English
By supernormal knowledge is meant (1) The powers named Iddhi (Iddhividhagfianaya f SS^e^-CSoGC), (2) The celestial ear (dibba s5ta *aS)5>3c), (^) Discerning others* thoughts (paracitta vijanana odScxa Bda-CSbfiSJ) (4) Reminiscence of former births (pubbe nivasanussati 9®nS) I 49 9©l^CM0tS) and (5) The Heavenly Eye (dibba cakkhu ^qS) 0fld§). By Iddhi many a phenomenon could be induced, such as diving in the earth as in water, walking or flying in the air, walking in water as on earth, touching the moon or the sun etc. The reader should consult Patisambhida Magga (Mahavagga iiana katha) for more information in respect of inducing supernormal knowledge (^^5^e5^ Abhiiina). In each case one has to begin by so exercising himself in the four steps to Iddhi, that mind and body become perfected in training wholly in subjection, pliant and adaptable to the will. Reminiscence of former births is acquired by meditation on the Paticca Samuppada. EXERCISES SUITABLE FOR DEN^ELOPING 5TH JHANA. The suitable exercises for developing the 5th stage of Jhana are the ten hypnotic ( Kasina S)8^ ) circles, exercise in respiration and equanimity, the last of the four illimitables or sublime abodes. PEOPLE CAPABLE OF DEX'ELOPING 5TH JHANA. Fifth Jhana can be cultivated only by people whose rebirth consciousness is associated with the three hetus (®QDt^) of disinterestedness, amity and knowledge amounting to in-sight (Tihetuka patisandhi puggal5 9®t^C3^ c8002^gC5XD®(33). Those who have practised mental culture in the round of births will find no difficulty and, as a matter of fact, will with ease be able to attain the 5th stage of Jhana, in any existence they are born with a Tihetuka patisandhi ^tS®0S5t^tS) ?5£2^) provided they are not hindered by bad Kamma, torments and bad resultant effects of previous bad kamma and they associate themselves with teachers who have developed the 5 th stage of Jhana and who are able to give the necessary exercise accord- ing to his character. *ff 50 CHAPTER VI. TRANSCENDENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS. 4. Transcendental (supramundane) consciousness\ Of consciousness in the paths and fruition there are four classes of consciousness which are transcendental and moral, to wit : — 1. Consciousness belonging to the path of stream-attain- ment. 2. Consciousness belonging to the path of once-returning. 3. Consciousness belonging to the path of Never-returning. 4. Consciousness belonging to the path of Arahatship. Note i. Lokuttara (©(jot^^s^d) literally beyond the worlds, that is, beyond the world of five aggregates (Pancakkhanda). Next, there are four classes of transcendental resultant con- sciousness, to wit : — 5-8 Consciousness belonging to the fruition of each of the abovenamed four paths. These, summed up, amount in all, to eight classes of con- sciousness, both moral and resultant, arising in transcendental thought. CONSCIOUSNESS BELONGING TO THE 1ST PATH. Consciousness belonging to the path of stream-attainment is Sotapatti rnagga cittan (^003tS59C CXS ^ (SXS) Soo^o) Sota (C:itr) is a stream of water. The eight fold ariyan path is called the stream, because it leads to the great Ocean called Nibbana. Attainment for the first time of the stream called the Eight Fold ariyan path is known as stream-attain- I 1 51 ment. The consciousness of the ist Path obtained therefrom is known as consciousness belonging to the Path of stream attainment (Sotapatti magga cittan 009t3:56XS ®C5XD §e5S5)o). Or it may be that the individual, who for the first time attains the stream known as the Eight Fold ariyan path, is stream- winner (f woes 3:5 :55e3 Sotapatti), and his consciousness of the path is Sotapatti magga cittan (®9C5)JCt3^ S)C5XJ5 SoxSo). Consciousness of the ist Path is that which totally extirpates or annihilates three of the fetters vi^ erroneous views regarding 5elf, doubt and practice of wrongful rites and ceremonies. The individual who attains the ist path realizes Nibbana only to such an extent as seeing a golden vessel in a dark room by the aid of a flash of lightning. He totally annihilates five classes of immoral consciousness and the