MN 119 Mindfulness of the Body – Kāyagatāsatisutta

Medium Discourses Collection 119 – Majjhima Nikāya 119

1.1

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

1.2

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

2.1

Then after the meal, on return from almsround, several senior bhikkhū sat together in the assembly hall and this discussion came up among them.

Atha kho sambahulānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantānaṁ upaṭṭhānasālāyaṁ sannisinnānaṁ sannipatitānaṁ ayamantarākathā udapādi:

2.2

“It’s incredible, reverends, it’s amazing,

“acchariyaṁ, āvuso, abbhutaṁ, āvuso.

2.3

how the Blessed One, who knows and sees, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha has said that mindfulness of the body, when developed and cultivated, is very fruitful and beneficial.”

Yāvañcidaṁ tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena kāyagatāsati bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā vuttā mahānisaṁsā”ti.

2.4

But their conversation was left unfinished. Then the Buddha came out of retreat and went to the pavilion. He sat on the seat spread out

Ayañca hidaṁ tesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ antarākathā vippakatā hoti, atha kho bhagavā sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yena upaṭṭhānasālā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi.

2.5

and addressed the bhikkhū,

Nisajja kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:

2.6

“Bhikkhū, what were you sitting talking about just now? What conversation was left unfinished?”

“kāya nuttha, bhikkhave, etarahi kathāya sannisinnā, kā ca pana vo antarākathā vippakatā”ti?

2.7

So the bhikkhū told him what they had been talking about. The Buddha said:

“Idha, bhante, amhākaṁ pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantānaṁ upaṭṭhānasālāyaṁ sannisinnānaṁ sannipatitānaṁ ayamantarākathā udapādi:

2.8

‘acchariyaṁ, āvuso, abbhutaṁ, āvuso.

2.9

Yāvañcidaṁ tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena kāyagatāsati bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā vuttā mahānisaṁsā’ti.

2.10

Ayaṁ kho no, bhante, antarākathā vippakatā, atha bhagavā anuppatto”ti.

3.1

“And how, bhikkhū, is mindfulness of the body developed and cultivated to be very fruitful and beneficial?

“Kathaṁ bhāvitā ca, bhikkhave, kāyagatāsati kathaṁ bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṁsā?

4.1

It’s when a bhikkhu has gone to a wilderness, or to the root of a tree, or to an empty hut. They sit down cross-legged, with their body straight, and establish mindfulness right there.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu araññagato vā rukkhamūlagato vā suññāgāragato vā nisīdati pallaṅkaṁ ābhujitvā ujuṁ kāyaṁ paṇidhāya parimukhaṁ satiṁ upaṭṭhapetvā.

4.2

Just mindful, they breathe in. Mindful, they breathe out.

So satova assasati satova passasati;

4.3

When breathing in heavily they know: ‘I’m breathing in heavily.’ When breathing out heavily they know: ‘I’m breathing out heavily.’

dīghaṁ vā assasanto ‘dīghaṁ assasāmī’ti pajānāti, dīghaṁ vā passasanto ‘dīghaṁ passasāmī’ti pajānāti;

4.4

When breathing in lightly they know: ‘I’m breathing in lightly.’ When breathing out lightly they know: ‘I’m breathing out lightly.’

rassaṁ vā assasanto ‘rassaṁ assasāmī’ti pajānāti, rassaṁ vā passasanto ‘rassaṁ passasāmī’ti pajānāti;

4.5

They practice breathing in experiencing the whole body. They practice breathing out experiencing the whole body.

‘sabbakāyapaṭisaṁvedī assasissāmī’ti sikkhati, ‘sabbakāyapaṭisaṁvedī passasissāmī’ti sikkhati;

4.6

They practice breathing in stilling the body’s motion. They practice breathing out stilling the body’s motion.

‘passambhayaṁ kāyasaṅkhāraṁ assasissāmī’ti sikkhati, ‘passambhayaṁ kāyasaṅkhāraṁ passasissāmī’ti sikkhati.

4.7

As they meditate like this—diligent, keen, and resolute—memories and thoughts of the lay life are given up.

Tassa evaṁ appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato ye gehasitā sarasaṅkappā te pahīyanti.

4.8

Their mind becomes stilled internally; it settles, unifies, and becomes immersed in samādhi.

Tesaṁ pahānā ajjhattameva cittaṁ santiṭṭhati sannisīdati ekodi hoti samādhiyati.

4.9

That’s how a bhikkhu develops mindfulness of the body.

Evaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyagatāsatiṁ bhāveti.

