there will become Buddhas, and then go and save all beings of all world
systems. The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw speaks here of the Pureland of
Theravda Buddhism only as a metaphor for Nibbna that will suit his Mahyna audience: he is not suggesting that Nibbna is a place, or in any way to be compared with the
Western Land etc. See supramundane plane (lokuttarabhmi) explained Q&A 3.12,
p.104.
446
For details between rpa-kalpas and ultimate materiality, see further p.124.
232
Rpa-kalpas are small particles. When a yogi analyses those

little particles, he sees ultimate materiality (paramattharpa). In a rpakalpa, there are at least eight types of materiality: earth, water, fire,
wind, colour, odour, flavour, and nutritive essence. These eight types of
materiality are ultimate materiality. In some rpa-kalpas there is a ninth
too: life-faculty materiality (jvitarpa); and in others a tenth: sex-materiality (bhvarpa) or translucent materiality (pasdarpa). These eight, nine or
ten types of materiality are all ultimate materiality.
Question 7.7 When a yogi is able to see rpa-kalpas or ultimate materiality,
will his mind (citta) and views (di55hi) change?
Answer 7.7 When he with vipassan knowledge sees ultimate materiality in
each rpa-kalpa, his mind and views change, but only temporarily, because vipassan knowledge removes wrong views and other defilements
only temporarily. It is the Noble Path (AriyaMagga) that stage by stage destroys wrong views and other defilements totally.447
Question 7.8 How does concentration purify consciousness ((cittavisuddhi))?
What kinds of defilement (kilesa) are removed by concentration?
Answer 7.8 Concentration practice is directly opposite the five hindrances.
Access- and first-jhna concentration remove the five hindrances for a
long time. Second-jhna concentration removes application (vitakka) and
sustainment (vicra). Third-jhna concentration removes (pti). Fourth-jhna
concentration removes bliss (sukha). That is how consciousness is purified
by concentration, and that is called consciousness purification (cittavisuddhi).448
Question 7.9 How does vipassan purify views ((di55hivisuddhi))? What kinds of
defilement (kilesa) are removed by vipassan?
Answer 7.9 Before seeing ultimate mentality-materiality, their causes, and
nature of impermanence, suffering, and non-self, a yogi may have wrong
views or wrong perceptions, such as, This is a man, a woman, a mother,
a father, a self, etc. But when he sees ultimate mentality-materiality,
their causes, and nature of impermanence, suffering, and non-self clearly,
this wrong view is removed temporarily. Why is it removed? He sees that
there are only ultimate mentality-materiality and their causes. He sees
also that as soon as they arise, they perish, which is their nature of impermanence. They are always subject to arising and perishing, which is
their nature of suffering. There is no self in these mentality-materiality
and causes, which is their nature of non-self. This is vipassan knowledge
Answer 7.6
447
448
Regarding jhna and vipassan and views, see also Q&A 7.5, and Q&A 7.9.
For details regarding the different jhnas, see How You Attain Jhna, p.43ff.
233
(vipassanBa). It is Right View (SammDi55hi), and removes wrong views (micchdi55hi). Vipassan knowledge also removes defilements such as attach-
ment and conceit, which are partners to wrong view. So while a yogi is
practising vipassan, Right View is present. But it is only temporary, because when he stops meditating, wrong view recurs because of unwise
attention (ayoniso manasikra). He again perceives: this is a man, a woman, a
mother, a father, a self, etc., and the associated defilements such as attachment, conceit, and anger, will also recur. But, when he goes back to
vipassan meditation, this wrong view again disappears. So vipassan
knowledge removes wrong views and other defilements only temporarily.
When he reaches the Path and Fruition, however, his Path Knowledge
(MaggaBa) will destroy those wrong views and other defilements completely, stage by stage.449
Question 7.10 What is the difference between citta and di55hi?
Answer 7.10 Citta means consciousness or mind, but in cittavisuddhi (consciousness purification), it refers especially to a consciousness: an accessconcentration consciousness (upacrasamdhicitta) or absorption-jhna consciousness (appanjhna citta).450 Di55hi means wrong view, and is an associated mental factor (cetasika). It arises together with the four consciousnesses rooted in greed. A consciousness rooted in greed (lobhamlacitta) is associated with either wrong view or conceit.
One wrong view is the perception of self (attasa). There are two types
of perception of self.
1) The worlds general perception of self (lokasamaaattavda): this is
wrong view because of convention: the perception that there is a
man, woman, father, mother, etc.
2) Wrong view of self (attadi55hi): this is wrong view because of craving
(taBh): the perception of an indestructible self (atta), which may include the perception that the indestructible self is created by a creator (paramatta).
In the thirty-one realms there is no self, only mentality-materiality and
their causes. They are always impermanent, suffering, and non-self. Outside the thirty-one realms there is no self either. This vipassan knowledge is Vipassan Right View (VipassanSammDi55hi). It destroys wrong
view (micch di55hi) temporarily, including wrong view of self. But the Path
Knowledge (MaggaBa), which is Path Right View (MaggaSammDi55hi), de449
450
Regarding jhna and vipassan and views, see also Q&A 7.5, and Q&A 7.7.
Regarding the different kinds of concentration etc., see Q&A 3.1, p.95.
234
stroys wrong view completely. So what we have is in fact three types of

view:
1) Wrong view (micchdi55hi)
2) Vipassan Right View (VipassanSammDi55hi), which is mundane (lokiya).
3) Path Right View (MaggaSammDi55hi), which is supramundane (lokuttara).
In the Brahmajla sutta, all sixty-two types of wrong view that exist
are discussed.451 They all go under wrong view of self, which is also
called personality wrong view (sakkyadi55hi). Personality (sakkya) is the
five aggregates, so personality wrong view is to see the five aggregates as
self. There are also many types of Right View, such as the Right Views
called Right Views about the Four Noble Truths (CatuSaccaSammDi55hi):
Jhna Right View (JhnaSammDi55hi): jhna knowledge associated with
the jhna factors.
Mentality-Materiality Apprehending (NmaRpaPariggaha) Right View
(SammDi55hi): the Mentality-Materiality Definition Knowledge.
Kamma-Ownership Right View (KammaSsakatSammDi55hi): the CauseApprehending Knowledge.
Vipassan Right View (VipassanSammDi55hi): vipassan knowledge of
the impermanent, suffering, and non-self nature of mentality-materiality and their causes.
Path Right View (MaggaSammDi55hi): knowledge of Nibbna.
Fruition Right View (PhalaSammDi55hi): knowledge of Nibbna.
Question 7.11 How should a yogi practise wise attention (yoniso manasikra) in
his daily life, and how in his samatha-vipassan practice? 452
Answer 7.11 The best wise attention is vipassan. If you practise up to the
vipassan level, you will have the truly best wise attention. If you then
practise vipassan in your daily life, it will produce good results, such as
Path and Fruition that see Nibbna. But if you cannot practise up to the
vipassan level, you should consider the fact that all formations are impermanent (sabbe saAkhr anicc). This is also wise attention, but very weak,
and only second-hand.
You can also practise the four sublime abidings (brahmavihra), and especially the sublime abiding of equanimity (upekkhbrahmavihra). That is superior wise attention, because to practise the sublime abiding of equanimity
is to see beings with regard to the law of kamma: Sabbe satt kammassak: All beings are the owners of their kamma. You can also some451
D.i.1 BrahmaJlaSutta6 (The Supreme Net Sutta)

For details regarding wise/unwise attention, see also Wise and Unwise Attention,
p.165.
452
235
times reflect on the effects of unwise attention. Unwise attention causes

many unwholesome kammas to come one by one. These unwholesome
kammas will produce much suffering in the four woeful realms (apya). To
know this is wise attention. You should practise it in your daily life.
Question 7.12 What is the difference between attention (manasikra) and practising the seven enlightenment factors (bojjhaAga)?
Answer 7.12 When you practise the seven enlightenment factors, they are
usually at the head of thirty-four mental formations that include attention.
Sometimes the thirty-four mental formations are called vipassan knowledge, because the thirty-fourth mental-formation, wisdom (pa) is the
main factor.
In this connection, you should know the three types of attention:
1) Attention as the basic cause for the object (rammaBa pa5ipdaka manasikra): that is the associated mental factor of attention. Its function is
to make the object clear to the yogis mind.
2) Attention as the basic cause for the mental process (vthi pa5ipdaka manasikra): that is the five-door adverting consciousness (pacadvrvajjana)
in the five-door process (pacadvravthi). Its function is to enable all
five-door processes to take their respective object.
3) Attention as the basic cause for the impulsion (javanapa5ipdaka manasikra): that is the mind-door adverting consciousness (manodvrvajjana)
in the mind-door process (manodvra vthi), and determining consciousness (vo55hapana) in the five-door process. It is either wise attention or
unwise attention. Its function is to make the impulsion (javana) occur.
If it is wise attention, the impulsion (javana) is for ordinary persons
(puthujjana) and learners (sekha) wholesome, and for Arahants only
functional (kiriya). When it is unwise attention, the impulsion is always unwholesome, and cannot occur in Arahants.
453
Question 7.13 Could the Sayadaw please explain the diagram?
Is it necessary, in this system of meditation, to practise the more than thirty types of
meditation subject (kamma55hna)? What are the benefits in doing so?
Answer 7.13 We are not interested in diagrams. It is based on a diagram
drawn by a school teacher, who is very interested in diagrams.
In Pa-Auk we teach many types of samatha meditation to those who
want to practise them. If they do not want to practise all of them, but only
one, such as npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing), then we teach
only that samatha meditation. When they have jhna, we take them
straight to vipassan, systematically, stage by stage.
453
This is a diagram that is supposed to describe the practice taught at Pa-Auk.
236
While practising samatha-vipassan, there may sometimes be hindrances such as lust (rga), anger (dosa), and discursive thought (vitakka), which
will disturb their concentration and vipassan meditation. The following
meditation subjects are the best weapons to remove those hindrances.
The Buddha gives them in the Meghiya sutta:454
Asubh bhvetabb rgassa pahnya.
You should practise repulsiveness meditation (asubhabhvan) to remove lust
(rga).
Mett bhvetabb bypdassa pahnya.
You should practise loving-kindness meditation (mettbhvan) to remove ill-will
(bypda).
npnasati bhvetabb vitakkupacchedya.
You should practise npnasati [mindfulness-of-breathing] to remove discursive thought (vitakka).
Furthermore, a concentrated mind can see ultimate dhammas (paramatthadhamma) as they really are.455 Of the concentration practices, the eight
attainments (sampatti) are very high and powerful; so to those who want to
practise the eight attainments thoroughly, we teach kasiLa meditation too.

If you want to understand the diagram thoroughly, you need to practise
samatha-vipassan up to the Path and Fruition Knowledges. Only then
will you fully understand the diagram.
Why are we not interested in diagrams? Because it is not enough to
show the whole system on one page. We have explained the whole system in more than three thousand six hundred pages in Burmese: one page
is not enough.
Question 7.14 Can a hating mind produce many generations of temperatureborn octad-kalpas (utuja oja55hamakakalpa), and make the eyes flash?
Answer 7.14 To say a consciousness produces light is only a metaphor,
because in fact, apart from the rebirth-linking consciousness (pa5isandhicitta),
all consciousnesses that arise dependent upon the heart base (hadayavatthu)
produce consciousness-born rpa-kalpas (cittajakalpa).456 Among these
rpa-kalpas there is always colour (vaBBa). It is brighter if the consciousness is a samatha-, or vipassan consciousness. This is discussed in the
Pali Texts, Commentaries, and Sub-commentaries. But it does not say
454
U.IV.1 and A.IX.I.i.3 The Meghiya Sutta

These, The Buddhas words, are quoted p.12, and p.23.
456
For a discussion of consciousness-born materiality, see p.112, and in relation to the
light produced by samatha and vipassan consciousnesses, see also Q&A 4.10, p.156.
455
237
that consciousness-born materiality born of a hating mind also produces

light.
Question 7.15 Is the seeing mind that sees mentality-materiality itself included in mentality-materiality? Is it included in wisdom?
457
Answer 7.15 Yes, it is.
You can see it at all the stages of vipassan, especially at the stage of Dissolution Knowledge (BhaAgaBa). It says in the
VisuddhiMagga:458
taca Baca ubhopi vipassati.
We must practise vipassan on both the known (ta) and the knowledge (Ba).
The known means the five aggregates and their causes, which should
be known with vipassan knowledge. The knowledge means the vipassan knowledge that knows the impermanent, suffering, and non-self nature of the five aggregates and their causes, which are all formations (saAkhra dhamma). Vipassan knowledge is wisdom, Vipassan Right View.
Usually, Vipassan Right View arises together with thirty-three or thirtytwo mental formations, which gives thirty-four or thirty-three mental
formations respectively. They are called vipassan knowledge. They are
mentality dhammas, because they incline towards the object of the impermanent, suffering or non-self nature of formations.
Why do you need to see the vipassan knowledge itself as impermanence, suffering, and non-self? Because some yogis may ask, or think
about whether vipassan knowledge itself is permanent or impermanent,
happiness or suffering, self or non-self. To answer this question, you need
to see the vipassan-process itself as impermanence, suffering, and nonself, especially the thirty-four mental formations in each impulsion moment, headed by that vipassan knowledge. Furthermore, some yogis may
become attached to their vipassan knowledge. They may become proud,
because they can practise vipassan well and successfully. It is also to
remove and prevent these defilements that you need to see the vipassan
knowledge, or vipassan-process itself as impermanence, suffering, and
non-self.459
457
For details in this regard, see The Seven Ways for Mentality, p.214ff, and How You
Develop the Dissolution Knowledge, p.223f.
458
VsM.xxi.742 BhaAgnupassanBaKath (Dissolution-Contemplation Knowledge Discussion) PP.xxi.13
459
This procedure is explained by The Buddha in S.II.I.iv.4 DutiyaBaVatthuSuttaD
(The Second Knowledge-Subject Sutta). There, He explains how there is knowledge of
each of the factors of dependent origination as operating in accordance with the Dhamma
in the present, the past, and the future. And: And also that knowledge of the fixity of the
Dhamma (Dhamma55hitiBaD), that too is a destructible thing (khayadhammaD), perishable
238
How to overcome the uninterested and bored mind state that

occurs during long periods of meditation, or staying alone in the forest? Is
this kind of mind state an unwholesome dhamma?
Answer 7.16 This type of mind state is called indolence (kosajja), and is usually a weak unwholesome dhamma associated with greed or hatred, etc.
This type of mind state occurs because of unwise attention. If a persons
unwise attention is changed to and replaced with wise attention, then he
may succeed in his meditation.
To overcome this mind state you should sometimes recall that our
Sakyamuni Bodhisattas success was due to his perseverance. You should
also recall the stories of Arahants who had striven hard and with great
difficulty to succeed in their meditation, to eventually attain Arahantship.
No one can have great success without striving. It is necessary especially
in meditation to persevere. Wise attention too is very important. You
should try to pay attention to the nature of impermanence, suffering, and
non-self in conditioned things. If you do like this, you may one day succeed.
Question 7.17 Could the Sayadaw please give an example of a wish that is
not associated with ignorance (avijj), craving (taBh) and clinging (updna)?
Answer 7.17 If you practise when performing wholesome kammas, and also
see the impermanence, suffering, or non-self nature of those wholesome
kammas, then ignorance (avijj), craving (taBh) and clinging (updna) do not
arise. If you cannot practise vipassan, then make the following wish:
Ida6 me pua6 Nibbnassa paccayo hotu: May this merit be a contributing cause for realization of Nibbna.
Question 7.18 If the five aggregates are non-self, then who, Sayadaw, is giving a Dhamma talk? In other words, if the five aggregates are non-self, no
Sayadaw is giving a Dhamma talk. So is there a relationship between the
five aggregates and the self?
Answer 7.18 There are two types of truth: conventional truth (sammutisacca)
and ultimate truth (paramatthasacca).
You should differentiate clearly between these two types of truth. According to conventional truth there is a Buddha, a Sayadaw, a father, a
mother, etc. But according to ultimate truth, there is no Buddha, no
Sayadaw, no father, no mother, etc. This you can see if you have strong
enough vipassan knowledge. If you look at The Buddha with vipassan
knowledge, you see ultimate mentality-materiality, which are the five
Question 7.16
thing (vayadhammaD), a fading thing (virgadhammaD), and ceasing thing (nirodhadhammaD). SA describes this as counter-insight insight (vipassanpa5ivipassan).
239
aggregates. They are impermanent, suffering, and non-self. There is no

self. In the same way if you look at me, or at a father, or mother etc. with
vipassan knowledge, you see only ultimate mentality-materiality, the
five aggregates, which are impermanent, suffering, and non-self. There is
no self. In other words, there is no Buddha, Sayadaw, father, mother, etc.
The five aggregates and their causes are called formations. So, formations
are talking about formations, sometimes about Nibbna. There is no self
at all. So how can we speak of a relationship?
For example, if someone were to ask you, Are rabbit horns long or
short? how should you answer? Or if they asked, Is the body hair on a
tortoise black or white? how should you answer? If the self does not exist at all, we cannot speak of a relationship between it and the five aggregates. Even The Buddha did not answer this type of question. Why? Suppose you said rabbit horns are long; that would mean you accept that rabbits have horns. And if you said rabbit horns are short; that too would
mean you accept that they have horns. Again, if you said a tortoise has
black body hair, that would mean you accept that a tortoise has hair. If
you said tortoise hair is white, that too would mean you accept it has hair.
In the same way, if The Buddha said the five aggregates and the self are
related, it would mean he accepted that there is a self. And if he said the
five aggregates and the self are not related, it would also mean he accepted that there is a self. That is why The Buddha did not answer this
type of question. So we should like to suggest that you try to practise
meditation up to the vipassan level. Only then can you remove this view
of self.
Question 7.19 The Buddha taught the Snake Mantra to bhikkhus. Is chanting the Snake Mantra the same as loving-kindness? Is chanting a mantra
a Brahmanic tradition brought into Buddhism?
Answer 7.19: What is a mantra? What is the Snake Mantra? We do not
know whether mantras have been handed down from Hinduism. But in
the Theravda Texts there is a protective sutta (parittasutta) called the
KhandhaParitta.460 The Buddha taught this protective sutta for
bhikkhus to recite every day. There is a disciplinary rule (Vinaya) which
says that if a forest-dwelling bhikkhu or bhikkhun fails to recite this pro460
A.IV.II.ii.7 AhiRjaSutta6 (The Snake Kings Sutta), called the Khandha (Group)
Paritta (Protective Chant) because mett is extended to all beings in groups: the four types
of snake, beings with no legs (fish, leeches, worms, etc.), with two legs (birds, devas, human beings), with four legs (elephants, dogs, lizards etc.), and with many legs (ants, centipedes, mosquitoes, scorpions, spiders etc.).
240
tective sutta at least once a day, he or she will have committed an offence.
Once, in The Buddhas time, a bhikkhu was dwelling in the forest when
a venomous snake bit him. He died. Because of this, The Buddha taught
the KhandhaParitta. The purpose of this protective sutta is similar to
loving-kindness meditation. In that sutta there are different ways of extending loving-kindness to different types of snake or dragon. There is
also an assertion of truth concerning the Triple Gem, and the qualities of
The Buddha and Arahants. We shall recite this protective sutta tonight. It
is very powerful. You may call it the Snake Mantra. The name is not
important. You can call it whatever you like. Some bhikkhus in Myanmar
use this protective sutta for those who have been bitten by a venomous
snake. It is effective. When they chant this protective sutta many times,
and when the victims drink the protective water, the venom slowly decreases in them. Usually they recover. But the effect is not the same in
every case. The Buddha taught this protective sutta to prevent bhikkhus
from being bitten by venomous snakes. If a bhikkhu recites this protective sutta with respect, and extends loving-kindness to all beings, including snakes, he will meet with no danger. Usually, if he also observes the
monastic code, no harm will come to him.
Talk 8
T HE B UDDHA S W ISHES
FOR H IS D ISCIPLES AND H IS T EACHINGS
(Talk given on Veskha Day)
THE BUDDHA RELINQUISHES THE WILL TO LIVE
The Buddha spent His last rains (vassa) in the village of Vehuva. At that
time there arose in Him a severe affliction. On the full-moon day of
Ashha, a sharp and deadly back pain came upon Him, because of previous kamma.
In one of his past lives, the Bodhisatta, who was to become Sakyamuni
Buddha, was a wrestler. Once he threw down an opponent and broke the
opponents back. When mature, that unwholesome kamma (akusalakamma)
produced its result, which was ten months before Sakyamuni Buddhas
Parinibbna. The effect of that kamma was so powerful that it would last
until death. Such an affliction is called feeling ending at death (maraBantikavedna). It ceases only when death occurs.461
The Buddha prevented that affliction from arising through entering an
Arahant Fruition and making a determination (adhi55hna). First The Buddha
entered the Arahant-Fruition Attainment (ArahattaPhalaSampatti) based on
the Seven Ways for Materiality (rpasattakavipassan) and Seven Ways for
Mentality (arpasattakavipassan).462 After those vipassan practices and just
before entering the Arahant Fruition-Attainment, The Buddha determined:
From today until the day of my Parinibbna, may this affliction not occur.
And then He entered the Arahant Fruition-Attainment. Arahant Fruition-Attainment means that the Arahant Fruition-Consciousness, with
Nibbna as object, occurs continuously for a long time. Because the vipassan practices were strong and powerful, the Arahant FruitionAttainment too was strong and powerful. Because of the effort of the vipassan and the effort of the Fruition-Attainment the affliction did not
occur in the ten months that were left until the day of The Buddhas
Parinibbna. But He had to enter that Fruition-Attainment every day until
then.463/A
461
DA.II.3 (164) MahParinibbnaSutta6 (The Great Parinibbna Sutta)

