Analysis of the Emergence of Adaptation-Knowledge in Practicing Vipassana Meditation

Abstract

This research contains 2 objectives: 1) to study the Anulomañāṇa or adaptation-knowledge in Theravada Buddhist texts and 2) to analyze the emergence of Anulomañāṇa for Vipassana meditation practice. This study was documentary research, examining data from Theravada Buddhist scriptures and various related documents. The data were analyzed, summarized, and compiled in descriptive analysis.

The research results revealed that Anulomañāṇa or adaptation-knowledge in refers to a knowledge leading to comprehend of the Noble Truths. It functions of agreeing with the basic Vipassana knowledge and contemplating on the true nature of phenomena; form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness as impermanent, suffering, and non-self, in accordance with the 37 Bodhipakkhiyadhamma. It was recognized as the final state of worldly Vipassana knowledge, which surely leads to the perfect attainment of the Noble Path and Noble Fruition. The emergence of Anulomañāṇa in the development of Vipassana meditation begins with the cultivation of four Satipaṭṭhāna, contemplating on the true state of form and name including observing the body conditions, such as the in-and-out breath, sensations such as happiness, suffering, and indifference, and mental states such as lust, anger, and delusion, and  Dhamma observing such as realizing the Four Noble Truths: suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path, contemplating on the Seven Purifications, a method for purifying the mind that progressively completes the Three Trainings. Upon reaching the Anulomañāṇa stage, the mind reviews by contemplating through Udayabbaya-ñāna up to Sankhārūpekkhāñāṇa, preparing for access to the sixteen Vipassanā-ñāna, namely, the path, the fruition, and nirvana, respectively.