5.1

Furthermore, when a bhikkhu is walking they know ‘I am walking’. When standing they know ‘I am standing’. When sitting they know ‘I am sitting’. And when lying down they know ‘I am lying down’.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu gacchanto vā ‘gacchāmī’ti pajānāti, ṭhito vā ‘ṭhitomhī’ti pajānāti, nisinno vā ‘nisinnomhī’ti pajānāti, sayāno vā ‘sayānomhī’ti pajānāti.

5.2

Whatever posture their body is in, they know it.

Yathā yathā vā panassa kāyo paṇihito hoti tathā tathā naṁ pajānāti.

5.3

As they meditate like this—diligent, keen, and resolute—memories and thoughts of the lay life are given up.

Tassa evaṁ appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato ye gehasitā sarasaṅkappā te pahīyanti.

5.4

Their mind becomes stilled internally; it settles, unifies, and becomes immersed in samādhi.

Tesaṁ pahānā ajjhattameva cittaṁ santiṭṭhati sannisīdati ekodi hoti samādhiyati.

5.5

That too is how a bhikkhu develops mindfulness of the body.

Evampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyagatāsatiṁ bhāveti.

6.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu acts with situational awareness when going out and coming back; when looking ahead and aside; when bending and extending the limbs; when bearing the outer robe, bowl and robes; when eating, drinking, chewing, and tasting; when urinating and defecating; when walking, standing, sitting, sleeping, waking, speaking, and keeping silent.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu abhikkante paṭikkante sampajānakārī hoti, ālokite vilokite sampajānakārī hoti, samiñjite pasārite sampajānakārī hoti, saṅghāṭipattacīvaradhāraṇe sampajānakārī hoti, asite pīte khāyite sāyite sampajānakārī hoti, uccārapassāvakamme sampajānakārī hoti, gate ṭhite nisinne sutte jāgarite bhāsite tuṇhībhāve sampajānakārī hoti.

6.2

As they meditate like this—diligent, keen, and resolute—memories and thoughts of the lay life are given up.

Tassa evaṁ appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato ye gehasitā sarasaṅkappā te pahīyanti.

6.3

Their mind becomes stilled internally; it settles, unifies, and becomes immersed in samādhi.

Tesaṁ pahānā ajjhattameva cittaṁ santiṭṭhati sannisīdati ekodi hoti samādhiyati.

6.4

That too is how a bhikkhu develops mindfulness of the body.

Evampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyagatāsatiṁ bhāveti.

7.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu examines their own body, up from the soles of the feet and down from the tips of the hairs, wrapped in skin and full of many kinds of filth.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ uddhaṁ pādatalā adho kesamatthakā tacapariyantaṁ pūraṁ nānappakārassa asucino paccavekkhati:

7.2

‘In this body there is head hair, body hair, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, diaphragm, spleen, lungs, intestines, mesentery, undigested food, feces, bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, grease, saliva, snot, synovial fluid, urine.’

‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye kesā lomā nakhā dantā taco maṁsaṁ nhāru aṭṭhi aṭṭhimiñjaṁ vakkaṁ hadayaṁ yakanaṁ kilomakaṁ pihakaṁ papphāsaṁ antaṁ antaguṇaṁ udariyaṁ karīsaṁ pittaṁ semhaṁ pubbo lohitaṁ sedo medo assu vasā kheḷo siṅghāṇikā lasikā muttan’ti.

7.3

It’s as if there were a bag with openings at both ends, filled with various kinds of grains, such as

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ubhatomukhā putoḷi pūrā nānāvihitassa dhaññassa, seyyathidaṁ—

7.4

fine rice, wheat, mung beans, peas, sesame, and ordinary rice.

sālīnaṁ vīhīnaṁ muggānaṁ māsānaṁ tilānaṁ taṇḍulānaṁ,

7.5

And someone with good eyesight were to open it and examine the contents:

tamenaṁ cakkhumā puriso muñcitvā paccavekkheyya:

7.6

‘These grains are fine rice, these are wheat, these are mung beans, these are peas, these are sesame, and these are ordinary rice.’

‘ime sālī ime vīhī ime muggā ime māsā ime tilā ime taṇḍulā’ti;

7.7

In the same way, a bhikkhu examines their own body, up from the soles of the feet and down from the tips of the hairs, wrapped in skin and full of many kinds of filth. …

evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ uddhaṁ pādatalā adho kesamatthakā tacapariyantaṁ pūraṁ nānappakārassa asucino paccavekkhati:

7.8

7.9

As they meditate like this—diligent, keen, and resolute—memories and thoughts of the lay life are given up.

