MindfuloftheBodyA STUDY GU IDE

preparedby

ThanissaroBhikkhu

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INTRODUCTION

AlthoughearlyBuddhismiswidelybelievedtotakeanegativeattitudetowardthebody,thetextsofthePaliCanondonotsupportthisbelief.Theyapproachthebodybothinitspositiverole,asanobjectofmeditationtodevelopmindfulness,concentration,andthementalpowersbasedonconcentration;andinitsnegativeroleasaobjectforunskillfulstatesofmind.Eveninitsnegativerole,thebodyisnottheculprit:theproblemisthemind’sattachmenttothebody.Oncethebodycanbeusedinitspositiveroletodevelopmindfulnessandconcentration,thosementalqualitiescanbeusedtofreethemindofitsattachmentstothebody.Then,asmanyamodernmeditationmasterhasnoted,themindandbodycanliveinpeace.

ThisstudyguidefocusesontheprimarysuttainthePaliCanondealingwiththecontemplationofthebody:TheDiscourseonMindfulnessImmersedintheBody(MN119).Thefirstsection,TheContext,establishesthegeneralprinciplesunderlyingthepracticeofmindfulnessimmersedinthebody,showingwhyattachmenttothebodyisconsideredproblematicinthefirstplace.Thesecondsectionpresentsthesuttaitself.Theremainingsectionsexpandonpointsraisedinthesutta:SectionThreedealingwiththeadvantagesofpracticingmindfulnessimmersedinthebody,andSectionFourexpandingonthedrawbacksofattachmenttothebody.

Becausethesuttatreatsthebodybothasanobjectofmindfulnessandasanobjectofjhāna,ormentalabsorption,itraisesquestionsconcerningtherelationshipbetweenthesetwomentalqualitiesinthepracticeofmeditation.ThereisawidespreadbeliefthattheyrepresenttwosidesofagreatdivideinBuddhistmeditationpractice,withmindfulnessononeside,joinedwithvipassanā(insight)anddiscernment;andjhānaontheothersidejoinedwithsamatha(tranquility).ThePaliCanon,however,presentsamuchmorecomplexpictureoftheinterrelatedrolesthesementalqualitiesinthepursuitofawakening.Andinfact,the“GreatDivide”pictureofBuddhistmeditationpracticeconflateswhatthePaliCanontreatsasthreeseparate,albeitrelatedissues:therelationshipbetweensamathaandvipassanā,therelationshipbetweenmindfulnessandjhāna,andtherelationshipbetweenjhānaanddiscernment.Toconveytheoriginalparametersoftheseissues,thisstudyguideendswiththreesectionsfocusedonpreciselytheserelationships.

Forsupplementalreadingontheissuesofjhāna,mindfulness,andinsight,seethearticles,“ThePathofMindfulnessandConcentration”and“OneToolAmongMany,”andthebook,RightMindfulness

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Forfurtherreadingoncontemplationofthebody,seethefollowingbooksanddhammatalksavailableonwww.dhammatalks.organdwww.accesstoinsight.org:

AjaanMunBhūridatto:AHeartReleasedAjaanMunBhūridatto:TheEver-presentTruthAjaanLeeDhammadharo:TheCraftoftheHeartAjaanLeeDhammadharo:FramesofReferenceAjaanMahāBoowaÑāṇasampanno:“TheWorkofaContemplative”AjaanMahāBoowaÑāṇasampanno:“AnHeirtotheDhamma”AjaanSuwatSuvaco:“ThisBodyofMine”AjaanSuwatSuvaco:“Disenchantment”

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ABBREVIATIONS

AN AṅguttaraNikāya

Cv Cullavagga

Dhp Dhammapada

DN DīghaNikāya

MN MajjhimaNikāya

SN SaṁyuttaNikāya

Sn SuttaNipāta

Thag Theragāthā

Thig Therīgāthā

Ud Udāna

ReferencestoDNandMNaretodiscourse(sutta).ThosetoDhparetoverse.ThosetoCvaretochapter,section,andsub-section.Referencestoothertextsaretosection(saṁyutta,nipāta,orvagga)anddiscourse.

AlltranslationsarebasedontheRoyalThaiEditionofthePaliCanon(Bangkok:MahāmakutRājavidyālaya,1982).

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I.THECONTEXT

“Monks,Ilivedinrefinement,utmostrefinement,totalrefinement.Myfatherevenhadlotuspondsmadeinourpalace:onewherered-lotusesbloomed,onewherewhitelotusesbloomed,onewherebluelotusesbloomed,allformysake.IusednosandalwoodthatwasnotfromVārāṇasī.MyturbanwasfromVārāṇasī,asweremytunic,mylowergarments,&myoutercloak.Awhitesunshadewasheldovermeday&nighttoprotectmefromcold,heat,dust,dirt,&dew.

“Ihadthreepalaces:oneforthecoldseason,oneforthehotseason,onefortherainyseason.DuringthefourmonthsoftherainyseasonIwasentertainedintherainy-seasonpalacebyminstrelswithoutasinglemanamongthem,andIdidnotoncecomedownfromthepalace.Whereastheservants,workers,&retainersinotherpeople’shomesarefedmealsoflentilsoup&brokenrice,inmyfather’shometheservants,workers,&retainerswerefedwheat,rice,andmeat.

“EventhoughIwasendowedwithsuchfortune,suchtotalrefinement,thethoughtoccurredtome:‘Whenanuntaught,run-of-the-millperson,himselfsubjecttoaging,notbeyondaging,seesanotherwhoisaged,heishorrified,humiliated,&disgusted,oblivioustohimselfthathetooissubjecttoaging,notbeyondaging.IfI—whoamsubjecttoaging,notbeyondaging—weretobehorrified,humiliated,&disgustedonseeinganotherpersonwhoisaged,thatwouldnotbefittingforme.’AsInoticedthis,the[typical]youngperson’sintoxicationwithyouthentirelydroppedaway.

“EventhoughIwasendowedwithsuchfortune,suchtotalrefinement,thethoughtoccurredtome:‘Whenanuntaught,run-of-the-millperson,himselfsubjecttoillness,notbeyondillness,seesanotherwhoisill,heishorrified,humiliated,&disgusted,oblivioustohimselfthathetooissubjecttoillness,notbeyondillness.AndifI—whoamsubjecttoillness,notbeyondillness—weretobehorrified,humiliated,&disgustedonseeinganotherpersonwhoisill,thatwouldnotbefittingforme.’AsInoticedthis,thehealthyperson’sintoxicationwithhealthentirelydroppedaway.

“EventhoughIwasendowedwithsuchfortune,suchtotalrefinement,thethoughtoccurredtome:‘Whenanuntaught,run-of-the-millperson,himselfsubjecttodeath,notbeyonddeath,seesanotherwhoisdead,heishorrified,humiliated,&disgusted,oblivioustohimselfthathetooissubjecttodeath,notbeyonddeath.AndifI—whoamsubjecttodeath,notbeyonddeath—weretobehorrified,humiliated,&disgustedonseeinganotherpersonwhoisdead,thatwouldnotbefittingforme.’AsInoticedthis,thelivingperson’sintoxicationwithlifeentirelydroppedaway.

“Monks,therearethesethreeformsofintoxication.Whichthree?Intoxicationwithyouth,intoxicationwithhealth,intoxicationwithlife.

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“Drunkwiththeintoxicationofyouth,anuninstructed,run-of-the-millpersonengagesinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconduct.Havingengagedinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconduct,he—onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath—reappearsintheplaneofdeprivation,thebaddestination,thelowerrealms,inhell.

“Drunkwiththeintoxicationofhealth,anuninstructed,run-of-the-millpersonengagesinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconduct.Havingengagedinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconduct,he—onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath—reappearsintheplaneofdeprivation,thebaddestination,thelowerrealms,inhell.

“Drunkwiththeintoxicationoflife,anuninstructed,run-of-the-millpersonengagesinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconduct.Havingengagedinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconduct,he—onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath—reappearsintheplaneofdeprivation,thebaddestination,thelowerrealms,inhell.…”

—AN3:39

“Beforemyself-awakening,whenIwasstilljustanunawakenedbodhisatta,beingsubjectmyselftobirth,aging,illness,death,sorrow,anddefilement,Isought[happinessin]whatwassubjecttobirth,aging,illness,death,sorrow,anddefilement.Thethoughtoccurredtome:’WhyamI,beingsubjectmyselftobirth…defilement,seekingwhatissubjecttobirth…defilement?WhatifI…weretoseektheunborn,unaging,unailing,undying,sorrowless,undefiled,unsurpassedsecurityfrombondage:unbinding.’”

—MN26

“Itellyou,friend,thatitisn’tpossiblebytravelingtoknoworseeorreachafarendofthecosmoswhereonedoesn’ttakebirth,age,die,passaway,orreappear.Butatthesametime,Itellyouthatthereisnomakinganendofsuffering&stresswithoutreachingtheendofthecosmos.Yetitisjustwithinthisfathom-longbody,withitsperception&intellect,thatIdeclarethatthereisthecosmos,theoriginationofthecosmos,thecessationofthecosmos,andthepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationofthecosmos.”

—AN4:45

“Nowthisisthenobletruthofstress:Birthisstressful,agingisstressful,deathisstressful;sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarestressful;associationwiththeunbelovedisstressful,separationfromthelovedisstressful,notgettingwhatiswantedisstressful.Inshort,thefiveclinging-aggregatesarestressful.

“Andthisisthenobletruthoftheoriginationofstress:thecravingthatmakesforfurtherbecoming—accompaniedbypassion&delight,relishingnowhere&nowthere—i.e.,cravingforsensuality,cravingforbecoming,cravingfornon-becoming.

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“Andthisisthenobletruthofthecessationofstress:theremainderlessfading&cessation,renunciation,relinquishment,release,&lettinggoofthatverycraving.

“Andthisisthenobletruthofthewayofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstress:preciselythisnobleeightfoldpath—rightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration.

“‘Thisnobletruthofstressistobecomprehended’…‘Thisnobletruthoftheoriginationofstressistobeabandoned’…‘Thisnobletruthofthecessationofstressistobedirectlyexperienced’…‘Thisnobletruthofthewayofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstressistobedeveloped’.…”

—SN56:11

“Andwhat,monks,isrightview?Knowledgewithregardtostress,knowledgewithregardtotheoriginationofstress,knowledgewithregardtothestoppingofstress,knowledgewithregardtothewayofpracticeleadingtothestoppingofstress:This,monks,iscalledrightview.

“Andwhat,monks,isrightresolve?Beingresolvedonrenunciation,onfreedomfromillwill,onharmlessness:This,monks,iscalledrightresolve.

“Andwhat,monks,isrightspeech?Abstainingfromlying,abstainingfromdivisivespeech,abstainingfromabusivespeech,abstainingfromidlechatter:This,monks,iscalledrightspeech.

“Andwhat,monks,isrightaction?Abstainingfromtakinglife,abstainingfromstealing,abstainingfromsexualintercourse:This,monks,iscalledrightaction.

“Andwhat,monks,isrightlivelihood?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleones,havingabandoneddishonestlivelihood,keepshislifegoingwithrightlivelihood:This,monks,iscalledrightlivelihood.

“Andwhat,monks,isrighteffort?(i)Thereisthecasewhereamonkgeneratesdesire,endeavors,activatespersistence,upholds&exertshisintentforthesakeofthenon-arisingofevil,unskillfulqualitiesthathavenotyetarisen.(ii)Hegeneratesdesire,endeavors,activatespersistence,upholds&exertshisintentforthesakeoftheabandonmentofevil,unskillfulqualitiesthathavearisen.(iii)Hegeneratesdesire,endeavors,activatespersistence,upholds&exertshisintentforthesakeofthearisingofskillfulqualitiesthathavenotyetarisen.(iv)Hegeneratesdesire,endeavors,activatespersistence,upholds&exertshisintentforthemaintenance,non-confusion,increase,plenitude,development,&culminationofskillfulqualitiesthathavearisen:This,monks,iscalledrighteffort.

“Andwhat,monks,isrightmindfulness?(i)Thereisthecasewhereamonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingawaygreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.(ii)Heremainsfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingawaygreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.(iii)Heremainsfocusedonthemindin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingawaygreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.(iv)He

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remainsfocusedonmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingawaygreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.This,monks,iscalledrightmindfulness.

“Andwhat,monks,isrightconcentration?(i)Thereisthecasewhereamonk—quitesecludedfromsensuality,secludedfromunskillfulqualities—enters&remainsinthefirstjhāna:rapture&pleasurebornofseclusion,accompaniedbydirectedthought&evaluation.(ii)Withthestillingofdirectedthoughts&evaluations,heenters&remainsinthesecondjhāna:rapture&pleasurebornofconcentration,unificationofawarenessfreefromdirectedthought&evaluation—internalassurance.(iii)Withthefadingofrapture,heremainsequanimous,mindful,&alert,andsensespleasurewiththebody.Heenters&remainsinthethirdjhāna,ofwhichthenobleonesdeclare,‘Equanimous&mindful,hehasapleasantabiding.’(iv)Withtheabandoningofpleasure&pain—aswiththeearlierdisappearanceofelation&distress—heenters&remainsinthefourthjhāna:purityofequanimity&mindfulness,neitherpleasurenorpain.This,monks,iscalledrightconcentration.”

—SN45:8

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II.MINDFULNESSIMMERSEDINTHEBODY

Kāyagatā-satiSutta(MajjhimaNikāya119)

IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayinginSāvatthiatJeta’sGrove,Anāthapiṇḍika’smonastery.Nowatthattimealargenumberofmonks,afterthemeal,onreturningfromtheiralmsround,hadgatheredatthemeetinghallwhenthisdiscussionarose:“Isn’titamazing,friends!Isn’titastounding!—theextenttowhichmindfulnessimmersedinthebody,whendeveloped&pursued,issaidbytheBlessedOnewhoknows,whosees—theworthyone,rightlyself-awakened—tobeofgreatfruit&greatbenefit.”Andthisdiscussioncametonoconclusion.

ThentheBlessedOne,emergingfromhisseclusioninthelateafternoon,wenttothemeetinghalland,onarrival,satdownonaseatmadeready.Ashewassittingthere,headdressedthemonks:“Forwhattopicareyougatheredtogetherhere?Andwhatwasthediscussionthatcametonoconclusion?”

“Justnow,lord,afterthemeal,onreturningfromouralmsround,wegatheredatthemeetinghallwhenthisdiscussionarose:‘Isn’titamazing,friends!Isn’titastounding!—theextenttowhichmindfulnessimmersedinthebody,whendeveloped&pursued,issaidbytheBlessedOnewhoknows,whosees—theworthyone,rightlyself-awakened—tobeofgreatfruit&greatbenefit.’ThiswasthediscussionthathadcometonoconclusionwhentheBlessedOnearrived.”

[TheBlessedOnesaid:]“Andhow,monks,ismindfulnessimmersedinthebodydeveloped,howisitpursued,soastobeofgreatfruit&greatbenefit?

“Thereisthecasewhereamonk—havinggonetothewilderness,totheshadeofatree,ortoanemptybuilding—sitsdownfoldinghislegscrosswise,holdinghisbodyerectandsettingmindfulnesstothefore.Alwaysmindful,hebreathesin;mindfulhebreathesout.

“Breathinginlong,hediscerns,‘Iambreathinginlong’;orbreathingoutlong,hediscerns,‘Iambreathingoutlong.’Orbreathinginshort,hediscerns,‘Iambreathinginshort’;orbreathingoutshort,hediscerns,‘Iambreathingoutshort.’Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheinsensitivetotheentirebody.’Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutsensitivetotheentirebody.’Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheincalmingbodilyfabrication[thein-&-outbreath].’Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutcalmingbodilyfabrication.’Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute,anymemories&resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned,andwiththeirabandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.Thisishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody.

“Furthermore,whenwalking,themonkdiscerns,‘Iamwalking.’Whenstanding,

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hediscerns,‘Iamstanding.’Whensitting,hediscerns,‘Iamsitting.’Whenlyingdown,hediscerns,‘Iamlyingdown.’Orhoweverhisbodyisdisposed,thatishowhediscernsit.Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute,anymemories&resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned,andwiththeirabandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.Thisishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody.

