Buddhist Paths to Liberation

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Sutta Pitaka Main article: Sutta Pitaka [edit]Atthakavagga The Atthakavagga, one of the oldest books of the Sutta Pitaka, contained in the Sutta Nipata, does not give a clear-cut goal such as Nirvana, but describes the ideal person.[2] This ideal person is especially characterized by suddhi (purity) and santi (calmness).[2] Commentaries on the Atthakavagga, namely the Mahaniddesa and the commentary by Buddhaghosa, show the development of Buddhist ideas over time. Both commentaries place the Atthakavagga in their frame of reference, giving an elaborated system of thought far more complicated than the Atthakavagga itself.[2] [edit]The Noble Eightfold Path Main article: Noble Eightfold Path The Noble Eightfold Path is widely known as the description of the Buddhist path. In the Sutta Pitaka it is summed up as follows: The Blessed One said, "Now what, monks, is the Noble Eightfold Path? Right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.[web 1] [edit]Theravada Buddhism Main articles: Theravada and Visuddhimagga The classical outline of the Theravada path to liberation are the Seven Purifications, as described by Buddhaghosa in the Visuddhimagga. These purifications are:[3] Purification of Conduct (sīla-visuddhi) Purification of Mind (citta-visuddhi) Purification of View (ditthi-visuddhi) Purification by Overcoming Doubt (kankha-vitarana-visuddhi) Purification by Knowledge and Vision of What Is Path and Not Path (maggamagga-ñanadassana-visuddhi) Purification by Knowledge and Vision of the Course of Practice (patipada-ñanadassana-visuddhi) Knowledge of contemplation of rise and fall (udayabbayanupassana-nana) Knowledge of contemplation of dissolution (bhanganupassana-nana) Knowledge of appearance as terror (bhayatupatthana-nana) Knowledge of contemplation of danger
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