Tassa evaṁ appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato ye gehasitā sarasaṅkappā te pahīyanti.

7.10

Their mind becomes stilled internally; it settles, unifies, and becomes immersed in samādhi.

Tesaṁ pahānā ajjhattameva cittaṁ santiṭṭhati sannisīdati ekodi hoti samādhiyati.

7.11

That too is how a bhikkhu develops mindfulness of the body.

Evampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyagatāsatiṁ bhāveti.

8.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu examines their own body, whatever its placement or posture, according to the elements:

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ yathāṭhitaṁ yathāpaṇihitaṁ dhātuso paccavekkhati:

8.2

‘In this body there is the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element.’

‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti.

8.3

It’s as if a deft butcher or butcher’s apprentice were to kill a cow and sit down at the crossroads with the meat cut into portions.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā catumahāpathe bilaso vibhajitvā nisinno assa;

8.4

In the same way, a bhikkhu examines their own body, whatever its placement or posture, according to the elements:

evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ yathāṭhitaṁ yathāpaṇihitaṁ dhātuso paccavekkhati:

8.5

‘In this body there is the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element.’

‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti.

8.6

As they meditate like this—diligent, keen, and resolute—memories and thoughts of the lay life are given up.

Tassa evaṁ appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato ye gehasitā sarasaṅkappā te pahīyanti.

8.7

Their mind becomes stilled internally; it settles, unifies, and becomes immersed in samādhi.

Tesaṁ pahānā ajjhattameva cittaṁ santiṭṭhati sannisīdati ekodi hoti samādhiyati.

8.8

That too is how a bhikkhu develops mindfulness of the body.

Evampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyagatāsatiṁ bhāveti.

9.1

Furthermore, suppose a bhikkhu were to see a corpse discarded in a charnel ground. And it had been dead for one, two, or three days, bloated, livid, and festering.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ ekāhamataṁ vā dvīhamataṁ vā tīhamataṁ vā uddhumātakaṁ vinīlakaṁ vipubbakajātaṁ.

9.2

They’d compare it with their own body:

So imameva kāyaṁ upasaṁharati:

9.3

‘This body is also of that same nature, that same kind, and cannot go beyond that.’

‘ayampi kho kāyo evaṁdhammo evaṁbhāvī evaṁanatīto’ti.

9.4

As they meditate like this—diligent, keen, and resolute—memories and thoughts of the lay life are given up.

Tassa evaṁ appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato ye gehasitā sarasaṅkappā te pahīyanti.

9.5

Their mind becomes stilled internally; it settles, unifies, and becomes immersed in samādhi.

Tesaṁ pahānā ajjhattameva cittaṁ santiṭṭhati sannisīdati ekodi hoti samādhiyati.

9.6

That too is how a bhikkhu develops mindfulness of the body.

Evampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyagatāsatiṁ bhāveti.

10.1

Or suppose they were to see a corpse discarded in a charnel ground being devoured by crows, hawks, vultures, herons, dogs, tigers, leopards, jackals, and many kinds of little creatures.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ kākehi vā khajjamānaṁ kulalehi vā khajjamānaṁ gijjhehi vā khajjamānaṁ kaṅkehi vā khajjamānaṁ sunakhehi vā khajjamānaṁ byagghehi vā khajjamānaṁ dīpīhi vā khajjamānaṁ siṅgālehi vā khajjamānaṁ vividhehi vā pāṇakajātehi khajjamānaṁ.

10.2

They’d compare it with their own body:

So imameva kāyaṁ upasaṁharati:

10.3

‘This body is also of that same nature, that same kind, and cannot go beyond that.’

‘ayampi kho kāyo evaṁdhammo evaṁbhāvī evaṁanatīto’ti.

10.4

Tassa evaṁ appamattassa …pe…

10.5

That too is how a bhikkhu develops mindfulness of the body.

evampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyagatāsatiṁ bhāveti.

11-14.1

Furthermore, suppose they were to see a corpse discarded in a charnel ground, a skeleton with flesh and blood, held together by sinews …

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ aṭṭhikasaṅkhalikaṁ samaṁsalohitaṁ nhārusambandhaṁ …pe…

