Connected Discourses on the Unconditioned

1At Sāvatthı̄. “Bhikkhus, I will teach you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned. Listen to that….

2“And what, bhikkhus, is the unconditioned? The destruction of lust, the destruction of hatred, the destruction of delusion: this is called the unconditioned.

3“And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Mindfulness directed to the body:³⁶⁶ Kāyagatā sati. In sutta usage this includes all the practices comprised under “contemplation of the body” (kāyānupassanā ) in the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (DN No. 22, MN No. 10). They are treated separately under this heading in the Kāyagatāsati Sutta (MN No. 119). The commentaries generally confine the term to the meditation on the thirty-two aspects of the body, as at Vism 240 (Ppn 8:44). this is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

4“Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned. Whatever should be done, bhikkhus, by a compassionate teacher out of compassion for his disciples, desiring their welfare, that I have done for you. These are the feet of trees, bhikkhus, these are empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not be negligent, lest you regret it later. This is our instruction to you.” [360]

2. Serenity and Insight

1“Bhikkhus, I will teach you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned. Listen to that….

2“And what, bhikkhus, is the unconditioned? The destruction of lust, the destruction of hatred, the destruction of delusion: this is called the unconditioned.

3“And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Serenity and insight: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

3. With Thought and Examination

1… “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Concentration with thought and examination; concentration without thought, with examination only; concentration without thought and examination:³⁶⁷ This triad of concentrations occurs elsewhere in the Nikāyas, e.g., at DN III 219,19–20, MN III 162,14–15, and AN IV 300,28–301,1. A concentration without thought but with examination (avitakka vicāramatta samādhi) does not fit into the familiar sequence of the four jhānas, in which the first jhāna includes both thought and examination and the second excludes both. To reconcile the two schemes, the Abhidhamma supplements the fourfold sequence of jhānas with a fivefold sequence in which the second jhāna is the avitakka vicāramatta samādhi. The second jhāna of the tetrad then becomes the third jhāna of the pentad. See As 179–80, which explains the reasons for the two sets. this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

4. Emptiness Concentration

1… “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The emptiness concentration, the signless concentration, the undirected concentration:³⁶⁸ Suññata samādhi, animitta samādhi, appaṇihita samādhi. Spk gives no explanation of these terms. The three are mentioned as a set at DN III 219,21–22, again without explanation, but Sv III 1003–4 comments on them thus: One who, at the stage of advanced insight, contemplates things as nonself, acquires the emptiness concentration on arriving at the path and fruit (because he has seen things as empty of self); one who contemplates things as impermanent acquires the signless concentration (because he has seen through the “sign of permanence”); one who contemplates things as suffering acquires the undirected concentration (because he has no leaning to things seen as painful). See too the discussion of the “triple gateway to liberation” at Vism 657–59 (Ppn 21:66–73). On animitta cetosamādhi, see n. 280 above. this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

5. (5)Establishments of Mindfulness³⁶⁹ This sutta and the next six cover the “thirty-seven aids to enlightenment,” elaborated at 43:12 (ix–xlv). More detailed explanations are given in the Introduction to Part V and in the notes to SN 45–51.

1… “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The four establishments of mindfulness….”

6. Right Strivings

1… “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The four right strivings….”

7. Bases for Spiritual Power

1… “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The four bases for spiritual power….” [361]

8. Spiritual Faculties

1… “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The five spiritual faculties….”

9. Powers

1… “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The five powers….”

10. Factors of Enlightenment

1… “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The seven factors of enlightenment….”

11. The Eightfold Path

1… “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The Noble Eightfold Path: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

2“Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned…. This is our instruction to you.” [362]

(i. Serenity)

1“Bhikkhus, I will teach you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned. Listen to that….

2“And what, bhikkhus, is the unconditioned? The destruction of lust, the destruction of hatred, the destruction of delusion: this is called the unconditioned.

3“And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Serenity: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….

4“Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned…. This is our instruction to you.”

(ii. Insight)

5… “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Insight: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

(iii–viii. Concentration)

6(iii) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? [363] Concentration with thought and examination: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

7(iv) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Concentration without thought, with examination only….”

8(v) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Concentration without thought and examination….”

9(vi) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Emptiness concentration….”

10(vii) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Signless concentration….”

11(viii) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Undirected concentration: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

(ix–xii. The four establishments of mindfulness)

12(ix) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body in the body, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

13(x) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating feelings in feelings, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world….” [364]

14(xi) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating mind in mind, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world….”

