MN 121 — Cūḷasuññata — The Shorter Discourse on Emptiness

125 aligned pairs · 0 peyyāla markers · translator Thanissaro Bhikkhu — held back from the glossary

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Pāli

Majjhimanikāyo

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

The Middle-Length Discourses

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Pāli

Uparipaṇṇāsapāḷi

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Part Three: The Final Fifty Discourses

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Pāli

C) Suññatavaggo

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

C) The Division on Emptiness

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Pāli

121. Cūḷasuññatasuttaṃ

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

121. The Shorter Discourse on Emptiness

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Pāli

1 (176). Evaṃ me sutaṃ – ekaṃ samayaṃ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṃ viharati pubbārāme migāramātupāsāde. Atha kho āyasmā ānando sāyanhasamayaṃ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṃ abhivādetvā ekamantaṃ nisīdi. Ekamantaṃ nisinno kho

āyasmā ānando bhagavantaṃ etadavoca –

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

1 (176). I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying at Savatthi in the Eastern Monastery, the palace of Migara's mother. Then in the evening, Ven. Ananda, coming out of seclusion, went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there, he said to the Blessed One:

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

So I have heard.

Then in the late afternoon, Venerable Ānanda came out of retreat and went to the Buddha. He bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

Pāli

‘‘ekamidaṃ, bhante, samayaṃ bhagavā sakkesu viharati nagarakaṃ nāma sakyānaṃ nigamo. Tattha me, bhante, bhagavato sammukhā sutaṃ, sammukhā paṭiggahitaṃ – ‘sunnatāvihārenāhaṃ, ānanda, etarahi bahulaṃ viharāmī’ti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

"On one occasion, when the Blessed One was staying among the Sakyans in a Sakyan town named Nagaraka, there — face-to-face with the Blessed One — I heard this, face-to-face I learned this: 'I now remain fully in a dwelling of emptiness.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

“Sir, this one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans where they have a town named Townsville.

Pāli

Kacci metaṃ, bhante, sussutaṃ suggahitaṃ sumanasikataṃ sūpadhārita’’nti?

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Did I hear that correctly, learn it correctly, attend to it correctly, remember it correctly?"

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

I trust I properly heard, learned, applied the mind, and remembered that from the Buddha?”

Pāli

‘‘Taggha te etaṃ, ānanda, sussutaṃ suggahitaṃ

sumanasikataṃ sūpadhāritaṃ.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

[The Buddha:] "Yes, Ananda, you heard that correctly, learned it correctly, attended to it correctly, remembered it correctly.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

“Indeed, Ānanda, you properly heard, learned, applied the mind, and remembered that.

Pāli

Pubbepāhaṃ, ānanda, etarahipi suññatāvihārena bahulaṃ viharāmi.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Now, as well as before, I remain fully in a dwelling of emptiness.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Now, as before, I usually practice the meditation on emptiness.

Pāli

Seyyathāpi, ānanda, ayaṃ migāramātupāsādo suñño hatthigavassavaḷavena,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Just as this palace of Migara's mother is empty of elephants, cattle, & mares,

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Consider this stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother. It’s empty of elephants, cows, horses, and mares; of gold and silver; and of gatherings of men and women.

Pāli

suñño jātarūparajatena,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

empty of gold & silver,

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Consider this stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother. It’s empty of elephants, cows, horses, and mares; of gold and silver; and of gatherings of men and women.

Pāli

suñño itthipurisasannipātena atthi cevidaṃ asuññataṃ yadidaṃ –

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

empty of assemblies of women & men, and there is only this non-emptiness —

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Consider this stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother. It’s empty of elephants, cows, horses, and mares; of gold and silver; and of gatherings of men and women.

Pāli

bhikkhusaṅghaṃ paṭicca ekattaṃ;

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

the singleness based on the community of monks;

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

There is only this that is not emptiness, namely, the oneness dependent on the mendicant Saṅgha.

Pāli

evameva kho, ānanda, bhikkhu amanasikaritvā

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

(no English line)

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

In the same way, a mendicant—ignoring the perception of the village and the perception of people—focuses on the oneness dependent on the perception of wilderness.

