Saṃyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
47. Sati-Paṭṭhāna Saṃyutta
1. Ambapāli Vagga
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
5. The Great Chapter
47. Kindred Sayings on the Stations of Mindfulness
1. Ambapālī
Sutta 5
Kusala-Rāsi Suttaṃ
A Heap of Merit
Translated by F. L. Woodward
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.
The Exalted One said:
"'A heap of demerit,' monks.
If any one should thus name
the five hindrances,
rightly would he do so:
for indeed one entire mass of demerit
are the five hindrances.
What five?
The hindrance of sensual desire,
the hindrance of malevolence,
the hindrance of sloth and torpor,
the hindrance of excitement and flurry,
the hindrance of doubt and wavering.
'A heap of demerit,' monks.
If any one should thus name them,
rightly would he do so.
§
'A heap of merit,' monks.
If any one should thus name
the four stations of mindfulness,
rightly would he do so:
for indeed one entire mass of merit
are the four stations of mindfulness.
What four?
Herein a monk abides in body contemplating body
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
having restrained the dejection in the world
that arises from covetousness.
Herein a monk abides in feelings contemplating feelings
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
having restrained the dejection in the world
that arises from covetousness.
Herein a monk abides in mind contemplating mind
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
having restrained the dejection in the world
that arises from covetousness.
Herein a monk abides in mind-states contemplating mind-states
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
having restrained the dejection in the world
that arises from covetousness.
In- [125] deed, monks,
if one named the four stations of mindfulness
'a heap of merit,'
rightly would he so name them:
for one entire mass of merit
are these four stations of mindfulness."
