1Then the Venerable Ānanda approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, and sat down to one side. The Blessed One then said to the Venerable Ānanda:

"Ānanda, is there one thing which, when developed and cultivated, fulfils four things? And four things which, when developed and cultivated, fulfil seven things? And seven things which, when developed and cultivated, fulfil two things?"

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"Venerable sir, our teachings are rooted in the Blessed One … ."

"There is, Ānanda, one thing which, when developed and cultivated, sn.v.334 fulfils four things; and four things which, when developed and cultivated, fulfil seven things; and seven things which, when developed and cultivated, fulfil two things.

2"And what, Ānanda, is the one thing which, when developed and cultivated, fulfils four things; and the four things which, when developed and cultivated, fulfil seven things; and the seven things which, when developed and cultivated, fulfil two things?

Concentration by mindfulness of breathing, Ānanda, is the one thing which, when developed and cultivated, fulfils the four establishments of mindfulness. The four establishments of mindfulness, when developed and cultivated, fulfil the seven factors of enlightenment. The seven factors of enlightenment, when developed and cultivated, fulfil true knowledge and liberation.

i. Fulfilling the four establishments of mindfulness

4"How, Ānanda, is concentration by mindfulness of breathing developed and cultivated so that it fulfils the four establishments of mindfulness? Here, Ānanda, a bhikkhu, having gone to the forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty hut, sits down. Having folded his legs crosswise, straightened his body, and set up mindfulness in front of him, just mindful he breathes in, mindful he breathes out.

… . He trains thus: ‘Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in’;
he trains thus: ‘Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe out.’

5"Whenever, Ānanda, a bhikkhu, when breathing in long, knows: ‘I breathe in long’;
or, when breathing out long, knows: ‘I breathe out long’; when breathing in short, knows: ‘I breathe in short’;
or, when breathing out short, knows: ‘I breathe out short’; when he trains thus: ‘Experiencing the whole body, I will breathe in’;
when he trains thus: ‘Experiencing the whole body, I will breathe out’;
when he trains thus: ‘Tranquillizing the bodily formation, I will breathe in’;
when he trains thus: ‘Tranquillizing the bodily formation, I will breathe out’

— on that occasion the bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body in the body, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world. For what reason? I call this a certain kind of body, Ānanda, that is, breathing in and breathing out.

Therefore, Ānanda, on that occasion the bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body in the body, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.

6"Whenever, Ānanda, a bhikkhu trains thus: ‘Experiencing rapture, I will breathe in’;
when he trains thus: ‘Experiencing rapture, I will breathe out’;
when he trains thus: ‘Experiencing happiness, I will breathe in’;
when he trains thus: ‘Experiencing happiness, I will breathe out’;
when he trains thus: ‘Experiencing the mental formation, I will breathe in’;
when he trains thus: ‘Experiencing the mental formation, I will breathe out’;
when he trains thus: ‘Tranquillizing the mental formation, I will breathe in’;
when he trains thus: ‘Tranquillizing the mental formation, I will breathe out’

— on that occasion the bhikkhu dwells contemplating feelings in feelings, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world. For what reason? I call this a certain kind of feeling, Ānanda, that is, close attention to breathing in and breathing out.

Therefore, Ānanda, on that occasion the bhikkhu dwells contemplating feelings in feelings, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.

7"Whenever, Ānanda, a bhikkhu trains thus: ‘Experiencing the mind, I will breathe in’;
when he trains thus: ‘Experiencing the mind, I will breathe out’;
when he trains thus: ‘Gladdening the mind, I will breathe in’;
when he trains thus: ‘Gladdening the mind, I will breathe out’;
when he trains thus: ‘Concentrating the mind, I will breathe in’;
when he trains thus: ‘Concentrating the mind, I will breathe out’;
when he trains thus: ‘Liberating the mind, I will breathe in’;
when he trains thus: ‘Liberating the mind, I will breathe out’

— on that occasion the bhikkhu dwells contemplating mind in mind, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world. For what reason? I say, Ānanda, that there is no development of concentration by mindfulness of breathing for one who is muddled and who lacks clear comprehension.

Therefore, Ānanda, on that occasion the bhikkhu dwells contemplating mind in mind, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.

8"Whenever, Ānanda, a bhikkhu trains thus: ‘Contemplating impermanence, I will breathe in’;
when he trains thus: ‘Contemplating impermanence, I will breathe out’;
when he trains thus: ‘Contemplating fading away, I will breathe in’;
when he trains thus: ‘Contemplating fading away, I will breathe out’;
when he trains thus: ‘Contemplating cessation, I will breathe in’;
when he trains thus: ‘Contemplating cessation, I will breathe out’;
when he trains thus: ‘Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in’;
when he trains thus: ‘Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe out’

— on that occasion the bhikkhu dwells contemplating phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world. Having seen with wisdom what is the abandoning of covetousness and displeasure, he is one who looks on closely with equanimity.

Therefore, Ānanda, on that occasion the bhikkhu dwells contemplating phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.

9"It is, Ānanda, when concentration by mindfulness of breathing is developed and cultivated in this way that it fulfils the four establishments of mindfulness.

ii. Fulfilling the seven factors of enlightenment

10"And how, Ānanda, are the four establishments of mindfulness developed and cultivated so that they fulfil the seven factors of enlightenment?