Pāli

gāmasaññaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

even so, Ananda, a monk — not attending to the perception of village,

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

In the same way, a mendicant—ignoring the perception of the village and the perception of people—focuses on the oneness dependent on the perception of wilderness.

Pāli

amanasikaritvā manussasaññaṃ,

araññasaññaṃ paṭicca manasi karoti ekattaṃ.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

not attending to the perception of human being — attends to the singleness based on the perception of wilderness.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

In the same way, a mendicant—ignoring the perception of the village and the perception of people—focuses on the oneness dependent on the perception of wilderness.

Pāli

Tassa araññasaññāya cittaṃ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

His mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, & indulges in its perception of wilderness.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided in that perception of wilderness.

Pāli

So evaṃ pajānāti – ‘ye assu darathā gāmasaññaṃ paṭicca tedha na santi,

ye assu darathā manussasaññaṃ paṭicca tedha na santi,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

"He discerns that 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of village are not present.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand:

‘Here there is no stress due to the perception of village or the perception of people.

Pāli

atthi cevāyaṃ darathamattā yadidaṃ –araññasaññaṃ paṭicca ekatta’nti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of human being are not present. There is only this modicum of disturbance: the singleness based on the perception of wilderness.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

‘Here there is no stress due to the perception of people or the perception of wilderness.

Pāli

So ‘sunnamidaṃ saññāgataṃ gāmasannāyā’ti pajānāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

He discerns that 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of village.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand:

Pāli

‘sunnamidaṃ saññāgataṃ manussasannāyā’ti pajānāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

This mode of perception is empty of the perception of human being.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand:

Pāli

‘atthi cevidaṃ asuññataṃ yadidaṃ – araññasaññaṃ paṭicca ekatta’nti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

There is only this non-emptiness: the singleness based on the perception of wilderness.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

‘Here there is no stress due to the perception of people or the perception of wilderness.

Pāli

Iti yañhi kho tattha na hoti tena taṃ suññaṃ

samanupassati,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Thus he regards it as empty of whatever is not there.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

And so they regard it as empty of what is not there, but as to what remains they understand that it is present.

Pāli

yaṃ pana tattha avasiṭṭhaṃ hoti taṃ ‘santamidaṃ atthī’’’ti pajānāti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Whatever remains, he discerns as present: 'There is this.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

And so they regard it as empty of what is not there, but as to what remains they understand that it is present.

Pāli

Evampissa esā, ānanda, yathābhuccā avipallatthā parisuddhā suññatāvakkanti bhavati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

And so this, his entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, & pure.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

That’s how emptiness manifests in them—genuine, undistorted, and pure.

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Pāli

2. ‘‘Puna caparaṃ, ānanda, bhikkhu amanasikaritvā manussasaññaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

2. "Further, Ananda, the monk — not attending to the perception of human being,

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Furthermore, a mendicant—ignoring the perception of people and the perception of wilderness—focuses on the oneness dependent on the perception of earth.

Pāli

amanasikaritvā araññasaññaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

not attending to the perception of wilderness —

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Furthermore, a mendicant—ignoring the perception of people and the perception of wilderness—focuses on the oneness dependent on the perception of earth.

Pāli

pathavīsaññaṃ paṭicca manasi karoti ekattaṃ.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

attends to the singleness based on the perception of earth.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Furthermore, a mendicant—ignoring the perception of people and the perception of wilderness—focuses on the oneness dependent on the perception of earth.

Pāli

Tassa pathavīsaññāya cittaṃ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

His mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, & indulges in its perception of earth.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided in that perception of earth.