“Furthermore,whengoingforward&returning,hemakeshimselffullyalert;whenlookingtoward&lookingaway…whenbending&extendinghislimbs…whencarryinghisoutercloak,hisupperrobe&hisbowl…wheneating,drinking,chewing,&savoring…whenurinating&defecating…whenwalking,standing,sitting,fallingasleep,wakingup,talking,&remainingsilent,hemakeshimselffullyalert.Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute,anymemories&resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned,andwiththeirabandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.Thisishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody.

“Furthermore,themonkreflectsonthisverybodyfromthesolesofthefeetonup,fromthecrownoftheheadondown,surroundedbyskinandfullofvariouskindsofuncleanthings:‘Inthisbodythereareheadhairs,bodyhairs,nails,teeth,skin,flesh,tendons,bones,bonemarrow,kidneys,heart,liver,pleura,spleen,lungs,largeintestines,smallintestines,gorge,feces,bile,phlegm,pus,blood,sweat,fat,tears,skin-oil,saliva,mucus,fluidinthejoints,urine.’Justasifasackwithopeningsatbothendswerefullofvariouskindsofgrain—wheat,rice,mungbeans,kidneybeans,sesameseeds,huskedrice—andamanwithgoodeyesight,pouringitout,weretoreflect,‘Thisiswheat.Thisisrice.Thesearemungbeans.Thesearekidneybeans.Thesearesesameseeds.Thisishuskedrice’;inthesameway,themonkreflectsonthisverybodyfromthesolesofthefeetonup,fromthecrownoftheheadondown,surroundedbyskinandfullofvariouskindsofuncleanthings:‘Inthisbodythereareheadhairs,bodyhairs,nails,teeth,skin,flesh,tendons,bones,bonemarrow,kidneys,heart,liver,pleura,spleen,lungs,largeintestines,smallintestines,gorge,feces,bile,phlegm,pus,blood,sweat,fat,tears,skin-oil,saliva,mucus,fluidinthejoints,urine.’Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute,anymemories&resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned,andwiththeirabandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.Thisishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody.

“Furthermore,themonkcontemplatesthisverybody—howeveritstands,howeveritisdisposed—intermsofproperties:‘Inthisbodythereistheearthproperty,theliquidproperty,thefireproperty,&thewindproperty.’Justasanadeptbutcherorbutcher’sapprentice,havingkilledacow,wouldsitatacrossroadscuttingitupintopieces,themonkcontemplatesthisverybody—howeveritstands,howeveritisdisposed—intermsofproperties:‘Inthisbodythereistheearthproperty,theliquidproperty,thefireproperty,&thewindproperty.’Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute,anymemories&resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeare

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abandoned,andwiththeirabandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.Thisishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody.

“Furthermore,asifheweretoseeacorpsecastawayinacharnelground—oneday,twodays,threedaysdead—bloated,livid,&festering,heappliesittothisverybody,‘Thisbody,too:Suchisitsnature,suchisitsfuture,suchitsunavoidablefate’…

“Oragain,asifheweretoseeacorpsecastawayinacharnelground,pickedatbycrows,vultures,&hawks,bydogs,hyenas,&variousothercreatures…askeletonsmearedwithflesh&blood,connectedwithtendons…afleshlessskeletonsmearedwithblood,connectedwithtendons…askeletonwithoutfleshorblood,connectedwithtendons…bonesdetachedfromtheirtendons,scatteredinalldirections—hereahandbone,thereafootbone,hereashinbone,thereathighbone,hereahipbone,thereabackbone,herearib,thereachestbone,hereashoulderbone,thereaneckbone,hereajawbone,thereatooth,hereaskull…theboneswhitened,somewhatlikethecolorofshells…piledup,morethanayearold…decomposedintoapowder:Heappliesittothisverybody,‘Thisbody,too:Suchisitsnature,suchisitsfuture,suchitsunavoidablefate.’

“Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute,anymemories&resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned,andwiththeirabandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.Thisishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody.

TheFourJhānas

“Furthermore,quitesecludedfromsensuality,secludedfromunskillfulqualities,heenters&remainsinthefirstjhāna:rapture&pleasurebornofseclusion,accompaniedbydirectedthought&evaluation.Hepermeates&pervades,suffuses&fillsthisverybodywiththerapture&pleasurebornofseclusion.Justasifanadeptbathmanorbathman’sapprenticewouldpourbathpowderintoabrassbasinandkneadittogether,sprinklingitagain&againwithwater,sothathisballofbathpowder—saturated,moisture-laden,permeatedwithin&without—wouldneverthelessnotdrip;evenso,themonkpermeates…thisverybodywiththerapture&pleasurebornofseclusion.Thereisnothingofhisentirebodyunpervadedbyrapture&pleasurebornofseclusion.Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute,anymemories&resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned,andwiththeirabandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.Thisishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody.

“Then,withthestillingofdirectedthoughts&evaluations,heenters&remainsinthesecondjhāna:rapture&pleasurebornofconcentration,unificationofawarenessfreefromdirectedthought&evaluation—internalassurance.Hepermeates&pervades,suffuses&fillsthisverybodywiththerapture&pleasurebornofconcentration.Justlikealakewithspring-waterwellingupfromwithin,havingnoinflowfromtheeast,west,north,orsouth,andwiththeskiessupplyingabundant

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showerstime&again,sothatthecoolfountofwaterwellingupfromwithinthelakewouldpermeate&pervade,suffuse&fillitwithcoolwaters,therebeingnopartofthelakeunpervadedbythecoolwaters;evenso,themonkpermeates…thisverybodywiththerapture&pleasurebornofconcentration.Thereisnothingofhisentirebodyunpervadedbyrapture&pleasurebornofconcentration.Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute,anymemories&resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned,andwiththeirabandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.Thisishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody.

“Then,withthefadingofrapture,heremainsequanimous,mindful,&alert,andsensespleasurewiththebody.Heenters&remainsinthethirdjhāna,ofwhichthenobleonesdeclare,‘Equanimous&mindful,hehasapleasantabiding.’Hepermeates&pervades,suffuses&fillsthisverybodywiththepleasuredivestedofrapture.Justasinalotuspond,someofthelotuses,born&growinginthewater,stayimmersedinthewaterandflourishwithoutstandingupoutofthewater,sothattheyarepermeated&pervaded,suffused&filledwithcoolwaterfromtheirrootstotheirtips,andnothingofthoselotuseswouldbeunpervadedwithcoolwater;evenso,themonkpermeates…thisverybodywiththepleasuredivestedofrapture.Thereisnothingofhisentirebodyunpervadedwithpleasuredivestedofrapture.Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute,anymemories&resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned,andwiththeirabandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.Thisishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody.

“Then,withtheabandoningofpleasure&pain—aswiththeearlierdisappearanceofelation&distress—heenters&remainsinthefourthjhāna:purityofequanimity&mindfulness,neither-pleasure-nor-pain.Hesits,permeatingthebodywithapure,brightawareness.Justasifamanweresittingcoveredfromheadtofootwithawhiteclothsothattherewouldbenopartofhisbodytowhichthewhiteclothdidnotextend;evenso,themonksits,permeatingthebodywithapure,brightawareness.Thereisnothingofhisentirebodyunpervadedbypure,brightawareness.Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute,anymemories&resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned,andwiththeirabandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.Thisishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody.

FullnessofMind

“Monks,whoeverdevelops&pursuesmindfulnessimmersedinthebodyencompasseswhateverskillfulqualitiesareonthesideofclearknowing.Justaswhoeverpervadesthegreatoceanwithhisawarenessencompasseswhateverrivuletsflowdownintotheocean,inthesameway,whoeverdevelops&pursuesmindfulnessimmersedinthebodyencompasseswhateverskillfulqualitiesareon

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thesideofclearknowing.

“Inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyisnotdeveloped,notpursued,Māragainsentry,Māragainsafoothold.

“Supposethatamanweretothrowaheavystoneballintoapileofwetclay.Whatdoyouthink,monks—wouldtheheavystoneballgainentryintothepileofwetclay?”

“Yes,lord.”

“Inthesameway,inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyisnotdeveloped,notpursued,Māragainsentry,Māragainsafoothold.

“Now,supposethattherewereadry,saplesspieceoftimber,andamanweretocomealongwithanupperfire-stick,thinking,‘I’lllightafire.I’llproduceheat.’Whatdoyouthink—wouldhebeabletolightafireandproduceheatbyrubbingtheupperfire-stickinthedry,saplesspieceoftimber?”

“Yes,lord.”

“Inthesameway,inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyisnotdeveloped,notpursued,Māragainsentry,Māragainsafoothold.

“Now,supposethattherewereanempty,hollowwater-potsetonastand,andamanweretocomealongcarryingaloadofwater.Whatdoyouthink—wouldhegetaplacetoputhiswater?”

“Yes,lord.”

“Inthesameway,inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyisnotdeveloped,notpursued,Māragainsentry,Māragainsafoothold.

“Now,inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyisdeveloped,ispursued,Māragainsnoentry,Māragainsnofoothold.Supposethatamanweretothrowaballofstringagainstadoorpanelmadeentirelyofheartwood.Whatdoyouthink—wouldthatlightballofstringgainentryintothatdoorpanelmadeentirelyofheartwood?”

“No,lord.”

“Inthesameway,inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyisdeveloped,ispursued,Māragainsnoentry,Māragainsnofoothold.

“Now,supposethattherewereawet,sappypieceoftimber,andamanweretocomealongwithanupperfire-stick,thinking,‘I’lllightafire.I’llproduceheat.’Whatdoyouthink—wouldhebeabletolightafireandproduceheatbyrubbingtheupperfire-stickinthewet,sappypieceoftimber?”

“No,lord.”

“Inthesameway,inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyisdeveloped,ispursued,Māragainsnoentry,Māragainsnofoothold.

“Now,supposethattherewereawater-potsetonastand,fullofwateruptothebrimsothatcrowscoulddrinkoutofit,andamanweretocomealongcarryinga

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loadofwater.Whatdoyouthink—wouldhegetaplacetoputhiswater?”

“No,lord.”

“Inthesameway,inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyisdeveloped,ispursued,Māragainsnoentry,Māragainsnofoothold.

AnOpeningtotheHigherKnowledges

“Whenanyonehasdeveloped&pursuedmindfulnessimmersedinthebody,thenwhicheverofthesixhigherknowledgesheturnshismindtoknow&realize,hecanwitnessthemforhimselfwheneverthereisanopening.

“Supposethattherewereawaterjar,setonastand,brimfulofwatersothatacrowcoulddrinkfromit.Ifastrongmanweretotipitinanywayatall,wouldwaterspillout?”

“Yes,lord.”

“Inthesameway,whenanyonehasdeveloped&pursuedmindfulnessimmersedinthebody,thenwhicheverofthesixhigherknowledgesheturnshismindtoknow&realize,hecanwitnessthemforhimselfwheneverthereisanopening.

“Supposetherewerearectangularwatertank—setonlevelground,boundedbydikes—brimfulofwatersothatacrowcoulddrinkfromit.Ifastrongmanweretoloosenthedikesanywhereatall,wouldwaterspillout?”

“Yes,lord.”

“Inthesameway,whenanyonehasdeveloped&pursuedmindfulnessimmersedinthebody,thenwhicheverofthesixhigherknowledgesheturnshismindtoknow&realize,hecanwitnessthemforhimselfwheneverthereisanopening.

“Supposetherewereachariotonlevelgroundatfourcrossroads,harnessedtothoroughbreds,waitingwithwhipslyingready,sothatanadeptdriver,atraineroftamablehorses,mightmountand—takingthereinswithhislefthandandthewhipwithhisright—driveout&back,towhateverplace&bywhicheverroadheliked;inthesameway,whenanyonehasdeveloped&pursuedmindfulnessimmersedinthebody,thenwhicheverofthesixhigherknowledgesheturnshismindtoknow&realize,hecanwitnessthemforhimselfwheneverthereisanopening.

TenBenefits

“Monks,foroneinwhommindfulnessimmersedinthebodyiscultivated,developed,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied,consolidated,&well-undertaken,tenbenefitscanbeexpected.Whichten?

“(1)Heconquersdispleasure&delight,anddispleasuredoesnotconquerhim.Heremainsvictoriousoveranydispleasurethathasarisen.

“(2)Heconquersfear&dread,andfear&dreadtonotconquerhim.Heremainsvictoriousoveranyfear&dreadthathavearisen.

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“(3)Heisresistanttocold,heat,hunger,thirst,thetouchofgadflies&mosquitoes,wind&sun&creepingthings;toabusive,hurtfullanguage;heisthesortthatcanendurebodilyfeelingsthat,whentheyarise,arepainful,sharp,stabbing,fierce,distasteful,disagreeable,deadly.

“(4)Hecanattainatwill,withouttroubleordifficulty,thefourjhānas—heightenedmentalstatesprovidingapleasantabidinginthehere&now.

“(5)Hewieldsmanifoldsupranormalpowers.Havingbeenonehebecomesmany;havingbeenmanyhebecomesone.Heappears.Hevanishes.Hegoesunimpededthroughwalls,ramparts,&mountainsasifthroughspace.Hedivesin&outoftheearthasifitwerewater.Hewalksonwaterwithoutsinkingasifitweredryland.Sittingcross-leggedhefliesthroughtheairlikeawingedbird.Withhishandhetouches&strokeseventhesun&moon,somighty&powerful.HeexercisesinfluencewithhisbodyevenasfarastheBrahmāworlds.

“(6)Hehears—bymeansofthedivineear-element,purified&surpassingthehuman—bothkindsofsounds:divine&human,whethernearorfar.

“(7)Heknowstheawarenessofotherbeings,otherindividuals,havingencompasseditwithhisownawareness.Hediscernsamindwithpassionasamindwithpassion,andamindwithoutpassionasamindwithoutpassion.Hediscernsamindwithaversionasamindwithaversion,andamindwithoutaversionasamindwithoutaversion.Hediscernsamindwithdelusionasamindwithdelusion,andamindwithoutdelusionasamindwithoutdelusion.Hediscernsarestrictedmindasarestrictedmind,andascatteredmindasascatteredmind.Hediscernsanenlargedmindasanenlargedmind,andanunenlargedmindasanunenlargedmind.Hediscernsanexcelledmind[onethatisnotatthemostexcellentlevel]asanexcelledmind,andanunexcelledmindasanunexcelledmind.Hediscernsaconcentratedmindasaconcentratedmind,andanunconcentratedmindasanunconcentratedmind.Hediscernsareleasedmindasareleasedmind,andanunreleasedmindasanunreleasedmind.

“(8)Herecollectshismanifoldpastlives,i.e.,onebirth,twobirths,threebirths,four,five,ten,twenty,thirty,forty,fifty,onehundred,onethousand,onehundredthousand,manyeonsofcosmiccontraction,manyeonsofcosmicexpansion,manyeonsofcosmiccontraction&expansion,[recollecting],‘ThereIhadsuchaname,belongedtosuchaclan,hadsuchanappearance.Suchwasmyfood,suchmyexperienceofpleasure&pain,suchtheendofmylife.Passingawayfromthatstate,Ire-arosethere.TheretooIhadsuchaname,belongedtosuchaclan,hadsuchanappearance.Suchwasmyfood,suchmyexperienceofpleasure&pain,suchtheendofmylife.Passingawayfromthatstate,Ire-arosehere.’Thusheremembershismanifoldpastlivesintheirmodes&details.

“(9)Hesees—bymeansofthedivineeye,purified&surpassingthehuman—beingspassingaway&re-appearing,andhediscernshowtheyareinferior&superior,beautiful&ugly,fortunate&unfortunateinaccordancewiththeirkamma:

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‘Thesebeings—whowereendowedwithbadconductofbody,speech,&mind,whoreviledthenobleones,heldwrongviewsandundertookactionsundertheinfluenceofwrongviews—withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,havere-appearedintheplaneofdeprivation,thebaddestination,thelowerrealms,inhell.Butthesebeings—whowereendowedwithgoodconductofbody,speech,&mind,whodidnotrevilethenobleones,whoheldrightviewsandundertookactionsundertheinfluenceofrightviews—withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,havere-appearedinthegooddestinations,intheheavenlyworld.’Thus—bymeansofthedivineeye,purified&surpassingthehuman—heseesbeingspassingaway&re-appearing,andhediscernshowtheyareinferior&superior,beautiful&ugly,fortunate&unfortunateinaccordancewiththeirkamma.

“(10)Throughtheendingofthementaleffluents,heremainsintheeffluent-freereleaseofawareness&releaseofdiscernment,havingknownandmadethemmanifestforhimselfrightinthehere&now.

