BACKGROUND OF THE VISUDHIMAGGA PRINCIPLES
The title of one of the books I have written called ‘Vippassana Meditation According to Visudhimagga Principles’; it is Sacca Dharma ‘Principle of Truth’ full of reasons and truth for Dharma practitioners to practise wholeheartedly the Teachings of Lord Buddha which we must use correctly and appropriately. It ultimately leads you to enjoy bliss. As for the Visudhimagga Principles, I would like to describe as follows:-
Visudhimagga is purity. There are Seven parts of the Visudhimagga Principles which can be followed so as to transform world beings pure, wholesome and finally attain Nibbana.
Sila Visutthi :- Purity of the Sila. Strictly observe the Sila precepts so as to maintain yourself pure and for the purpose of practising Samadhi. Visudhimak is Parisutthi Sila (4)
Citta Visutthi :- Purity of the Citta. Practice your Citta until attaining Samadhi so as to gain foundation of Vipassana . Visudhimagga to fulfil all the conditions required until reaching Samabat (8)
Ditthi Visutthi :- Purity of Ditthi is understanding and wisdom. Seeing Rupa and Nama in their true conditions so as to avoid leading to any misunderstanding.
Kanga Vittarana Visutthi :- Purity of knowledge (Nana) assisting in going beyond any doubts. The purity of knowledge, in fact, eliminates all doubts in relation to Nama and Rupa formation. This is in line with knowledge in Dhitthi Nana, Yathaphuta Nana or Samma Thasana which are in the ‘Samudhaya Cacca- True Causes of Suffering
Mugga Mugga Nana Thasana Visutthi :- Purity of knowledge indicates right path or wrong path. This is clearly through Vipassana until seeing the decaying of all Sankhara. This is called ‘Oudhai Nana 'True knowledge of Conditions of Rising and Falling’ which is preliminary level of Vipassana where Kilesa still occur. But because of true understanding of conditions of rising and falling acquired from Vipassana, we will be able to determine the right path.Once the Citta is entering into the Vipassana, the Citta will be maintained at that particular stage. This is called ‘Mugga Sacca - The True Path’.
Patipada Nana Dasana Visutthi :- Purity of the knowledge (Nana) to be maintained which means to keep practising in all Vipassana meditation, starting from Odhay Pha Nana until managing to go beyond all Oupa Kilesa going into Vipassana in the middle way until reaching the Sacca Nulomik Nana or Noulomik Nana which is the final stage of Vipassana. After that Khotara Phu Nana will occur between the Visudhi stage and the final stage which is the joining between a layperson and a noble person. In conclusion, the Visudhi at this stage is Vipassana Nana (9).
Nana Dasana Visutthi :- Purity of view point of knowledge which is in ‘Ariyamuksi or Mukha Nana’ continuing from Khotara and Phu Nana. When Mugala occurs each Citta will develop, stage by stage, first of all from Magala Nana where a noble person (Arya Pugala) will be distinguished at this level of Visudhi which is the highest result of all the Visudhi gaining from vigorous Dharma training in Buddhism. These are all mentioned in the the Teachings of Lord Buddha, not anywhere else.
These (7) Visudhi are requisites supporting one another in order to reach the final goal which is Nibbana.
I would like to briefly explain the meaning Dharma, as I understand, there are two meanings:-
(1) Good Dharma and
(2) Bad Dharma.
Good Dharma is Kusala Dharma and Bad Dharma is Akusala Dharma. In Akusala Dharma, there are four important elements which we can keep in mind and these are:-
(1) Saddha Khati : Injustice because of liking or Not satisfied
(2) Dhosa Khati : Injustice because of hatred or Not compliance with one’s liking
(3) Moha Khati : Injustice because of being forgetful or Blundering as a result of being too easy
(4) Phaya Khati : Injustice because of being afraid of something powerful or for Lacking of reasons