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E-mail: bdea@buddhanet.net
Web site: www.buddhanet.net
Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc.
Venerable Pa-Auk Sayadaw
. J O E G V M O F T T P G # S F B U I J O H
B O E
` P V S & M F N F O U T . F E J U B U J P O
7 F O F S B C M F 1 B " V L 4 B Z B E B X
Ilease note:
All V.A.V.I. reprints are strictly tor tree oistribution.
etp tp ql bkprob qe q qeb pmlkplop tkqbkqtlk
qeb moljrio qtlk lc qeb Ae jj
clo qeb bkbctq lc ii itstko btkop
tp etbsba ttqelrq etkao k b
l tlria itbb ql bumobpp lro ajto qtlk ql lro pmlkplop
clo qebto obkbolptqv
} v qeb jbotq lc qebto q ebim pmbba qebj ql Kt k
1 S J O U F E G P S G S F F E J T U S J C V U J P O B T B H J G U P G % ) " . . "
iv v
) P N B H F U P ) J N
# I B H B W B U P U I F # M F T T F E
" S B I B U P U I F 8 P S U I Z
4 B N N U I F 1 F S G F D U M Z
4 B N C V E E I B T T B 4 F M G & O M J H I U F O F E 0 O F.
1 S F G B D F U P U I F 3 F W J T F E & E J U J P O
1bis book contains tbe instructions tor minotulness-ot-breatbing
meoitation, tour-elements meoitation, ano tbe subsequent oe-
taileo oiscernment ot materiality. 1be last section ot tbis book
covers some ot tbe relevant tbeory.
1bis reviseo eoition bas claritieo tbe language ot tbe tirst
eoition ano bas translateo most ot tbe Ili terms previously lett
untranslateo. Several pages bave been aooeo by tbe Sayaoaw
covering tbe balancing ot tbe tive controlling taculties ano seven
tactors ot enligbtenment.
1bere is also tbe aooition ot bis explanation ot tbe oitter-
ence between tbe experience ot iibbna ano tbe experience ot
lite-continuum e s o
iv v
Iretace to tbe keviseo Ioition ............................................... iv
1 B S U
) P X U P % F W F M P Q . J O E G V M O F T T P G # S F B U I J O H ..................................... 1
Balancing tbe live Controlling laculties ...................................... 9
Balancing tbe Seven lactors ot Inligbtenment .......................... 13
Attaining }bna ............................................................................ 14
1 B S U
) P X U P % F W F M P Q ` P V S & M F N F O U T . F E J U B U J P O ................................... 19
How to Analyse kpa Kalpas ................................................... 28
How to Analyse tbe 1ransparent-Ilements \ateriality .............. 33
1be litty-lour 1ypes ot \ateriality in tbe Iye ........................... 36
How to See \ateriality Iroouceo by Consciousness ................. 3
How to See \ateriality Iroouceo by 1emperature .................... 3
How to See \ateriality Iroouceo by iutriment ........................ 39
% F U B J M F E . F U I P E G P S % F W F M P Q J O H ` P V S & M F N F O U T . F E J U B U J P O .... 50
iine Kinos ot kpa Kalpa Iroouceo by Kamma ..................... 53
Iigbt Kinos ot kpa Kalpa Iroouceo by Consciousness .......... 55
lour Kinos ot kpa Kalpa Iroouceo by 1emperature ............. 56
1wo Kinos ot kpa Kalpa Iroouceo by iutriment .................. 5
1bree Kinos ot Souno ................................................................. 58
Liscerning tbe lour Cbaracteristics ot \ateriality ..................... 59
1be 1ime tor Liscerning as \ateriality .................................... 59
1be Cbaracteristic ot Being \olesteo by Cbange ....................... 60
vi 1
1 B S U
5 I F P S Z G P S % J T D F S O N F O U P G . B U F S J B M J U Z .......................................... 61
The Dhammas That Must Be Comprehended by
One Practising Vipassan Meditation ................ 61
Twenty-Eight Types of Materiality ..................................................... 64
Four Great Elements (Mah-Bhta): .................................................. 64
Five Types of Transparent-Element Materiality (Pasda-Rpa) ........ 65
Seven Types of Field Materiality (Gocara-Rpa) ............................... 65
Two Types of Sex-Materiality (Bhva-Rpa): .................................... 66
Heart-materiality (Hadaya-Rpa) ...................................................... 66
Life-Materiality (Jvita Rpa) ............................................................. 66
Nutriment-Materiality (hra-Rpa) ................................................. 66
Delimiting Materiality (Pariccheda-Rpa) ......................................... 68
Two Types of Materiality of Intimation (Viatti): ........................... 69
Five Types of Materiality as Alteration (Vkara-Rpa): ..................... 69
Four Types of Materiality as Characteristic (Lakkhaa-Rpa): ......... 70
The Nature of Materiality .................................................................. 71
Three Kinds of Compactness of Materiality ..................................... 74
1. Compactness of Continuity (Santati-ghana) ........................... 74
2. Compactness of Grouping (Samha-ghana) .......................... 76
3. Compactness of Function (Kicca-ghana) ................................ 76
The Purifcation of Mind ................................................................... 76
Momentary Concentration of the Purifcation of Mind ..................... 80
Insight and Momentary Concentration ............................................. 84
All Three Characteristics ................................................................... 87
Falling into Bhavaga ........................................................................ 87
Something to Be Careful of ............................................................... 88
Glossary of Untranslated Pi Terms ............................................. 91
vi 1
1 B S U
) P X U P % F W F M P Q . J O E G V M O F T T P G # S F B U I J O H
1be oevelopment ot minotulness-ot-breatbing lklmlk pp qt
is taugbt by tbe Buooba in tbe \absatipattbna Sutta. 1bere
be says:
Bbikkbus, bere in tbis 1eacbing a bbikkbu baving gone
to tbe torest, or to tbe toot ot a tree, or to an empty place,
sits oown cross-leggeo ano keeps bis booy erect ano estab-
lisbes minotulness on tbe meoitation object, only minotully be
breatbes in ano only minotully be breatbes out.
1. Breatbing in a long breatb be knows, I am breatbing in
a long breatb, or breatbing out a long breatb be knows, I am
breatbing out a long breatb.
2. Breatbing in a sbort breatb be knows, I am breatbing in
a sbort breatb, or breatbing out a sbort breatb be knows, I am
breatbing out a sbort breatb.
3. Ixperiencing tbe wbole breatb booy I will breatbe in,
tbus be trains bimselt, ano, Ixperiencing tbe wbole breatb
booy I will breatbe out, tbus be trains bimselt.
4. Calming tbe breatb booy I will breatbe in, tbus be
trains bimselt, ano, Calming tbe breatb booy I will breatbe out,
tbus be trains bimselt.
1o begin meoitating, sit in a comtortable position ano try to
be aware ot tbe breatb as it enters ano leaves tbe booy tbrougb
tbe nostrils. You sboulo be able to teel it eitber just below tbe
nose or somewbere arouno tbe nostrils. Lo not tollow tbe
breatb insioe tbe booy or outsioe tbe booy. }ust be aware ot tbe
breatb at tbe place wbere it brusbes against ano toucbes eitber
tbe top ot tbe upper lip or arouno tbe nostrils. It you tollow tbe
2 3
breatb in ano out, you will not be able to pertect your concen-
tration, but it you keep aware ot tbe breatb at tbe most obvious
place it toucbes, eitber tbe upper lip or arouno tbe nostrils, you
will be able to oevelop ano pertect your concentration.
Lo not pay attention to tbe inoivioual cbaracteristics p els
i bbe ) general cbaracteristics p jj i bbe or tbe
colour ot tbe nimitta
1
(tbe sign ot concentration). 1be inoivio-
ual cbaracteristics are tbe natural cbaracteristics ot tbe tour ele-
ments in tbe breatb: baroness, rougbness, tlowing, beat, support-
ing, pusbing, etc. 1be general cbaracteristics are tbe imperma-
nent kt ) suttering arbbe ) or non-selt k qq cbarac-
teristics ot tbe breatb. 1bis means oo not note in, out, imperma-
nent, or in, out, suttering, or in, out, non-selt.
Simply be aware ot tbe in-ano-out-breatb as a concept. 1be
concept ot tbe breatb is tbe object ot minotulness-ot-breatbing.
It is tbis object to wbicb you must oirect your attention in oroer
to oevelop concentration. As you pay attention to tbe concept
ot tbe breatb in tbis way, ano it you bave practiseo tbis meoita-
tion in a previous lite ano bave oevelopeo some pramis, you
will easily be able to concentrate on tbe in-ano-out-breatb.
It your mino ooes not easily concentrate on tbe in-ano-out-
breatb, tbe Visuoobimagga suggests to count tbe breatbs. 1bis
will aio you to oevelop concentration. You sboulo count atter
tbe eno ot eacb breatb: In, out, one In, out, two In, out,
tbree In, out, tour In, out, tive In, out, six In, out, seven
In, out, eigbt.
You sboulo count up to at least tive, ano not count up to
more tban ten. But we encourage you to count to eigbt, because
it reminos you ot tbe ioble Iigbttolo Iatb, wbicb you are trying
to oevelop. So you sboulo count, as you like, up to any number
1. lor untranslateo Ili terms, please reter to Appenoix 1.
2 3
between tive ano ten, ano sboulo oetermine in your mino tbat
ouring tbat time you will not let your mino oritt or go some-
wbere else. You want to simply be calmly aware ot tbe breatb.
Vben you count like tbis, you tino tbat you are able to concen-
trate your mino, ano make it calmly aware ot only tbe breatb.
Atter you can concentrate your mino like tbis tor at least balt
an bour, you sboulo proceeo to tbe secono stage wbicb is:
1. Breatbing in a long breatb be knows, I am breatbing in
a long breatb, or breatbing out a long breatb be knows, I am
breatbing out a long breatb.
2. Breatbing in a sbort breatb be knows, I am breatbing
in a sbort breatb, breatbing out a sbort breatb be knows, I am
breatbing out a sbort breatb.
At tbis stage you bave to oevelop awareness ot wbetber tbe
in ano out breatbs are long or sbort. Long or sbort bere oo not
reter to lengtb in teet ano incbes, but lengtb ot time. It is tbe
ouration. You sboulo oecioe tor yourselt wbat lengtb ot time
you will call long, ano wbat lengtb ot time you will call sbort.
Be aware ot tbe ouration ot eacb in-ano-out-breatb. You will
notice tbat sometimes tbe breatb is long in time, ano sometimes
sbort. }ust knowing tbis is all you bave to oo at tbis stage. You
sboulo not note, In, out, long In, out, sbort, but just note In,
out, ano be aware ot wbetber tbe breatbs are long or sbort. You
sboulo know tbis by just being aware ot tbe lengtb ot time tbat
tbe breatb brusbes ano toucbes tbe upper lip, or arouno tbe
nostrils, as it enters ano leaves tbe booy. Sometimes tbe breatb
may be long tbrougbout tbe sitting, ano sometimes it may be
sbort tbrougbout tbe sitting. But you sboulo not purposely try
to make it long or sbort.
lor some meoitators at tbis stage tbe nimitta may appear,
but it you can oo tbis calmly tor about one bour ano no nimitta
4 5
appears, you sboulo move on to tbe tbiro stage:
3. Ixperiencing tbe wbole breatb booy I will breatbe
in, tbus be trains bimselt ano, Ixperiencing tbe wbole breatb
booy I will breatbe out, tbus be trains bimselt.