For the Seven Ways for Materiality/Mentality, see p.213ff.
463
For details with regard to these The Buddhas practices and attainments, see subsequent
endnote A, p.253.
462
242
After the vassa, The Buddha wandered from place to place, and eventually reached Vesl. Three months before Veskha full-moon day, on the
full-moon day of February, at the Cpla Cetiya, The Buddha decided to
relinquish the will to live (yusaAkhra ossajjana). What does that mean? On
that day He decided:464
Temsamattameva pana sampatti6 sampajjitv tato para6 na sampajjissmti citta6 uppdesi.
From today until the full-moon day of Veskha I shall practise this Fruition Attainment. Then I shall no longer practise it.
THE BUDDHA DECLARES HIS WISHES
So on that day, in front of the assembled Bhikkhu SaOgha, in the assembly hall of the Mahvana monastery, The Buddha announced that He had
relinquished the will to live. He said to the Bhikkhu SaOgha:465
Tasmtiha bhikkhave ye te may dhamm abhi desit, te vo sdhuka6 uggahetva sevitabb bhvetabb bahulktabb.
Bhikkhus, you, to whom I have made known the Truths about which I have direct
knowledge, having thoroughly learnt them, should cultivate them, develop them, and
frequently practise them.
The Buddha taught only the Dhamma about which He had direct experience. Here The Buddha declared His wishes for His teachings, and
instructed the SaOgha as follows:
1) They should learn His Teachings (Dhamma) thoroughly by heart,
but learning by heart alone is not enough. This was The Buddhas
first wish.
2) He instructed them to cultivate His Teachings (Dhamma). In Pali it
is called sevitabb, and means that we must try to know this
Dhamma in practice again and again. It is translated as cultivation.
This was The Buddhas second wish.
3) Finally, He instructed them to develop (bhvetabb) the Truths. When
we cultivate, growth and progress are necessary.
What does that mean? When we practise the Dhamma, only
wholesome dhammas (kusaladhamma) must occur in our mental processes. That is, wholesome morality dhammas (slakusaladhamma),
wholesome concentration dhammas (samdhikusaladhamma) and wholesome wisdom dhammas (pakusaladhamma). These wholesome
464
465
DA.II.3 (169) MahParinibbnaSutta6 (The Great Parinibbna Sutta)

D.ibid.184
8 - The Buddhas Wishes for His Disciples and His Teachings
243
dhammas must occur without a break until Arahantship. If a disciple

(svaka) of The Buddha attains Arahantship, his practice (bhvan) is
over. So a disciple of The Buddha must practise The Buddhas
Teachings until he attains that goal: the cultivation must be developed until Arahantship. To reach Arahantship, we must practise
again and again. For that reason The Buddha gave the instruction of
bahulktabb, which means we must practise frequently. This was
The Buddhas third wish.
These wishes occured in The Buddhas mental processes. Why? 466
Yathayida6 brahmacariya6 addhaniya6 assa cira55hitika6.
So that the pure Teaching may be established and last long.
That is, to maintain the pure Teaching so that it can last for a long time.
OUR DUTY AS BUDDHISTS
It is very important that every Buddhist maintains the pure Teaching, so

that it is not lost. We must try. What should we try to do? We repeat:
1) We should try to learn The Buddhas Teachings (Dhamma) thoroughly by heart.
2) We should try to practise The Buddhas Teachings so as to know
them through personal experience.
3) We should try to practise The Buddhas Teachings until Arahantship.
These are the duties of all Buddhists. If one is a Buddhist one must follow these three instructions. If one does not follow them then one is a
Buddhist in name only: not a real Buddhist. If one follows these three
instructions thoroughly, then one is a real Buddhist. So you can today
determine:
1) We will try to learn The Buddhas Teachings thoroughly by heart.
2) We will try to practise The Buddhas Teachings so as to know them
through personal experience.
3) We will try to practise The Buddhas Teachings until Arahantship.
HOW WE MAY BENEFIT THE WORLD
If we do that, it can be said that we breathe according to The Buddhas

wishes. Why should we do so?467
466
D.ibid.
244
Tadassa bahujanahitya bahujanasukhya loknukampya atthya hitya sukhya devamanussna6.

For the welfare and happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for
the welfare and happiness of devas and human beings.
If we practise according to The Buddhas wishes, we will be able to

give the Dhamma to future generations as an inheritance.
We will be able to teach devas and human beings the following:
To try to learn The Buddhas Teachings thoroughly by heart.
To practise The Buddhas Teachings, so as to know them through
personal experience.
3) To practise The Buddhas Teachings until Arahantship.
1)
2)
By doing that, those devas and human beings will receive benefits and
happiness in this world, up to the attainment of Nibbna. But if we do not
learn the Teachings by heart, and do not practise those teachings, how
can we teach devas and human beings to learn the Teachings of The Buddha, and teach them how to practise those Teachings, since we have no
knowledge of them? So, if we have strong enough faith (saddh) in the
Teachings of The Buddha, we Buddhists should try to learn those Teachings by heart, cultivate them in practice, and develop them until Arahantship.
HOW WE MAY SHOW OUR FAITH
Do you have strong enough faith in the teachings of The Buddha?

It is said in the Gha5kra sutta commentary:468
Pasanno ca pasannkra6 ktu6 sakkhissati.
True devotees of the Triple Gem can show their devotion through practice.
If a man or woman cannot show devotion, we cannot say that he or she

is a real devotee. If you have true faith in The Buddhas Teachings, you
should learn those teachings thoroughly, practise them, and not stop before attaining Arahantship. These are important words of The Buddha
before He passed away. If we have faith in The Buddha we should obey
those words. If we have faith in our parents we should obey their instructions. In the same way we should obey our Fathers words; our Father is
The Buddha.
467
468
D.ibid.
MA.II.iv.1 Gha5kraSutta6 (The GhaTkra Sutta)
245
WHAT WE MUST LEARN AND PRACTISE
So, what are those Teachings? They are:469

The Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Cattro SatiPa55hn)
The Four Right Efforts (Cattro SammaPpadhn)
The Four Bases of Success (Cattro IddhiPd)
The Five Controlling Faculties (PacIndriyni)
The Five Powers (Paca Balni)
The Seven Enlightenment-Factors (Satta BojjhaAg)
The Noble Eightfold Path (Ariyo AtthaAgiko Maggo)
There are altogether Thirty-Seven Requisites of Enlightenment (bodhipakkhiyadhamma). Let us discuss them briefly. In the Pali Canon, The Buddha taught the Thirty-Seven Requisites of Enlightenment in different
ways, according to the inclination of his listeners. The teachings in the
Pali Canon can be reduced to just the Thirty-Seven Requisites of Enlightenment. If they are condensed, there is only theNoble Eightfold Path. If it
is condensed, there are only the three trainings: morality, concentration,
and wisdom.
THE BASIS FOR PRACTICE
We must first learn the training of morality to practise. If we do not

know the training of morality, we cannot purify our conduct. Then we
must learn samatha meditation to control and concentrate our mind. If we
do not know about samatha meditation, how can we cultivate concentration? If we do not practise concentration, how can we control our mind?
Then we must learn how to cultivate wisdom. If we do not know the
training of wisdom, how can we cultivate wisdom?
So, to purify our conduct, to control our mind, and to develop our wisdom, we must first learn the Dhamma by heart. Secondly, we must cultivate and develop it up to Arahantship.
Therefore, in the MahParinibbna sutta, The Buddha urged His disciples many times:470
Iti sla6, iti samdhi, iti pa.
Slaparibhvito samdhi mahapphalo hoti mahnisa6so;
samdhiparibhvit pa mahapphal hoti mahnisa6s.
Paparibhvita6 citta6 sammadeva savehi vimuccati,
469
470
D.ii.3 (184) MahParinibbnaSutta6 (The Great Parinibbna Sutta)

D.ibid. e.g. 186
246
seyyathida6 kmsav bhavsav di55hsav avijjsav.

Such is morality (sla); such is concentration (samdhi); such is wisdom (pa).
Great is the result, great is the gain of concentration (samdhi) when it is fully developed based on morality (sla); great is the result, great is the gain of wisdom
(pa) when it is fully developed based on concentration (samdhi).
The mind that is fully developed in wisdom (pa) is utterly free from the taints of
lust (kmsav), the taints of existence (bhavsav), the taints of wrong views (di55hsav), the taints of ignorance (avijjsav).
We all have a mind. If, based on morality, we can control our mind,
then the power of that concentrated mind is wonderful. That mind can
penetrate into ultimate materiality. Materiality arises as rpa-kalpas.
They are smaller than atoms. Our body is made of those rpa-kalpas.
The concentrated mind can analyse those rpa-kalpas. The concentrated
mind can also penetrate into the ultimate reality of mentality. The concentrated mind can penetrate into their causes. The concentrated mind can
penetrate into the nature of arising and perishing of mentality, materiality,
and their causes. This vipassan knowledge is called wisdom. This wisdom progresses because of concentration based on morality. The concentrated mind and wisdom are will-power. This will-power can lead to the
attainment of Nibbna, the destruction of all attachment, all defilements
and all suffering.
Everybody has a mind. When the mind is fully developed through concentration, the vipassan knowledge, the wisdom, can free one from the
taints of lust and the round of rebirths completely. But that concentration
must be based on morality. For laypeople, the five precepts are necessary.
They are:
1) To abstain from killing any beings
2) To abstain from stealing
3) To abstain from sexual misconduct
4) To abstain from telling lies
5) To abstain from taking beer&wine liquor471
These five precepts are necessary for all lay-Buddhists. If one breaks
any of these five precepts, one is automatically not a real lay-Buddhist
471
beer&wine liquor (surmerayamajja): according to The Buddhas analysis in

Vin.Pc.V.vi.2 SurPnaSikkhPada6 (Malt-Drink Training-Precept), and according
to the commentary, as well as D^.iii.8 SiAglakaSutta6 (The SiOglaka Sutta), and
VbhA.xiv.703 (DD.xiv.1905) SikkhPadaVibhaAga (Training Precept Analysis), sur
is malt liquor such as beer and ale, meraya is vinous liquor such as wine, both fermented
and distillable (into whisky, brandy, etc.). Majja is a generic term for liquor, spirituous,
intoxicating drink.
247
(upsaka/upsik). Ones refuge in the Triple Gem has been made invalid.
Buddhists must also abstain from wrong livelihood. They must not use
possessions acquired by killing, by theft, by sexual misconduct, by lies,
by slander, by harsh speech, or by frivolous speech. They must not engage in the five types of wrong trade: trading in weapons, in humans, in
animals for slaughter, in liquor and other intoxicants, or in poisons.
So morality is very important for all Buddhists, not only to attain Nibbna, but also to reach a happy state after death. If ones conduct is not
purified, it is not easy to reach a happy state after death, because at the
time of death, those misdeeds usually stick to ones mind, appear in ones
mind. By taking one of those misdeeds as the object of the mind, usually
one goes to one of the four woeful realms after death. Morality is also
important to find happiness and peace in the present life. Without purification of conduct, one cannot find happiness or peace. Someone with a
bad character is naturally surrounded by enemies. One who has many
enemies cannnot find any happiness.
SAMATHA AND VIPASSAN MEDITATION
Then The Buddha taught the following:472

Yo ca vassasata6 jve, dusslo asamhito;
Ekha6 jvita6 seyyo, slavantassa jhyino.
Though one should live a hundred years without morality and without concentration, ones life is not worthy of praise; it is better to live a single day with the practice
of morality and concentration.
Why? Because the mind that is fully developed through concentration

can produce great wisdom, which can see Nibbna, the end of the round
of rebirths, and can destroy all defilements and suffering.
So we must practise samatha and vipassan meditation based on morality. In order to practise samatha and vipassan meditation, we must practise the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Cattro SatiPa55hn):
1) Body-contemplation mindfulness (kynupassan satipa55hna)
2) Feeling-contemplation mindfulness (vedannupassan satipa55hna)
3) Consciousness-contemplation mindfulness (cittnupassan satipa55hna)
4) Dhammas-contemplation mindfulness (dhammnupassan satipa55hna)
What is the body (kya)? There are two types of body in vipassan: the
materiality-body (rpa-kya) and the mentality-body (nmakya). The materiality-body is a group of twenty-eight types of materiality. The mentality472
DhP.viii.10 SahassaVagga (Thousands Chapter)
248
body is a group of consciousnesses and their associated mental factors. In

other words, the two bodies are the five aggregates (khandha): materiality,
feeling, perception, formations, and consciousness. But samatha meditation objects such as the breath, the thirty-two parts of the body as foulness (asubha), and the four elements are also called body (kya). Why? They
are also compactness of materiality. For example, breath is a group of
rpa-kalpas born of consciousness. If we analyse those rpa-kalpas, we
see that there are nine types of materiality in each one: earth-, water-,
fire-, and wind element, colour, odour, flavour, nutritive essence, and
sound. The skeleton too is compactness of rpa-kalpas. If the skeleton is
alive, there are a total of five types of rpa-kalpa. If we analyse those
rpa-kalpas, we see that there are forty-four types of materiality.473
Thus, under body-contemplation (kynupassan), The Buddha taught two
types of meditation: samatha and vipassan. Under body-contemplation,
He included npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing), and the thirty-two
parts of the body etc. So, if you are practising npnasati, you are
practising body-contemplation. Those samatha practices go under bodycontemplation. After you have succeeded in samatha practice, you change
to vipassan meditation: discerning and analysing materiality and mentality. When you practise materiality meditation (rpakamma55hna), you discern
the twenty-eight types of materiality: that is also practising body-contemplation. When you practise mentality meditation (nmakamma55hna), you
discern feelings: that is feelings-contemplation (vedannupassan); you discern consciousness: that is consciousness-contemplation (cittnupassan);
you discern contact: that is dhammas-contemplation (dhammnupassan). But
discerning only feelings, consciousnesses, and contact, is not enough to
attain the vipassan knowledges. So we must discern the remaining associated mental factors. After having discerned mentality and materiality,
we must discern their causes in the past, present, and future. This is the
Cause-Apprehending Knowledge (Paccaya-PariggahaBa). After the CauseApprehending Knowledge, when you will have reached vipassan, you
can emphasize either materiality, feelings, consciousnesses or contact.
Emphasize does not mean you should discern one state only. You can
emphasize materiality, but you must not omit mentality. That is, you must
discern feeling, consciousness, and dhammas too.474
473
For details, see How You Analyse the Rpa-Kalpas, p.124, and table 2c: The Basic
Types of Materiality of the Body, p.139.
474
There are four foundations of mindfulness: 1) body, 2) feeling, 3) consciousness, 4)
dhammas. Dhammas are the remaining constituents of the mentality body (nmakya). The
Buddha explains dhammas also as the five aggregates, twelve bases, five hindrances, seven
249
You may emphasize feelings instead. But feelings alone are not
enough. You must also discern their associated mental formations, their
sense bases, and their objects. The five sense bases and their objects are
materiality. It is the same for the consciousnesses and dhammas.475
So here, vipassan is contemplating the impermanent, suffering, and
non-self nature of mentality-materiality and their causes. Those dhammas
perish as soon as they arise, so they are impermanent. They are oppressed
by constant arising and perishing, so they are suffering. In those dhammas there is no soul, nothing is stable, permanent and immortal, so they
are non-self. Discernment of the impermanent, suffering, and non-self
nature of mentality-materiality, and their causes and effects, is called vipassan meditation. When you practise samatha and vipassan meditation, we can say you are practising the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.
When you practise the Four Foundations of Mindfulness you must
arouse enough of the Four Right Efforts (Cattro SammaPpadhna). They are:
1) The effort to prevent unwholesome states from arising.
2) The effort to eradicate unwholesome states that have arisen.
3) The effort to produce wholesome states that have not yet arisen
(concentration wholesome-dhammas, vipassan wholesomedhammas, Path wholesome-dhammas, etc.).
4) The effort to develop those wholesome states up to Arahantship.
How should you practise? You should practise according to the Four
Foundations of Mindfulness. When practising you must arouse enough of
the four types of effort just mentioned: Even if my flesh and blood were
to dry up, leaving bones and sinews only, I will not give up my meditation.
When you practise you should have the Four Bases of Success (Cattro
IddhiPd):
1) Desire (chanda): we must have strong and powerful desire to reach
Nibbna.
enlightenment factors, and Four Noble Truths. It is in fact not possible to separate these
many aspects of the Dhamma, because each one includes all the others. For, example, to
fully understand the Four Noble Truths is to fully understand the Noble Eightfold Path. To
fully understand the Noble Eightfold Path is also to fully understand the seven enlightenment-factors. It is also to fully understand mentality-materiality; and the five aggregates,
and the twelve bases etc. Hence, all thirty-seven requisites of enlightenment (bodhipakkhiyadhamma) need to be fully understood for enlightenment to take place.
475
The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw discusses vipassan by way of discerning
only feelings in Q&A 4.6, p.149.
250
Energy (vriya): we must have strong and powerful energy to reach

Nibbna.
3) Consciousness (citta): we must have strong and powerful consciousness to reach Nibbna,
4) Investigation (vima6sa): we must have strong and powerful vipassan
knowledges to reach Nibbna.
If we have strong enough desire we will attain our goal. There is nothing we cannot achieve if we have enough desire. If we have strong
enough energy we will attain our goal. There is nothing we cannot
achieve if we have enough energy. If we have strong enough consciousness we will attain our goal. There is nothing we cannot achieve if we
have a strong and powerful mind. If we have strong enough vipassan
knowledge we will attain our goal. There is nothing we cannot achieve if
we have enough wisdom.
When we practise the four foundations of mindfulness, we should also
have the Five Controlling Faculties476 (pacindriyni). They are:
1) Faith (saddh): we must have sufficiently strong faith in The Buddha
and His teachings.
2) Effort (vriya): we must make sufficiently strong effort.
3) Mindfulness (sati): we must have sufficiently strong mindfulness on
the meditation object. If it is a samatha object, it must be an object
like the npna-nimitta or kasiLa-nimitta. If it is a Vipassna object, it must be mentality, materiality, and their causes.
4) Concentration (samdhi): we must have sufficiently strong concentration on the samatha and vipassan objects.
5) Wisdom (pa): we must have sufficient understanding about
samatha and vipassan objects.
These five controlling faculties control the yogis mind, so it does not
go away from the Noble Eightfold Path, which leads to Nibbna. If you
do not have any of these controlling faculties, you cannot reach your
goal. You cannot control your mind. These controlling faculties have the
power to control your mind, so that it does not go away from your meditation object. This power is also called will-power (bala). From the pointof-view of will-power, the Five Controlling Faculties are called the Five
Powers (paca balni).
Apart from the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, there are also the
Seven Enlightenment-Factors (SattaBojjhaAg), which are very important.
They are:
2)
476
For a discussion of the Five Controlling Faculties, see p.39ff.
251
Mindfulness (sati)
Investigation of Phenomena (dhammavicaya): this is vipassanknowledge.
3) Effort (vriya)
4) Joy (pti)
5) Tranquillity (passaddhi)
6) Concentration (samdhi)
7) Equanimity (upekkh)
Finally, there is the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariyo A55haAgiko Maggo):
1) Right View
(SammDi55hi) 5) Right Livelihood
(Sammjva)
2) Right Thought (SammSaAkappa) 6) Right Effort
(SammVyma)
3) Right Speech
(SammVc) 7) Right Mindfulness
(SammSati)
4) Right Action (SammKammanta) 8) Right Concentration (SammSamdhi)
It is, in other words, morality (sla), concentration (samdhi), and wisdom
(pa): the three trainings. We must practise these three trainings systematically.
Altogether, there are Thirty-Seven Requisites of Enlightenment (bodhipakkhiyadhamma). It was The Buddhas wish that His disciples learn these
Thirty-Seven Requisites of Enlightenment by heart, and practise them
until Arahantship. If we do that, we can give this inheritance to future
generations. Doing so, we and future generations will receive benefits
and happiness in this world, up to the attainment of Nibbna.
1)
2)
.................
...
..............
.....
...............
.......................
..............
..
THE BUDDHAS EXHORTATIONS TO THE SAiGHA
The Buddha said further:477

Handa dni, bhikkhave, mantaymi vo, vayadhamm saAkhr appamdena
sampdetha.
Now then, bhikkhus, I exhort you: all formations are perishing things. Strive diligently!
All mentality-materiality and their causes are called formations (saAkhra), because they are produced by their respective causes. Formations
are always impermanent.

