Message in book three
This booklet contains the third and the most advanced level of practice, in our series of lessons in progressive meditation instruction.
The third level of practice, given in this book, is the final and the most advanced level of practice, in our system of meditation. In other words, this final level is the practice of the Harmonious Attention (sammā sati), of the Supernormal Eightfold Way, which we refer to as introspection, which is introversion of attention followed by the constant observation (sampajañña) of what is going on within. When this introspection (satipaṭṭhāna) is constantly maintained (anurakkhaṇa), it results in beginning the Seven Steps to Awakening, because introspection (satipaṭṭhāna) is the first step in the Seven Steps to Awakening. In other words, this third level of meditation becomes the practice of the Seven Steps to Awakening. This practice therefore is the final stage that awakens the practitioner from the dream of existence.
This Ariyamagga Bhavana Level III, which is also called Vidassana Bhāvanā is for advanced regular meditators, and not for occasional meditators of short-term duration. It is for those who have been practicing tranquility meditation (samatha bhāvanā) and have reached a high level of tranquility or ecstasy (jhāna). We compare this practice of meditation to the practice of the final step in the game of golf, which is only for players who have already completed the earlier stages. The reader who is unfamiliar with Ariyamagga Bhavana Levels I and II is encouraged to read them prior to reading the present booklet, in order to avoid confusion.
In practicing the Seven Steps to Awakening (satta bojjhanga) in this way, the five hindrances (pañca nīvaraṇa) can be completely eliminated forever. When the mind is thus completely free of hindrances the emancipated individual remains with a pure mind throughout his/her life. This means, an emancipated individual or Arahat will be constantly in ecstasy, because he/she stands out of the emotional world, until the death of the body. This explains the meaning of the statement inthe Ratana Sutta: “Whatthe Buddhaextolled as the supreme uninterrupted purity and tranquility” (yam Buddha setthoparivannayīsucin, samādhim-ānantarika aññamāhu). This uninterrupted purity and tranquility (Anantarika samādhi) = the imperturbable serenity (akuppa ceto vimutti), which is the unshakable Nirvana (Nibbāna). It is also the return to the original state of clarity (pabassaraṁ idaṁ cittaṁ), or homeostasis.
This means, if a person practices according to this final level of practice conscientiously, it is possible for such a practitioner to become an emancipator or Destroyer of Bonds (Arahat), or at least a Non-returner (Anāgami). This too, however, has to be confirmed by the Mahā Sangha. No one can claim to be emancipated without the approval of the Mahā Sangha.
“This fact is noteworthy” because today in the modern world there are many who are believed to be arahats, and some even claim to be arahats though not confirmed by the Mahā Sangha.