AN 7.49 - (A iv 46)
Saññā Sutta
— Perceptions —
[saññā]

Seven inner reflections that are well worth pursuing.



Note: info·bubbles on "underdotted" English words


Pāḷi


English




“sattimā, bhikkhave, saññā bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā honti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā. katamā satta? asubhasaññā, maraṇasaññā, āhāre paṭikūlasaññā, sabbaloke anabhiratasaññā, aniccasaññā, anicce dukkhasaññā, dukkhe anattasaññā. imā kho, bhikkhave, satta saññā bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā honti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānāti.

Monks, these seven perceptions, when developed & pursued, are of great fruit, of great benefit. They gain a footing in the Deathless, have the Deathless as their final end. Which seven? The perception of the unattractive, the perception of death, the perception of loathsomeness in food, the perception of distaste for every world, the perception of inconstancy, the perception of stress in what is inconstant, the perception of not-self in what is stressful.



Asubha·saññā

“‘asubhasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā’ti. iti kho panetaṃ vuttaṃ. kiñcetaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ?



Perception of the unattractive

'The perception of the unattractive, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end': Thus was it said. In reference to what was it said?

asubhasaññāparicitena, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno cetasā bahulaṃ viharato methunadhammasamāpattiyā cittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati upekkhā vā pāṭikulyatā vā saṇṭhāti. seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, kukkuṭapattaṃ vā nhārudaddulaṃ vā aggimhi pakkhittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati. evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno asubhasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato methunadhammasamāpattiyā cittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati upekkhā vā pāṭikulyatā vā saṇṭhāti.

When a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of the unattractive, his mind shrinks away from the completion of the sexual act, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in, and either equanimity or loathing take a stance. Just as a cock's feather or a piece of tendon, when thrown into a fire, shrinks away, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in; in the same way, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of the unattractive, his mind shrinks away from the completion of the sexual act, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in, and either equanimity or loathing take a stance.

“sace, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno asubhasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato methunadhammasamāpattiyā cittaṃ anusandahati appaṭikulyatā saṇṭhāti; veditabbametaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā ‘abhāvitā me asubhasaññā, natthi me pubbenāparaṃ viseso, appattaṃ me bhāvanābalan’ti. itiha tattha sampajāno hoti. sace pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno asubhasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato methunadhammasamāpattiyā cittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati upekkhā vā pāṭikulyatā vā saṇṭhāti; veditabbametaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā ‘subhāvitā me asubhasaññā, atthi me pubbenāparaṃ viseso, pattaṃ me bhāvanābalan’ti. itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.

If, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of the unattractive, his mind inclines to the completion of the sexual act, or if non-loathing takes a stance, then he should realize, 'I have not developed the perception of the unattractive; there is no step-by-step distinction in me; I have not arrived at the fruit of [mental] development.' In that way he is alert there. But if, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of the unattractive, his mind shrinks away from the completion of the sexual act, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in, and either equanimity or loathing take a stance, then he should realize, 'I have developed the perception of the unattractive; there is a step-by-step distinction in me; I have arrived at the fruit of [mental] development.' In that way he is alert there.

‘asubhasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā’ti, iti yaṃ taṃ vuttaṃ idametaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ.

'The perception of the unattractive, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end': Thus was it said, and in reference to this was it said.



Maraṇa·saññā

“‘maraṇasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā’ti, iti kho panetaṃ vuttaṃ kiñcetaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ?



Perception of death

'The perception of death, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end': Thus was it said. In reference to what was it said?

maraṇasaññāparicitena, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno cetasā bahulaṃ viharato jīvitanikantiyā cittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati upekkhā vā pāṭikulyatā vā saṇṭhāti. seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, kukkuṭapattaṃ vā nhārudaddulaṃ vā aggimhi pakkhittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati. evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno maraṇasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato jīvitanikantiyā cittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati upekkhā vā pāṭikulyatā vā saṇṭhāti.

When a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of death, his mind shrinks away from fervor for life, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in, and either equanimity or loathing take a stance. Just as a cock's feather or a piece of tendon, when thrown into a fire, shrinks away, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in; in the same way, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of death, his mind shrinks away from fervor for life, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in, and either equanimity or loathing take a stance.

“sace, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno maraṇasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato jīvitanikantiyā cittaṃ anusandahati appaṭikulyatā saṇṭhāti; veditabbametaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā ‘abhāvitā me maraṇasaññā, natthi me pubbenāparaṃ viseso, appattaṃ me bhāvanābalan’ti. itiha tattha sampajāno hoti. sace pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno maraṇasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato jīvitanikantiyā cittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati upekkhā vā pāṭikulyatā vā saṇṭhāti; veditabbametaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā ‘subhāvitā me maraṇasaññā, atthi me pubbenāparaṃ viseso, pattaṃ me bhāvanābalan’ti. itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.

If, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of death, his mind inclines to fervor for life, or if non-loathing takes a stance, then he should realize, 'I have not developed the perception of death; there is no step-by-step distinction in me; I have not arrived at the fruit of [mental] development.' In that way he is alert there. But if, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of death, his mind shrinks away from fervor for life, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in, and either equanimity or loathing take a stance, then he should realize, 'I have developed the perception of death; there is a step-by-step distinction in me; I have arrived at the fruit of [mental] development.' In that way he is alert there.

‘maraṇasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā’ti, iti yaṃ taṃ vuttaṃ idametaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ.

'The perception of death, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end': Thus was it said, and in reference to this was it said.



Āhāre paṭikūla·saññā

“‘āhāre paṭikūlasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā’ti, iti kho panetaṃ vuttaṃ, kiñcetaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ?



Perception of loathsomeness in food

'The perception of loathsomeness in food, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end': Thus was it said. In reference to what was it said?

āhāre paṭikūlasaññāparicitena, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno cetasā bahulaṃ viharato rasataṇhāya cittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati upekkhā vā pāṭikulyatā vā saṇṭhāti. seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, kukkuṭapattaṃ vā nhārudaddulaṃ vā aggimhi pakkhittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati. evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno āhāre paṭikūlasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato rasataṇhāya cittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati upekkhā vā pāṭikulyatā vā saṇṭhāti.

When a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of loathsomeness in food, his mind shrinks away from craving for flavors, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in, and either equanimity or loathing take a stance. Just as a cock's feather or a piece of tendon, when thrown into a fire, shrinks away, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in; in the same way, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of loathsomeness in food, his mind shrinks away from craving for flavors, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in, and either equanimity or loathing take a stance.

“sace, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno āhāre paṭikūlasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato rasataṇhāya cittaṃ anusandahati appaṭikulyatā saṇṭhāti; veditabbametaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā ‘abhāvitā me āhāre paṭikūlasaññā, natthi me pubbenāparaṃ viseso, appattaṃ me bhāvanābalan’ti. itiha tattha sampajāno hoti. sace pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno āhāre paṭikūlasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato rasataṇhāya cittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati upekkhā vā pāṭikulyatā vā saṇṭhāti; veditabbametaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā ‘subhāvitā me āhāre paṭikūlasaññā, atthi me pubbenāparaṃ viseso, pattaṃ me bhāvanābalan’ti. itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.

If, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of loathsomeness in food, his mind inclines to craving for flavors, or if non-loathing takes a stance, then he should realize, 'I have not developed the perception of loathsomeness in food; there is no step-by-step distinction in me; I have not arrived at the fruit of [mental] development.' In that way he is alert there. But if, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of loathsomeness in food, his mind shrinks away from craving for flavors, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in, and either equanimity or loathing take a stance, then he should realize, 'I have developed the perception of loathsomeness in food; there is a step-by-step distinction in me; I have arrived at the fruit of [mental] development.' In that way he is alert there.

‘āhāre paṭikūlasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā’ti, iti yaṃ taṃ vuttaṃ idametaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ.

'The perception of loathsomeness in food, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end': Thus was it said, and in reference to this was it said.



Sabba·loke anabhirata·saññā

“‘sabbaloke anabhiratasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā’ti, iti kho panetaṃ vuttaṃ. kiñcetaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ?



Perception of distaste for every world

'The perception of distaste for every world, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end': Thus was it said. In reference to what was it said?

sabbaloke anabhiratasaññāparicitena, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno cetasā bahulaṃ viharato lokacitresu cittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, kukkuṭapattaṃ vā nhārudaddulaṃ vā aggimhi pakkhittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati. evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno sabbaloke anabhiratasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato lokacitresu cittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati upekkhā vā pāṭikulyatā vā saṇṭhāti.

When a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of distaste for every world, his mind shrinks away from worldly embellishments, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in, and either equanimity or loathing take a stance. Just as a cock's feather or a piece of tendon, when thrown into a fire, shrinks away, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in; in the same way, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of distaste for every world, his mind shrinks away from worldly embellishments, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in, and either equanimity or loathing take a stance.