You should not forget about the nature of impermanence. It is because
you forget about the nature of impermanence, that you aspire for yourself,
for sons, daughters, family, etc. If you knew anything of the nature of
impermanence, then throughout your life you would try to escape from it.
So you should not forget how The Buddha exhorted us:
477
D.ibid.185
252
Now then, bhikkhus, I exhort you: all formations are perishing things. Strive diligently!
The Buddha then said:

Na cira6 Tathgatassa Parinibbna6 bhavissati. Ito tinna6 msna6 accayena Tathgato parinibbyissati.
The time of the Tathgatas Parinibbna is near. Three months from now the
Tathgata will attain Parinibbna.
That means He would pass away completely. Those words were really
sad words to hear. The Buddha said also:
Paripakko vayo mayha6, paritta6 mama jvita6.
My years are now full ripe; the life span left is short.
He described His old age to the Venerable nanda:478

Now I am frail, nanda, old, aged, far gone in years. This is my eightieth year, and
my life is spent. Even as an old cart, nanda, is held together with much difficulty,
so the body of the Tathgata is kept going only with supports.
It is, nanda, only when the Tathgata, disregarding external objects, with the cessation of certain feelings, attains to and abides in the signless concentration of
mind,479 that His body is comfortable.
The Buddha said further:480

Pahya vo gamissmi, kata6 me saraBamattano.
Departing, I leave you, relying on myself alone.
That means He would attain Parinibbna, and depart from them. He had
made His own refuge up to Arahantship.
THE BUDDHAS ADVICE TO THE BHIKKHUS
That is why The Buddha also said:481

Therefore, nanda, be islands unto yourselves, refuges unto yourselves, seeking no
external refuge; with the Dhamma as your island, the Dhamma as your refuge, seeking no other refuge.
And how, nanda, is a bhikkhu an island unto himself, a refuge unto himself,
seeking no external refuge, with the Dhamma as his island, the Dhamma as his refuge, seeking no other refuge?
478
D.ibid.165
Arahant Fruition-Attainment with the Signless object of Nibbna as object. See endnote 1, p.253.
480
D.ibid.185
481
D.ibid.165
479
253
482
The Buddhas answer was as follows:

Appamatt satimanto susl hotha bhikkhavo. SusamhitasaAkapp sacittamanurakkhatha.
Be diligent, then, O bhikkhus, be mindful and of virtue pure. With firm resolve,
guard your minds.
Susl hotha bhikkhavo means, You should try to purify your conduct,
bhikkhus. You should try to be bhikkhus who have complete purification
of conduct. This means we must cultivate the training of morality, that
is, Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood.
SusamhitasaAkapp: Susamhita means we must practise the training of
concentration, which is Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. SaAkapp means the training of wisdom, which is Right
Thought and Right View.
Appamatt means to see with vipassan knowledge the nature of impermanence, suffering, and non-self in formations.
Satimanto means that when we practise the three trainings of virtuous
conduct, concentration, and wisdom, we must have enough mindfulness.
So we must be mindful and diligent. Mindful of what? Mindful of the
Four Foundations of Mindfulness, of mentality-materiality, or in other
words, we must be mindful of formations.
Finally, The Buddha said:
Yo imasmi6 dhamma-vinaye appamatto vihessati. Pahya jtisa6sra6
dukkhassanta6 karissati.
Whoever earnestly pursues the Dhamma and the Discipline shall go beyond the
round of births, and make an end of suffering.
So, if we want to reach the end of the round of rebirths, we must follow
The Buddhas teachings; that is, the Noble Eightfold Path. Let us strive
with effort before death takes place. May all beings be happy.
Endnote
A
Gotama Buddha had three kinds of Arahant Fruition-Attainment:A

1) Post-Path Fruition-Attainment (MaggnantraPhalaSampatti)
2) Resorting Fruition-Attainment (VaCajanaPhalaSampatti)
3) Lifespan-Maintenance Fruition-AttainmentA (yusaAkhraPhalaSampatti)
1) Post-Path Fruition Attainment: this Arahant Fruition-Attainment comes
immediately after the Noble Arahant-Path wholesome-kamma: it has the charac482
D.ibid.185
254
teristic of immediate fruition, and is referred to as a Momentary Fruition-Attainment (KhaBikaPhalaSampatti). The three fruition consciousness-moments that arise
immediately after a Buddhas Noble Arahant Path Consciousness are of this
kind.
2) Resorting Fruition Attainment: this is the sustained Arahant FruitionAttainment that an Arahant may enter at will, is the Fruition-attainment that is
the enjoyment of the peaceful bliss of Nibbana, and is also referred to as a Momentary Fruition-Attainment (KhaBikaPhalaSampatti). The Buddha would enter
this attainment at all times, even when, during a discourse, the audience applauded by saying Sdhu, Sdhu.
3) Lifespan-Maintenance Fruition Attainment: this Arahant Fruition-Attainment always follows vipassan with the Seven Ways for Materiality and Seven
Ways for Mentality:A they were practised by the Bodhisatta on the threshold of
Enlightenment under the Mahbodhi Tree, and daily by The Buddha from the
day his back pain arose at Vehuva village until His Parinibbna. About to complete the vipassan, and enter this Arahant Fruition-Attainment, The Buddha
would emerge, resolve, From today until Mahparinibbna day, may this affliction not occur, and then resume the vipassan to afterwards enter the Arahant
Fruition-Attainment.
The difference between the Momentary Fruition-Attainments and the Lifespan
Maintenance Fruition-Attainment is the preceding vipassan. The momentary
Arahant-Fruition Attainment that is just the enjoyment of the peaceful bliss of
Nibbna is preceded by an ordinary mode of entering into vipassan, whereas the
Lifespan Maintenance Arahant-Fruition Attainment is preceded by a higher
mode of vipassan that requires greater effort, namely, the Seven Ways for Materiality (rpasattaka) and the Seven Ways for Mentality (arpasattaka). The difference in effect is that the Momentary Arahant-Fruition attainment suppresses an
ailment for only as long as the attainment lasts: like a stone that falls into water
clears the water for only as long as the impact of the stone lasts, after which the
water-weeds return again. But the Lifespan Maintenance Arahant-Fruition Attainment can suppress an affliction for a determined period (here ten months): as
if a strong man were to descend into a lake and clear away the water-weeds,
which would not return for a considerable time.
Talk 9
T HE M OST S UPERIOR K IND OF O FFERING
(Rejoicement Talk to Donors, Organizers and Helpers)483
INTRODUCTION
There are two kinds of offering:

1) The offering with full fruition
2) The offering with no fruition
Which kind of offering do you prefer? Please answer our question.
Let us look at The Buddhas wishes for His disciples (svaka), regarding
offering in this dispensation. Your preference and The Buddhas preference may be the same or different. To find out The Buddhas preference,
let us look at the DakkhiBVibhaAga sutta.484
Once The Buddha was living in the Sakyan country, at Kapilavatthu in
Nigrodhas Park. Then Mahpajpatigotam went to The Buddha with a
new pair of cloths, which she had had made by skilled weavers. After
paying homage to The Buddha, she sat down to one side and said to The
Buddha: Bhante, this new pair of cloths has been spun by me, and woven
by me, specially for The Buddha. Bhante, let The Buddha out of compassion accept it from me. The Buddha then said:
Give it to the SaPgha, Gotam. When you give it to the SaPgha, the offering will be
made both to Me and to the SaPgha.
She asked The Buddha in the same way three times, and The Buddha
answered in the same way three times. Then Venerable nanda said to
The Buddha: Bhante, please accept the new pair of robes from Mahpajpatigotam. Mahpajpatigotam has been very helpful to The Buddha.
Although she was Your mothers sister, she was Your nurse, Your foster
mother, and the one who gave You milk. She suckled The Buddha when
The Buddhas own mother died.
The Buddha has been very helpful towards Mahpajpatigotam. It is
owing to The Buddha that Mahpajpatigotam has gone for refuge to
The Buddha, the Dhamma, and the SaOgha. It is owing to The Buddha
that Mahpajpatigotam abstains from killing living beings, from taking
what is not given, from misconduct in sensual pleasures, from false
483
A talk given after an offering, such as is the case here, is in Pali called an anumodana
talk: modana means rejoicing, and anu means repeatedly. An anumodana talk is thus a
rejoicement-talk (inspirational talk) meant to elevate the minds of the givers, thereby increasing the good kamma and merit of their action, and imprinting it on the mind.
484
M.III.iv.12 The Offerings-Analysis Sutta
256
speech, and from beer&wine liquor, which are the basis of negligence. It
is owing to The Buddha that Mahpajpatigotam possesses perfect confidence in The Buddha, the Dhamma and the SaOgha, and that she possesses the virtue loved by Noble Ones (Ariya). It is owing to The Buddha
that Mahpajpatigotam is free from doubt about the Noble Truth of Suffering (DukkhaSacca), about the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering (SamudayaSacca), about the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (NirodhaSacca), and about the Noble Truth of the Way Leading to the Cessation of
Suffering (MaggaSacca). So The Buddha too has been very helpful towards
Mahpajpatigotam.
THE DISCIPLES DEBTS TO HIS TEACHER
Then The Buddha replied as follows:

That is so, nanda, that is so.
When a disciple, owing to a teacher, has gone for refuge to The Buddha, the
Dhamma and the SaPgha, I say that it is not easy for that disciple to repay the
teacher by paying homage to him, rising up for him, according him reverential
salutation and polite services, and by providing the four requisites.
When a disciple, owing to the teacher, has come to abstain from killing living
beings, from taking what is not given, from misconduct in sensual pleasures,
from false speech, and from beer&wine liquor, which are the basis of negligence, I say that it is not easy for that disciple to repay the teacher by paying
homage to him, rising up for him, according him reverential salutation and polite services, and by providing the four requisites.
When a disciple, owing to the teacher, has come to possess perfect confidence in
The Buddha, the Dhamma and the SaPgha, and to possess the virtue loved by
Noble Ones (Ariya), I say that it is not easy for that disciple to repay the teacher
by paying homage to him, rising up for him, according him reverential salutation and polite services, and by providing the four requisites.
When a disciple, owing to the teacher, has become free from doubt about the
Noble Truth of Suffering (DukkhaSacca), about the Noble Truth of the Origin of
Suffering (SamudayaSacca), about the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering
(NirodhaSacca), and about the Noble Truth of the Way Leading to the Cessation
of Suffering (MaggaSacca), I say that it is not easy for that disciple to repay the
teacher by paying homage to him, rising up for him, according him reverential
salutation and polite services, and by providing the four requisites.
Here, let us discuss what The Buddha means. If a disciple knows the
Four Noble Truths through the guidance of a teacher, his vipassan
knowledge of the Four Noble Truths is more beneficial than his acts of
respect, and providing of the four requisites to the teacher. If he knows
the Four Noble Truths through Stream-Entry Path Knowledge (Sotpatti-
9 - The Most Superior Type of Offering
257
MaggaBa), and Stream-Entry Fruition Knowledge (SotpattiPhalaBa),
then that vipassan knowledge will help him escape from the four woeful
realms (apya). This result is wonderful. Those who neglect to perform
wholesome deeds, usually wander the four woeful realms. The four woeful realms are like their home: (Pamattassa ca nma cattro apy sakagehasadis).485
They only sometimes visit good realms. So it is a great opportunity to be
able to escape from the four woeful realms. It cannot be compared to the
disciples acts of respect, and providing of four requisites to the teacher.
Again, if a disciple knows the Four Noble Truths through Once-Return
Path Knowledge (SakadgmiMaggaBa) and Once-Return Fruition Knowledge (SakadgmiPhalaBa), he will come back to this human world once
only. But if he knows the Four Noble Truths through Non-Return Path
Knowledge (AngmiMaggaBa), and Non-Return Fruition Knowledge
(AngmiPhalaBa), his vipassan knowledge will help him escape from the
eleven sensual realms. He will definitely be reborn in a brahma realm. He
will never return to this sensual realm. Brahma happiness is far superior
to sensual pleasure. In the brahma realm there is no man, no woman, no
son, no daughter, no family. There is no fighting and quarrelling. It is not
necessary to take any food. Their lifespan is very long. There is no one
who can spoil their happiness. They are free from all dangers. But they
are subject to decay; subject to death; subject to rebirth again, if they do
not attain Arahantship.
Again, if a disciple knows the Four Noble Truths through the Arahant
Path (ArahattaMagga) and Arahant Fruition (ArahattaPhala), his vipassan
knowledge will lead to his escape from the round of rebirths. After his
Parinibbna he will definitely attain Nibbna, and he will have no more
suffering at all, no more rebirth, decay, disease, death, etc. So these benefits are more valuable than the disciples acts of respect, and providing
the four requisites to the teacher. Even if a disciple offers a pile of requisites as high as Mount Meru, that offering is not enough to repay his debt,
because the escape from the round of rebirths, or the escape from rebirth,
decay, disease, and death is more valuable.
What are the Four Noble Truths that the disciple has understood?
1) The Noble Truth of Suffering (DukkhaSacca): this is the five aggregates
If a disciple knows the Noble truth of Suffering, dependent upon a
teacher, this vipassan knowledge is more valuable than acts of
respect, and providing the four requisites to the teacher.
485
DhPA.I.i.1 CakkhupalaTtheraVatthu (The Elder Cakkhupala Case)
258
The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering (SamudayaSacca): this is dependent origination. If a disciple knows dependent origination dependent upon a teacher, this vipassan knowledge is also more valuable than acts of respect, and providing the four requisites to the
teacher.
3) The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (NirodhaSacca): this is
Nibbna. If a disciple knows Nibbna dependent upon a teacher, this
vipassan knowledge is also more valuable than acts of respect, and
providing the four requisites to the teacher.
4) The Noble Truth of the Way Leading to the Cessation of Suffering
(MaggaSacca): this is the Noble Eightfold Path. In other words, this is
vipassan knowledge (vipassanBa) and Path Knowledge (MaggaBa).
If a disciple possesses vipassan knowledge and Path Knowledge dependent upon a teacher, these vipassan knowledges are more valuable
than acts of respect, and providing the four requisites to the teacher, because these vipassan knowledges lead to ones escape from the round of
rebirths, whereas acts of respect, and providing the four requisites, cannot
be a direct cause for escape from the round of rebirths. Offering the four
requisites can, however, be an indirect contributing cause for one who is
practising samatha-vipassan to attain Nibbna.
2)
OPPORTUNITIES NOT TO BE MISSED
Here again we should like to explain further. The five aggregates are the
first Noble Truth, the Noble Truth of Suffering. In the five aggregates is
included the materiality aggregate (rpakkhandha). Materiality (rpa) arises as
different types of rpa-kalpa (small particle). When one analyses the
different types, one sees that there are in all twenty-eight types of materiality. Please consider this problem. Outside a Buddhas dispensation,
there is no teacher who can teach about these types of materiality, and
how to classify them. Only a Buddha and his disciples can discern these
types of materiality, and teach how to classify them. Again, in the five
aggregates are included also the four mentality aggregates (nmakkhandha).
Apart from the rebirth-linking consciousness, bhavaOga-, and decease
consciousness, these mental formations arise according to mental processes. The Buddha taught exactly how many associated mental factors
(cetasika) are associated with one consciousness (citta) in a consciousness
moment (cittakkhaBa), and he taught how to discern and classify them.
There is no teacher outside a Buddhas dispensation who can show and
teach these mental formations clearly, because there is no other teacher
259
who fully understands. But if a disciple of this Sakyamuni Buddha practises hard and systematically, according to the instructions of The Buddha, he can discern these mental formations clearly. This is a unique opportunity for Buddhists. You should not miss this opportunity.
Again, dependent origination is the second Noble Truth, the Noble
Truth of the Origin of Suffering. The Buddha also taught his disciples
how to discern dependent origination. When a disciple of The Buddha
discerns dependent origination according to the instructions of The Buddha, he fully understands the relationship between cause and effect. He
can gain the vipassan knowledge which knows that the past cause produces the present effect, and that the present cause produces the future
effect. He knows that within the three periods, past, present and future,
there is no creator to create an effect, and that there is nothing which occurs without a cause. This knowledge can also be gained in only a Buddhas dispensation. You should not miss this opportunity either.
Again, when a disciple discerns dependent origination, he sees past
lives and future lives. If you discern many past lives, you gain the vipassan knowledge of knowing which type of unwholesome kamma produces rebirth in the woeful realms, and which type of wholesome kamma
produces rebirth in good realms. Knowledge of the thirty-one realms, and
the Law of Kamma, can be found in the teachings of only a Buddha. Outside a Buddhas dispensation, there is no one who can come to know the
thirty-one realms, and the Law of Kamma, that produces rebirth in each
realm. You should not miss this opportunity either.
Again, if a disciple discerns cause and effect in future lives, he also sees
the cessation of mentality-materiality. He knows fully when his mentality-materiality will cease. This is the third Noble Truth, the Noble Truth
of the Cessation of Suffering. This knowledge can be gained in only a
Buddhas dispensation. You should not miss this opportunity either.
Again, The Buddha also taught the way, the fourth Noble Truth, that is
samatha-vipassan, to reach the state of cessation. Samatha-vipassna
means the Noble Eightfold Path. The Mentality-Materiality Definition
Knowledge and the Cause-Apprehending Knowledge are Right View
(SammDi55hi). The Knowledge of the Cessation of Mentality-Materiality is
also Right View. The Knowledge of the Noble Eightfold Path is also
Right View. Application of the mind to the Four Noble Truths is Right
Thought (SammSaAkappa). Right View and Right Thought are vipassan. To
practise vipassan we must have samatha concentration, which is Right
Effort (SammVyma), Right Mindfulness (SammSati), and Right Concentration (SammSamdhi). When we cultivate samatha-vipassan, we should undertake morality purification, that is Right Speech (SammVc), Right Ac-
260
tion (SammKammanta), and Right Livelihood (Sammjva). To cultivate samatha-vipassan based on morality (sla) is to cultivate the Noble Eightfold
Path. This Noble Eightfold Path can be found in only a Buddhas dispensation. You should not miss this opportunity either. Why? Vipassan
knowledge of the Four Noble Truths leads to a disciples escape from the
round of rebirths.
THE FOURTEEN KINDS OF PERSONAL OFFERING
As mentioned, this escape can be assisted by the disciples acts of offering. In the DakkhiBVibhaAga sutta, mentioned in the beginning of this
talk, The Buddha explains the fourteen kinds of personal offering (p5ipuggalikadakkhiBa):
nanda, there are fourteen kinds of personal offering:
[1] One makes an offering to a Buddha: this is the first kind of personal offering.
[2] One makes an offering to a Paccekabuddha: this is the second kind of personal offering.
[3] One makes an offering to an Arahant, a disciple of The Buddha: this is the
third kind of personal offering.
[4] One makes an offering to one who has entered upon the way to realization of
the Arahant Fruition: this is the fourth kind of personal offering.
[5] One makes an offering to a Non-Returner (Angmi): this is the fifth kind of
personal offering.
the Non-Return Fruition: this is the sixth kind of personal offering.
[7] One makes an offering to a Once-Returner (Sakadgmi): this is the seventh
kind of personal offering.
the Once-Return Fruition: this is the eighth kind of personal offering.
[9] One makes an offering to a Stream-Enterer (Sotpanna): this is the ninth kind
of personal offering.
the Stream-Entry Fruition: this is the tenth kind of personal offering.
[11] One makes an offering to one outside the dispensation who is free from lust
for sensual pleasures due to attainment of jhna: this is the eleventh kind of
personal offering.
[12] One makes an offering to a virtuous ordinary person (puthujjana): this is the
twelfth kind of personal offering.
[13] One makes an offering to an immoral ordinary person: this is the thirteenth
kind of personal offering.
[14] One makes an offering to an animal: this is the fourteenth kind of personal offering.
261
The Buddha then explained the benefits of these fourteen kinds of offering:
By making an offering to an animal, with a pure mind, the offering may be expected to repay a hundredfold.
That means it can produce its result in a hundred lives. Here pure
mind means without expecting anything in return, such as help from the
receiver. One makes the offering only to accumulate wholesome kamma,
with strong enough faith in the Law of Kamma. Suppose someone feeds a
dog with the thought: This is my dog. Such a thought is not a pure mind
state. But if someone gives food to the birds, such as pigeons, then the
offering is pure, because he does not expect anything from the birds. This
applies also to the instances mentioned later. For example, if a person
offers requisites to a bhikkhu, with the thought that it will bring about
success in his business it is not offering with a pure mind. This kind of
offering does not produce superior benefits.
The Buddha explained further:
By making an offering with a pure mind to an immoral ordinary person, the offering may be expected to repay a thousandfold.
By making an offering to a virtuous ordinary person, the offering may be expected to repay a hundred-thousandfold.
By making an offering to one outside the dispensation who is free from lust for
sensual pleasures, due to attainment of jhna, the offering may be expected to
repay a hundred-thousand times a hundred-thousandfold.
By making an offering to one who has entered upon the way to realization of the
Stream-Entry Fruition, the offering may be expected to repay incalculably, immeasurably.
What then should be said about making an offering to a Stream-Enterer; or to
one who has entered upon the way to realization of the Once-Return Fruition,
or to a Once-Returner; or to one who has entered upon the way to realization of
the Non-Return Fruition, or to a Non-Returner; or to one who has entered upon
the way to realization of the Arahant Fruition or to an Arahant; or to a Paccekabuddha, or to a Buddha, a Fully Enlightened One?
Here, an offering means one offers food enough for one meal only. If a
giver offers many times, such as, over many days or many months, there
are no words to describe the benefits of those offerings. These are the
different kinds of personal offering (p5ipuggalika dakkhiBa).
THE SEVEN KINDS OF OFFERING TO THE SAiGHA
The Buddha then explained to the Venerable nanda:

There are, nanda, seven kinds of offerings made to the SaPgha (SaAghikaDna).
262
[1] One makes an offering to a SaPgha of both bhikkhus and bhikkhunis headed
by The Buddha: this is the first kind of offering made to the SaPgha.
[2] One makes an offering to a SaPgha of both bhikkhus and bhikkhunis after
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
The Buddha has attained Parinibnibbna: this is the second kind of offering
made to the SaPgha.
One makes an offering to a SaPgha of bhikkhus; this is the third kind of offering made to the SaPgha.
One makes an offering to a SaPgha of bhikkhunis: this is the fourth kind of offering made to the SaPgha.
One makes an offering, saying: Appoint so many bhikkhus and bhikkhunis to
me from the SaPgha: this is the fifth kind of offering made to the SaPgha.
One makes an offering, saying: Appoint so many bhikkhus to me from the
SaPgha: this is the sixth kind of offering made to the SaPgha.
One makes an offering, saying: Appoint so many bhikkhunis to me from the
SaPgha: this is the seventh kind of offering made to the SaPgha.
These are the seven kinds of offering to the SaOgha. The Buddha then
compared personal offerings to offerings to the SaOgha:
In future times, nanda, there will be members of the clan who are yellow-necks,
immoral, of evil character. People will make offerings to those immoral persons on
behalf of the SaPgha. Even then, I say, an offering made to the SaPgha is incalculable, immeasurable. And I say that in no way does an offering to a person individually, ever have greater fruit than an offering made to the SaPgha.
This means that offerings made to the SaOgha (saAghikadna) are more
beneficial than personal offerings (p5ipuggalikadakkhiBa). If Mahpajpatigo-
tam offered the robes to the SaOgha headed by The Buddha it would be
far more beneficial. The result would be incalculable and immeasurable.
So The Buddha urged her to offer them to the SaOgha too.
The Buddha also explained the four kinds of purification of offering:
THE FOUR KINDS OF PURIFICATION OF OFFERING
There are four kinds of purification of offering. What are the four? They are:
[1] There is the offering that is purified by the giver, but not the receiver.
[2] There is the offering that is purified by the receiver, but not the giver.
[3] There is the offering that is purified by neither the giver nor the receiver.
[4] There is the offering that is purified by both the giver and the receiver.
[1] What is the offering that is purified by the giver, but not the receiver? Here
the giver is virtuous, of good character, and the receiver is immoral, of evil
character. Thus, the offering is purified by the giver, but not the receiver.
[2] What is the offering that is purified by the receiver, but not the giver? Here
the giver is immoral, of evil character, and the receiver is virtuous, of good
character. Thus, the offering is purified by the receiver, but not the giver.
263
[3] What is the offering that is purified by neither the giver nor the receiver?
Here the giver is immoral, of evil character, and the receiver too is immoral,
of evil character.Thus, the offering is purified by neither the giver nor the receiver.
[4] What is the offering that is purified by both the giver and the receiver? Here
the giver is virtuous, of good character, and the receiver too is virtuous, of
good character. Thus, the offering is purified by both the giver and the receiver.
These are the four kinds of purification of offering.

