Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge c14.32

c14.32

(728) We note here the operation of a causal process. The elimination of the impediments makes the mind concentrated in meditation and this in turn makes it possible for it to have knowledge and insight of things as they are (yathābhūtañāṇadassanam). This is why it is often said that ‘mental concentration is the cause of knowing and seeing things as they are’ (yathābhūtañāṇadassanassa upanisā samādhi, S. II.30). One first ‘obtains the attainment of virtue’ (sīlasampadam ārādheti, M I.200), this is followed by ‘the attainment of concentration’ (samādhisampadam ārādheti, M. I.201) and subsequently by ‘the attainment of knowledge and insight’ (ñāṇadassanam ārādheti, M. I.202).