“sace, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno sabbaloke anabhiratasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato lokacitresu cittaṃ anusandahati appaṭikulyatā saṇṭhāti; veditabbametaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā ‘abhāvitā me sabbaloke anabhiratasaññā, natthi me pubbenāparaṃ viseso, appattaṃ me bhāvanābalan’ti. itiha tattha sampajāno hoti. sace pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno sabbaloke anabhiratasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato lokacitresu cittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati upekkhā vā pāṭikulyatā vā saṇṭhāti; veditabbametaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā ‘subhāvitā me sabbaloke anabhiratasaññā, atthi me pubbenāparaṃ viseso, pattaṃ me bhāvanābalan’ti. itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.

If, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of distaste for every world, his mind inclines to worldly embellishments, or if non-loathing takes a stance, then he should realize, 'I have not developed the perception of distaste for every world; there is no step-by-step distinction in me; I have not arrived at the fruit of [mental] development.' In that way he is alert there. But if, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of distaste for every world, his mind shrinks away from worldly embellishments, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in, and either equanimity or loathing take a stance, then he should realize, 'I have developed the perception of distaste for every world; there is a step-by-step distinction in me; I have arrived at the fruit of [mental] development.' In that way he is alert there.

‘sabbaloke anabhiratasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā’ti, iti yaṃ taṃ vuttaṃ idametaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ.

'The perception of distaste for every world, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end': Thus was it said, and in reference to this was it said.



Anicca·saññā

“‘aniccasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā’ti, iti kho panetaṃ vuttaṃ. kiñcetaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ?



Perception of inconstancy

'The perception of inconstancy, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end': Thus was it said. In reference to what was it said?

aniccasaññāparicitena, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno cetasā bahulaṃ viharato lābhasakkārasiloke cittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati upekkhā vā pāṭikulyatā vā saṇṭhāti. seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, kukkuṭapattaṃ vā nhārudaddulaṃ vā aggimhi pakkhittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati na sampasāriyati. evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno aniccasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato lābhasakkārasiloke cittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati upekkhā vā pāṭikulyatā vā saṇṭhāti.

When a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of inconstancy, his mind shrinks away from gains, offerings, & fame, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in, and either equanimity or loathing take a stance. Just as a cock's feather or a piece of tendon, when thrown into a fire, shrinks away, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in; in the same way, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of inconstancy, his mind shrinks away from gains, offerings, & fame, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in, and either equanimity or loathing take a stance.

“sace, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno aniccasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato lābhasakkārasiloke cittaṃ anusandahati appaṭikulyatā saṇṭhāti; veditabbametaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā ‘abhāvitā me aniccasaññā, natthi me pubbenāparaṃ viseso, appattaṃ me bhāvanābalan’ti. itiha tattha sampajāno hoti. sace pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno aniccasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato lābhasakkārasiloke cittaṃ patilīyati patikuṭati pativattati, na sampasāriyati upekkhā vā pāṭikulyatā vā saṇṭhāti; veditabbametaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā ‘subhāvitā me aniccasaññā, atthi me pubbenāparaṃ viseso, pattaṃ me bhāvanābalan’ti. itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.

If, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of inconstancy, his mind inclines to gains, offerings, & fame, or if non-loathing takes a stance, then he should realize, 'I have not developed the perception of inconstancy; there is no step-by-step distinction in me; I have not arrived at the fruit of [mental] development.' In that way he is alert there. But if, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of inconstancy, his mind shrinks away from gains, offerings, & fame, bends away, pulls back, and is not drawn in, and either equanimity or loathing take a stance, then he should realize, 'I have developed the perception of inconstancy; there is a step-by-step distinction in me; I have arrived at the fruit of [mental] development.' In that way he is alert there.

‘aniccasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā’ti, iti yaṃ taṃ vuttaṃ idametaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ.

'The perception of inconstancy, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end': Thus was it said, and in reference to this was it said.



Anicce dukkha·saññā

“‘anicce dukkhasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā’ti, iti kho panetaṃ vuttaṃ. kiñcetaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ?



Perception of stress in what is inconstant

'The perception of stress in what is inconstant, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end': Thus was it said. In reference to what was it said?

anicce dukkhasaññāparicitena, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno cetasā bahulaṃ viharato ālasye kosajje vissaṭṭhiye pamāde ananuyoge apaccavekkhaṇāya tibbā bhayasaññā paccupaṭṭhitā hoti, seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ukkhittāsike vadhake.

When a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of stress in what is inconstant, a fierce perception of danger & fear is established in him toward idleness, indolence, laziness, heedlessness, lack of commitment, & lack of reflection, as if toward a murderer with an upraised sword.

