Vimokkha: 5 definitions

Introduction
In Buddhism
1. Theravada
Languages
1. Pali
See also

Introduction:

Vimokkha means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Buddhist Information: A Survey of Paramattha Dhammas

Vimokkha means liberation, emancipation.

Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines

s. Vimokkha (“liberation”).

Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines

'liberation' (deliverance). I. the 3; II. the 8.

I. The 3 liberations are:

1. the conditionless (or signless) liberation (animitta-v.),
2. the desireless liberation (apanihita-v.),
3. the emptiness (or void) liberation (suññatā-v. ).

They are also called 'the triple gateway to liberation' (vimokkha-mukha; Vis.M. XXI, 66ff), as they are three different approaches to the paths of holiness. - See visuddhi VI, 8. Cf. Vis XXI, 6ff, 121ff; Pts.M. II. Vimokkha-Kathā.

1. "Whosoever being filled with determination (adhimokkha, q.v.), considers all formations as impermanent (anicca), such a one attains the conditionless liberation.
2. Whosoever being filled with tranquillity, considers all formations as painful (dukkha), such a one attains the desireless liberation.
3. Whosoever being filled with wisdom, considers all formations as without a self (anattā), such a one attains the emptiness liberation" (Vis.M. XXI, 70 = Pts.M. II, p. 58).

(1) and (2) are mentioned and explained in M. 43, under the name of deliverances of mind (ceto-vimutti, q.v.). - (2) and (3) appear in Dhs. (344ff, 353ff) in the section on supermundane consciousness (see Atthasālini Tr., p. 299ff).

II. The 8 liberations (attha vimokkha) occur frequently in the texts (A. VIII, 66; D. 16, etc.) and are described as follows:

"There are 8 liberations, o monks. Which are these?

(1) ''Whilst remaining in the fine-material sphere (rūpī), one perceives corporeal forms: this is the first liberation.
(2) "Not perceiving corporcal forms on one's own person, one perceives corporcal forms externally: this is the 2nd liberation.
(3) ''By thinking of the beautiful, one is filled with confidence: this is the 3rd liberation.
(4) "Through the total ovcrcoming of the corporeality-perceptions, the vanishing of the reflex-perceptions, and the non-attention to the multiformity-perceptions, with the idea 'Unbounded is space', one reaches the sphere of unbounded space (ākāsānañcāyatana) and abides therein: this is the 4th liberation.
(5) "Through the total ovcrcoming of the sphere of unbounded space, and with the idea 'Unbounded is consciousness', one reaches the sphere of unbounded consciousness (viññānañcāyatana) and abides therein: this is the 5th liberation.
(6) "Through the total overcoming of the sphere of unbounded consciousness, and with the idea 'Nothing is there', one reaches the sphere of nothingness (ākiñeaññāyatana) and abides therein: this is the 6th liberation.
(7) "Through the total overcoming of the sphere of nothingness, one reaches the sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception (n'eva-saññā-nāsaññāyatana) and abides therein: this is the 7th liberation .
(8) "Through the total overcoming of the sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, one reaches the extinction of perception and feeling (s. nirodha-samāpatti): this is the 8th liberation.

These, o monks, are the 8 kinds of liberation."

For (1-3), s. abhibhāyatana; for (4-7), s. jhāna; for (8), s. nirodha-samāpatti.

By (3) is meant the attainment of the fine-material absorptions (jhāna, q.v.) by means of concentrating the mind on perfectly pure and bright colours as objects of the kasina (q.v.). According to Pts.M. this mental state is produced also by concentrating the mind on the 4 sublime states, i.e. all-embracing kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity, in consequence of which allbeings appear perfectly pure and glorified, and thus the mind turns to the beautiful.

See Pts.M. II, Vimokkha-kathā; Atthasālini Tr., p. 255; App.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

vimokkha : (m.) deliverance; release; emancipation.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Vimokkha, (& Vimokha) (fr. vi+muc, cp. mokkha¹) deliverance, release, emancipation, dissociation from the things of the world, Arahantship D. II, 70, 111); III, 34, 35, 230, 288; M. I, 196 (samaya° & asamaya°); S. I, 159 (cetaso v.); II, 53, 123; III, 121; IV, 33; A. II, 87; IV, 316; V, 11; Vin. V, 164 (cittassa); Sn. 1071 (which Nd² 588 explains as “agga” etc. thus strangely taking it in meaning of mokkha², perhaps as edifying etym.); Nd² 466 (in explanation of Bhagavā); Ps. I, 22; II, 35 (as 68!), 243; Pug. 11 sq.; Vbh. 342; Dhs. 248; Nett 90, 100, 119, 126; Vism. 13, 668 sq.; Miln. 159; PvA. 98; Sdhp. 34, 264. ‹-› The three vimokkhas are: suññato v. animitto v. appaṇihito v. Ps. II, 35; Vism. 658. The eight vimokkhas or stages of emancipation, are: the condition of rūpī, arūpa-saññī, recognition of subha, realization of ākāsânañc’āyatana, of viññāṇ’ânañc’āyatana, ākiñcaññ’āyatana, neva-saññā-n’âsaññ’āyatana, saññāvedayita-nirodha D. III, 262 (cp. Dial. III, 242), A. I, 40; IV, 306; Vbh. 342; explained in detail at Ps. II, 38—40. (cp. BSk. aṣṭau vimokṣāḥ, e.g. AvŚ II. 69, 153. ) — In sequence jhāna vimokkha samādhi samāpatti (magga phala) at Vin. I, 97, 104; III, 91; IV, 25; A. III, 417, 419; V, 34, 38; Vbh. 342.—See also jhāna. (Page 632)

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Relevant text

Search found 14 books and stories containing Vimokkha; (plurals include: Vimokkhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Part 24 - The Eight Stages of Release, Vimokkha < [Chapter 40 - The Buddha Declared the Seven Factors of Non-Decline for Rulers]

Buddha attributes (6): Anuttaropurisa damma sārathi < [Chapter 42 - The Dhamma Ratanā]

Part 22 - Eight Categories of Assemblies < [Chapter 40 - The Buddha Declared the Seven Factors of Non-Decline for Rulers]

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Chapter 5 - Exposition of Paramattha Dhammas III < [Part 1 - General Introduction]

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Material Sphere < [Division I - Cittuppada Kanda]

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Part 2 - Various kinds of morality < [Chapter XXI - Discipline or Morality]

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Different Kind of Purity < [Chapter IX - Mental Culture]

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