“Monks,foroneinwhommindfulnessimmersedinthebodyiscultivated,developed,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied,consolidated,&well-undertaken,thesetenbenefitscanbeexpected.”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,themonksdelightedintheBlessedOne’swords.

—MN119

MindfulnessofIn-&-OutBreathing

“Nowhowismindfulnessofin-&-outbreathingdeveloped&pursuedsoastobeofgreatfruit,ofgreatbenefit?

“Thereisthecasewhereamonk,havinggonetothewilderness,totheshadeofatree,ortoanemptybuilding,sitsdownfoldinghislegscrosswise,holdinghisbodyerect,andsettingmindfulnesstothefore.1Alwaysmindful,hebreathesin;mindfulhebreathesout.

“(1)Breathinginlong,hediscerns,‘Iambreathinginlong’;orbreathingoutlong,hediscerns,‘Iambreathingoutlong.’(2)Orbreathinginshort,hediscerns,‘Iambreathinginshort’;orbreathingoutshort,hediscerns,‘Iambreathingoutshort.’(3)Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheinsensitivetotheentirebody.’2Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutsensitivetotheentirebody.’(4)Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheincalmingbodilyfabrication.’3Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutcalmingbodilyfabrication.’

“(5)Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheinsensitivetorapture.’Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutsensitivetorapture.’(6)Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheinsensitivetopleasure.’Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutsensitivetopleasure.’(7)Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheinsensitivetomentalfabrication.’4Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutsensitivetomentalfabrication.’(8)Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheincalmingmentalfabrication.’Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutcalmingmental

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fabrication.’

“(9)Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheinsensitivetothemind.’Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutsensitivetothemind.’(10)Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheinsatisfyingthemind.’Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutsatisfyingthemind.’(11)Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheinsteadyingthemind.’Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutsteadyingthemind.(12)Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheinreleasingthemind.’Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutreleasingthemind.’5

“(13)Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheinfocusingoninconstancy.’Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutfocusingoninconstancy.’(14)Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheinfocusingondispassion[literally,fading].’Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutfocusingondispassion.’(15)Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheinfocusingoncessation.’Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutfocusingoncessation.’(16)Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheinfocusingonrelinquishment.’Hetrainshimself,‘Iwillbreatheoutfocusingonrelinquishment.’

“Thisishowmindfulnessofin-&-outbreathingisdeveloped&pursuedsoastobeofgreatfruit,ofgreatbenefit.

TheFourEstablishingsofMindfulness

“Andhowismindfulnessofin-&-outbreathingdeveloped&pursuedsoastobringthefourestablishingsofmindfulnesstotheirculmination?

“(1)Onwhateveroccasionamonkbreathinginlongdiscerns,‘Iambreathinginlong’;orbreathingoutlong,discerns,‘Iambreathingoutlong’;orbreathinginshort,discerns,‘Iambreathinginshort’;orbreathingoutshort,discerns,‘Iambreathingoutshort’;trainshimself,‘Iwillbreathein…&…outsensitivetotheentirebody’;trainshimself,‘Iwillbreathein…&…outcalmingbodilyfabrication’:Onthatoccasionthemonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Itellyou,monks,thatthis—thein-&-outbreath—isclassedasabodyamongbodies,whichiswhythemonkonthatoccasionremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.

“(2)Onwhateveroccasionamonktrainshimself,‘Iwillbreathein…&…outsensitivetorapture’;trainshimself,‘Iwillbreathein…&…outsensitivetopleasure’;trainshimself,‘Iwillbreathein…&…outsensitivetomentalfabrication’;trainshimself,‘Iwillbreathein…&…outcalmingmentalfabrication’:Onthatoccasionthemonkremainsfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Itellyou,monks,thatthis—carefulattentiontoin-&-outbreaths—isclassedasafeelingamongfeelings,6

whichiswhythemonkonthatoccasionremainsfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.

“(3)Onwhateveroccasionamonktrainshimself,‘Iwillbreathein…&…out

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sensitivetothemind’;trainshimself,‘Iwillbreathein…&…outsatisfyingthemind’;trainshimself,‘Iwillbreathein…&…outsteadyingthemind’;trainshimself,‘Iwillbreathein…&…outreleasingthemind’:Onthatoccasionthemonkremainsfocusedonthemindin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Idon’tsaythatthereismindfulnessofin-&-outbreathinginoneoflapsedmindfulnessandnoalertness,whichiswhythemonkonthatoccasionremainsfocusedonthemindin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.

“(4)Onwhateveroccasionamonktrainshimself,‘Iwillbreathein…&…outfocusingoninconstancy’;trainshimself,‘Iwillbreathein…&…outfocusingondispassion’;trainshimself,‘Iwillbreathein…&…outfocusingoncessation’;trainshimself,‘Iwillbreathein…&…outfocusingonrelinquishment’:Onthatoccasionthemonkremainsfocusedonmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Hewhoseeswithdiscernmenttheabandoningofgreed&distressisonewhowatchescarefullywithequanimity,whichiswhythemonkonthatoccasionremainsfocusedonmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.

“Thisishowmindfulnessofin-&-outbreathingisdeveloped&pursuedsoastobringthefourestablishingsofmindfulnesstotheirculmination.”

NOTES

1.Tothefore(parimukhaṁ):TheAbhidhammatakesanetymologicalapproachtothisterm,definingitasaround(pari-)themouth(mukhaṁ).IntheVinaya,however,itisusedinacontext(Cv.V.27.4)whereitundoubtedlymeansthefrontofthechest.Thereisalsothepossibilitythatthetermcouldbeusedidiomaticallyas“tothefront,”whichishowIhavetranslatedithere.

2.Thecommentariesinsistthat“body”heremeansthebreath,butthisisunlikelyinthiscontext,forthenextstep—withoutfurtherexplanation—referstothebreathas“bodilyfabrication.”IftheBuddhawereusingtwodifferenttermstorefertothebreathinsuchcloseproximity,hewouldhavebeencarefultosignalthathewasredefininghisterms(ashedoesbelow,whenexplainingthatthefirstfourstepsinbreathmeditationcorrespondtothepracticeoffocusingonthebodyinandofitselfasaframeofreference).Thestepofbreathinginandoutsensitivetotheentirebodyrelatestothemanysimilesinthesuttasdepictingjhānaasastateofwhole-bodyawareness(seeMN119).

3.“In-&-outbreathsarebodily;thesearethingstiedupwiththebody.That’swhyin-&-outbreathsarebodilyfabrications.”—MN44.

“Andhowisamonkcalmedinhisbodilyfabrication?Thereisthecasewhereamonk,withtheabandoningofpleasure&pain—aswiththeearlierdisappearanceof

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elation&distress—enters&remainsinthefourthjhāna:purityofequanimity&mindfulness,neitherpleasurenorpain.”—AN10:20

“Whenonehasattainedthefourthjhāna,in-and-outbreathshaveceased.”—SN36:11&AN9:31

4.“Perceptions&feelingsaremental;thesearethingstiedupwiththemind.That’swhyperceptions&feelingsarementalfabrications.”—MN44.

5.AN9:34showshowthemind,stepbystep,istemporarilyreleasedfromburdensomementalstatesofgreaterandgreaterrefinementasitadvancesthroughthestagesofjhāna.

6.Asthisshows,ameditatorfocusingonfeelingsinthemselvesasaframeofreferenceshouldnotabandonthebreathasthebasisforhis/herconcentration.

—MN118

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III.THEADVANTAGESOFMINDFULNESSIMMERSEDINTHEBODY

Khitaka:

Howlightmybody!Touchedbyabundantrapture&bliss,—likeacottontuftborneonthebreeze—itseemstobefloating

—mybody!

—Thag1:104

Ven.Ānanda:“Lord,doestheBlessedOnehavedirectexperienceofgoingtotheBrahmāworldbymeansofsupranormalpowerwithamind-madebody?”

TheBuddha:“Yes,Ānanda.…’

Ven.Ānanda:“ButdoestheBlessedOnealsohavedirectexperienceofgoingtotheBrahmāworldbymeansofsupranormalpowerwiththisveryphysicalbody,composedofthefourgreatelements?”

TheBuddha:“Yes.…”

Ven.Ānanda:“It’samazing,lord,andastoundingthattheBlessedOneshouldhavedirectexperienceofgoingtotheBrahmāworldbymeansofsupranormalpowerwithamind-madebody,andofgoingtotheBrahmāworldbymeansofsupranormalpowerwiththisveryphysicalbody,composedofthefourgreatelements.“

TheBuddha:“Tathāgatasarebothamazing,Ānanda,andendowedwithamazingqualities.Theyarebothastoundingandendowedwithastoundingqualities.WhenevertheTathāgatamergeshisbodywithhismindandhismindwithhisbody,andremainshavingalightedontheperceptionofeaseandbuoyancywithregardtothebody,thenhisbodybecomeslighter,morepliant,moremalleable,&moreradiant.

“Justaswhenanironballheatedalldaybecomeslighter,morepliant,moremalleable,&moreradiant;inthesameway,whenevertheTathāgatamergeshisbodywithhismindandhismindwithhisbody,andremainshavingalightedontheperceptionofeaseandbuoyancywithregardtothebody,thenhisbodybecomeslighter,morepliant,moremalleable,&moreradiant.

“Now,whenevertheTathāgatamergeshisbodywithhismindandhismindwith

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hisbody,andremainshavingalightedontheperceptionofeaseandbuoyancywithregardtothebody,thenhisbodyriseseffortlesslyfromtheearthupintothesky.Hethenexperiencesmanifoldsupranormalpowers.Havingbeenonehebecomesmany;havingbeenmanyhebecomesone.Heappears.Hevanishes.Hegoesunimpededthroughwalls,ramparts,&mountainsasifthroughspace.Hedivesin&outoftheearthasifitwerewater.Hewalksonwaterwithoutsinkingasifitweredryland.Sittingcross-leggedhefliesthroughtheairlikeawingedbird.Withhishandhetouches&strokeseventhesun&moon,somighty&powerful.HeexercisesinfluencewithhisbodyevenasfarastheBrahmāworlds.

“Justasatuftofcottonseedoraballofthistledown,lightlywaftedbythewind,riseseffortlesslyfromtheearthupintothesky,inthesameway,whenevertheTathāgataconcentrateshisbodyinhismind&hismindinhisbody,andremainshavingalightedontheperceptionofeaseandbuoyancy,thenhisbodyriseseffortlesslyfromtheearthupintothesky.Hethenexperiencesmanifoldsupranormalpowers…evenasfarastheBrahmāworlds.”

—SN51:22

Simplytalkingalotdoesn’tmaintainthedhamma.Whoever—althoughhe’sheardnexttonothing—

seesdhammathroughhisbody,isnotheedlessofdhamma:

he’sonewhomaintainsthedhamma.

—Dhp259

Theyawaken,alwayswideawake:Gotama’sdisciples

whosemindfulness,bothday&night,isconstantlyimmersed

inthebody.

—Dhp299

“Onceahawksuddenlyswoopeddownonaquailandseizedit.Thenthequail,asitwasbeingcarriedoffbythehawk,lamented,‘O,justmybadluckandlackofmeritthatIwaswanderingoutofmyproperrangeandintotheterritoryofothers!IfonlyIhadkepttomyproperrangetoday,tomyownancestralterritory,thishawkwouldhavebeennomatchformeinbattle.’

“‘Butwhatisyourproperrange?’thehawkasked.‘Whatisyourownancestralterritory?’

“‘Anewlyplowedfieldwithclumpsofearthallturnedup.’

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“Sothehawk,withoutbraggingaboutitsownstrength,withoutmentioningitsownstrength,letgoofthequail.‘Go,quail,butevenwhenyouhavegonethereyouwon’tescapeme.’

“Thenthequail,havinggonetoanewlyplowedfieldwithclumpsofearthallturnedupandclimbingupontopofalargeclumpofearth,stoodtauntingthehawk,‘Nowcomeandgetme,youhawk!Nowcomeandgetme,youhawk!’

“Sothehawk,withoutbraggingaboutitsownstrength,withoutmentioningitsownstrength,foldeditstwowingsandsuddenlyswoopeddowntowardthequail.Whenthequailknew,‘Thehawkiscomingatmefullspeed,’itslippedbehindtheclumpofearth,andrighttherethehawkshattereditsbreast.

“Thisiswhathappenstoanyonewhowandersintowhatisnothisproperrangeandistheterritoryofothers.

“Forthisreason,youshouldnotwanderintowhatisnotyourproperrangeandistheterritoryofothers.Inonewhowandersintowhatisnothisproperrangeandistheterritoryofothers,Māragainsanopening,Māragainsafoothold.Andwhat,foramonk,isnothisproperrangeandistheterritoryofothers?Thefivestrandsofsensuality.Whichfive?Formscognizablebytheeye—agreeable,pleasing,charming,endearing,fosteringdesire,enticing.Soundscognizablebytheear…Smellscognizablebythenose…Tastescognizablebythetongue…Tactilesensationscognizablebythebody—agreeable,pleasing,charming,endearing,fosteringdesire,enticing.These,foramonk,arenothisproperrangeandaretheterritoryofothers.

“Wander,monks,inwhatisyourproperrange,yourownancestralterritory.Inonewhowandersinwhatishisproperrange,hisownancestralterritory,Māragainsnoopening,Māragainsnofoothold.Andwhat,foramonk,ishisproperrange,hisownancestralterritory?Thefourestablishingsofmindfulness.Whichfour?Thereisthecasewhereamonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Heremainsfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves…mindin&ofitself…mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.This,foramonk,ishisproperrange,hisownancestralterritory.”

—SN47:6

“ThereareintheHimalayas,thekingofmountains,difficult,unevenareaswhereneithermonkeysnorhumanbeingswander.Therearedifficult,unevenareaswheremonkeyswander,butnothumanbeings.Therearelevelstretchesofland,delightful,wherebothmonkeysandhumanbeingswander.Insuchspotshunterssetatartrapinthemonkeys’tracks,inordertocatchsomemonkeys.Thosemonkeyswhoarenotfoolishorcarelessbynature,whentheyseethetartrap,willkeeptheirdistance.Butanymonkeywhoisfoolish&carelessbynaturecomesuptothetartrapandgrabsitwithitspaw,whichthengetsstuckthere.Thinking,‘I’llfreemypaw,’hegrabsitwithhisotherpaw.Thattoogetsstuck.Thinking,‘I’llfreebothofmypaws,’hegrabsit

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withhisfoot.Thattoogetsstuck.Thinking,‘I’llfreebothofmypawsandmyfoot,’hegrabsitwithhisotherfoot.Thattoogetsstuck.Thinking,‘I’llfreebothofmypawsandmyfeetaswell,’hegrabsitwithhismouth.Thattoogetsstuck.Sothemonkey,snaredinfiveways,liestherewhimpering,havingfallenonmisfortune,fallenonruin,apreytowhateverthehunterwantstodowithhim.Thenthehunter,withoutreleasingthemonkey,skewershimrightthere,pickshimup,andgoesoffashelikes.

“Thisiswhathappenstoanyonewhowandersintowhatisnothisproperrangeandistheterritoryofothers.Forthisreason,youshouldnotwanderintowhatisnotyourproperrangeandistheterritoryofothers.…”

—SN47:7

“Thereisthecasewhereamonk,seeingaformwiththeeye,isobsessedwithpleasingforms,isrepelledbyunpleasingforms,andremainswithbody-mindfulnessunestablished,withlimitedawareness.Hedoesnotdiscern,asitactuallyispresent,thereleaseofawareness,thereleaseofdiscernmentwhereanyevil,unskillfulmentalqualitiesthathavearisenutterlyceasewithoutremainder.[Similarlywithear,nose,tongue,body,&intellect.]

“Justasifaperson,catchingsixanimalsofdifferentranges,ofdifferenthabitats,weretobindthemwithastrongrope.Catchingasnake,hewouldbinditwithastrongrope.Catchingacrocodile…abird…adog…ahyena…amonkey,hewouldbinditwithastrongrope.Bindingthemallwithastrongrope,andtyingaknotinthemiddle,hewouldsetchasetothem.

