Doors and Physical Bases of Citta - Is there a method?

In being aware of nāma and rūpa which appear, such as seeing, visible object, feeling or thinking, we can prove the truth of the Buddha's teachings by ourselves; we can prove that the objects experienced through the six doors are impermanent and not self. The truth will not be known if one follows other people blindly or if one speculates about the truth. We read in the 'Kindred Sayings' (IV, Salāyatana-vagga, Third Fifty, Ch. V, par. 152, Is there a method?) that the Buddha said:

'ls there, monks, any method,

by following which a monk,

apart from belief, apart from inclination,

apart from hearsay, apart from argument as to method,

apart from reflection on reasons,

apart from delight in speculation,

could affirm insight thus:

'Ended is birth,

lived is the righteous life,

done is the task, for life in these conditions there is no hereafter?'

 

'For us, lord, things have their root in the Exalted One...

Well indeed were it if the meaning of this that has been spoken

were to manifest itself in the Exalted One.

Hearing it from him the monks will remember it.'

 

'There is indeed a method, monks,

by following which a monk....could affirm insight...

And what is that method?

Herein, monks, a monk, seeing an object with the eye,

either recognizes within him the existence of lust, malice and ignorance,

thus: 'I have lust, malice and ignorance',

or recognizes the non-existence of these qualities within him,

thus: 'I have not lust, malice and ignorance.'

Now as to that recognition of their existence or non-existence within him,

are these conditions, I ask, to be understood by belief,

or by inclination, or hearsay, or argument as to method,

or reflection on reasons, or delight in speculation?'

 

'Surely not, lord.'

 

'Are not these states to be understood

by seeing them with the eye of wisdom?'

 

'Surely, lord.'

 

'Then, monks, this is the method by following which,

apart from belief... a monk could affirm insight thus:

'Ended is birth...for life in these conditions there is no hereafter."

 

The same is said with regard to the ear-door, the door of the nose, the door

of the tongue, the body-door and the mind-door.