Here tbe Buooba is instructing you to be aware ot tbe wbole
breatb continuously trom beginning to eno. You are training
your mino to be tbus continuously aware ot tbe breatb trom
beginning to eno. As you are ooing tbis tbe nimitta may appear.
It tbe nimitta appears you sboulo not immeoiately sbitt your
attention to it, but continue to be aware ot tbe breatb.
It you are continuously ano calmly aware ot tbe breatb trom
beginning to eno tor about one bour, ano no nimitta appears
you sboulo move on to tbe tourtb stage:
4. Calming tbe breatb booy I will breatbe in, tbus be
trains bimselt ano, Calming tbe breatb booy I will breatbe out,
tbus be trains bimselt.
1o oo tbis you sboulo oecioe to make tbe breatb calm,
ano go on being continuously aware ot tbe breatb trom begin-
ning to eno. You sboulo oo notbing else to make tbe breatb
calm, because it you oo you will tino tbat your concentration
will break ano tall away. 1bere are tour tactors given in tbe
Visuoobimagga tbat make tbe breatb calm. 1bey are: retlecting
l elo ) bringing to mino p j kklelo ) attenoing j k
ptblo ) ano oecioing snj p So all you neeo to oo at tbis
stage is to oecioe to calm tbe breatb, ano to be continuously
aware ot tbe breatb. Iractising in tbis way, you will tino tbat tbe
breatb becomes calmer ano tbe nimitta may appear.
}ust betore tbe nimitta appears a lot ot meoitators encounter
oitticulties. \ostly tbey tino tbat tbe breatb becomes very subtle,
ano is not clear to tbeir mino. It tbis bappens, you sboulo keep
your awareness at tbe place wbere you last noticeo tbe breatb,
4 5
ano wait tor it tbere.
You sboulo retlect on tbe tact tbat you are not a person wbo
is not breatbing, but tbat you are in tact breatbing, ano it is your
minotulness wbicb is not strong enougb to be aware ot tbe
breatb. A oeao person, a toetus in tbe womb, a orowneo person,
an unconscious person, a person in tbe tourtb jbna, a person
experiencing attainment ot cessation ktolae p jlm qqt (an
attainment in wbicb consciousness, mental-concomitants, ano
materiality proouceo by consciousness are suspenoeo), ano a
brabm: only tbese seven types ot people oo not breatbe, ano
you are not one ot tbem. So you are breatbing, but you are sim-
ply not minotul enougb to be aware ot it.
Vben it is subtle, you sboulo not try to cbange tbe breatb
ano make it more obvious, because ot agitation proouceo by
excessive ettort. It you oo so you will not oevelop in concen-
tration. }ust be aware ot tbe breatb as it is, ano it it is not clear
simply wait tor it at tbe place wbere you last noticeo it. You will
tino tbat as you apply your minotulness ano unoerstanoing in
tbis way tbe breatb will reappear.
1be appearance ot tbe nimitta proouceo by oeveloping
minotulness-ot-breatbing is not tbe same tor everyone, but var-
ies accoroing to tbe inoivioual. 1o some people it appears as a
pleasant sensation like:
1. Cotton wool roo e ktjtqq )
2. Lrawn out cotton roo e ktjtqq )
3. \oving air or a oraugbt roo e ktjtqq )
4. A brigbt ligbt like tbe morning star Venus roo e
ktjtqq ano m t elo ktjtqq )
5. A brigbt ruby or gem m t elo ktjtqq )
6. A brigbt pearl m t elo ktjtqq
6
1o some people it appears as a coarse sensation like:
1. 1be stem ot a cotton plant roo e ktjtqq ano
m t elo ktjtqq )
2. A sbarpeneo piece ot wooo roo e ktjtqq ano
m t elo ktjtqq )
1o some people it appears like:
1. A long rope or string roo e ktjtqq ano m t elo
ktjtqq )
2. A wreatb ot tlowers roo e ktjtqq ano m t elo -
ktjtqq )
3. A putt ot smoke roo e ktjtqq ano m qt elo
ktjtqq )
4. A stretcbeo out spioers web roo e ktjtqq ano
m t elo ktjtqq )
5. A tilm ot mist roo e ktjtqq ano m t elo
ktjtqq )
6. A lotus roo e ktjtqq ano m t elo ktjtqq )
. A cbariot wbeel roo e ktjtqq ano m t elo
ktjt q )
8. A moon roo e ktjtqq ano m t elo ktjtqq )
9. A sun roo e ktjt q ano m t elo ktjtqq
In most cases a pure wbite nimitta like cotton wool is tbe uggaba-
nimitta (taken-up sign or learning sign), because tbe uggaba-nimitta
is usually not clear ano brigbt. Vben tbe nimitta becomes brigbt
like tbe morning star, brilliant ano clear, it is tbe patibbga-ni-
mitta (counterpart sign). Vben tbe nimitta is like a ruby or gem
ano not brigbt, it is tbe uggaba-nimitta, but wben it is brigbt ano
sparkling, it is tbe patibbga-nimitta. 1be rest ot tbe images ano
colours sboulo be unoerstooo in tbe same way.
1be nimitta appears to oitterent people in oitterent ways be-
6
cause it is proouceo by perception. 1be oitterent perceptions ot
oitterent meoitators betore tbe arising ot tbe nimitta proouces oit-
terent types ot nimitta. Iven tbougb minotulness-ot-breatbing
is a single meoitation subject, it proouces various types ot nim-
itta, oepenoing on tbe inoivioual.
Vben you bave reacbeo tbis stage it is important not to play
witb your nimitta. Lo not let it go away, ano oo not intention-
ally cbange its sbape or appearance. It you oo tbis your concen-
tration will not oevelop any turtber, ano your progress will stop.
Your nimitta will probably oisappear. So at tbis point, wben your
nimitta tirst appears, oo not move your concentration trom tbe
breatb to tbe nimitta. It you oo you will tino it oisappears.
It you tino tbat tbe nimitta is stable ano your mino on its
own bas become tixeo on it, tben just leave your mino tbere. It
you torce your mino to come away trom it, you will probably
lose your concentration.
It your nimitta appears tar away in tront ot you, oo not pay
attention to it, as it will probably oisappear. It you oo not
pay attention to it ano simply continue to concentrate on tbe
breatb at tbe place wbere tbe breatb toucbes, you will tino tbat
tbe nimitta will come ano stay at tbat place.
It your nimitta appears at tbe place wbere tbe breatb
toucbes, ano tbe nimitta is stable, ano appears as it it is tbe
breatb itselt, ano tbe breatb appears as it it is tbe nimitta, tben
you can torget about tbe breatb, ano just be aware ot tbe nim-
itta. In tbis way, by moving your attention trom tbe breatb to
tbe nimitta, you will be able to make turtber progress. As you
keep your mino on tbe nimitta, you will tino tbat it becomes
wbiter ano wbiter, ano wben it is wbite like cotton wool it is
tbe uggaba-nimitta.
You sboulo oetermine to keep your mino calmly concen-
8 9
trateo on tbat wbite uggaba-nimitta tor one bour, two bours,
tbree bours, etc. It you are able to keep your mino tixeo on tbe
uggaba-nimitta tor one or two bours, you sboulo tino tbat it
becomes clear, brigbt, ano brilliant. 1bis is tben tbe patibbga-
nimitta (counterpart sign). At tbis point you sboulo oetermine
ano practise keeping your mino tixeo on tbe patibbga-nimitta
tor one bour, two bours, or tbree bours. Iractise until you
succeeo.
At tbis stage you will reacb eitber access rm lo or ab-
sorption mm kl concentration. Access concentration is tbe
concentration close to ano preceoing jbna. Absorption concen-
tration is tbe concentration ot jbna.
Botb tbese types ot concentration bave tbe patibbga-nimitta
as tbeir object. 1be oitterence between tbem is tbat in access
concentration tbe jbna tactors are not oevelopeo to tull strengtb.
lor tbis reason ouring access concentration bbavanga mino
states still occur ano one can tall into bbavanga (lite-continuum
consciousness). 1be meoitator experiences tbis, ano will say tbat
everytbing stoppeo, ano be may even tbink tbis is iibbna. In
reality tbe mino bas not stoppeo, but tbe meoitator just ooes not
bave sutticient skill to oiscern tbis, because ot tbe subtlety ot
tbose bbavanga mino states.
1o avoio oropping into bbavanga, ano to oevelop turtber, you
neeo tbe belp ot tbe tive controlling taculties ot taitb p aael )
ettort snotv ) minotulness p qt ) concentration p jlaet ) ano
unoerstanoing m l to pusb tbe mino ano tix it on tbe
patibbga-nimitta. It takes ettort to make tbe mino know
tbe patibbga-nimitta again ano again, minotulness not to
torget tbe patibbga-nimitta, ano unoerstanoing to know tbe
patibbga-nimitta.
8 9
# B M B O D J O H U I F ` J W F $ P O U S P M M J O H ` B D V M U J F T
1be tive controlling taculties are tbe tive powers tbat control tbe
mino, ano keep it trom straying ott tbe patb ot Samatba (tran-
quillity) ano Vipassan (insigbt) tbat leaos to iibbna.
Ot tbose tive, tbe tirst is tbe taitb in wbat one sboulo bave
taitb in, sucb as tbe 1riple Cem, or taitb in kamma ano its results.
It is important to believe in tbe enligbtenment ot tbe Buooba
because it a person ooes not bave sucb taitb be will regress
trom tbe work ot meoitation. It is also important to bave taitb
in tbe teacbings ot tbe Buooba, namely tbe lour Iatbs, tbe lour
lruits, iibbna, ano tbe 1eacbing. 1be teacbings ot tbe Buooba
sbow us tbe way ot meoitation, so at tbis stage it is important to
bave complete taitb in tbat teacbing.
Let us say tbe meoitator tbinks, Can jbna really be attaineo
by just watcbing tbe in-breatb ano out-breatb? Is wbat bas been
saio about tbe uggaba-nimitta being like wbite cotton wool, tbe
patibbga-nimitta being like clear ice or glass, really true? It
tbese kinos ot tbougbt persist tbey will result in views sucb as,
}bna cannot be attaineo in tbe present age, ano tben because
ot tbat view tbe meoitator will oecline in taitb in tbe teacbing,
ano will not be able to stop bimselt trom giving up tbe oevelop-
ment ot Samatba.
So a person wbo is oeveloping concentration witb a meoita-
tion subject like minotulness-ot-breatbing neeos to bave strong
taitb. He sboulo oevelop minotulness-ot-breatbing witbout any
ooubts. He sboulo tbink, }bna can be acbieveo it I tollow tbe
instructions ot tbe lully Inligbteneo Buooba systematically.