11-14.2

A skeleton without flesh but smeared with blood, and held together by sinews …

aṭṭhikasaṅkhalikaṁ nimmaṁsalohitamakkhitaṁ nhārusambandhaṁ …pe…

11-14.3

A skeleton rid of flesh and blood, held together by sinews …

aṭṭhikasaṅkhalikaṁ apagatamaṁsalohitaṁ nhārusambandhaṁ …pe…

11-14.4

Bones without sinews scattered in every direction. Here a hand-bone, there a foot-bone, here a shin-bone, there a thigh-bone, here a hip-bone, there a rib-bone, here a back-bone, there an arm-bone, here a neck-bone, there a jaw-bone, here a tooth, there the skull …

aṭṭhikāni apagatasambandhāni disāvidisāvikkhittāni aññena hatthaṭṭhikaṁ aññena pādaṭṭhikaṁ aññena gopphakaṭṭhikaṁ aññena jaṅghaṭṭhikaṁ aññena ūruṭṭhikaṁ aññena kaṭiṭṭhikaṁ aññena phāsukaṭṭhikaṁ aññena piṭṭhiṭṭhikaṁ aññena khandhaṭṭhikaṁ aññena gīvaṭṭhikaṁ aññena hanukaṭṭhikaṁ aññena dantaṭṭhikaṁ aññena sīsakaṭāhaṁ.

11-14.5

So imameva kāyaṁ upasaṁharati:

11-14.6

‘ayampi kho kāyo evaṁdhammo evaṁbhāvī evaṁanatīto’ti.

11-14.7

Tassa evaṁ appamattassa …pe…

11-14.8

evampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyagatāsatiṁ bhāveti.

15-17.1

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ—

15-17.2

White bones, the color of shells …

aṭṭhikāni setāni saṅkhavaṇṇapaṭibhāgāni …pe…

15-17.3

Decrepit bones, heaped in a pile …

aṭṭhikāni puñjakitāni terovassikāni …pe…

15-17.4

Bones rotted and crumbled to powder.

aṭṭhikāni pūtīni cuṇṇakajātāni.

15-17.5

They’d compare it with their own body:

So imameva kāyaṁ upasaṁharati:

15-17.6

‘This body is also of that same nature, that same kind, and cannot go beyond that.’

‘ayampi kho kāyo evaṁdhammo evaṁbhāvī evaṁanatīto’ti.

15-17.7

As they meditate like this—diligent, keen, and resolute—memories and thoughts of the lay life are given up.

Tassa evaṁ appamattassa …

15-17.8

Their mind becomes stilled internally; it settles, unifies, and becomes immersed in samādhi.

pe…

15-17.9

That too is how a bhikkhu develops mindfulness of the body.

evampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyagatāsatiṁ bhāveti.

18.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

18.2

They drench, steep, fill, and spread their body with rapture and bliss born of seclusion. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread with rapture and bliss born of seclusion.

So imameva kāyaṁ vivekajena pītisukhena abhisandeti parisandeti paripūreti parippharati, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa vivekajena pītisukhena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

18.3

It’s like when a deft bathroom attendant or their apprentice pours bath powder into a bronze dish, sprinkling it little by little with water. They knead it until the ball of bath powder is soaked and saturated with moisture, spread through inside and out; yet no moisture oozes out.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, dakkho nhāpako vā nhāpakantevāsī vā kaṁsathāle nhānīyacuṇṇāni ākiritvā udakena paripphosakaṁ paripphosakaṁ sanneyya, sāyaṁ nhānīyapiṇḍi snehānugatā snehaparetā santarabāhirā phuṭā snehena na ca pagghariṇī;

18.4

In the same way, they drench, steep, fill, and spread their body with rapture and bliss born of seclusion. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread with rapture and bliss born of seclusion.

evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ vivekajena pītisukhena abhisandeti parisandeti paripūreti parippharati; nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa vivekajena pītisukhena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

18.5

As they meditate like this—diligent, keen, and resolute—memories and thoughts of the lay life are given up.

Tassa evaṁ appamattassa …

18.6

Their mind becomes stilled internally; it settles, unifies, and becomes immersed in samādhi.

pe…

18.7

That too is how a bhikkhu develops mindfulness of the body.

evampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyagatāsatiṁ bhāveti.

19.1

Furthermore, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, a bhikkhu enters and remains in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of samādhi, with internal clarity and confidence, and unified mind, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

19.2

They drench, steep, fill, and spread their body with rapture and bliss born of samādhi. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread with rapture and bliss born of samādhi.

