Linked Discourses with Anuruddha
The Chapter on In Private
SN 52.1 In Private (1st) Paṭhamarahogatasutta
So I have heard. At one time Venerable Anuruddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Then as Anuruddha was in private retreat this thought came to his mind:
"Whoever has missed out on these four kinds of mindfulness meditation has missed out on the noble path to the complete ending of suffering. Whoever has undertaken these four kinds of mindfulness meditation has undertaken the noble path to the complete ending of suffering."
Then Venerable Mahāmoggallāna knew what Venerable Anuruddha was thinking. As easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he reappeared in front of Anuruddha, and said to him:
"Reverend Anuruddha, how do you define the undertaking of the four kinds of mindfulness meditation by a mendicant?"
"Reverend, it's when a mendicant meditates observing the body internally as liable to originate, as liable to vanish, and as liable to originate and vanish---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing the body externally as liable to originate, as liable to vanish, and as liable to originate and vanish---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing the body internally and externally as liable to originate, as liable to vanish, and as liable to originate and vanish---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.
If they wish: 'May I meditate perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive,' that's what they do. If they wish: 'May I meditate perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive,' that's what they do. If they wish: 'May I meditate perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive and the repulsive,' that's what they do. If they wish: 'May I meditate perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive and the unrepulsive,' that's what they do. If they wish: 'May I meditate staying equanimous, mindful and aware, rejecting both the repulsive and the unrepulsive,' that's what they do.
They meditate observing feelings internally ... externally ... internally and externally as liable to originate, as liable to vanish, and as liable to originate and vanish ...
They meditate observing the mind internally ... externally ... internally and externally as liable to originate, as liable to vanish, and as liable to originate and vanish ...
They meditate observing principles internally ... externally ... internally and externally as liable to originate, as liable to vanish, and as liable to originate and vanish ...
If they wish: 'May I meditate perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive,' that's what they do. ... If they wish: 'May I meditate staying equanimous, mindful and aware, ignoring both the repulsive and the unrepulsive,' that's what they do.
That's how to define the undertaking of the four kinds of mindfulness meditation by a mendicant."
SN 52.2 In Private (2nd) Dutiyarahogatasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Then as Anuruddha was in private retreat this thought came to his mind:
"Whoever has missed out on these four kinds of mindfulness meditation has missed out on the noble path to the complete ending of suffering. Whoever has undertaken these four kinds of mindfulness meditation has undertaken the noble path to the complete ending of suffering."
Then Venerable Mahāmoggallāna knew what Venerable Anuruddha was thinking. As easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he reappeared in front of Anuruddha and said to him:
"Reverend Anuruddha, how do you define the undertaking of the four kinds of mindfulness meditation by a mendicant?"
"Reverend, it's when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body internally---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of the body externally ... internally and externally---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.
They meditate observing an aspect of feelings internally ... externally ... internally and externally ...
They meditate observing an aspect of the mind internally ... externally ... internally and externally ...
They meditate observing an aspect of principles internally ... externally ... internally and externally---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. That's how to define the undertaking of the four kinds of mindfulness meditation by a mendicant."
SN 52.3 On the Bank of the Sutanu Sutanusutta
At one time Venerable Anuruddha was staying near Sāvatthī on the bank of the Sutanu. Then several mendicants went up to Venerable Anuruddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, they sat down to one side, and said to him:
"What things has Venerable Anuruddha developed and cultivated to attain great direct knowledge?"
"Reverends, I attained great direct knowledge by developing and cultivating the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. What four? I meditate observing an aspect of the body---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. I meditate observing an aspect of feelings ... mind ... principles---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. I attained great direct knowledge by developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation.
And it was by developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I directly knew the lower realm as lower, the middle realm as middle, and the higher realm as higher."
