The unconditioned and the path leading to it (SN 43.1)

The Buddha teaches about the unconditioned and the path leading to it.

Mindfulness directed to the body, visualized with ChatGPT

At Sāvatthi.

“Bhikkhus, I will teach you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned. Listen to this.

And what, bhikkhus, is the unconditioned? The wearing away of passion, the wearing away of aversion, the wearing away of delusion — this is called the unconditioned.

And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Mindfulness directed to the body^([1]). This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned. What a teacher should do out of compassion for his disciples, seeking their welfare, I have done for you, bhikkhus. Here are these roots of trees, here are these empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not be negligent; lest you later regret it. This is our instruction to you.”

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Key Terms:

[1] unconditioned [asaṅkhata] ≈ not created, unconstructed, unformed, epithet of Nibbāna

[2] wearing away of passion [rāgakkhaya] ≈ exhaustion of intense desire, ending of strong emotions, infatuation, obsession, lust

[3] wearing away of aversion [dosakkhaya] ≈ ending of ill will, extinction of hatred

[4] wearing away of delusion [mohakkhaya] ≈ wearing away of illusion, ending of hallucination, ending of misperceptions and distorted views

[5] Mindfulness directed to the body [kāyagatāsati] ≈ awareness immersed in the body, dwelling in the body.

[6] compassion [anukampa] ≈ benevolence, concern, gentle regard

[7] Meditate [jhāyati] ≈ contemplate

[8] negligent [pamāda] ≈ inattentive, careless, intoxicated

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Related Teachings:

• Mindfulness directed to the body | The simile of the six animals (SN 35.247) - The Buddha explains how there is non-restraint and restraint with a simile of six animals with different domains and feeding grounds. He uses strong post or pillar as a designation for mindfulness directed to the body.
• Kāyagatāsati sutta - Mindfulness of the Body (MN 119) - The Buddha details a comprehensive training in mindfulness of the body—from breath and postures to anatomical reflection and charnel-ground contemplations. He explains how this cultivation steadies the mind and leads to ten benefits culminating in the four jhānas and final liberation.
• Short teachings on mindfulness of the body and deathless (AN 1.616 - 627)