So imameva kāyaṁ samādhijena pītisukhena abhisandeti parisandeti paripūreti parippharati; nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa samādhijena pītisukhena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

19.3

It’s like a deep lake fed by spring water. There’s no inlet to the east, west, north, or south, and no rainfall to replenish it from time to time. But the stream of cool water welling up in the lake drenches, steeps, fills, and spreads throughout the lake. There’s no part of the lake that’s not spread through with cool water.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, udakarahado gambhīro ubbhidodako. Tassa nevassa puratthimāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ na pacchimāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ na uttarāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ na dakkhiṇāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ; devo ca na kālena kālaṁ sammā dhāraṁ anuppaveccheyya; atha kho tamhāva udakarahadā sītā vāridhārā ubbhijjitvā tameva udakarahadaṁ sītena vārinā abhisandeyya parisandeyya paripūreyya paripphareyya, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato udakarahadassa sītena vārinā apphuṭaṁ assa;

19.4

In the same way, a bhikkhu drenches, steeps, fills, and spreads their body with rapture and bliss born of samādhi. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread with rapture and bliss born of samādhi.

evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ samādhijena pītisukhena abhisandeti parisandeti paripūreti parippharati, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa samādhijena pītisukhena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

19.5

Tassa evaṁ appamattassa …pe…

19.6

That too is how a bhikkhu develops mindfulness of the body.

evampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyagatāsatiṁ bhāveti.

20.1

Furthermore, with the fading away of rapture, a bhikkhu enters and remains in the third absorption. They meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, personally experiencing the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā …pe… tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

20.2

They drench, steep, fill, and spread their body with bliss free of rapture. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread with bliss free of rapture.

So imameva kāyaṁ nippītikena sukhena abhisandeti parisandeti paripūreti parippharati, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa nippītikena sukhena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

20.3

It’s like a pool with blue water lilies, or pink or white lotuses. Some of them sprout and grow in the water without rising above it, thriving underwater. From the tip to the root they’re drenched, steeped, filled, and soaked with cool water. There’s no part of them that’s not soaked with cool water.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, uppaliniyaṁ vā paduminiyaṁ vā puṇḍarīkiniyaṁ vā appekaccāni uppalāni vā padumāni vā puṇḍarīkāni vā udake jātāni udake saṁvaḍḍhāni udakānuggatāni antonimuggaposīni, tāni yāva caggā yāva ca mūlā sītena vārinā abhisannāni parisannāni paripūrāni paripphuṭāni, nāssa kiñci sabbāvataṁ uppalānaṁ vā padumānaṁ vā puṇḍarīkānaṁ vā sītena vārinā apphuṭaṁ assa;

20.4

In the same way, a bhikkhu drenches, steeps, fills, and spreads their body with bliss free of rapture. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread with bliss free of rapture.

evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ nippītikena sukhena abhisandeti parisandeti paripūreti parippharati, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa nippītikena sukhena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

20.5

Tassa evaṁ appamattassa …pe…

20.6

That too is how a bhikkhu develops mindfulness of the body.

evampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyagatāsatiṁ bhāveti.

21.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu, giving up pleasure and pain, and ending former happiness and sadness, enters and remains in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sukhassa ca pahānā …pe… catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

21.2

They sit spreading their body through with pure bright mind. There’s no part of the body that’s not filled with pure bright mind.

So imameva kāyaṁ parisuddhena cetasā pariyodātena pharitvā nisinno hoti; nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa parisuddhena cetasā pariyodātena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

21.3

It’s like someone sitting wrapped from head to foot with white cloth. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread over with white cloth.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso odātena vatthena sasīsaṁ pārupitvā nisinno assa, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa odātena vatthena apphuṭaṁ assa;

21.4

In the same way, they sit spreading their body through with pure bright mind. There’s no part of the body that’s not filled with pure bright mind.

evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ parisuddhena cetasā pariyodātena pharitvā nisinno hoti, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa parisuddhena cetasā pariyodātena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

21.5

As they meditate like this—diligent, keen, and resolute—memories and thoughts of the lay life are given up.

Tassa evaṁ appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato ye gehasitā sarasaṅkappā te pahīyanti.

21.6

Their mind becomes stilled internally; it settles, unifies, and becomes immersed in samādhi.

Tesaṁ pahānā ajjhattameva cittaṁ santiṭṭhati, sannisīdati ekodi hoti samādhiyati.

21.7

That too is how a bhikkhu develops mindfulness of the body.

Evampi, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyagatāsatiṁ bhāveti.

22.1

Anyone who has developed and cultivated mindfulness of the body includes all of the skillful qualities that play a part in realization.

Yassa kassaci, bhikkhave, kāyagatāsati bhāvitā bahulīkatā, antogadhāvāssa kusalā dhammā ye keci vijjābhāgiyā.

