Kicca Ñāṇa: Knowledge of Function (Santāpaṭṭho - The Aspect of Burning )

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Now that we understand the conventional aspect (saṅkhatattho) of Kicca Ñāṇa, let us proceed to Santāpaṭṭho. Santāpaṭṭho means "burning." Wherever the Noble Truth of Suffering (Dukkha Sacca) exists, there is constant burning. The fire of defilements (kilesa) burns this body-mind complex (khandha). When the fire of defilements burns, one cannot sleep peacefully or eat comfortably—restless thoughts and anxieties arise. Because this body is scorched by the fire of defilements and heat, it decays. Thus, one must see Santāpaṭṭho: this body is constantly ablaze, fiercely burning with the fires of defilements and suffering (dukkha). The fire of defilements burns this very body. The fires of physical suffering (kāyika dukkha) and mental suffering (cetasika dukkha) also consume it. When observed with the eye of wisdom, pain here and there is nothing but burning by the fire of suffering. Even when you intend to speak but forget your words—that, too, is the burning of defilements. The fire of ignorance (avijjā) burns away the words you meant to say, leaving you speechless. When the mind burns, the body burns too—for mind and matter are inseparable. Thus, the fire of defilements burns both mind and body. The burning of the body is evident: you forget your destination and walk in the opposite direction. The fire "burns away" your intention, making your body move contrary to your will. Therefore, Santāpaṭṭho means this body-mind complex is perpetually tormented by the raging fires of defilements and suffering. Even the "fire of pleasure" (sukha) burns. When pleasure itself perishes, suffering arises. Thus, the fire of pleasure burns coldly, while the fire of suffering burns hotly. The fire of delusion (moha) burns so fiercely that it makes you forget everything and lose mindfulness. Hence, this body has the function of being burned (being consumed). This is why it is the Truth of Suffering (Dukkha Sacca). When defilements burn, you feel restless—unsure where to go, uneasy everywhere. Unable to sleep or eat, you are tossed by agitation. The burning of defilements is utterly miserable. "What should I say? What should I do? Should I call? Should I visit?"—such mental turbulence is the fire of defilements blazing. Why? Because this body has the function of being burned. When you observe this "function of being burned" through vipassanā meditation, you see: if a thought vanishes, it vanishes because it is burned. If a physical sensation disappears, it disappears because it is burned. Every time something vanishes, recognize: "It disappeared because it was consumed." This is Kicca Ñāṇa (Knowledge of Function). Without Kicca Ñāṇa, you cannot reach Khaṭa Ñāṇa (Knowledge of Cessation). Only when wisdom fully comprehends the burning—knowing deeply that "this burning is true suffering, the worst misery"—does the "function of burning" cease. When it ceases, you see the fuel extinguished and the fire quenched. In your own body, you witness the fuel ending and the fire cooling. Extinguishing the fuel means: when observing matter (rūpa), you see its cessation; when observing mind (nāma), you see its cessation. Extinguishing the fire means eradicating subsequent fires—wrong views (diṭṭhi) and doubt (vicikicchā)—through the Noble Path (Magga Sacca). Not encountering future arising-and-perishing suffering (udayabbaya dukkha) is the end of fuel. The absence of craving (taṇhā) and wrong views afterward is the quenching of defilements. The fire is extinguished. At what stage of wisdom does the fuel end and the fire cease? At Kaṭa Ñāṇa. The wisdom that sees burning fuel is Kicca Ñāṇa. Yet, Kicca Ñāṇa also destroys craving (taṇhā) and wrong views (diṭṭhi). As it matures to the point where one truly wishes to escape this state, Kicca Ñāṇa ripens. With persistent observation, one finds no more fuel for arising-and-perishing. Behind, wrong views and doubts vanish. At that moment, in your own continuum, the fuel is exhausted, and the fires of defilements are extinguished. Kaṭa Ñāṇa cuts through. The front (fuel) ceases; the back (fire) extinguishes. Then, you see the abode of peace—Nibbāna. What is Nibbāna? The quenching of fire due to the exhaustion of fuel. Thus, without Kicca Ñāṇa, you cannot attain Nibbāna by mere desire. Therefore, understand: observing arising-and-perishing (udayabbaya) is the work of Kicca Ñāṇa. Day after day, you see only arising-and-perishing. If this arising-and-perishing does not vanish under wisdom’s gaze, Kicca Ñāṇa is not yet ripe. As you observe repeatedly, the desire for the fuel to end and the fire to cease arises. The moment this wish emerges—snap!—arising-and-perishing ceases. You see this cessation. The wisdom that sees this in sequence is Kaṭa Ñāṇa. The wisdom that sees burning is Kicca Ñāṇa; the wisdom that sees the fuel exhausted and fire quenched is Kaṭa Ñāṇa. Thus: - Seeing arising-and-perishing is Kicca Ñāṇa. - Seeing the end of arising-and-perishing is Kaṭa Ñāṇa. Kicca Ñāṇa must lead; Kaṭa Ñāṇa follows. When Kicca Ñāṇa is attained, the Nibbāna seen by Kaṭa Ñāṇa is very near. Venerable Dr. Ashin Parami