The Path to Nirvana: Understanding the Dhammakāya : หน้า 114/263

with which his mind had been engrained for countless lifetimes polluting his thoughts, speech and actions — which had led to retribution and leading to his continuing rebirth in the cycle of existence — he had freed himself of all impurities in the mind. The Dhammakāya Arahat Body of the Buddha had purged himself of all defilements like gold ore which has been purified of all impurities by solvent until nothing remains but pure gold. At the point of enlightenment the Dhamma Body which is composed entirely of purified aggregates manifested itself in His mind on the full moon day of the month of Viśākha. It was on this day that the Lord Buddha attained sa-upādisesa nibbāna. Forty five years later when the Lord Buddha passed away (into parinibbāna) he attained anupādisesa nibbāna. Pathama Magga is the Trailhead to Nirvana Practising the Middle Way is thus practising the Noble Eightfold Path. If practised properly, all eight components of the path will come together as a pure translucent sphere. At the smallest it will appear to be the size of a star. On average it will appear to be the size of the full moon. At its largest it will appear to be the size of the sun. It appears at the seventh base of the mind and is referred to as the ‘Pathama Magga’ Sphere or ‘Sphere of the Initial Path’ or ‘Dhammanupassanāsatipaṭṭhāna Sphere’ which is a sign to the mediator that they have attained the trailhead of the path to āyatanā nibbāna. The ‘Pathama Magga’ sphere has the special characteristic of being exceptionally bright, situated at the seventh base of the mind, and will be visible continuously. When falling asleep, you will fall asleep joyfully, wake refreshed, at work you will find yourself able to work earnestly achieving all your goals without tiring yourself in the process, without 112