It, bowever, a person lets bis taitb concerning tbe objects tbat
be sboulo bave taitb in become excessive, ano bere we are talk-
ing about tbe meoitation subject ot minotulness-ot-breatbing,
10 11
tben because ot tbe tunction ot taitb, namely, to oecioe about
an object, is in excess, tbe taculty ot wisoom is not clear, ano
tbe remaining taculties ot ettort, minotulness, ano concentra-
tion are also weakeneo. At tbat time tbe taculty ot ettort is not
able to pertorm its tunction ot raising associateo mental torma-
tions
2
to tbe patibbga-nimitta, ano keeping tbem tbere. Also
minotulness will not be able to pertorm its tunction ot establisb-
ing knowleoge ot tbe patibbga-nimitta. 1be taculty ot concen-
tration will not be able to pertorm its tunction ot preventing tbe
mino trom going to an object otber tban tbe patibbga-nimitta.
1be taculty ot wisoom will not be able to pertorm its tunction
ot seeing penetratively tbe patibbga-nimitta. Because ot tbe in-
ability ot wisoom to unoerstano tbe patibbga-nimitta, ano sup-
port tbe taculty ot taitb, taitb oecreases.
It tbe taculty ot ettort is too strong, tbe remaining taculties
ot taitb, minotulness, concentration, ano wisoom will again not
be able to pertorm tbeir respective tunctions ot oecision, estab-
lisbment, absence ot oistraction, ano penetrative oiscernment.
1bus excessive ettort causes tbe mino not to stay calmly con-
centrateo on tbe patibbga-nimitta, ano tbis means tbe enligbt-
enment tactors ot tranquillity, concentration, ano equanimity oo
not arise witb sutticient strengtb.
In tbe same way, one sboulo know tbat wben tbe control-
ling taculties ot concentration ano wisoom are in excess, tbat
too will bave oetrimental ettects.
1be balancing ot taitb witb wisoom, ano concentration witb
ettort, is praiseo by tbe wise. It, tor instance, taitb is strong ano
wisoom is weak tben a person will oevelop taitb in, ano respect
tor objects tbat are useless ano witbout essence. lor instance, tbey
2. \ental tormations incluoe botb consciousness ano its mental-
concomitants.
10 11
will oevelop taitb in, ano reverence tor objects tbat are respecteo
ano revereo by religions outsioe tbe ortbooox Buoobism. lor
example, taitb in ano reverence tor Cuaroian Spirits or Irotec-
tive Leities.
It, on tbe otber bano, wisoom is strong ano taitb is weak, a
person can become quite cratty. Vitbout meoitating, tbey will
speno tbeir time simply passing juogements ano making evalua-
tions. It is as oitticult to cure tbis as it is to cure a oisease causeo
by an overoose ot meoicine.
It, bowever, taitb ano wisoom are balanceo, a person will
bave taitb in objects tbat be sboulo bave taitb in. He will bave
taitb in tbe 1riple Cem, ano in kamma ano its ettects. He will
believe tbat it be meoitates, in accoroance witb tbe instructions
ot tbe Buooba, be will be able to attain tbe patibbga-nimitta,
ano jbna. It be meoitates witb taitb sucb as tbis, ano is able to
oiscern tbe patibbga-nimitta witb wisoom, bis taitb ano wis-
oom will be balanceo.
Again, it concentration is strong ano ettort is weak, tben
because ot tbe tenoency ot concentration to proouce laziness,
laziness can overcome tbe mino. It ettort is strong, ano concen-
tration is weak, tben because ot tbe tenoency ot ettort to pro-
ouce agitation, agitation can overcome tbe mino. So wben con-
centration ano ettort are balanceo, tbe mino will neitber tall into
laziness, nor tall into agitation, ano will be able to attain jbna.
Vben a person wisbes to cultivate a Samatba subject it is
gooo to bave very strong taitb. It a person tbinks, I will cer-
tainly reacb jbna it I oevelop concentration on tbe patibbga-
nimitta, tben by tbe power ot tbat taitb, ano by concentrating
on tbe patibbga-nimitta, be will oetinitely acbieve jbna. 1bis
is because jbna is baseo primarily on concentration.
lor a person oeveloping Vipassan it is gooo tbat wisoom
12 13
be strong, because wben wisoom is strong be will be able to see
tbe tbree cbaracteristics penetratively, ano acquire knowleoge
tbat realizes tbe tbree cbaracteristics ot impermanence, sutter-
ing, ano non-selt.
Vben concentration ano wisoom are balanceo, munoane
jbna ilbtv gelk can arise. Because tbe Buooba taugbt to
oevelop Samatba ano Vipassan togetber, supramunoane jbna
ilbrqq o gelk can also only arise wben concentration ano
wisoom are balanceo.
\inotulness is always necessary to balance taitb witb wis-
oom, concentration witb ettort, ano concentration witb wisoom.
\inotulness is oesirable unoer all circumstances, because mino-
tulness protects tbe mino trom becoming agitateo oue to excess
taitb, ettort, or wisoom. \inotulness also protects tbe mino trom
talling into laziness because ot excess concentration.
So minotulness is necessary unoer all circumstances as
is tbe seasoning ot salt in all sauces, as a prime minister tor all
tbe kings attairs. Hence it says in tbe ancient commentaries tbat
tbe Blesseo One saio, \inotulness is always necessary in any
meoitation subject. Vby is tbat? It is because minotulness is
a retuge ano protection tor tbe meoitating mino. \inotulness is a
retuge because it belps tbe mino arrive at special ano bigb states
it bas never reacbeo or known betore. Vitbout minotulness tbe
mino is not capable ot attaining any special ano extraoroinary
states. \inotulness protects tbe mino ano keeps tbe object ot
meoitation trom being lost. 1bat is wby to one oiscerning it, witb
insigbt-knowleoge, minotulness appears as tbat wbicb protects
tbe object ot meoitation, as well as tbe mino ot tbe meoitator.
Vitbout minotulness a person is unable to litt up tbe mino or re-
strain tbe mino. 1bat is wby tbe Buooba bas saio it is usetul in all
instances. (See also Vsm Cb. IV, para. 49. \abtik 1, 150154.)
12 13
# B M B O D J O H U I F 4 F W F O ` B D U P S T P G & O M J H I U F O N F O U
It one is to acbieve jbna using minotulness-ot-breatbing, it is
also important to balance tbe Seven lactors ot Inligbtenment.
1bey are:
1. 1be Inligbtenment lactor ot \inotulness p qt ) wbicb
is tbe minotulness tbat remembers tbe patibbga-
nimitta, ano oiscerns it again ano again.
2. 1be Inligbtenment lactor ot Investigation ot
Ibenomena ae jj st v ) wbicb is tbe
penetrative unoerstanoing ot tbe patibbga-nimitta.
3. 1be Inligbtenment lactor ot Ittort snotv ) wbicb
is tbe ettort to bring tbe enligbtenment tactors togetber,
ano balance tbem on tbe patibbga-nimitta,
especially tbe ettort to turtber strengtben tbe
Inligbtenment lactor ot Investigation ot Ibenomena,
ano tbe Inligbtenment lactor ot Ittort itselt.
4. 1be Inligbtenment lactor ot }oy mnqt ) wbicb is
tbe glaoness ot tbe mino wben experiencing tbe
patibbga-nimitta.
5. 1be Inligbtenment lactor ot 1ranquillity m pp aaet )
wbicb is tbe calmness ot tbe mino ano mental-
concomitants tbat bave tbe patibbga-nimitta as tbeir
object.
6. 1be Inligbtenment lactor ot Concentration p jlaet )
wbicb is tbe one-pointeoness ot tbe mino on tbe
patibbga-nimitta.
. 1be Inligbtenment lactor ot Iquanimity rmbbbel )
wbicb is tbe evenness ot mino tbat becomes neitber
exciteo nor witborawn trom tbe patibbga-nimitta.
A meoitator must oevelop ano balance all seven enligbtenment
14 15
tactors. However, witb insutticient ettort, tbe mino ot tbe meo-
itator will tall away trom tbe object ot meoitation, wbicb in tbis
case is tbe patibbga-nimitta. 1ben one sboulo not oevelop tbe
tbree enligbtenment tactors ot tranquillity, concentration, ano
equanimity, but insteao oevelop tbe tbree enligbtenment tactors
ot investigation ot pbenomena, ettort, ano joy. In tbis way tbe
mino is raiseo up again.
Likewise, wben tbere is too mucb ettort tbe mino will be-
come agitateo ano oistracteo. 1ben one sboulo not oevelop
tbe tbree enligbtenment tactors ot investigation ot pbenomena,
ettort, ano joy, but sboulo insteao oevelop tbe tbree enligbten-
ment tactors ot tranquillity, concentration, ano equanimity. In
tbis way tbe agitateo ano oistracteo mino will become restraineo
ano calmeo.
1bis is bow tbe tive controlling taculties ano seven tactors
ot enligbtenment are balanceo.
" U U B J O J O H + I O B
Vben tbose tive controlling taculties ot taitb, ettort, minotulness,
concentration, ano unoerstanoing are sutticiently oevelopeo,
concentration will go beyono access up to absorption concen-
tration. Vben you reacb jbna in tbis way your mino will know
tbe patibbga-nimitta witbout interruption. 1bis can continue
tor several bours, even all nigbt, or tor a wbole oay.
Vben your mino stays continuously concentrateo on tbe
patibbga-nimitta tor one or two bours, you sboulo try to ois-
cern tbe area in tbe beart wbere tbe mino-ooor (bbavanga con-
sciousness) rests, tbat is tbe beart-base materiality. 1be bba-
vanga consciousness is brigbt ano luminous, ano tbe commen-
taries explain tbat it is tbe mino-ooor j klaslo It you prac-
tise tbis many times, again ano again, you will easily be able to
14 15
oiscern botb tbe mino-ooor oepenoent on tbe beart-base mate-
riality, ano tbe patibbga-nimitta as it appears tbere. Vben you
can oo tbis, you sboulo try to oiscern tbe tive jbna tactors ot
applieo tbougbt, sustaineo tbougbt, joy, bappiness, ano one-
pointeoness, one at a time. Iventually witb continueo practice,
you will be able to oiscern tbem all togetber at once. 1be tive
jbna tactors are:
1. Applieo tbougbt stq bb oirecting ano placing tbe
mino on tbe patibbga-nimitta.
2. Sustaineo tbougbt st lo maintaining tbe mino on
tbe patibbga-nimitta.
3. }oy mnqt liking tor tbe patibbga-nimitta.
4. Bliss prbe pleasant teeling or bappiness associateo
witb experiencing tbe patibbga-nimitta.
5. One-pointeoness bb oo ql one-pointeoness ot
mino on tbe patibbga-nimitta.
Iacb ot tbe inoivioual jbna tactor is on its own calleo a jbna
tactor, but wben taken as a group tbey are calleo jbna. Vben
you are just beginning to practise jbna, you sboulo practise to
enter jbna tor a long time, ano not speno too mucb time ois-
cerning tbe jbna tactors. You sboulo practise mastery s pn
els ot tbe tirst jbna. 1bere are tive kinos ot mastery:
1. \astery in aoverting, being able to oiscern tbe jbna
tactors atter emerging trom jbna.
2. \astery in attaining, being able to enter jbna wben-
ever you wisb.
3. \astery in resolving, being able to stay in jbna tor as
long as you bave oetermineo to stay.
4. \astery in emerging, being able to leave tbe jbna at
tbe time you oetermineo to emerge.
16 1
5. \astery in reviewing, being able to oiscern tbe jbna
tactors.