“Thenthosesixanimals,ofdifferentranges,ofdifferenthabitats,wouldeachpulltowarditsownrange&habitat.Thesnakewouldpull,thinking,‘I’llgointotheanthill.’Thecrocodilewouldpull,thinking,‘I’llgointothewater.’Thebirdwouldpull,thinking,‘I’llflyupintotheair.’Thedogwouldpull,thinking,‘I’llgointothevillage.’Thehyenawouldpull,thinking,‘I’llgointothecharnelground.’Themonkeywouldpull,thinking,‘I’llgointotheforest.’Andwhenthesesixanimalsbecameinternallyexhausted,theywouldsubmit,theywouldsurrender,theywouldcomeundertheswayofwhicheveramongthemwasthestrongest.Inthesameway,whenamonkwhosemindfulnessimmersedinthebodyisundeveloped&unpursued,theeyepullstowardpleasingforms,whileunpleasingformsarerepellent.Theearpullstowardpleasingsounds…thenosepullstowardpleasingsmells…thetonguepullstowardpleasingtastes…thebodypullstowardpleasingtactilesensations…theintellectpullstowardpleasingideas,whileunpleasingideasarerepellent.This,monks,islackofrestraint.

“Andwhatisrestraint?Thereisthecasewhereamonk,seeingaformwiththeeye,isnotobsessedwithpleasingforms,isnotrepelledbyunpleasingforms,andremainswithbody-mindfulnessestablished,withimmeasurableawareness.Hediscerns,asitactuallyispresent,thereleaseofawareness,thereleaseofdiscernmentwhereallevil,unskillfulmentalqualitiesthathavearisenutterlyceasewithoutremainder.[Similarlywithear,nose,tongue,body,&intellect.]

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“Justasifaperson,catchingsixanimalsofdifferentranges,ofdifferenthabitats,weretobindthemwithastrongrope…andtetherthemtoastrongpostorstake.Thenthosesixanimals,ofdifferentranges,ofdifferenthabitats,wouldeachpulltowarditsownrange&habitat.…Andwhenthesesixanimalsbecameinternallyexhausted,theywouldstand,sit,orliedownrighttherenexttothepostorstake.Inthesameway,whenamonkwhosemindfulnessimmersedinthebodyisdeveloped&pursued,theeyedoesn’tpulltowardpleasingforms,andunpleasingformsarenotrepellent.Theeardoesn’tpulltowardpleasingsounds…thenosedoesn’tpulltowardpleasingsmells…thetonguedoesn’tpulltowardpleasingtastes…thebodydoesn’tpulltowardpleasingtactilesensations…theintellectdoesn’tpulltowardpleasingideas,andunpleasingideasarenotrepellent.This,monks,isrestraint.

“The‘strongpostorstake’isatermformindfulnessimmersedinthebody.

Thusyoushouldtrainyourselves:‘Wewilldevelopmindfulnessimmersedinthebody.Wewillpursueit,giveitameansoftransport,giveitagrounding.Wewillsteadyit,consolidateit,andsetaboutitproperly.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourselves.”

—SN35:206

“Suppose,monks,thatalargecrowdofpeoplecomesthrongingtogether,saying,‘Thebeautyqueen!Thebeautyqueen!’Andsupposethatthebeautyqueenishighlyaccomplishedatsinging&dancing,sothatanevengreatercrowdcomesthronging,saying,‘Thebeautyqueenissinging!Thebeautyqueenisdancing!’Thenamancomesalong,desiringlife&shrinkingfromdeath,desiringpleasure&abhorringpain.Theysaytohim,‘Nowlookhere,mister.Youmusttakethisbowlfilledtothebrimwithoilandcarryitonyourheadinbetweenthegreatcrowd&thebeautyqueen.Amanwitharaisedswordwillfollowrightbehindyou,andwhereveryouspillevenadropofoil,righttherewillhecutoffyourhead.’Nowwhatdoyouthink,monks:Willthatman,notpayingattentiontothebowlofoil,lethimselfgetdistractedoutside?”

“No,lord.”

“Ihavegivenyouthisparabletoconveyameaning.Themeaningisthis:Thebowlfilledtothebrimwithoilstandsformindfulnessimmersedinthebody.Thusyoushouldtrainyourselves:‘Wewilldevelopmindfulnessimmersedinthebody.Wewillpursueit,giveitameansoftransport,giveitagrounding.Wewillsteadyit,consolidateit,andsetaboutitproperly.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourselves.”

—SN47:20

Withmindfulnessimmersedinthebodywellestablished,

restrainedwithrespecttothesixmediaofcontact,

alwaysconcentrated,themonkcanknowunbindingforhimself.

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—Ud3:5

Knowingthisbodyislikefoam,realizingitsnature

—amirage—cuttingouttheblossomsofMāra,yougowheretheKingofDeath

can’tsee.

—Dhp46

“Whoeverpervadesthegreatoceanwithhisawarenessencompasseswhateverrivuletsflowdownintotheocean.Inthesameway,whoeverdevelops&pursuesmindfulnessimmersedinthebodyencompasseswhateverskillfulqualitiesareonthesideofclearknowing.”

“Whenonethingispracticed&pursued,thebodyiscalmed,themindiscalmed,thinking&evaluatingarestilled,andallqualitiesonthesideofclearknowinggototheculminationoftheirdevelopment.Whichonething?Mindfulnessimmersedinthebody.”

“Whenonethingispracticed&pursued,ignoranceisabandoned,clearknowingarises,theconceit‘Iam’isabandoned,latenttendenciesareuprooted,fettersareabandoned.Whichonething?Mindfulnessimmersedinthebody.”

“ThosewhodonottastemindfulnessofthebodydonottastetheDeathless.ThosewhotastemindfulnessofthebodytastetheDeathless.”

“ThosewhoareheedlessofmindfulnessofthebodyareheedlessoftheDeathless.”

“ThosewhocomprehendmindfulnessofthebodycomprehendtheDeathless.”—AN1:225,227,230,235,239,245

27

IV.THEDISADVANTAGESOFATTACHMENTTOTHEBODY

Alltoosoon,thisbodywilllieontheground

castoff,bereftofconsciousness,likeauselessscrap

ofwood.

—Dhp41

“Thebodyisaflame.Tactilesensationsareaflame.Bodilyconsciousnessisaflame.Bodilycontactisaflame.Andwhateverthereisthatarisesindependenceonbodilycontact—experiencedaspleasure,painorneither-pleasure-nor-pain—thattooisaflame.Aflamewithwhat?Aflamewiththefireofpassion,thefireofaversion,thefireofdelusion.Aflame,Itellyou,withbirth,aging&death,withsorrows,lamentations,pains,distresses,&despairs.…

“Seeingthus,theinstructeddiscipleofthenobleonesgrowsdisenchantedwiththebody,disenchantedwithtactilesensations,disenchantedwithbodilyconsciousness,disenchantedwithbodilycontact.Andwhateverthereisthatarisesindependenceonbodilycontact,experiencedaspleasure,painorneither-pleasure-nor-pain:Withthat,too,hegrowsdisenchanted.

“Disenchanted,hebecomesdispassionate.Throughdispassion,heisfullyreleased.Withfullrelease,thereistheknowledge,‘Fullyreleased.’Hediscernsthat‘Birthisdepleted,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthisworld.’”

—SN35:28

ThenJānussoninthebrahmanwenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,exchangedcourteousgreetingswithhim.Afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,hesattooneside.AshewassittingtherehesaidtotheBlessedOne:“Iamoftheview&opinionthatthereisnoonewho,subjecttodeath,isnotafraidorinterrorofdeath.”

[TheBlessedOnesaid:]“Brahman,therearethosewho,subjecttodeath,areafraid&interrorofdeath.Andtherearethosewho,subjecttodeath,arenotafraidorinterrorofdeath.

“Andwhoisthepersonwho,subjecttodeath,isafraid&interrorofdeath?Thereisthecaseofthepersonwhohasnotabandonedpassion,desire,fondness,thirst,fever,&cravingforsensuality.Thenhecomesdownwithaseriousdisease.Ashe

28

comesdownwithaseriousdisease,thethoughtoccurstohim,‘O,thosebelovedsensualpleasureswillbetakenfromme,andIwillbetakenfromthem!’Hegrieves&istormented,weeps,beatshisbreast,&growsdelirious.Thisisapersonwho,subjecttodeath,isafraid&interrorofdeath.

“Thenthereisthecaseofthepersonwhohasnotabandonedpassion,desire,fondness,thirst,fever,&cravingforthebody.Thenhecomesdownwithaseriousdisease.Ashecomesdownwithaseriousdisease,thethoughtoccurstohim,‘O,mybelovedbodywillbetakenfromme,andIwillbetakenfrommybody!’Hegrieves&istormented,weeps,beatshisbreast,&growsdelirious.This,too,isapersonwho,subjecttodeath,isafraid&interrorofdeath.

“Thenthereisthecaseofthepersonwhohasnotdonewhatisgood,hasnotdonewhatisskillful,hasnotgivenprotectiontothoseinfear,andinsteadhasdonewhatisevil,savage,&cruel.Thenhecomesdownwithaseriousdisease.Ashecomesdownwithaseriousdisease,thethoughtoccurstohim,‘Ihavenotdonewhatisgood,havenotdonewhatisskillful,havenotgivenprotectiontothoseinfear,andinsteadhavedonewhatisevil,savage,&cruel.Totheextentthatthereisadestinationforthosewhohavenotdonewhatisgood,havenotdonewhatisskillful,havenotgivenprotectiontothoseinfear,andinsteadhavedonewhatisevil,savage,&cruel,that’swhereI’mheadedafterdeath.’Hegrieves&istormented,weeps,beatshisbreast,&growsdelirious.This,too,isapersonwho,subjecttodeath,isafraid&interrorofdeath.

“Thenthereisthecaseofthepersonindoubt&perplexity,whohasnotarrivedatcertaintywithregardtotheTrueDhamma.Thenhecomesdownwithaseriousdisease.Ashecomesdownwithaseriousdisease,thethoughtoccurstohim,‘Howdoubtful&perplexedIam!IhavenotarrivedatanycertaintywithregardtotheTrueDhamma!’Hegrieves&istormented,weeps,beatshisbreast,&growsdelirious.This,too,isapersonwho,subjecttodeath,isafraid&interrorofdeath.

“These,brahman,arefourpeoplewho,subjecttodeath,areafraid&interrorofdeath.

“Andwhoisthepersonwho,subjecttodeath,isnotafraidorinterrorofdeath?

“Thereisthecaseofthepersonwhohasabandonedpassion,desire,fondness,thirst,fever,&cravingforsensuality.Thenhecomesdownwithaseriousdisease.Ashecomesdownwithaseriousdisease,thethoughtdoesn’toccurtohim,‘O,thosebelovedsensualpleasureswillbetakenfromme,andIwillbetakenfromthem!’Hedoesn’tgrieve,isn’ttormented;doesn’tweep,beathisbreast,orgrowdelirious.Thisisapersonwho,subjecttodeath,isnotafraidorinterrorofdeath.

“Thenthereisthecaseofthepersonwhohasabandonedpassion,desire,fondness,thirst,fever,&cravingforthebody.Thenhecomesdownwithaseriousdisease.Ashecomesdownwithaseriousdisease,thethoughtdoesn’toccurtohim,‘O,mybelovedbodywillbetakenfromme,andIwillbetakenfrommybody!’Hedoesn’tgrieve,isn’ttormented;doesn’tweep,beathisbreast,orgrowdelirious.This,

29

too,isapersonwho,subjecttodeath,isnotafraidorinterrorofdeath.“Thenthereisthecaseofthepersonwhohasdonewhatisgood,hasdonewhatis

skillful,hasgivenprotectiontothoseinfear,andhasnotdonewhatisevil,savage,orcruel.Thenhecomesdownwithaseriousdisease.Ashecomesdownwithaseriousdisease,thethoughtoccurstohim,‘Ihavedonewhatisgood,havedonewhatisskillful,havegivenprotectiontothoseinfear,andIhavenotdonewhatisevil,savage,orcruel.Totheextentthatthereisadestinationforthosewhohavedonewhatisgood,whatisskillful,havegivenprotectiontothoseinfear,andhavenotdonewhatisevil,savage,orcruel,that’swhereI’mheadedafterdeath.’Hedoesn’tgrieve,isn’ttormented;doesn’tweep,beathisbreast,orgrowdelirious.This,too,isapersonwho,subjecttodeath,isnotafraidorinterrorofdeath.

“Thenthereisthecaseofthepersonwhohasnodoubtorperplexity,whohasarrivedatcertaintywithregardtotheTrueDhamma.Thenhecomesdownwithaseriousdisease.Ashecomesdownwithaseriousdisease,thethoughtoccurstohim,‘Ihavenodoubtorperplexity.IhavearrivedatcertaintywithregardtotheTrueDhamma.’Hedoesn’tgrieve,isn’ttormented;doesn’tweep,beathisbreast,orgrowdelirious.This,too,isapersonwho,subjecttodeath,isnotafraidorinterrorofdeath.

“These,brahman,arefourpeoplewho,subjecttodeath,arenotafraidorinterrorofdeath.”

[Whenthiswassaid,JānussoninthebrahmansaidtotheBlessedOne:]“Magnificent,MasterGotama!Magnificent!Justasifheweretoplaceuprightwhatwasoverturned,torevealwhatwashidden,toshowthewaytoonewhowaslost,ortocarryalampintothedarksothatthosewitheyescouldseeforms,inthesamewayhasMasterGotama—throughmanylinesofreasoning—madetheDhammaclear.IgotoMasterGotamaforrefuge,totheDhamma,andtotheSaṅghaofmonks.MayMasterGotamaremembermeasalayfollowerwhohasgonetohimforrefuge,fromthisdayforward,forlife.”

—AN4:184

“Andwhatistheperceptionofdrawbacks?Thereisthecasewhereamonk—havinggonetothewilderness,tothefootofatree,ortoanemptydwelling—reflectsthus:‘Thisbodyhasmanypains,manydrawbacks.Inthisbodymanykindsofdiseasearise,suchas:seeing-diseases,hearing-diseases,nose-diseases,tongue-diseases,body-diseases,head-diseases,ear-diseases,mouth-diseases,teeth-diseases,cough,asthma,catarrh,fever,aging,stomach-ache,fainting,dysentery,grippe,cholera,leprosy,boils,ringworm,tuberculosis,epilepsy,skin-diseases,itch,scab,psoriasis,scabies,jaundice,diabetes,hemorrhoids,fistulas,ulcers;diseasesarisingfrombile,fromphlegm,fromthewind-property,fromcombinationsofbodilyhumors,fromchangesintheweather,fromunevencareofthebody,fromattacks,fromtheresultofkamma;cold,heat,hunger,thirst,defecation,urination.’Thusheremainsfocusedondrawbackswithregardtothisbody.Thisiscalledtheperception

30

ofdrawbacks.”—AN10:60

“IwillteachyouaDhammadiscourseonbondage&lackofbondage.Listen&paycloseattention.Iwillspeak.”

“Yes,lord,”themonksresponded.

TheBlessedOnesaid:“Awomanattendsinwardlytoherfemininefaculties,herfemininegestures,herfemininemanners,femininepoise,femininedesires,femininevoice,femininecharms.Sheisexcitedbythat,delightedbythat.Beingexcited&delightedbythat,sheattendsoutwardlytomasculinefaculties,masculinegestures,masculinemanners,masculinepoise,masculinedesires,masculinevoices,masculinecharms.Sheisexcitedbythat,delightedbythat.Beingexcited&delightedbythat,shewantstobebondedtowhatisoutsideher,wantswhateverpleasure&happinessthatarisebasedonthatbond.Delighting,caughtupinherfemininity,awomangoesintobondagewithreferencetomen.Thisishowawomandoesnottranscendherfemininity.

“Amanattendsinwardlytohismasculinefaculties,masculinegestures,masculinemanners,masculinepoise,masculinedesires,masculinevoice,masculinecharms.Heisexcitedbythat,delightedbythat.Beingexcited&delightedbythat,heattendsoutwardlytofemininefaculties,femininegestures,femininemanners,femininepoise,femininedesires,femininevoices,femininecharms.Heisexcitedbythat,delightedbythat.Beingexcited&delightedbythat,hewantstobebondedtowhatisoutsidehim,wantswhateverpleasure&happinessthatarisebasedonthatbond.Delighting,caughtupinhismasculinity,amangoesintobondagewithreferencetowomen.Thisishowamandoesnottranscendhismasculinity.