Pāli

Seyyathāpi, ānanda, āsabhacammaṃ saṅkusatena

suvihataṃ vigatavalikaṃ;

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Just as a bull's hide is stretched free from wrinkles with a hundred stakes,

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

As a bull’s hide is rid of folds when fully stretched out by a hundred pegs,

Pāli

evameva kho, ānanda, bhikkhu yaṃ imissā pathaviyā ukkūlavikkūlaṃ nadīviduggaṃ khāṇukaṇṭakaṭṭhānaṃ pabbatavisamaṃ taṃ sabbaṃ amanasikaritvā pathavīsaññaṃ paṭicca manasi karoti ekattaṃ.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

even so — without attending to all the ridges & hollows, the river ravines, the tracts of stumps & thorns, the craggy irregularities of this earth — he attends to the singleness based on the perception of earth.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

so too, ignoring the hilly terrain, inaccessible riverlands, stumps and thorns, and rugged mountains, they focus on the oneness dependent on the perception of earth.

Pāli

Tassa pathavīsaññāya cittaṃ pakkhandati pasīdati

santiṭṭhati adhimuccati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

His mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, & indulges in its perception of earth.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided in that perception of earth.

Pāli

So evaṃ pajānāti – ‘ye assu darathā manussasaññaṃ paṭicca tedha na santi,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

"He discerns that 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of human being are not present.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand:

Pāli

Ye assu darathā araññasaññaṃ paṭicca tedha na santi,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of wilderness are not present.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

‘Here there is no stress due to the perception of people or the perception of wilderness.

Pāli

atthi cevāyaṃ darathamattā yadidaṃ – pathavīsaññaṃ paṭicca ekatta’nti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

There is only this modicum of disturbance: the singleness based on the perception of earth.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

‘Here there is no stress due to the perception of wilderness or the perception of earth.

Pāli

So ‘suññamidaṃ saññāgataṃ manussasaññāyā’ti pajānāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

He discerns that 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of human being.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of people. It is empty of the perception of wilderness.

Pāli

‘suññamidaṃ saññāgataṃ araññasaññāyā’ti pajānāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

This mode of perception is empty of the perception of wilderness.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of people. It is empty of the perception of wilderness.

Pāli

‘atthi cevidaṃ asuññataṃ yadidaṃ – pathavīsaññaṃ paṭicca ekatta’nti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

There is only this non-emptiness: the singleness based on the perception of earth.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

There is only this modicum of stress, namely the oneness dependent on the perception of earth.’

Pāli

Iti yañhi kho tattha na hoti tena taṃ suññaṃ samanupassati, yaṃ pana tattha avasiṭṭhaṃ hoti taṃ

‘santamidaṃ atthī’ti pajānāti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Thus he regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, he discerns as present: 'There is this.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

And so they regard it as empty of what is not there, but as to what remains they understand that it is present.

Pāli

Evampissa esā, ānanda, yathābhuccā avipallatthā parisuddhā suññatāvakkanti bhavati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

And so this, his entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, & pure.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

That’s how emptiness manifests in them—genuine, undistorted, and pure.

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Pāli

3. ‘‘Puna caparaṃ, ānanda, bhikkhu amanasikaritvā araññasaññaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

3. "Further, Ananda, the monk — not attending to the perception of wilderness,

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Furthermore, a mendicant—ignoring the perception of wilderness and the perception of earth—focuses on the oneness dependent on the perception of the dimension of infinite space.

Pāli

amanasikaritvā pathavīsaññaṃ, ākāsānañcāyatanasaññaṃ paṭicca manasi karoti ekattaṃ.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

not attending to the perception of earth —

attends to the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of space.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Furthermore, a mendicant—ignoring the perception of wilderness and the perception of earth—focuses on the oneness dependent on the perception of the dimension of infinite space.

Pāli

Tassa ākāsānañcāyatanasaññāya cittaṃ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

His mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, & indulges in its perception of the dimension of the infinitude of space.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided in that perception of the dimension of infinite space.

Pāli

So evaṃ pajānāti – ‘ye assu darathā araññasaññaṃ paṭicca tedha na santi,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

"He discerns that 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of wilderness are not present.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand:

Pāli

ye assu darathā pathavīsaññaṃ paṭicca tedha na santi,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of earth are not present.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

‘Here there is no stress due to the perception of wilderness or the perception of earth.

Pāli

atthi cevāyaṃ darathamattā yadidaṃ – ākāsānañcāyatanasaññaṃ paṭicca ekatta’nti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

There is only this modicum of disturbance: the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of space.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

‘Here there is no stress due to the perception of earth or the perception of the dimension of infinite space.