When a virtuous person to an immoral person gives, with clear and taintless
mind486 a gift that has been righteously obtained, placing faith in that the fruit of
kamma is great, the givers virtue purifies the offering.
To get superior benefits, the giver should fulfil the four conditions. Because then, although the receiver is an immoral person, the offering is
purified by the giver.
The commentary mentions the case of Vessantara.487 Our Bodhisatta in
a past life as Vessantara, offered his son and daughter (the future Rhula
and UppalavaLL) to Jjaka BrhmaLa, who was immoral, of evil character. That offering was the final one for Vessantaras generosity pram to
be fulfilled. After fulfilling this last pram, he was ready to attain enlightenment: He had only to wait for the time to mature. Because of this
generosity pram, and other previous pram, he was now certain to attain Omniscient Knowledge (SabbautaBa). So we can say that the offering was a support for his attaining enlightenment. It was purified by Vessantara. At that time Vessantara was virtuous, of good character. His offering had been rightly obtained. His mind was clear and taintless, because he had only one desire: to attain enlightenment. He had strong
enough faith in the Law of Kamma and its results. So the offering was
purified by the giver.
An offering is purified by the receiver, when an immoral person, whose
mind is unclear, full of attachment, hatred, etc., who has no faith in the
Law of Kamma, makes an unrighteously obtained offering to a virtuous
person. The commentary mentions the case of a fisherman. A fisherman
living near the mouth of the KalyL River in Sri Lanka, had three times
offered almsfood to a Mahthera who was an Arahant. At the time near
death, the fisherman remembered his offerings to that Mahthera. Good
signs of a deva realm appeared in his mind, so before he died he said to
486
487
With no expectations, attachment, anger, etc.

MA.III.iv.12 DakkhiBVibhaAgaSutta6 (The Offerings Analysis Sutta)
264
his relatives, That Mahthera saved me. After death he went to a deva
realm. In this case the fisherman was immoral and of bad character, but
the receiver was virtuous. So the offering was purified by the receiver.
An offering is purified by neither the giver nor the receiver, when an
immoral person, whose mind is unclear, full of attachment, hatred, etc.,
who has no faith in the Law of Kamma, makes an unrighteously obtained
offering to an immoral person. The commentary mentions the case of a
hunter. When he died, he went to the peta realm. Then his wife offered
almsfood on his behalf, to a bhikkhu who was immoral, of bad character;
so the peta could not call out, It is good (sdhu). Why? The giver too was
immoral, and not virtuous, because she had, as the wife of a hunter, accompanied him when he killed animals. Also, her offering had been unrighteously obtained, as it was acquired through killing animals. Her
mind was unclear because had it been clear and understanding, she would
not have accompanied her husband. She did not have enough faith in the
Law of Kamma and its results, because had she had enough faith in the
Law of Kamma, she would never have killed beings. Since the receiver
too was immoral, of bad character, the offering could be purified by neither giver nor receiver. She offered almsfood in the same way three
times, and no good result occured; so the peta shouted, An immoral person has three times stolen my wealth. Then she offered almsfood to a
virtuous bhikkhu, who then purified the offering. At that time the peta
could call out It is good(Sdhu!), and escape from the peta realm.
(Here we should like to say to the audience; if you want good results
from offering you should fulfil the following four conditions:
1) You must be virtuous,
2) Your offering must have been righteously obtained,
3) Your mind must be clear and taintless,
4) You must have strong enough faith in the Law of Kamma and its results.
Furthermore, if you are the receiver, and your loving-kindness and compassion for the giver is strong enough, you should also be virtuous. If
your virtue is accompanied by jhna and vipassan knowledge, it is much
better. Why? This kind of offering can produce better results for the
giver.)
Now, please note the next kind of offering, the fourth kind of purification of an offering: an offering that is purified by both the giver and the
receiver.
In that case, the giver has fulfilled the four conditions:
1) The giver is virtuous,
265
The givers offering has been righteously obtained,

The givers mind is clear and taintless,
The giver has strong enough faith in the Law of Kamma and its results,
and the receiver too is virtuous.
As for this kind of offering, The Buddha said:
2)
3)
4)
nanda, I say, this kind of offering will come to full fruition.
This offering can produce incalculable, immeasurable results. If the receivers virtue is accompanied by jhna, vipassan knowledge, or Path
and Fruition Knowledges, then the virtue of the offering is superior.
THE SIX QUALITIES OF AN IMMEASURABLE OFFERING
Here let us look at another sutta: the ChaCaAgadna sutta in the AAguttaraNikya, ChakkaNipta.488 Once The Buddha was living near
Svatthi, at Jetavana in AnthapiLjikas Park. Then Nandas mother, a
lay disciple of The Buddha, who lived in Velukandaka, offered almsfood.
Her offering was endowed with six qualities, and the receiver was the
Bhikkhu SaOgha, headed by the Venerable Sriputta and the Venerable
Mahmoggallna. The Buddha saw the offering with his divine eye, and
addressed the monks thus:
Bhikkhus, the lay disciple of Velukandaka has prepared an offering endowed with
six qualities to the SaPgha, [which is] headed by Sriputta and Mahmoggallna.
How, bhikkhus, is an offering endowed with six qualities?
Bhikkhus, the giver should be endowed with three qualities, and the receiver also
should be endowed with three qualities.
What are the givers three qualities? Bhikkhus,
[1] Before giving the giver is glad at heart,
[2] While giving the givers heart is satisfied,
[3] After giving the giver is joyful.
These are the three qualities of the giver.
What are the three qualities of the receiver? Bhikkhus,
[1] The receiver is either free from attachment, or is trying to destroy attachment,
[2] The receiver is either free from anger, or is trying to destroy anger,
[3] The receiver is either free from delusion, or is trying to destroy delusion.
These are the three qualities of the receiver.
Altogether there are six qualities. If the offering is endowed with these
six qualities, it produces immeasurable and noble results.
488
A.VI.iv.7 The Six-Factored Offering Sutta
266

Bhikkhus, it is not easy to grasp the measure of merit of such an offering by saying: This much is the yield in merit, the yield in goodliness, accumulated for wholesome kamma hereafter, ripening to happiness, leading to heaven, leading to happiness, longed for and loved. Verily the great mass of merit, wholesome kamma, is
just reckoned unreckonable, immeasurable.
Bhikkhus, just as it is not easy to grasp the measure of water in the great ocean,
and to say: There are so many pailfuls, so many hundreds of pailfuls, so many thousands of pailfuls, so many hundreds of thousands of pailfuls; for that great mass of
water is reckoned unreckonable, immeasurable; even so bhikkhus, it is not easy to
grasp the measure of merit in an offering endowed with the six qualities. Verily the
great mass of merit is reckoned unreckonable, immeasurable.
Why? The giver was endowed with the four qualities mentioned in the
DakkhiBVibhaAga sutta:
1) She was virtuous,
2) Her offering had been righteously obtained,
3) Her mind was clear and taintless,
4) She had strong enough faith in the Law of Kamma and its results.
The givers three qualities, mentioned in the ChaCAAgaDna sutta,
were also fulfilled:
1) Before giving she was glad at heart,
2) While giving her heart was satisfied,
3) After giving she was joyful.
It is very important that these conditions are present in a giver, whether
male or female. If he or she expects incalculable and immeasurable good
results, he or she should try to fulfil them. But according to the DakkhiBVibhaAga sutta, the receiver too must be virtuous. According to the
ChaCAAgaDna sutta, it should be a bhikkhu or bhikkhun who either
has practised samatha-vipassan meditation up to Arahantship, or who is
cultivating samatha-vipassan meditation to destroy greed (lobha), anger
(dosa), and delusion (moha).
OFFERINGS AT RETREAT
There are now, in Yi-Tung Temple, many bhikkhus and bhikkhuns

who are practising samatha and vipassan meditation to destroy attachment, anger, and delusion totally. They are also virtuous. So we may say:
Now there are worthy receivers here.
The givers too may be virtuous.
Their minds may be clear and taintless.
267
What they have offered has been righteously obtained.

They may have strong enough faith in the Triple Gem, and the Law
of Kamma and its results.

They were glad before giving.
And were satisfied while giving.
They were joyful after giving.
So we can say that the offerings made in these two months have been in
accordance with The Buddhas wishes. They are noble offerings.
THE GIVERS WISHES
If the givers expect good results in the future, certainly this wholesome
kamma will fulfil their expectation. Why? The Buddha said in the Dnpapatti sutta:489
Ijjhati bhikkhave slavato cetopaBidhi visuddhatt.
Bhikkhus, a virtuous persons wish will certainly be fulfilled by purification of
conduct.
So, a virtuous persons wholesome kamma can make his wish come
true:
If he wants to become a Fully Enlightened Buddha, he can become a
Fully Enlightened Buddha.
If he wants to become a Paccekabuddha he can become a Paccekabuddha.
If he wants to become a Chief Disciple (AggaSvaka), he can become a
Chief Disciple.
If he wants to become a Great Disciple (MahSvaka), he can become a
Great Disciple.
If he wants to become an Ordinary Disciple (PakatiSvaka), he can become an Ordinary Disciple.
But this is only when his pram have matured. Wishing alone is not
enough to attain one of those types of enlightenment (bodhi). Again:
If he wants human happiness after death, he can get human happiness
in the human realm.
If he wants to go to the deva realm, he can go to the deva realm.
If he wants to go to the brahma realm after death, this wholesome
kamma can be a support for him to go to the brahma realm.
489
A.VIII.I.iv.5 The Offering-Rebirth Sutta
268
How? If his offering fulfils the previously mentioned conditions, it

means that before, while and after offering, his mind is full of joy, is
clear, taintless and happy, and takes the offerings and receivers as object:
the receiver becomes his minds object for the loving-kindness meditation. His loving-kindness for the receiver is strong. If he at that time practises loving-kindness meditation (mettbhvan), his loving-kindness jhna
will take him to the brahma realm after death. In this way his offering is a
support for him to go to the brahma realm. So, if the giver wants to go to
the brahma realm after death, he should practise loving-kindness meditation up to jhna. If he has practised loving-kindness jhna, and offers
almsfood, his wholesome kamma will be a superior and very powerful
support for him to go to the brahma realm. So, if you want good results in
the future, you should also practise loving-kindness meditation up to
jhna. Among the three kinds of happiness; human happiness, deva happiness, and brahma happiness, brahma happiness is the highest. There is
no mundane happiness higher than brahma happiness. It is the most superior happiness in the thirty-one realms.
THE MOST SUPERIOR WORLDLY OFFERINGS OF ALL
That was the first kind of offering mentioned in the beginning of this
talk, namely, the offering with full fruition. Do you prefer this kind of
offering? If you do, then please listen to the following stanza from the
DakkhiBVibhaAga sutta:
Yo vtargo vtargesu dadti dna6
Dhammena laddha6 supasannacitto
Abhisaddaha6 kammaphala6 uChra6
Ta6 ve dna6 misadnnamagganti.
Bhikkhus, I say that when an Arahant, with clear and taintless mind, placing faith
in that the fruit of kamma is great, offers to an Arahant what is righteously obtained,
then that offering indeed is the most superior of all worldly offerings.
In this case, the four qualities present in the giver are:

1) The giver is an Arahant,
2) The givers offering has been righteously obtained,
3) The givers mind is clear and taintless,
4) The giver has strong enough faith in the Law of Kamma and its results.
But a fifth quality is necessary, namely:
5) The receiver too must be an Arahant.
The Buddha taught that this kind of offering, one Arahant giving to another Arahant, is the most superior kind of worldly offering. He praised
269
this kind of offering as the most superior. Why? This offering has no result. Why? The giver has destroyed delusion and all attachment to life.
Ignorance (avijj) and craving (taBh) are the main causes for kamma, that is
volitional-formations (saAkhra). In this case, volitional-formations means
good actions like making an offering to the receiver. But this kamma does
not produce any result, because there are no supporting causes: there is no
ignorance (avijj), and no craving (taBh). If the root of a tree is totally destroyed, the tree cannot produce any fruit. In the same way, an Arahants
offering cannot produce any result, because he has totally destroyed those
roots; ignorance and craving. He has no expectation of a future life. In the
Ratana sutta, The Buddha taught the following stanza:490
Khna6 purBa6 nava natthi sambhava6
Virattacittyatike bhavasmi6
Te khBabj avirChichand
Nibbanti dhr yathya6 padpo
Idampi sanghe ratana6 paBta6
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu.
Arahants have exhausted all old wholesome and unwholesome kamma.
New wholesome and unwholesome kamma do not occur in them.
They have exhausted the seeds of rebirth.491 They have no expectation of a future
life.
All their mentality-materiality will cease like an oil lamp, when the oil and wick
are exhausted.
By this truth may all beings be happy and free from all dangers.
This is an assertion of truth. By the assertion of this truth all the people
in Vesl became free from dangers.492
An Arahants offering is the most superior because it has no result in
the future. If there is no future life, there will be no rebirth, decay, disease
and death. This is the most superior. This is the second kind of offering
mentioned at the beginning of this Dhamma talk: an offering with no fruition, no result.
But in the case of the first kind of offering mentioned, the offering with
result, such as happiness in the human realm, happiness in the deva
realm, or happiness in the brahma realm, there is still suffering. The very
least is that the giver is still subject to rebirth, subject to disease, subject
490
SuN.ii.1 The Jewel Sutta

The seeds of rebirth: ignorance, craving, and potency of kamma.
492
Vesl was a city visited by drought, famine, evil yakkhas (lower devas), and epidemic
diseases. The people of Vesl asked The Buddha to help them, and He taught them the
Ratana sutta.
491
270
to decay, and subject to death. If the giver is still attached to sensual objects, animate and inanimate, then when those objects are destroyed or
have died, he will experience sorrow, lamentation, physical suffering,
mental suffering, and despair.
Please consider this question: Can we say that an offering is superior
when it produces rebirth, decay, disease, death, sorrow, lamentation,
physical suffering, mental suffering, and despair? Please consider also
this question: Can we say that an offering is superior when it produces no
result: no rebirth, no decay, no disease, no death, no sorrow, no lamentation, no physical suffering, no mental suffering, and no despair? This is
why The Buddha praised the second kind of offering as the most superior.
Now you may understand the meaning of this Dhamma talk. At the beginning of this Dhamma talk were mentioned the two kinds of offering:
1) The offering with full fruition,
2) The offering with no fruition.
Which kind of offering do you prefer? Now you know the answer.
HOW YOU MAKE A MOST SUPERIOR OFFERING
But if the giver is not an Arahant, how can he then make the second
kind of offering? In the ChaCAAgaDna sutta mentioned before, The
Buddha taught that there are two ways he can do this: when the receiver
either is free from attachment, anger, and delusion, or is trying to destroy
attachment, anger, and delusion. You can say that the offering is also
most superior, if the giver too is trying to destroy attachment, anger, and
delusion; if he at the time of offering practises vipassan:493
If he discerns his own mentality-materiality, and discerns their impermanent (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anatta) nature;
If he discerns the impermanent, suffering, and non-self nature of external mentality-materiality, especially the receivers mentalitymateriality;
If he discerns the impermanent, suffering, and non-self nature of the
ultimate materiality of the offerings.
If he discerns the impermanent, suffering, and non-self nature of
wholesome mentality dhammas, which arise in him while offering.
When he looks at the four elements in the offerings, he sees the rpakalpas easily. When he analyses the rpa-kalpas, he discerns the eight
493
Pa55hna (Conditional Relations) (fifth book of the Abhidhamma) KusalaTtika

(Wholesome Triads 423)
271
types of materiality: earth-, water-, fire-, and wind element, colour,

odour, flavour and nutritive essence. The rpa-kalpas are generations of
temperature-born materiality (utujarpa), produced by the fire element in
each rpa-kalpa.494 Then he discerns their impermanent, suffering, and
non-self nature. If the giver is able to do this type of vipassan, his attachment, anger and delusion are suppressed at the time of offering, and
also, his offering will usually produce no result. That way, we can say
that also this kind of offering is most superior.
The giver can do this type of vipassan before, after or while offering.
But his vipassan must be strong and powerful. He must have practised
up to the stage of at least Dissolution Knowledge (BhaAgaBa). Only then
can he practise this type of vipassan. We should not miss this opportunity either. This opportunity exists only in a Buddhas dispensation. But
you may ask, how can we make this kind of offering if we have no vipassan knowledge? We should like to suggest that you then make your offering with the thought: May this offering be a contributory cause to attaining Nibbna. This is because The Buddha many times taught to make
offerings with the wish for Nibbna.
We should like to conclude our Dhamma talk by repeating the stanza
from the Ratana sutta:
Khna6 purBa6 nava natthi sambhava6
Virattacittyatike bhavasmi6
Te khBabj avirChichand
Nibbanti dhr yathya6 padpo
Idampi sanghe ratana6 paBta6
Etena saccena suvatthi hotu.
Arahants have exhausted all old wholesome and unwholesome kamma.
New wholesome and unwholesome kamma do not occur in them.
They have exhausted the seeds of rebirth.495 They have no expectation of a future
life.
All their mentality-materiality will cease like an oil lamp, when the oil and wick
are exhausted.
By this truth may all beings be happy and free from all dangers.
May all beings be well and happy.
494
For details regarding the regeneration of temperature-born materiality, see p.113.

The seeds of rebirth: ignorance, craving, and potency of kamma. See the three rounds of
dependent origination, p.184.
495
T HE F ORTY M EDITATION S UBJECTS

The forty meditation subjects taught by The Buddha,496 for the development of samatha meditation, with some sutta references.497
KasiLa + Foulness + Recollection + Divine Abiding + Immaterial + Perception + Defining = Total
10 +
10
10
= 40
Ten KasiRas
D.ii.2 MahNidnaSutta6 (The Great Causation-Sutta)

M.II.iii.7 MahSakuludyiSutta6 (The Great Sakuludyi Sutta)
Ten Foulnesses
D.ii.9 Mah SatiPa55hnaSutta6 (The Great Mindfulness-Foundation Sutta)

M.III.ii.9 KyaGatSatiSutta6 (The Body-Related Mindfulness Sutta)
Ten Recollections:
Buddha, Dhamma, SaSgha
D.ii.3 MahParinibbnaSutta6 (The Great-Parinibbna Sutta)

S.I.XI.i.3 Dhajagga Sutta6 (The Standard Sutta)
Virtue
D.ii.3 MahParinibbnaSutta6 (The Great-Parinibbna Sutta)

A.III.II.ii.10 UposathaSutta6 (The Uposatha Sutta)
Generosity
A.VI.i.10 MahnmaSutta6 (The Mahnma Sutta)

Devas
A.III.II.ii.10 UposathaSutta6 (The Uposatha Sutta)

A.VI.i.10 MahnmaSutta6 (The Mahnma Sutta)
Death
A.VI.ii.9 Pa5hama- & DutiyaMaraBaSsatiSutta6

(First- & Second Death-Recollection Sutta)
Body-Related Mindfulness
498

496
VsM.iii.47 KammaI5hnaGgahaBaNiddeso (Exposition of the Meditation-Subject

Obtainment) PP.iii.104-105
497
The sutta references given are only examples: there are more suttas that mention these
meditation subjects.
498
In the VisuddhiMaggas listing, body-related mindfulness refers specifically to meditation on the thirty-two parts of the body. The term body-related mindfulness, however, is
used by the Buddha in many ways. Thus, in M.III.ii.9 KyaGatSatiSutta6 (The
Body-Related Mindfulness Sutta), for example, The Buddha explains it as the exact same
fourteen body-contemplations (incl. meditation on the thirty-two parts of the body) that He
explains in D.ii.9 MahSatiPa55hnaSutta6 (The Great Mindfulness-Foundation
Sutta), as well as the four material jhnas: at each explanation He says: That too is how a
bhikkhu develops body-related mindfulness.
274
Mindfulness-of-Breathing

Peace
499
M.II.ii.4 MahMlukyputtaSutta6 (The Great Mlukyputta Sutta)

A.X.I.i.6 SamdhiSutta6 (The Concentration Sutta)
Four Divine Abidings
Loving-kindness
M.I.iii.1 KakacpamaSutta6 (The Saw-Simile Sutta)

A.IV.II.ii.7 AhiRjaSutta6 (The Snake-King Sutta)
Loving-kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, Equanimity
D.i.13 TeVijjaSutta6 (The Three-Sciences Sutta)

M.II.iv.3 MaghadevaSutta6 (The Maghadeva Sutta)
A.III.II.ii.5 KesamuttiSutta6 (The Kesamutti Sutta)500
Four Immaterials
The Boundless-Space Base, The Boundless-Consciousness Base,
the Nothingness Base, the Neither Perception nor Non-Perception Base
D.ii.2 MahNidnaSutta6 (The Great Causation-Sutta)

M.I.iii.6 AriyaPariyesanSutta6 (The Noble-Search Sutta)501
M.III.i.6 nejasappyaSutta6 (The Imperturbable-Wards Sutta)
A.IX.I.iv.5 JhnaSutta6 (The Jhna Sutta)
One Perception
Nutriment
S.V.II.viii.3 hrePa5iklaSutta6 (The Nutriment-Repulsiveness Sutta)

A.X.II.i.6 Pa5hamaSaSutta6 (The First Perception Sutta)
A.X.II.i.7 DutiyaSaSutta6 (The Second Perception Sutta)
One Defining
Four Elements

499
This is recollecting the qualities of Nibbna.

Also known as The Klma Sutta.
501
Also called PsaRsiSutta6 (The Mass of Snares Sutta).
500
E DITORIAL N OTES
FOURTH REVISED EDITION
For the fourth revised edition, four things need to be mentioned:

