Saṃyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
47. Sati-Paṭṭhāna Saṃyutta
4. Anussuta Vagga
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
5. The Great Chapter
47. Kindred Sayings on the Stations of Mindfulness
4. Unheard Before
Sutta 34
Bhāvanā Suttaṃ
Cultivation
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:
"Monks, these four stations of mindfulness,
if cultivated
and made much of,
conduce to that state
in which no further shore
and no hither shore[1] exists.
What four?
Herein a monk abides in body contemplating body
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
having restrained the dejection in the world
arising from coveting.
He dwells as regards feelings contemplating feelings
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
having restrained the dejection in the world
arising from coveting.
He dwells as regards mind contemplating mind
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
having restrained the dejection in the world
arising from coveting.
He dwells as regards mind-states contemplating mind-states
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
having restrained the dejection in the world
arising from coveting.
"These four stations of mindfulness, monks,
if cultivated
and made much of,
conduce to downright revulsion,
to dispassion,
to cessation,
to calm,
to full comprehension,
to perfect wisdom,
to Nibbāna.
"Monks, these four stations of mindfulness,
if cultivated
and made much of,
conduce to that state
in which no further shore
and no hither shore exists."
[1] Cf. supra, text 24, a-pāra-apāra, which text here misprints as aparāparaṇ (backwards and forwards), as again Bk. vii, ad init and above, text 24, 81.