The Discourse about Mindfulness while Breathing

at one time the Gracious One was dwelling near Sàvatthã at Migàra's Mother's mansion in the Eastern Grounds, ⁰¹ together with a great many very well-known Elder Disciples (such as) with venerable Sàriputta, with venerable Mahàmoggallàna, with venerable Mahàkassapa, with venerable Mahàkaccàyana, with venerable Mahàkoññhita, with venerable Mahàkappina, with venerable Mahàcunda, with venerable Anuruddha, with venerable Revata, with venerable ânanda, together with other very well-known Elder Disciples.

Then at that time the Elder monks were advising and instructing the new monks. ⁰² Some Elder monks were advising and instructing ten monks, some Elder monks were advising and instructing twenty monks, some Elder monks were advising and instructing thirty monks, some Elder monks were advising and instructing forty monks, and while those new monks were being advised and instructed by the Elder monks they came to know successive lofty attainments. ⁰³

Then at that time the Gracious One, on that very Uposatha day of the fifteenth, ⁰⁴ on the Pavàraõà full moon night, ⁰⁵ was sat in the open air surrounded by the Community of monks.

Then the Gracious One, after seeing the community of monks were maintaining complete silence, addressed the monks (saying): ßI am satisfied, monks, with this practice, my mind is satisfied with this practice, therefore, monks, put forth even more energy for the attainment of the unattained, for the accomplishment of the unaccomplished, for the realisation of the unrealised, I will be right here at Sàvatthã until the fourth month of Komudã comes.û ⁰⁶

The monks in the country heard: ßThe Gracious One will be right there at Sàvatthã until the fourth month of Komudã comes,û and those monks in the country descended on Sàvatthã to see the Gracious One.

Those Elder monks put forth even more energy advising and instructing the new monks, some Elder monks were advising and instructing ten monks, some Elder monks were advising and instructing twenty monks, some Elder monks were advising and instructing thirty monks, some Elder monks were advising and instructing forty monks, and while those new monks were being advised and instructed by the Elder monks they came to know (even more) successive lofty attainments.

Then at that time the Gracious One, on that very Uposatha day of the fifteenth, on the Komudã full moon night at the end of four months, was sat in the open air surrounded by the Community of monks.

Then the Gracious One, after seeing the community of monks were maintaining complete silence, addressed the monks (saying): ßThe assembly, monks, is without frivolous speech; the assembly, monks, is free from frivolous speech, it is solely established in the essential.

Such, monks, is this Community of monks, such, monks, is this assembly, and the assembly is worthy of offerings, of hospitality, of gifts, and of reverential salutation, it is an unsurpassed field of merit for the world. ⁰⁷

Such, monks, is this Community of monks, such, monks, is this assembly, and giving a little gift to the assembly produces a great amount (of merit), and a great gift (produces) an even greater amount.

Such, monks, is this Community of monks, such, monks, is this assembly, and the assembly is rare to see in the world.

Such, monks, is this Community of monks, such, monks, is this assembly, and it is suitable to go many leagues, even with a bag of provisions, to see this assembly. ⁰⁸

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who are Worthy, without pollutants, who have done what ought to be done, who have put down the burden, reached their goal, destroyed the fetters that lead to continuation (of existence), who through final knowledge are free: monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks. ⁰⁹

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who, through the complete destruction of the five lower fetters, will arisen spontaneously (in the Brahmà worlds), and will attain Final Emancipation there, without returning from that world: monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks.

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who, through the complete destruction of three fetters, and the diminuation of passion, hatred, and delusion, are Once-Returners, and will return only once more to this world, and (then) will make an end to suffering: monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks.

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who, through the complete destruction of three fetters, are Stream-Enterers, no longer subject to falling (into the lower realms), and have a fixed destiny ending in Final Awakening: monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks.

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who live engaged in and devoted to the development of the Four Ways of Attending to Mindfulness: ¹⁰ monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks. ¹¹

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who live engaged in and devoted to the development of the Four Right Strivings: ¹² monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks.

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who live engaged in and devoted to the development of the Four Paths to Power: ¹³ monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks.

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who live engaged in and devoted to the development of the Five Faculties: ¹⁴ monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks.

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who live engaged in and devoted to the development of the Five Strengths: ¹⁵ monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks.

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who live engaged in and devoted to the development of the Seven Factors of Awakening: ¹⁶ monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks.

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who live engaged in and devoted to the development of the Noble Eight-Fold Path: ¹⁷ monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks.

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who live engaged in and devoted to the development of the meditation that is friendliness: ¹⁹ monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks.

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who live engaged in and devoted to the development of the meditation that is kindness: ²⁰ monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks.

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who live engaged in and devoted to the development of the meditation that is gladness: ²¹ monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks.

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who live engaged in and devoted to the development of the meditation that is equanimity: ²² monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks.

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who live engaged in and devoted to the development of the meditation on the unattractive: monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks.

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who live engaged in and devoted to the development of the meditation that is the perception of impermanence: monks, there are such monks in this Community of monks.

Monks, there are monks in this Community of monks who live engaged in and devoted to the development of the meditation of mindfulness while breathing.

Mindfulness while breathing, monks, when it has been developed and made much of yields great fruit and brings great advantages. Mindfulness while breathing, monks, when it has been developed and made much of fulfils the Four Ways of Attending to Mindfulness, the Four Ways of Attending to Mindfulness when they have been developed and made much of fulfil the Seven Factors of Awakening, the Seven Factors of Awakening when they have been developed and made much of fulfil Knowledge and Freedom.

And how, monks, is mindfulness while breathing developed? How, when it has been made much of, does it yield great fruit and bring great advantages?

Here, ²³ monks, a monk who has gone to the wilderness, or to the root of a tree, or to an empty place, sits down. After folding his legs crosswise, setting his body straight, and establishing mindfulness at the front, ever mindful he breathes in, mindful he breathes out. ²⁴

While breathing in long, he knows ßI am breathing in longû, ²⁵
while breathing out long, he knows ßI am breathing out longû, ²⁶
while breathing in short, he knows ßI am breathing in shortû,
while breathing out short, he knows ßI am breathing out shortû,
he trains like this: experiencing the whole body I will breathe in, ²⁷
he trains like this: experiencing the whole body I will breathe out, ²⁸
he trains like this: making the bodily process calm I will breathe in, ²⁹
he trains like this: making the bodily process calm I will breathe out.

He trains like this: experiencing joy I will breathe in,
he trains like this: experiencing joy I will breathe out, ³⁰
he trains like this: experiencing pleasure I will breathe in,
he trains like this: experiencing pleasure I will breathe out, ³¹
he trains like this: experiencing the mental process I will breathe in,
he trains like this: experiencing the mental process I will breathe out, ³²
he trains like this: making the mental process calm I will breathe in,
he trains like this: making the mental process calm I will breathe out.

He trains like this: experiencing the mind I will breathe in,
he trains like this: experiencing the mind I will breathe out, ³³
he trains like this: gladdening the mind I will breathe in,
he trains like this: gladdening the mind I will breathe out, ³⁴
he trains like this: concentrating the mind I will breathe in,
he trains like this: concentrating the mind I will breathe out, ³⁵
he trains like this: freeing the mind I will breathe in,
he trains like this: freeing the mind I will breathe out. ³⁶

He trains like this: contemplating impermanence I will breathe in,
he trains like this: contemplating impermanence I will breathe out, ³⁷
he trains like this: contemplating dispassion I will breathe in,
he trains like this: contemplating dispassion I will breathe out, ³⁸
he trains like this: contemplating cessation I will breathe in,
he trains like this: contemplating cessation I will breathe out,
he trains like this: contemplating letting go I will breathe in,
he trains like this: contemplating letting go I will breathe out. ³⁹

Like this, monks, is mindfulness while breathing developed. Like this, when it has been made much of, it yields great fruit and brings great advantages.

And how, monks, is mindfulness while breathing developed? How, when made much of, does it fulfil the Four Ways of Attending to Mindfulness? Monks, a monk who, at whatever time,

while breathing in long, knows ßI am breathing in longû,
while breathing out long, knows ßI am breathing out longû,
while breathing in short, knows ßI am breathing in shortû,
while breathing out short, knows ßI am breathing out shortû,
trains like this: experiencing the whole body I will breathe in,
trains like this: experiencing the whole body I will breathe out,
trains like this: making the bodily process calm I will breathe in,
trains like this: making the bodily process calm I will breathe out,

at that time, monks, a monk lives contemplating (the nature of) the body in the body, ⁴⁰ ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world. ⁴¹

I say, monks, that this is a certain kind of body amongst the bodies, namely: breathing, therefore, monks, at that time a monk lives contemplating (the nature of) the body in the body, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world.

trains like this: experiencing joy I will breathe in,
trains like this: experiencing joy I will breathe out,
trains like this: experiencing pleasure I will breathe in,
trains like this: experiencing pleasure I will breathe out,
trains like this: experiencing the mental process I will breathe in,
trains like this: experiencing the mental process I will breathe out,
trains like this: making the mental process calm I will breathe in,
trains like this: making the mental process calm I will breathe out,

at that time, monks, a monk lives contemplating (the nature of) the feelings in feelings, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world.

I say, monks, that this is a certain feeling amongst the feelings, namely: applying the mind well to the breathing, ⁴² therefore, monks, at that time a monk lives contemplating (the nature of) the feelings in the feelings, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world.

trains like this: experiencing the mind I will breathe in,
trains like this: experiencing the mind I will breathe out,
trains like this: gladdening the mind I will breathe in,
trains like this: gladdening the mind I will breathe out,
trains like this: concentrating the mind I will breathe in,
trains like this: concentrating the mind I will breathe out,
trains like this: freeing the mind I will breathe in,
trains like this: freeing the mind I will breathe out,

at that time, monks, a monk lives contemplating (the nature of) the mind in the mind, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world.

I do not say, monks, of one who has lost mindfulness, who does not have full knowledge, that he has developed mindfulness of breathing, ⁴³ therefore, monks, at that time a monk lives contemplating (the nature of) the mind in the mind, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world.

trains like this: contemplating impermanence I will breathe in,
trains like this: contemplating impermanence I will breathe out,
trains like this: contemplating dispassion I will breathe in,
trains like this: contemplating dispassion I will breathe out,
trains like this: contemplating cessation I will breathe in,
trains like this: contemplating cessation I will breathe out,
trains like this: contemplating letting go I will breathe in,
trains like this: contemplating letting go I will breathe out,

at that time, monks, a monk lives contemplating (the nature of) things in (various) things, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world.

he is completely equanimous, ⁴⁴ therefore, monks, at that time a monk lives contemplating (the nature of) things in (various) things, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world.

Like this, monks, mindfulness while breathing is developed. Like this, when it has been made much of, it fulfils the Four Ways of Attending to Mindfulness.

Fulfillment of the Factors of Complete Awakening
through Contemplation of the Body

And how, monks, are the Four Ways of Attending to Mindfulness developed? How, when made much of, do they fulfil the Seven Factors of Awakening?

Monks, a monk who, at whatever time, dwells contemplating (the nature of) the body in the body, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world, at that time has mindfulness established and he is not forgetful, and monks, at whatever time a monk's mindfulness is established and he is not forgetful, at that time the Mindfulness Factor of Complete Awakening has been undertaken for that monk, at that time that monk is developing the Mindfulness Factor of Complete Awakening, at that time that monk's Mindfulness Factor of Complete Awakening is developing and heading towards fulfilment.

Fulfillment of the Investigation (of the Nature) of Things Factor of Complete Awakening

Living mindfully in this way he investigates that state with wisdom, ⁴⁵ examining and entering into a deep enquiry (into it), and monks, at whatever time a monk living mindfully in this way investigates that state with wisdom, examining and entering into a deep enquiry (into it), at that time the Investigation (of the Nature) of Things Factor of Complete Awakening has been undertaken for that monk, at that time that monk is developing the Investigation (of the Nature) of Things Factor of Complete Awakening, at that time that monk's Investigation (of the Nature) of Things Factor of Complete Awakening is developing and heading towards fulfilment.

For he who is investigating that state with wisdom, examining and entering into a deep enquiry (into it), there is an undertaking of unshaken energy, and monks, at whatever time for a monk investigating that state with wisdom, examining and entering into a deep enquiry (into it), there is an undertaking of unshaken energy, at that time the Energy Factor of Complete Awakening has been undertaken for that monk, at that time that monk is developing the Energy Factor of Complete Awakening, at that time that monk's Energy Factor of Complete Awakening is developing and heading towards fulfilment.

For he who has undertaken energy spiritual joy arises, and monks, at whatever time for a monk who has undertaken energy spiritual joy arises, at that time the Joy Factor of Complete Awakening has been undertaken for that monk, at that time that monk is developing the Joy Factor of Complete Awakening, at that time that monk's Joy Factor of Complete Awakening is developing and heading towards fulfilment.

For one who has a joyful mind the body is tranquil, and the mind is tranquil, and monks, at whatever time a monk has a joyful mind and a body that is tranquil, and a mind that is tranquil, at that time the Tranquility Factor of Complete Awakening has been undertaken for that monk, at that time that monk is developing the Tranquility Factor of Complete Awakening, at that time that monk's Tranquility Factor of Complete Awakening is developing and heading towards fulfilment.

