In Private · SN 52.1–52.10

SN 52.1 · In Private (1st)

SN 52.1 · Paṭhamarahogatasutta

So I have heard. At one time Venerable Anuruddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then as Anuruddha was in private retreat this thought came to his mind:

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā anuruddho sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha kho āyasmato anuruddhassa rahogatassa paṭisallīnassa evaṁ cetaso parivitakko udapādi:

“Whoever has missed out on these four kinds of mindfulness meditation has missed out on the noble path to the complete ending of suffering. Whoever has undertaken these four kinds of mindfulness meditation has undertaken the noble path to the complete ending of suffering.”

“yesaṁ kesañci cattāro satipaṭṭhānā viraddhā, viraddho tesaṁ ariyo maggo sammā dukkhakkhayagāmī. Yesaṁ kesañci cattāro satipaṭṭhānā āraddhā, āraddho tesaṁ ariyo maggo sammā dukkhakkhayagāmī”ti.

Then Venerable Mahāmoggallāna knew what Venerable Anuruddha was thinking. As easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he reappeared in front of Anuruddha, and said to him:

Atha kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno āyasmato anuruddhassa cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—āyasmato anuruddhassa sammukhe pāturahosi. Atha kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ etadavoca:

“Reverend Anuruddha, how do you define the undertaking of the four kinds of mindfulness meditation by a mendicant?”

“kittāvatā nu kho, āvuso anuruddha, bhikkhuno cattāro satipaṭṭhānā āraddhā hontī”ti?

“Reverend, it’s when a mendicant, with respect to the body internally, meditates observing the liability to originate, to vanish, and to originate and vanish—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. With respect to the body externally, they meditate observing the liability to originate, to vanish, and to originate and vanish—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. With respect to the body internally and externally, they meditate observing the liability to originate, to vanish, and to originate and vanish—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.

“Idhāvuso, bhikkhu ajjhattaṁ kāye samudayadhammānupassī viharati, ajjhattaṁ kāye vayadhammānupassī viharati, ajjhattaṁ kāye samudayavayadhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Bahiddhā kāye samudayadhammānupassī viharati, bahiddhā kāye vayadhammānupassī viharati, bahiddhā kāye samudayavayadhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Ajjhattabahiddhā kāye samudayadhammānupassī viharati, ajjhattabahiddhā kāye vayadhammānupassī viharati, ajjhattabahiddhā kāye samudayavayadhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ.

If they wish: ‘May I meditate perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive,’ that’s what they do. If they wish: ‘May I meditate perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive,’ that’s what they do. If they wish: ‘May I meditate perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive and the repulsive,’ that’s what they do. If they wish: ‘May I meditate perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive and the unrepulsive,’ that’s what they do. If they wish: ‘May I meditate staying equanimous, mindful and aware, shunning both the repulsive and the unrepulsive,’ that’s what they do.

So sace ākaṅkhati: ‘appaṭikūle paṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, paṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati; sace ākaṅkhati: ‘paṭikūle appaṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, appaṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati; sace ākaṅkhati: ‘appaṭikūle ca paṭikūle ca paṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, paṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati; sace ākaṅkhati: ‘paṭikūle ca appaṭikūle ca appaṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, appaṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati; sace ākaṅkhati: ‘appaṭikūlañca paṭikūlañca tadubhayaṁ abhinivajjetvā upekkhako vihareyyaṁ sato sampajāno’ti, upekkhako tattha viharati sato sampajāno.

With respect to feelings internally … externally … internally and externally, they meditate observing the liability to originate, to vanish, and to originate and vanish …

Ajjhattaṁ vedanāsu samudayadhammānupassī viharati, ajjhattaṁ vedanāsu vayadhammānupassī viharati, ajjhattaṁ vedanāsu samudayavayadhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Bahiddhā vedanāsu samudayadhammānupassī viharati, bahiddhā vedanāsu vayadhammānupassī viharati, bahiddhā vedanāsu samudayavayadhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Ajjhattabahiddhā vedanāsu samudayadhammānupassī viharati, ajjhattabahiddhā vedanāsu vayadhammānupassī viharati, ajjhattabahiddhā vedanāsu samudayavayadhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ.

With respect to the mind internally … externally … internally and externally, they meditate observing the liability to originate, to vanish, and to originate and vanish …

Ajjhattaṁ citte …pe… bahiddhā citte …pe… ajjhattabahiddhā citte samudayadhammānupassī viharati … ajjhattabahiddhā citte vayadhammānupassī viharati … ajjhattabahiddhā citte samudayavayadhammānupassī viharati ātāpī …pe… abhijjhādomanassaṁ.

