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PREFACE

         As stated elsewhere (In Memoriam (p. XV) the draft translation of the Gedatsu Do Ron (being the Chinese name for the Vimuttimagga) was completed in four months. Therefore it was thought that it needed some revision. This the Venerable Soma Thera intended to do on his return to Ceylon in 1937. But he fell ill and by the end of 1939 the Second World War was already three months old. All hope of publishing the revised edition of the Original Draft Translation during the war had to be given up. With the end of the war, however, conditions were even less favourable. Mean­while, though the Venerable Soma Thera wished to complete the revision and await a favourable occasion to publish it, other work he had undertaken prevented him from doing so. Further, asthma robbed him of much of his time. Thus the work he intended to do on the Vimuttimagga translation had to be postponed each time he took it up.

        When he passed away many venerable theras and dăyakas were much interested in publishing, at least, the Original Draft Translation as it was, and they requested me to prepare it for publication. Knowing my own limitations, I was at first rather disinclined to undertake this work, but later acceded to their earnest request for the following reasons.

        The Venerable Soma Thera had originally wished to have the English translation of the Vimuttimagga (The Path of Freedom) revised and published some day. But later, seeing difficulties, he modified the idea and was even content with merely revising the Draft Translation, leaving the publication itself to some future time. He said that the important thing, the Draft Translation, had been done, and that if people felt that they needed it they would see to its publication.

         It was a work that had inspired both the Venerable Soma Thera and me, and there were many who welcomed its publication.

       Dr. D. Roland D. Weerasuria of Baicombe House, Balcombe Place, Colombo, invited the Venerable Soma Thera sometime in 1959 to write an abridged version of the Visuddhimagga as he felt that such an edition would supply a long felt want. But shortly after he began writing it death inter­vened. Dr. Weerasuria then requested the Venerable 5íãọamoli Thera to take up the work which, after some hesitation, he agreed to finish within a year. But he, too, passed away within a week. Sometime after this Dr. Weerasuria, having seen the Original Draft Translation of the Vimuttimagga, was keen on its publication.

         This was a fitting occasion to pay a tribute to the memory of the two senior co-translators of the Vimuttimagga, the Reverend N. R. M. Ehara and the Venerable Soma Mahã Thera.

       And finally the urgent personal need to keep myself immersed in the Dhamma throughout the waking hours during this period of stress prompted me to take up the work.

         From the above it will be seen that this work was taken up due to sheer force of circumstances and not because of any special qualification on my part. Therefore, perhaps, some things stated here could have been said in other and better ways. Inexpert as I am in scholarly persuits there is bound to be many a lack in my portion of this work and so I ask reader to bear with me should he detect any errors of commission or omission here.

         In preparing this work for printing I have made a few alterations in the rendering of certain terms and passages, as they appeared in the Original Draft Translation, in accordance with notes and instructions left by the Venerable Soma Thera. The lacunae in the Draft Translation were filled, as far as possible, with the help of the word for word translation in consultation with Soma Thera’s notes. AH the longer Pali quotations in the footnotes, except a few from the Visuddhimagga and some from the Dhammasangani etc., were inserted by me. They are given in full mainly with the idea of helping the general reader conversant with the Pali but to whom reference books are not easily accessible. By this attempt of mine if but just a few readers happen to be benefited, to any extent, I should consider myself amply rewarded.

          Since the Introduction had already been sent to the Printers by the time the Encyclopaedia of Buddhism (1961 Government of Ceylon, Fascicule A-Aca) was out, the following is included here. In his article, Abhidharma Literature, Dr. Kogen Mizuno makes three statements on page 78 of the Encyclopaedia regarding the Vimuttimagga: (1) that the Vimuttimagga (along with the Dhammapada, the Atthakavagga of the Suttanipãta etc.) “probably belonged to the Abhayagiri sect and not to the Mahavihara sect” (paragraph B continued from the previous page); (2) that “He (i, e., the Venerable Buddhaghosa Thera) evidently studied the Vimuttimagga, which was a manual of the Abhayagirivihara sect” (paragraph c); and (3) “That the Vimuitimagga, was Upatissa’s work and belonged to the Abhayagirivihăra sect is mentioned in the tỉkã (sub-commentary, i.e., Dhammapala’s Paramattha- manjusa) of the Visuddhimagga” (paragraph c).

        The first statement, (l) above, says that the Vimuttimagga “probably belonged to the Abhayagiri sect”, while the second, (2) above, says “Vimuttimagga, which was a manuel of the Abhayagirivihara sect”. How, precisely, did probability in paragraph B became certainty in paragraph c? As for the third statement, (3) above, the Paramatthamanjusã does not say that the Vimutiimagga “belonged to the Abhayagirivihara sect” as is claimed here. What it says is that the Vimuttimagga is the work of the Venerable Upatissa Thera. The fact that certain teachings are common to both the Abhayagirivihãra and the Vimuttimagga does not prove that the latter belonged to the Abhayagirivihãra sect. For details see Introduction pp. XXXVI, XXXVII and n. 2, p. 57 of the present translation.

