Bishuddhimarga

Bishuddhimarga (literally, pure way) a Buddhist way of attaining release from sorrow. Buddhist men and women of different ages gather at viharas to practise Bisuddhimarga. The exercise may last from a week to three months. Through Bisuddhimarga, Buddhists purify their hearts and attain Bimuktimarga. Bangladeshi Buddhists also practise Bisuddhimarga.

According to Buddhist thought, the world is temporal and full of pains and sorrows and that all relationships and their consequences are transient. The wisdom that allows one to see the transient and painful nature of the world, and to see the frailty of relationships, is known as Bisuddhimarga. Its followers believe that Bisuddhimarga is the only way to attain freedom from sorrow. This is why it is also called Bimuktimarga or Bimuktipatha. In pali it is called Bimuttimagga.

According to Buddhist philosophy, the foundation of all religious activities is purity of character. Without this purity it is not possible to be successful in either spiritual or personal life. It is possible to purify character by discarding ill habits and corrupt practices. For this, it is essential to cultivate shila, samadhi and prajna as directed by the Buddha. By purifying the mind it is possible to get rid of lust and anger. At the end of this exercise, a devotee is freed from sensual desires. In this state he or she is called arhata, meaning one free from all emotional bonds. This state of bondlessness is the ultimate achievement of life or supreme purity. [Suman Kanti Barua]