Pāli

So ‘suññamidaṃ saññāgataṃ araññasaññāyā’ti pajānāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

He discerns that 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of wilderness.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of wilderness. It is empty of the perception of earth.

Pāli

‘suññamidaṃ saññāgataṃ pathavīsaññāyā’ti pajānāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

This mode of perception is empty of the perception of earth.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of wilderness. It is empty of the perception of earth.

Pāli

‘atthi cevidaṃ asuññataṃ yadidaṃ – ākāsānañcāyatanasaññaṃ paṭicca ekatta’nti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

There is only this non-emptiness: the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of space.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

There is only this modicum of stress, namely the oneness dependent on the perception of the dimension of infinite space.’

Pāli

Iti yañhi kho tattha na hoti tena taṃ suññaṃ samanupassati, yaṃ pana tattha avasiṭṭhaṃ hoti taṃ ‘santamidaṃ atthī’ti pajānāti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Thus he regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, he discerns as present: 'There is this.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

And so they regard it as empty of what is not there, but as to what remains they understand that it is present.

Pāli

Evampissa esā, ānanda, yathābhuccā avipallatthā parisuddhā suññatāvakkanti bhavati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

And so this, his entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, & pure.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

That’s how emptiness manifests in them—genuine, undistorted, and pure.

row 7

Pāli

4. ‘‘Puna caparaṃ, ānanda, bhikkhu amanasikaritvā pathavīsaññaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

4. "Further, Ananda, the monk — not attending to the perception of earth,

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Furthermore, a mendicant—ignoring the perception of wilderness and the perception of earth—focuses on the oneness dependent on the perception of the dimension of infinite space.

Pāli

amanasikaritvā ākāsānañcāyatanasaññaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

not attending to the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of space —

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Furthermore, a mendicant—ignoring the perception of wilderness and the perception of earth—focuses on the oneness dependent on the perception of the dimension of infinite space.

Pāli

viññāṇañcāyatanasaññaṃ paṭicca manasi karoti ekattaṃ.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

attends to the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness. His mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, & indulges in its perception of the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Furthermore, a mendicant—ignoring the perception of earth and the perception of the dimension of infinite space—focuses on the oneness dependent on the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness.

Pāli

Tassa viññāṇañcāyatanasaññāya cittaṃ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

(no English line)

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided in that perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness.

Pāli

So evaṃ pajānāti – ‘ye assu darathā pathavīsaññaṃ paṭicca tedha na santi,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

"He discerns that 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of earth are not present.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand:

Pāli

ye assu darathā ākāsānañcāyatanasaññaṃ paṭicca

tedha na santi,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of space are not present.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

‘Here there is no stress due to the perception of earth or the perception of the dimension of infinite space.

Pāli

atthi cevāyaṃ darathamattā yadidaṃ – viññāṇañcāyatanasaññaṃ paṭicca ekatta’nti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

There is only this modicum of disturbance: the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

‘Here there is no stress due to the perception of the dimension of infinite space or the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness.

Pāli

So ‘sunnamidaṃ saññāgataṃ pathavīsannāyā’ti pajānāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

He discerns that 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of earth.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of earth. It is empty of the perception of the dimension of infinite space.

Pāli

‘sunnamidaṃ saññāgataṃ ākāsānancāyatanasannāyā’ti pajānāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of space.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of earth. It is empty of the perception of the dimension of infinite space.

Pāli

‘atthi cevidaṃ asuññataṃ yadidaṃ – viññāṇañcāyatanasaññaṃ paṭicca ekatta’nti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

There is only this non-emptiness: the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

There is only this modicum of stress, namely the oneness dependent on the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness.’

Pāli

Iti yañhi kho tattha na hoti tena taṃ suññaṃ samanupassati, yaṃ pana tattha avasiṭṭhaṃ hoti taṃ ‘santamidaṃ atthī’ti pajānāti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Thus he regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, he discerns as present: 'There is this.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

And so they regard it as empty of what is not there, but as to what remains they understand that it is present.

