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This mind is liberated from an afterlife in any of these lower planes. The mind is not
subjected to any discomfort, suffering as Lobha and Dosa are eliminated during
Samadhi. All factors causing suffering are given up during the Samadhi state. This is
the ultimate meaning of Dana. Letting go of all factors causing mental suffering is
known as Dana.
What is Sila under these circumstances? When one develops Samadhi, One exercises
restraint with regards to ones action through sense faculties and thinking process in
order to preserve the Samadhi state. Ones conduct is directed towards safeguarding
the Samadhi state. This is known as Sila. This is how one practices Sila with Dana
as a prerequisite.
What is meant by Bhavana under these circumstances? It is the advancement of
mind which results from both, the practice of letting go and the discipline
achieved by letting go. In the anapana pabba (section on In and Out breathing) we
find the terms Sila, Samadhi, and panna which are categorized as precepts; three
types of discipline. The expectation of the Anapana pabba is to lead a practitioners
mind towards a defilement-free state in three stages referred to as Sila, Samadhi and
Panna. This is the stage known as rassa where a practitioner experiences shallow
breathing during the anapana meditation. This is the composed state of mind known
as Samadhi. So, it is clear that the cultivation of Sila and Samadhi is a direct result
of subjugation of defilements due to the exercise of letting go and the discipline
achieved by sustaining the process of letting go. Panna is the understanding one
gains at this stage. One realizes that ones achievement is in line with the section
sabba kaya patisamvedi assasikkhamiti sikkhati in the Satipattana Sutta.
Accordingly, one experiences finer in and out breath, tranquility of mental factors
(kaya-passaddhi) and tranquility of consciousness (citta-passaddhi), and less
tendency for attachment at this stage.
One who has reached this stage should make it a point to maintain this blissful
mental state by adhering to the requirements and the teachings of the Buddha. One
needs to come to the right conclusion that one only needs to be aware of the
sensations arising in the Samadhi state, and the awareness should be confined only
to the point of identification of sense objects. This knowledge would enable the
meditator to sustain the Samadhi state in the mind. This conclusion with regard to
sustaining of Samadhi is known as Panna (wisdom). This is how Sila, Samadhi and
Panna operate in the Anapana pabba of the satipattana Sutta.