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PATH OF LIBERATION
211 (574) A Sallekhana-i. e. fast-unto-death is of two kinds; internal and external, internal salleklană consists in emaciating the passions while the external one consists in emaciating the body.
(575) A monk (adopting the vow of sallekhana) should first subdue his passions and (then) reduce the intake of his food gradually; but when the body becomes extremely weak, he should stop taking any food.
(576) A person whose mind is pure, needs neither a bed of straw nor a faultless ground; his soul itself becomes his bed.
(577 & 578) Mental thorns (salya) like deceit, perverted attitude and a desire for worldly enjoyments in next life in a person observing the vow of Sallekhanā cause him greater pain than a tainted weapon, poison, devil, an evil-motivated amulet or an angry serpent, for in the presence of these salyas right understanding becomes impossible and involvement in an infinite transmigratory cycle becomes inevitable.
(579) A monk who is free from pride cuts down the three roots of rebirth i. e. the thorns of wrong faith, deceit and desire for worldly enjoyment in next life.
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