[381] What is the beginning, what the middle, what the end of the path of arahantship (arahatta-magga)?
Purity of practice (paṭipadāvisuddhi) is the beginning, the strengthening of equanimity (upekkhānubrūhanā) is the middle, and gladdening (sampahaṃsanā) is the end of the path of arahantship.
Purity of practice being the beginning of the path of arahantship, how many characteristics has the beginning?
The beginning has three characteristics: the mind (citta) is purified of whatever is an obstruction to it; because of being purified, the mind enters upon the sign of serenity (samatha-nimitta), which is the middle; and because of having entered upon it, the mind launches into it. In that the mind is purified of obstruction, in that because of being purified the mind enters upon the sign of serenity, which is the middle, and in that because of having entered upon it the mind launches into it — purity of practice is the beginning of the path of arahantship; these are the three characteristics of the beginning. Therefore it is said that the path of arahantship is both good in the beginning and possessed of characteristics.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.