Explanation of the Sixth Stage Part 8

8. Understanding-as-Equanimity-for-All-Formations (Sankhar-Upekkha-Nana). This means, that because one cannot prevent the aggregates becoming old, getting sick, and dying on their own accord; one should let go of them and allow them to follow their natural condition. This is also called:
9. Understanding-as-Adaptation (Anuloma-Nana), which is the highest form of understanding.
The above nine which follow one from the other, are called Insight (Vipassana). All nine are causes and results of each other, based on the "Understanding-of-Arising-and-Falling". Where it mentions "Understanding-as-Adaptation", this means that one should examine all three of one's States of Becoming. These are: Sensual Becoming, Form-Becoming, and Formless-Becoming. All these states of Becoming are grouped together in the heart-base, for it is the heart-base that receives knowledge of all of them.

If one lets go of knowledge of objects of the three times, then all becoming ceases. All these kinds of becoming are brought to an end by seeing the Three-Characteristics, for they cut the stream of becoming, thereby causing it to cease. One who practises cannot lose by it, for the Three-Characteristics are where Nibbana is to be found.
If one who practises is in doubt as to whether he has attained Nibbana or not, he should look at the Three-Characteristics. In the state of Nibbana there is no grasping at anything of any sort, thus it is called the state of Non-Self (Anatta).

Prior to the time when the Fruit-of-the-Path (Magga-Phala) arises, the Citta of the Sensual Realm connected with Understanding (Kamavacara-Nana-Sampayutta), arises in the Mind-Process (Mano-Vithi), cutting the stream of the passive-state (Bhavanga), which then ceases. The ceasing of the Passive-Citta, means that this state of the Citta changes and that it goes towards another state. In other words, the six sense-doors receive knowledge of objects; this being called the arising of the Active-Process-of-the-Citta. When the six sense-doors stop receiving knowledge, then it is called the Passive-State.

Where it is mentioned above, that one should determine the Arising-and-Ceasing; it means, that to know the Arising, is to know the Active-Process-of-the-Citta (Vithi-Citta) ; and to know the Ceasing, is to know the Passive-State-of-theCitta. (Bhavanga-Citta).

Where it is mentioned above, that the Citta of the Sensual Realm connected with Understanding, arises ; this is the same thing as Wisdom (Panna).

Continually watching the heart-base means that one is always fully aware. Whatever arises in the heart-base; whether pleasant or unpleasant, whether past, present or future; whether of the Sensual Realm, the Form Realm, or the Formless Realm; all these objects are analogous to the images which are seen on the cinema screen.

The cinema screen is analogous to the heart-base, and the heart-base does not get free from objects. The Citta of the Sensual Realm connected with Understanding. Which is Wisdom, finds that these states of the Citta are impermanent, and are also suffering. Therefore one should renounce these states, preventing their arising in the Mind-Door (Mano-Dvara). If, however, they have already arisen, they are impermanent, suffering and non-self. Then one may reflect on their impermanence, suffering or non-self, but one should choose only one of these for reflection, not all of them. Then one attains the following four states leading to Transcendental Consciousness: