The Buddha expresses an inspired utterance after reflecting on his giving up of the perceptions and notions [born of] mental proliferation.

UD 7.7  Papañcakhaya sutta - Wearing Away of Mental Proliferation

Evaṁ me sutaṁ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tena kho pana samayena bhagavā attano papañcasaññāsaṅkhāpahānaṁ paccavekkhamāno nisinno hoti.

Thus have I heard—At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthi, in Jeta’s grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s park. At that time, the Blessed One was seated, reflecting on his own |giving up of the perceptions and notions [born of] mental proliferation::abandoning the proliferation of opinions, concepts and constructs [papañcasaññāsaṅkhāpahāna]|.

Atha kho bhagavā attano papañcasaññāsaṅkhāpahānaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ udānaṁ udānesi:

Then, the Blessed One, having understood his own giving up of the perceptions and notions [born of] mental proliferation, at that time, expressed this inspired utterance:

“Yassa papañcā ṭhiti ca natthi,
Sandānaṁ palighañca vītivatto;
Taṁ nittaṇhaṁ muniṁ carantaṁ,
Nāvajānāti sadevakopi loko”ti.

“In whom, support for mental proliferation does not exist,
who has gone beyond tethers and barriers;
The sage who lives without |craving::wanting, yearning, longing, attachment, lit. thirst [taṇha]|,
is not despised by the world with its gods.”

Topics & Qualities:

Mental Proliferation

Mental Proliferation

Mental proliferation is the tendency to overelaborate mental constructs—such as opinions, judgments, narratives—endless conceptualization. It entangles the mind in a cascade of thoughts, concepts, and perceptions, giving rise to unwholesome states and suffering.

Also known as: conceptual proliferation, elaboration, papañca
Pāli: papañca
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Dispassion

Dispassion

The fading of desire and attraction toward conditioned things. It arises through seeing the impermanent and unsatisfactory nature of experience. It is the natural fragrance of understanding and the forerunner of release.

Also known as: detachment, disinterest, fading of desire, disentanglement
Pāli: virāga, visaṃyutta
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Giving up

Giving up

The mental quality of renunciation and release from attachment. It delights in simplicity and freedom rather than in sensual pleasure. Giving up is not loss but the joyful abandoning of burden, opening the way to peace and insight.

Also known as: renunciation, relinquishment, letting go, abandonment
Pāli: nekkhamma
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Non-proliferation

Non-proliferation

The cessation of the mind's tendency to spin out elaborate stories, interpretations, and conceptual elaborations. In non-proliferation, experience is met simply and directly without the overlay of mental commentary, preferences, and self-referential thinking.

Also known as: not forming various opinions
Pāli: nippapañca
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Last updated on December 15, 2025