“Andhowistherelackofbondage?Awomandoesnotattendinwardlytoherfemininefaculties…femininecharms.Sheisnotexcitedbythat,notdelightedbythat…doesnotattendoutwardlytomasculinefaculties…masculinecharms.Sheisnotexcitedbythat,notdelightedbythat…doesnotwanttobebondedtowhatisoutsideher,doesnotwantwhateverpleasure&happinessthatarisebasedonthatbond.Notdelighting,notcaughtupinherfemininity,awomandoesnotgointobondagewithreferencetomen.Thisishowawomantranscendsherfemininity.

“Amandoesnotattendinwardlytohismasculinefaculties…masculinecharms.Heisnotexcitedbythat,notdelightedbythat…doesnotattendoutwardlytofemininefaculties…femininecharms.Heisnotexcitedbythat,notdelightedbythat…doesnotwanttobebondedtowhatisoutsidehim,doesnotwantwhateverpleasure&happinessthatarisebasedonthatbond.Notdelighting,notcaughtupinhismasculinity,amandoesnotgointobondagewithreferencetowomen.Thisishowamantranscendshismasculinity.

“Thisishowthereislackofbondage.AndthisistheDhammadiscourseonbondage&lackofbondage.”

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—AN7:48

[Ven.Ānandateachesanun:]“‘Thisbodycomesintobeingthroughfood.Andyetitisbyrelyingonfoodthatfoodistobeabandoned.’Thusitwassaid.Andinreferencetowhatwasitsaid?Thereisthecase,sister,whereamonk,consideringitthoughtfully,takesfood—notplayfully,norforintoxication,norforputtingonbulk,norforbeautification—butsimplyforthesurvival&continuanceofthisbody,forendingitsafflictions,forthesupportoftheholylife,[thinking,]‘ThuswillIdestroyoldfeelings[ofhunger]andnotcreatenewfeelings[fromovereating].Iwillmaintainmyself,beblameless,&liveincomfort.’Then,atalatertime,heabandonsfood,havingreliedonfood.‘Thisbody,sister,comesintobeingthroughfood.Andyetitisbyrelyingonfoodthatfoodistobeabandoned.’Thusitwassaid,andinreferencetothiswasitsaid.

“‘Thisbodycomesintobeingthroughcraving.Andyetitisbyrelyingoncravingthatcravingistobeabandoned.’Thusitwassaid.Andinreferencetowhatwasitsaid?Thereisthecase,sister,whereamonkhears,‘Themonknamedsuch-and-such,theysay,throughtheendingoftheeffluents,hasentered&remainsintheeffluent-&discernment-release,havingknown&realizedthemforhimselfinthehere&now.’Thethoughtoccurstohim,‘IhopethatI,too,will—throughtheendingoftheeffluents—enter&remainintheeffluent-freeawareness-release&discernment-release,havingdirectlyknown&realizedthemformyselfrightinthehere&now.’Then,atalatertime,heabandonscraving,havingreliedoncraving.‘Thisbodycomesintobeingthroughcraving.Andyetitisbyrelyingoncravingthatcravingistobeabandoned.’Thusitwassaid.Andinreferencetothiswasitsaid.

“‘Thisbodycomesintobeingthroughconceit.Andyetitisbyrelyingonconceitthatconceitistobeabandoned.’Thusitwassaid.Andinreferencetowhatwasitsaid?Thereisthecase,sister,whereamonkhears,‘Themonknamedsuch-and-such,theysay,throughtheendingoftheeffluents,hasentered&remainsintheeffluent-freeawareness-release&discernment-release,havingdirectlyknown&realizedthemforhimselfrightinthehere&now.’Thethoughtoccurstohim,‘Themonknamedsuch-&-such,theysay,throughtheendingoftheeffluents,hasentered&remainsintheeffluent-freeawareness-release&discernment-release,havingdirectlyknown&realizedthemforhimselfrightinthehere&now.Thenwhynotme?’Then,atalatertime,heabandonsconceit,havingreliedonconceit.‘Thisbodycomesintobeingthroughconceit.Andyetitisbyrelyingonconceitthatconceitistobeabandoned.’Thusitwassaid,andinreferencetothiswasitsaid.

“Thisbodycomesintobeingthroughsexualintercourse.Sexualintercourseistobeabandoned.Withregardtosexualintercourse,theBuddhadeclaresthecuttingoffofthebridge.”

—AN4:159

Lookatthebeautifiedimage,

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aheapoffesteringwounds,shoredup:ill,buttheobject

ofmanyresolves,wherethereisnothing

lastingorsure.

Wornoutisthisbody,anestofdiseases,dissolving.Thisputridconglomerationisboundtobreakup,forlifeishemmedinwithdeath.

Onseeingthesebonesdiscarded

likegourdsinthefall,pigeon-gray:

whatdelight?

Acitymadeofbones,plasteredoverwithflesh&blood,whosehiddentreasuresare:

pride&contempt,aging&death.

—Dhp147-150

Whetherwalking,standing,sitting,orlyingdown,itflexes&stretches:

Thisisthebody’smovement.Joinedtogetherwithtendons&bones,plasteredoverwithmuscle&skin,hiddenbycomplexion,

thebodyisn’tseenforwhatitis:

filledwithintestines,filledwithstomach,withthelumpoftheliver,bladder,lungs,heart,kidneys,spleen,mucus,sweat,saliva,fat,blood,synovialfluid,bile,&oil.Ontopofthat,inninestreams,filthisalwaysflowingfromit:

33

fromtheeyes:eyesecretions,fromtheears:earsecretions,fromthenose:mucus,fromthemouth:itvomits:nowvomit,

nowphlegm,nowbile;

fromthebody:beadsofsweat.Andontopofthat,itshollowheadisfilledwithbrains.

Thefool,besetbyignorance,thinksitbeautiful.butwhenitliesdead,

swollen,livid,castawayinacharnelground,

evenrelativesdon’tcareforit.Dogsfeedonit,jackals,wolves,&worms.Crows&vulturesfeedonit,alongwithanyotheranimalsthere.

HavingheardtheAwakenedOne’swords,thediscerningmonkcomprehends,forheseesit

forwhatitis:“Asthisis,soisthat.Asthat,sothis.”Within&without,heshouldletdesireforthebody

fadeaway.Withdesire&passionfadedaway,thediscerningmonkarriveshere:

atthedeathless,thecalm,theundyingstateofunbinding.

Thistwo-footedthingiscaredfor,filthy,evil-smelling,filledwithvariouscarcasses,oozingouthere&there:Whoeverwouldthink,

34

onthebasisofabodylikethis,toexalthimselfordisparageanother:

Whatisthatifnotblindness?

—Sn1:11

“Monks,it’sjustasiftherewereaboilthathadbeenbuildingformanyyearswithnineopenings,nineun-lancedheads.Whateverwouldoozeoutfromitwouldbeanuncleanlinessoozingout,astenchoozingout,adisgustoozingout.Whateverwouldbedischargedfromitwouldbeanuncleanlinessdischarging,astenchdischarging,adisgustdischarging.

“‘Aboil,’monks,isanotherwordforthisbodycomposedofthefourproperties,bornofmother&father,fedonrice&porridge,subjecttoinconstancy,rubbing&massaging,breaking-up&disintegrating.Ithasnineopenings,nineun-lancedheads.Whateverwouldoozeoutfromitwouldbeanuncleanlinessoozingout,astenchoozingout,adisgustoozingout.Whateverwouldbedischargedfromitwouldbeanuncleanlinessdischarging,astenchdischarging,adisgustdischarging.Forthatreason,youshouldbecomedisenchantedwiththisbody.”

—AN9:15

Piṅgiya:

I’mold&weak,mycomplexiondull.I’veblurryeyesandtroublehearing,butmayInotperishdeluded,

confused!TeachmetheDhammasothatImayknowtheabandoninghere

ofbirth&aging.

TheBuddha:

Seeingpeoplesufferingonaccountoftheirbodies—

heedlesspeopleareoppressedonaccountoftheirbodies—

thenheedful,Piṅgiya,letgoofthebody

forthesakeofnofurtherbecoming.

Piṅgiya:

35

Inthefourcardinaldirections,thefourintermediate,above&below

—thetendirections—thereisnothingintheworld

unseen,unheard,unsensed,uncognizedbyyou.

TeachmetheDhammasothatImayknowtheabandoninghere

ofbirth&aging.

TheBuddha:

Seeingpeople,victimsofcraving—aflame,overwhelmedwithaging—

thenheedful,Piṅgiya,letgoofcraving

forthesakeofnofurtherbecoming.

—Sn5:16

Māṇava:

Onseeinganoldperson;&

apersoninpain,diseased;&

apersondead,gonetolife’send,Ileft

forthelifegoneforth,abandoningthesensualitythatenticestheheart.

—Thag1:73

Alltoosoon,thisbodywilllieontheground

castoff,bereftofconsciousness,likeauselessscrap

ofwood.

—Dhp41

36

Lookatthebeautifiedimage,aheapoffesteringwounds,shoredup:ill,buttheobject

ofmanydesires,wherethereisnothing

lastingorsure.

—Dhp147

Acitymadeofbones,plasteredoverwithflesh&blood,whosehiddentreasuresare:

pride&contempt,aging&death.

—Dhp150

Thisunlisteningmanmatureslikeanox.Hismusclesdevelop,hisdiscernmentnot.

—Dhp152

Kimbila:

Asifsentbyacurse,itdropsonus—

aging.Thebodyseemsother,thoughit’sstillthesameone.I’mstillhere&haveneverbeenabsentfromit,butIremembermyselfasifsomebodyelse’s.

—Thag1:118

Mahākāla:

Thisswarthywoman[preparingacorpseforcremation]

—crow-like,enormous—breakingathigh&thentheother

thigh,breakinganarm&thentheother

37

arm,crackingopenthehead,

likeapotofcurds,shesitswiththemheapedupbesideher.

Whoever,unknowing,makesacquisitions

—thefool—returnsover&overtosuffering&stress.

So,discerning,don’tmakeacquisitions.

MayIneverliewithmyheadcrackedopen

again.

—Thag2:16

Rājadata:

I,amonk,gonetothecharnelground,sawawomancastaway,

discardedthereinthecemetery.Thoughsomeweredisgusted,seeingher—dead,evil—

lustappeared,

asifIwereblindtotheoozings.

Inlesstimethanittakesforricetocook,Igotoutofthatplace.Mindful,alert,Isatdowntooneside.Thenaptattentionaroseinme,thedrawbacksappeared,

disenchantmentstoodatanevenkeel:

Withthat,myheartwasreleased.SeetheDhamma’struerightness!

38

Thethreeknowledgeshavebeenattained;theAwakenedOne’sbidding,

done.

—Thag5:1

AsSubhāthenunwasgoingthroughJīvaka’sdelightfulmangogrove,alibertine[agoldsmith’sson]blockedherpath,soshesaidtohim:

‘WhatwronghaveIdoneyouthatyoustandinmyway?It’snotproper,myfriend,thatamanshouldtouchawomangoneforth.IrespecttheMaster’smessage,thetrainingpointedoutbytheonewell-gone.Iampure,withoutblemish:

Whydoyoustandinmyway?You—yourmindagitated,impassioned;I—unagitated,unimpassioned,withamindentirelyfreed:

Whydoyoustandinmyway?’

‘Youareyoung&notbad-looking,whatneeddoyouhaveforgoingforth?Throwoffyourochrerobe—

Come,let’sdelightinthefloweringgrove.Asweetnesstheyexudeeverywhere,thetreesrisen-upwiththeirpollen.Thebeginningofspringisapleasantseason—

Come,let’sdelightinthefloweringgrove.Thetreeswiththeirblossomingtipsmoan,asitwere,inthebreeze:Whatdelightwillyouhaveifyouplungeintothegrovealone?Frequentedbyherdsofwildbeasts,disturbedbyelephantsrutting&aroused:youwanttogo

unaccompaniedintothegreat,lonely,frighteninggrove?

Likeadollmadeofgold,youwillgoabout,likeagoddessinthegardensofheaven.

39

Withdelicate,smoothKasifabrics,youwillshine,Obeautywithoutcompare.Iwouldgladlydoyoureverybiddingifweweretodwellintheglade.Forthereisnocreaturedearertome

thanyou,Onymphwiththelanguidregard.IfyoudoasIask,happy,comeliveinmyhouse.Dwellinginthecalmofapalace,

havewomenwaitonyou,weardelicateKasifabrics,adornyourselfwithgarlands&creams.

Iwillmakeyoumany&variedornamentsofgold,jewels,&pearls.

Climbontoacostlybed,scentedwithsandalwoodcarvings,withawell-washedcoverlet,beautiful,spreadwithawoolenquilt,brandnew.

Likeabluelotusrisingfromthewaterwherenohumanbeingsdwell,youwillgotooldagewithyourlimbsunseen,ifyoustayasyouareintheholylife.’

‘Whatdoyouassumeofanyessence,hereinthiscemeterygrower,filledwithcorpses,thisbodydestinedtobreakup?Whatdoyouseewhenyoulookatme,

youwhoareoutofyourmind?’

‘Youreyesarelikethoseofafawn,likethoseofaspriteinthemountains.Seeingyoureyes,mysensualdelight

growsallthemore.Liketipstheyare,ofbluelotuses,inyourgoldenface

—spotless:Seeingyoureyes,mysensualdelight

growsallthemore.Evenifyoushouldgofaraway,Iwillthinkonlyofyourpure,

long-lashedgaze,forthereisnothingdearertome

thanyoureyes,Onymphwiththelanguidregard.’

40

‘Youwanttostrayfromtheroad,youwantthemoonasaplaything,youwanttojumpoverMountSineru,youwhohavedesignsononebornoftheBuddha.Forthereisnothinganywhereatallinthecosmoswithitsgods,thatwouldbeanobjectofpassionforme.

Idon’tevenknowwhatthatpassionwouldbe,forit’sbeenkilled,root&all,bythepath.

Likeembersfromapit—scattered,likeabowlofpoison—evaporated,

Idon’tevenseewhatthatpassionwouldbe,forit’sbeenkilled,root&all,bythepath.

Trytoseduceonewhohasn’treflectedonthis,orwhohasnotfollowedtheMaster’steaching.Buttryitwiththisonewhoknows

andyousuffer.Forinthemidstofpraise&blame,

pleasure&pain,mymindfulnessstandsfirm.Knowingtheunattractiveness

ofthingscompounded,mymindcleavestonothingatall.Iamafolloweroftheonewell-gone,ridingthevehicleoftheeightfoldway:Myarrowremoved,effluent-free,Idelight,havinggonetoanemptydwelling.ForIhaveseenwell-paintedpuppets,hitchedupwithsticks&strings,madetodanceinvariousways.Whenthesticks&stringsareremoved,thrownaway,scattered,shredded,smashedintopieces,nottobefound,inwhatwillthemindtheremakeitshome?Thisbodyofmine,whichisjustlikethat,whendevoidofdhammasdoesn’tfunction.When,devoidofdhammas,itdoesn’tfunction,

inwhatwillthemindtheremakeitshome?Likeamuralyou’veseen,paintedonawall,smearedwithyelloworpiment,thereyourvisionhasbeendistorted,meaninglessyourhumanperception.

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Likeanevaporatedmirage,likeatreeofgoldinadream,likeamagicshowinthemidstofacrowd—

yourunblindafterwhatisunreal.Resemblingaballofsealingwax,setinahollow,withabubbleinthemiddleandbathedwithtears,eyesecretionsareborntheretoo:Thepartsoftheeyearerolledalltogetherinvariousways.’

Pluckingoutherlovelyeye,withmindunattachedshefeltnoregret.

‘Here,takethiseye.It’syours.’

Straightawayshegaveittohim.Straightawayhispassionfadedrightthere,andhebeggedherforgiveness.

‘Bewell,followeroftheholylife.Thissortofthingwon’thappenagain.

Harmingapersonlikeyouislikeembracingablazingfire.It’sasifIhaveseizedapoisonoussnake.Somayyoubewell.Forgiveme.’

Andreleasedfromthere,thenunwenttotheexcellentBuddha’spresence.Whenshesawthemarkofhisexcellentmerit,

hereyebecameasitwasbefore.

—Thig14

SundaraSamudda:

Ornamented,finelyclothedgarlanded,adorned,

herfeetstainedredwithlac,sheworeslippers:

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acourtesan.Steppingoutofherslippers—

herhandsraisedbeforeme,palm-to-palmoverherheart—

shesoftly,tenderly,inmeasuredwordsspoketomefirst:

“Youareyoung,recluse.Heedmymessage:

Partakeofhumansensuality.Iwillgiveyouluxury.

TrulyIvowtoyou,Iwilltendtoyouastoafire.

Whenweareold,bothleaningoncanes,

thenwewillbothbecomecontemplatives,winningthebenefitsofbothworlds.”

Andseeingherbeforeme—acourtesan,ornamented,finelyclothed,handspalm-to-palmoverherheart—

likeasnareofdeathlaidout,aptattentionaroseinme,

thedrawbacksappeared,disenchantmentstoodatanevenkeel:

Withthat,myheartwasreleased.SeetheDhamma’struerightness!Thethreeknowledgeshavebeenattained;theBuddha’sbidding,

done.

—Thag7:1

Kappa:

Fullofthemanyclansofimpurities,thegreatmanufacturerofexcrement,likeastagnantpool,

agreattumor,greatwound,

fullofblood&lymph,

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immersedinacesspool,tricklingliquids,thebodyisoozingfoulness—always.Boundtogetherwithsixtysinews,plasteredwithastuccoofmuscle,wrappedinajacketofskin,thisfoulbodyisofnoworthatall.Linkedtogetherwithachainofbones,stitchedtogetherwithtendon-threads,itproducesitsvariouspostures,frombeinghitcheduptogether.

Headedsurelytodeath,inthepresenceoftheKingofMortality,themanwholearnstodiscarditrighthere,

goeswhereverhewants.Coveredwithignorance,thebody’stieddownwithafour-foldtie,1

sunkinthefloods,2

caughtinthenetofobsessions,3

conjoinedwithfivehindrances,4

givenovertothought,accompaniedwiththerootofcraving,roofedwithdelusion’sroofing.

That’showthebodyfunctions,compelledbythecompulsionofkamma,

butitsattainmentendsinruin.

Itsmanybecomingsgotoruin.

Thesewhoholdtothisbodyasmine—blindfools,peoplerun-of-the-mill—fillthehorrificcemetery,takingonfurtherbecoming.Thosewhostayuninvolvedwiththisbody—astheywouldwithaserpent

smearedwithdung—disgorgingtherootofbecoming,5

fromlackofeffluentwillbetotallyunbound.

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NOTES

1.Thefour-foldtie:greed,illwill,attachmenttoprecepts&practice,anddogmaticobsessionwithviews.

2.Floods:sensuality,becoming,views,andignorance.SeeSN45:171.Theseareidenticalwiththefouryokes.SeeAN4:10.

3.Obsessions:sensualpassion,resistance,views,uncertainty,conceit,passionforbecoming,andignorance.SeeAN7:11-12.

4.Hindrances:sensualdesire,illwill,sloth&torpor,restlessness&anxiety,anduncertainty.SeeDN2andSN46:51.

5.Therootofbecoming:craving.

—Thag10:5

Ampabālī:

Blackwasmyhair—thecolorofbees—&curledatthetips;

withage,itlookedlikecoarsehemp.TheTruth-speaker’sword

doesn’tchange.

Fragrant,likeaperfumedbasketfilledwithflowers:mycoiffure.

Withageitsmelledmusty,likeanimalfur.

TheTruth-speaker’sworddoesn’tchange.

Thick&lush,likeawell-tendedgrove,madesplendid,thetipselaboratewithcomb&pin.

Withage,itgrewthin&baldhere&there.

TheTruth-speaker’sworddoesn’tchange.

Adornedwithgold&delicatepins,itwassplendid,ornamentedwithbraids.

Now,withage,thatheadhasgonebald.

TheTruth-speaker’sworddoesn’tchange.

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Curved,asifwell-drawnbyanartist,mybrowswereoncesplendid.

Withage,theydroopdowninfolds.TheTruth-speaker’sword

doesn’tchange.

Radiant,brilliantlikejewels,myeyes:elongated,black—deepblack.

Withage,they’renolongersplendid.TheTruth-speaker’sword

doesn’tchange.

Likeadelicatepeak,mynosewassplendidintheprimeofmyyouth.

Withage,it’slikealongpepper.TheTruth-speaker’sword

doesn’tchange.

Likebracelets—well-fashioned,well-finished—myearswereoncesplendid.

Withage,theydroopdowninfolds.TheTruth-speaker’sword

doesn’tchange.

Likeplantainbudsintheircolor,myteethwereoncesplendid.

Withage,they’rebroken&yellowed.TheTruth-speaker’sword

doesn’tchange.

Likethatofacuckoointhedensejungle,flittingthroughdeepforestthickets:sweetwasthetoneofmyvoice.

Withage,itcrackshere&there.TheTruth-speaker’sword

doesn’tchange.

Smooth—likeaconchshellwell-polished—myneckwasoncesplendid.

Withage,it’sbrokendown,bent.TheTruth-speaker’sword

doesn’tchange.

Likeroundeddoor-bars—bothofthem—myarmswereoncesplendid.

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Withage,they’relikedrieduppatalitrees.TheTruth-speaker’sword

doesn’tchange.

Adornedwithgold&delicaterings,myhandswereoncesplendid.

Withage,they’relikeonions&tubers.TheTruth-speaker’sword

doesn’tchange.

Swelling,round,firm,&high,bothmybreastswereoncesplendid.

Inthedroughtofoldage,theydanglelikeemptyoldwaterbags.

TheTruth-speaker’sworddoesn’tchange.

Likeasheetofgold,well-burnished,mybodywassplendid.

Nowit’scoveredwithveryfinewrinkles.TheTruth-speaker’sword

doesn’tchange.

Smoothintheirlines,likeanelephant’strunk,bothmythighswereoncesplendid.

Withage,they’relikeknottedbamboo.TheTruth-speaker’sword

doesn’tchange.

Adornedwithgold&delicateanklets,mycalveswereoncesplendid.

Withage,they’relikesesamesticks.TheTruth-speaker’sword

doesn’tchange.

Asiftheywerestuffedwithsoftcotton,bothmyfeetwereoncesplendid.

Withage,they’reshriveled&cracked.TheTruth-speaker’sword

doesn’tchange.

Suchwasthisphysicalheap,now:decrepit,thehomeofpains,manypains.

Ahousewithitsplasterallfallenoff.TheTruth-speaker’sword

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doesn’tchange.

—Thig13:1

Nandā:

“Sick,putrid,unclean:look,Nandā,atthisphysicalheap.Throughcontemplationofthefoul,developyourmind,makeitone,well-centered.

Asthis[yourbody],sothat.Asthat,sothis.

Itgivesoffafoulstench,thedelightoffools.”

Consideringitthus,untiring,bothday&night,I,withmyowndiscernment

dissectingit,saw.

AndasI,heedful,examineditaptly,

thisbody—asitactuallyis—wasseeninside&out.

ThenwasIdisenchantedwiththebody&dispassionatewithin:

Heedful,detached,calmedwasI.

Unbound.

—Thig5:4

Soṇā:

TenchildrenIborefromthisphysicalheap.Thenweakfromthat,aged,Iwenttoanun.ShetaughtmetheDhamma:

aggregates,sensespheres,&elements.HearingherDhamma,Icutoffmyhair&ordained.

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Havingpurifiedthedivineeyewhilestillaprobationer,Iknowmypreviouslives,whereIlivedinthepast.Idevelopthetheme-lessmeditation,well-focusedoneness.Igaintheliberationofimmediacy—fromlackofclinging,unbound.Thefiveaggregates,comprehended,standlikeatreewithitsrootcutthrough.

Ispitonoldage.Thereisnownofurtherbecoming.

—Thig5:8

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V.SAMATHA/VIPASSANĀ

“Thesetwoqualitieshaveashareinclearknowing.Whichtwo?Tranquility[samatha]&insight[vipassanā].

“Whentranquilityisdeveloped,whatpurposedoesitserve?Themindisdeveloped.Andwhenthemindisdeveloped,whatpurposedoesitserve?Passionisabandoned.

“Wheninsightisdeveloped,whatpurposedoesitserve?Discernmentisdeveloped.Andwhendiscernmentisdeveloped,whatpurposedoesitserve?Ignoranceisabandoned.”

—AN2:29

“Supposethattherewerearoyalfrontierfortresswithstrongramparts,strongwalls&arches,andsixgates.Initwouldbeawise,competent,knowledgeablegatekeepertokeepoutthosehedidn’tknowandtoletinthosehedid.Aswiftpairofmessengers,comingfromtheeast,wouldsaytothegatekeeper,‘Where,mygoodman,isthecommanderofthisfortress?’Hewouldsay,‘Thereheis,sirs,sittinginthecentralsquare.’Theswiftpairofmessengers,deliveringtheiraccuratereporttothecommanderofthefortress,wouldthengobackbytheroutebywhichtheyhadcome.Thenaswiftpairofmessengers,comingfromthewest…thenorth…thesouth,wouldsaytothegatekeeper,‘Where,mygoodman,isthecommanderofthisfortress?’Hewouldsay,‘Thereheis,sirs,sittinginthecentralsquare.’Theswiftpairofmessengers,deliveringtheiraccuratereporttothecommanderofthefortress,wouldthengobackbytheroutebywhichtheyhadcome.

“Ihavegivenyouthissimiletoconveyamessage.Themessageisthis:Thefortressstandsforthisbody—composedoffourelements,bornofmother&father,nourishedwithrice&barleygruel,subjecttoconstantrubbing&abrasion,tobreaking&fallingapart.Thesixgatesstandforthesixinternalsensemedia.Thegatekeeperstandsformindfulness.Theswiftpairofmessengersstandsfortranquility&insight.Thecommanderofthefortressstandsforconsciousness.Thecentralsquarestandsforthefourgreatelements:theearth-property,theliquid-property,thefire-property,&thewind-property.Theaccuratereportstandsforunbinding.Theroutebywhichtheyhadcomestandsforthenobleeightfoldpath:rightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration.”

—SN35:204

OnoneoccasionVen.ĀnandawasstayinginKosambī,atGhosita’smonastery.

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Thereheaddressedthemonks,“Friends!”“Yes,friend,”themonksresponded.

Ven.Ānandasaid:“Friends,whoever—monkornun—declarestheattainmentofarahantshipinmypresence,theyalldoitbymeansofoneoranotheroffourpaths.Whichfour?

“Thereisthecasewhereamonkhasdevelopedinsightprecededbytranquility.Ashedevelopsinsightprecededbytranquility,thepathisborn.Hefollowsthatpath,developsit,pursuesit.Ashefollowsthepath,developingit&pursuingit—hisfettersareabandoned,hisobsessionsdestroyed.

“Thenthereisthecasewhereamonkhasdevelopedtranquilityprecededbyinsight.Ashedevelopstranquilityprecededbyinsight,thepathisborn.Hefollowsthatpath,developsit,pursuesit.Ashefollowsthepath,developingit&pursuingit—hisfettersareabandoned,hisobsessionsdestroyed.

“Thenthereisthecasewhereamonkhasdevelopedtranquilityintandemwithinsight.Ashedevelopstranquilityintandemwithinsight,thepathisborn.Hefollowsthatpath,developsit,pursuesit.Ashefollowsthepath,developingit&pursuingit—hisfettersareabandoned,hisobsessionsdestroyed.

“Thenthereisthecasewhereamonk’smindhasitsrestlessnessconcerningtheDhamma[Comm:thecorruptionsofinsight]wellundercontrol.Therecomesatimewhenhismindgrowssteadyinwardly,settlesdown,andbecomesunified&concentrated.Inhimthepathisborn.Hefollowsthatpath,developsit,pursuesit.Ashefollowsthepath,developingit&pursuingit—hisfettersareabandoned,hisobsessionsdestroyed.

“Whoever—monkornun—declarestheattainmentofarahantshipinmypresence,theyalldoitbymeansofoneoranotherofthesefourpaths.”

—AN4:170

“Monks,thesefourtypesofindividualsaretobefoundexistinginworld.Whichfour?

“Thereisthecaseoftheindividualwhohasattainedinternaltranquilityofawareness,butnotinsightintophenomenathroughheighteneddiscernment.Thenthereisthecaseoftheindividualwhohasattainedinsightintophenomenathroughheighteneddiscernment,butnotinternaltranquilityofawareness.Thenthereisthecaseoftheindividualwhohasattainedneitherinternaltranquilityofawarenessnorinsightintophenomenathroughheighteneddiscernment.Andthenthereisthecaseoftheindividualwhohasattainedbothinternaltranquilityofawareness&insightintophenomenathroughheighteneddiscernment.

“Theindividualwhohasattainedinternaltranquilityofawareness,butnotinsightintophenomenathroughheighteneddiscernment,shouldapproachanindividualwhohasattainedinsightintophenomenathroughheighteneddiscernmentandaskhim:‘Howshouldfabricationsberegarded?Howshouldtheybeinvestigated?How

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shouldtheybeseenwithinsight?’Theotherwillanswerinlinewithwhathehasseen&experienced:‘Fabricationsshouldberegardedinthisway.Fabricationsshouldbeinvestigatedinthisway.Fabricationsshouldbeseeninthiswaywithinsight.’Theneventuallyhe[thefirst]willbecomeonewhohasattainedbothinternaltranquilityofawareness&insightintophenomenathroughheighteneddiscernment.

“Asfortheindividualwhohasattainedinsightintophenomenathroughheighteneddiscernment,butnotinternaltranquilityofawareness,heshouldapproachanindividualwhohasattainedinternaltranquilityofawareness…andaskhim,‘Howshouldthemindbesteadied?Howshoulditbemadetosettledown?Howshoulditbeunified?Howshoulditbeconcentrated?’Theotherwillanswerinlinewithwhathehasseen&experienced:‘Themindshouldbesteadiedinthisway.Themindshouldbemadetosettledowninthisway.Themindshouldbeunifiedinthisway.Themindshouldbeconcentratedinthisway.’Theneventuallyhe[thefirst]willbecomeonewhohasattainedbothinternaltranquilityofawareness&insightintophenomenathroughheighteneddiscernment.

“Asfortheindividualwhohasattainedneitherinternaltranquilityofawarenessnorinsightintophenomenathroughheighteneddiscernment,heshouldapproachanindividualwhohasattainedbothinternaltranquilityofawareness&insightintophenomenathroughheighteneddiscernment…andaskhim,‘Howshouldthemindbesteadied?Howshoulditbemadetosettledown?Howshoulditbeunified?Howshoulditbeconcentrated?Howshouldfabricationsberegarded?Howshouldtheybeinvestigated?Howshouldtheybeseenwithinsight?’Theotherwillanswerinlinewithwhathehasseen&experienced:‘Themindshouldbesteadiedinthisway.Themindshouldbemadetosettledowninthisway.Themindshouldbeunifiedinthisway.Themindshouldbeconcentratedinthisway.Fabricationsshouldberegardedinthisway.Fabricationsshouldbeinvestigatedinthisway.Fabricationsshouldbeseeninthiswaywithinsight.’Theneventuallyhe[thefirst]willbecomeonewhohasattainedbothinternaltranquilityofawareness&insightintophenomenathroughheighteneddiscernment.

“Asfortheindividualwhohasattainedbothinternaltranquilityofawareness&insightintophenomenathroughheighteneddiscernment,hisdutyistomakeaneffortinestablishing(‘tuning’)thoseverysameskillfulqualitiestoahigherdegreefortheendingofthe(mental)effluents.

“Thesearefourtypesofindividualstobefoundexistinginworld.”—AN4:94

“Notknowing,notseeingthebodyasitactuallyispresent;notknowing,notseeingtactilesensations…consciousnessatthebody…contactatthebodyastheyactuallyarepresent;notknowing,notseeingwhateverarisesconditionedthroughcontactatthebody—experiencedaspleasure,pain,orneither-pleasure-nor-pain—asitactuallyispresent,oneisinfatuatedwiththebody…ideas…consciousnessatthebody…contactatthebody…whateverarisesconditionedbycontactatthebodyand

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isexperiencedaspleasure,pain,orneither-pleasure-nor-pain.“Forhim—infatuated,attached,confused,notremainingfocusedontheir

drawbacks—thefiveclinging-aggregatesheadtowardfutureaccumulation.Thecravingthatmakesforfurtherbecoming—accompaniedbypassion&delight,relishingnowthis&nowthat—growswithinhim.Hisbodilydisturbances&mentaldisturbancesgrow.Hisbodilytorments&mentaltormentsgrow.Hisbodilydistresses&mentaldistressesgrow.Heissensitivebothtobodilystress&mentalstress.…

“However,knowing&seeingthebodyasitactuallyispresent,knowing&seeingtactilesensations…consciousnessatthebody…contactatthebodyastheyactuallyarepresent,knowing&seeingwhateverarisesconditionedthroughcontactatthebody—experiencedaspleasure,pain,orneither-pleasure-nor-pain—asitactuallyispresent,oneisnotinfatuatedwiththebody…tactilesensations…consciousnessatthebody…contactatthebody…whateverarisesconditionedbycontactatthebodyandisexperiencedaspleasure,pain,orneither-pleasure-nor-pain.