Pāli

Evampissa esā, ānanda, yathābhuccā avipallatthā

parisuddhā suññatāvakkanti bhavati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

And so this, his entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, & pure.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

That’s how emptiness manifests in them—genuine, undistorted, and pure.

row 8

Pāli

5. ‘‘Puna caparaṃ, ānanda, bhikkhu amanasikaritvā ākāsānañcāyatanasaññaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

5. "Further, Ananda, the monk — not attending to the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of space,

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Furthermore, a mendicant—ignoring the perception of wilderness and the perception of earth—focuses on the oneness dependent on the perception of the dimension of infinite space.

Pāli

amanasikaritvā viññāṇañcāyatanasaññaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

not attending to the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness —

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Pāli

ākiñcaññāyatanasaññaṃ paṭicca manasi karoti ekattaṃ.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

attends to the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of nothingness.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Furthermore, a mendicant—ignoring the perception of the dimension of infinite space and the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness—focuses on the oneness dependent on the perception of the dimension of nothingness.

Pāli

Tassa ākiñcaññāyatanasaññāya cittaṃ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

His mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, & indulges in its perception of the dimension of nothingness.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided in that perception of the dimension of nothingness.

Pāli

So evaṃ pajānāti – ‘ye assu darathā ākāsānañcāyatanasaññaṃ paṭicca tedha na santi,

ye assu darathā viññāṇañcāyatanasaññaṃ

paṭicca tedha na santi,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

"He discerns that 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of space are not present. Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness are not present.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand:

‘Here there is no stress due to the perception of the dimension of infinite space or the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness.

Pāli

atthi cevāyaṃ darathamattā yadidaṃ – ākiñcaññāyatanasaññaṃ paṭicca ekatta’nti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

There is only this modicum of disturbance: the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of nothingness.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

‘Here there is no stress due to the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness or the perception of the dimension of nothingness.

Pāli

So ‘sunnamidaṃ saññāgataṃ ākāsānancāyatanasannāyā’ti pajānāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

He discerns that 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of space.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of infinite space. It is empty of the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness.

Pāli

‘sunnamidaṃ saññāgataṃ

vinnāṇancāyatanasannāyā’ti pajānāti,

‘atthi cevidaṃ asuññataṃ yadidaṃ – ākiñcaññāyatanasaññaṃ paṭicca ekatta’nti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness. There is only this non-emptiness: the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of nothingness.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of infinite space. It is empty of the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness.

There is only this modicum of stress, namely the oneness dependent on the perception of the dimension of nothingness.’

Pāli

Iti yañhi kho tattha na hoti tena taṃ suññaṃ samanupassati, yaṃ pana tattha avasiṭṭhaṃ hoti taṃ ‘santamidaṃ atthī’ti pajānāti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Thus he regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, he discerns as present: 'There is this.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

And so they regard it as empty of what is not there, but as to what remains they understand that it is present.

Pāli

Evampissa esā, ānanda, yathābhuccā avipallatthā

parisuddhā suññatāvakkanti bhavati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

And so this, his entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, & pure.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

That’s how emptiness manifests in them—genuine, undistorted, and pure.

row 9

Pāli

6. ‘‘Puna caparaṃ, ānanda bhikkhu amanasikaritvā viññāṇañcāyatanasaññaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

6. "Further, Ananda, the monk — not attending to the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness,

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Pāli

amanasikaritvā ākiñcaññāyatanasaññaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

not attending to the perception of the dimension of nothingness —

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Pāli

nevasannānāsannāyatanasannaṃ paṭicca manasi karoti ekattaṃ.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

attends to the singleness based on the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Pāli

Tassa nevasannānāsannāyatanasannāya cittaṃ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

His mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, & indulges in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided in that perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness.

Pāli

So evaṃ pajānāti – ‘ye assu darathā viññāṇañcāyatanasaññaṃ paṭicca tedha na santi,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

"He discerns that 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness are not present.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand:

Pāli

ye assu darathā ākiñcaññāyatanasaññaṃ paṭicca tedha na santi,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of nothingness are not present.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

‘Here there is no stress due to the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness or the perception of the dimension of nothingness.