With respect to principles internally … externally … internally and externally, they meditate observing the liability to originate, to vanish, and to originate and vanish …

Ajjhattaṁ dhammesu …pe… bahiddhā dhammesu …pe… ajjhattabahiddhā dhammesu samudayadhammānupassī viharati … ajjhattabahiddhā dhammesu vayadhammānupassī viharati … ajjhattabahiddhā dhammesu samudayavayadhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ.

If they wish: ‘May I meditate perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive,’ that’s what they do. … If they wish: ‘May I meditate staying equanimous, mindful and aware, ignoring both the repulsive and the unrepulsive,’ that’s what they do.

So sace ākaṅkhati: ‘appaṭikūle paṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, paṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati …pe… upekkhako tattha viharati sato sampajāno.

That’s how to define the undertaking of the four kinds of mindfulness meditation by a mendicant.”

Ettāvatā kho, āvuso, bhikkhuno cattāro satipaṭṭhānā āraddhā hontī”ti.

SN 52.2 · In Private (2nd)

SN 52.2 · Dutiyarahogatasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

Then as Anuruddha was in private retreat this thought came to his mind:

Atha kho āyasmato anuruddhassa rahogatassa paṭisallīnassa evaṁ cetaso parivitakko udapādi:

“Whoever has missed out on these four kinds of mindfulness meditation has missed out on the noble path to the complete ending of suffering. Whoever has undertaken these four kinds of mindfulness meditation has undertaken the noble path to the complete ending of suffering.”

“yesaṁ kesañci cattāro satipaṭṭhānā viraddhā, viraddho tesaṁ ariyo maggo sammā dukkhakkhayagāmī; yesaṁ kesañci cattāro satipaṭṭhānā āraddhā, āraddho tesaṁ ariyo maggo sammā dukkhakkhayagāmī”ti.

Then Venerable Mahāmoggallāna knew what Venerable Anuruddha was thinking. As easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he reappeared in front of Anuruddha and said to him:

Atha kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno āyasmato anuruddhassa cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—āyasmato anuruddhassa sammukhe pāturahosi. Atha kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ etadavoca:

“Reverend Anuruddha, how do you define the undertaking of the four kinds of mindfulness meditation by a mendicant?”

“kittāvatā nu kho, āvuso anuruddha, bhikkhuno cattāro satipaṭṭhānā āraddhā hontī”ti?

“Reverend, it’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body internally—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of the body externally … internally and externally—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.

“Idhāvuso, bhikkhu ajjhattaṁ kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Bahiddhā kāye kāyānupassī viharati …pe… ajjhattabahiddhā kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ.

They meditate observing an aspect of feelings internally … externally … internally and externally …

Ajjhattaṁ vedanāsu vedanānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Bahiddhā vedanāsu vedanānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Ajjhattabahiddhā vedanāsu vedanānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ.

They meditate observing an aspect of the mind internally … externally … internally and externally …

Ajjhattaṁ citte …pe… bahiddhā citte …pe… ajjhattabahiddhā citte cittānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ.

They meditate observing an aspect of principles internally … externally … internally and externally—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. That’s how to define the undertaking of the four kinds of mindfulness meditation by a mendicant.”

Ajjhattaṁ dhammesu …pe… bahiddhā dhammesu …pe… ajjhattabahiddhā dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Ettāvatā kho, āvuso, bhikkhuno cattāro satipaṭṭhānā āraddhā hontī”ti.

SN 52.3 · On the Bank of the Sutanu

SN 52.3 · Sutanusutta

At one time Venerable Anuruddha was staying near Sāvatthī on the bank of the Sutanu. Then several mendicants went up to Venerable Anuruddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, they sat down to one side, and said to him:

Ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā anuruddho sāvatthiyaṁ viharati sutanutīre. Atha kho sambahulā bhikkhū yenāyasmā anuruddho tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā anuruddhena saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ etadavocuṁ:

“What things has Venerable Anuruddha developed and cultivated to attain great direct knowledge?”

“katamesaṁ āyasmā anuruddho dhammānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā mahābhiññataṁ patto”ti?

“Reverends, I attained great direct knowledge by developing and cultivating the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. What four? I meditate observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. I meditate observing an aspect of feelings … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. I attained great direct knowledge by developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation.

