3.8.7 The Observation of Sensations1 

     How, Bhikkhus, does a Bhikkhu dwell, observing sensations in sensations?

     Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu, while experiencing a pleasant sensation, understands properly, “I am experiencing a pleasant sensation”; while experiencing an unpleasant sensation, he understands properly, “I am experiencing an unpleasant sensation”; while experiencing a neither-unpleasant-nor-pleasant sensation, he understands properly, “I am experiencing a neither-unpleasant-nor-pleasant sensation.”

     While he is experiencing a pleasant sensation with attachment, he understands properly, “I am experiencing a pleasant sensation with attachment”; while he is experiencing a pleasant sensation without attachment, he understands properly, “I am experiencing a pleasant sensation without attachment”;

     while experiencing an unpleasant sensation with attachment, he understands properly, “I am experiencing an unpleasant sensation with attachment”; while experiencing an unpleasant  sensation without attachment, he understands properly, “I am experiencing an unpleasant sensation without attachment”;

     while experiencing a neither-unpleasant-nor-pleasant sensation with attachment, he understands properly, “I am experiencing a neither-unpleasant-nor-pleasant sensation with attachment”; while experiencing a neither-unpleasant-nor-pleasant sensation without attachment, he understands properly, “I am experiencing a neither-unpleasant-nor-pleasant sensation without attachment.”

     Thus he dwells observing sensations in sensations internally, or he dwells observing sensations in sensations externally, or he dwells observing sensations in sensations both internally and externally. Thus, he dwells observing the phenomenon of arising in sensations, thus he dwells observing the phenomenon of passing away in sensations, thus he dwells observing the phenomenon of arising and passing away in sensations. Now his awareness is established: “This is sensation!” Thus, he develops his awareness to such an extent that there is mere understanding along with mere awareness. In this way he dwells detached, without clinging towards anything in the world [of mind and matter]. This is how, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu dwells observing sensations in sensations

***

1. Vedanānupassanā: Vedanā + anupassanā: sensation + observation

Last modified: Tuesday, 16 November 2021, 6:22 PM