15(xii) … “And what, bhikkhus is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

(xiii–xvi. The four right strivings)

16(xiii) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu generates desire for the nonarising of unarisen evil unwholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

17(xiv) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu generates desire for the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives….”

18(xv) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu generates desire for the arising of unarisen wholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives….”

19(xvi) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu generates desire for the continuance of arisen wholesome states, [365] for their nondecay, increase, expansion, and fulfilment by development; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

(xvii–xx. The four bases for spiritual power)

20(xvii) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional formations of striving: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

21(xviii) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to energy and volitional formations of striving….”

22(xix) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to mind and volitional formations of striving….”

23(xx) ... “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional formations of striving: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

(xxi–xxv. The five spiritual faculties)

24(xxi) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of faith, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….” [366]

25(xxii–xxv) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of energy … the faculty of mindfulness … the faculty of concentration … the faculty of wisdom, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

(xxvi–xxx. The five powers)

26(xxvi) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the power of faith, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

27(xxvii–xxx) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the power of energy … the power of mindfulness … [367] … the power of concentration … the power of wisdom, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

(xxxi–xxxvii. The seven factors of enlightenment)

28(xxxi) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of mindfulness, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

29(xxxii–xxxvii) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of discrimination of states … the enlightenment factor of energy … the enlightenment factor of rapture … the enlightenment factor of tranquillity … the enlightenment factor of concentration … the enlightenment factor of equanimity, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….”

(xxxviii–xlv. The Noble Eightfold Path)

30(xxxviii) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops right view, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned….” [368]

31(xxxix–xlv) … “And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops right intention … right speech … right action … right livelihood … right effort … right mindfulness … right concentration, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

32“Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned. Whatever should be done, bhikkhus, by a compassionate teacher out of compassion for his disciples, desiring their welfare, that I have done for you. These are the feet of trees, bhikkhus, these are empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not be negligent, lest you regret it later. This is our instruction to you.”

13. The Uninclined³⁷⁰ I follow the numbering in Ee. Though Woodward says “the sections are wrongly numbered in the text” (KS 4:261, n. 1), in fact it is the text that is correct and Woodward’s numbering that is off. For this sutta I prefer the Be reading anataṁ and the gloss in Spk (Be): taṇhānatiyā abhāvena anataṁ; “uninclined due to the absence of inclination through craving.” This seems more original than the Se and Ee reading antaṁ, “the end,” with Spk (Se) explaining: taṇhāratiyā abhāvena antaṁ; “the end due to the absence of delight through craving.”

1“Bhikkhus, I will teach you the uninclined and the path leading to the uninclined. Listen to that….

2“And what, bhikkhus, is the uninclined?…”

3(To be elaborated in full as in §§1–12.)³⁷¹ Under each of the epithets for Nibbāna, Ee has “I–XLV” as if the elaboration is to be developed only as in §12. In the last sutta, however, “the path leading to the destination” begins with “mindfulness directed to the body,” which means that each elaboration is to be developed in full as in §§1–12. This means that each epithet should be conjoined with fifty-six versions of the path. [369]

14–43. The Taintless, Etc.

4“Bhikkhus, I will teach you the taintless and the path leading to the taintless. Listen to that….

5“Bhikkhus, I will teach you the truth and the path leading to the truth…. I will teach you the far shore … the subtle … the very difficult to see … the unaging … [370] … the stable … the undisintegrating … the unmanifest … the unproliferated³⁷² Nippapañcaṁ. Spk: Through the absence of proliferation by craving, conceit, and views. … the peaceful … the deathless … the sublime … the auspicious … [371] … the secure …. the destruction of craving … the wonderful … the amazing … the unailing … the unailing state … Nibbāna … the unafflicted … dispassion … [372] … purity … freedom … the unadhesive … the island ... the shelter … the asylum … the refuge … [373] …”

44. The Destination

1“Bhikkhus, I will teach you the destination and the path leading to the destination. Listen to that….

2“And what, bhikkhus, is the destination? The destruction of lust, the destruction of hatred, the destruction of delusion: this is called the destination.

3“And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the destination? Mindfulness directed to the body: this is called the path leading to the destination.

4“Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught you the destination and the path leading to the destination. Whatever should be done, bhikkhus, by a compassionate teacher out of compassion for his disciples, desiring their welfare, that I have done for you. These are the feet of trees, bhikkhus, these are empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not be negligent, lest you regret it later. This is our instruction to you.”

(Each to be elaborated in fullas in §§1–12.)

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