Pāli

atthi cevāyaṃ darathamattā yadidaṃ –

nevasannānāsannāyatanasannaṃ paṭicca ekatta’nti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

There is only this modicum of disturbance: the singleness based on the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

‘Here there is no stress due to the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness or the perception of the dimension of nothingness.

There is only this modicum of stress, namely the oneness dependent on the perception of the dimension of nothingness.’

Pāli

So ‘sunnamidaṃ saññāgataṃ vinnāṇancāyatanasannāyā’ti pajānāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

He discerns that 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of infinite space. It is empty of the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness.

Pāli

‘sunnamidaṃ saññāgataṃ ākincannāyatanasannāyā’ti pajānāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of nothingness.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of infinite space. It is empty of the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness.

Pāli

‘atthi cevidaṃ asuññataṃ yadidaṃ – nevasannānāsannāyatanasannaṃ paṭicca ekatta’nti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

There is only this non-emptiness: the singleness based on the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of infinite space. It is empty of the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness.

Pāli

Iti yañhi kho tattha na hoti tena taṃ suññaṃ samanupassati, yaṃ pana tattha avasiṭṭhaṃ hoti taṃ

‘santamidaṃ atthī’ti pajānāti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Thus he regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, he discerns as present: 'There is this.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

And so they regard it as empty of what is not there, but as to what remains they understand that it is present.

Pāli

Evampissa esā, ānanda, yathābhuccā avipallatthā parisuddhā suññatāvakkanti bhavati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

And so this, his entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, & pure.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

That’s how emptiness manifests in them—genuine, undistorted, and pure.

row 10

Pāli

7. ‘‘Puna caparaṃ, ānanda, bhikkhu amanasikaritvā ākiñcaññāyatanasaññaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

7. "Further, Ananda, the monk — not attending to the perception of the dimension of nothingness,

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Pāli

amanasikaritvā nevasannānāsannāyatanasannaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

not attending to the perception of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception —

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Pāli

animittaṃ cetosamādhiṃ paṭicca manasi karoti ekattaṃ.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

attends to the singleness based on the theme-less concentration of awareness.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Furthermore, a mendicant—ignoring the perception of the dimension of nothingness and the perception of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception—focuses on the oneness dependent on the signless immersion of the heart.

Pāli

Tassa animitte cetosamādhimhi cittaṃ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

His mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, & indulges in its theme-less concentration of awareness.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided in that signless immersion of the heart.

Pāli

So evaṃ pajānāti – ‘ye assu darathā ākiñcaññāyatanasaññaṃ paṭicca tedha na santi,

ye assu darathā nevasannānāsannāyatanasannaṃ paṭicca tedha na santi,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

"He discerns that 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of nothingness are not present. Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, are not present.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand:

‘Here there is no stress due to the perception of the dimension of infinite space or the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness.

Pāli

atthi cevāyaṃ darathamattā yadidaṃ – imameva

kāyaṃ paṭicca saḷāyatanikaṃ jīvitapaccayā’ti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

And there is only this modicum of disturbance: that connected with the six sensory spheres, dependent on this very body with life as its condition.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

‘Here there is no stress due to the perception of the dimension of infinite space or the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness.

There is only this modicum of stress, namely that related to the six sense fields dependent on this body and conditioned by life.’

Pāli

So ‘sunnamidaṃ saññāgataṃ ākincannāyatanasannāyā’ti pajānāti,

‘sunnamidaṃ saññāgataṃ nevasannānāsannāyatanasannāyā’ti pajānāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

He discerns that 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of nothingness. This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness. It is empty of the perception of the dimension of nothingness.

Pāli

‘atthi cevidaṃ asuññataṃ yadidaṃ – imameva kāyaṃ paṭicca saḷāyatanikaṃ jīvitapaccayā’ti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

There is only this non-emptiness: that connected with the six sensory spheres, dependent on this very body with life as its condition.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

There is only this modicum of stress, namely that related to the six sense fields dependent on this body and conditioned by life.’

