Objects of the Citta at the Time of Death

se beings may have innumerable different sorts offirmly.” If we set up the heart firmly in the
objects one cannot be sure which of them will arise. Ifobjects of our surrounding environment, it is wrong
one has the recollection of one’s generosity(Micca-) Samadhi, which means that we set up the
and morality, of the Buddha, the Dhamma, or theheart wrongly.
Sangha as the object, and one is not entangled withAs for setting-up the heart correctly in Samadhi, this
this world, having broken attachment for it, and if onemeans that one establishes it constantly in Samatha,1
wishes to gain the satisfaction of the Heaven realms,which is divided into forty types, these being the
then one will certainly be able to attain this goal.methods of calming the Citta.
If one is satisfied with the human realm, one mayPreparatory Samadhi is inconstant and is not able to
certainly attain this realm again. If one is attached tofree the Citta from disturbing objects. For example,
husband or wife, children, grand-children and relations orone may recall one’s acts of generosity
to possessions and wealth, and if this attachment is(Caganu-sati) as the object (or support) for this
happy and at ease, then one may be born topractice; or one may reflect on one’s morality,
one’s children, grand-children, relations or friends.on the Buddha, or the Dhamma, whichever comes to
If, however, one is filled with sorrow and depression,one most easily. Whichever one of these objects
one may be born as an unhappy ghost (Peta) or asaccords with one’s nature, but one will only be
an animal.able to retain that object in the heart, for five or ten
There is a story of a bhikkhu who was attached tominutes, after which one’s mindful-ness drops
the Robe when the descen-ding-Citta (Cuti-Citta)2and the Citta escapes and grasps at external objects
took place. The re-linking-Citta (Patisandhi-Citta)3 waswhich are within one’s surrounding environment.
then directed to rebirth as a louse in his robe.4This is the nature of Preparatory-Samadhi, and this is
Samadhi in the Sensual Realmthe best stability that can be expected in this state. If
Because of what was said in the previous paragraph,it’s nature is favourable, it leads to fortunate
one who practises Dham-ma ought to train himself instates, and if unfavourable, towards unfortunate states.
concentrated-absorption and wisdomConcerning Access Samadhi, the Citta leaves
(Samadhi-Panna).disturbing objects in this state, which means that it
Even if one cannot rise to any higher levels than thedoes not turn to the objects of one's surrounding
Realms of sense desires, Samadhi will be of greatenvironment, but dwells in contemplation, with one's
benefit to one in this realm; and here, it consists of bothgenerosity or morality as its object or sup-port. This is
preparatory (Parikamma) and access (Upacara)called “Access” Samadhi. If one can
Samadhi. Preparatory Samadhi is that which, whilepractise in this way just prior to the break-up of the
tending to withdraw from disturbing objects, cannotaggregates (Khandha) (in other words, just before
entirely dc, so; in the following way.death), the teachings of Buddhism give assurance that
Everyone has an outflowing Citta (Savana-Citta) whichone can only go towards the realms of good fortune.
enjoys objects and will not let go of them. Its nature isIf one should want to continue to progress to the
such that it constantly develops attachment to this orForm-Realm-of-Becoming etc., one should know that
that object. These objects are found in the things ofAccess Samadhi develops or merges into Absorption
one’s surrounding environment, which are(Appana) Samadhi, and almost reaches the attainment
based on the four requisites (of Food, Clothing, Shelter,of a state of Jhana.1 Access Samadhi is within the
and Medicines). Both the Householder and the MonkSensual-Realm-of-Becoming whereas
have these four requisites. One should be warned byAbsorption-Samadhi is within the
that bhikkhu who died with his outflowing CittaForm-Realm-of-Becoming.
attached to his robe and thus came to birth as a louse.One who can attain Access Samadhi can go on to
Those who are householders must have their loindevelop Insight (Vipassana) which in turn leads to the
cloths, blankets, special foods, a house to live in,Transcendental Realm.
medicines, relatives and friends, husband or wife,One who practises Samadhi may be said to have a
children, possessions and money. These things are theCitta which is in a better State (Bhumi) than one who
objects of the surrounding environment which wedoes not practise it; thus it is something which one
retain in our minds.ought to develop.
Samadhi means, “setting up the heart