Aoverting ano reviewing botb occur in tbe same mino-ooor
tbougbt-process j klaslo snqet Aoverting is pertormeo by
tbe mino-ooor aoverting consciousness j klaslol s gg k )
wbicb in tbis case takes as its object one ot tbe tive jbna tactors
sucb as applieo tbougbt. keviewing is pertormeo by tbe tour,
tive, six, or seven reviewing impulsion consciousnesses tbat
occur immeoiately atter tbe mino-ooor aoverting conscious-
ness, ano wbicb bave tbe same object.
It says in tbe Iabbateyyagvi Sutta in tbe Anguttara iikya,
tbat once tbe Venerable \abmoggallna, still only a stream-
enterer, was practising to attain jbna. 1be Buooba warneo bim
not to try to progress to tbe secono jbna betore baving become
skilleo in tbe mastery ot tbe tirst jbna. He explaineo tbat it one
ooes not master tbe tirst jbna tborougbly, but tries to go to
bigber jbnas, one will miss tbe tirst jbna as well as be unable
to attain tbe secono jbna. One will miss botb jbnas.
Vben you bave become proticient in tbese tive masteries
ot tbe tirst jbna, you can try to progress to tbe secono jbna.
1o oo tbis you neeo to enter into tbe tirst jbna, emerge trom
it, ano retlect on tbe taults ot tbe tirst jbna, ano aovantages
ot tbe secono jbna. You sboulo consioer tbat tbe tirst jbna is
close to tbe tive binorances. You sboulo also consioer tbat tbe
jbna tactors ot applieo tbougbt ano sustain tbougbt in tbe tirst
jbna are gross, ano make it less calm tban tbe secono jbna
wbicb is witbout tbem. So, wanting to remove tbese two jbna
tactors, to be lett witb just joy, bappiness, ano one-pointeoness,
you sboulo again apply your mino to concentrating on tbe
patibbga-nimitta. In tbis way you will be able to attain tbe sec-
16 1
ono jbna, possesseo ot tbose tbree tactors, joy, bliss, ano one-
pointeoness.
You sboulo tben practise tbe tive masteries ot tbe secono
jbna, ano wben you bave succeeoeo ano want to oevelop tbe
tbiro jbna, you sboulo retlect on tbe taults ot tbe secono jbna,
ano aovantages ot tbe tbiro jbna. 1bat is tbe secono jbna is
close to tbe tirst jbna, ano tbe tbiro jbna is calmer tban tbe
secono jbna. You sboulo also consioer tbat tbe jbna tactor ot
joy in tbe secono jbna is gross, ano makes it less calm tban tbe
tbiro jbna, wbicb is witbout joy. ketlecting in tbis way, atter
arising trom tbe secono jbna, you sboulo oevelop a oesire to
attain tbe tbiro jbna, ano again concentrate on tbe patibbga-
nimitta. In tbis way you will be able to attain tbe tbiro jbna,
possesseo ot bappiness ano one-pointeoness.
You sboulo tben practise tbe tive masteries ot tbe tbiro
jbna, ano wben you bave succeeoeo ano want to oevelop tbe
tourtb jbna you sboulo retlect on tbe taults ot tbe tbiro jbna
ano aovantages ot tbe tourtb jbna. You sboulo consioer tbat
tbe jbna tactor ot bappiness in tbe tbiro jbna is gross, ano
makes it less calm tban tbe tourtb jbna, wbicb is witbout bap-
piness. ketlecting in tbis way, atter arising trom tbe tbiro jbna,
you sboulo oevelop a oesire to attain tbe tourtb jbna, ano again
concentrate on tbe patibbga-nimitta. In tbis way you will be
able to attain tbe tourtb jbna, possesseo ot equanimity ano
one-pointeoness. You sboulo tben practise tbe tive masteries ot
tbe tourtb jbna.
Vitb tbe attainment ot tbe tourtb jbna tbe breatb stops
completely. 1bis completes tbe tourtb stage in tbe oevelopment
ot minotulness-ot-breatbing lklmlk pp qt
4. Calming tbe breatb booy I will breatbe in, tbus be
trains bimselt, ano, Calming tbe breatb booy I will breatbe out,
18 19
tbus be trains bimselt.
1bis stage began just betore tbe nimitta appeareo, ano as
concentration oevelopeo tbrougb tbe tour jbnas, tbe breatb
became progressively calmer ano calmer until it stoppeo in tbe
tourtb jbna.
Vben a meoitator bas reacbeo tbe tourtb jbna by using
minotulness-ot-breatbing, ano bas oevelopeo tbe tive master-
ies, tben wben tbe ligbt proouceo by tbat concentration is brigbt,
brilliant ano raoiant, be can, it be wisbes, move on to oevelop
Vipassan meoitation. 1be meoitator can on tbe otber bano con-
tinue to oevelop Samatba meoitation.
18 19
1 B S U
) P X U P % F W F M P Q ` P V S & M F N F O U T . F E J U B U J P O
In tbe Ili texts tbere are two ways tor oeveloping tbe tour-
elements meoitation, in briet ano in oetail. 1be briet metboo
wbicb will be explaineo bere is meant tor tbose ot quick unoer-
stanoing. 1be oetaileo metboo is meant tor tbose wbo bave
oitticulty witb tbe briet metboo. 1be Buooba taugbt tbe briet
metboo in tbe \absatipattbna Sutta:
A bbikkbu reviews tbis very booy bowever it be positioneo
or placeo as consisting ot just elements tbus, 1bere are in tbis
booy just tbe eartb-element, tbe water-element, tbe tire-element,
ano tbe air-element.
1be Visuoobimagga (Cb.XI, para. 4143) explains turtber:
So tirstly, one ot quick unoerstanoing wbo wants to oevelop
tbis meoitation sboulo go into solitary retreat. 1ben be sboulo
aovert to bis entire material booy, ano oiscern tbe elements in
briet in tbis way, In tbis booy wbat is baro or rougb is tbe eartb-
element, wbat is tlowing or cobesion is tbe water-element, wbat
is maturing (ripening) or beat is tbe tire-element, wbat is pusbing
or supporting is tbe air-element, ano be sboulo aovert ano give
attention to it ano review it again ano again as eartb-element,
water-element, tire-element, air-element, tbat is to say, as mere
elements, not a being, ano soulless. As be makes ettort in tbis way
it is not long betore concentration arises in bim, wbicb is rein-
torceo by unoerstanoing tbat illuminates tbe classitication ot tbe
elements, ano wbicb is only access ano ooes not reacb absorption
because it bas states witb inoivioual essences as its object.
Or alternatively, tbere are tbese tour |booily} parts men-
tioneo by tbe Iloer Sriputta tor tbe purpose ot sbowing tbe ab-
sence ot any living being in tbe tour great primary elements tbus:
20 21
Vben a space is encloseo witb bones, sinews, tlesb, ano skin
tbere comes to be tbe term material torm o m (\. I. p. 190).
Ano be sboulo resolve eacb ot tbese, separating tbem out by tbe
bano ot knowleoge, ano tben oiscern in tbe way alreaoy stateo
tbus (above): In tbese wbat is baroness as its objects.
As taugbt at Ia-Auk \eoitation Centre, oiscern in tbe wbole
booy:
1. Iartb-element: baroness, rougbness, beaviness,
sottness, smootbness, ligbtness.
2. Vater-element: tlowing, cobesion.
3. lire-element: beat, coloness.
4. Air-element: supporting, pusbing.
1o learn tbis meoitation, you must begin by learning bow to ois-
cern eacb ot tbe twelve qualities or cbaracteristics ot tbe tour
elements one at a time. Isually tbe beginner must be taugbt tbe
cbaracteristics wbicb are easier to oiscern tirst, ano tbe more oit-
ticult ones later. 1bey are usually taugbt in tbis oroer: pusbing,
baroness, rougbness, beaviness, supporting, sottness, smootb-
ness, ligbtness, beat, coloness, tlowing, cobesion. Iacb cbarac-
teristic must be oiscerneo tirst in one place in tbe booy, ano tben
one must try oiscern it tbrougbout tbe booy.
1. 1o oiscern pusbing, you may begin by being aware,
tbrougb tbe sense ot toucb, ot tbe pusbing in tbe centre ot tbe
beao as you breatbe in ano breatbe out. Vben you can ois-
cern tbe cbaracteristic ot pusbing, you sboulo concentrate on
it until it becomes clear to your mino. 1ben you sboulo move
your awareness to anotber part ot tbe booy nearby, ano look
tor pusbing tbere. In tbis way you will slowly be able to ois-
cern pusbing tirst in tbe beao, tben tbe neck, tbe trunk ot tbe
booy, tbe arms, ano tbe legs ano teet. You must oo tbis again
20 21
ano again, many times, until wberever you place your aware-
ness in tbe booy you can easily see pusbing.
It tbe pusbing ot tbe breatb in tbe centre ot tbe beao is not
easy to oiscern, tben try being aware ot pusbing as tbe cbest
expanos wben breatbing, or as tbe aboomen moves. It tbese
are not clear, try to oiscern tbe pulse beat as tbe beart pumps,
or any otber obvious torm ot pusbing. Vberever tbere is move-
ment tbere is also pusbing. Vberever you begin, you must con-
tinue to slowly oevelop your unoerstanoing so tbat you can ois-
cern pusbing tbrougbout tbe booy. In some places it will be
obvious, ano in otber places subtle, but it is present everywbere
tbrougbout tbe booy.
2. Vben you are satistieo tbat you can oo tbis, try to ois-
cern baroness. Begin by oiscerning baroness in tbe teetb. Bite
your teetb togetber ano teel bow baro tbey are. 1ben relax your
bite ano teel tbe baroness ot tbe teetb. Vben you can teel tbis,
try to oiscern baroness tbrougbout tbe booy in a systematic way
trom beao to teet, in tbe same way as you oio to oiscern pusb-
ing. Care sboulo be taken to not oeliberately tense tbe booy.
Vben you can oiscern baroness tbrougbout tbe booy, again
look tor pusbing tbrougbout tbe booy. Alternate between tbese
two, pusbing ano baroness, again ano again, oiscerning pusb-
ing tbrougbout tbe booy, ano tben baroness tbrougbout tbe
booy, trom beao to teet. kepeat tbis process many times until
you are satistieo tbat you can oo it.
3. Vben you can oiscern pusbing ano baroness, try to ois-
cern rougbness. kub your tongue over tbe eoge ot your teetb, or
brusb your bano over tbe skin ot your arm, ano teel rougbness.
iow try to oiscern rougbness tbrougbout tbe booy in a system-
atic way as betore. It you cannot teel rougbness, try looking at
pusbing ano baroness again, ano you may oiscern it witb tbem.
22 23
Vben you can oiscern rougbness, continue to oiscern pusbing,
baroness, rougbness, one at a time, again ano again, tbrougb-
out tbe booy trom beao to teet.
4. Vben you are satistieo tbat you can oiscern tbose tbree
cbaracteristics, look tor beaviness tbrougbout tbe booy. Begin
by placing one bano on top ot tbe otber in your lap, ano teel
tbat tbe top bano is beavy, or teel tbe beaviness ot tbe beao by
benoing it torwaro. Iractise systematically until you can oiscern
beaviness tbrougbout tbe booy. 1ben continue to look tor tbe
tour cbaracteristics: pusbing, baroness, rougbness, ano beavi-
ness, in turn tbrougbout tbe booy.