“Catunnaṁ khvāhaṁ, āvuso, satipaṭṭhānānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā mahābhiññataṁ patto. Katamesaṁ catunnaṁ? Idhāhaṁ, āvuso, kāye kāyānupassī viharāmi ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ; vedanāsu …pe… citte …pe… dhammesu dhammānupassī viharāmi ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ— imesaṁ khvāhaṁ, āvuso, catunnaṁ satipaṭṭhānānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā mahābhiññataṁ patto.

And it was by developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I directly knew the lower principle as lower, the middle principle as middle, and the higher principle as higher.”

Imesañca panāhaṁ, āvuso, catunnaṁ satipaṭṭhānānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā hīnaṁ dhammaṁ hīnato abbhaññāsiṁ, majjhimaṁ dhammaṁ majjhimato abbhaññāsiṁ, paṇītaṁ dhammaṁ paṇītato abbhaññāsin”ti.

SN 52.4 · At Thorny Wood (1st)

SN 52.4 · Paṭhamakaṇḍakīsutta

At one time the venerables Anuruddha, Sāriputta, and Mahāmoggallāna were staying near Sāketa in the Thorny Wood. Then in the late afternoon, Sāriputta and Mahāmoggallāna came out of retreat, went to Anuruddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, they sat down to one side. Sāriputta said to Anuruddha:

Ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā ca anuruddho āyasmā ca sāriputto āyasmā ca mahāmoggallāno sākete viharanti kaṇḍakīvane. Atha kho āyasmā ca sāriputto āyasmā ca mahāmoggallāno sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhitā yenāyasmā anuruddho tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā anuruddhena saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ etadavoca:

“Reverend Anuruddha, what things should a trainee mendicant enter and remain in?”

“sekhenāvuso anuruddha, bhikkhunā katame dhammā upasampajja vihātabbā”ti?

“Reverend Sāriputta, a trainee mendicant should enter and remain in the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. What four? It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of feelings … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. A trainee mendicant should enter and remain in these four kinds of mindfulness meditation.”

“Sekhenāvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā cattāro satipaṭṭhānā upasampajja vihātabbā. Katame cattāro? Idhāvuso, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ; vedanāsu …pe… citte …pe… dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ— sekhenāvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā ime cattāro satipaṭṭhānā upasampajja vihātabbā”ti.

SN 52.5 · At Thorny Wood (2nd)

SN 52.5 · Dutiyakaṇḍakīsutta

At Sāketa. Sāriputta said to Anuruddha:

Sāketanidānaṁ. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ etadavoca:

“Reverend Anuruddha, what things should a mendicant who is an adept enter and remain in?”

“asekhenāvuso anuruddha, bhikkhunā katame dhammā upasampajja vihātabbā”ti?

“Reverend Sāriputta, a mendicant who is an adept should enter and remain in the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. What four? It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of feelings … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. A mendicant who is an adept should enter and remain in these four kinds of mindfulness meditation.”

“Asekhenāvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā cattāro satipaṭṭhānā upasampajja vihātabbā. Katame cattāro? Idhāvuso, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ; vedanāsu …pe… citte …pe… dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ— asekhenāvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā ime cattāro satipaṭṭhānā upasampajja vihātabbā”ti.

SN 52.6 · At Thorny Wood (3rd)

SN 52.6 · Tatiyakaṇḍakīsutta

At Sāketa. Sāriputta said to Anuruddha:

Sāketanidānaṁ. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ etadavoca:

“What things has Venerable Anuruddha developed and cultivated to attain great direct knowledge?”

“katamesaṁ āyasmā anuruddho dhammānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā mahābhiññataṁ patto”ti?

“Reverend, I attained great direct knowledge by developing and cultivating the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. What four? I meditate observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. I meditate observing an aspect of feelings … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. I attained great direct knowledge by developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation.

“Catunnaṁ khvāhaṁ, āvuso, satipaṭṭhānānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā mahābhiññataṁ patto. Katamesaṁ catunnaṁ? Idhāhaṁ, āvuso, kāye kāyānupassī viharāmi ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ; vedanāsu …pe… citte …pe… dhammesu dhammānupassī viharāmi ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ— imesaṁ khvāhaṁ, āvuso, catunnaṁ satipaṭṭhānānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā mahābhiññataṁ patto.

And it’s because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I directly know the thousandfold galaxy.”

Imesañca panāhaṁ, āvuso, catunnaṁ satipaṭṭhānānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā sahassaṁ lokaṁ abhijānāmī”ti.

SN 52.7 · The Ending of Craving

SN 52.7 · Taṇhākkhayasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

There Venerable Anuruddha addressed the mendicants: “Reverends, mendicants!”