        I have derived much help from Prof. Dr. P. V. Bapat’s Vimuttimagga and Visuddhimagga—a Comparative Study, and the Venerable Nãnamoli Thera’s translation of the Visuddhdimagga—The Path of Purification. The Pali Text Society’s Pali-English Dictionary 1921, and Trenchner’s Critical Pali Dictionary, Copenhagen 1924-1948 have been equally helpful.

        It is with great pleasure that I make the following acknowledgements to all those whose help and encouragement made my work less difficult.

        To the Venerable Madihe Pannãsĩha Mahã Nãyaka Thera of Vajirarãma for his kindly and ready help and advice at all times lacking which this work would not have been completed.

         To all those venerable monks who encouraged me by word and deed when that encouragement was most needed.

       To the Venerable Nanavira Thera for his welcome suggestions and the readiness with which he helped in many ways.

         To Mr. W. Joseph Soysa who helped in reading over some of the proofs. He has always been much interested in the Vimuttimagga and in its publica­tion.

       To Mr. Lakshman de Mel who read through the type-script and made valuable suggestions.

           To Mr. R. D. Piyasena and those who helped him for taking a great deal of trouble in preparing the English Index.

         Lastly, to Dr. D. Roland D. Weerasuria who has generously borne the entire cost of publishing this translation. Provision has been made by him to keep the price of this book within reach of the modest purse. He has performed this meritorious act (punnakamma) with great faith (saddha) wishing his father, Mudaliyar D. D. Weerasuria J.P., who passed away on 25. 5. 1949, the happiness of Nibbana. May the result of this pure deed redound in full measure to his lasting happiness.

          The Printers have to be thanked for their patience and high quality of work.

Vijirarama,                                        KHEMINDA THERA,

Colombo, Ceylon                                       October 2505/1961

CONTENTS

FASCICLE I, CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE

Salutation

Introductory Stanza

Path of Freedom Described

Merits of Acknowledgement of the Path

Three Trainings

Meaning of Training

Removal of the Impurities

The Three Kinds of Good

The Three Kinds of Happiness

Perfection of the Middle Way

CHAPTER II – ON DISTINGUISHING VIRTUE

Virtue Defined

Salient Characteristic of Virtue

Function, Manifestation, Near Cause of Virtue

Benefits of Virtue

Meaning of Virtue

Virtue and Mode of Life

Three Kinds of Virtue

What Produces Virtue

Stages of Virtue

Impediments and Causes of Virtue

Groups of Virtue (Various)

What Purifies Virtue

Causes Through Which One Dwells in Virtue

FASCICLE II, CHAPTER III – ON AUSTERITIES

The Thirteen Austerities

Brief Explanation of the Thirteen Austerities     

‘Dirt –rags’

‘Three Robes’

‘Begged Food’

‘Regular Alms-round’

‘One-eating’        

‘Measured Food’

‘No Food After Time’

‘Dwelling in a Peaceful Place’

‘Dwelling Under a Tree’

‘Dwelling in a Dewy Place’

‘Dwelling Among Graves’

‘Any Chanced upon Place’

‘Always Sitting and Not Lying Down’

‘Expedience in the Observance of the Austerities

Miscellaneous Teachings        

CHAPTER IV – ON DISTINGUISHING CONCENTRATION

Meaning of Concentration

Salient Characteristic etc.

Benefits Produced by Concentration

Obstacles to Concentration

Causes of Concentration

Requisites of Concentration

Kinds of Concentration (Various)

