“Asaṅkhatañca vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi asaṅkhatagāmiñca maggaṁ. Taṁ suṇātha.
“I will teach you, bhikkhus, about the unconditioned and the way of practice leading to the unconditioned. Listen to this.
Katamañca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhataṁ? Yo, bhikkhave, rāgakkhayo dosakkhayo mohakkhayo— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhataṁ.
And what, bhikkhus, is the unconditioned? The ending of |passion::intense desire, strong emotion, infatuation, obsession, lust [rāga]|, the ending of |aversion::ill will, hatred, hostility, mental attitude of rejection, fault-finding, resentful disapproval [dosa]|, the ending of |illusion::delusion, erroneous belief, false idea, misapprehension; it fuels further confusion and doubt [moha]| — this, bhikkhus, is called the unconditioned.
Tranquility
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Samatho. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? It is |tranquility::serenity, stilling, calming, peace, mental unification [samatha]|. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Iti kho, bhikkhave, desitaṁ vo mayā asaṅkhataṁ, desito asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.
Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught you about the unconditioned, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Yaṁ, bhikkhave, satthārā karaṇīyaṁ sāvakānaṁ hitesinā anukampakena anukampaṁ upādāya, kataṁ vo taṁ mayā. Etāni, bhikkhave, rukkhamūlāni, etāni suññāgārāni. Jhāyatha, bhikkhave, mā pamādattha; mā pacchā vippaṭisārino ahuvattha. Ayaṁ vo amhākaṁ anusāsanīti.
What should be done for his disciples out of compassion by a teacher who seeks their welfare and has compassion for them, that I have done for you, bhikkhus. These are the roots of trees, these are empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not be negligent; lest you regret it later. This is our instruction to you.
Asaṅkhatañca vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi asaṅkhatagāmiñca maggaṁ. Taṁ suṇātha.
I will teach you, bhikkhus, about the unconditioned and the way of practice leading to the unconditioned. Listen to this.
Katamañca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhataṁ? Yo, bhikkhave, rāgakkhayo dosakkhayo mohakkhayo— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhataṁ.
And what, bhikkhus, is the unconditioned? The ending of desire, the ending of aversion, the ending of delusion — this is called, bhikkhus, the unconditioned.
Insight
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Vipassanā. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo. Iti kho, bhikkhave, desitaṁ vo mayā asaṅkhataṁ …pe… ayaṁ vo amhākaṁ anusāsanīti.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? It is |insight::seeing clearly, penetrating internal vision [vipassanā]|. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned. Thus, I have taught you about the unconditioned, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned?
Collectedness
Savitakko savicāro samādhi. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
It is collectedness accompanied by reflection and examination [of thoughts].
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Avitakko vicāramatto samādhi.
... It is collectedness with examination [of thoughts] only.
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe… katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Avitakko avicāro samādhi.
... It is collectedness without reflection or examination [of thoughts].
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…. Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Suññato samādhi.
... It is the collectedness of |emptiness::voidness, essencelessness [suññata]|.
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe… katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Animitto samādhi.
... It is the collectedness |absent of any signs::signless, featureless, free of mental images, without any sign of trouble [animitta]|.
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe… katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Appaṇihito samādhi. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….
