From the Yuganaddha Sutta, there are four paths described:
- Development of insight preceded by development of tranquility
- Development of tranquility preceded by development of insight
- Tranquility developed in tandem with insight
- Mind's restlessness concerning the Dhamma well under control
From my understanding, the first three are about vipassana (insight) and samatha (tranquility).
Questions:
- How does the fourth path work? Please elaborate on the fourth path.
- How does one practise that? Please provide details.
- Why is vipassana and samatha not required on the fourth path?
Ven. Ananda said: "Friends, whoever — monk or nun — declares the attainment of arahantship in my presence, they all do it by means of one or another of four paths. Which four?
"There is the case where a monk has developed insight preceded by tranquillity. As he develops insight preceded by tranquillity, the path is born. .....
"Then there is the case where a monk has developed tranquillity preceded by insight. As he develops tranquillity preceded by insight, the path is born. .....
"Then there is the case where a monk has developed tranquillity in tandem with insight. As he develops tranquillity in tandem with insight, the path is born. .....
"Then there is the case where a monk's mind has its restlessness concerning the Dhamma [Comm: the corruptions of insight] well under control. There comes a time when his mind grows steady inwardly, settles down, and becomes unified & concentrated. In him the path is born.
He follows that path, develops it, pursues it. As he follows the path, developing it & pursuing it — his fetters are abandoned, his obsessions destroyed.
Yuganaddha Sutta
:D
, yet it is not a joke:|