“Forhim—uninfatuated,unattached,unconfused,remainingfocusedontheirdrawbacks—thefiveclinging-aggregatesheadtowardfuturediminution.Thecravingthatmakesforfurtherbecoming—accompaniedbypassion&delight,relishingnowthis&nowthat—isabandonedbyhim.Hisbodilydisturbances&mentaldisturbancesareabandoned.Hisbodilytorments&mentaltormentsareabandoned.Hisbodilydistresses&mentaldistressesareabandoned.Heissensitivebothtoeaseofbody&easeofawareness.

“Anyviewbelongingtoonewhohascometobelikethisishisrightview.Anyresolve,hisrightresolve.Anyeffort,hisrighteffort.Anymindfulness,hisrightmindfulness.Anyconcentration,hisrightconcentration:justasearlierhisactions,speech,&livelihoodwerealreadywell-purified.Thusforhim,havingthusdevelopedthenobleeightfoldpath,thefourestablishingsofmindfulnessgototheculminationoftheirdevelopment.Thefourrightexertions…thefourbasesofpower…thefivefaculties…thefivestrengths…thesevenfactorsforawakeninggototheculminationoftheirdevelopment.[And]forhimthesetwoqualitiesoccurintandem:tranquility&insight.

“Hecomprehendsthroughdirectknowledgewhateverqualitiesaretobecomprehendedthroughdirectknowledge,abandonsthroughdirectknowledgewhateverqualitiesaretobeabandonedthroughdirectknowledge,developsthroughdirectknowledgewhateverqualitiesaretobedevelopedthroughdirectknowledge,andrealizesthroughdirectknowledgewhateverqualitiesaretoberealizedthroughdirectknowledge.

“Andwhatqualitiesaretobecomprehendedthroughdirectknowledge?‘Thefiveclinging-aggregates,’shouldbethereply.Whichfive?Theformclinging-aggregate,thefeelingclinging-aggregate,theperceptionclinging-aggregate,thefabricationsclinging-aggregate,theconsciousnessclinging-aggregate:Thesearethequalitiesthataretobecomprehendedthroughdirectknowledge.

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“Andwhatqualitiesaretobeabandonedthroughdirectknowledge?Ignorance&cravingforbecoming:Thesearethequalitiesthataretobeabandonedthroughdirectknowledge.

“Andwhatqualitiesaretobedevelopedthroughdirectknowledge?Tranquility&insight:Thesearethequalitiesthataretobedevelopedthroughdirectknowledge.

“Andwhatqualitiesaretoberealizedthroughdirectknowledge?Clearknowing&release:Thesearethequalitiesthataretoberealizedthroughdirectknowledge.”

—MN149

[Insight&tranquilityasaprerequisiteforjhāna:]“Ifamonkwouldwish,‘MayIattain—wheneverIwant,withoutstrain,withoutdifficulty—thefourjhānasthatareheightenedmentalstates,pleasantabidingsinthehere-&-now,’thenheshouldbeonewhobringsthepreceptstoperfection,whoiscommittedtomentaltranquility,whodoesnotneglectjhāna,whoisendowedwithinsight,andwhofrequentsemptydwellings.

—AN10:71

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VI.MINDFULNESS/JHĀNA

Visākha:“Nowwhatisconcentration,whatqualitiesareitsthemes,whatqualitiesareitsrequisites,andwhatisitsdevelopment?”

SisterDhammadinnā:“Singlenessofmindisconcentration;thefourestablishingsofmindfulnessareitsthemes;thefourrightexertionsareitsrequisites;andanycultivation,development,&pursuitofthesequalitiesisitsdevelopment.”

—MN44

[Acertainmonk:]“MaytheBlessedOneteachmetheDhammainbrief!MaytheOneWell-goneteachmetheDhammainbrief!ItmaywellbethatIwillunderstandtheBlessedOne’swords.ItmaywellbethatIwillbecomeanheirtotheBlessedOne’swords.”

[TheBuddha:]“Then,monk,youshouldtrainyourselfthus:‘Mymindwillbeestablishedinwardly,well-composed.Noevil,unskillfulqualities,oncetheyhavearisen,willremainconsumingthemind.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourself.

“Thenyoushouldtrainyourselfthus:‘Goodwill,asmyawareness-release,willbedeveloped,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied,consolidated,&well-undertaken.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourself.Whenyouhavedevelopedthisconcentrationinthisway,youshoulddevelopthisconcentrationwithdirectedthought&evaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&amodicumofevaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&noevaluation,youshoulddevelopitaccompaniedbyrapture…notaccompaniedbyrapture…endowedwithasenseofenjoyment;youshoulddevelopitendowedwithequanimity.

“Whenthisconcentrationisthusdeveloped,thuswell-developedbyyou,youshouldthentrainyourselfthus:‘Compassion,asmyawareness-release.…Empatheticjoy,asmyawareness-release.…Equanimity,asmyawareness-release,willbedeveloped,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied,consolidated,&well-undertaken.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourself.Whenyouhavedevelopedthisconcentrationinthisway,youshoulddevelopthisconcentrationwithdirectedthought&evaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&amodicumofevaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&noevaluation,youshoulddevelopitaccompaniedbyrapture…notaccompaniedbyrapture…endowedwithasenseofenjoyment;youshoulddevelopitendowedwithequanimity.

“Whenthisconcentrationisthusdeveloped,thuswell-developedbyyou,youshouldthentrainyourselfthus:‘Iwillremainfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—

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ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourself.Whenyouhavedevelopedthisconcentrationinthisway,youshoulddevelopthisconcentrationwithdirectedthought&evaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&amodicumofevaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&noevaluation,youshoulddevelopitaccompaniedbyrapture…notaccompaniedbyrapture…endowedwithasenseofenjoyment;youshoulddevelopitendowedwithequanimity.

“Whenthisconcentrationisthusdeveloped,thuswell-developedbyyou,youshouldtrainyourself:‘Iwillremainfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves…themindin&ofitself…mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourself.Whenyouhavedevelopedthisconcentrationinthisway,youshoulddevelopthisconcentrationwithdirectedthought&evaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&amodicumofevaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&noevaluation,youshoulddevelopitaccompaniedbyrapture…notaccompaniedbyrapture…endowedwithasenseofenjoyment;youshoulddevelopitendowedwithequanimity.

“Whenthisconcentrationisthusdeveloped,thuswell-developedbyyou,thenwhereveryougo,youwillgoincomfort.Whereveryoustand,youwillstandincomfort.Whereveryousit,youwillsitincomfort.Whereveryouliedown,youwillliedownincomfort.”

Thenthatmonk,havingbeenadmonishedbytheadmonishmentfromtheBlessedOne,gotupfromhisseatandboweddowntotheBlessedOne,circledaroundhim,keepingtheBlessedOnetohisrightside,andleft.Then,dwellingalone,secluded,heedful,ardent,&resolute,heinnolongtimereached&remainedinthesupremegoaloftheholylifeforwhichclansmenrightlygoforthfromhomeintohomelessness,knowing&realizingitforhimselfinthehere&now.Heknew:“Birthisended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthesakeofthisworld.”Andthushebecameanotheroneofthearahants.

—AN8:63

“Havingabandonedthefivehindrances—imperfectionsofawarenessthatweakendiscernment—themonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Heremainsfocusedonfeelings…mind…mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Justasifanelephanttrainerweretoplantalargepostinthegroundandweretobindaforestelephanttoitbytheneckinordertobreakitofitsforesthabits,itsforestmemories&resolves,itsdistraction,fatigue,&feveroverleavingtheforest,tomakeitdelightinthetownandtoinculcateinithabitscongenialtohumanbeings;inthesameway,thesefourestablishingsofmindfulnessarebindingsfortheawarenessofthediscipleofthenobleones,tobreakhimofhishouseholdhabits,hishouseholdmemories&

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resolves,hisdistraction,fatigue,&feveroverleavingthehouseholdlife,fortheattainmentoftherightmethodandtherealizationofunbinding.

“ThentheTathāgatatrainshimfurther:‘Come,monk,remainfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself,butdonotthinkanythoughtsconnectedwiththebody.Remainfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves,butdonotthinkanythoughtsconnectedwithfeelings.Remainfocusedonthemindin&ofitself,butdonotthinkanythoughtsconnectedwithmind.Remainfocusedonmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves,butdonotthinkanythoughtsconnectedwithmentalqualities.’Withthestillingofdirectedthoughts&evaluations,heentersthesecondjhāna.…”

—MN125

“Monks,thosewhoarenew,notlonggone-forth,onlyrecentlycometothisdoctrine&discipline,shouldberoused,encouraged,&exhortedbyyoutodevelopthefourestablishingsofmindfulness[inthisway]:

“‘Come,friends,remainfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—beingardent,alert,unified,clear-minded,concentrated,&single-mindedforknowledgeofthebodyasithascometobe.Remainfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves…focusedonthemindin&ofitself…focusedonmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—beingardent,alert,unified,clear-minded,concentrated,&single-mindedforknowledgeofmentalqualitiesastheyhavecometobe.’

“Monks,eventhosewhoarelearners—whohaveyettoattaintheirhearts’desire,whostayresolvedontheunsurpassedsecurityfrombondage—eventheyremainfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—beingardent,alert,unified,clear-minded,concentrated,&single-mindedforcompletecomprehensionofthebody.Theyremainfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves…focusedonthemindin&ofitself…focusedonmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—beingardent,alert,unified,clear-minded,concentrated,&single-mindedforcompletecomprehensionofmentalqualities.

“Eventhosewhoarearahants—whosementaleffluentsareended,whohavereachedfulfillment,donethetask,laiddowntheburden,attainedthetruegoal,totallydestroyedthefetterofbecoming,andwhoarereleasedthroughrightgnosis—eventheyremainfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—beingardent,alert,unified,clear-minded,concentrated,&single-minded,disjoinedfromthebody.Theyremainfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves…focusedonthemindin&ofitself…focusedonmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—beingardent,alert,unified,clear-minded,concentrated,&single-minded,disjoinedfrommentalqualities.

“Soeventhosewhoarenew,notlonggone-forth,onlyrecentlycometothisdoctrine&discipline,shouldberoused,encouraged,&exhortedbyyoutodevelopthefourestablishingsofmindfulness[inthisway].”

—SN47:4

“Supposethatthereisafoolish,inexperienced,unskillfulcookwhohaspresentedakingoraking’sministerwithvariouskindsofcurry:mainlysour,mainlybitter,

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mainlypeppery,mainlysweet,alkalineornon-alkaline,saltyornon-salty.Hedoesnottakenoteof[lit:pickuponthethemeof]hismaster,thinking,‘Todaymymasterlikesthiscurry,orhereachesoutforthatcurry,orhetakesalotofthiscurry,orhepraisesthatcurry’.…Asaresult,heisnotrewardedwithclothingorwagesorgifts.Whyisthat?Becausethefoolish,inexperienced,unskillfulcookdoesnotpickuponthethemeofhisownmaster.

“Inthesameway,therearecaseswhereafoolish,inexperienced,unskillfulmonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Asheremainsthusfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself,hisminddoesnotbecomeconcentrated,hisdefilements[Comm:thefiveHindrances]arenotabandoned.Hedoesnottakenoteofthatfact[doesnotpickuponthattheme].Heremainsfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves…themindin&ofitself…mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Asheremainsthusfocusedonmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves,hisminddoesnotbecomeconcentrated,hisdefilementsarenotabandoned.Hedoesnottakenoteofthatfact.Asaresult,heisnotrewardedwithapleasantabidinghere&now,norwithmindfulness&alertness.Whyisthat?Becausethefoolish,inexperienced,unskillfulmonkdoesnottakenoteofhisownmind[doesnotpickuponthethemeofhisownmind].

“Nowsupposethatthereisawise,experienced,skillfulcookwhohaspresentedakingoraking’sministerwithvariouskindsofcurry.…Hetakesnoteofhismaster,thinking,‘Todaymymasterlikesthiscurry,orhereachesoutforthatcurry,orhetakesalotofthiscurryorhepraisesthatcurry’.…Asaresult,heisrewardedwithclothing,wages,&gifts.Whyisthat?Becausethewise,experienced,skillfulcookpicksuponthethemeofhisownmaster.

“Inthesameway,therearecaseswhereawise,experienced,skillfulmonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself…feelingsin&ofthemselves…themindin&ofitself…mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Asheremainsthusfocusedonmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves,hismindbecomesconcentrated,hisdefilementsareabandoned.Hetakesnoteofthatfact.Asaresult,heisrewardedwithapleasantabidinghere&now,togetherwithmindfulness&alertness.Whyisthat?Becausethewise,experienced,skillfulmonkpicksuponthethemeofhisownmind.”

—SN47:8

“Ānanda,ifamonkornunremainswithmindwellestablishedinthefourestablishingsofmindfulness,he/shemaybeexpectedtorealizegreater-than-everdistinction.

“Thereisthecaseofamonkwhoremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Asheremainsthusfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself,afeverbasedonthebodyariseswithinhisbody,orthereissluggishnessinhisawareness,orhismindbecomes

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scatteredexternally.Heshouldthendirecthismindtoanyinspiringtheme[Comm:suchasrecollectionoftheBuddha].Ashismindisdirectedtoanyinspiringtheme,delightariseswithinhim.Inonewhofeelsdelight,rapturearises.Inonewhosemindisenraptured,thebodygrowscalm.Hisbodycalm,hefeelspleasure.Ashefeelspleasure,hismindgrowsconcentrated.Hereflects,‘Ihaveattainedtheaimtowhichmymindwasdirected.Letmewithdraw[mymindfromtheinspiringtheme].’Hewithdraws&engagesneitherindirectedthoughtnorinevaluation.Hediscerns,‘Iamnotthinkingorevaluating.Iaminwardlymindful&atease.’

“Furthermore,heremainsfocusedonfeelings…mind…mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Asheremainsthusfocusedonmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves,afeverbasedonmentalqualitiesariseswithinhisbody,orthereissluggishnessinhisawareness,orhismindbecomesscatteredexternally.Heshouldthendirecthismindtoanyinspiringtheme.Ashismindisdirectedtoanyinspiringtheme,delightariseswithinhim.Inonewhofeelsdelight,rapturearises.Inonewhosemindisenraptured,thebodygrowscalm.Hisbodycalm,heissensitivetopleasure.Ashefeelspleasure,hismindgrowsconcentrated.Hereflects,‘Ihaveattainedtheaimtowhichmymindwasdirected.Letmewithdraw.’Hewithdraws&engagesneitherindirectedthoughtnorinevaluation.Hediscerns,‘Iamnotthinkingorevaluating.Iaminwardlymindful&atease.’

“This,Ānanda,isdevelopmentbasedondirecting.Andwhatisdevelopmentbasedonnotdirecting?Amonk,whennotdirectinghismindtoexternalthings,discerns,‘Mymindisnotdirectedtoexternalthings.Itisnotattentivetowhatisinfrontorbehind.Itisreleased&undirected.AndfurthermoreIremainfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself.Iamardent,alert,mindful,&atease.’

“Whennotdirectinghismindtoexternalthings,hediscerns,‘Mymindisnotdirectedtoexternalthings.Itisnotattentivetowhatisinfrontorbehind.Itisreleased&undirected.AndfurthermoreIremainfocusedonfeelings…mind…mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves.Iamardent,alert,mindful,&atease.’

“This,Ānanda,isdevelopmentbasedonnotdirecting.

“Now,Ānanda,Ihavetaughtyoudevelopmentbasedondirectinganddevelopmentbasedonnotdirecting.Whatateachershoulddooutofcompassionforhisdisciples,seekingtheirwelfare,thatIhavedoneforyou.Overthereare[placestositat]thefootoftrees.Overthereareemptydwellings.Practicejhāna,Ānanda.Donotbeheedless.Donotberemorsefulinthefuture.Thatisourinstructiontoyouall.”

—SN47:10

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VII.JHĀNA/DISCERNMENT

Thereisnojhānaforonewithnodiscernment,

nodiscernmentforonewithnojhāna.

