3.5.9

Lesson 3.5.9 Mahācattārīsakasuttaṃ, Part Four – Discerning Wrong Action and Developing Right Action

The Mahācattārīsakasutta reminds those on the path that no effort is ever wasted. While full sainthood may be a distant goal, practicing the Ariyo Aṭṭhaṅgika Magga (Noble Eightfold Path) helps one gain assurance of ascertained progress for times to come. The Visuddhimagga supports this by explaining the twofold aspect of lokiya and lokuttara of each constituent of the Noble Eightfold Path. It says regarding moral conduct: "All sīla that remains subject to impurities is understood as mundane. Thus the mundane aspect fosters merit in future becoming and prepares for the escape from becoming." Mundane conduct builds merit and prepares the mind for the supramundane path. Once sīla becomes pure and free of impurities, it is considered supramundane (Anāsavaṃ lokuttaraṃ.), i.e., ‘... supramundane brings about the escape from becoming and is the sphere of wisdom arisen through contemplation.' It is described that supramundane consciousness (maggacitta) finally arises momentarily at the moment of insight in the four paths (catūsu maggesu uppajjanako hoti). It is path knowledge when the meditator directly realises the three characteristics of anicca, dukkha, anattā, and all doubts are permanently removed.