“sace, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno anicce dukkhasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato ālasye kosajje vissaṭṭhiye pamāde ananuyoge apaccavekkhaṇāya tibbā bhayasaññā, na paccupaṭṭhitā hoti, seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ukkhittāsike vadhake. veditabbametaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā ‘abhāvitā me anicce dukkhasaññā, natthi me pubbenāparaṃ viseso, appattaṃ me bhāvanābalan’ti. itiha tattha sampajāno hoti. sace pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno anicce dukkhasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato ālasye kosajje vissaṭṭhiye pamāde ananuyoge apaccavekkhaṇāya tibbā bhayasaññā paccupaṭṭhitā hoti, seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ukkhittāsike vadhake. veditabbametaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā ‘subhāvitā me anicce dukkhasaññā, atthi me pubbenāparaṃ viseso, pattaṃ me bhāvanābalan’ti. itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.

If, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of stress in what is inconstant, a fierce perception of danger & fear is not established in him toward idleness, indolence, laziness, heedlessness, lack of commitment, & lack of reflection, as if toward a murderer with an upraised sword, then he should realize, 'I have not developed the perception of stress in what is inconstant; there is no step-by-step distinction in me; I have not arrived at the fruit of [mental] development.' In that way he is alert there. But if, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of stress in what is inconstant, a fierce perception of danger & fear is established in him toward idleness, indolence, laziness, heedlessness, lack of commitment, & lack of reflection, as if toward a murderer with an upraised sword, then he should realize, 'I have developed the perception of stress in what is inconstant; there is a step-by-step distinction in me; I have arrived at the fruit of [mental] development.' In that way he is alert there.

‘anicce dukkhasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā’ti, iti yaṃ taṃ vuttaṃ idametaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ.

'The perception of stress in what is inconstant, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end': Thus was it said, and in reference to this was it said.



Dukkhe anatta·saññā

“‘dukkhe anattasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā’ti, iti kho panetaṃ vuttaṃ. kiñcetaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ?



Perception of not-self in what is stressful

'The perception of not-self in what is stressful, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end': Thus was it said. In reference to what was it said?

dukkhe anattasaññāparicitena, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno cetasā bahulaṃ viharato imasmiñca saviññāṇake kāye bahiddhā ca sabbanimittesu ahaṅkāramamaṅkāramānāpagataṃ mānasaṃ hoti vidhāsamatikkantaṃ santaṃ suvimuttaṃ.

When a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of not-self in what is stressful, his heart is devoid of I-making & my-making with regard to this conscious body and externally with regard to all themes, has transcended pride, is at peace, and is well-released.

“sace, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno dukkhe anattasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato imasmiñca saviññāṇake kāye bahiddhā ca sabbanimittesu na ahaṅkāramamaṅkāramānāpagataṃ mānasaṃ hoti vidhāsamatikkantaṃ santaṃ suvimuttaṃ. veditabbametaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā ‘abhāvitā me dukkhe anattasaññā, natthi me pubbenāparaṃ viseso, appattaṃ me bhāvanābalan’ti. itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.

If, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of not-self in what is stressful, his heart is not devoid of I-making & my-making with regard to this conscious body and externally with regard to all themes, has not transcended pride, is not at peace, and is not well-released, then he should realize, 'I have not developed the perception of not-self in what is stressful; there is no step-by-step distinction in me; I have not arrived at the fruit of [mental] development.' In that way he is alert there.

“sace pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno dukkhe anattasaññāparicitena cetasā bahulaṃ viharato imasmiñca saviññāṇake kāye bahiddhā ca sabbanimittesu ahaṅkāramamaṅkāramānāpagataṃ mānasaṃ hoti vidhāsamatikkantaṃ santaṃ suvimuttaṃ. veditabbametaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā ‘subhāvitā me dukkhe anattasaññā, atthi me pubbenāparaṃ viseso, pattaṃ me bhāvanābalan’ti. itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.

But if, when a monk's awareness often remains steeped in the perception of not-self in what is stressful, his heart is devoid of I-making & my-making with regard to this conscious body and externally with regard to all themes, has transcended pride, is at peace, and is well-released, then he should realize, 'I have developed the perception of not-self in what is stressful; there is a step-by-step distinction in me; I have arrived at the fruit of [mental] development.' In that way he is alert there.

‘dukkhe anattasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā’ti, iti yaṃ taṃ vuttaṃ idametaṃ paṭicca vuttaṃ.

'The perception of not-self in what is stressful, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end': Thus was it said, and in reference to this was it said.

“imā kho, bhikkhave, satta saññā bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā honti mahānisaṃsā amatogadhā amatapariyosānā”ti.

Monks, these seven perceptions, when developed & pursued, are of great fruit, of great benefit. They gain a footing in the Deathless, have the Deathless as their final end.



Bodhi leaf


Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Access to Insight, 4 July 2010.

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