22.2

Anyone who brings into their mind the great ocean includes all of the streams that run down into it.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, yassa kassaci mahāsamuddo cetasā phuṭo, antogadhāvāssa kunnadiyo yā kāci samuddaṅgamā;

22.3

In the same way, anyone who has developed and cultivated mindfulness of the body includes all of the skillful qualities that play a part in realization.

evameva kho, bhikkhave, yassa kassaci kāyagatāsati bhāvitā bahulīkatā, antogadhāvāssa kusalā dhammā ye keci vijjābhāgiyā.

23.1

When a bhikkhu has not developed or cultivated mindfulness of the body, Māra finds a vulnerability and gets hold of them.

Yassa kassaci, bhikkhave, kāyagatāsati abhāvitā abahulīkatā, labhati tassa māro otāraṁ, labhati tassa māro ārammaṇaṁ.

23.2

Suppose a person were to throw a heavy stone ball on a mound of wet clay.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso garukaṁ silāguḷaṁ allamattikāpuñje pakkhipeyya.

23.3

What do you think, bhikkhū?

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

23.4

Would that heavy stone ball find an entry into that mound of wet clay?”

api nu taṁ garukaṁ silāguḷaṁ allamattikāpuñje labhetha otāran”ti?

23.5

“Yes, sir.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”.

23.6

“In the same way, when a bhikkhu has not developed or cultivated mindfulness of the body, Māra finds a vulnerability and gets hold of them.

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, yassa kassaci kāyagatāsati abhāvitā abahulīkatā, labhati tassa māro otāraṁ, labhati tassa māro ārammaṇaṁ.

24.1

Suppose there was a dried up, withered log.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, sukkhaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ koḷāpaṁ;

24.2

Then a person comes along with a drill-stick, thinking

atha puriso āgaccheyya uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya:

24.3

to light a fire and produce heat.

‘aggiṁ abhinibbattessāmi, tejo pātukarissāmī’ti.

24.4

What do you think, bhikkhū?

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

24.5

By drilling the stick against that dried up, withered log on dry land far from water, could they light a fire and produce heat?”

api nu so puriso amuṁ sukkhaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ koḷāpaṁ uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya abhimanthento aggiṁ abhinibbatteyya, tejo pātukareyyā”ti?

24.6

“Yes, sir.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”.

24.7

“In the same way, when a bhikkhu has not developed or cultivated mindfulness of the body, Māra finds a vulnerability and gets hold of them.

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, yassa kassaci kāyagatāsati abhāvitā abahulīkatā, labhati tassa māro otāraṁ, labhati tassa māro ārammaṇaṁ.

25.1

Suppose a water jar was placed on a stand, empty and hollow.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, udakamaṇiko ritto tuccho ādhāre ṭhapito;

25.2

Then a person comes along with a load of water.

atha puriso āgaccheyya udakabhāraṁ ādāya.

25.3

What do you think, bhikkhū?

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

25.4

Could that person pour water into the jar?”

api nu so puriso labhetha udakassa nikkhepanan”ti?

25.5

“Yes, sir.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”.

25.6

“In the same way, when a bhikkhu has not developed or cultivated mindfulness of the body, Māra finds a vulnerability and gets hold of them.

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, yassa kassaci kāyagatāsati abhāvitā abahulīkatā, labhati tassa māro otāraṁ, labhati tassa māro ārammaṇaṁ.

26.1

When a bhikkhu has developed and cultivated mindfulness of the body, Māra cannot find a vulnerability and doesn’t get hold of them.

Yassa kassaci, bhikkhave, kāyagatāsati bhāvitā bahulīkatā, na tassa labhati māro otāraṁ, na tassa labhati māro ārammaṇaṁ.

26.2

Suppose a person were to throw a light ball of string at a door-panel made entirely of hardwood.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso lahukaṁ suttaguḷaṁ sabbasāramaye aggaḷaphalake pakkhipeyya.

26.3

What do you think, bhikkhū?

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

26.4

Would that light ball of string find an entry into that door-panel made entirely of hardwood?”

api nu so puriso taṁ lahukaṁ suttaguḷaṁ sabbasāramaye aggaḷaphalake labhetha otāran”ti?

26.5

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

26.6

“In the same way, when a bhikkhu has developed and cultivated mindfulness of the body, Māra cannot find a vulnerability and doesn’t get hold of them.

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, yassa kassaci kāyagatāsati bhāvitā bahulīkatā, na tassa labhati māro otāraṁ, na tassa labhati māro ārammaṇaṁ.

27.1

Suppose there was a green, sappy log.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, allaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ sasnehaṁ;

27.2

Then a person comes along with a drill-stick, thinking

atha puriso āgaccheyya uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya:

27.3

to light a fire and produce heat.

‘aggiṁ abhinibbattessāmi, tejo pātukarissāmī’ti.