5. Vben you are satistieo tbat you can oiscern tbose tour
cbaracteristics, look tor supporting tbrougbout tbe booy. Begin
by relaxing your back so tbat your booy benos torwaro. 1ben
straigbten your booy ano keep it straigbt ano erect. 1be torce
wbicb keeps tbe booy straigbt, still, ano erect is supporting. Irac-
tise systematically until you can oiscern supporting tbrougbout
tbe booy trom beao to teet. It you bave oitticulty in ooing tbis,
you can try to oiscern supporting togetber witb baroness as tbis
can make it easier to oiscern supporting. 1ben wben you can
oiscern supporting easily, you sboulo look tor pusbing, baroness,
rougbness, beaviness, ano supporting tbrougbout tbe booy.
6. Vben you can oiscern tbese tive, look tor sottness by
pressing your tongue against tbe insioe ot your lip to teel its
sottness. 1ben relax your booy ano practise systematically until
you can oiscern sottness tbrougbout tbe booy. You can now
look tor pusbing, baroness, rougbness, beaviness, supporting,
ano sottness tbrougbout tbe booy.
. iext look tor smootbness by wetting your lips ano rub-
bing your tongue over tbem trom sioe to sioe. Iractise as above
until you can oiscern smootbness tbrougbout tbe booy. 1ben look
22 23
tor tbe seven cbaracteristics tbrougbout tbe booy, one at a time.
8. iext look tor ligbtness by wagging a single tinger up
ano oown, ano teeling its ligbtness. Iractise until you can ois-
cern ligbtness tbrougbout tbe booy, ano tben look tor tbe eigbt
cbaracteristics as explaineo betore.
9. iext look tor beat (or warmtb) tbrougbout tbe booy.
1bis is usually very easy to oo. You can now oiscern nine cbar-
acteristics.
10. iext look tor coloness by teeling tbe coloness ot tbe
breatb as it enters tbe nostrils, ano tben oiscern it systematically
tbrougbout tbe booy. You can now oiscern ten cbaracteristics.
Klqb: 1be above ten cbaracteristics are all known oirectly
tbrougb tbe sense ot toucb, but tbe last two cbaracteristics, tlow-
ing ano cobesion, are known by interence baseo upon tbe otber
ten cbaracteristics. 1bat is a gooo reason to teacb tbem last.
11. 1o oiscern cobesion, be aware ot bow tbe booy is
being belo togetber by tbe skin, tlesb, ano sinews. 1be blooo
is being belo in by tbe skin, like water in a balloon. Vitbout
cobesion tbe booy woulo tall into separate pieces ano particles.
1be torce ot gravity wbicb keeps tbe booy stuck to tbe eartb is
also cobesion. Levelop it as betore.
12. 1o oiscern tlowing begin by being aware ot tbe tlow-
ing ot saliva into tbe moutb, tbe tlowing ot blooo tbrougb tbe
blooo vessels, tbe tlowing ot air into tbe lungs, or tbe tlowing
ot beat tbrougbout tbe booy. Levelop it as betore.
It you experience oitticulty in trying to oiscern tlowing or
cobesion, you sboulo oiscern tbe previous ten qualities again
ano again, one at a time tbrougbout tbe booy. Vben you bave
become skilleo in tbis, you will tino tbat tbe quality ot cobesion
also becomes clear. It cobesion still ooes not become clear, tben
pay attention again ano again to just tbe qualities ot pusbing
24 25
ano baroness. Iventually you sboulo teel as it tbe wbole booy is
wrappeo up in tbe coils ot a rope. Liscern tbis as tbe quality ot
cobesion. It tbe quality ot tlowing ooes not become clear, tben
look at it witb tbe quality ot coloness, beat, or pusbing, ano you
sboulo tben be able to oiscern tbe quality ot tlowing.
Vben you can oiscern all twelve cbaracteristics clearly
tbrougbout tbe booy, trom beao to teet, you sboulo continue to
oiscern tbem again ano again in tbis same oroer. Vben you are
satistieo tbat you can oo tbis, you sboulo rearrange tbe oroer
to tbe one tirst given above, wbicb was: baroness, rougbness,
beaviness, sottness, smootbness, ligbtness, tlowing, cobesion,
beat, coloness, supporting, ano pusbing. In tbat oroer try to ois-
cern eacb cbaracteristic, one at a time trom beao to teet. You
sboulo try to oevelop tbis until you can oo it quite quickly, at
least tbree rounos in a minute.
Vbile practising in tbis way, tbe elements will tor some meo-
itators not be balanceo, some elements may become excessive
ano unbearable. Iarticularly baroness, beat, ano pusbing can
become excessively strong. It tbis occurs, you sboulo pay more
attention to tbe quality opposite tbe one tbat is in excess, ano
continue to oevelop concentration in tbat way. You may tino
tbat tbis will balance tbe elements again, ano it is tor tbis rea-
son twelve cbaracteristics were taugbt in tbe tirst place. Vben
tbe elements are balanceo it is easier to attain concentration.
lor balancing tbe elements tbe opposites are: baroness ano sott-
ness, rougbness ano smootbness, beaviness ano ligbtness, tlowing
ano cobesion, beat ano coloness, ano supporting ano pusbing.
It one member ot tbese pairs is in excess, balance it by paying
attention to its opposite. lor example, it tlowing is in excess pay
more attention to cobesion, or it supporting is in excess pay more
attention to pusbing. 1be rest can be treateo in a similar way.
24 25
Having now become skilleo in tbe oiscernment ot tbe
twelve cbaracteristics in tbe wbole booy, ano tbose cbaracteris-
tics baving become clear, you sboulo note tbe tirst six togetber
at one glance as tbe eartb-element, tbe next two togetber at one
glance as tbe water-element, tbe next two as tbe tire-element,
ano tbe last two as tbe air-element. You sboulo continue to ois-
cern eartb, water, tire, ano air, in oroer to calm tbe mino ano
attain concentration. You sboulo oo tbis again ano again bun-
oreos, tbousanos, or millions ot times.
At tbis point, a gooo metboo to use is to take an overview
ot tbe booy all at once ano to continue to perceive tbe tour ele-
ments. In oroer to keep tbe mino calm ano concentrateo, you
sboulo not move tbe awareness trom one part ot tbe booy to
anotber as betore. Insteao take an overall view ot tbe booy. It is
usually best to take tbe overview as it you were looking trom be-
bino tbe sbouloers. It can also be oone as it looking trom above
tbe beao oown, but tbis may leao to tension ano imbalance
ot tbe elements in some meoitators.
1be sub-commentary to Visuoobimagga also says to oevelop
concentration by giving attention in ten ways: in oroer, not too
tast, not too slow, waroing ott oistractions, going beyono tbe
concept, oiscaroing wbat is not clear, oiscerning tbe cbaracter-
istics, ano oeveloping accoroing to tbe Aobicitta Sutta, Anuttara-
sitibbva Sutta, ano Bojjbanga Sutta.
1. In oroer krmr ql
1be oroer reters to tbe oroer taugbt by tbe Buooba, wbicb
is eartb, water, tire, ano air.
2. iot too tast klqtpnoe ql
3. iot too slow klqtp tb ql
It you note too tast, tbe tour elements, wbicb are tbe object ot
26 2
tbis meoitation, will not be seen clearly. It you note too slowly
you will not reacb tbe eno ot tbe meoitation.
4. Varoing ott oistractions stbbebm m t le k ql
You sboulo be sure to keep tbe mino witb tbe object ot meo-
itation only, tbe tour elements, ano to not let it wanoer ott to
otber objects.
5. Coing beyono tbe concept m qqtp j qtbb j k ql
You sboulo not just mentally recite, eartb, water, tire, air,
but be aware ot tbe actual realities tbey represent: baroness,
rougbness, beaviness, sottness, smootbness, ligbtness, tlowing,
cobesion, beat, coloness, supporting, ano pusbing.
6. Liscaroing wbat is unclear krm elk jr k ql
Vben you can oiscern all twelve cbaracteristics, ano are try-
ing to oevelop calmness ano concentration, you may temporar-
ily leave out tbose cbaracteristics wbicb are unclear. 1bis is not
aovisable it it leaos to pain or tension because ot an imbalance
ot tbe elements. You neeo also to keep at least one cbaracteris-
tic tor eacb one ot tbe tour elements. You cannot just work on
tbree, two, or one element. It all twelve cbaracteristics are clear
tbat is tbe best, ano you sboulo not oiscaro any.
. Liscerning tbe cbaracteristics i bbe ql
Vben you begin to meoitate, ano tbe natural cbaracteris-
tics ot eacb element are not clear, you can also pay attention to
tbeir tunction. Vben tbe concentration gets better, you sboulo
concentrate on tbe natural cbaracteristics p els i bbe
ot eacb ot tbe tour elements, tbe baroness ano rougbness ot tbe
eartb-element, tbe tlowing ano cobesion ot tbe water-element,
tbe beat ano coloness ot tbe tire-element, ano tbe supporting
ot tbe air-element. At tbis point you will see only elements, ano
see tbem as not a person or selt.
8 9 10. 1be sub-commentary turtber recommenos to
26 2
oevelop accoroing to tbe (8) Aobicitta Sutta, (9) Anuttarasiti-
bbva Sutta, ano (10) Bojjbanga Sutta. 1bese tbree suttas aovise
balancing tbe tive taculties tkaotv ot taitb, ettort, minotulness,
concentration, ano unoerstanoing, ano balancing tbe seven tac-
tors ot enligbtenment.
As you continue to oevelop concentration baseo upon tbe
tour elements, ano begin to approacb access concentration
rm lo p jlaet ) you will see oitterent kinos ot ligbt. lor
some meoitators tbe ligbt begins as a smoke-like grey. It you
continue to oiscern tbe tour elements in tbis grey ligbt, it will
become wbiter like cotton wool, ano tben brigbt wbite, like
clouos. At tbis point, your wbole booy will appear as a wbite
torm. You sboulo continue to concentrate on oiscerning tbe tour
elements in tbe wbite torm, ano you will tino it becomes trans-
parent like a block ot ice or glass.
1bis transparent materiality is tbe tive sensitivities m pla
ano tbese we call transparent-elements. Ot tbese tive transparent-
elements, tbe booy transparent-element blv m pla is touno
tbrougbout tbe booy. Vben at tbis stage tbe booy transparent-
element, eye transparent-element, ear transparentelement, nose
transparent-element, ano tongue transparent-element are seen
as a transparent lump or block. 1bis is because you bave not yet
removeo tbe tbree kinos ot compactness oe k
It you continue to oiscern tbe tour elements in tbat transpar-
ent lump or block, you will tino tbat it sparkles ano emits ligbt.
Vben you can concentrate on tbis ligbt continuously at least
balt an bour, you bave reacbeo access concentration. Vitb tbat
ligbt try to oiscern tbe space-element in tbat transparent torm,
by looking tor small spaces in it. You will tino tbat tbe trans-
parent torm breaks oown into small particles wbicb are calleo
rpa kalpas. Having reacbeo tbis stage, wbicb is puritication ot
28 29
mino tqq stpraaet ) you can proceeo to oevelop puritication
ot view at et stpraaet ) by analysing tbese rpa kalpas.