It is the collectedness in |desirelessness::undirected, unguided, without intent [appaṇihita]|. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned. Thus, I have taught you about the unconditioned, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Four Foundations of Mindfulness
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells observing the body in and of itself, with continuous effort, fully aware, mindful, having removed |craving and distress::greediness and dissatisfaction, wanting and unhappiness, craving and aversion [abhijjhā + domanassa]| with regard to the world. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vedanāsu vedanānupassī viharati …pe… ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu dwells observing the feelings in and of itself, with continuous effort, fully aware, mindful, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu citte cittānupassī viharati …pe… ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu dwells observing the mind in and of itself, with continuous effort, fully aware, mindful, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati …pe… ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu dwells observing the mental qualities in and of itself, with continuous effort, fully aware, mindful, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Four Right Efforts
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu anuppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ anuppādāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu generates desire, applies effort, arouses energy, takes hold of his mind, and strives to prevent the arising of unarisen unwholesome states. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu uppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu generates desire, applies effort, arouses energy, takes hold of his mind, and strives to abandon arisen unwholesome states. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu anuppannānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ uppādāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu generates desire, applies effort, arouses energy, takes hold of his mind, and strives for the arising of unarisen wholesome states. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu uppannānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ ṭhitiyā asammosāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya bhāvanāya pāripūriyā chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu generates desire, applies effort, arouses energy, takes hold of his mind, and strives for the continuance, non-confusion, further growth, increase, and fulfillment by development of arisen wholesome states. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
four bases of psychic powers
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu chandasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic power that is endowed with |collectedness::stability of mind, stillness of mind, mental composure [samādhi]| arising from |aspiration::a goal, an interest, an objective, a wholesome motivation [chanda]| and accompanied by intentional effort. This is called, bhikkhus, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīriyasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from |energy::persistence, willpower, determination [vīriya]| and accompanied by intentional effort. This is called, bhikkhus, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cittasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from [purification of] |mind::the faculty of thought and intention, often restless or wandering [citta]| and accompanied by intentional effort. This is called, bhikkhus, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīmaṁsasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from |investigation::consideration, reflection, examination [vīmaṃsanta]| and accompanied by intentional effort. This is called, bhikkhus, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Five Faculties
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhindriyaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of |faith::confidence, conviction, devotion, trust [saddhā]|, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīriyindriyaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe… ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of energy, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satindriyaṁ bhāveti …pe… ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of mindfulness, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu samādhindriyaṁ bhāveti …pe… ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of collectedness, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paññindriyaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of wisdom, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Five Powers
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhābalaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe… ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the power of faith, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīriyabalaṁ bhāveti …pe… ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the power of energy, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satibalaṁ bhāveti …pe… ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the power of mindfulness, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu samādhibalaṁ bhāveti …pe… ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the power of collectedness, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paññābalaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the power of wisdom, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Seven Factors of Awakening
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe… ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the awakening factor of mindfulness, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe… vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe… pītisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe… passaddhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe… samādhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….
... |awakening factor of investigation of states::the quality of discriminative investigation into states, mental qualities and other phenomena; analyzing the teaching as a factor of enlightenment; second of the seven awakening factors [dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga]|... awakening factor of energy... awakening factor of |joy::rapture|... awakening factor of tranquility... awakening factor of collectedness... awakening factor of |equanimity::mental poise, mental balance, equipoise, non-reactivity, composure [upekkhā]|, develops the awakening factor of equanimity, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Noble Eightfold Path
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sammādiṭṭhiṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops right view, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sammāsaṅkappaṁ bhāveti …pe… sammāvācaṁ bhāveti …pe… sammākammantaṁ bhāveti …pe… sammāājīvaṁ bhāveti …pe… sammāvāyāmaṁ bhāveti …pe… sammāsatiṁ bhāveti …pe… asaṅkhatañca vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi asaṅkhatagāmiñca maggaṁ. Taṁ suṇātha. Katamañca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhataṁ …pe…? Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sammāsamādhiṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.
develops right intention... develops right speech... develops right action... develops right livelihood... develops right effort... develops right mindfulness... develops right collectedness, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go.
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.
This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Iti kho, bhikkhave, desitaṁ vo mayā asaṅkhataṁ, desito asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.
Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught you about the unconditioned, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Yaṁ, bhikkhave, satthārā karaṇīyaṁ sāvakānaṁ hitesinā anukampakena anukampaṁ upādāya, kataṁ vo taṁ mayā. Etāni, bhikkhave, rukkhamūlāni, etāni suññāgārāni. Jhāyatha, bhikkhave, mā pamādattha; mā pacchā vippaṭisārino ahuvattha. Ayaṁ vo amhākaṁ anusāsanī”ti.
What should be done for his disciples out of compassion by a teacher who seeks their welfare and has compassion for them, that I have done for you, bhikkhus. These are the roots of trees, these are empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not be negligent; lest you regret it later. This is our instruction to you.”