Pāli

Iti yañhi kho tattha na hoti tena taṃ suññaṃ samanupassati, yaṃ pana tattha avasiṭṭhaṃ hoti taṃ ‘santamidaṃ atthī’ti pajānāti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Thus he regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, he discerns as present: 'There is this.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

And so they regard it as empty of what is not there, but as to what remains they understand that it is present.

Pāli

Evampissa esā, ānanda, yathābhuccā avipallatthā parisuddhā suññatāvakkanti bhavati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

And so this, his entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, & pure.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

That’s how emptiness manifests in them—genuine, undistorted, and pure.

row 11

Pāli

8. ‘‘Puna caparaṃ, ānanda, bhikkhu amanasikaritvā ākiñcaññāyatanasaññaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

8. "Further, Ananda, the monk — not attending to the perception of the dimension of nothingness,

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Pāli

amanasikaritvā nevasannānāsannāyatanasannaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

not attending to the perception of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception —

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Pāli

animittaṃ cetosamādhiṃ paṭicca manasi karoti ekattaṃ.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

attends to the singleness based on the theme-less concentration of awareness.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Pāli

Tassa animitte cetosamādhimhi cittaṃ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

His mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, & indulges in its theme-less concentration of awareness.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided in that signless immersion of the heart.

Pāli

So evaṃ pajānāti – ‘ayampi kho animitto cetosamādhi abhisaṅkhato abhisañcetayito’.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

"He discerns that 'This theme-less concentration of awareness is fabricated & mentally fashioned.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand:

Pāli

‘Yaṃ kho pana kiñci abhisaṅkhataṃ abhisañcetayitaṃ tadaniccaṃ nirodhadhamma’nti pajānāti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

And he discerns that 'Whatever is fabricated & mentally fashioned is inconstant & subject to cessation.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘But whatever is produced by choices and intentions is impermanent and liable to cessation.’

Pāli

Tassa evaṃ jānato evaṃ passato kāmāsavāpi

cittaṃ vimuccati,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

For him — thus knowing, thus seeing — the mind is released from the effluent of sensuality,

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Knowing and seeing like this, their mind is freed from the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.

Pāli

bhavāsavāpi cittaṃ vimuccati,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

the effluent of becoming,

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Knowing and seeing like this, their mind is freed from the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.

Pāli

avijjāsavāpi cittaṃ vimuccati.

Vimuttasmiṃ vimuttamiti ñāṇaṃ hoti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

the effluent of ignorance.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Knowing and seeing like this, their mind is freed from the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.

When they’re freed, they know they’re freed.

Pāli

‘Khīṇā jāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

With release, there is the knowledge, 'Released.' He discerns that 'Birth is ended,

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place.’

Pāli

vusitaṃ brahmacariyaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

the holy life fulfilled,

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place.’

Pāli

kataṃ karaṇīyaṃ,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

the task done.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place.’

Pāli

nāparaṃ itthattāyā’ti pajānāti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

There is nothing further for this world.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place.’

Pāli

So evaṃ pajānāti – ‘ye assu darathā kāmāsavaṃ paṭicca tedha na santi,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

"He discerns that 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the effluent of sensuality, are not present.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand:

Pāli

ye assu darathā bhavāsavaṃ paṭicca tedha na santi,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the effluent of becoming, are not present.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

‘Here there is no stress due to the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, or ignorance.

Pāli

ye assu darathā avijjāsavaṃ paṭicca tedha na santi,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the effluent of ignorance, are not present.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

‘Here there is no stress due to the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, or ignorance.

Pāli

atthi cevāyaṃ darathamattā yadidaṃ – imameva kāyaṃ paṭicca saḷāyatanikaṃ jīvitapaccayā’ti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

And there is only this modicum of disturbance: that connected with the six sensory spheres, dependent on this very body with life as its condition.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

There is only this modicum of stress, namely that related to the six sense fields dependent on this body and conditioned by life.’

Pāli

So ‘sunnamidaṃ saññāgataṃ kāmāsavenā’ti pajānāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

He discerns that 'This mode of perception is empty of the effluent of sensuality.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.

