Visuddhimaggo Part 02 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Visuddhimaggo Part 02" by Dwarikadas Shastri and Tapasya Upadhyay, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Visuddhimaggo Part 02 Author(s): Dwarikadas Shastri, Tapasya Upadhyay Publisher: Bauddh Bharti Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/002429/1

Overall Scope:

This text, "Visuddhimaggo Part 02," is the second volume of the Hindi translation of the Visuddhimagga, originally authored by Buddhaghosa. The first volume, published in 1977, contained only the Pali text. This second volume aims to address the demand for a Hindi translation, making this profound Buddhist philosophical and meditative treatise accessible to a wider audience, particularly students and scholars. The translation is described as a detailed "Hindi commentary," acknowledging the effort of Dr. Tapasya Upadhyay. This volume covers chapters seven through thirteen of the original work.

Key Themes and Chapters Covered in Part 02 (Chapters 7-13):

The provided pages focus on the continuation of the meditative path outlined in the Visuddhimagga, detailing various meditation practices and their significance. The summary below highlights the core concepts from the provided text:

Chapter 7: Instruction on Six Recollections (षडनुस्मृतिनिर्देश)

This chapter introduces and explains six types of recollection, which are crucial for developing mindfulness and concentration:

Buddhanussati (Recollection of the Buddha): Focusing on the Buddha's virtues (e.g., "He is the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One, endowed with knowledge and conduct, the Well-Gone One, the Knower of the Worlds, the Unsurpassed Charioteer of men to be tamed, the Teacher of gods and men, the Buddha, the Blessed One"). This practice purifies the mind from greed, hatred, and delusion, leading to tranquility, happiness, and eventually concentration. It's noted that due to the profundity and multiplicity of Buddha's qualities, this practice primarily leads to 'Upacara Samadhi' (access concentration) rather than 'Appana Samadhi' (absorption).
Dhammanussati (Recollection of the Dhamma): Reflecting on the Dhamma's qualities (e.g., "The Dhamma is well-proclaimed by the Blessed One. It is visible here and now, timeless, inviting investigation, leading onward, to be known by the wise individually"). This recollection fosters reverence for the Dhamma and inclines the mind towards understanding the supreme path. It also leads to access concentration.
Sanghanussati (Recollection of the Sangha): Contemplating the Sangha's virtues (e.g., "The Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples is practicing the good way, the straight way, the true way, the righteous way. They consist of the four pairs of persons, the eight types of individuals. They are the Lord's disciples in the Sangha worthy of offerings, worthy of hospitality, worthy of gifts, worthy of salutations, the unsurpassed field of merit in the world"). This instills reverence for the Sangha and strengthens the mind's resolve on the path to the unexcelled way. It also results in access concentration.
Silanussati (Recollection of Virtue): Reflecting on one's own virtues (e.g., "My virtue is unbroken, unblemished, unspotted, free, praised by the wise, unobscured by defilements, and conducive to concentration"). Whether lay or monastic virtue, this recollection fosters reverence for the practice and develops fear of even the slightest fault, leading to the attainment of superior virtue. It results in access concentration only.
Tyaganussati (Recollection of Generosity): Before practicing this, one should engage in some act of giving. Reflecting on the act of giving (e.g., "How fortunate I am, how well I have gained, that I dwell in charity, with open hands, delighting in giving, delighting in sharing, amidst a people subject to stinginess and stain, without stinginess"). This thought brings joy to the mind and leads to access concentration.
Devatanussati (Recollection of Deities): Meditating on one's own virtues (like faith) and the meritorious deeds of deities, using deities as witnesses. This makes the practitioner dear to the deities and leads to access concentration.
Marananussati (Recollection of Death): Contemplating the cessation of the life-faculty, the impermanence of existence. This is not about the final passing of an Arahant but the inevitable cessation of life. One should choose appropriate objects of contemplation: the death of loved ones can cause grief, disliked ones can cause joy, but contemplating one's own death generates deep reflection and urgency. Contemplating the death of those who had past glory and wealth instills mindfulness, earnestness, and wisdom, leading to access concentration. This practice keeps the practitioner diligent, detached from life, and leads to Nirvana.
Kayagatanussati (Recollection of the Body): This is highly significant and, according to Buddhaghosa, was taught only by Buddhas and is not accessible to heterodox teachers. It involves observing the body from the soles of the feet to the hair, and from the skin to the bones, contemplating the thirty-two parts of the body. This leads to the feeling of impurity and offers a way to attain absorption (Appana Samadhi) through repeated practice, unlike the earlier seven recollections that only yield access concentration. This practice helps overcome desires, endure hardship, attain the four jhanas, and achieve sixfold supernormal knowledge.
Anapanasmriti (Mindfulness of Breathing): This practice, focused on mindful inhalation and exhalation, is described as peaceful, supreme, undisturbed, radiant, and conducive to a happy abiding. The text draws parallels with Patanjali's Yoga philosophy regarding concentration techniques, equating them to Karmasthan (meditation objects) in Buddhism. It details various Pranayama techniques (breath control) and describes the 16 types of Anapanasmriti meditation, emphasizing its superiority among the forty meditation objects. This practice is beneficial for quelling discursive thoughts and is particularly helpful for those seeking higher knowledge, as it aids in realizing the Noble Path and eradicating defilements. It requires diligence, strong mindfulness, and wisdom due to its subtle nature. The text also details the correct posture and the process of focusing on the breath.
Upsamanussati (Recollection of Pacification): Contemplating Nirvana, described as the cessation of all suffering, the destruction of pride, the quenching of thirst, the uprooting of the abode of existence, the end of the cycle of birth, the decay of craving, dispassion, cessation, and peace. This recollection leads to restful sleep and awakening, calm senses and mind, and ultimately to Nirvana. It also results in access concentration.