In the preceding editions explanation of the five-door process, it
said the knowing of an object taken by a five-door process takes
place at the fifth subsequent mental processes, which was not only
ungrammatical, but also disagreed with the subsequent explanation
of visual-cognition. Thus, it should say that the knowing of a fivedoor object takes place at the fourth and subsequent mental processes. See p.168.
2) The table describing the attainment of jhna described only attainment
of fine-material jhna: it now includes also attainment of immaterial
jhna: see p.44.
3) The Most Venerable Sayadaw has reported that many foreigners
have criticized him because his editor refers to him as the Most Venerable Sayadaw. The Sayadaw has thus been questioned: Are you the
most venerable person in the whole world? Such a reading of Most
Venerable, however, has no basis in Standard English.502 Since such
an expression of reverence and respect for the most venerable author
of Knowing and Seeing is fully in line with the Teachings of The
1)
502
MOST: Penguin Hutchinson Reference Library, Helicon Publishing and Penguin Books
Ltd, 1996 (Longmans Dictionary of the English Language): adv 2 very <shall ~ certainly come> <her argument was ~ persuasive> NOTE 1 As an intensifier meaning very, most
is generally used only with adjectives and adverbs conveying a judgment of feeling or opinion <a most handsome gift > <he argued most persuasively >. Merriam-Websters Collegiate Dictionary, 10 Ed., Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 2001: adv. 2 to a very great
degree <was ~ persuasive>. The Pocket Oxford Dictionary, H.W. Fowler: Clarendon Press:
1924: adv. To a great or the greatest degree or extent or amount (esp. with adjj. & advv. To
emphasize or, with the, to form superlative). Penguin Hutchinson Reference Library,
Helicon Publishing and Penguin Books Ltd, 1996 (Usage and Abusage Eric Partridge):
MOST AND VERY Most can properly (though rather formally) mean very, as well as meaning more than all the others. Fowlers Modern English Usage Revised Third Edition by
R.W. Burchfield, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2004: Most governing an adj. frequently has an intensive rather than a superlative function. Thus the term is used in, for example, On the Path to Freedom (Buddhist Wisdom Centre, Selangor, Malaysia) p.441: The
Most Venerable Ovadacariya Sayadaw Bhaddanta Panditabhivamsa [sic] ; and on p.442:
The Most Venerable Aggamahapandita Mahasi Sayadaw; and on the cover of their The
Great Chronicle of Buddhas : The Most Venerable Mingun Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vicitta
Srbhivasa. In the same way, Most Reverend is used in the Christian church to refer
respectfully to and address an archbishop or cardinal.
276
Buddha, many have approved of it as only natural, only proper, and

even wonderful. For that reason, and in order to avoid causing offence to those many readers, this most venerable term of reference
has been left untouched.503
4) From a retreat in the USA came a most valuable contribution from
successful yogis. They pointed out that translucent is in fact more
accurate than transparent, to describe the counterpart sign in, for
example, mindfulness of breathing; to describe the ice-block appearance of the body during successful four-elements meditation;
and to describe pasdarpa (now translated translucent materiality).504 This is confirmed by the VisuddhiMagga s comparing the
counterpart sign to a mirror, to mother of pearl, and to the full moon,
and its comparing transparent materiality to a pellucid mirror: they
are all translucent things rather than transparent ones.505
REVISED EDITION (2ND/3RD EDITION)
The first edition of Knowing and Seeing, a collection of talks given in

Taiwan by the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw506 was, in spite
503
Throughout His Teachings, The Buddha advises one to abandon ones pride and pay
due respect to those deserving it. For example, in M.III.iv.5CCaKammaVibhaAgaSutta6 (The Small Kamma-Analysis Sutta), He says: But here, student, a woman or man is
not stubborn, not proud. To one who should be paid obeisance to, she or he pays obeisance;
for one for whom one should stand up, she or he stands up; to one to whom one should give
a seat, she or he gives a seat; for one for whom one should make way, she or he makes way;
one to be honoured, she or he honours, one to be respected, she or he respects, one to be
revered, she or he reveres, one to be paid homage to, she or he pays homage to. Because of
accomplishing and undertaking such actions, she or he at the breakup of the body, after
death, in a good destination, a heavenly world is reborn. But if she or he, at the breakup of
the body, after death, in a good destination, a heavenly world is not reborn, if she or he as a
human being returns, then wherever she or he is reborn, she or he is high-born. Stubborness and pride being unwholesome, the one who does not do these wholesome things gets
the opposite results.
504
TRANSLUCENT (translucency/translucence): PHR permitting the passage of light: e.g. A
clear, transparent <glass and other ~ materials> B transmitting and diffusing light so that
objects beyond cannot be seen clearly <a ~ window of frosted glass > <~ porcelain> [L
translucent-, translucens, prp of translucre to shine through, fr trans- + lucre to shine ]
TRANSPARENT: PHR having the property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering, so that bodies lying beyond are entirely visible [ME, fr ML transparent-, transparens,
prp of transparre to show through, fr L trans- + parre to show oneself - more at APPEAR]
505
VsM.iv.57 BhvanVidhna6 (Meditation Directions) PP.iv.31 & VsM.xiv.447
RpaKkhandhaKath (Discussion of the Materiality Aggregate) PP.xiv.73
506
As there are several Pa-Auk monasteries, the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw
Editorial Notes
277
of the best intentions, published with regrettably very many flaws and
errors. They were almost only of language, which could not unfortunately
but have an adverse effect on the contents. An attempt has been made,
with this revised edition, not only to put things right, but to give the entire
text an overhaul, so as to make it less inaccessible to newcomers.
Endeavours have thus been made to streamline the language (one thing
referred to by only one term: as far as possible), and on the one hand to
remove unnecessary repetitions,507 and other excess text (incl. the many
hyphens); on the other hand to add information where deemed necessary
(charts, footnotes, source references, a detailed table of contents, and an
index of the questions from meditators);508 and in some cases even to rearrange the text. Furthermore, the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya
Sayadaw added an introduction to the entire course of meditation, with
continual reference to pertinent Pali Texts.509
The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw has also made adjustments in terminology, for example, mental process for cittavthi (instead of thought-process), and consciousness as a countable noun (one
consciousness, two consciousnesses) has been adopted. Capitalization of
the Buddha to T he Buddha has been adopted as an orthographical sign
of respect, since the Asian appellations (which can be translated as Lord
or His Majesty King etc. Buddha) are in standard English too restricted in
meaning. A Burmese element of proper usage has also been added,
namely, the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaws reference to himself in the first person plural instead of the first person singular (we and
our instead of I and mine): in Burmese, it is considered immodest to refer
to oneself in the first person singular.510
For this edition too the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw was
consulted, and again he read through the material, adding comments, further explanations, making corrections etc.
has asked that Tawya (Forest) be included in his name, to specify which one he belongs to.
507
From an English point-of-view, Burmese (and Pali) are pleonastic languages.
508
This includes an introduction to Talk 4 How You Discern Materiality.
509
Written by a ghost-writer under the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaws close
guidance and supervision.
510
Modesty by way of the first person plural may be found in also the Commentaries to
the Pali Texts. Furthermore, as one of the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaws disciples has pointed out, since the Sayadaws teaching is nothing other than what is stated in
the Pali Texts, his voice is in fact not his own: it is the voice of the tradition handed down
through generations of bhikkhus, harking back to the bhikkhus who received instruction
from The Buddha Himself.
278
Given some of the responses to the first editions of this book, and to the
Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaws teachings as a whole, the following four points need perhaps be made.
Although the Pa-Auk system may be used as a convenient term to
refer to the teachings of the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya
Sayadaw, there is no such thing. The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya
Sayadaws system of instruction is by no means his. It is borne out
by, drawn directly and unadulterated from, and in strict accordance
with, the authoritative texts of the Theravda tradition:511 the ancient
Theravda Canon, Commentaries and Sub-Commentaries: most notably the ancient commentary and meditation manual, the VisuddhiMagga.512
2) Yogis who have taken the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw
or one of his authorized teachers as teacher have and do fully or
partly put into practice the system of instruction that is presented
here. The Pali Texts (Vinaya, Suttas and Abhidhamma) are, says the
Most Venerable Pa-Auk Sayadaw, aimed entirely at practice. As advised by The Buddha, learning (pariyatti) goes hand-in-hand with practice (pa5ipatti), practical experience of that knowledge, which leads
eventually to realization (pa5ivedha) of it.
3) The main talks are not descriptive so much as prescriptive. Nevertheless, the book is not to be regarded as a manual but as an overview.
4) Yogis who take the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw or one
of his authorized teachers as their teacher should know that there are
no hard and fast rules about how he guides the individual yogi: in
each case the yogis preferences, strengths and weaknesses etc. are
taken into account. The individual yogis practice may therefore, in
sequence and detail, very well differ from what is presented here.
1)
Once again, the editors beg forgiveness from their readers and from
their teacher, the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw, for whatever
scratches that still remain after this final polish.
May absolutely all parties involved in the production of this material,
from its very inception, reap much merit from their labours. May all the
511
Attention to this was drawn already in the first edition by quoting the Most Venerable
Buddhaghosas and the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaws own words on the matter
(now given on the left inside cover). See also the source references inserted throughout the
talks.
512
see footnote 71, p.20.
Editorial Notes
279
merit of that work; the merit of reading these talks by future readers; the
merit of the meditation assisted and perhaps engendered by these talks;
and the merit of the attainments, mundane and supramundane, attained
thereby all go towards keeping the Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya
Sayadaw healthy and happy for long to come.
FIRST EDITION
The talks in this book were given by the Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya
Sayadaw of Pa-Auk Forest Monastery, Pa-Auk, Mawlamyine, Myanmar,
while he conducted a two-month meditation retreat at Yi-Tung Temple,
Sing Choo City, Taiwan. In the course of those two months, apart from
giving daily meditation instructions to individual yogis, the Sayadaw read
seven main talks, which had been prepared at Pa-Auk prior to the retreat.
Those talks were interspersed with seven Question&Answer talks; the
questions having been given beforehand by the yogis at the retreat, and
the answers then having been likewise prepared beforehand by the
Sayadaw. The Sayadaw read a further two talks. One was read to the general public on the occasion of Veskha day (the anniversary of the Buddhas birth, enlightenment and final perishing). The other was read at the
end of the retreat, and was the traditional talk on offerings, for the chief
donor, the abbess of Yi-Tung Temple, other donors, and the organizers
and helpers at the retreat. All sixteen talks had been prepared in English,
and then read in English by the Sayadaw. For the benefit of the audience,
who were all Chinese, the talks were also translated beforehand into Chinese, and the Chinese read concurrently with the Sayadaws reading.
The talks are concerned mainly with the Sayadaws principal approach
to vipassan meditation: to practise tranquillity meditation first, after
which to use it as a vehicle for vipassan meditation. The Sayadaw
teaches also pure-vipassan meditation, which is why he provides an exposition of the orthodox instructions for both methods.
The talks, as they appear here, are not word-perfect versions of the talks
as they were given in Taiwan. This is because the Sayadaw decided that
the material should be edited prior to publication. To that end, the
Sayadaw requested that the language and contents be changed in any way
deemed necessary, and himself added further details etc. The Sayadaw
was very frequently consulted during the entire editing process, and his
approval secured for changes other than those of only form.
The editing has been mostly of form and not content. Efforts have been
made to retain the Sayadaws particular way of speaking English, when
he discusses with and instructs yogis. Since the Sayadaw was addressing
280
Taiwanese and Malaysian-Chinese Mahyna Buddhists, there are considerably fewer of his usual copious references from the Theravda texts
and commentaries. It should here be mentioned that, when the Sayadaw
translates a Pali quotation, he usually follows the Burmese custom of including a gloss from the commentaries.
Most of the Pali terms used by the Sayadaw have been translated. The
Pali has initially been retained in brackets, after which it has usually been
omitted: for example, initially, impermanence (anicca), subsequently,
impermanence. Conversely, some terms, awkward in English, have
been left untranslated, such as: kasiLa (totality? device?), deva (god? deity?), Brahm (supreme being in a very high realm of existence?). Appendix 1 is a glossary, which defines rather than translates those terms.
The editorial priorities have been to maintain the required degree of accuracy, and to try to make the talks readable to newcomer, yogi, and
scholar alike. Complete uniformity in editing has, for those reasons, been
somewhat compromised. In the genesis of this book, diverse helping
hands have been involved in the translating, composing, and editing. For
any errors or faults in the material, the helping hands alone are responsible.
Editors
Pa-Auk Forest Monastery
B IBLIOGRAPHICAL A BBREVIATIONS ETC .

(Used in Source References)
A.
AA.
AbS.
Ap.
CMA.
D.
DA.
DD.
DhP.
DhPA.
DhS.
DhsA.
D^.
E.
M.
MA.
M^.
PP.
PsM.
S.
SA.
SuN.
TG.
U.
Vbh.
VbhA.
513
AAguttaraNikya (Numerical Collection)

AAguttaraNikya-A55hakath 513 ( Commentary)
AbhidhammatthaSaAgaho (Abhidhamma Compendium)
ApadnaPCi (Narrative Text)
A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma 514
DghaNikya (Long Collection)
DghaNikya-A55hakath ( Commentary)
The Dispeller of Delusion 515
DhammaPada (Dhamma Word)
DhammaPada-A55hakath ( Commentary)
DhammaSaAgaB (Dhamma Compendium)
DhammaSaAgaB-A55hakath ( Commentary)
DghaNikya-Ik (Long Collection Sub-commentary)
The Expositor 516
MajjhimaNikya (Middle Collection)
MajjhimaNikya-A55hakath ( Commentary)
MajjhimaNikya-Tk ( Sub-commentary)
Path of Purification 517
Pa5isambhidMagga (Discrimination Path)
Sa6yuttaNikya (Connected Collection)
Sa6yuttaNikya-A55hakath ( Commentary)
SuttaNipta (Sutta Book)
TheraGthPCi (EldersVersesText)
Udna (Inspiration)
VibhaAga (Analysis)
VibhaAga-A55hakath ( Commentary)
The Pali titles for the commentaries are: AA = ManorathaPraBi; DA = SuMaAgalaVilsin; DhsA = A55haSlin; MA = PapacaSdan; SA = SratthaPpaksin; VbhA =
SaMmohaVinodan
514
CMA: English translation of AbhidhammatthaSaAgaha edited and with notes by Bhikkhu Bodhi, Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
515
DD: English translation of VibhaAga-A55hakath by Bhikkhu Lamoli, Pali Text Society, Oxford, England.
516
Exp: English translation of DhammaSaAgaBA55hakath by Professor Pe Maung Tin
M.A., Pali Text Society, London, England.
517
PP: English translation of VisuddhiMagga by Bhikkhu Lamoli, Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
282
Vbh^.
Vin.Pc.
VsM.
VsM^.
VibhaAgaIk 518 ( Sub-commentary)

Vinaya PcittiyaPCi (: Expiable Text)
VisuddhiMagga (Purification Path: Commentary) 519
VisuddhiMagga-MahIk ( Great Sub-commentary)
S OURCE R EFERENCES
The source references are according to the standard divisions in the

Pali:
Collection Book Section Chapter Sutta.
For example:520
M.I.ii.2
M
I
i
2
= MajjhimaNikya (Middle-Length Suttas)

= Book 1 MlaPaBBsaPCi (Root Fifty Texts)
= Chapter 1 MlaPariyyaVagga (Root Series Chapter)
= Sutta 2 SabbsavaSutta6 (The All-Taints Sutta)
S.III.I.i.5
S
III
I
i
5
=
=
=
=
=
Sa6yuttaNikya (Connected Suttas)

Book 3 KhandhaVagga (Aggregates Book)
Section 1 KhandhaSa6yutta (Aggregates Section)
Chapter 1 NakulapituVagga (Nakulapita Chapter)
Sutta 5 SamdhiSutta6 (The Concentration Sutta)
VsM.viii B223/PP.viii.90
VsM = VisuddhiMagga (Purification Path)

viii = Chapter 8 npnaSatiKath(Mindfulness-of-Breathing Discussion)
223 = 223
PP = Path of Purification (by Ven. namoli)
viii = Chapter 8 Description of ConcentrationOther Recollections as Meditation Subjects
189 = 189
518
The Pali titles for the sub-commentaries are: Vbh^ = MlaTk; Vs^ = ParamAttha
Majs
519
VsM: VisuddhiMagga (Purification Path) is a commentary, and there is a subcommentary (VsM^) that explains it further.
520
Please note also references to VisuddhiMagga and Path of Purification (third example).
Appendix 1
G LOSSARY OF U NTRANSLATED P oI
This glossary contains the Pali terms left untranslated in the text. They
have been left untranslated because the English translation has, in some
way or other, been considered awkward or inadequate, if not misleading.
The definitions have been kept as concise as at all possible, and refer to
the meaning of the terms as they are used in the text of this book: according to the Theravda tradition. For more extensive explanations, the
reader is referred to the text itself, where most of the terms are, at some
time or other, discussed. (An asterisk indicates which of the terms are
discussed in the text itself.)
Some of the terms in this glossary do have an adequate translation, but
have been retained in the Pali when in compounds, as in for example,
npna jhna, rather than in&out-breath jhna, for obvious reasons.
Abhidhamma: third of what are called the Three Baskets (Tipi5aka) of the
Pali Texts; practical teachings of The Buddha that deal with only ultimate
reality, necessary for vipassan meditation. (cf. sutta)
npna:* in&out-breath; subject for samatha meditation and later vipassan. (cf. samatha)
Arahant:* woman or man who has eradicated all defilements; at his or her
death (Parinibbna) there is no further rebirth. (cf. kamma, Parinibbna)
Bhante: Venerable Sir.
bhavaPga:* continuity of identical type of consciousnesses, broken only
when a mental process occurs; the object is that of near-death consciousness in past-life. (cf. Abhidhamma)
bhikkhu/bhikkhun: Buddhist monk/nun; bhikkhu with two hundred and
twenty-seven main precepts, and hundreds of lesser precepts to observe;
Theravda bhikkhun lineage broken.
Bodhisatta:* a person who has vowed to become a Buddha; the ideal in
Mahyna tradition; she or he is a Bodhisatta for innumerable lives prior
to his enlightenment, after which he is a Buddha, until He in that life attains Parinibbna. (cf. Buddha, Parinibbna)
brahm:* inhabitant of one of twenty in thirty-one realms very much
higher than human realm; invisible to human eye, visible in light of concentration. (cf. deva, peta)
Buddha:* one fully enlightened without a teacher, who has by Himself rediscovered and teaches the Four Noble Truths; being also an Arahant,
there is at His death (Parinibbna) no further rebirth. (cf. Arahant, Bodhisatta,
Paccekabuddha, Parinibbna)
284
deva: inhabitant of realm just above human realm; invisible to humaneye, visible in light of concentration. (cf. brahm, peta)
Dhamma:* (capitalized) the Teachings of The Buddha; the Noble Truth.
dhamma:* (uncapitalized) thing, phenomenon; state; object solely of the
mind.
jhna:* eight increasingly advanced and subtle states of concentration on
a specific object, with mind aware and increasingly pure. (cf. samatha)
kalpa:* small particle, cluster of elements; smallest unit of materiality
seen in conventional reality; invisible to physical eye, visible to minds
eye.
kamma:* (Sanskrit: karma) action; potency from volition that makes good
actions produce good results, and bad actions produce bad results.
kasiRa:* meditation object that represents a quality in conventional reality, e.g. earth, colour, space and light; used for samatha meditation. (cf.
samatha)
Mahyna: Buddhist tradition prevalent in China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, and Bhutan, and Tibet. (The majority of the listeners at these talks were Mahyna monks and nuns.) (cf. Theravda)
Mahthera: bhikkhu of twenty years standing or more. (cf. bhikkhu)
Nibbna:* (Sanskrit: Nirvana) final enlightenment; the cessation element;
an ultimate reality; attained after discerning and surpassing the ultimate
realities of mentality-materiality; it is seen after the vipassan knowledges have matured; it is non-self and uniquely permanent and peaceful:
not a place.
nimitta:* sign; image upon which yogi concentrates; mind-born, depending on perception and level of concentration. (cf. kasiLa)
parikamma-nimitta: preparatory sign in meditation.
uggaha-nimitta: taken-up sign; image that is exact mental replica of
object of meditation.
paibhga-nimitta: purified and clear version of uggaha-nimitta; appears at stable perception and concentration.
Paccekabuddha: a man enlightened without a teacher, who has by Himself discovered the Four Noble Truths, but does not teach. (cf. Buddha)
Pali (PCi): ancient Indian language spoken by The Buddha; alive only as
records of the Buddhas Teachings, otherwise dead.
pram: (pra = other shore = Nibbna; m = reach) ten pram (see Question 4.1, p.141); qualities developed with Nibbna as aim.
parikamma-nimitta: see nimitta
Parinibbna: death of a Buddha, a Paccekabuddha, and any other Arahant, after which there is no further rebirth, no more materiality, and no
more mentality. (cf. Arahant, Nibbna)
A1 - Glossary of Untranslated Pali Terms
285
ptibhga-nimitta: see nimitta

peta: inhabitant of realm lower than human realm, but higher than ani-
mals; invisible to human eye; visible in light of concentration.

rpa/arpa:* materiality/immateriality.
samatha:* serenity; practice of concentrating on a single object to develop
higher and higher states of concentration, whereby the mind becomes
increasingly serene. (cf. jhna, vipassan)
SaPgha: multitude, assembly; bhikkhus of past, present and future, worldwide, as a group; separate group of bhikkhus, e.g. bhikkhus in one monastery. (cf. bhikkhu)
sla: for laity the five/eight precepts, for bhikkhus two hundred and
twenty-seven main precepts. (cf. bhikkhu)
sutta: single discourse (thread, guideline) in second basket of what is
called the Three Baskets (Tipi5aka) of Pali Texts; teachings of The Buddha
on a general and conventional level. (cf. Abhidhamma)
Tathgata: one who has gone thus; epithet used by The Buddha when
referring to Himself.
Theravda: Buddhist tradition prevalent in Sri-Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Cambodia. (The Most Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya
Sayadaw is a Theravda monk.) (cf. Mahyna)
uggaha-nimitta: see nimitta
vipassan: insight, discernment of natural characteristics of materiality
and mentality, causes and results, in ultimate reality, and their general
characteristics of impermanence, suffering, and non-self. (cf. Abhidhamma, Arahant, Nibbna)
VisuddhiMagga (Purification Path): authoritative and extensive instruction manual on meditation, compiled from ancient, orthodox Sinhalese
translations of the even earlier Pali Commentaries (predominantly The
Ancients (PorB), dating back to the time of The Buddha and the First
Council), as well as later Sinhalese Commentaries, and translated back
into Pali by Indian scholar monk Venerable Buddhaghosa (approx. 500
A.C.).
Appendix 2
C ONTACT A DDRESSES
Myanmar, Union of
tel./e-mail
MEDITATION CENTRES
Pa-Auk Tawya Meditation Centre
521
(95) 57-27-853/-548
Mawlamyine, Mon State

International Buddhassana Meditation Centre
(95) 56-21-927
(Pa-Auk Tawya Branch)

Thilawar Road (Near Kyaik-Khauk Pagoda)
Payargon Village, Than Lyin Township, Yangon
PERSONAL
Mr & Mrs Yip Seng Foo
No.69 (A) University Avenue Street

Bahan Township, Yangon
Daw Amy (Ms Amy)
66A, Sayarsan Road,

Bahan Township, Yangon
U Aung Pyone (Mr Aung Pyone)
No. 32, Kwet Thit Street, Yay Kyaw

7th Quarter, near YMBA
Pazundaung Township, Yangon
(95) 50-4011/70-4314
bluestar@mptmail.net.mm
(95) 1-54-8129/1-55-6355
attbbpp@myanmar.com.mm
(95) 1-29-3847
uap@mail4u.com.mm
International
(in alphabetical order)
AMERICA, UNITED STATES OF
Mr Robert Cusick
P.O. Box 151533-1533

San Rafael CA 94915
Mr Roland K. Win
15 Palmdale Avenue
Daly City CA 94015-3708
(1) 415-847-1302
robertcusick@gmail.com
Skype ID: robertcusick
(1) 650-994-3750
rolandwin15@gmail.com
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF
Mdm Liang Xinxin
Att: Ms Ah Min
Guangzhou
521
Also called Pa-Auk Forest Monastery.
(86) 20-8423-2438
kaixinhuanzhaonin@126.com
288
CHINA, REPUBLIC OF
(TAIWAN)
Buddhist Hong Shi College
No. 121-5 Ta-Tung Village, Guan Yin

Tao Yuan
Taiwandipa Theravada Buddhist College
No.1 Lane 85 Ming Chuen Street 8
Guei Ren Siang 71148 Taiwan
(886) 6-230-1406
fax: (886) 6-239-1563
taiwandipa@gmail.com
MALAYSIA, FEDERATION OF
Nibbinda Forest Monastery
Mukim 5 Tempat Bukit Balik Pulau, Penang

Contact: Mdm Lee Hooi Chin
8N Jalan Tunggal off Jalan Satu
11400 Air Hitam, Penang
+ 6012-4811-984
hclee7319@yahoo.com
Tusita Hermitage (a monastery)

Bodhivana Buddhist Hermitage (a nunnery)
c/o Kuching Bhagavan Buddhist Society

Contact: Sister Subha
52 Lot 3700 Dogan Garden, Jalan Dogan
93250 Kuching, Sarawak
jongjyi@gmail.com
JAPAN
Myanmar Theravda Buddhist Association
(81) 90-2220-9886
Att: Ko Ye Tun, Tokyo

SINGAPORE, REPUBLIC OF
Cakkavala Meditation Centre
cakkavala_sg@yahoo.com.sg
(65) 98-48-8384
Dr Ng Wai Chong
Pa-Auk Meditation Centre
15 Teo Kim Eng Road, Singapore 416385

Visuddha Meditation Centre
tel/fax: (65) 66-11-9242

paauk.mc.07@yahoo.com
(65) 90-10-1663
visuddha77@yahoo.com.sg
SRI LANKA
N-Uyana raa Sensana (a monastery)
Pansiyagama 60554
Dhammika Ashrama (a nunnery)
Angulgamuwa, Pansiyagama 60554
(94) 37-567-7328
60-237-9036
nauyana@gmail.com
(94) 37-567-1258
dhammikashrama@gmail.com
A1 - Glossary of Untranslated Pali Terms
Websites
AMERICA, UNITED STATES OF
MALAYSIA (Chinese text)
SINGAPORE, REPUBLIC OF (English text)
289
www.paauk.org
www.Dhamma-s.org
www.paaukforestmonastery.org
I NDEX OF
Q UESTIONS FROM Y OGIS
(Arranged sequentially according to subject.)
The first number refers to the talk; the second number to the question.
e.g. 1.2 = Questions-&-Answers No. 1, Question No.2
2.1 = Questions-&-Answers No. 2, Question No.1
MEDITATION (PRACTICAL)
PAGE
1.1: How do we, in the four stages of npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing),

decide when to go from one stage to another? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
1.2: Is it necessary, in meditation, to have a nimitta? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
1.4: Where does the (npna) nimitta come from? What makes it appear? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
2.1: How should beginners balance the faculties (indriya) of concentration and
wisdom? How should they practise wisdom in npnasati (mindfulness-ofbreathing)? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
2.2: Why dont we, after attaining the fourth jhna, go straight to discern the five
aggregates, their nature of impermanence, suffering, and non-self, and attain
Nibbna? Why do we before attaining Nibbna need to practise meditation on
the thirty-two parts of body, skeleton, white kasiLa, four elements, materiality,
mentality, dependent origination, and vipassan? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
2.3: Why, after having discerned materiality and mentality, must one practise the
first and fifth methods of dependent origination (pa5iccasamuppda)? What are the
first and fifth methods?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
3.5: Under what conditions does a yogi drop, or regress from absorption to access
concentration? Under what conditions does a yogi in access concentration attain
absorption concentration? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
3.7: While meditating, images of events from more than thirty years back, which
the yogi had forgotten, appear. Is this due to lack of mindfulness, which lets the
mind leave the object? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
3.11: Before we attain the fourth jhna, and eradicate ignorance (avijj), many
unwholesome thoughts still arise due to bad habits. For example, in our daily life
(outside a meditation retreat) we know that greed or hatred arises. Can we use
foulness meditation (asubha), or loving-kindness meditation (mettbhvan) to remove them? Or should we ignore them and just concentrate on our meditation
subject, and let them disappear automatically? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
4.2: After finishing the meditation course, can a yogi attain Path and Fruition
Knowledges (MaggaBa and PhalaBa)? If not, why not? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
4.4: Can a yogi who has finished the course, but not yet attained Nibbna,
attain the Knowledge Standing on Phenomena (Dhamma55hitiBa)?
If so, can it regress? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
4.5: Can one attain supramundane states with only access concentration?. . . . . . . . . . . . 149
4.6: Can one with only momentary concentration (khaBikasamdhi), practise mindfulness of feeling (vednanupassan satipa55hna) to attain supramundane states? . . . . . 149
292
4.9: Are the methods for npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing) and four-
elements meditation the same? Why must we practise four-elements meditation

only after npnasati? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
4.10: Could the Sayadaw please explain the light experienced in meditation scientifically?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
5.2: Which is easiest and quickest for the attainment of Nibbna: using theory to
perceive impermanence, suffering, and non-self, or using concentration to discern ultimate phenomena (paramatthadhamma)? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
6.1: How should a yogi who practises npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing),
but who cannot see a nimitta, check himself physically and mentally, so that he
can improve and enter jhna? In other words, what are the conditions needed to
have a nimitta?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
6.2: Does the sitting posture affect the ability for beginners to concentrate, and
enter jhna? There are many yogis who sit on a small stool to meditate; can they
enter
jhna? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
6.3: What is the object of the fourth npna jhna? If there is no breath in the
fourth jhna, how can there be a nimitta? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
6.4: Can one enter an immaterial jhna-attainment (arpa jhna sampatti), or practise loving-kindness meditation directly from npnasati (mindfulness-ofbreathing)? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
6.10: Can one practise vipassan while in the base of neither perception nor nonperception attainment (nevasansayatana sampatti)?
In which sutta or other source can the answer be found? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
7.4: Does work for the SaOgha affect ones meditation? Does it depend on the
individual, or can one achieve a certain degree of concentration, after which
work has no effect? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
7.9: How does vipassan purify view (di55hivisuddhi)? What kinds of defilement
(kilesa) are removed by vipassan? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
7.11: How should a yogi practise wise attention (yoniso manasikra) in his daily life,
and how in his samatha-vipassan practice?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
7.16: How to overcome the uninterested and bored mind state that occurs during
long periods of meditation, or staying alone in the forest? Is this kind of mind
state an unwholesome dhamma? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
MEDITATION (DOCTRINAL)
1.5: What are the seven stages of purification and sixteen vipassan knowledges? . .
................................................................................................................................................................................
53
3.1: In npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing), there are the parikamma-
nimitta, the uggaha-nimitta, and the pa5ibhga-nimitta. What is the parikammanimitta? Is the parikamma-nimitta always grey? What is the difference between
the parikamma-nimitta and the uggaha-nimitta? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
293
3.2: What is the difference between access concentration and absorption concentration?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
3.3: Under what conditions, or in what state, can we say that a meditation experience is access concentration or absorption concentration? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
3.4: Is there access concentration, as well as absorption concentration at each of
the four jhnas? What are their characteristics? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
3.9: Is it necessary when discerning the twelve characteristics in four-elements
meditation, to start with hardness, roughness, and heaviness in that sequence?
Can one choose to start with any one of the characteristics? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
3.13: What is the difference between mundane jhnas (lokiya jhna) and supramundane jhnas (lokuttara jhna)? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
7.7: When a yogi is able to discern rpa-kalpas or ultimate materiality, will his
mind (citta) and view (di55hi) change? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
7.8: How does concentration purify consciousness (cittavisuddhi)? What kinds of
defilement (kilesa) are removed by concentration? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
7.12: What is the difference between attention (manasikra) and practising the
seven enlightenment factors (bojjhaAga)? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
7.13: Could the Sayadaw please explain the diagram? Is it necessary, in this system of meditation, to practise the more than thirty types of meditation subject
(kamma55hna)? What are the benefits in doing so?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
7.15: Is the discerning mind that discerns mentality-materiality itself included in
mentality-materiality? Is it included in wisdom?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
DOCTRINE (BODHISATTA PATH ETC.)
4.1: Is a Bodhisatta, including Arimetteyya Bodhisatta, an ordinary person
(puthujjana)? If Arimetteyya Bodhisatta is an ordinary person like us, then at the
time for him to come down to become Metteyya Buddha, what is the difference
between the conditions for him to become a Buddha and for us? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
4.3: A yogi who has finished the meditation course, but not yet attained the Path
Knowledge (MaggaBa) and Fruition Knowledge (PhalaBa), if his concentration
drops, will his vipassan knowledge also drop? Can he be reborn in a woeful
state (apya)? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
4.7: The Buddha was a great Arahant. What was the difference between Him, and
disciples like the Venerables Sriputta and Mahmoggallna who were also Arahants? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
5.4: (The following questions are all covered by the same answer.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Was there a Bodhisatta during The Buddhas time? If so, did he attain a Path or
was he just an ordinary person (puthujjana)?
Why can a Noble One (Ariya) not become a Bodhisatta?
Can a disciple (svaka) change to become a Bodhisatta? If not, why not?
When by following the Sayadaws teaching one is able to attain the Path and
Fruition Knowledges of Stream-Entry (SotpattiMaggaBa and
294
SotpattiPhalaBa), can one choose to not do so, because of a desire and vow to
practise the Bodhisatta path?
5.5: Is it possible to practise the path to liberation (vimuttimagga) and the path of
Bodhisatta [path to Buddhahood] at the same time? If so, what is the method? 180
5.6: Is this method [of meditation] for liberation only, or is it also for the Bodhisatta path? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
6.9: An Arahant can also give a definite prophecy; what is the definition of definite prophecy here?
In which sutta or other source can this information be found? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
SUNDRY
1.3: Some say that while practising npnasati (mindfulness-of-breathing)
their soul goes out of the body. Is that true, or are they on the wrong path? . . . . . . . . . . . 49
3.6: When a person dies, a kamma-nimitta may arise because of past wholesome
or unwholesome kamma.
Is this phenomenon similar to that which occurs during meditation, when images
of past events, which the yogi had forgotten, appear? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
3.8: If, when dying, a person has strong mindfulness, can he prevent a kamma
sign (kamma nimitta) of previous unwholesome
or wholesome kamma from arising? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
3.10: Practising four-elements meditation enables one to balance the four elements in the body. One may at some time get sick because the four elements are
out of balance. When one is sick, can one practise four-elements meditation with
strong mindfulness to cure the sickness? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
3.12: How does the bhavaOga function in the sensual sphere planes, fine-material
sphere planes, immaterial sphere planes and supramundane sphere? Would the
Sayadaw please explain with examples? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
4.8: What is the intermediate life (antara bhava)? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
4.11: Can those who have discerned the thirty-two parts of the body see them in
someone else, with their eyes open?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
5.1: The eight attainments (sampatti) make it possible to attain the MentalityMateriality Definition Knowledge (Nmarpa ParicchedaBa), and to see their subtle arising and perishing, so as to become disgusted with them, and attain the
Path Knowledge (MaggaBa). Are there, apart from this, other benefits to the
eight attainments? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
5.3: The round of rebirths (sa6sra) is without beginning or end. Beings are also
infinite in number, so those who have been our mother are infinite too. How can
we develop loving-kindness by contemplating that all beings have been our
mother? Can we attain loving-kindness jhna (mett jhna) by contemplating that
all beings have been our mother? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
5.7: Do all the good and bad kammas of an Arahant mature prior to his Parinibbna?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
295
5.8: After His enlightenment, did The Buddha say, Originally all beings have the
Tathgatas wisdom and other qualities? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
5.9: Is the Arahants perception of voidness (suat) in his own five aggregates
the same as his perception of voidness in outside inanimate things? Is Nibbna
the same as entering voidness? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
5.10: Are all suttas taught by The Buddha only? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
5.11: Since we cannot see The Buddha while in concentration, can we see Him by
psychic powers to discuss Dhamma with Him? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
6.5: How can one decide when to die, that is, choose the time of ones death?. . 197
6.6: If one day we were to die in an accident, for example in an air crash, could
our mind at that time leave so that we would not have any bodily pain? How?
Can one, depending on the power of ones meditation, be without fear at that
time, and be liberated?
What degree of concentration is required? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
6.7: After attaining the Path and Fruition, a Noble (Ariya) does not regress to become an ordinary person (puthujjana), this is a law of nature (sammatta niyma).
Similarly, one who has received a definite prophecy cannot abandon his Bodhisatta practice.
This too is a natural fixed law. But The Buddha declared that everything is impermanent.
Are these fixed laws in accordance with the law of impermanence? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
6.8: When an ordinary disciple has practised samatha-vipassan up to the CauseApprehending Knowledge, the Arise&Perish Knowledge, or the FormationsEquanimity Knowledge, he will not be reborn on any of the four woeful realms.
Even if he loses his samatha-vipassan due to negligence, the kamma of having
practised samatha-vipassan still exists. The Sotnugata sutta says also that he
will attain Nibbna quickly. So, why did the Sayadaw, in the Question&Answer
session of June 2nd, say that a Bodhisatta who has received a definite prophecy
from a Buddha can, even if he has practised meditation up to the FormationsEquanimity Knowledge, be reborn in a woeful state? In which sutta is this mentioned? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
6.11: Can a person who is mentally abnormal, hears voices, has schizophrenia, a
brain disease, stroke or malfunction of the brain and nerves, practise this type of
meditation? If he can, what kinds of precaution should he take?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
6.12: If a person, who does not have good human relations, succeeds in attaining
the fourth jhna, will this improve his skill in communicating with others? Can
attaining jhna correct such problems? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
7.1: What is the difference between perception (sa) and the perception aggregate (sakkhandha), and between feeling (vedna) and the feeling aggregate
(vednakkhandha)? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
7.2: To which associated mental factors do memory, inference and creativity belong? They are part of the five aggregates, but how do they become suffering
(dukkha)? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
7.3: Which associated mental factor does Taking an object involve? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
296
7.5: Can a person who develops the jhnas with evil intent benefit from attaining
them? And how about a person who has, for example, spent the money of a
SaOgha for his personal use, and does not think it is wrong. When he attains
jhna up to the fourth jhna, does his mind or view change? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
7.6: What is the difference between rpa-kalpas and ultimate materiality (paramattharpa)? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
7.10: What is the difference between citta and di55hi? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
7.14: Can a hating mind produce many generations of temperature-born octadkalpas (utuja oja55hamakakalpa), and make the eyes flash?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
7.17: Could the Sayadaw please give an example of a wish that is not associated
with ignorance (avijj), craving (taBh) and clinging (updna)? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
7.18: If the five aggregates are non-self, then who, Sayadaw, is giving a Dhamma
talk? In other words, if the five aggregates are non-self, no Sayadaw is giving a
Dhamma talk.
So is there a relationship between the five aggregates and the self? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
7.19: The Buddha taught the Snake Mantra to bhikkhus. Is chanting the Snake
Mantra the same as loving-kindness? Is chanting a mantra a Brahmanic tradition
brought into Buddhism?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
M AIN I NDEX
The main headings are in bold script. For the main
discussion of a subject, reference is made only to the
first page: the discussion may therefore continue onto
the next page or more.
A
abnormal person
meditation,&?, 205
absorption(appan)
concentration. (see
concentration, absorption)
accident
cause of, 198
afflictions
causes, 103
aggregate(khandha). (see
also consciousness-,
feeling-, formations-,
materiality-, perception
aggregate)
arise&perish
knowing, 216
arising, past/future/present
seeing, 217
cause/effect, discerning, 183
cessation, 22
clinging-(updna-)
five
definition(qtn), 4
mentality-materiality =, 5
suffering =, 73
quotation, 3, 4
five
definition, 72, 176
quotation, 210
discerning
w/o dependent origination, 207
First Noble Truth =, 257
formations =, 239
impermanence =, 78, 176
mentality-materiality =, 177
personality =, 234
possessed of, 22
self,&, 238
the known =, 237

two bodies(kya) =, 248
world =, 3
knowing requires
concentration, 152
known, how, 94
mentality-, 73
mentality-materiality &, 72
past, future, present,
discerning, 183
all, the
defin/discuss, 152
n-pna-sati. see
mindfulness-of-breathing
anger
heat caused by, 112
overcome, how to, 14
Arahant
description(qtn), 269
Arahantship
Buddhas, 154
delayed, 143
disciples, three types, 154
easy, not, 200
eight attainments, w/o, 148
one dhamma, contemplating,
154
own, seeing
Arahantship, not, 23, 218
present suffering, still, 22
psychic powers, no, 148
pure-vipassna,by, 148
rebirth, no new (qtn), 179
skeleton meditation, w/, 158
the end =, 179
time to attain, 177
arise&perish
Knowledge. (see Knowledge,
Arise&Perish)
arising(udaya)
causal
Abbreviations
tbl = table
qtn = quotation
defin/discuss, 217, 221

