Saṃyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
54. Ānāpāna Saṃyutta
1. Eka-Dhamma Vagga
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
5. The Great Chapter
54. Kindred Sayings about
In-Breathing and Out-Breathing
1. The One Condition
Sutta 6
Ariṭṭha Suttaṃ
Ariṭṭha[11]
Translated by F. L. Woodward
Edited by Mrs. Rhys Davids
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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[1][bodh][olds][than] THUS have I heard:
Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī at Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks, do ye practise
concentration on in-breathing and out-breathing?"
At these words the venerable Ariṭṭha said to the Exalted One:
"I, lord, do practise it."
"But in what way do you practise it, Ariṭṭha?"
"Thus, lord.
I abandon sensual desire
for lusts that are past.
Sensual desire for lusts to come
is vanished.
Both [279] inwardly and outwardly
the consciousness of repugnance for things
is perfectly disciplined.[12]
Mindful I breathe in,
mindful I breathe out.[13]
That, lord, is how I practise
concentration on in-breathing and out-breathing."
"True, Ariṭṭha.
That is concentration on in-breathing and out-breathing.
And yet I-declare it is not.
Now, Ariṭṭha, I will tell you how
concentration on in-breathing and out-breathing
is done perfectly, in every detail.
Do you listen to it.
Apply your mind and I will speak."
"I will, lord," replied the venerable Ariṭṭha to the Exalted One.
The Exalted One said:
"Now, Ariṭṭha, how is concentration on in-breathing and out-breathing
done perfectly,
in every detail?
In this method, Ariṭṭha,
a monk who goes to a forest
or the foot of a tree
or a lonely place,
sits down cross-legged,
holding the body straight.
Setting mindfulness in front of him,
he breathes in mindfully
and mindfully breathes out.
As he draws in a long breath he knows:
'A long breath I draw in.'
As he breathes out a long breath he knows:
'I breathe out a long breath.'
As he draws in a short breath he knows:
'A short breath I draw in.'
As he breathes out a short breath he knows:
'I breathe out a short breath.'
Thus he makes up his mind (repeating):
'I shall breathe in,
feeling it go through the whole body.
Feeling it go through the whole body
I shall breathe out.
Calming down the bodily aggregate
I shall breathe in.
Calming down the bodily aggregate
I shall breathe out.'
Thus he makes up his mind (repeating):
'Feeling the thrill of zest
I shall breathe in.
Feeling the thrill of zest
I shall breathe out.
Feeling the sense of ease
I shall breathe in.
Feeling the sense of ease
I shall breathe out.'
He makes up his mind (repeating):
'Aware of all mental factors
I shall breathe in.
Aware of all mental factors
I shall breathe out.
Calming down the mental factors
I shall breathe in.
Calming down the mental factors
I shall breathe out.
Aware of mind I shall breathe in.
Aware of mind I shall breathe out.'
He makes up his mind (repeating):
'Gladdening my mind I shall breathe in.
Gladdening my mind I shall breathe out.
Composing my mind I shall breathe in.
Composing my mind I shall breathe out.
Detaching my mind I shall breathe in.
Detaching my mind I shall breathe out.'
He makes up his mind (repeating):
'Contemplating impermanence I shall breathe in.
Contemplating impermanence I shall breathe out.
Contemplating dispassion I shall breathe in.
Contemplating dispassion I shall breathe out.
Contemplating cessation I shall breathe in.
Contemplating cessation I shall breathe out.
Contemplating renunciation I shall breathe in.
Contemplating renunciation I shall breathe out.'
That, Ariṭṭha, is how concentration on in-breathing and out-breathing
is done perfectly,
in every detail."
[11] Cf. M. i, 130; A. iii, 451; Vinaya Texts, ii, 377.
[12] 'Herein,' says Comy. 'he declares the path of non-retum.'
[13] 'Here he declares the insight of the path of Arahantship.'
