The Four Paths: Principles of Dhamma Influence the Practice of Vipassana Meditation

Abstract

The Four Paths are the practices of Dhamma for liberation from defilements in Buddhism called meditation practice. The Four Paths consist of: 1) Dukkhapatipatha Thanthaphiññā is a person with a lustful nature and weak faculties. He has difficulty practicing the initial stages of Vipassana and is slow to attain the higher Vipassana. He is called a Neyya person. 2) Dukkhapāpatipādākhippaabhiññā is a person with a craving nature and strong faculties. He has difficulty practicing the initial insight meditation but can quickly attain the higher insight meditation. He is called a Vipacitanya person. 3) Sukhapatipatha Thanthapinya is a person with a good attitude and weak faculties. He can comfortably practice the beginning of Vipassana knowledge and slowly attain the higher Vipassana knowledge. He is called Vipacitanya person. And 4) Sukhapatipatha Khippaabhinya is a person with strong views and strong faculties. The five faculties are: 1) Saddhindriya, 2) Viriyandriya, 3) Mindfulness, 4) Samadhi, and 5) Pannarindriya. These five faculties are clearly evident and therefore the special qualities for the quick cessation of defilements are attained. This is called the Dukkhapatipada Khippaabhiññā. The principles that support people in the four paths for practicing Vipassana meditation are: 1) All paths, knowledge, and insights are the four foundations of mindfulness. 2) All paths, quick insight, are the four jhanas. 3) Sukhapatipatha Thanthaphiñña is the four right endeavors. And 4) Sukhapatipatha Khippaabhinya, which is the Four Noble Truths and the Four Principles of Practice with the Five Indriyas, has the aim of attaining the Path, Fruition, Nirvana, and cutting off the cycle of rebirth forever. The principles of Dhamma that support these four practices are the elements that make the practice of Vipassana meditation effective and in accordance with the practitioner's nature, which is fundamentally different.