remaining seven classes are so attenuated as to prevent him from being reborn in the four planes of misery, just as a tree that has been struck by lightning and whose branches and so on have been damaged is unable to exist for a considerable period. If he does not attain Arahatship in that existence, he will do so after being reborn seven times or earlier in the happier forms of Kamaloka existence. If he attains Arahatship in the next existence he is known as ekabeejee (^£S)^5), if in the seventh existence sattakkhattu paramo ( CXa '^J:© •at^ C5d®®j) and if in the interval between the two Kolan Kola (^83(5o ®tS5(3). CONSCIOUSNESS BELONGING TO THE 2ND PATH. Consciousness belonging to the path of once-returning is Sakadagami magga cittan (XS>^<i® ©C^XT) ©?5^25)o). Sakin agami — Sakadagami ( ©l&o C^oSaoS) — fl0t55<i,<3i) is once- returning. Consciousness of the path of the once-returner is Sakadagami magga cittan f^WC^Oji^ D(2XD SoxSo). The individual who has attained the 2nd path realizes Nibbana to 5uch a degree as seeing a golden vessel in a dark room by the aid of a lamp light. At the moment of entering the 2nd Path, lust, hate and nescience lying dormant, become attenuated. I. Having attained the path of once-returning, one can in this existence itself become an Arahat and attain Pari Nibbana. 52 2. Attaining the path of once-returning in this existence^ and being reborn in another place of existence, one can become an Arahat and attain Pari Nibbana. 3. One can attain the path of once-returning in another existence and there itself become an Arahat and attain Pari Nibbana. 4. Having attained the path of once-returning in another existence and being reborn in this existence, one can become an Arahat and obtain Pan Nibbana. 5. Attaining the path of once-returning in this existence, and being reborn in another place of existence and being again reborn in this existence, one can attain Arahatship and reach Pari Nibbana. Thus, the once-returner is of five types. It is in consideration of the 5 th type that he is called a once- returner. Once-returncr is in reality the one who has gained fruition in the 2nd path but for the purpose of knowing the distinctions it has been so stated. CONSCIOUSNESS BELONGING TO THE 3RD PATH. Consciousness belonging to the path of never-returning is Anagami magga cittan (cjt03®3® ®GS?CD §0)0o). Na agami — Anagami (tf) C(9<S9f> — ^3(2Do#) by way of rebirth one who does not return to the Kamaloka is known as Never-returner. This consciousness belonging to the path of Never-returning is known as Anagami magga cittan (^^300 3® ®<3^( ®et5>o). He realizes Nibbana as if he saw the golden vessel referred to above by moonlight. At that moment the two fetters of lust and hate that were lying dormant in an attenuated state are completely annihilated and extinguished. If he does not become an Arahat in this existence itself, he will be reborn in the pure Abodes of Brahamaldka and attain Arahatship there. He will never be reborn in this existence. CONSCIOUSNESS BELONGING TO THE 4TH PATH. Consciousness belonging to the path of Arahatship is Arahatta magga cittan (^4 3D C^G) ^ilJx ^ts>G)i), He is called Arahat, because the word Arahan (q^dODo) fittest, is an attribute present : *' h 53 in him. Because he is the fittest person to receive offerings of any kind from people in the worlds of men, Devas and Brahmas, also because he exterminated the round of births by utterly destroying all the Torments, and annihilated the fires of lust, iil-will and nescience and also because he even secretly never commits a bad deed, he is called an Arahat. His consciousness belonging to the path of Arahatship is known as Arahatta magga cittan (^dQS)?552^ ®(2dfc55 ®e^s>o). One who has attained this consciousness has realized Nibbana as if he saw the golden vessel referred to above by the light of the Sun when it is at its zenith. At that moment the subtle defilements and torments lying dormant are completely destroyed and annihilated. After death he will no more be reborn in any place of existence and attain the peace of Pari Nibbana. CONSCIOUSNESS BELONGING TO THE FRUITION OF THE FOUR PATHS.