Hi Paul,
just a few quotes form the Co , the Papañcasuudanii, as transl by Ven Soma,
in the Way of Mindfulness:

<"The only way" = The one way [Ekayanoti ekamaggo]. There are many words for
"way". The word used for "way" here is "ayana" ("going" or road). Therefore,
"This is the only way, O bhikkhus [ekayano ayam bhikkhave maggo]" means
here: "A single way ("going" or road), O bhikkhus, is this way; it is not of
the nature of a double way [ekamaggo ayam bhikkhave maggo na
dvedhapathabhuto]".

Or it is "the only way" because it has to be trodden by oneself only
[ekeneva ayitabbo]. That is without a companion. The state of being
companionless is twofold: without a comrade, after abandoning contact with
the crowd, and in the sense of being withdrawn (or secluded) from craving,
through tranquillity of mind.

Or it is called "ekayana" because it is the way of the one [ekassa ayana].
"Of the one" = of the best; of all beings the Blessed One is best.
Therefore, it is called the Blessed One's Way. Although others too go along
that way, it is the Buddha's because he creates it. Accordingly it is said:
"He, the Blessed One, is the creator of the uncreated path, O Brahman." It
proceeds (or exists) only in this Doctrine-and-discipline and not in any
other. Accordingly the Master declared: "Subhadda, only in this
Doctrine-and-discipline is the Eightfold Way to be found." And further,
"ekayana" means: It goes to the one [ekam ayati] -- that is, it (the way)
goes solely to Nibbana. Although in the earlier stages this method of
meditation proceeds on different lines, in the latter, it goes to just the
one Nibbana.... >
From the Tiika:
<As Nibbana is without a second, that is, without craving as accompanying
quality, it is called the one. Hence it is said: "Truth is one; it is
without a second."

Why is the Arousing of Mindfulness intended by the word "way"? Are there not
many other factors of the way, namely, understanding, thinking, speech,
action, livelihood, effort, and concentration, besides mindfulness? To be
sure there are. But all these are implied when the Arousing of Mindfulness
is mentioned, because these factors exist in union with mindfulness.
Knowledge, energy and the like are mentioned in the analytically expository
portion [niddese]. In the synopsis [uddese], however, the consideration
should be regarded as that of mindfulness alone, by way of the mental
disposition of those capable of being trained.>

From the Co:
<Some [keci], however, construing according to the stanza beginning with the
words, "They do not go twice to the further shore [na param digunam
yanti]"[7] say, "One goes to Nibbana once, therefore it is ekayana." This
explanation is not proper. Because in this instruction the earlier part of
the Path is intended to be presented, the preliminary part of the Way of
Mindfulness proceeding in the four objects of contemplation is meant here,
and not the supramundane Way of Mindfulness. And that preliminary part of
the Path proceeds (for the aspirant) many times; or it may be said that
there is many a going on it, by way of repetition of practice.

In what sense is it a "way"? In the sense of the path going towards Nibbana,
and in the sense of the path which is the one that should be (or is fit to
be) traversed by those who wish to reach Nibbana... >

And a quote is used from the Patisambhida Magga:< "The Excellent Way is the
Eightfold way; four are truths; dispassion is the best of things belonging
to the wise; besides that Way there is no other for the purifying of vision.
Walk along that Way so that you may confound Death, and put an end to
suffering.">

Nina.

op 29-04-2005 17:23 schreef paulocuana op paulocuana@...:

> Sahaayaa,
>
> Next week I'll be on a 10 day retreat. The theme of the retreat is
> the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. My question is:
>
> "Ekaayano aya.m, bhikkhave, maggo sattaana.m visuddhiyaa,..."
>
> Is this the "only way" for the purification of beings or the "direct
> way"? I guess there are two questions here. One is textual, i.e.,
> what is being said here in Pali. The other refers to Buddhist
> practice: