The seven enlightenment factors , when developed and much practised, perfect
clear vision and deliverance.
Clear Vision and Deliverance.
***********************
Perfection of Clear Vision (vijja) and Deliverance (vimutti).
We read in the anapanasati sutta (transl by ven. Nyanatiloka):
<And how developed, bhikkhus, how repeatedly practised, do the seven
enlightenment factors perfect clear vision and deliverance?
Herein, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the mindfulness enlightenment factor
dependent on seclusion, on fading away, on cessation, resulting in
relinquishment..>
The same is stated about the other enlightenment factors
With regard to the word seclusion (viveka), which is seclusion from
defilements, we read about the meaning in the Co to the ³Root of Existence²
(Mulapariyaya sutta, as tr. by Ven. Bodhi)that there are five kinds of
seclusion, or abandoning: by substitution of opposite factors(tadanga
pahana), by suppression (in jhana), by eradication (by the four paths), by
tranquillization ( by the four fruitions) and by escape (nibbana). As
regards abandoning by substitution of opposite factors (tadanga pahana),
this occurs during the development of the stages of insight. The personality
view is abandoned by the first stage of insight: defining nama and rupa,
distinquishing their different characteristics, and by each of the higher
stages there is abandoning by opposite factors.
As to the words of the sutta, fading away (viraga) and cessation (nirodha),
these have the same meaning as seclusion, viveka.
As to the words, ³resulting in relinquishment², as the Visuddhimagga VIII,
236) explained, this is relinquishment as giving up (of defilements) and as
entering into nibbana. We read: <For insight is called both relinquishment
as giving up and relinquishment as entering into, since through substitution
of opposite qualities it gives up defilements with their aggregate-producing
kamma-formations, and through seeing the wretchedness of what is formed
(sankhara), it also enters into nibbana by inclining towards nibbana, which
is the opposte of the formed (asankhata, unconditioned).> we read that also
the path is called both relinquishment as giving up and relinquishment as
entering into.
We read in the Co. to the Anapana Sati Sutta:
<But here the mindfulness which lays hold of breathing in and out is mundane
(lokiya); mundane breathing in and out perfects the mundane foundations of
mindfulness; the mundane foundations of mindfulness perfect the supramundane
(lokuttara) enlightenment factors; the supramundane enlightenment factors
perfect nibbana as the fruit of clear vision and deliverance>
The Co states that it is thus elsewhere (in other texts), but that in this
sutta it is handed down that the mundane foundations of mindfulness perfect
the mundane enlightenment factors, and that these perfect clear vision
(vijjå), deliverance (vimutti), fruition (phala) and nibbana, which are
lokuttara. Because in this sutta ³clear vision and deliverance² designate
clear vision, fruition (phala) and nibbana.>
Nina.