"Whenever, Ānanda, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body in the body, on that occasion unmuddled mindfulness is established in that bhikkhu.[n.316] The sequel as in SN46.3. This passage is also included in the Ānāpānasati Sutta, at MN III 85,7–87,37. Section (iii), on true knowledge and liberation, is at MN III 88,1‒11. Whenever, Ānanda, unmuddled mindfulness has been established in a bhikkhu, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of mindfulness is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of mindfulness; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of mindfulness goes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu.

11"Dwelling thus mindfully, he discriminates that Dhamma with wisdom, examines it, makes an investigation of it. Whenever, Ānanda, a bhikkhu dwelling thus mindfully discriminates that Dhamma with wisdom, examines it, makes an investigation of it, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of discrimination of states is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of discrimination of states; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of discrimination of states goes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu.

12"While he discriminates that Dhamma with wisdom, examines it, makes an investigation of it, his energy is aroused without slackening. Whenever, Ānanda, a bhikkhu's energy is aroused without slackening as he discriminates that Dhamma with wisdom, examines it, makes an investigation of it, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of energy is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of energy; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of energy goes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu.

13"When his energy is aroused, there arises in him spiritual rapture. Whenever, Ānanda, spiritual rapture arises in a bhikkhu whose energy is aroused, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of rapture is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of rapture; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of rapture goes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu.

14"For one whose mind is uplifted by rapture the body becomes tranquil and the mind becomes tranquil. Whenever, Ānanda, the body becomes tranquil and the mind becomes tranquil in a bhikkhu whose mind is uplifted by rapture, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of tranquillity is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of tranquillity; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of tranquillity goes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu.

15"For one whose body is tranquil and who is happy the mind becomes concentrated. Whenever, Ānanda, the mind becomes concentrated in a bhikkhu whose body is tranquil and who is happy, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of concentration is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of concentration; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of concentration goes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu.

16"He becomes one who closely looks on with equanimity at the mind thus concentrated. Whenever, Ānanda, a bhikkhu becomes one who closely looks on with equanimity at the mind thus concentrated, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of equanimity is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of equanimity; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of equanimity goes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu.

17"Whenever, Ānanda, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating feelings in feelings … mind in mind … phenomena in phenomena, on that occasion unmuddled mindfulness is established in that bhikkhu. Whenever, Ānanda, unmuddled mindfulness has been established in a bhikkhu, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of mindfulness is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of mindfulness; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of mindfulness goes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu.

All should be elaborated as in the case of the first establishment of mindfulness.

18"He becomes one who closely looks on with equanimity at the mind thus concentrated. Whenever, Ānanda, a bhikkhu becomes one who closely looks on with equanimity at the mind thus concentrated, on that occasion the enlightenment factor of equanimity is aroused by the bhikkhu; on that occasion the bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of equanimity; on that occasion the enlightenment factor of equanimity goes to fulfilment by development in the bhikkhu.

"It is, Ānanda, when the four establishments of mindfulness are developed and cultivated in this way that they fulfil the seven factors of enlightenment.

iii. Fulfilling true knowledge and liberation

19"How, Ānanda, are the seven factors of enlightenment developed and cultivated so that they fulfil true knowledge and liberation?

"Here, Ānanda, a bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of mindfulness, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.

He develops the enlightenment factor of discrimination of states, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.

He develops the enlightenment factor of energy, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.

He develops the enlightenment factor of rapture, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.

He develops the enlightenment factor of tranquillity, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.

He develops the enlightenment factor of concentration, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.

He develops the enlightenment factor of equanimity, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.

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It is, Ānanda, when the seven factors of enlightenment are developed and cultivated in this way that they fulfil true knowledge and liberation."

1Atha kho āyasmā ānando yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ Ānandaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

"Atthi nu kho, Ānanda, ekadhammo bhāvito bahulīkato cattāro dhamme paripūreti, cattāro dhammā bhāvitā bahulīkatā satta dhamme paripūrenti, satta dhammā bhāvitā bahulīkatā dve dhamme paripūrentī"ti.

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"Bhagavaṁmūlakā no, bhante, dhammā … pe …

… "atthānanda, ekadhammo bhāvito bahulīkato cattāro dhamme paripūreti, cattāro dhammā bhāvitā bahulīkatā satta dhamme paripūrenti, satta dhammā bhāvitā bahulīkatā dve dhamme paripūrenti.

2Katamo cānanda, ekadhammo bhāvito bahulīkato cattāro dhamme paripūreti, cattāro dhammā bhāvitā bahulīkatā satta dhamme paripūrenti, satta dhammā bhāvitā bahulīkatā dve dhamme paripūrenti?

Ānāpānassatisamādhi, Ānanda, ekadhammo bhāvito bahulīkato cattāro satipaṭṭhāne paripūreti, cattāro satipaṭṭhānā bhāvitā bahulīkatā satta bojjhaṅge paripūrenti, satta bojjhaṅgā bhāvitā bahulīkatā vijjāvimuttiṁ paripūrentīti.

cattāro satipaṭṭhāne paripūreti

Kathaṁ bhāvito cānanda, ānāpānassatisamādhi, kathaṁ bahulīkato cattāro satipaṭṭhāne paripūreti? Idhānanda, bhikkhu araññagato vā … pe …

satta bojjhaṅge paripūrenti

vijjāvimuttiṁ paripūrenti

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evaṁ bhāvitā kho, Ānanda, satta bojjhaṅgā evaṁ bahulīkatā vijjāvimuttiṁ paripūrentī"ti.

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Catutthaṁ.