Observing the body in and of itself requires giving up six traits: delight in work, talking, sleeping, company, unguarded senses, and immoderation in eating. Abandoning these makes one capable of success.

AN 6.117  Kāyānupassī sutta - Observing the body

“Cha, bhikkhave, dhamme appahāya abhabbo kāye kāyānupassī viharituṁ. Katame cha? Kammārāmataṁ, bhassārāmataṁ, niddārāmataṁ, saṅgaṇikārāmataṁ, indriyesu aguttadvārataṁ, bhojane amattaññutaṁ. Ime kho, bhikkhave, cha dhamme appahāya abhabbo kāye kāyānupassī viharituṁ.

“Bhikkhus, without |giving up::letting go, abandoning, removing [pahāna]| these six things, one is incapable of dwelling observing the body in and of itself. What six? 1.) |Delight in work::enjoyment of activity, pleasure of work; lit. fond of work state [kammārāmatā]|, 2.) |delight in talking::enjoyment of talk, pleasure of speech; lit. enjoying talk state [bhassārāmatā]|, 3.) |delight in sleeping::enjoyment of dozing; lit. enjoying sleep state [niddārāmatā]|, 4.) |delight in company::enjoyment of society, pleasure of company; lit. company enjoying state [saṅgaṇikārāmatā]|, 5.) |lack of guarding of the sense doors::uncontrolled in senses, not having self-restraint [aguttadvāratā]|, and 6.) lack of moderation in eating. Without abandoning these six things, one is incapable of dwelling observing the body in and of itself.

Cha, bhikkhave, dhamme pahāya bhabbo kāye kāyānupassī viharituṁ. Katame cha? Kammārāmataṁ, bhassārāmataṁ, niddārāmataṁ, saṅgaṇikārāmataṁ, indriyesu aguttadvārataṁ, bhojane amattaññutaṁ. Ime kho, bhikkhave, cha dhamme pahāya bhabbo kāye kāyānupassī viharitun”ti.

Bhikkhus, by giving up these six things, one is capable of dwelling observing the body in and of itself. What six? 1.) Delight in work, 2.) delight in talking, 3.) delight in sleeping, 4.) delight in company, 5.) lack of guarding of the sense doors, and 6.) lack of moderation in eating. By abandoning these six things, one is capable of dwelling observing the body in and of itself.”

Topics & Qualities:

Delight

Delight

A mental quality of relishing and taking pleasure in what is experienced—especially in sensuality or the prospect of continued becoming. When it fastens onto gratification, it nourishes craving and keeps the mind circling around what it wants to experience again.

Also known as: relishing, enjoyment, taking pleasure
Pāli: nandi, ārāmatā
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Drowsiness

Drowsiness

A heaviness or stiffness of the mind that leads to sleepiness. It shrouds clarity like a fog, making the mind unwieldy and prone to drifting away from its object.

Also known as: sleepiness, torpor, feeling lethargic, lit. stiffness (of mind/body due to tiredness)
Pāli: middha
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Mindfulness of Body

Mindfulness of Body

Mindfulness of body is the practice of grounding awareness in the body as it is—through breathing, posture, activities, anatomical reflection, the elements, and contemplation of decay. Cultivated and frequently practiced, it steadies the mind, supports sense restraint and collectedness, and becomes a basis for deep tranquility and release.

Also known as: mindfulness of the body, mindfulness immersed in the body, mindfulness directed to the body, contemplation of the body
Pāli: kāyagatāsati, kāyānupassanā
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Non-restraint

Non-restraint

Failure to guard the sense doors. It occurs when attention chases after the signs and features of sense objects, allowing craving and aversion to invade the mind.

Also known as: unguarded in sense faculties, not watching the sense doors, grasping at prominent features or details of sense objects
Pāli: asaṁvara, asaṁyama
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Wrong speech

Wrong speech

Speech that deceives, divides, wounds, or wastes. It includes lying, slander, harshness, and idle chatter. Such speech distorts truth, breaks trust, and stirs the mind toward harm and discord.

Also known as: false speech, lying, divisive, slanderous or defamatory or malicious speech, abusive or rude or unkind way of speaking, meaningless talk or idle chatter or gossip
Pāli: musāvāda, pisuṇavācā, pharusāvācā, samphappalāpa
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Last updated on June 17, 2026