“Asaṅkhatañca vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi asaṅkhatagāmiñca maggaṁ. Taṁ suṇātha.
“I will teach you 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 is the unconditioned? The ending of passion, the ending of aversion, the ending of delusion—this is called the unconditioned.
Tranquility
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Samatho. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.
And what is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? It is tranquility. This is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Iti kho, bhikkhave, desitaṁ vo mayā asaṅkhataṁ, desito asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.
Thus 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.
Whatever should be done by a teacher seeking the welfare of his disciples, out of compassion; that I have done for you. Here are the roots of trees; here are the empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not be negligent. Do not be regretful later. This is our instruction to you.”
Asaṅkhatañca vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi asaṅkhatagāmiñca maggaṁ. Taṁ suṇātha.
I will teach you 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 is the unconditioned? The ending of desire, the ending of aversion, the ending of delusion—this is called 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 is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? It is penetrative vision. This 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 is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned?
Collectedness
Savitakko savicāro samādhi. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
It is collectedness accompanied by thought and examination.
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Avitakko vicāramatto samādhi.
... It is collectedness with examination only.
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe… katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Avitakko avicāro samādhi.
... It is collectedness without thought or examination.
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…. Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Suññato samādhi.
... It is the collectedness of emptiness.
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe… katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Animitto samādhi.
... It is the collectedness absent of any signs.
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe… katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Appaṇihito samādhi. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….
It is the collectedness in desirelessness. This 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 is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu dwells observing the body in and of itself, with continuous effort, clearly aware and with excellent recollection, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world. This 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 is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu dwells observing the felt experience in and of itself, with continuous effort, clearly aware and with excellent recollection, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world. This 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 is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu dwells observing the mind in and of itself, with continuous effort, clearly aware and with excellent recollection, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world. This 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 is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves, with continuous effort, clearly aware and with excellent recollection, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world. This 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 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 prevent the arising of unarisen unwholesome states. This 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 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 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 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 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 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 full development by cultivation of arisen wholesome states. This 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 is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from aspiration and accompanied by intentional effort. This is called 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 is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from energy and accompanied by intentional effort. This is called 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 is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from [purification of] mind and accompanied by intentional effort. This is called 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 is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from investigation and accompanied by intentional effort. This is called 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 is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of faith, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the power of faith, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the awakening factor of mindfulness, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This 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... awakening factor of energy... awakening factor of joy... awakening factor of tranquility... awakening factor of collectedness... awakening factor of equanimity, develops the awakening factor of equanimity, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This 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 is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops right view, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This 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 is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Iti kho, bhikkhave, desitaṁ vo mayā asaṅkhataṁ, desito asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.
Thus 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.
Whatever should be done by a teacher seeking the welfare of his disciples, out of compassion; that I have done for you. Here are the roots of trees; here are the empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not be negligent. Do not be regretful later. This is our instruction to you.”