A DISCOURSE ON THE ABODE OF THE NOBLE ONES – SELF-KNOWLEDGE

A DISCOURSE ON THE ABODE OF THE NOBLE ONES – SELF-KNOWLEDGE

The last two essential attributes of the yogi who dwells in the Ariyan abode is (1) his mind is liberated from defilements and (2) he knows that he is so liberated. Full liberation means Arahatship and the Arahat is wholly free from attachment and restrictions associated with craving, hatred and ignorance. He is also independently aware of his freedom.

This awareness is not confined to Arahats. The sotaapanna knows, too, that he is relatively free from defilments. There are equlitative degrees of freedom, corresponding to the different stages of spiritual attainment. Thus at the first stage the yogi is free from doubt and ego-belief, and at the third stage he is free from senous desire and ill-will. But some ignorant yogis are often deluded into a false sense of freedom. For they continue to do evil, thereby giving the lie to their claim. They say that it is not improper for a sotaapanna to drink under certain circumstances. Their arguments are purely rationalizations for unwholesome desires.

But for the yogi who has really attained certain important stages on the holy path, the realization of freedom is not bookish knwoledge but a matter of independent insight. It is based on personal experience that leaves no doubt about its reality.

Now to conclude. If the yogi sees Nibbaana with the eye of wisdom, he becomes at least a sotaapanna and he will never land in the lower worlds after his death. Therefore he should constantly contemplate everything that arises and guard his senses until he attains the first stage of liberation. He should of course continue the practice of mindfulness until he achieves Arahatship.