Why Four and Five Meditations are Taught

CHAPTER V – ON APPROACHING A GOOD FRIEND

Qualities of a Good Friend

The Search for a Good Friend

A Beginner’s Duties

FASCICLE III, CHAPTER VI – THE DISTINGUISHING OF BEHAVIOUR

Kinds of Behaviour

Fourteen Kinds of Persons

Fourteen Kinds Reduced to Seven

Modes of Practice

Seven Reduced to Three

Causes of Behaviour

Elements as Causes of Behaviour

The Humours as Causes of Behaviour

Seven Aspects of Behaviour

On Robing, Begging, Sitting, Sleeping, and Resort

Miscellaneous Teachings        

CHAPTER VII – THE DISTINGUISHING OF THE SUBJECTS OF MEDITATION

Thirty-eight Subjects of Meditation

Method of Discerning the Qualities

By Way of Meditation

By Way of Transcending        

By Way of Increasing

By Way of Cause

By Way of Object

By Way of Speciality

By Way of Plane

By Way of Seizing By Way of Person

FASCICLE IV, CHAPTER VIII, SECTION I – ENTRANCE INTO THE SUBJECT OF MEDITATION

Earth Kasipa, Its Practice, Salient Characteristic, Function and Near Cause

Benefits

Meaning of Kasipa       

Kinds of Earth

Non-Prepared Earth

On Making a Mapdala

Method of Earth Kasipa Meditation

Tribulations of Sense-Desires Illustrated in Twenty Similes

Renunciation and Its Benefits

Method of Practice of Earth Kasipa

Three Ways of Sign-Taking

Grasping Sign

The After-Image

The Sign

Protecting the Sign

Access-Meditation        

Fixed Meditation, Jhana

Increasing the Kasina

Skilfulness in Fixed Meditation, Jhana

Ten Ways

Simile of the Horse-Chariot Simile of the Inked-String

The First Meditation, Jhana

Three Kinds of Separation From Lust arid Demeritorious States

Two Kinds of Lust

Roots of Demerit

Reasons for Treating Lust and Demerit Separately

Separation From Demeritorious States

Difference Between Lust and Demerit

Initial and Sustained Application of Thought     

Initial and Sustained Application of Thought Discriminated

Similes of the Bell etc.

Similes of the Bird etc.

Solitude

Joy and Bliss

Five Kinds of Joy

Bliss

Five Kinds of Bliss

Difference Between Joy and Bliss

First Meditation, (Jhãna)

Five Hindrances

Five Factors        

Similes of Chariot and Army

Three Kinds of Goodness       

Ten Characteristics

Twenty-five Benefits

Simile of the Bath-Attendant

Three Kinds of Rebirth

Meditation Which Partakes of Deterioration, Stability, Distinction and Penetration

FASCICLE V, CHAPTER VIII, SECTION II

The Simile of the Young Cow

Entrance Into the Second Meditation, Jhãna

Smile of the Pool of Water

The Third Meditation, Jhana

Simile of the Calf

Simile of the Lotus Pond

The Fourth Meditation, Jhana

Simile of the White Cloth

The Sphere of the Infinity of Space

The Concentration of the Sphere of Infinite Consciousness

The Sphere of Nothingness

The Sphere of Neither Perception Nor Non-Perception

Miscellaneous Teachings        

The Water Kasina

The Fire Kasina

The Air Kasina

The Blue-Green Kasina

The Yellow Kasina

The Red Kasina

The White Kasina

The Light Kasina

FASCICLE VI, CHAPTER VIII, SECTION III

The (Separated) Space Kasina

The Consciousness Kasina

Miscellaneous Teachings

THE TEN PERCEPTIONS OF PUTRESCENCE

• The Perception of Bloatedness
• The Perception of Discolouration
• The Perception of Festering
• The Perception of the Fissured
• The Perception of the Gnawed
• The Perception of the Dismembered
• The Perception of the Cut and the Dismembered
• The Perception of the Blood-Stained
• The Perception of Worminess
• The Perception of the Bony

Miscellaneous Teachings        

The Recollection of the Buddha       

The Recollection of the Law

The Recollection of the Community of Bhikkhus

The Recollection Virtue

The Recollection of Liberality

The Recollection of Deities

FASCICLE VII, CHAPTER VIII, SECTION IV

Mindfulness of Respiration

Benefits

Procedure

Counting, Connection, Contacting and Fixing

Sixteen Ways of Training in Mindfulness of Respiration

The Three Trainings

The Four Foundations of Mindfulness

The Seven Enlightenment Factors

Mindfulness of Death

Similes of the Foam, Plantain Trunk and Bubble

Mindfulness of Body

Thirty-two Parts of the Body

Mindfulness in Thirteen Ways

The Worms that Rely on the Body

Bones of the Body

Impurity of the Body

Some Diseases

The Recollection of Peace

Miscellaneous Teachings        

FASCICLE VIII, CHAPTER VIII, SECTION V

The Immeasurable Thought of Loving-kindness

Disadvantages of Anger and Resentment

Simile of the Saw

Twelve Means of Removing Hatred

Simile of the Pond

Ten Perfections

The Four Resolves

The Immeasurable Thought of Compassion

The Immeasurable Thought of Appreciative Joy

The Immeasurable Thought of Equanimity

Miscellaneous Teachings        

The Determining of the Four Elements

Twenty Ways of Grasping the Element of Earth

Twelve Ways Grasping the Element of Water

Four Ways of Grasping the Element of Fire

Six Ways of Grasping the Element of Air

The Four Elements       

Simile of the Puppet

The Loathsomeness of Food

The Dwelling of the Homeless

FASCICLE IX, CHAPTER IX – THE FIVE FORMS OF HIGHER KNOWLEDGE

Three Kinds of Supernormal Power

Seven Kinds of Supernormal Power

Procedure of Developing Supernormal Power

Supernormal Power of Resolve

Supernormal Power of Transformation

Supernormal Power Caused by Mind

Miscellaneous Teachings

Divine Hearing

Knowledge of Others’ Thoughts

Recollection Past Lives

Divine Sight        

Miscellaneous Teachings        

CHAPTER X – ON DISTINGUISHING WISDOM

Wisdom Defined

Benefits of Wisdom

Meaning of Wisdom

Two Kinds of Wisdom Groups of Wisdom (Various)