SN 52.4 At Thorny Wood (1st) Paṭhamakaṇḍakīsutta
At one time the venerables Anuruddha, Sāriputta, and Mahāmoggallāna were staying near Sāketa, in the Thorny Wood. Then in the late afternoon, Sāriputta and Mahāmoggallāna came out of retreat, went to Anuruddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, they sat down to one side. Sāriputta said to Anuruddha:
"Reverend Anuruddha, what things should a trainee mendicant enter and remain in?"
"Reverend Sāriputta, a trainee mendicant should enter and remain in the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. What four? It's when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of feelings ... mind ... principles---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. A trainee mendicant should enter and remain in these four kinds of mindfulness meditation."
SN 52.5 At Thorny Wood (2nd) Dutiyakaṇḍakīsutta
At Sāketa. Sāriputta said to Anuruddha:
"Reverend Anuruddha, what things should a mendicant who is an adept enter and remain in?"
"Reverend Sāriputta, a mendicant who is an adept should enter and remain in the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. What four? It's when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of feelings ... mind ... principles---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. A mendicant who is an adept should enter and remain in these four kinds of mindfulness meditation."
SN 52.6 At Thorny Wood (3rd) Tatiyakaṇḍakīsutta
At Sāketa. Sāriputta said to Anuruddha:
"What things has Venerable Anuruddha developed and cultivated to attain great direct knowledge?"
"Reverend, I attained great direct knowledge by developing and cultivating the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. What four? I meditate observing an aspect of the body---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. I meditate observing an aspect of feelings ... mind ... principles---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. I attained great direct knowledge by developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation.
And it's because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I directly know the thousandfold galaxy."
SN 52.7 The Ending of Craving Taṇhākkhayasutta
At Sāvatthī.
There Venerable Anuruddha addressed the mendicants: "Reverends, mendicants!"
"Reverend," they replied. Anuruddha said this:
"Reverends, when these four kinds of mindfulness meditation are developed and cultivated they lead to the ending of craving. What four? It's when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body ... feelings ... mind ... principles---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. When these four kinds of mindfulness meditation are developed and cultivated they lead to the ending of craving."
SN 52.8 The Frankincense-Tree Hut Salaḷāgārasutta
At one time Venerable Anuruddha was staying near Sāvatthī in the frankincense-tree hut. There Venerable Anuruddha addressed the mendicants: "Reverends, suppose that, although the Ganges river slants, slopes, and inclines to the east, a large crowd were to come along with a spade and basket, saying: 'We'll make this Ganges river slant, slope, and incline to the west!' What do you think, reverends? Would they succeed?"
"No, reverend. Why is that? The Ganges river slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. It's not easy to make it slant, slope, and incline to the west. That large crowd will eventually get weary and frustrated."
"In the same way, while a mendicant develops and cultivates the four kinds of mindfulness meditation, if rulers or their chief ministers, friends or colleagues, relatives or family should invite them to accept wealth, saying: 'Please, worthy man, why let these ocher robes torment you? Why follow the practice of shaving your head and carrying an alms bowl? Come, return to a lesser life, enjoy wealth, and make merit!'
It is quite impossible for a mendicant who is developing and cultivating the four kinds of mindfulness meditation to resign the training and return to a lesser life. Why is that? Because for a long time that mendicant's mind has slanted, sloped, and inclined to seclusion. So it's impossible for them to return to a lesser life.
And how does a mendicant develop and cultivate the four kinds of mindfulness meditation? It's when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body ... feelings ... mind ... principles---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. That's how a mendicant develops and cultivates the four kinds of mindfulness meditation."
SN 52.9 In Ambapālī's Mango Grove Ambapālivanasutta
At one time the venerables Anuruddha and Sāriputta were staying near Vesālī, in Ambapālī's Mango Grove. Then in the late afternoon, Sāriputta came out of retreat, went to Anuruddha, and said to him:
"Reverend Anuruddha, your faculties are so very clear, and your complexion is pure and bright. What kind of meditation are you usually practicing these days?"