Contemplation of(Anupassi)
defin/discuss, 217
momentary
defin/discuss, 217
perishing(baya),&
causal
defin/discuss, 216, 220, 222
defin/discuss, 220
momentary
defin/discuss, 216
Ariya Aha gika Magga.
see Path,Noble Eightfold
asceticism
goal of (qtn), 23
attainment(sampatti). (see
also jhna)
eight
consciousness-purification =,
77
definition, 69
attention(manasikra)
best, 234
enlightenment factors &, 235
images during meditation, 101
three types, 235
unwise(ayoniso)
boredom, cause of, 238
hindrances, cause of, 100
unwholesome kamma, 165
wise(yoniso)
daily life, in, 234
removes greed/hatred, 104
vipassan best, 104
wholesome kamma, 165
wise/unwise
defin/discussion, 165
298
determines un-/wholesome,
165
B
Bhiya Drucriya
definite prophecy, 142
pram, 142, 177
quick Arahantship, 142
base(yatana)
defin/discuss, 107
door(dvra),&, 107
mind arises dependent on, 198
mind-, & heart base, 107
base(yatana)(immaterial
jhna)
boundless (viBac-)
develop, how to, 67
boundless
consciousness(viBac-)
object of, 196
boundless space(ksnac-)
develop, how to, 66
object of, 196
neither-perception-nor-nonperception(neva-sa-n-sa-)
develop, how to, 68
mental formations of,
discerning, 205
object of, 196
why so called, 38
nothingness(kica-)
develop, how to, 68
object of, 196
base(vatthu)
door(dvra)
&, 6
=, 109
exist, why, 111
heart(hadaya)
defin/discuss, 109
location, 107
mind(mano)
base(yatana),&, 107
door(dvra),&, 6, 109
translucent materiality =, 109
Bases for Success(IddhiPd)
four, defin/discuss, 249
beautiful(sobhana)
sensual-sphere(kma),
consciousness, 9
bhavaPga
discerning past, 185
falling into, 97
how to know, 99
function, 105
mind door =, 43, 107
objects of, 97, 105, 189
fine-material sphere plane, 105
immaterial sphere plane, 105
sensual sphere planes, 105
vipassan object, w/, 102
bhikkhu
activities criticized by The
Buddha, 228
duties, three, 173
Bodhisatta
Ariyametteya, 180
conditions to become a
Buddha, 141
death by desire, 197
definite prophecy, when
receive, 200
last life, 141
Mahjanaka
shipwreck, survived, 199
Noble One(Ariya)?, 178
ordinary disciple,&, 203
pram, development of, 202
-path & liberation path, 180
Path, attain?, 178
Sakyamuni (our)
animal, reborn as, 146
bhikkhu, 145, 180
practice, 145, 180
last life, 141
pram, 145
developed, how long, 203
practice for Arahantship, 200
self-mortification, 141
sensual pleasures, 141
worldling, 202
wrestler, 241
Vessantara
offered children, 263
woeful state, reborn in, 203
bodily movement
defin/discuss, 112
body(kya)
samatha, in, 248
vipassan, in, 247
body, human
disadvantages of, 66
boredom
defin/discuss, 238
remove, how to, 93
Brahma
happiness, 257
breath. (see also
mindfulness-of-breathing)
according to The Buddhas
wishes, 243
stops at fourth jhna, 47
Buddha (The)
Arahant Path, 154
conditions to become a, 141
Dhamma discussion w/, 182
Father, 244
Gotama (our)
advice, 252
back pain, 103, 241
suppressed, how, 241
exhortations, 251
suffering of, 22
old age, 252
three wishes
according to, breathing, 243
for Teachings, 242
will to live, relinquished, 242
announced, 242
one at a time, only, 203
qualities of, nine, 90
Sakyamuni (our)
bhikkhu in past lives, 180
Teachings = thirty-seven
things, 245
Buddha
Recollection(Buddh-nussati)
access-concentration, up to, 92
Buddhas qualities, 90
Araha6 quality, 91
develop, how to, 90
helped by lovingkindness
concentration, 76
nimitta, 49
previous jhna for, 91
Main Index
purpose, 15, 93
Buddhist
duty of, 243
real, 243
real, not, 243, 246
three determinations, 243
C
causal
arising
arising&perishing
perishing
cessation
two types, 23
cause, 23
cessationattainment(nirodha-sampatti)
attain, who can, 175
jhna necessary, 175
more peaceful than Nibbna
attainment, 175
preceded by vipassan, 175
procedure for, 175
standing, while, 195
characteristic(lakkhaBa)
general(samaa)
definition, 33
natural(sabhva)
definition, 33
jhna factors, 161
clinging-aggregate. see
aggregate, clinging-
cognition
procedure, 165
seeing, 167
colour(vaBBa). see fourelements meditation
compactness(ghana)
materiality, of
breaking down, 51
penetrating, 11, 16
three types, 50, 122
mentality, of
breaking down, 18, 52
four types, 51
perception of soul,&, 50
compassion(karuB)
develop, how to, 88
jhna, up to, 88
purpose, 14
concentration(samdhi). (see
also light of wisdom,
Right Concentration)
absorption(appan). (see also
jhna)
access concentration &, 97
benefit, practical, 123
77
description, 99
four levels, discussion, 99
jhna =, 2, 39
object of, 99
progress/regress, 100
wise attention,&, 101
access(upacra)
absorption concentration &,
95, 97
benefit, practical, 123
bhavaOga, falling into, 98
77
definition, 95
description, 99
external skeleton,&, 61
four levels, discussion, 99
four-elements meditation, 151
in, 123
light of concentration,&, 149
object of, 99
pa5ibhga-nimitta,&, 96
progress/regress, 100
protective meditations, 14
Right Concentration, also, 32
samatha,& no, 15
sublime abidings, up to, 14
supramundane states with, 149
why so called, 39
aggregates, to know, 94
consciousness
-purification =, 20
purified by, 232
develop
how to, 32
299
why(qtn), 12, 24
excessive, 41, 71
faculties to develop, 98
faith,&, 40, 41
fortress =, 123
jhna-attainment process
procedure, 45
table 1a, 44
light of. (see wisdom, light
of)
momentary(khaBika)
defin/discuss, 149
protect,how to, 14
regress&drop, 100
repulsiveness knowledge, for,
59
three types, defin/discuss, 95
training
definition, 2
samatha =, 30
use of, 16, 18, 24
vipassan, during, 151
whetstone of knowledge, 73
concept(paatti)
definition, 7
materiality as, 124
vipassan on, 124
consciousness(citta). (see
also bhavaOga,
consciousness(viBa),
mind)
arising of, discussion, 18
born materiality. (see
materiality, consciousnessborn)
classifications, 159
concentration, purified by, 232
decease, object of, 189
defin/discuss, 233
eighty-nine types, 9, 159
fine-material sphere(rpvacara), 9
Fruition
jhna &, 98
mental formations, 98
immaterial sphere(arpvacara), 9
knows Nibbna
as peaceful, 98
light produced by, 236
300
mental-process of
defin/discuss, 159
moment(khaBa)
three stages, 112
natural law of, 17
near-death
objects of, 186
past, discerning, 186
Nibbna, knows, 98
process-separate
purification, definition, 20
rebirth-linking
object of, 189
present, discerning, 186
rootless(ahetuka), 9
sensual sphere beautiful(kmasobhana), 9
supramundane(lokuttar), 10
temporary cessation of, 175
types of, mentality =, 20
unwholesome(akusala), 9
view &, 233
vipassan, object of, 19
consciousness(viBa). (see
also consciousness(citta))
migrating, 51
pure, 51
aggregate(khandha)
definition, 72, 177
arising of
discussion, 107
how to see, 107
three causes, 5
non-self, as(qtn), 26
six types, 8
two times five(dve-pacaviBa), 9
constituent
existence(vokra-bhava),
five(paca)
human world =, 3
mentality/materiality in, 5, 107
world of five aggregates, =, 5
craving(taBh)
origin of suffering, 21
three types, 21
D
dna. see offering
danger
escaping fm, 197
jhna at time of, 198
vipassan at time of, 198
death
desire, by, 197
rebirth,& (tbl 1d), 188
time of, knowing, 197
death-recollection(maraBnussati)
access concentration, up to, 93
boredom, against, 93
develop, how to, 92
helped by white kasiLa, 76
previous foulness jhna for, 92
purpose, 15
urgency,& sense of, 92
defilements(kiles)
cause of, 100
destroyed by vipassan, 104
definite prophecy
Arahant fm, 204
Arahantship, delays, 143
Bhiya Drucriya, 142
Bodhisatta, our, 145
changing mind, no, 179
Chief Disciples, 146
DpaOkara Buddhas, 201
hermit Sumedhas, 201
receiving, conditions for, 200
unchangeable, 202
dependent
origination(pa5iccasamuppda)
description, 183, 184, 259
discerning
aggregates past, future,
present, 183
conception, own, 184
description, 183
example, 185
example, yogi, 187, 190
future lives, 191
future rebirth, 191
own
Arahantship, 191
death, 191
Parinibbna, 191
past life, 184
past lives, 190
three rounds, 184
life to life, from
table 3a, 192
method
fifth, 77, 183, 192
discerning
arising, 217
arising&perishing, 220
perishing, 218
first, 77, 183, 193
discerning
arising, 221
arising&perishing, 222
cessation, 221
five, 78, 183
three lives, 193
table 3a, 192
practise, why, 77
Second Noble Truth =, 258
three rounds
defin/discuss, 184
discerning, 184
time of death, knowing, 197
twelve factors, 73
unique to Buddhas
Dispensation, 259
Wheel of Existence, 73
deva
rebirth
morality&concentration, by,
102
vipassan, by, 101
vipassan, practising as, 102
devotee
devotion, how to show, 244
real, not, 244
dhamma object. see
object, dhamma
digestion
procedure, 114, 133
how to see, 134
disciple(svaka)
Buddha, dependent on a, 155
Chief
Enlightenment Knowledge,
177
Main Index
pram of, 146

Great
Enlightenment Knowledge,
177
ordinary, pram of, 146
discursive thought
remove, how to(qtn), 93
divine abiding(Brahmavihra). (see compassion,
equanimity,
lovingkindness,
sympathetic joy)
four, sutta refs., 274
door(dvra)
base(yatana),&, 107
base(vatthu)
&, 6
=, 109
exist, why, 111
mind(mano)
heart base(hadaya-vatthu) &,
109
six, 17
dosa. see hatred
doubt(vicikicch)
defin/discuss, 55
eight objects, 55
dukkha. see suffering
E
effort(vriya)
excessive, 40, 41, 71
Ven.SoLa, 40
elders/betters
respect for
resultant rebirth (qtn), 276
element(dhtu)
eighteen = mentalitymateriality, 5
four. (see essential, great,
four elements meditation)
enlightenment factor(bojjhaAga)
attention &, 235
balancing, 42
defin/discuss, 42
seven, 250
Enlightenment(Bodhi-),
Requisites of(pakkhiyadhamma)
thirty-seven, 245
Noble Eightfold Path =, 245
three trainings =, 245
envy
equanimity(upekkh)
develop, how to, 89
jhna, up to, 89
purpose, 14
essential(bhta),great(mah).
(see also four-elements
meditation)
four, 108
table 2a, 137
eye
decad-kalpa. see kalpa,
rpa:decad
-door process. see process,
five-door
F
faculties(indriya),five(pac-)
balancing, 71
develop concentration, to, 98
five powers =, 250
faculty(indriya),sense
definition, 6
faith(saddh)
developed, how, 93
excessive, 40, 41, 71
objects of, 39
true, 244
wisdom, balanced w/, 41
feeling(vedan)
aggregate(khandha)
definition, 72, 177
contemplating only, 152
feeling aggregate &, 227
vipassan on, prerequisites for,
153
301
fine-material
jhnas= four jhnas, 47
fine-material sphere(rpvacara)
consciousness, 9
fisherman
offering purified by Arahant,
263
five-door(paca-dvra)
process. (see process, fivedoor)
flavour(rasa). see fourelements meditation
food
analysis of, 114
fool
Buddha cannot help, 4
formations(saAkhr)
aggregate(khandha)
definition, 73, 177
categories, comprehend in, 209
definition
impermanent, 26
non-self, 26
suffering, 26
mentality/materiality =, 210
Noble Truth of Suffering =, 74
object of vipassan, 78
volitional
unwholesome/wholesome
birth/ageing/sickness/death,
produce, 29
destroy, must, 29
forty to
exercises, vipassan, 211
forty-two parts of the
body
description, 135
foulness meditation(asubhabhvan)
death-recollection, for, 92
develop, how to, 92
first jhna, up to, 92
greed, to remove, 104
helped by white kasiLa, 76
lust, removes, 93, 236
nimittas, 92
302
purpose, 15
wise attention =, 104
Foundations of
Mindfulness(Sati-Pa55hna),
Four(cattro)
defin/discuss, 247
five faculties,&, 250
Four Bases for Success,&, 249
Four Right Efforts,&, 249
samatha-vipassan =
discussion, 247
four-elements
meditation(catu-dhtuvavatthna). (see also
materiality meditation)
coexistent w/consciousness,
materiality
insects &c., 170
concentration in, 123
discussion, 15
eating, while, 133
elements, characteristics
quotation, 116
twelve, 117
externally, 170
first, why, 15
glance, all elements at a, 136
how to
colour, see, 125, 126
develop, 107, 116
flavour, see, 125, 127
heart materiality, see, 128
individual elements, see, 124,
125
life faculty, see, 127
nutritive-essence, see, 127
odour, see, 125, 126
sex materiality, see, 128
twelve characteristics, see, 117
inanimate materiality, on, 170
clothes, 170
floor, 170
trees&buildings, 170
internal first
quotation, 16
why, 16
internally/externally, 170
jhna
not up to, 150
previous, w/, 156
previous, w/o, 15, 156

mentality, necessary to
discern, 74
method
brief, 116
detailed, 135
necessary for all, 116
one block, body as, 122
past materiality, on, 185
problems for yogis, 120
quotation, 116
samatha&vipassna, 125
seeing no man, woman, etc.,
170
sequence, why, 103
summary, 135
sutta refs, 274
ten ways to develop, 120
two ways, 116
voidness meditation =, 59
why, 10, 16, 74, 107
future lives
discerning cause/effect, 191
G
gandhabba, male
from bhikkhu to, 102
Gopaka, son of Sakka
gandhabbas,& three, 102
greed(lobha)
boredom,&, 238
during meditation, why, 100
remove, how to, 104
view,&, 233
H
happiness(sukha)
of Brahma realm, 257
hatred(dosa)
boredom,&, 238
during meditation, why, 100
jhna, hinders, 206
materiality born of, 112
meditation, hindrance to, 54
remove, how to, 104
heart
decad-kalpa. (see kalpa,
rpa:decad)
materiality. (see fourelements meditation)
hindrance(nvaraBa)
cause of, 100
defin/discuss, 54
opposite jhna, 55
I
ill-will(bypda)
defin/discuss, 54
immaterial jhna. see
base, boundless,
etc.jhna, immaterial
immaterial sphere(arpvacara)
consciousness, 9
imperfections of
vipassan. see vipassan,
imperfections
impermanence(anicca)
definition, 27, 176
five aggregates =, 78
indifference
insight. see vipassan
intermediate life(antarabhava)
discussion, 155
J
jhna. (see also
concentration, absorption,
light of wisdom)
absorption concentration =, 2
n-pna
nimitta,&, 53
object, 99
benefit
five, 173
practical, 123
blissful abiding, for, 173
certain kammas prevent, 230
Main Index
cessation attainment, for, 175

conduct, change?, 206
consciousness easier to
discern, 161
description, 43
distinguish, how to, 99
duration, 98
evil intent,&, 229
factors
access concentration, in, 39
description, 43
discerning, 43
faith,&, 40
fine-material resultant, 105
five hindrances, opposite, 55
fortress =, 123
four = fine material realm
jhnas, 47
four elements meditation, not
with, 150
fourth
best&quietest, 100
no breath, 36, 47, 99
object of, 196
Fruition consciousness &, 98
hatred, hindered by, 206
immaterial. (see also Base of
Boundless, etc.)
develop, how to, 66
four, 66
procedure, necessary, 196
which kasiLas can be used, 66
jhana factors =, 45
masteries, five, 46
mental formations of, 162
discerning, 153
morality, effect on, 229
mundane&supramundane, 106
near death, 101
object of vipassan, 174
one object, only, 98
Path&Fruition, 106
process
procedure for, 45
table 1a, 44
progress, how to, 46
protective meditations, 14
psychic powers, for, 174
rest in, to, 94, 174
Right Concentration =, 32
sound, no, 98
specific existence, for, 174
sublime abidings, up to, 14
vipassan, for, 48, 173
vipassan, on, 205
wholesome dhammas, 101
joy(pti)
excessive, 40
over skeleton, how?, 60
K
kalpa, rpa. (see also
materiality)
analyse, how to, 124
concepts =, 10
decad
body, where, 129
defin/discuss, 109
eye/ear/nose/tongue/body
defin/discuss, 109
heart
defin/discuss, 109
origin, 111
sex
defin/discuss, 110
where, 129
defin/discuss, 108
description, 258
each organ, of, 129
eye, of
analysing others, 171
six types, 131
how to see, 122
colour, 126
heart materiality, 128
individual elements, 124
life faculty, 127
odour, 126, 127
sex materiality, 128
identify&analyse, 16
internally/externally
analysing, 171
lifespan, 103
nonad, life
defin/discuss, 108
digestion,&, 114, 133
origin, 111
octad
defin/discuss, 108
303
nutritive-essence
consciousness-prod, 132
nutriment prod, 133
maintain body, 134
pre-/succeeding, 134
temperature prod, 132, 133
sub-atomic particle =, 10
translucent
why, 110, 123
ultimate materiality &, 231
untranslucent
w/life faculty, 128
why, 110, 123
kamma
affliction, cause of, 103
born materiality. (see
materiality, kamma-born)
faith in, offering&, 261, 263,
264
quotation, 263
human rebirth, of, 112
knowledge of
unique to Buddhas
Dispensation, 259
law,natural fixed, 202
mature, all?, 181
potency of, 199
Arahant Path, 202
pram, 201
Path Knowledge, 200
simile for, 199
rpa-kalpas,-born, 135
result, depends on, 111
unintervenable (an-antariya)
five, 230
prevent jhna, 230
unwholesome
latent cause, 104
proximate cause, 104
unwise attention, fm, 165
volition =, 199
wholesome
wise attention, fm, 165
kasiRa
colour
develop, how to, 61
entrance to Nibbna, 59
flowers, w/, 64
parts of the body, w/, 61
earth
304
develop, how to, 64

fire
develop, how to, 65
fourteen ways, in
for psychic powers, 174
light
develop, how to, 66
space
develop, how to, 66
water
develop, how to, 65
white
best, 62
why, 75
develop, how to, 62
expand, how to, 62
jhna factors, 63, 64
lovingkindness,&, 75
pa5ibhga-nimitta, 62
parikamma-nimitta, 62
skeleton, w/, 62
uggaha-nimitta, 62
wind
develop, how to, 65
Khujjuttar
stopped stealing, 229
King Ajtasattu
pram blocked, 230
knowledge(Ba). (see also
Knowledge)
knife of, 25
vipassandependent origination,&, 79
exercises to increase, 211, 213,
214
perceptions
impermanence, of, 211
non-self, of, 212
suffering, of, 212
preceding jhna, w/, 173
vipassan =, 237
Knowledge(Ba). (see also
knowledge)
analytical
four, 142
pram to attain, 143
Arahant Path
knows&sees Nibbna, 23
Arise&Perish(Udaya-Bbaya)
defin/discuss, 216
method
detailed, defin/discuss, 217
two, 217
Path&Non-Path
Knowledge&Vision
Purification =, 77
Cause-Apprehending(PaccayaPariggaha), 209
completed, 193
dependent origination,&, 79
description, 187
Doubt-Overcoming
Purification =, 77
Comprehension(Sammasana)
defin/discuss, 209
Path&Non-Path
Knowledge&Vision
Purification =, 77
Conformity(Anuloma)
defin/discuss, 225
Disciples Enlightenment-, 178
Dissolution(BhaAga)
develop, how to, 223
Mentality-Materiality
Definition(Nma-RpaPariccheda), 209
completion of, 172
dependent origination,&, 79
materiality part, 135
View Purification =, 77
Omniscient(Sabbauta)
pram, necessary, 146
Path&Fruition
attain?, 142
defer
before attainment, 179
for Bodhisatta Path?, 178
not after attainment, 179
regress impossible, 179
jhna,&, 106
true vipassan, only by, 176
result of what, 149
Reviewing(PaccavekkhaBa)
defin/discuss, 226
sixteen, 53, 209
summary, 223
Standing on
Phenomena(Dhamma-I5hiti)
defin/discuss, 149
vipassan, only after, 149
L
law of nature,
fixed(sammatta-niyma)
im-/permanent?, 199
kamma, 199
potency of
Path Knowledge, 202
liberation(vimutti)
definition, 180
life faculty(jvit-indriya). see
four-elements meditation
life nonad-kalpa. see
kalpa, rpa: life-nonad
light of wisdom(paobhsa). (see also
concentration, jhna,
materiality, consciousnessborn)
access concentration, w/, 149
analysing, 157
develop, to
Buddha-Recollection, 91
compassion jhna, 88
earth kasiLa, 64
foulness meditation, 92
four-elements meditation, 116
kasiLa meditation, 62
lovingkindness jhna, 83, 196
mentality-meditation, 161
skeleton meditation, 59
sympathetic joy jhna, 89
vipassan, 94, 210
discern, to
beings far away, 58
dependent origination, 184
past lives, 24
rpa-kalpas, 123
skeleton, 59
anothers, 59
thirty-two parts, 57
anothers, 58
ultimate mentality-materiality,
94
ultimate truth, 13
fading, 58
how it arises, 13
quotation, 13
scientific discussion of, 156
Main Index
lobha. see greed

lovingkindness(mett)
n-pna jhna, fm, 196
barriers, breaking down, 85
by area, 87
develop, how to, 81
development, gradual, 84
directions, by, 87
discussion, 178
five-hundred&twenty-eight
ways, 87
towards, 84
instruction (qtn), 178
jhna, 76
eleven benefits, 87
up to, 84
while standing, 195
mother, w/all beings as past?,
178
nimitta, 49
object
disappears, 76
does not, 76
object, as bhavaOga object, 105
present only, 178
purpose, 14
quick development, 83
removes
hatred, 104
ill-will(qtn), 93, 236
towards
dead person, not, 81
dear one, 83
four people, 81
indifferent one, 84
opposite sex, not, 81
self, 82
first, why, 82
twenty-two categories, 85
white kasiLa, helped by, 75
why, 75
lust(rga)
M
mantra
snake, 239
materiality
meditation(rpa-kamma55hBa)
externally, 170
materiality(rpa). (see also
essential, great,kalpa,
rpa, mentalitymateriality)
ability to see, 115
aggregate(khandha)
definition, 73, 176
materiality =, 5
-body, definition, 247
body, of, 131
cessation of = Nibbna, 29
compactness, delusion of, 50
Comprehension Knowledge,&,
210
concept, as, 124
concrete(nipphanna), 210
table 2a, 137
consciousness-born(cittaja), 13
anger,&, 112
bodily comfort,&, 113
bodily movement,&, 112
Buddhas vipassan, fm, 157
defin/discuss, 112
divine-eye, light of, 157
how to see, 132
internally, only, 157
light by, 113
Path&Fruition, fm, 113
samatha-vipassan, fm, 113,
156
temporary cessation of, 175
wiggling finger, 132
defin/discuss, 107, 108, 177,
258
derived, 108
table 2a, 137
twenty-four types, 11
discerning
access concentration, w/, 149
infinite universe, 171
each organ, of
how to analyse, 129
305
eleven categories, 16
eye, ear, nose, tongue, of, 131
table 2b, 138
heart, of
table 2d, 140
how to know, 74
inanimate
kamma-born(kammaja)
defin/discuss, 111
know&see, why, 10
knowledge of (qtn), 11
life faculty, with
1st Noble Truth =, 111
life-span, 112
maintained
how, 111
see, how to, 134
materiality aggregate =, 5
meditation(kamma55hna). (see
also four elements
meditation)
body-contemplation =, 248
unique to Buddhas
Dispensation, 258
mentality
depends on, 5
versus, how to see, 107
workings of,&, 8
needs to seen, 115
nutriment-born(hraja)
defin/discuss, 114
generations, 114, 133
how to see, 133
nutritive-essence
four types, 127
origin, defin/discuss, 110
seeing
past/future/present
arising, 217
perishing, 219
requisite for, 12
seven ways for, 213
sex, male/female, 110
sub-atomic particles =, 10
temperature-born(utuja)
defin/discuss, 113
generations, 113, 133, 134
how to see, 132
306
internally/externally, 113, 157