Chapter 9: The Divine Abodes (ब्रह्मविहारनिर्देश)

This chapter describes the "Divine Abodes" or "Immeasurables" (Brahmaviharas):

Maitri (Loving-kindness): Cultivating affection and goodwill towards all beings. Its characteristic is impartiality and the absence of malice. It counteracts aversion. The text warns of its 'near enemy' as attachment or desire (Raga), which can be mistaken for friendship.
Karuna (Compassion): The sympathetic response to suffering. It aims to alleviate the suffering of others and counteracts violence. Its 'near enemy' is grief and sorrow (Daumanasya), which arise when witnessing the suffering of those one cares about.
Mudita (Sympathetic Joy): Rejoicing in the happiness and success of others, counteracting envy and ill-will. Its 'near enemy' is mundane joy that arises from worldly pleasures. It should be a serene and unexcited joy.
Upekkha (Equanimity): Maintaining mental balance and impartiality towards all beings, recognizing that beings are subject to their own karma. It counteracts both aversion and attachment, and its 'near enemy' is ignorance or delusion, which leads to biased equanimity.

The chapter elaborates on the specific benefits of each, their proximate and distant enemies, and the proper way to cultivate them, emphasizing the need for careful practice to avoid pitfalls like attachment or aversion.

Chapter 10: The Formless Absorptions (आरूप्यनिर्देश)

Following the Divine Abodes, this chapter details the four formless absorptions (Arupya Samapatti):

Akashananntyayatan (Boundless Space): Achieving this by transcending form-consciousness and focusing on the concept of boundless space.
Vijnananantyayatan (Boundless Consciousness): Moving beyond the concept of boundless space to focus on boundless consciousness.
Akincanyanayatan (Nothingness): Transcending the concept of boundless consciousness to focus on nothingness.
Naivasanjnanasanjñayatan (Neither Consciousness nor Non-Consciousness): The subtlest of the formless states, where consciousness is neither present nor absent.

These formless states are attained after mastering the form jhanas and are considered extremely subtle.

Chapter 11: Concentration and the Recollection of Disgust Regarding Food (समाधिनिर्देश - आहारे पटिक्कूल भावनाकथा)

This chapter shifts focus to the practice of contemplating the unwholesomeness of food (Ahara). It outlines the four types of sustenance (physical food, contact, mental volition, and consciousness) but primarily focuses on physical food as a means to develop aversion towards it. This practice helps to curb craving for food, leading to eating with only the purpose of maintaining life and supporting the meditative path.

Chapter 12: The Directions of the Powers (इद्धिविधनिर्देश)

This chapter delves into the fivefold Abhijñas (supernormal powers) attained through advanced meditative practices, with a particular focus on the first Abhijña:

Riddhividha (Psychic Powers): This includes various abilities such as manifesting oneself in multiple forms, invisibility, passing through solid objects, moving through water and air, and touching the sun and moon. The text explains the profound effort required to master these powers, involving mastery over the eight Samapattis (absorptions) and the fourteen ways of contemplating the kasinas. It also lists ten specific types of Riddhis (e.g., Adhishthana - mastery over oneself, Vikurvana - transformation, Manomaya - mind-made body).
The text then details other Abhijñas: Divine Ear, Mind-Reading, Recollection of Past Lives, and Knowledge of the Cessation and Rebirth of Beings. Each is described in terms of the meditative basis and the process of its attainment.