"These days, reverend, I usually meditate with my mind firmly established in the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. What four? I meditate observing an aspect of the body ... feelings ... mind ... principles---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. These days I usually meditate with my mind firmly established in these four kinds of mindfulness meditation. A mendicant who is perfected---with defilements ended, who has completed the spiritual journey, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, achieved their own true goal, utterly ended the fetter of continued existence, and is rightly freed through enlightenment---usually meditates with their mind firmly established in these four kinds of mindfulness meditation."
"We're so fortunate, reverend, so very fortunate, to have heard such a dramatic statement in the presence of Venerable Anuruddha."
SN 52.10 Gravely Ill Bāḷhagilānasutta
At one time Venerable Anuruddha was staying near Sāvatthī in the Dark Forest. And he was sick, suffering, gravely ill. Then several mendicants went up to Venerable Anuruddha, and said to him:
"What meditation does Venerable Anuruddha practice so that physical pain doesn't occupy his mind?"
"Reverends, I meditate with my mind firmly established in the four kinds of mindfulness meditation so that physical pain doesn't occupy my mind. What four? I meditate observing an aspect of the body ... feelings ... mind ... principles---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. I meditate with my mind firmly established in these four kinds of mindfulness meditation so that physical pain doesn't occupy my mind."
Chapter Two
SN 52.11 A Thousand Eons Kappasahassasutta
At one time Venerable Anuruddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Then several mendicants went up to Venerable Anuruddha, exchanged greetings with him ... and said:
"What things has Venerable Anuruddha developed and cultivated to attain great direct knowledge?"
"Reverends, I attained great direct knowledge by developing and cultivating the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. What four? I meditate observing an aspect of the body ... feelings ... mind ... principles---keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. I attained great direct knowledge by developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation.
And it's because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I recollect a thousand eons."
SN 52.12 Psychic Powers Iddhividhasutta
"... And it's because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I wield the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying myself and becoming one again ... controlling the body as far as the realm of divinity."
SN 52.13 Clairaudience Dibbasotasutta
"... And it's because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that, with clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, I hear both kinds of sounds, human and heavenly, whether near or far."
SN 52.14 Comprehending the Mind Cetopariyasutta
"... And it's because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I understand the minds of other beings and individuals, having comprehended them with my mind. I understand mind with greed as 'mind with greed' ... I understand unfreed mind as 'unfreed mind'."
SN 52.15 Possible Ṭhānasutta
"... And it's because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I truly understand the possible as possible and the impossible as impossible."
SN 52.16 The Results of Deeds Undertaken Kammasamādānasutta
"... And it's because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I truly understand the result of deeds undertaken in the past, future, and present in terms of grounds and causes."
SN 52.17 Where All Paths of Practice Lead Sabbatthagāminisutta
"... And it's because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I truly understand where all paths of practice lead."
SN 52.18 Diverse Elements Nānādhātusutta
"... And it's because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I truly understand the world with its many and diverse elements."
SN 52.19 Diverse Beliefs Nānādhimuttisutta
"... And it's because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I truly understand the diverse convictions of sentient beings."
SN 52.20 Comprehending the Faculties of Others Indriyaparopariyattasutta
"... And it's because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I truly understand the faculties of other sentient beings and other individuals after comprehending them with my mind."
SN 52.21 Absorptions, Etc. Jhānādisutta
"... And it's because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I truly understand corruption, cleansing, and emergence regarding the absorptions, liberations, immersions, and attainments."
SN 52.22 Past Lives Pubbenivāsasutta
"... And it's because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I recollect my many kinds of past lives, with features and details."
SN 52.23 Clairvoyance Dibbacakkhusutta
"... And it's because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that, with clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, I understand how sentient beings are reborn according to their deeds."
SN 52.24 The Ending of Defilements Āsavakkhayasutta
"... And it's because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I realized the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And I live having realized it with my own insight due to the ending of defilements."