FASCICLE X, CHAPTER XI, SECTION I – THE FIVE METHODS

The Aggregate of Form

Four Primaries Defined

Derived Material Qualities

Sense-Organ of Eye

Sense-Organ of Ear

Sense-Organ Nose Sense-Organ of Tongue

Sense-Organ of Body

Difference Between the Four Primaries and Derived Matter

Similes of the Three Sticks

Material Qualities by Way of Arising Material Qualities by Way of Group

Material Qualities by Way of Birth

Material Qualities by Way of Diversity,—Groups of Two in Material Qualities

Groups of Three in Material Qualities

Four Kinds of Material Qualities

Material Qualities by Way of Unity

Aggregate of Feeling

Aggregate of Perception

Aggregate of Formations

Thirty-one Similies

Aggregate of Consciousness

Through Sense-Organ-Object

Through Object

Through States

Through Word Meaning Through Characteristic

Through Discrimination

Through Comprehension

Twelve Sense-Organs and Sense-Objects

Through Word Meaning

Through Limits

Through Condition

Simile of the Thread

Simile of the Mango

Element Method

Conditioned Arising Method

• Direct Order
• Reverse Order

Ignorance

Formations

Simile of the Seeds Simile of the Sun

Simile of the Two Bundles of Reeds

Simile of the Seed, Shoot and Plant

What Conditions Ignorance

Simile of the Colours of a Painter

Conditioned Arising to be Known in Seven Ways

First Three links

Death of the Ignorant Craving Evil-Doer

Action, Action-Sign, Destiny, Destiny-Sign

Four Group Division

Twenty Modes

Direct and Reverse Order       

Mundane and Supramundane Conditioned Arising

Four Kinds of Conditioned Arising

Through Comprehension

FASCICLE XI, CHAPTER XI, SECTION II – THE FIVE METHODS

The Four Noble Truths

Truth of

Five Groups of Clinging

Two Kinds of Ill

Three Kinds of Ill

Truth of the Origin of in

Truth of the Cessation of Ill

Truth of the Path Leading to Cessation of Ill

Through Word Meaning

Through Characteristics

Through Series

In Brief

Similes of the Poisonous Tree, The Ship, The Burden

Through Discrimination

Through Enumeration

Through Sameness       

Through Difference

Through One Kind etc.

Through Inclusion        

CHAPTER XII, SECTION I – ON DISCERNING TRUTH

Aggregates, Elements, Sense-Spheres

Similes of the Three Hundred Halberds and of the Burning Head Procedure

Differences Between Name and Form

Summary of the Truth of Ill

Cause and Condition of Ill

The purity of Transcending Uncertainty

Truth of Cessation        

Truth Qf the Path

One Hundred and Eighty Ways of Knowing the Five Clinging Aggregates

Impermanence, Ill, Not-Self

The Signless, the Unhankered, and the Void

The Knowledge of the Rise and Fall

Defilement-Grasp

Concentration-Grasp

Insight-Grasp

Two Ways of Grasping Thought-Characteristics

Characteristics of Rise and Fall in Three Ways

Acquiring the Highest Knowledge

Simile of the Bird Surrounded by Fire Four States

Non-Effort in the Rising of the Formations

Reviewing of Breaking up

Breaking Up in Three Ways— (a) Through assemblage

(b) Through Duality

(c) Through Understanding

Similes of Drum-Sound, Town of Gods, Lightning

FASCICLE XII, CHAPTER XII, SECTION II – ON DISCERNING TRUTH

Fear Knowledge

Similes of the Man with the Sword, Poisonous Snake, and Heap of Fire

Knowledge of the Desire For Release

Adaptive Knowledge

Knowledge of Adoption

Similes of the Boat, Lamp, and Sun

Simile of the Burning City

Three Fetters

Once-Returner

Non-Returner

Saintship

Three Kinds of Stream-Entrant

Five Kinds of Non-Returner

Simile of the Fiery Sparks

Miscellaneous Teachings        

Serenity and Insight

Initial Application of Thought and Bare Insight

Joy

Feeling

Plane

Faculties

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