27.4

What do you think, bhikkhū?

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

27.5

By drilling the stick against that green, sappy log on dry land far from water, could they light a fire and produce heat?”

api nu so puriso amuṁ allaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ sasnehaṁ uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya abhimanthento aggiṁ abhinibbatteyya, tejo pātukareyyā”ti?

27.6

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

27.7

“In the same way, when a bhikkhu has developed and cultivated mindfulness of the body, Māra cannot find a vulnerability and doesn’t get hold of them.

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, yassa kassaci kāyagatāsati bhāvitā bahulīkatā, na tassa labhati māro otāraṁ, na tassa labhati māro ārammaṇaṁ.

28.1

Suppose a water jar was placed on a stand, full to the brim so a crow could drink from it.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, udakamaṇiko pūro udakassa samatittiko kākapeyyo ādhāre ṭhapito;

28.2

Then a person comes along with a load of water.

atha puriso āgaccheyya udakabhāraṁ ādāya.

28.3

What do you think, bhikkhū?

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

28.4

Could that person pour water into the jar?”

api nu so puriso labhetha udakassa nikkhepanan”ti?

28.5

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

28.6

“In the same way, when a bhikkhu has developed and cultivated mindfulness of the body, Māra cannot find a vulnerability and doesn’t get hold of them.

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, yassa kassaci kāyagatāsati bhāvitā bahulīkatā, na tassa labhati māro otāraṁ, na tassa labhati māro ārammaṇaṁ.

29.1

When a bhikkhu has developed and cultivated mindfulness of the body, they become capable of realizing anything that can be realized by insight to which they extend the mind, in each and every case.

Yassa kassaci, bhikkhave, kāyagatāsati bhāvitā bahulīkatā, so yassa yassa abhiññāsacchikaraṇīyassa dhammassa cittaṁ abhininnāmeti abhiññāsacchikiriyāya, tatra tatreva sakkhibhabbataṁ pāpuṇāti sati satiāyatane.

29.2

Suppose a water jar was placed on a stand, full to the brim so a crow could drink from it.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, udakamaṇiko pūro udakassa samatittiko kākapeyyo ādhāre ṭhapito.

29.3

If a strong man was to pour it on any side, would water pour out?”

Tamenaṁ balavā puriso yato yato āviñcheyya, āgaccheyya udakan”ti?

29.4

“Yes, sir.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”.

29.5

“In the same way, when a bhikkhu has developed and cultivated mindfulness of the body, they become capable of realizing anything that can be realized by insight to which they extend the mind, in each and every case.

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, yassa kassaci kāyagatāsati bhāvitā bahulīkatā so, yassa yassa abhiññāsacchikaraṇīyassa dhammassa cittaṁ abhininnāmeti abhiññāsacchikiriyāya, tatra tatreva sakkhibhabbataṁ pāpuṇāti sati satiāyatane.

30.1

Suppose there was a square, walled lotus pond on level ground, full to the brim so a crow could drink from it.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, same bhūmibhāge caturassā pokkharaṇī assa āḷibandhā pūrā udakassa samatittikā kākapeyyā.

30.2

If a strong man was to open the wall on any side, would water pour out?”

Tamenaṁ balavā puriso yato yato āḷiṁ muñceyya āgaccheyya udakan”ti?

30.3

“Yes, sir.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”.

30.4

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, yassa kassaci kāyagatāsati bhāvitā bahulīkatā, so yassa yassa abhiññāsacchikaraṇīyassa dhammassa cittaṁ abhininnāmeti abhiññāsacchikiriyāya, tatra tatreva sakkhibhabbataṁ pāpuṇāti sati satiāyatane.

31.1

Suppose a chariot stood harnessed to thoroughbreds at a level crossroads, with a goad ready.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, subhūmiyaṁ catumahāpathe ājaññaratho yutto assa ṭhito odhastapatodo;

31.2

Then a deft horse trainer, a master charioteer, might mount the chariot, taking the reins in his right hand and goad in the left. He’d drive out and back wherever he wishes, whenever he wishes.

tamenaṁ dakkho yoggācariyo assadammasārathi abhiruhitvā vāmena hatthena rasmiyo gahetvā dakkhiṇena hatthena patodaṁ gahetvā yenicchakaṁ yadicchakaṁ sāreyyāpi paccāsāreyyāpi;

31.3

In the same way, when a bhikkhu has developed and cultivated mindfulness of the body, they become capable of realizing anything that can be realized by insight to which they extend the mind, in each and every case.

evameva kho, bhikkhave, yassa kassaci kāyagatāsati bhāvitā bahulīkatā, so yassa yassa abhiññāsacchikaraṇīyassa dhammassa cittaṁ abhininnāmeti abhiññāsacchikiriyāya, tatra tatreva sakkhibhabbataṁ pāpuṇāti sati satiāyatane.