Tatra kho āyasmā anuruddho bhikkhū āmantesi: “āvuso bhikkhavo”ti.

“Reverend,” they replied. Anuruddha said this:

“Āvuso”ti kho te bhikkhū āyasmato anuruddhassa paccassosuṁ. Āyasmā anuruddho etadavoca:

“Reverends, when these four kinds of mindfulness meditation are developed and cultivated they lead to the ending of craving. What four? It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body … feelings … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. When these four kinds of mindfulness meditation are developed and cultivated they lead to the ending of craving.”

“Cattārome, āvuso, satipaṭṭhānā bhāvitā bahulīkatā taṇhākkhayāya saṁvattanti. Katame cattāro? Idhāvuso, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati …pe… vedanāsu …pe… citte …pe… dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ— ime kho, āvuso, cattāro satipaṭṭhānā bhāvitā bahulīkatā taṇhākkhayāya saṁvattantī”ti.

SN 52.8 · The Salaḷa Tree Hut

SN 52.8 · Salaḷāgārasutta

At one time Venerable Anuruddha was staying near Sāvatthī in the <i lang='pi' translate='no'>salaḷa</i> tree hut. There Venerable Anuruddha addressed the mendicants: “Reverends, suppose that, although the Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east, a large crowd were to come along with a spade and basket, saying: ‘We’ll make this Ganges River slant, slope, and incline to the west!’ What do you think, reverends? Would they succeed?”

Ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā anuruddho sāvatthiyaṁ viharati salaḷāgāre. Tatra kho āyasmā anuruddho bhikkhū āmantesi …pe… etadavoca: “seyyathāpi, āvuso, gaṅgā nadī pācīnaninnā pācīnapoṇā pācīnapabbhārā. Atha mahājanakāyo āgaccheyya kudālapiṭakaṁ ādāya: ‘mayaṁ imaṁ gaṅgānadiṁ pacchāninnaṁ karissāma pacchāpoṇaṁ pacchāpabbhāran’ti. Taṁ kiṁ maññathāvuso, api nu so mahājanakāyo gaṅgānadiṁ pacchāninnaṁ kareyya pacchāpoṇaṁ pacchāpabbhāran”ti?

“No, reverend. Why is that? The Ganges River slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. It’s not easy to make it slant, slope, and incline to the west. That large crowd will eventually get weary and frustrated.”

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”. “Taṁ kissa hetu”? “Gaṅgā, āvuso, nadī pācīnaninnā pācīnapoṇā pācīnapabbhārā. Sā na sukarā pacchāninnaṁ kātuṁ pacchāpoṇaṁ pacchāpabbhāraṁ. Yāvadeva ca pana so mahājanakāyo kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti.

“In the same way, while a mendicant develops and cultivates the four kinds of mindfulness meditation, if rulers or their chief ministers, friends or colleagues, relatives or family should invite them to accept wealth, saying: ‘Please, my man, why let these ocher robes torment you? Why follow the practice of shaving your head and carrying an alms bowl? Come, return to a lesser life, enjoy wealth, and make merit!’

“Evameva kho, āvuso, bhikkhuṁ cattāro satipaṭṭhāne bhāventaṁ cattāro satipaṭṭhāne bahulīkarontaṁ rājāno vā rājamahāmattā vā mittā vā amaccā vā ñātī vā sālohitā vā bhogehi abhihaṭṭhuṁ pavāreyyuṁ: ‘ehambho purisa, kiṁ te ime kāsāvā anudahanti? Kiṁ muṇḍo kapālamanusañcarasi? Ehi hīnāyāvattitvā bhoge ca bhuñjassu puññāni ca karohī’ti.

It is quite impossible for a mendicant who is developing and cultivating the four kinds of mindfulness meditation to resign the training and return to a lesser life. Why is that? Because for a long time that mendicant’s mind has slanted, sloped, and inclined to seclusion. So it’s impossible for them to return to a lesser life.

So vata, āvuso, bhikkhu cattāro satipaṭṭhāne bhāvento cattāro satipaṭṭhāne bahulīkaronto sikkhaṁ paccakkhāya hīnāyāvattissatīti—netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. Taṁ kissa hetu? Yañhi taṁ, āvuso, cittaṁ dīgharattaṁ vivekaninnaṁ vivekapoṇaṁ vivekapabbhāraṁ taṁ vata hīnāyāvattissatīti—netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

And how does a mendicant develop and cultivate the four kinds of mindfulness meditation? It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body … feelings … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. That’s how a mendicant develops and cultivates the four kinds of mindfulness meditation.”

