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Saṁyutta Nikāya — The Linked Discourses

Vol 1:
Verses
SN1-11
Vol 2:
Causation
SN12-21
Vol 3:
Aggregates
SN22-34
Vol 4:
Sense Bases
SN35-44
Vol 5:
Great Book
SN45-56

46. Bojjhaṅgasaṁyutta: On the Awakening Factors

VII. Breathing — SN46.57: A Skeleton

1At Sāvatthī.

“Mendicants, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated it’s very fruitful and beneficial.


How so?


It’s when a mendicant develops the perception of a skeleton together with the awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how the perception of a skeleton, when developed and cultivated, is very fruitful and beneficial.”

“When the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated you can expect one of two results: enlightenment in the present life, or if there’s something left over, non-return. How so?...”

“Mendicants, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated it leads to great benefit. How so?...”

“Mendicants, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated it leads to great sanctuary. How so?...”

“Mendicants, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated it leads to great inspiration. How so?...”

“Mendicants, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated it leads to dwelling in great comfort. How so?...”

1Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

"Aṭṭhikasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṁsā.


Kathaṁ bhāvitā ca, bhikkhave, aṭṭhikasaññā kathaṁ bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṁsā?


Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu aṭṭhikasaññāsahagataṁ satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ … pe … aṭṭhikasaññāsahagataṁ upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.
Evaṁ bhāvitā kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭhikasaññā evaṁ bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṁsā"ti.