Path&Fruition, fm, 113
samatha-vipassan, fm, 113,
157
translucent
exists, why, 111
five translucencies =, 122
twenty-eight types, 11
table 2a, 137
ultimate(paramattha)
how to see, 10
penetrate to, 16
rpa-kalpas &, 231
unconcrete(anipphanna)
table 2a, 137
untranslucent, 108
vipassan on(qtn), 26
meditation
subject(kamma55hna)
forty, sutta refs., 273
two types, 74
meditation(bhvan)
bhavaOga, falling into, 97
defin/discuss, 29
liberation/Bodhisatta path, 180
pram =, 203
posture,&, 195
purpose of, 29
respect for, no, 100
three types, defin/discuss, 95
memory
defin/discuss, 227
mentality meditation(nmakamma55hBa)
develop, how to, 159
discerning
characteristic of mentality, 163
mental formations of
access-concentration, 163
jhna, 161
mind-door process, 162
discussion, 16
mentality
jhna
begin w/, 161
why, 161
on, 174
past, on, 185
sensual-realm
un-/wholesome, 166, 167

preceding concentration
necessary, 160
stages, four, 160
vipassan, pure, 160
mentality(nma). (see also
mentality-materiality,
mentality meditation)
aggregates &, 5
basic facts, 159
bhavaOga, maintained by, 105
-body
definition, 247
cessation of = Nibbna, 29
compactness, delusion of, 51
Comprehension Knowledge,&,
211
description, 9, 19, 20
discerning, 160
by six doors, why, 16
infinite universe, 171
prerequisites for, 74
procedure, 18
w/access concentration, 149
knowing/seeing, 10
materiality first,why, 18
ultimate, 18
materiality
depends on, 5, 10, 107
versus, how to see, 107
workings of,&, 8
meditation
three mental contemplations =,
248
unique to Buddhas
Dispensation, 258
seven ways for, 214
mentalitymateriality(nma-rpa). (see
also mentality,
materiality)
arise&perish, knowing, 216
causes discerned w/access
concentration, 149
cessation of
unique to Buddhas
Dispensation, 259
definition, 73
formations =, 78
infinite universe, discerning,
171
near-death
past, discerning, 186
seeing, w/ light of wisdom, 94
mental-process(citta-vthi).
(see also absorption-,
five-, mind-, eye door)
consciousness of
defin/discuss, 159
defin/discuss, 17
discernment of, 18
final in one life, 189
table 1d, 188
first in one life, 189
table 1d, 188
six types, 17, 160
metaphor
Pureland, 231
insurance, 103
supramundane plane, 106
method
maze of many, 73
Pa-Auk. see system, PaAuk
mind. (see also
consciousness)
body, depends on, 198
body, leaving?, 197
defin/discussion, 159
mind consciousness(manoviBa)
knows all objects, 125
mind door(mano-dvra)
takes all objects, 6
mindfulness(sati)
beginners,&, 71
-foundations(-pa55hna)
four two, 32
only way to Nibbna, 58
necessary, why always, 41
Right. (see Right
Mindfulness)
mindfulness-ofbreathing(n-pna-sati)
breath
counting, 34
how, aware of, 33
307
Main Index
long&short, aware of, 34

tranquillizing, 35
where, aware of, 33
whole, aware of, 34
concentration
defin/discuss, 39
faculty of, 71
why develop(qtn), 12
difficulties, 36
discursive thought, removes,
236
(qtn), 93
doubt about, 55
enlightenment factors,&, 42
four-elements meditation,
before, 156
jhna factors, 43
light, 37
mindfulness in, 71
nimitta
different, why, 37
light &, 37
light, and, 37
nostril, 96
real/not real, 53
similes, 37
source?, 53
types, defin/discuss, 95
uggaha, 37
upper lip, 96
one-pointedness in, 71
pa5ibhga-nimitta
bhavaOga object, 105
postures, all, 195
protecting, 75
quotation, 33
soul, wandering&, 49
stages, 49
success, conditions for, 195
what not to do, 33
white-kasiLa &, 76
why choose, 32
wisdom in, 71
wise attention in, 100
momentary
arise&perish
defin/discuss, 216
arising
defin/discuss, 217
perishing
defin/discuss, 219
morality(sla)
pram =, 203
precepts =, 246
purification
definition, 20
four types, 77
results of, 247
training of
N
Nibbna
attainment
everthing stopped, 97
I knew nothing, 97
cause, 97
defin/discuss, 97
feeling, has, 175
mistaken, 39, 97
pram
depends on, 177
theory/practice, by?, 176
wishing, not by, 178
cessation of mentalitymateriality, 29
characteristic, 98
description, 97
Element, Unformed, 27
entrances, three, 58, 59
how to reach, 29
knowing&seeing, 224
known by consciousness, 98
mentality-materiality, no, 106
mind fully aware of, 27
one way to attain, only, 177
description, 177
release from suffering, 29
Third Noble Truth =, 258
voidness, why called, 181
who attians, 145
zero, absolute, 27
nimitta. (see also
mindfulness-of-breathing,
and other meditation
subjects)
n-pna pa5ibhga
bhavaOga object, 105
necessary?, 49
three types
defin/discuss, 95
non-self(anatta)
definition(qtn), 26
nutriment
divine, power of, 133
produced materiality. (see
materiality, nutriment-born)
nutritive essence(oj). see
four-elements meditation,
materiality
O
object(rammaBa)
taking an, defin/discuss, 227
cognition of, procedure for,
110
dhamma, definition, 7, 110
six types, 7, 17
two doors, strikes, 109
odour(gandha). see fourelements meditation
offering(dna)
Arahant Arahant, 268
definition, 261
fulfilled, givers wishes, 267
full fruition, comes to(qtn),
265
good results fm
giver, 264
receiver, 264
immeasurable
measure of(qtn), 266
six qualities, 265
giver(qtn), 265
receiver(qtn), 265
most superior
vipassan, w/, 270
vipassan, w/o, 271
pram =, 203
personal, fourteen kinds, 260
benefits by receiver, 261
purification of(qtn), 262
purified by
giver, 266
example, 263
quotation, 262, 263
giver&receiver
308
conditions, 264
quotation, 263
neither giver/receiver
example, 264
quotation, 263
receiver
example, 263
quotation, 262
rebirth fm, 267
result w/, 265
result w/o, 269
retreat, at, 266
SaOgha, to
personal &, 262
seven kinds, 261
superior, 265
support for Nibbna, 258
two kinds, 255
wish, proper while, 271
with/without pure mind, 261
worldly, most superior, 268
opportunity
missed, not to be, 258
P
pa. see wisdom
Pa-Auk
method/system. (see system,
Pa-Auk)
teaching at, summary, 235
Pa6cra
mad w/grief, 205
pram of, 206
paibhga-nimitta. (see
mindfulness-of-breathing)
pram
Bhiya Drucriya, 142
Bodhisatta, our, 145
disciples, 142
fulfilment of wishes, depends
on, 267
kammic potency of, 201
Mahdhanas, 24
mature, not, 143
offering, morality, meditation
=, 203
PaTcra, 206
push Bodhisatta, 141
the ten, 141

thirty, 202
Vessantaras, fulfilled, 263
Parinibbna
end of rebirth, 141
walking, while, 197
your own, seeing, 218
past lives
discerning, 184
cause/effect, 190
Brahma realm, 191
female yogi, 187
male yogi, 190
path
liberation & Bodhisatta, 180
Path(Magga). (see also
Knowledge,Path)
& Fruition, four
discussion, 256
Arahant
unchangeable, 202
Noble Eightfold
Buddhas advice, 253
conditions for realizing, 3
defin/discuss, 30
factors of, 30
samatha-vipassna =, 259
thirty-seven requisites of
enlightenment =, 245
three trainings =, 245, 251
threefold training =, 30
training, 2
unique to Buddhas
dispensation, 260
vipassan knowledge =, 258
process, analysis, 224
perception(sa)
aggregate(khandha)
definition, 177
perception aggregate &, 227
self-, definition, 233
perishing
causal
defin/discuss, 218
momentary
defin/discuss, 219
personality wrong view

(sakkya diithi)
definition, 234
person-to-be-led(neyyapuggala)
defin/discuss, 32
plane(bhmi)
supramundane
definition, 106
metaphor =, 106
three, bhavaOga in, 106
plants
materiality of, 114
precepts, training(sikkhpada)
five, 246
pride
non-pride
resultant rebirth (qtn), 276
process(vthi)
five door(paca-dvra)
definition, 160
five-door(paca-dvra)
discerning, 167
eye-door process
discerning, 169
unwholesome
make one occur, how to, 169
wholesome
consciousnesses of, 167
mind-door process, followed
by, 169
sensual realm
un-/wholesome, 165
jhna-attainment
mental formations, discerning,
161
mind-door process =, 162
procedure, 45
table 1a, 44
wholesome, always, 165
mind door(mano-dvra)
definition, 160
mental formations, discerning,
162
table 2a, 164
mind-door(mano-dvra)
309
Main Index
discern first, why, 166

discerning
jhna, 171
wholesome, 166
five-door process, after, 169
sensual realm
discerning, 166
un-/wholesome, 165
wholesome
consciousnesses, 166
Path, analysis, 224
proliferation(papaca),
mental
from fifth mind-door process,
165
protective chant
snake, 239
protective
meditation(rakkha-bhvan)
develop, how to, 81, 90
four, 75, 81
protect, to
meditation/self, 14
vipassan, 90
purification(visuddhi)
consciousness(citta), 123
concentration, by, 232
end of, 125
doubt-overcoming(kaAkhvitaraBa)
defin/discuss, 77
morality(sla)
path&non-path
knowledge&vision(maggmagga-Ba-dassana)
defin/discuss, 77
seven, 53
defin/discuss, 77
view(di55hi), 123
beginning of, 125
vipassan, by, 232
R
rabbit horns
long/short?, 239
realm
thirty-one
knowledge of, unique to
Buddhas Dispensation, 259
rebirth
causes for, 79, 112
death,& (tbl 1d), 188
desired realm, in, 174
direct cause, 111
end of, 141
moment of, go back to, 24
own, discerning, 186
causes for, 186
put an end to, 2
round of
causes for, 1
escape from, 260
Recollection of The
Buddha. see Buddha
Recollection
repulsiveness
meditation(pa5ikklamanasikra)
develop, how to, 59
jhna factors, 60
pa5ibhga-nimitta, 60
uggaha-nimitta, 60
restlessness&remorse(uddh
acca-kukkucca)
defin/discuss, 54
Right(Samm)
Action(Kammanta)
defin/discuss, 31
Concentration(Samdhi)
defin/discuss, 32
Effort(Vyma)
defin/discuss, 31
Livelihood(jva)
defin/discuss, 31
Mindfulness(Sati)
Speech(Vc)
defin/discuss, 31
Thought(SaAkappa)
defin/discuss, 30
View(Di55hi)
defin/discuss, 30
different types, 234
rootless(ahetuka)
consciousness, 9
round(va55a)
defilementsdefinition, 184
example, 185
kamma
definition, 184
example, 185
resultsdefinition, 184
three, interrelations, 184
S
saddh. see faith
sla. see morality
samdhi. see
concentration
SamaRa-Devaputta
unwillingly deva, 147
samatha
body in, 248
basis of, 29
benefits of, 94
colour kasiLas, 61
concentration, three types, 150
definition, 30
faith,&, 41
immaterial jhnas, 66
light,&, 156
mentality meditation,&, 160
repulsiveness meditation, 59
samatha-vipassan
description, 259
Four Foundations of
Mindfulness =, 247
negligence, 144
rebirth fm, 148
relationship, 94
thirty-two parts of body, 57
-vehicle person, 150
vipassan
protects, 174
yoked w/, 174
310
self(atta)
five aggregates,&, 238
non-, definition, 27
sensual desire(kma-cchanda)
defin/discuss, 54
sensual pleasures
analyis (qtn), 141
sex
materiality. (see also fourelements meditation)
defin/discuss, 110
sex decad-kalpa. see
kalpa, rpa:decad
simile
ashes hit by stone, 54
banisters, ten, 136
bulb, light, 157
diarrhoea, joy over, 60
glass, block of, 122
government servant, 197
ice, block of, 122
ignoring someone, 124
island, 252
knife, 73
lamp, oil, 269
lute, 40
man running, 35
mirror, 8
face in, 58
Mount Meru, 257
nimitta, for, 37
peaked house, 2
prime minister, 42
rice&wheat flour, 129
rock, big, 97
salt, 42
scavengers joy, 60
small child, 98
stone in water, 254
strong&powerful man, 98
tree
banana, 202
mango, 199
root destroyed, w/, 269
two bullocks, one cart, 174
vomiting, joy over, 60
warriors in fortress, 123
wheel, 73
whetstone, 73
skeleton
meditation. (see repulsiveness
meditation)
see other beings, 59
sloth&torpor(thina-middha)
defin/discuss, 54
soul
perception, when removed, 50
why perception of, 50
Stream-Enterer(Sot-panna)
Lesser, definition, 147
Stream-Entry(Sot-patti)
deva realm, in, 147
Striving(Ppadhna),Right(Sa
mm)
Four, defin/discuss, 249
sublime abiding(brahmavihra)
develop, how to, 81
equanimity, definition, 234
four, 81
meditation/self, to protect, 14
suffering(dukkha)
arising of, dependent, 21, 73
cessation of
dependent, 22
unique to Buddhas
Dispensation, 259
definition, 3, 27
quotation, 26
end of, prerequisites for, 2
knowledge of
unique to Buddhas
Dispensation, 258
origin, 73
Sumedha, hermit
worldling, 202
supramundane(lokuttar)
consciousness, 10
Susma
vipassan,& pure, 148
Sutta, The
Aggregate
definition
aggregates, 210
clinging-aggregates, 4
Ascetics&Brahmins
why not realize the goal, 23
Concentration
concentration, why develop,
12, 23, 94, 152
Consecutive
jhna analysis, 153, 205
Dghanakha
feeling, Buddha explains, 154
Dhamma-Wheel Setting-inMotion
analysis
Origin of Suffering, 20
sensual pleasure, 141
Suffering, 3
wisdom, light of, 13
Elements Analysis
forty-two parts of body, 135
Festering
kammas, unintervenable, 230
First Kosala
white kasiLa best, 62, 75
First Non-Understanding
destroying suffering,
prererequisites for, 152
First, KoTigma
rebirth, why, 1
Flower
world = aggregates, 3
Ghatkra
faith,in Buddha, 244
Great Causation
dependent origination
methods to discern, 183
need to know, 73
profound, 79
Great Cowherd
materiality, knowledge of, 11
Great Craving-Destruction
dependent
cessation, 221
origination, 221
Great MindfulnessFoundation
aggregates, clingingdefinition, 4
contemplation, consciousness-,
19
death recollection, 92
meditation, four elements, 16,
116
Main Index
development, 33
Nibbna, only one way to, 177
rebirth, cause of, 111
Great Parinibbna
benefits of
Dhamma&Discipline, 253
Dhamma as island, 252
The Buddha
no more will to live, 242
threefold training
benefits of, 246
Jewel
Arahant, no future life, 269,
271
Kaccnagotta
taught to Ven. Channa, 207
Light etc.
wisdom, light of, 13
Loving-Kindness
benefits of loving-kindness
jhna, 87
Mallik
one loves oneself most, 82
Meghiya
defilements, removal of, 93,
236
vipassan knowledge, 52
Mountain Cow
first jhna, mastery of, 46
Non-Self Characteristic
vipassan instructions, 26, 210
Offering-Rebirth
wish fulfilled, 267
Offerings-Analysis, 268
discussion, 255
One-Who-Has-Heard
Lesser Stream-Enterer, 147
vipassan knowledge
benefits of, 102
Peaked-House
end of suffering
impossible, when, 2, 153
possible, when, 28
Pleasing
no more rebirth, 179
Sakkas Questions
three bhikkhus, 102
Sectarian Doctrines
definition, Suffering
Cessation of, 22
Origin of, 21, 73
Six-Factored Offering, 265
most superior, 270
results of, 266
Snake Kings
protective sutta, 239
Student Mogharjas
Questions
void, look on the world as, 27
Supreme Net
wrong views, 234
Susma
vipassanPath, 148
To-Be-Done LovingKindness
loving-kindness, as a mother,
178
Traveller Sutta
Buddha, qualities of, 90
Two Kinds of Application
concentration,resting in, 123
ULLbha Brahmin
faculties,sphere/field, 6
World
world, origin of, 5
KaraBya-Mett, 75
suttas
taught by disciples, 181
sympathetic joy(mudit)
develop, how to, 89
jhna, up to, 89
purpose, 14
system
Pa-Auk, 278
T
ta$h. see craving
Tathgata
qualities of
all beings have?, 181
teaches five aggregates, 4
teacher
debt to(qtn), 256
teaching
the Dhamma, prerequisites for,
244
311
temperature-born
materiality. (see
materiality, temperatureborn)
thirty-two parts of the
body(dva-ttiD-skr)
develop, how to, 57
discern how clear, 58
discern w/light, 57
earth parts, twenty, 57
eyes closed/open, w/, 157
see in other being, 58
water parts, twelve, 57
tortoise hairs
black/white?, 239
training, threefold. (see
also morality,
concentration, wisdom)
def/discuss, 2
interrelations, 245
Noble Eightfold Path =, 30,
245
thirty-seven requisites of
enlightenment =, 245
translucency(pasda)
eye-, ear-, etc.
defin/discuss, 129
how to identify, 129
Truth (Sacca)
Path (Magga-)
definition
mundane, 2
supramundane, 3
truth(sacca)
conventional(sammuti), 238
ultimate(paramattha), 238
Truth(Sacca),Noble(Ariya-)
Cessation of Suffering
definition, 22
First
knowing/seeing, 22
discussion, 9
Four
concentration to know, 152
definition, 257
fully realizing, 28
interrelations, 2, 3
knowing
312
discussion, 256
results of, 256, 260
true knowledge, 226
understanding
not
cause of rebirth, 112
result of, 1
result of, 1
why taught, 2
Fourth
definition, 259
Origin of Suffering
definition, 20, 21, 73
formations =, 74
knowing/seeing
prerequisite for, 25
object of vipassan, 3, 74
Second
dependent origination =, 259
knowing/seeing, discussion, 12
Suffering
defin/discuss, 3
five clinging-aggregates =, 3,
74
formations =, 74
object of vipassan, 3, 74
Third
knowing/seeing, 20, 259
discussion, 22
realizing, conditions for, 2
U
uggaha-nimitta. (see
repulsiveness meditation)
ultimate reality
four, 72
Understanding,
Full(pari)
defin/discuss, 153
unwholesome(akusala)
consciousness, 9
dhammas, cause, 100
urgency, sense of(saDvega)
death-recollection, with, 92
V
Venerable, The
AOgulimla
conduct purified, 230
nanda
dependent origination appears
easy, 79
helps Ven.Channa, 207
Anuruddha
divine eye of, 113
light of wisdom, 157
Assaji
utters one stanza, 153
Channa
punishment, noble, 207
roughness of, 206
Stream-Entry, 207
Kassapa
Mahkaccyana
sutta taught by, 182
Mahmoggallna
Arahantship
time to attain, 177
pram, 177
Parinibbna, 198
psychic powers fail, 198
results of past parricide, 181
Mahnga Mahthera
Arahant, thought he was an,
231
MahsaOgharakkhita
Arahantship deferred, 179
Mah-Tissa
Arahantship w/skeleton, 158
Sriputta
analysing jhna, 153, 205
Arahantship, 154
time to attain, 177
attitude to death, 197
author of
fifth method, 78, 183
lovingkindness method, 85
cessation-attainment standing,
195
nephew Stream-Entry, 154

pram, 177
Stream-Entry, 153
SoLa
excessive effort, 40
Subhti
lovingkindness-attainment
standing, 195
view(di55hi)
consciousness &, 233
defin/discuss, 233
purification, definition, 20
vipassan, purified by, 232
wrong & Right, 234
vipassan
body in, 247
bases, twelve, 210
basis of, 29
begin, when can, 25
best to destroy defilements,
104
Comprehension in Groups, 205
Comprehension Knowledge, as
defin/discuss, 210
concepts, on, 124
consecutive dhammas, of, 205
dependent origination
on factors of, 210
past&future lives, of, 211
w/o discerning, 207
description (qtn), 26
discernments, two, 156
elements, eighteen, 210
exercises, 211, 213, 214
five aggregates, 210
method, 72
seeing, w/o, 176
imperfections(upakkilesa)
defin/discuss, 222
jhna
for, 48
on, 205
while in?, 204
knowledge = mentality, 237
light of, 13, 156
material elements, on, 136
materiality
concrete, 210
313
Main Index
past&future lives, of, 211

materiality meditation, 123
materiality, on(qtn), 26
mentality meditation, 159
mentality, on, 211
mentality/materiality, on, 209
near death, 101
objects of, 72, 74
offering, while, 270
perceptions of
impermanence, 211
non-self, 212
suffering, 212
prelude to, 115, 123
prerequisites for, 74, 77
protect, how to, 90
puredefin/discuss, 148
mentality-meditation, 160
recital, by, 176
Right View = mental factor,
237
samatha
&, 94
protects, 174
yoked w/, 174
samatha-vipassan
description, 259
Four Foundations of
Mindfulness =, 247
negligence, 144
rebirth fm, 148
straight after jhna?, 72
theory/direct knowledge, by?,

176
tiredness during, 94, 123
true, 177
ultimate mentality-materiality
seeing, 177
seeing, w/o, 177
view, purified by, 232
wisdom =, 237
wise attention, best, 104, 234
voidness(suat)
meditation = four elements
meditation, 59
Nibbna, name of, 181
perception of,
internal/external, 181
volition(cetan)
impermanent, 199
kamma =, 199
W
wandering mind
soul perception,&, 51
wholesome(kusala)
dhammas
cause, 100
definition, 242
wisdom(pa)
dull, 72
excessive, 41, 72
faith, balanced w/, 41
light of. (see light of

wisdom)
training
wish
dissociated fm
ignorance/craving/clinging,
238
rebirth, for certain
analysed, 185
work
for the SaOgha, 228
world
human, definition, 3
origin of
eighteen elements =, 5
see as absolute zero, 27
ultimate reality of
definition, 3
worry
heat caused by, 112
Y
Yasodhar
wife of Prince Siddhattha, 141
yellow necks
offering to, 262
Z
zero
absolute,see world as, 27

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Knowing and Seeing

(Fourth Revised Edition)

Talks and Questions&Answers

the Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw

A GIFT NOT FOR SALE

(First Edition) W.K.Ng (Private), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia:

A GIFT NOT FOR SALE

Introduction (Revised Edition)

1: How You Develop Mindfulness-of-Breathing to Absorption

2: How You Develop Absorption on Other Subjects

3: How You Develop the Sublime Abidings and Protective Meditations 81

Questions and Answers 4

Questions and Answers 5

6: How You See the Links of Dependent Origination

7: How You Develop the Vipassan Knowledges to See Nibbna

8: The Buddhas Wishes for His Disciples and His Teachings

The Forty Meditation-Subjects

THE MENTAL PROCESSES

1a: The Jhna-Attainment Process

1c: The Five-Door Process

2a: The Twenty-Eight Types of Materiality

2b: The Basic Types of Materiality of the Eye

2c: The Basic Types of Materiality of the Body

2d: The Basic Types of Materiality of the Heart

3a: Dependent Origination from Life to Life

How You Develop the Thirty-Two Parts of the Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

See index of questions from yogis, p.291.