Butonewithbothjhāna&discernment:

he’sonthevergeofunbinding.

—Dhp372

[Jhānaasaprerequisiteforliberatinginsight:]“Ifamonkwouldwish,‘MayI—withtheendingofmentaleffluents—remainintheeffluent-freeawareness-release&discernment-release,havingdirectlyknown&realizedthemformyselfrightinthehere-&-now,’thenheshouldbeonewhobringsthepreceptstoperfection,whoiscommittedtomentaltranquility,whodoesnotneglectjhāna,whoisendowedwithinsight,andwhofrequentsemptydwellings.”

—AN10:71

“Itellyou,theendingoftheeffluentsdependsonthefirstjhāna…thesecondjhāna…thethird…thefourth…thedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspace…thedimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness…thedimensionofnothingness…thedimensionofneitherperceptionnornon-perception.

“‘Itellyou,theendingoftheeffluentsdependsonthefirstjhāna.’Thusithasbeensaid.Inreferencetowhatwasitsaid?…Supposethatanarcherorarcher’sapprenticeweretopracticeonastrawmanormoundofclay,sothatafterawhilehewouldbecomeabletoshootlongdistances,tofireaccurateshotsinrapidsuccession,andtopiercegreatmasses.Inthesameway,thereisthecasewhereamonk…enters&remainsinthefirstjhāna:rapture&pleasurebornofseclusion,accompaniedbydirectedthought&evaluation.Heregardswhateverphenomenatherethatareconnectedwithform,feeling,perceptions,fabrications,&consciousness,asinconstant,stressful,adisease,acancer,anarrow,painful,anaffliction,alien,adisintegration,avoid,not-self.Heturnshismindawayfromthosephenomena,andhavingdoneso,inclineshismindtothepropertyofdeathlessness:‘Thisispeace,thisisexquisite—theresolutionofallfabrications;therelinquishmentofallacquisitions;theendingofcraving;dispassion;cessation;unbinding.’

“Stayingrightthere,hereachestheendingoftheeffluents.Or,ifnot,then

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throughthisveryDhamma-passion,thisDhamma-delight,andthroughthetotalwastingawayofthefirstofthefivefetters[self-identityviews,graspingathabits&practices,uncertainty,sensualpassion,andirritation]—heisduetobereborn[inthePureAbodes],theretobetotallyunbound,neveragaintoreturnfromthatworld.

“‘Itellyou,theendingoftheeffluentsdependsonthefirstjhāna.’Thusitwassaid,andinreferencetothiswasitsaid.”

[Similarlywiththeotherlevelsofjhānaupthroughthedimensionofnothingness,with“form”droppedfromthelistofaggregatesintheformlessattainments.]

“Thus,asfarastheperception-attainmentsgo,thatisasfarasgnosis-penetrationgoes.Asforthesetwodimensions—theattainmentofthedimensionofneitherperceptionnornon-perception&theattainmentofthecessationoffeeling&perception—Itellyouthattheyaretoberightlyexplainedbythosemonkswhoaremeditators,skilledinattaining,skilledinattaining&emerging,whohaveattained&emergedindependenceonthem.”

—AN9:36

ThenDasamathehouseholderfromthecityofAṭṭhakawenttowhereVen.Ānandawasstayingandonarrival,havingboweddown,sattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtoVen.Ānanda,“Isthere,lord,anyoneconditionexplainedbytheBlessedOne…wherebyamonk—dwellingheedful,ardent,&resolute—releaseshismindthatisasyetunreleased,orwherebytheeffluentsnotyetbroughttoanendcometoanend,orwherebyheattainstheunsurpassedsecurityfrombondagethathehasnotyetattained?”

Ven.Ānanda:“Yes,householder,thereis.…Thereisthecasewhereamonk…enters&remainsinthefirstjhāna.…Henoticesthat‘Thisfirstjhānaisfabricated&willed.’Hediscerns,‘Whateverisfabricated&willedisinconstant&subjecttocessation.’Stayingrightthere,hereachestheendingoftheeffluents.Or,ifnot,then—throughpassion&delightforthisveryphenomenon[ofdiscernment]andfromthetotalendingofthefirstfivefetters—heisduetobereborn[inthePureAbodes],theretobetotallyunbound,neveragaintoreturnfromthatworld.”

[Similarlywiththeotherlevelsofjhānaupthroughthedimensionofnothingnessandthefourreleasesofawarenessbasedongoodwill,compassion,empatheticjoy,&equanimity.]

—AN11:17

“Monks,Sāriputtaiswise,ofgreatdiscernment,deepdiscernment,wide…joyous…rapid…quick…penetratingdiscernment.Forhalfamonth,Sāriputtaclearlysawinsightintomentalqualitiesoneafteranother.ThisiswhatoccurredtoSāriputtathroughinsightintomentalqualitiesoneafteranother:

“TherewasthecasewhereSāriputta—quitesecludedfromsensuality,secludedfromunskillfulqualities—entered&remainedinthefirstjhāna:rapture&pleasurebornofseclusion,accompaniedbydirectedthought&evaluation.Whateverqualities

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thereareinthefirstjhāna—directedthought,evaluation,rapture,pleasure,singlenessofmind,contact,feeling,perception,intention,consciousness,desire,decision,persistence,mindfulness,equanimity,&attention—heferretedthemoutoneafteranother.Knowntohimtheyarose,knowntohimtheyremained,knowntohimtheysubsided.Hediscerned,‘Sothisishowthesequalities,nothavingbeen,comeintoplay.Havingbeen,theyvanish.’Heremainedunattracted&unrepelledwithregardtothosequalities,independent,detached,released,dissociated,withanawarenessridofbarriers.Hediscernedthat‘Thereisafurtherescape,’andpursuingit,heconfirmedthat‘Thereis.’

[Similarlywiththelevelsofjhānaupthroughthedimensionofnothingness,withcertainofthequalitiesdroppingawayashigherlevelsarereached.]

“Furthermore,withthecompletetranscendingofthedimensionofnothingness,Sāriputtaentered&remainedinthedimensionofneitherperceptionnornon-perception.Heemergedmindfullyfromthatattainment.Onemergingmindfullyfromthatattainment,heregardedthepastqualitiesthathadceased&changed:‘Sothisishowthesequalities,nothavingbeen,comeintoplay.Havingbeen,theyvanish.’Heremainedunattracted&unrepelledwithregardtothosequalities,independent,detached,released,dissociated,withanawarenessridofbarriers.Hediscernedthat‘Thereisafurtherescape,’andpursuingit,heconfirmedthat‘Thereis.’

“Furthermore,withthecompletetranscendingofthedimensionofneitherperceptionnornon-perception,Sāriputtaentered&remainedinthecessationoffeeling&perception.Andwhenhesawwithdiscernment,hiseffluentsweretotallyended.Heemergedmindfullyfromthatattainment.Onemergingmindfullyfromthatattainment,heregardedthepastqualitiesthathadceased&changed:‘Sothisishowthesequalities,nothavingbeen,comeintoplay.Havingbeen,theyvanish.’Heremainedunattracted&unrepelledwithregardtothosequalities,independent,detached,released,dissociated,withanawarenessridofbarriers.Hediscernedthat‘Thereisnofurtherescape,’andpursuingit,heconfirmedthat‘Thereisn’t.’

“Ifsomeone,rightlydescribingaperson,weretosay,‘Hehasattainedmastery&perfectioninnoblevirtue…nobleconcentration…noblediscernment…noblerelease,’hewouldberightlydescribingSāriputta.…SāriputtatakestheunexcelledwheelofDhammasetrollingbytheTathāgata,andkeepsitrollingrightly.”

—MN111

“AndIhavealsotaughtthestep-by-stepcessationoffabrications.Whenonehasattainedthefirstjhāna,speechhasceased.Whenonehasattainedthesecondjhāna,directedthoughts&evaluations[verbalfabrications]haveceased.Whenonehasattainedthethirdjhāna,rapturehasceased.Whenonehasattainedthefourthjhāna,in-and-outbreathing[bodilyfabrication]hasceased.Whenonehasattainedthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspace,theperceptionofformshasceased.Whenonehasattainedthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness,theperceptionofthe

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dimensionoftheinfinitudeofspacehasceased.Whenonehasattainedthedimensionofnothingness,theperceptionofthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousnesshasceased.Whenonehasattainedthedimensionofneither-perceptionnornon-perception,theperceptionofthedimensionofnothingnesshasceased.Whenonehasattainedthecessationofperception&feeling,perception&feeling[mentalfabrications]haveceased.Whenamonk’seffluentshaveended,passionhasceased,aversionhasceased,delusionhasceased.”

—SN36:11

“[Onattainingthefourthlevelofjhāna]thereremainsonlyequanimity:pure&bright,pliant,malleable&luminous.Justasifanadeptgoldsmithorgoldsmith’sapprenticeweretoprepareafurnace,heatupacrucible,and,takinggoldwithapairoftongs,placeitinthecrucible.Hewouldblowonitperiodically,sprinklewateronitperiodically,examineitperiodically,sothatthegoldwouldbecomerefined,well-refined,thoroughlyrefined,flawless,freefromdross,pliant,malleable&luminous.Thenwhateversortofornamenthehadinmind—whetherabelt,anearring,anecklace,oragoldchain—itwouldservehispurpose.Inthesameway,thereremainsonlyequanimity:pure&bright,pliant,malleable,&luminous.He[themeditator]discernsthat‘IfIweretodirectequanimityaspure&brightasthistowardthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspace,Iwoulddevelopthemindalongthoselines,andthusthisequanimityofmine—thussupported,thussustained—wouldlastforalongtime.[Similarlywiththedimensionsoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness,nothingness,&neitherperceptionnornon-perception.]’

“Hediscernsthat‘IfIweretodirectequanimityaspure&brightasthistowardthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspaceandtodevelopthemindalongthoselines,thatwouldbefabricated.[Similarlywiththedimensionsoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness,nothingness,&neitherperceptionnornon-perception.]’Heneitherfabricatesnorwillsforthesakeofbecomingorun-becoming.Thisbeingthecase,heisnotsustainedbyanythingintheworld[doesnotclingtoanythingintheworld].Unsustained,heisnotagitated.Unagitated,heistotallyunboundrightwithin.Hediscernsthat‘Birthisended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthisworld.’”

—MN140

Ven.Sāriputta:“Thisunbindingispleasant,friends.Thisunbindingispleasant.”

Ven.Udāyin:“Butwhatisthepleasurehere,myfriend,wherethereisnothingfelt?”

Ven.Sāriputta:“Justthatisthepleasurehere,myfriend:wherethereisnothingfelt.Therearethesefivestrandsofsensuality.Whichfive?Formscognizableviatheeye—agreeable,pleasing,charming,endearing,fosteringdesire,enticing;sounds…smells…tastes…tactilesensationscognizableviathebody—agreeable,pleasing,charming,endearing,fosteringdesire,enticing.Whateverpleasureorjoyarisesin

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dependenceonthesefivestrandsofsensuality,thatissensualpleasure.“Nowthereisthecasewhereamonk—quitewithdrawnfromsensuality,

withdrawnfromunskillfulqualities—enters&remainsinthefirstjhāna.…If,asheremainsthere,heisbesetwithattentiontoperceptionsdealingwithsensuality,thatisanafflictionforhim.Justaspainarisesasanafflictionforahealthyperson,evensotheattentiontoperceptionsdealingwithsensualitythatbesetthemonkisanafflictionforhim.NowtheBlessedOnehassaidthatwhateverisanafflictionisstress.Sobythislineofreasoningitmaybeknownhowunbindingispleasant.

“Furthermore,thereisthecasewhereamonk…enters&remainsinthesecondjhāna.…If,asheremainsthere,heisbesetwithattentiontoperceptionsdealingwithdirectedthought,thatisanafflictionforhim.…

“Furthermore,thereisthecasewhereamonk…enters&remainsinthethirdjhāna.…If,asheremainsthere,heisbesetwithattentiontoperceptionsdealingwithrapture,thatisanafflictionforhim.…

“Furthermore,thereisthecasewhereamonk…enters&remainsinthefourthjhāna.…If,asheremainsthere,heisbesetwithattentiontoperceptionsdealingwithequanimity,thatisanafflictionforhim.…

“Furthermore,thereisthecasewhereamonk…enters&remainsinthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspace.If,asheremainsthere,heisbesetwithattentiontoperceptionsdealingwithform,thatisanafflictionforhim.…

“Furthermore,thereisthecasewhereamonk…enters&remainsinthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness.If,asheremainsthere,heisbesetwithattentiontoperceptionsdealingwiththedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspace,thatisanafflictionforhim.…

“Furthermore,thereisthecasewhereamonk…enters&remainsinthedimensionofnothingness.If,asheremainsthere,heisbesetwithattentiontoperceptionsdealingwiththedimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness,thatisanafflictionforhim.…

“Furthermore,thereisthecasewhereamonk…enters&remainsinthedimensionofneitherperceptionnornon-perception.If,asheremainsthere,heisbesetwithattentiontoperceptionsdealingwiththedimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness,thatisanafflictionforhim…whateverisanafflictionisstress.Sobythislineofreasoningitmaybeknownhowunbindingispleasant.

“Furthermore,thereisthecasewhereamonk…enters&remainsinthecessationofperception&feeling.And,havingseen[that]withdiscernment,hiseffluentsarecompletelyended.Sobythislineofreasoningitmaybeknownhowunbindingispleasant.”

—AN9:34

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GLOSSARY

Abhidhamma:Thethirdofthethree“baskets”orcollectionsthatcomprisethePaliCanon,devotedtoestablishingtheprecisetaxonomyofthetermsfoundintheothertwocollections.GenerallybelievedtobealateradditiontotheCanon.

Āsava:Effluent;fermentation.Themindhasfourtypesofeffluents:sensuality,views,becoming,andignorance.

Arahant:“Worthyone;pureone.”Apersonwhohasmasteredthekammathatputsanendtokamma,andthusisnotdestinedforfuturerebirth.

Bodhisatta:Abeingdestinedforawakening.Afterhisawakening,theBuddhausedthistermtorefertohimselfpriortohisawakening.

Dhamma:(1)Event;action;(2)aphenomenoninandofitself;(3)mentalquality;(4)doctrine,teaching;(5)nibbāna(althoughtherearepassagesdescribingnibbānaastheabandoningofalldhammas).Sanskritform:Dharma.

Jhāna:Mentalabsorption.Astateofstrongconcentrationfocusedonasinglesensationormentalnotion.Thistermisrelatedtotheverbjhāyati,whichmeanstoburnwithastill,steadyflame.

Kamma:Intentionalact.Sanskritform:Karma.

Nibbāna:Literally,the“unbinding”ofthemindfrompassion,aversion,anddelusion,andfromtheentireroundofdeathandrebirth.Asthistermalsodenotestheextinguishingofafire,itcarriesconnotationsofstilling,cooling,andpeace.“Totalnibbāna”insomecontextsdenotestheexperienceofawakening;inothers,thefinalpassingawayofanarahant.Sanskritform:Nirvāna.

Saṅgha:TheCommunityoftheBuddha’sfollowers.Thistermhastwolevelsofmeaning.Ontheconventionallevelitreferstoordainedmonksandnuns.Ontheideallevel,itreferstoallthose—layorordained—whohavereachedatleastthefirstofthefourlevelsofawakening.

Sutta:Discourse.

Tathāgata:Literally,“onewhohastrulygone(tatha-gata)”or“onewhohasbecomeauthentic(tatha-āgata),”anepithetusedinancientIndiaforapersonwhohasattainedthehighestreligiousgoal.InBuddhism,itusuallydenotestheBuddha,althoughoccasionallyitalsodenotesanyofhisarahantdisciples.

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TableofContents

Titlepage 2Copyright 3Introduction 4Abbreviations 6I.TheContext 7II.MindfulnessImmersedintheBody 11Kayagata-satiSutta(MajjhimaNikaya119) 11

TheFourJhanas 13FullnessofMind 14AnOpeningtotheHigherKnowledges 16TenBenefits 16MindfulnessofIn-&-OutBreathing 18TheFourFramesofReference 19

III.TheAdvantagesofMindfulnessImmersedintheBody 22IV.TheDisadvantagesofAttachmenttotheBody 28V.Samatha/Vipassana 50VI.Mindfulness/Jhana 55VII.Jhana/Discernment 60Glossary 66

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