A Comparison of the lists and Categorisation of Meditation Practices (KammaTThAna) in the Visuddhimagga and *Vimuttimagga

Abstract

This article examines the term kammatthana discussed in the Visuddhimagga and the Ji & x115; tuo dao lun or *Vimuttimagga. Although these two texts provide similar lists and expositions for the kammatthana, the Visuddhimagga also offers different views and criticisms. The first noticeable difference is in the 10 kasi?as, which differ in relation to the last two kasi?as. Furthermore, the Visuddhimagga systematises its own discussion by simplifying or specifying that of the Ji & x115; tuo dao lun and raises some criticisms of views found in the Ji & x115; tuo dao lun in the process. All of these features imply that the discussion of meditative practice, especially of the kammatthana, has been diverse within the Theravada tradition.