Linked Discourses on Absorption
The Chapter of Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges
SN 53.1--12 Absorptions, Etc. Gaṅgāpeyyālavagga
At Sāvatthī.
"Mendicants, there are these four absorptions. What four?
It's when a mendicant, 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.
As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, they enter and remain in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.
And with the fading away of rapture, they enter and remain in the third absorption, where they meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, personally experiencing the bliss of which the noble ones declare, 'Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.'
Giving up pleasure and pain, and ending former happiness and sadness, they enter and remain in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.
These are the four absorptions.
The Ganges river slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the four absorptions slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.
And how does a mendicant who develops and cultivates the four absorptions slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment?
It's when a mendicant, 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.
As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, they enter and remain in the second absorption ... third absorption ... fourth absorption.
That's how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the four absorptions slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment."
Six on slanting to the east,
and six on slanting to the ocean;
these two sixes make twelve,
and that's how this chapter is recited.
The Chapter on Diligence
SN 53.13--22 Diligence Appamādavagga
(Tell in full as in the chapter on diligence at SN 45.139--148.)
The Realized One, footprint, roof peak,
roots, heartwood, jasmine,
monarch, sun and moon,
and cloth is the tenth.
The Chapter on Hard Work
SN 53.23--34 Hard Work Balakaraṇīyavagga
(Tell in full as in the chapter on hard work at SN 45.149--160.)
Hard work, seeds, and dragons,
a tree, a pot, and a spike,
the atmosphere, and two on clouds,
a ship, a guest house, and a river.
The Chapter on Searches
SN 53.35--44 Searches Esanāvagga
(Tell in full as in the chapter on searches at SN 45.161--170.)
Searches, discriminations, defilements,
states of existence, three kinds of suffering,
barrenness, stains, and troubles,
feelings, craving, and thirst.
The Chapter on Floods
SN 53.45--54 Floods, etc. Oghavagga
"Mendicants, there are five higher fetters. What five? Desire for rebirth in the realm of luminous form, desire for rebirth in the formless realm, conceit, restlessness, and ignorance. These are the five higher fetters.
The four absorptions should be developed for the direct knowledge, complete understanding, finishing, and giving up of these five higher fetters. What four? It's when a mendicant, 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. As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, they enter and remain in the second absorption ... third absorption ... fourth absorption. These four absorptions should be developed for the direct knowledge, complete understanding, finishing, and giving up of these five higher fetters."
(Tell in full as in the Linked Discourses on the Path at SN 45.171--180.)
Floods, yokes, grasping,
ties, and underlying tendencies,
kinds of sensual stimulation, hindrances,
aggregates, and fetters high and low.