Chapter 13: The Instructions on Supernormal Knowledge (अभिज्ञानिर्देश)

This chapter continues the discussion on the Abhijñas:

Riddhividha (Psychic Powers): The text further elaborates on the attainment of psychic powers, detailing the specific practices and meditative techniques involved, including the attainment of various meditative states (Dhyanas) and their subsequent manipulation through Riddhis. The text also narrates the story of Ayushman Chulapanthaka, illustrating the power of mindfulness and the Buddha's compassion. It further clarifies the concept of Riddhis as mastery over the mind and the attainment of certain qualities through practices like Vasyabhava (self-mastery) and the nine Siddhis.
Divya-srotra-dhatu (Divine Ear): The ability to hear subtle sounds, even those from distant realms or those imperceptible to ordinary hearing. The text explains its cultivation through focusing on the subtle sounds of the body and the environment.
Chetahparyaya-jnana (Mind-Reading): The ability to discern the thoughts and mental states of others. This practice involves a deep understanding of the mind and its various fluctuations, observing the subtle changes in physical manifestations that correspond to mental states.
Purva-nivasa-anusamriti-jnana (Recollection of Past Lives): The ability to recall one's own past existences, detailing the depth of recollection achieved by different levels of practitioners, from worldly teachers to Buddhas. The text contrasts the limited recollection of worldly ascetics with the vast and profound recollection of Buddhas.
Chyuti-utpada-jnana (Knowledge of the Cessation and Rebirth): The ability to see the process of death and rebirth of beings, understanding the causes and conditions that lead to their destinations in the samsaric cycle. This knowledge is attained through divine vision and is crucial for understanding karma and its consequences.

Chapter 10 (continued): Pakiņņaka Kathā (Miscellaneous Matters)

This section likely contains miscellaneous but important points related to the Brahmaviharas and Arupya states, reinforcing their significance and application in the spiritual path.

Chapter 11: Concentration (समाधिनिर्देश)

This chapter seems to cover various aspects of concentration (Samadhi), including its importance and the methods for its cultivation. Specifically, it mentions:

Ahare Patikool Bhavana (Contemplation of Food's Unwholesomeness): This practice involves reflecting on the impurity and undesirability of food to curb craving and promote detachment.
Chaturdhatu-vyavasthana (Analysis of the Four Elements): This involves a deep analysis of the physical body, breaking it down into its elemental constituents (earth, water, fire, air) to understand its impermanent and impure nature. This practice helps in overcoming sensual attachment and developing insight into Anatta (non-self).

Chapter 12: The Directions of Powers (इद्धिविधनिद्देसो)

This chapter extensively details the Riddhis (Supernormal Powers) and their cultivation. It covers:

Riddhividha (Manifestation Powers): Explaining the process of developing the ability to manifest oneself in multiple forms, become invisible, etc., through advanced meditative states and mental discipline.
Ten Riddhis: Enumerating and describing the ten different types of psychic powers, such as Adhishthana (control over one's body), Vikurvana (transformation), Manomaya (mind-made body), Jnana-visphara (expansion of knowledge), Samadhi-visphara (expansion of concentration), Arya (noble powers), Karma-vipaka-ja (powers born from past karma), Punya-vatam (powers of the meritorious), Vidya-maya (powers born of knowledge), and Tatra-tatra samyak-prayoga (powers attained through appropriate application).
The text narrates illustrative stories: Stories of famous monks like Chulapanthaka, Mahamudgalyayana, and others are recounted to demonstrate the miraculous powers achieved through dedicated meditative practice and devotion to the Buddha. These stories highlight the immense potential of the mind when cultivated through the Dhamma.

Chapter 13: Instructions on Supernormal Knowledge (अभिज्ञानिर्देश)

This chapter continues the discussion on the Abhijñas:

Divya-srotra-dhatu (Divine Ear): The ability to hear sounds from all realms, subtle or gross. The text explains its cultivation through focusing on subtle and gross sounds, both internal and external.
Cheta-paryaya-jnana (Mind-Reading): The ability to know the mental states of others. The text describes how this is achieved by observing the subtle physical manifestations (like the color of blood) that correspond to mental states, and how through advanced concentration, one can directly perceive the minds of others.
Purva-nivasa-anusmriti-jnana (Recollection of Past Lives): The ability to remember past lives, detailing the varying degrees of recollection according to the practitioner's level of spiritual attainment. It emphasizes the importance of discerning the true nature of past experiences and the impermanence of existence.
Chyuti-utpada-jnana (Knowledge of Cessation and Rebirth): The ability to understand the cycle of birth and death, the causes and effects of karma, and the destinies of beings based on their actions. This knowledge provides profound insight into the workings of the universe and the path to liberation.

Editor's Note:

An editor's note highlights the practice of citing original Tripitaka texts at relevant places in the commentary, with page numbers from the Bauddha Bharati edition (up to 2002) and Nalanda editions for reference.

Overall Impression:

"Visuddhimaggo Part 02" serves as a vital bridge, translating the profound teachings of the Visuddhimagga from Pali into accessible Hindi. It meticulously details the progressive stages of meditative practice, from foundational recollections to the attainment of extraordinary psychic powers and deep insight. The book emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct (Sila), concentration (Samadhi), and wisdom (Prajna) as interconnected aspects of the path to liberation. The inclusion of stories and detailed explanations aims to guide practitioners and scholars through the intricate landscape of Buddhist meditation and philosophy.