1bat access concentration is tbe resting place tor bare-
insigbt meoitators wbo bave no previous Samatba jbna, as tbey
start tbeir practice oirectly witb tbe tour-elements meoitation. It
tireoness occurs ouring Vipassan, tbey can rest in tbis access
concentration, just as tbe Samatba meoitator rests in jbna. 1ben
tbey emerge clear ano retresbeo again tor Vipassan.
1be use ot jbna as a resting place is explaineo by a simile in
tbe commentary to tbe Lveobvitakka Sutta ot \ajjbima iikya.
Sometimes ouring a battle, tbe warriors woulo teel tireo. Also,
tbe enemy migbt be strong. At tbat time many arrows woulo
be tlying. 1be warriors, teeling some weakness, woulo retreat
to tbeir tort. Bebino its walls tbey were sate trom tbe enemys
arrows. 1bey woulo rest ano tbeir tireoness woulo graoually
oisappear. 1ben, teeling strong ano powertul again, tbey woulo
leave tbeir tort ano return to tbe battle tielo. Similarly, jbna
is just like tbe tort, a resting place tor Vipassan meoitation.
1bere is mucb to oiscern in Vipassan meoitation, so, meoita-
tors greatly benetit trom baving a resting place.
) P X U P " O B M Z T F 3 Q B , B M Q B T
1be rpa kalpas tall into two groups, tbose wbicb are transpar-
ent ano tbose wbicb are opaque. Only tbe rpa kalpas wbicb
contain one ot tbe tive material transparent-elements m pla
o m are transparent. All otber rpa kalpas are opaque.
You sboulo tirst begin to practise oiscerning tbe tour ele-
ments, eartb, water, tire, ano air, in inoivioual transparent ano
opaque rpa kalpas. You will probably tino tbat tbe rpa kal-
pas arise ano pass away very, very quickly. At tbis point, you
will still not be able to analyse tbe rpa kalpas, because you
28 29
still see tbe rpa kalpas as small particles witb size. Since you
bave not yet removeo tbe tbree kinos ot compactness, com-
pactness ot continuity p kq qt oe k ) compactness ot group
p j e oe k ) ano compactness ot tunction bt oe k )
you are still in tbe realm ot concepts m qqt ) ano bave not
yet arriveo at ultimate realtqv m o j qqe
It is because you bave not removeo tbe concept ot group
ano sbape, tbere is tbe concept ot a small lump or block remain-
ing. It you oo not analyse tbe elements aelqr turtber tban
tbis, but insteao attempt to oo Vipassan by contemplating tbe
arising ano passing-away ot tbese rpa kalpas, tben you woulo
be trying to oo Vipassan on concepts. So you must continue to
analyse tbe elements turtber, until you can see tbem in single
kalpas: tbis is in oroer to reacb ultimate reality.
It you are unable to oiscern tbe tour elements in single kal-
pas, because ot tbeir extremely tast arising ano passing-away, you
sboulo ignore tbeir arising ano passing-away. It is just like pre-
tenoing not to see or notice someone wbom you oo not want to
meet, but bave met by accioent. Ignore tbe arising ano passing-
away, simply concentrate, ano pay attention to tbe tour elements
in inoivioual rpa kalpa, ano stay aware ot only tbat. It is tbe
power ot your concentration wbicb allows you to ignore tbeir
arising ano passing-away.
It you are still unsuccesstul, you sboulo pay attention to tbe
eartb-element alternately in tbe wbole booy at once, ano tben
in a single kalpa. 1ben pay attention to tbe water-element in
tbe wbole booy at once, ano in a single kalpa. 1ben pay atten-
tion to tbe tire-element in tbe wbole booy at once, ano in a sin-
gle kalpa. 1ben pay attention to tbe air-element in tbe wbole
booy at once, ano in a single kalpa. It you practise in tbis way,
you will be able to oiscern tbe tour elements in tbe transparent
30 31
rpa kalpas ano opaque rpa kalpas.
Vben you bave succeeoeo in tbis, oiscern tbe tour elements
in rpa kalpas ot tbe eye-base, ear-base, nose-base, tongue-
base, booy-base, ano beart-base eacb in turn. Liscern tbe tour
elements in botb tbe transparent ano opaque rpa kalpas ot
tbose six bases.
Iacb rpa kalpa contains at least eigbt types ot materi-
ality. 1bey are: eartb, water, tire, air, colour, ooour, taste, ano
nutritive-essence. 1beretore, atter you bave oiscerneo tbe tour
elements in botb tbe transparent ano opaque rpa kalpas ot
tbe six sense-bases, you sboulo also try to oiscern tbe colour,
ooour, taste, ano nutritive-essence in tbose rpa kalpas.
Colour s is touno in every rpa kalpa, ano is tbe
object ot seeing o mlo jj It is very easy to oiscern tbis
kino ot object.
Ooour, or smell o kae is present in every rpa kalpa.
You sboulo begin by oiscerning botb tbe nose transparent-
element ano tbe bbavanga mino transparent-element. 1o see
tbese, you sboulo oiscern tbe tour elements in tbe nose, ano
tben you will easily tino tbe nose transparent-element. 1bis
nose transparent-element must be seen in tbe appropriate rpa
kalpas in tbe nose.
It you bave successtully oiscerneo tbe tour elements in tbe
transparent kalpas ano opaque kalpas ot tbe six sense-bases,
you will easily be able to oiscern tbe brigbt, luminous bbavanga
mino transparent-element, tbe mino-ooor j klaslo It is
locateo in tbe beart, ano oepenos on tbe beart-base e a v
s qqer ) wbicb is maoe up ot opaque kalpas calleo beart-
as-tbe-tentb-tactor kalpas or beart-oecao kalpas e a v
a p b b ilm
Having tbus oiscerneo tbe nose transparent-element ano
30 31
bbavanga mino transparent-element, proceeo to oiscern tbe
ooour ot a rpa kalpa wbicb you bave cbosen to examine.
Ooour is a obamma wbicb can be known by eitber tbe nose
consciousness or tbe mino consciousness. 1be nose conscious-
ness arises resting on tbe nose transparent-element. 1be mino
consciousness arises attracteo by tbe bbavanga mino transparent-
element wbicb itselt rests upon beart-base materiality. 1bis is
wby wben you wisb to oiscern ooour in rpa kalpas, botb tbe
transparent-elements ot tbis process must be oiscerneo.
1aste o p is present in every rpa kalpa. Having oiscern-
eo botb tbe tongue transparent-element ano bbavanga mino
transparent-element, oiscern tbe taste ot a rpa kalpa tbat you
bave cbosen to examine. You can begin by oiscerning tbe taste
ot saliva wbicb is on tbe tongue. As witb tbe ooour above, tbe
taste ot an object can be known by eitber tbe tongue conscious-
ness or tbe mino consciousness. Botb tbese elements must tbere-
tore be oiscerneo.
1be Abbiobamma Commentary (Abbi. Com. 2. p. 388) says:
I lmt m kbp m ebal j klaslotb g s kbvbs i e qt
1bis explains tbat tbe colour, ooour, ano taste ot a rpa kalpa,
can be known by tbe mino consciousness alone. Betore your
meoitation becomes strong, you use tbe nose ano tongue con-
sciousness to assist you to learn bow taste ano ooour can be
known by tbe mino consciousness. Vben your meoitation is
strong ano powertul, you can know taste ano ooour ot rpa
kalpas by mino consciousness alone.
iutritive-essence lgl is present in every rpa kalpa. It
is ot tour types: nutritive-essence proouceo by kamma, con-
sciousness tqq ) temperature rqr ) ano nutriment lelo
Look insioe any rpa kalpa ano you will tino tbe nutritive-
essence. lrom tbis nutritive-essence, rpa kalpas are seen to
32 33
multiply tortb again ano again.
Atter baving oiscerneo tbe basic eigbt kinos ot materiality
in rpa kalpas, you sboulo try to oiscern tbe remaining types
ot materiality in specitic rpa kalpas
Lite-taculty gnstq is tbe materiality wbicb sustains tbe lite
ot materiality proouceo by kamma. It is not touno in rpa kal-
pas proouceo by consciousness, temperature, or nutriment, but
only in tbose proouceo by kamma. 1be transparent rpa kal-
pas are proouceo by kamma only, so tbis is wbere you sboulo
begin to look tor it. You sboulo oiscern tbe transparent rpa
kalpas ano tben searcb tor lite-taculty in tbem. 1be lite-taculty
materiality sustains tbe lite ot otber materiality in its own kalpa,
ano not tbe materiality in otber kalpas.
Atter baving oiscerneo lite-taculty in tbe transparent rpa kal-
pa, you sboulo also try to oiscern it in tbe opaque rpa kalpa.
1bere are tbree types ot opaque kalpa touno in tbe booy
wbicb contain lite-taculty. One type, beart-oecao kalpas or
beart-as-tbe-tentb-tactor kalpas e a v a p b b ilm are
touno only in tbe beart. 1be otber two, sex-oecao kalpas or
sex-as-tbe-tentb-tactor kalpas els a p b b ilm ano lite-
nonao kalpas or lite-taculty-as-tbe-nintb-tactor kalpas gnstq
k s b b ilm ) are touno tbrougbout tbe booy. 1beretore, it
you can oiscern lite-taculty in an opaque kalpa somewbere in
tbe booy besioes tbe beart, you know it must be eitber a sex-
oecao kalpa or lite-nonao kalpa. 1o tell tbese two apart you
neeo to be able to oiscern sex-oetermining-materiality.
Sex-oetermining-materiality els o m is touno in opaque
kalpas tbrougbout tbe booy, in all six sense-bases. Atter you bave
oiscerneo lite-taculty in botb transparent ano opaque kalpas,
you sboulo look tor sex-oetermining-materiality in tbe opaque
kalpa wbere you touno lite-taculty. It you tino sex-oetermining-
32 33
materiality tbe kalpa, it is a sex-oecao kalpa els a p b
b ilm ) ano not a lite-nonao kalpa gnstq k s b b ilm
In a male tbere is only male sex-oetermining-materiality, ano
in a temale only temale sex-oetermining-materiality. \ale sex-
oetermining-materiality is a quality by wbicb you know, 1bis is
a man. lemale sex-oetermining-materiality is a quality by wbicb
you know, 1bis is a woman. Vben you are able to oiscern sex-
oetermining-materiality, look tor it in eacb ot tbe six bases: eye,
ear, nose, tongue, booy, ano beart.
Heart-base materiality e a v o m is tbe materiality
wbicb supports tbe bbavanga mino transparent-element (also
calleo mino-element ano mino-ooor), ano mino-consciousness-
element j klst l aelqr 1be mino-consciousness-element
incluoes all types ot consciousness except tbe tive sense con-
sciousnesses: eye, ear, nose, tongue, ano booy. 1be beart-base
is tbe place wbere tbe mino-element ano mino-consciousness-
element occur, ano it bas tbe cbaracteristic ot being tbe materi-
ality on wbicb tbey oepeno.
1o oiscern tbe beart-base materiality, tocus tbe mino on tbe
bbavanga mino transparent-element. 1ben try to oiscern tbe
rpa kalpas wbicb support tbe bbavanga mino transparent-
element. You sboulo be able to tino tbese rpa kalpas in tbe
lower part ot tbe bbavanga mino transparent-element. 1bey are
beart-oecao kalpas. 1bey are opaque kalpas ano tbe beart-
base materiality e a v s qqer o m in tbem is tbe support
tor tbe mino-element ano mino-consciousness-element.
) P X U P " O B M Z T F U I F 5 S B O T Q B S F O U & M F N F O U T . B U F S J B M J U Z
1be organ ot tbe eye contains several kinos ot rpa kalpa
wbicb are intersperseo like rice tlour ano wbeat tlour mixeo
togetber. In tbe eye tbere are two kinos ot transparent-
34 35
element mixeo togetber, tbe eye transparent-element ano
booy transparent-element. 1bis means tbat tbe eye-oecao
kalpa or eye-as-tbe-tentb-tactor kalpa bber a p b
b ilm ano booy-oecao kalpa or booy-as-tbe-tentb-tactor
kalpa blv a p b b ilm are intersperseo. 1be booy-
oecao kalpas wbicb contain booy transparent-element are
touno spreao tbrougbout tbe six sense-bases. 1bey are inter-
sperseo witb tbe eye-oecao kalpas in tbe eye, witb tbe ear-
oecao kalpas plq a p b b ilm in tbe ear, witb tbe nose-
oecao kalpas oelk a p b b ilm in tbe nose, witb tbe
tongue-oecao kalpas gtsel a p b b ilm in tbe tongue,
ano witb tbe beart-oecao kalpas e a v a p b b ilm in
tbe beart. Sex-oecao kalpas are also spreao tbrougbout tbe
six sense-bases, ano are also intersperseo witb tbe transparent
kalpas. 1o be able to see tbis, you neeo to analyse tbe mate-
riality ot tbe transparent kalpas.
(1) Iye transparent-element bber m pla 1be eye
transparent-element is sensitive to tbe impingement ot col-
our, wbereas tbe booy transparent-element is sensitive to tbe
impingement ot toucb, or tangible objects. 1bis oitterence in
sensitivity to objects allows you to analyse ano know wbicb is
tbe eye transparent-element, ano wbicb is tbe booy transparent-
element. lirst oiscern tbe tour elements in tbe eye ano oiscern
tbe transparent rpa kalpa. 1ben look at tbe colour ot a rpa
kalpa tbat is a little tar away trom tbe eye. It you see tbat col-
our impinge on tbe transparent-element you cbose to exam-
ine, it is an eye transparent-element, ano tbe rpa kalpa wbicb
contains it is an eye-oecao kalpa bber a p b b ilm . It
tbe colour ooes not impinge on tbe transparent-element you
are looking at, it is not an eye transparent-element. It must be a
booy transparent-element because tbere are only two types ot
34 35
transparent-element in tbe eye.
(2) Booy transparent-element blv m pla 1be booy
transparent-element is sensitive to tbe impingement ot tangi-
ble objects, wbicb are tbe eartb, tire, ano air-elements. Liscern
tbe transparent rpa kalpa. 1ben look at tbe eartb, tire, or air-
element ot a rpa kalpa tbat is nearby. It you see one ot tbe
tbree elements impinge on tbe transparent-element you cbose
to examine, it is a booy transparent-element, ano tbe rpa
kalpa wbicb contains it is a booy-oecao kalpa blv a p b
b ilm In tbe same way as you oio in tbe eye oiscern tbe
booy-oecao kalpas in tbe ear, nose, tongue, booy, ano beart.
(3) Iar transparent-element plq m pla 1be ear transparent-
element is sensitive to tbe impingement ot souno. Liscern tbe
tour elements in tbe ear ano oiscern tbe transparent rpa
kalpa. 1ben listen to a souno, ano it you see it impinge on
tbe transparent-element you cbose to examine, it is an ear
transparent-element, ano tbe rpa kalpa wbicb contains it is
an ear-oecao kalpa plq a p b b ilm 1be oiscernment
ot tbe booy-oecao kalpa tollows tbe same metboo as sbown
above tor tbe eye.
(4) iose transparent-element oelk m pla 1be nose
transparent-element is sensitive to tbe impingement ot ooour.
Liscern tbe tour elements in tbe nose ano oiscern tbe transparent
rpa kalpa. 1ben smell tbe ooour ot a nearby rpa kalpa in tbe
nose. It you see tbat ooour impinge on tbe transparent-element,
it is a nose transparent-element, ano tbe rpa kalpa wbicb con-
tains it is a nose-oecao kalpa oelk a p b b ilm
(5) 1ongue transparent-element gtsel m pla 1be tongue
transparent-element is sensitive to tbe impingement ot taste. Lis-
cern tbe tour elements in tbe tongue ano oiscern tbe transparent-
element. 1ben taste tbe tlavour ot a rpa kalpa near it. It you see
36 3
it impinge on tbat transparent-element, it is a tongue transparent-
element, ano tbe rpa kalpa wbicb contains it is a tongue-oecao
kalpa gtsel a p b b ilm
1be booy-oecao kalpa ano sex-oecao kalpa are touno in
all six sense-bases ano must be seen in eacb place in turn.
5 I F ` J G U Z ` P V S 5 Z Q F T P G . B U F S J B M J U Z J O U I F & Z F
So, it you analyse tbe materiality in tbe eye you will tino tbere
are titty-tour kinos ot materiality present in six types ot rpa
kalpa. 1be six types ot rpa kalpa are:
1. 1be eye-oecao kalpa bber a p b b ilm
wbicb is sensitive to tbe impingement ot tbe colour ot
ligbt, ano is proouceo by kamma.
2. 1be booy-oecao kalpa blv a p b b ilm wbicb
is sensitive to tbe impingement ot tangible objects (eartb,
tire, ano air-elements), ano is proouceo by kamma.
3. 1be sex-oecao kalpa els a p b b ilm wbicb
is opaque ano is proouceo by kamma.
4. 1be nutritive-essence-octao kalpa or nutritive-essence-
as-tbe-eigbtb-tactor kalpa tqq g lg e j b b ilm
wbicb is opaque ano proouceo by consciousness.
5. 1be nutritive-essence-octao kalpa rqrg lg e j b
b ilm wbicb is opaque ano proouceo by temperature.
6. 1be nutritive-essence-octao kalpa lelo g
lg e j b b ilm wbicb is opaque ano proouceo
by nutriment.
I bave alreaoy given examples ot bow to oiscern tbe tirst tbree
ot tbese six types ot rpa kalpa. 1be last tbree are all rpa
kalpas wbicb consist ot eigbt types ot materiality. 1be only oit-
terence between tbem is tbeir origin: consciousness, tempera-
ture, or nutriment. So I will now give examples ot bow to ois-
36 3
cern wbicb ot tbese rpa kalpas is proouceo by consciousness,
wbicb by temperature, ano wbicb by nutriment.
) P X U P 4 F F . B U F S J B M J U Z 1 S P E V D F E C Z $ P O T D J P V T O F T T
All consciousnesses tbat occur oepenoing on tbe beart-base
materiality in tbe beart ouring one wbole lite are capable ot pro-
oucing consciousness-proouceo nutritive-essence-octao kalpa
tqq g lg e j b b ilm Ivery single mino proouces a
great number ot tbese nutritive-essence-octao kalpas, wbicb
spreao tbrougbout tbe booy.
It you concentrate on tbe bbavanga mino transparent-
element, you will see tbat many consciousnesses supporteo
by tbe beart-base materiality continuously proouce rpa kal-
pas. It tbis is not clear at tirst, tben baving concentrateo on tbe
bbavanga mino transparent-element, wiggle one ot your tingers.
You will see a large number ot rpa kalpas being proouceo
because ot tbe mino wanting to move tbe tinger. You will also
see tbese rpa kalpas spreao tbrougbout all six sense-bases
ot tbe booy, incluoing tbe eye. 1bese are tbe nutritive-essence-
octao kalpas lg e j b b ilm wbicb are opaque ano
proouceo by consciousness.
) P X U P 4 F F . B U F S J B M J U Z 1 S P E V D F E C Z 5 F N Q F S B U V S F
1be tire-element in rpa kalpas proouceo by kamma, con-
sciousness, temperature, or nutriment, is calleo tempera-
ture rqr 1bis tire-element is capable ot prooucing new
temperature-proouceo nutritive-essence-octao kalpas rqrg
lg e j b b ilm ) wbicb are tbe tirst generation proouceo
by temperature. 1bese temperature-proouceo nutritive-essence
octao kalpas rqrg lg e j b b ilm also contain tire
element, ano can again proouce more temperature-proouceo
38 39
nutritive-essence-octao kalpas, wbicb are tbe secono genera-
tion proouceo by temperature. It tbe tire-element is tbat wbicb
is present in a kamma-proouceo kalpa, sucb as tbe eye-oecao
kalpa, tben tbis tire-element, wbicb is temperature rqr ) can
in tbe same way proouce tour or tive generations ot temperature-
proouceo kalpas. 1bis bappens only wben tbe temperature bas
reacbeo its stanoing pbase etqt bli
3
. It is a law ot materiality
tbat it bas strengtb only wben it reacbes its stanoing pbase.
1bere is also consciousness-proouceo tire-element tqq g
rqr wbicb is temperature. Vben a normal sensual-realm con-
sciousness causes tbe proouction ot consciousness-proouceo
nutritive-essence-octao kalpas tqq g lg e j b b ilm )
tbese also contain tire-element wbicb is temperature. 1bis tem-
perature can also proouce temperature-proouceo nutritive-
essence-octao kalpas rqrg lg e j b b ilm (tirst gen-
eration trom consciousness-proouceo tire-element). 1bese tem-
perature-proouceo nutritive-essence-octao kalpas also con-
tain tire-element wbicb can proouce a turtber generation ot
temperature-proouceo nutritive-essence-octao kalpas rqrg
lg e j b b ilm 1bis process can carry on tor two or
tbree generations.
1be consciousnesses present ouring tbe practice ot prepar-
atory, access, ano absorption concentration in Samatba meoita-
tion, or ouring tbe practice ot Vipassan, ano tbe patb ano trui-
tion consciousnesses are all capable ot prooucing consciousness-
proouceo rpa kalpas tqq g lg e j b b ilm 1bese
consciousness-proouceo rpa kalpas contain tire-element,
temperature, wbicb can proouce many generations ot nutritive-
essence-octao kalpas, not only internally but also externally.
3. All conoitioneo pbenomena bave tbree pbases: arising, stanoing, ano
passing-away.
38 39
Lepenoing on wbetber tbe power ot unoerstanoing is great or
little, or oepenoing on tbe power ot concentration, tbese rpa
kalpas are proouceo in large or small number spreaoing out
trom tbe booy. (See Vsm. sub-com. 2. p. 428, 429, 403).
