Hello Wayne,

WT> I've looked at the online Pali glossaries but couldn't find the
WT> word that is translated here as "taints". Can someone with a
WT> little spare time find out what this Pali word is and share with
WT> me how it is used in different contexts? I'd be gratefull for the
WT> illumination.

It's 'aasavaa'. The word itself is pre-Buddhist and means a leak
through which defilements flow in.

(article from Monier-Williams dictionary)
aasrava - (with Jainas) the action of the senses which impels the
soul towards external objects (one of the seven Sattvas or
substances); it is twofold, as good or evil. Sarvad.
- a door opening into water and allowing the stream to descend
through it. Sarvad.

http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~pluralsm/affiliates/jainism/jainedu/9tattva.htm
http://www.jinvani.com/eng/philosophy/padarth.html
http://www.jainworld.com/jainbooks/firstep-2/dkarma-1.htm
http://www.jaintirth.org/jainism/philosophy_text.htm

When we read a Buddhist definition of 'aasavaa' (Vibhanga .364):

tayo aasavaa

914. Tattha katame tayo aasavaa? Kaamaasavo, bhavaasavo, avijjaasavo.

(a) tattha katamo kaamaasavo? Yo kaamesu kaamacchando kaamaraago
kaamanandii kaamata.nhaa kaamasineho kaamapari.laaho kaamamucchaa
kaamajjhosaana.m - aya.m vuccati "kaamaasavo".

(b) tattha katamo bhavaasavo? Yo bhavesu bhavacchando ┘pe┘
bhavajjhosaana.m - aya.m vuccati "bhavaasavo".

(c) tattha katamo avijjaasavo? Dukkhe a~n~naa.na.m ┘pe┘ avijjaala"ngii
moho akusalamuula.m - aya.m vuccati "avijjaasavo". Ime tayo aasavaa.

we see mostly verbs of desire and infatuation.

So the 'inlet' is a psychological sense of 'aasava'. It seems that
'dust' of craving for sense-impressions enters the sense-doors through
'aasavaa', some of it becomes 'upakkilesaa' which result in bondage
through fetters - 'bandhanaa'.

This would explain a passage from Mahaniddesa 1.233:

Yesa.m esaa saatiyaa ta.nhaa appahiinaa tesa.m cakkhuto ruupata.nhaa
savati aasavati ┌ sandati pavattati, sotato saddata.nhaa┘ ghaanato
gandhata.nhaa┘ jivhaato rasata.nhaa┘ kaayato pho.t.thabbata.nhaa┘
manato dhammata.nhaa savati aasavati sandati pavattati.

'Aasavaa' are 'openings' through which 'upakkilesaa' become possible. Thus it becomes understandable why the
final Unbinding is described as extinction of 'aasavaa', the very
'inlets' of craving.

To remove them with wisdom, one should go all the way, developing
virtue and concentration first.

Kind regards,
Dimitry