32.1

You can expect ten benefits when mindfulness of the body has been cultivated, developed, and practiced, made a vehicle and a basis, kept up, consolidated, and properly implemented.

Kāyagatāya, bhikkhave, satiyā āsevitāya bhāvitāya bahulīkatāya yānīkatāya vatthukatāya anuṭṭhitāya paricitāya susamāraddhāya dasānisaṁsā pāṭikaṅkhā.

33.1

They prevail over desire and discontent, and live having mastered desire and discontent whenever they arose.

Aratiratisaho hoti, na ca taṁ arati sahati, uppannaṁ aratiṁ abhibhuyya viharati.

34.1

They prevail over fear and dread, and live having mastered fear and dread whenever they arose.

Bhayabheravasaho hoti, na ca taṁ bhayabheravaṁ sahati, uppannaṁ bhayabheravaṁ abhibhuyya viharati.

35.1

They endure cold, heat, hunger, and thirst; the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, and reptiles; rude and unwelcome criticism; and put up with physical pain—sharp, severe, acute, unpleasant, disagreeable, and life-threatening.

Khamo hoti sītassa uṇhassa jighacchāya pipāsāya ḍaṁsamakasavātātapasarīsapasamphassānaṁ duruttānaṁ durāgatānaṁ vacanapathānaṁ, uppannānaṁ sārīrikānaṁ vedanānaṁ dukkhānaṁ tibbānaṁ kharānaṁ kaṭukānaṁ asātānaṁ amanāpānaṁ pāṇaharānaṁ adhivāsakajātiko hoti.

36.1

They get the four absorptions—blissful meditations in the present life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty.

Catunnaṁ jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diṭṭhadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhī hoti akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.

37.1

They wield the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again … They control the body as far as the Brahmā realm.

So anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccānubhoti. Ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti, āvibhāvaṁ …pe… yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti.

38.1

With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, they hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far. …

Dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇāti dibbe ca mānuse ca, ye dūre santike ca …pe….

39.1

They understand the minds of other beings and individuals, having comprehended them with their own mind. …

Parasattānaṁ parapuggalānaṁ cetasā ceto paricca pajānāti.

39.2

Sarāgaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘sarāgaṁ cittan’ti pajānāti,

39.3

vītarāgaṁ vā cittaṁ …pe…

39.4

sadosaṁ vā cittaṁ …

39.5

vītadosaṁ vā cittaṁ …

39.6

samohaṁ vā cittaṁ …

39.7

vītamohaṁ vā cittaṁ …

39.8

saṅkhittaṁ vā cittaṁ …

39.9

vikkhittaṁ vā cittaṁ …

39.10

mahaggataṁ vā cittaṁ …

39.11

amahaggataṁ vā cittaṁ …

39.12

sauttaraṁ vā cittaṁ …

39.13

anuttaraṁ vā cittaṁ …

39.14

samāhitaṁ vā cittaṁ …

39.15

asamāhitaṁ vā cittaṁ …

39.16

vimuttaṁ vā cittaṁ …

39.17

avimuttaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘avimuttaṁ cittan’ti pajānāti.

40.1

They recollect many kinds of past lives, with features and details.

So anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati, seyyathidaṁ—ekampi jātiṁ dvepi jātiyo …pe… iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati.

41.1

With clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, they see sentient beings passing away and being reborn—inferior and superior, beautiful and ugly, in a good place or a bad place. They understand how sentient beings are reborn according to their deeds.

Dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena satte passati cavamāne upapajjamāne hīne paṇīte suvaṇṇe dubbaṇṇe, sugate duggate yathākammūpage satte pajānāti.

42.1

They realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of cravings.

Āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati.

43.1

You can expect these ten benefits when mindfulness of the body has been cultivated, developed, and practiced, made a vehicle and a basis, kept up, consolidated, and properly implemented.”

Kāyagatāya, bhikkhave, satiyā āsevitāya bhāvitāya bahulīkatāya yānīkatāya vatthukatāya anuṭṭhitāya paricitāya susamāraddhāya ime dasānisaṁsā pāṭikaṅkhā”ti.

43.2

That is what the Buddha said.

Idamavoca bhagavā.

43.3

Satisfied, the bhikkhū were happy with what the Buddha said.

Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

43.4

Kāyagatāsatisuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ navamaṁ.