HARI RAYA RETREAT TALKS

THE TEN CORRUPTIONS OF INSIGHT (VIPASSANUPAKILESA)
These ten phenomena, arise together with the arising of the insight knowledge at the immature (“weak”/”tender”) stage of Knowledge of Rise and Fall. Some arise associated with the insight knowledge like equanimity and mindfulness. The term used for them, in Pali, is rather misleading as these phenomena are not by themselves defilements except for the 10th (Nikanti). They are defilements or corruptions only when they become the objects of contentment or when they lead to conceit.
Due to contentment with the phenomena, the yogi becomes attached and fascinated by them so the contemplation of rise and fall is interrupted and eventually subsides. Thus, the knowledge of rise and fall does not progress to its mature stage. Some very new yogis experiencing this stage for the first time can so deluded by conceit connected with these corruptions, to the extent of concluding that they have attained Stream-Entry. They, thereafter will have even stronger feelings of contentment, convincing themselves that they have achieved their cherished goal in the practice. Once they have such ideas, it is very difficult for them to let go of it due to the powerful influence of conceit (mana). Here again, the timely intervention of a teacher is crucial or else the yogi will end up becoming an Adhimanika or Ullapana Sotapana (fake Stream-Enterer) for his or her whole life time.
Unless this conviction is given up in a decisive manner, that yogi’s condition is indeed pathetic as he cannot progress any further in the practice.

The ten corruptions or hindrances to insight knowledge are:
1. Brilliant Lights (Obhasa) – like electric lights, rays of light, light sparks and floating lights may appear in front of the face, at the corner of the eyes, around the head or body.
2. Rapture (Piti) – feelings of elation arises, 5 types:
i) Minor Rapture – causes ‘goose-bumps’ on hands
ii) Momentary Rapture - tingling sensation all over the body that moves then vanishes like in flashes.
iii) Showering Rapture – spreads upwards and throughout the body, tremors in the limbs, subtle thrills going through the body.
iv) Transporting Rapture – feeling like the body is being lifted up suddenly, hopping about, being pushed forward, involuntary movements like jerking of limbs occur suddenly
v) Pervading Rapture – the strongest type of rapture, feeling a sense of coolness and comfort pervading the whole body, strong elation so no desire to open eyes or to get up, one may become unconscious momentarily and mistake it to be Nibbana.*
3. Tranquility (Passaddhi) – feelings of lightness, calmness and satisfaction in body and mind
4. Bliss (Sukha) – feelings of subtle gladness and joy.
5. Faith (Adhimokkha/Saddha) – excessive faith arises especially towards one’s meditation teacher and the Dhamma, eg. wanting to do dana to the teacher, adore the teacher, wanting to persuade family and friends to come and practice, wanting to teach meditation to others.
6. Exertion (Paggaha) – extraordinary diligence in the practice to the extent of forgoing rest and sleep at night
7. Mindfulness (Upatthana) – strong momentum of mindfulness as if compelled to note, can note everything without missing
8. Knowledge (Nana) – knowledge about the 5 Aggregates
9. Equaniity (Upekkha) – feeling uninterested in all phenomena being noted
10. Contentment (Nikanti) – feeling contented and satisfied as one enjoys & indulge in all the other 9 mental factors mentioned above so one becomes deluded by them.
*The state of unconsciousness in vipassana meditation, can be due to any one of the 5
a) Joy (Piti)
b) Tranquility (Pasaddhi)
c) Equanimity (Upekkha)
d) Concentration (Samadhi)
e) Sloth & Torpor (Thina-Midha)

Some yogis mistakenly think that falling into an unconscious state is attainment of Path Knowledge so this a helpful reminder to all yogis.