3.8.2 Remaining Sato and Sampajāno1

 

     At one time the Bhagavā was dwelling at Vesāli in the Park of Ambapāli. There the Bhagavā addressed the Bhikkhus thus: “O’ Bhikkhus!” “Yes, Bhadante!” the Bhikkhus replied. “A Bhikkhu should remain aware, Bhikkhus, and with constant thorough understanding of impermanence. This is my teaching to you!

     And how, O’ Bhikkhus, does a Bhikkhu remain aware?

     Here, O’ Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu dwells ardent with awareness and constant thorough understanding of impermanence, observing body in body, having removed craving and aversion towards the world of mind and matter; he dwells ardent with awareness and constant thorough understanding of impermanence, observing sensations in sensations, having removed craving and aversion towards the world of mind and matter; he dwells ardent with awareness and constant thorough understanding of impermanence, observing mind in mind, having removed craving and aversion towards the world of mind and matter; he dwells ardent with awareness and constant thorough understanding of impermanence, observing mental contents in mental contents, having removed craving and aversion towards the world of mind and matter.

     This is how, O’ Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu does remain aware!

     And how, O’ Bhikkhus, does a Bhikkhu remain in constant thorough understanding of impermanence.

     Here, O’ Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu, while going forward or backward, he does so with constant thorough understanding of impermanence, whether he is looking straight ahead or looking sideways, he does so with constant thorough understanding of impermanence; while he is bending or stretching, he does so with constant thorough understanding of impermanence; whether wearing his robes or carrying his bowl, he does so with constant thorough understanding of impermanence; whether he is eating, drinking, chewing or savouring, he does so with constant thorough understanding of impermanence; while attending to the calls of nature, he does so with constant thorough understanding of impermanence; whether he is walking, standing, sitting, sleeping or waking up, speaking or in silence, he does so with constant thorough understanding of impermanence. This is how, O’ Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu remains in constant thorough understanding of impermanence.

     Remain aware, O’ Bhikkhus, and with constant thorough understanding of impermanence. This is my teaching to you!”

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1. Satisuttaṃ: Sati+suttaṃ: awareness + sutta

Last modified: Monday, 2 November 2020, 1:04 PM