Pāli

‘sunnamidaṃ saññāgataṃ bhavāsavenā’ti pajānāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

‘This mode of perception is empty of the effluent of becoming

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.

Pāli

‘sunnamidaṃ saññāgataṃ avijjāsavenā’ti pajānāti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

‘This mode of perception is empty of the effluent of ignorance.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.

Pāli

‘atthi cevidaṃ asuññataṃ yadidaṃ – imameva kāyaṃ paṭicca saḷāyatanikaṃ jīvitapaccayā’ti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

And there is just this non-emptiness: that connected with the six sensory spheres, dependent on this very body with life as its condition.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

There is only this modicum of stress, namely that related to the six sense fields dependent on this body and conditioned by life.’

Pāli

Iti yañhi kho tattha na hoti tena taṃ suññaṃ samanupassati, yaṃ pana tattha avasiṭṭhaṃ hoti taṃ ‘santamidaṃ atthī’ti pajānāti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Thus he regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, he discerns as present: 'There is this.'

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

And so they regard it as empty of what is not there, but as to what remains they understand that it is present.

Pāli

Evampissa esā, ānanda, yathābhuccā avipallatthā parisuddhā paramānuttarā suññatāvakkanti bhavati.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

And so this, his entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, pure — superior & unsurpassed.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

That’s how emptiness manifests in them—genuine, undistorted, pure, and supreme.

row 12

Pāli

9. ‘‘Yepi hi keci, ānanda, atītamaddhānaṃ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā parisuddhaṃ paramānuttaraṃ

suññataṃ upasampajja vihariṃsu,

sabbe te imaṃyeva parisuddhaṃ paramānuttaraṃ suññataṃ upasampajja vihariṃsu.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

9. "Ananda, whatever contemplatives and brahmans who in the past entered & remained in an emptiness that was pure, superior, & unsurpassed, they all entered & remained in this very same emptiness that is pure, superior, & unsurpassed.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

Whatever ascetics and brahmins enter and remain in the pure, ultimate, supreme emptiness—whether in the past, future, or present—all of them enter and remain in this same pure, ultimate, supreme emptiness.

Pāli

Yepi hi keci, ānanda, anāgatamaddhānaṃ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā parisuddhaṃ paramānuttaraṃ suññataṃ upasampajja viharissanti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Whatever contemplatives and brahmans who in the future will enter & remain in an emptiness that will be pure, superior, & unsurpassed,

Pāli

sabbe te imaṃyeva parisuddhaṃ paramānuttaraṃ suññataṃ upasampajja viharissanti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

they all will enter & remain in this very same emptiness that is pure, superior, & unsurpassed.

Pāli

Yepi hi keci, ānanda, etarahi samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā parisuddhaṃ paramānuttaraṃ suññataṃ upasampajja viharanti,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Whatever contemplatives and brahmans who at present enter & remain in an emptiness that is pure, superior, & unsurpassed,

Pāli

sabbe te imaṃyeva parisuddhaṃ paramānuttaraṃ suññataṃ upasampajja viharanti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

they all enter & remain in this very same emptiness that is pure, superior, & unsurpassed.

Pāli

Tasmātiha, ānanda,

‘parisuddhaṃ paramānuttaraṃ suññataṃ upasampajja viharissāmā’ti – evañhi vo, ānanda, sikkhitabba’’nti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

"Therefore, Ananda, you should train yourselves: 'We will enter & remain in the emptiness that is pure, superior, & unsurpassed.'"

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

So, Ānanda, you should train like this: ‘We will enter and remain in the pure, ultimate, supreme emptiness.’

Pāli

Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamano āyasmā ānando bhagavato bhāsitaṃ abhinandīti.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

That is what the Blessed One said. Gratified, Ven. Ananda delighted in the Blessed One's words.

Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0

That is what the Buddha said.

Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka, CC0 public domain via SuttaCentral. English: Thanissaro Bhikkhu — https://www.dhammatalks.org/
Reproduced as freely distributable by decision of this project; no formal licence grant has been verified.