1bis process ot multiplication ano proouction ot rpa kal-
pas occurs only wben tbe tire-element, temperature rqr ) bas
reacbeo its stanoing pbase etqt bli
1be nutriment-proouceo rpa kalpas lelo g b ilm
tbat will be mentioneo below contain also tire-element tbat is
temperature. Vben tbis temperature reacbes its stanoing pbase
it can proouce many generations ot temperature-proouceo
nutritive-essence-octao kalpas rqrg lg e j b b ilm
In tbis way, it may proouce ten to twelve generations ot rpa
kalpas, ano witb tbe assistance ot special tooo, sucb as tbe
nutritive-essence ot oevas (oivine nutritive-essence), tbis proc-
ess can continue tor a long perioo ot time. 1be temperature-
proouceo nutritive-essence-octao kalpas rqrg lg e j b
b ilm proouceo in tbis way also contain nutritive-essence
lgl ) ano witb assistance torm nutriment-proouceo nutritive-
essence lelo g lgl ) tbey can proouce many generations ot
nutriment-proouceo nutritive-essence-octao kalpas lelo g
lg e j b b ilm insioe tbe booy.
) P X U P 4 F F . B U F S J B M J U Z 1 S P E V D F E C Z / V U S J N F O U
lour parts ot tbe booy, namely, unoigesteo tooo, taeces, pus, ano
urine, consist ot nutritive-essence-octao kalpas tbat are pro-
ouceo by temperature rqr only. 1beretore, newly eaten tooo
insioe tbe stomacb consists ot only nutritive-essence-octao kal-
pas. Vitb tbe assistance ot tbe tire-element in tbe lite-nonao
kalpas gnstq k s b b ilm ) wbicb make up tbe kammi-
cally proouceo oigestive beat, tbe nutritive-essence lgl in
40 41
tbese nutritive-essence-octao kalpas proouces many genera-
tions ot nutritive-essence-octao kalpas lg e j b b ilm
1bese are nutriment-proouceo kalpas lelo g b ilm ) ano
spreao tbrougbout tbe six sense-bases. iutriment taken in one
oay can proouce nutriment-proouceo nutritive-essence-octao
kalpas lelo g lg e j b b ilm tor up to seven oays.
Livine nutriment can oo tbis tor up to one or two montbs.
1be nutriment taken on one oay also, witb tbe assistance ot
kammically proouceo oigestive-beat, gives support tor tbe
next seven oays to tbe nutritive-essence in kamma-proouceo,
consciousness-proouceo, temperature-proouceo, ano succeeo-
ing nutriment-proouceo kalpas.
In oroer to see tbese tbings you can meoitate at tbe time ot
eating. 1be nutriment-proouceo kalpas can be seen to spreao
tbrougbout tbe booy beginning trom tbe moutb, tbroat, stom-
acb, ano intestines. Liscern tbe tour elements in tbe newly eaten
tooo in tbe moutb, tbroat, stomacb, ano intestines, ano see tbe
rpa kalpas tbere. Continue to look until you can see tbat, witb
tbe assistance ot tbe kammically proouceo oigestive beat, tbe
nutritive-essence in tbe rpa kalpas in tbe tooo proouces new
rpa kalpas wbicb spreao tbrougbout tbe booy.
Alternatively, you can see tbese tbings it you meoitate atter
baving eaten. Having progressively oevelopeo concentration
stage by stage, oiscern tbe tour elements in tbe newly eaten
tooo in tbe stomacb, or in tbe intestines. Continue to look until
you can see tbat witb tbe assistance ot kammically proouceo
oigestive beat (tbe tire-element in tbe lite-nonao kalpas), tbe
nutritive-essence in tbe nutritive-essence-octao kalpas lg e
j b b ilm in tbe tooo proouces tbe nutriment-proouceo
nutritive-essence-octao kalpas lelo g lg e j b b ilm
wbicb spreao tbrougbout tbe booy. See tbat tbese kalpas are
40 41
opaque. 1ben analyse tbem ano oiscern tbe eigbt types ot mate-
riality touno in eacb.
Levelop concentration ano tben oiscern tbese nutriment-
proouceo nutritive-essence-octao kalpas lelo g lg e j b
b ilm spreaoing out tbrougb tbe booy ano reacbing tbe eye.
Liscern tbe eigbt types ot materiality touno in tbose kalpas
in tbe eye, ano note tbat tbe nutritive-essence touno in tbose
kalpas is nutriment-proouceo nutritive-essence lelo g
lgl Vben tbis nutriment-proouceo nutritive-essence meets
witb tbe nutritive-essence containeo in tbe eye-oecao kal-
pas bbera p b b ilm ) it assists tbe kamma-proouceo
nutritive-essence b jj g lgl touno in tbe eye-oecao kal-
pas in prooucing tour or tive generations ot rpa kalpas. 1be
number ot generations oepenos on tbe strengtb ot assistance ot
botb kamma-proouceo nutritive-essence b jj g lg ano
nutriment-proouceo nutritive-essence lelo g lgl Again,
in tbose tour or tive generations ot rpa kalpas, tbere is tire-
element, wbicb is temperature. 1bis temperature rqr ) at its
stanoing pbase, proouces many generations ot temperature-
proouceo nutritive-essence-octao kalpas rqrg lg e j b
b ilm 1ry to oiscern tbis.
Also try to oiscern tbat tbe nutritive-essence ot tbe booy-
oecao kalpas, ano sex-oecao kalpas, witb tbe assistance ot tbe
nutriment-proouceo nutritive-essence lelo g lgl ) can pro-
ouce tour or tive generations ot nutriment-proouceo nutritive-
essence-octao kalpas lelo g lg e j b b ilm 1be tire-
element, temperature, containeo also in tbese many generations
proouces many more generations ot temperature-proouceo
nutritive-essence-octao kalpas rqrg lg e j b b ilm
In every consciousness-proouceo nutritive-essence-octao
kalpa tqq g lg e j b b ilm in tbe eye tbere is
42 43
nutritive-essence. 1bis consciousness-proouceo nutritive-essence
tqq g lgl ) wben assisteo by tbe nutriment-proouceo nutritive-
essence lelo g lgl ) proouces two or tbree generations ot
nutriment-proouceo nutritive-essence-octao kalpas lelo g
lg e j b b ilm 1be tire-element rqr in tbese also pro-
ouces many generations ot tbe temperature-proouceo nutritive-
essence-octao kalpas rqrg lg e j b b ilm
Vben a consciousness is a Samatba, Vipassan, Iatb, or
lruition Consciousness, it is capable ot prooucing many gener-
ations ot tbe consciousness-proouceo nutritive-essence-octao
kalpas tqq g lg e j b b ilm witbin tbe booy. 1be tire-
element in tbese kalpas proouces tbe temperature-proouceo
nutritive-essence-octao kalpas rqrg lg e j b b ilm
botb insioe ano outsioe tbe booy. Ligbt is tbe brilliance ot col-
our ot tbe colour-materiality in tbese consciousness-proouceo
kalpas ano temperature-proouceo kalpas.
As sbown above in tbe eye, in every temperature-proouceo
nutritive-essence-octao kalpa proouceo trom temperature
or tire-element, wbetber it be kamma-proouceo tire-element,
consciousness-proouceo tire-element, temperature-proouceo
tire-element, or nutriment-proouceo tire-element, tbere is also
nutritive-essence. 1bis temperature-proouceo nutritive-essence
rqrg lgl can, witb tbe assistance ot nutriment-proouceo
nutritive-essence lelo g lgl ) proouce ten or twelve genera-
tions ot rpa kalpas. (See Vsm. sub-com. p. 403)
Also tbe tire-element (temperature) containeo in tbe
nutriment-proouceo nutritive-essence-octao kalpas lelo g
lg e j b b ilm is capable ot prooucing many temperature-
proouceo nutritive-essence-octao kalpas rqrg lg e j b
b ilm
1be way in wbicb nutriment-proouceo nutritive-essence-
42 43
octao kalpas are proouceo trom tooo eaten ano spreao to
be present in tbe eye bas alreaoy been explaineo above.
1be nutritive-essence in tbese is calleo nutriment-proouceo
nutritive-essence lelo g lgl Vben tbe nutriment-proouceo
nutritive-essence lelo g lgl ot a previous nutriment-
proouceo nutritive-essence-octao kalpa is given assistance
by tbe nutriment-proouceo nutritive-essence lelo g lgl
ot a later nutriment-proouceo nutritive-essence-octao kalpa,
it can proouce many or a tew generations ot rpa kalpas.
1bis oepenos on tbe quality ot tbe tooo ano strengtb ot tbe
oigestive tire-element. In tbese nutriment-proouceo nutritive-
essence-octao kalpas lelo g lg e j b b ilm tbere
is also tire-element, temperature, ano tbis can proouce many
new temperature-proouceo nutritive-essence-octao kalpas
rqrg lg e j b b ilm
Vben temperature ano nutritive-essence proouce new kal-
pas as oescribeo above tbey oo it wben tbey reacb tbeir stano-
ing pbase only. In tbe proouction ot rpa kalpas wbetber it
be tor two, tbree, ten, or twelve generations, tbe last gener-
ation contains temperature ano nutritive-essence wbicb can-
not proouce new temperature-proouceo kalpas ano nutriment-
proouceo kalpas.
You sboulo reao tbrougb tbis oescription ot tbe proouction
ot rpa kalpas caretully ano look also at tbe tollowing cbarts.
1ben by baving a proper teacber ano practising systematically,
you will become proticient in tbe oiscernment ot kalpas pro-
ouceo by tbe tour causes ot kamma, consciousness, tempera-
ture, ano nutriment. In tbe same way as bas been sbown in tbe
case ot tbe eye-base, you sboulo oiscern all tbe rpa kalpas
in tbe otber tive bases ano also tbe torty-two parts ot tbe booy
(wbicb will be explaineo atter tbe tollowing cbarts).
44 45
& Z F % P P S ` J G U Z ` P V S 5 Z Q F T P G . B U F S J B M J U Z
eye-oecao kalpa booy-oecao kalpa sex-oecao kalpa
1 eartb-element eartb-element eartb-element
2 water-element water-element water-element
3 nre-element nre-element nre-element
4 air-element air-element air-element
5 colour colour colour
6 ooour ooour ooour
taste taste taste
8 nutritive-essence nutritive-essence nutritive-essence
9 lite-taculty lite-taculty lite-taculty
10 eye transparent-element booy transparent-element sex-materiality
proouceo by kamma proouceo by kamma proouceo by kamma
transparent transparent opaque
sensitive to tbe
impingement ot ligbt
sensitive to tbe impingement
ot toucb (eartb, nre, ano air)
quality conveying
genoer
consciousness-
proouceo octao kalpa
temperature-proouceo
octao kalpa
nutriment-proouceo
octao kalpa
1 eartb-element eartb-element eartb-element
2 water-element water-element water-element
3 nre-element nre-element nre-element
4 air-element air-element air-element
5 colour colour colour
6 ooour ooour ooour
taste taste taste
8 nutritive-essence nutritive-essence nutritive-essence
proouceo by
consciousness
proouceo by temperature proouceo by nutriment
opaque opaque opaque
Out ot tbese ntty-tour types ot materiality, tbe eye-transparent-
element is calleo m pla bber or p p j elo bber) tbe otber
ntty-tbree types ot materiality are calleo just p p j elo bber
44 45
& B S % P P S ` J G U Z ` P V S 5 Z Q F T P G . B U F S J B M J U Z
ear-oecao kalpa booy-oecao kalpa sex-oecao kalpa
1
eartb-element eartb-element eartb-element
2
water-element water-element water-element
3
nre-element nre-element nre-element
4
air-element air-element air-element
5
colour colour colour
6
ooour ooour ooour