The present meditation practice and the theory of the moral teachings of Theravāda Buddhism often refers to the Visuddhi-magga . While Vimutti-magga is the source of Visuddhi-magga, it is Ācariya Buddhaghoṣa who wrote Visuddhi-magga . These two canons treat important teachings of the Theravāda Buddhism. So referring to these two books surely has clear effect to distinguish the Theravāda Buddhism’s theories and methods for practicing morality. We can say Vimutti-magga is the best manual that leads to Nibbāna.
This thesis considers that realizing the differences between Vimutti-magga and Visuddhi-magga will help modern people to find the true path to the practice of moral teachings. This is the reason why this author takes up Vimutti-magga as the subject of his research. According to the Chinese translation of the Theravāda Buddhism, this research expects to achieve three goals： 1, By comparing and analyzing the cultural heritage in the south and north Buddhism, the theories and the methods for practicing moral teachings of the Theravāda Buddhism will be represented more fully. 2, We realize that Vimutti-magga and Visuddhi-magga have some differences in their theories and methods for practicing moral teachings and if this thesis can distinguish their differences and the development of the process, the scholar circle will be able to have more understanding to the scope and views of the Theravāda Buddhism. 3, Vimutti-magga is one of the earliest and the most reliable documents of the Theravāda Buddhism. It has only one Chinese translation, and yet good enough to match Visuddhi-magga. Particularly, it is also the important reference book in making Visuddhi-magga and the only extant book that can clearly collate Visuddhi-magga.
The methodology approached by this thesis is to take the thoughts of Vimutti-magga as the core and compare it with related sutras, treatises, and so on. Based on the theories of the Theravāda Buddhism, this thesis compares Vimutti-magga, Visuddhi-magga, and the philosophy thoughts in Abhidhamma, which is the origin of Vimutti-magga.. It is also the hope of this author to distinguish some of the cultural heritage of the Theravāda Buddhism, and justify the historical importance of Vimutti-magga..