Kathañcāvuso, bhikkhu cattāro satipaṭṭhāne bhāveti, cattāro satipaṭṭhāne bahulīkarotīti? Idhāvuso, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati …pe… vedanāsu …pe… citte …pe… dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Evaṁ kho, āvuso, bhikkhu cattāro satipaṭṭhāne bhāveti, cattāro satipaṭṭhāne bahulīkarotī”ti.

SN 52.9 · In Ambapālī’s Mango Grove

SN 52.9 · Ambapālivanasutta

At one time the venerables Anuruddha and Sāriputta were staying near Vesālī in Ambapālī’s Mango Grove. Then in the late afternoon, Sāriputta came out of retreat, went to Anuruddha, and said to him:

Ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā ca anuruddho āyasmā ca sāriputto vesāliyaṁ viharanti ambapālivane. Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito …pe… ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ etadavoca:

“Reverend Anuruddha, your faculties are so very clear, and your complexion is pure and bright. What kind of meditation are you usually practicing these days?”

“Vippasannāni kho te, āvuso anuruddha, indriyāni, parisuddho mukhavaṇṇo pariyodāto. Katamenāyasmā anuruddho vihārena etarahi bahulaṁ viharatī”ti?

“These days, reverend, I usually meditate with my mind firmly established in the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. What four? I meditate observing an aspect of the body … feelings … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. These days I usually meditate with my mind firmly established in these four kinds of mindfulness meditation. A mendicant who is perfected—with defilements ended, who has completed the spiritual journey, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, achieved their heart’s goal, utterly ended the fetter of continued existence, and is rightly freed through enlightenment—usually meditates with their mind firmly established in these four kinds of mindfulness meditation.”

“Catūsu khvāhaṁ, āvuso, satipaṭṭhānesu suppatiṭṭhitacitto etarahi bahulaṁ viharāmi. Katamesu catūsu? Idhāhaṁ, āvuso, kāye kāyānupassī viharāmi ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ; vedanāsu …pe… citte …pe… dhammesu dhammānupassī viharāmi ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ— imesu khvāhaṁ, āvuso, catūsu satipaṭṭhānesu suppatiṭṭhitacitto etarahi bahulaṁ viharāmi. Yo so, āvuso, bhikkhu arahaṁ khīṇāsavo vusitavā katakaraṇīyo ohitabhāro anuppattasadattho parikkhīṇabhavasaṁyojano sammadaññāvimutto, so imesu catūsu satipaṭṭhānesu suppatiṭṭhitacitto bahulaṁ viharatī”ti.

“We’re so fortunate, reverend, so very fortunate, to have heard such a dramatic statement in the presence of Venerable Anuruddha.”

“Lābhā vata no, āvuso, suladdhaṁ vata no, āvuso. Ye mayaṁ āyasmato anuruddhassa sammukhāva assumha āsabhiṁ vācaṁ bhāsamānassā”ti.

SN 52.10 · Gravely Ill

SN 52.10 · Bāḷhagilānasutta

At one time Venerable Anuruddha was staying near Sāvatthī in the Dark Forest. And he was sick, suffering, gravely ill. Then several mendicants went up to Venerable Anuruddha, and said to him:

Ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā anuruddho sāvatthiyaṁ viharati andhavanasmiṁ ābādhiko dukkhito bāḷhagilāno. Atha kho sambahulā bhikkhū yenāyasmā anuruddho tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ etadavocuṁ:

“What meditation does Venerable Anuruddha practice so that physical pain doesn’t occupy his mind?”

“Katamenāyasmato anuruddhassa vihārena viharato uppannā sārīrikā dukkhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhantī”ti?

“Reverends, I meditate with my mind firmly established in the four kinds of mindfulness meditation so that physical pain doesn’t occupy my mind. What four? I meditate observing an aspect of the body … feelings … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. I meditate with my mind firmly established in these four kinds of mindfulness meditation so that physical pain doesn’t occupy my mind.”

“Catūsu kho me, āvuso, satipaṭṭhānesu suppatiṭṭhitacittassa viharato uppannā sārīrikā dukkhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhanti. Katamesu catūsu? Idhāhaṁ, āvuso, kāye kāyānupassī viharāmi …pe… vedanāsu …pe… citte …pe… dhammesu dhammānupassī viharāmi ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ— imesu kho me, āvuso, catūsu satipaṭṭhānesu suppatiṭṭhitacittassa viharato uppannā sārīrikā dukkhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhantī”ti.