For one with a tranquil body and happiness his mind becomes concentrated, and monks, at whatever time a monk has a tranquil body and happiness and a mind that becomes concentrated, at that time the Concentration Factor of Complete Awakening has been undertaken for that monk, at that time that monk is developing the Concentration Factor of Complete Awakening, at that time that monk's Concentration Factor of Complete Awakening is developing and heading towards fulfilment.

He who has a well-concentrated mind in this way becomes completely equanimous, and monks, at whatever time a monk's well-concentrated mind in this way becomes completely equanimous, at that time the Equanimity Factor of Complete Awakening has been undertaken for that monk, at that time that monk is developing the Equanimity Factor of Complete Awakening, at that time that monk's Equanimity Factor of Complete Awakening is developing and heading towards fulfilment.

Fulfillment of the Factors of Complete Awakening
through Contemplation of the Feelings

Fulfillment of the Mindfulness Factor of Awakening

Monks, a monk who, at whatever time, dwells contemplating (the nature of) the feelings in the feelings, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world, at that time has mindfulness established and he is not forgetful, and monks, at whatever time a monk's mindfulness is established and he is not forgetful, at that time the Mindfulness Factor of Complete Awakening has been undertaken for that monk, at that time that monk is developing the Mindfulness Factor of Complete Awakening, at that time that monk's Mindfulness Factor of Complete Awakening is developing and heading towards fulfilment.

Fulfillment of the Investigation (of the Nature) of Things Factor of Complete Awakening

Living mindfully in this way he investigates that state with wisdom, examining and entering into a deep enquiry (into it), and monks, at whatever time a monk living mindfully in this way investigates that state with wisdom, examining and entering into a deep enquiry (into it), at that time the Investigation (of the Nature) of Things Factor of Complete Awakening has been undertaken for that monk, at that time that monk is developing the Investigation (of the Nature) of Things Factor of Complete Awakening, at that time that monk's Investigation (of the Nature) of Things Factor of Complete Awakening is developing and heading towards fulfilment.

Fulfillment of the Energy Factor of Complete Awakening

Fulfillment of the Joy Factor of Complete Awakening

Fulfillment of the Tranquility Factor of Complete Awakening

Fulfillment of the Concentration Factor of Complete Awakening

Fulfillment of the Equanimity Factor of Complete Awakening

Fulfillment of the Factors of Complete Awakening
through Contemplation of the Mind

Fulfillment of the Mindfulness Factor of Awakening

Monks, a monk who, at whatever time, dwells contemplating (the nature of) the mind in the mind, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world, at that time has mindfulness established and he is not forgetful, and monks, at whatever time a monk's mindfulness is established and he is not forgetful, at that time the Mindfulness Factor of Complete Awakening has been undertaken for that monk, at that time that monk is developing the Mindfulness Factor of Complete Awakening, at that time that monk's Mindfulness Factor of Complete Awakening is developing and heading towards fulfilment.

Fulfillment of the Investigation (of the Nature) of Things Factor of Complete Awakening

Fulfillment of the Energy Factor of Complete Awakening

Fulfillment of the Joy Factor of Complete Awakening

Fulfillment of the Tranquility Factor of Complete Awakening

Fulfillment of the Concentration Factor of Complete Awakening

Fulfillment of the Equanimity Factor of Complete Awakening

Fulfillment of the Factors of Complete Awakening
through Contemplation of (the Nature of) Things

Monks, a monk who, at whatever time, dwells contemplating (the nature of) things in (various) things, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world, at that time has mindfulness established and he is not forgetful, and monks, at whatever time a monk's mindfulness is established and he is not forgetful, at that time the Mindfulness Factor of Complete Awakening has been undertaken for that monk, at that time that monk is developing the Mindfulness Factor of Complete Awakening, at that time that monk's Mindfulness Factor of Complete Awakening is developing and heading towards fulfilment.

Fulfillment of the Investigation (of the Nature) of Things Factor of Complete Awakening

Like this, monks, the Four Ways of Attending to Mindfulness are developed. Like this, when made much of, they fulfil the Seven Factors of Complete Awakening.

How, monks, are the Seven Factors of Complete Awakening developed? How, when made much of, do they fulfil Knowledge and Freedom?

Here, monks, a monk develops the Mindfulness Factor of Complete Awakening depending on solitude, ⁴⁶ depending on dispassion, depending on cessation, maturing in relinquishment, develops the Investigation (of the Nature) of Things Factor of Complete Awakening depending on solitude, depending on dispassion, depending on cessation, maturing in relinquishment, develops the Energy Factor of Complete Awakening depending on solitude, depending on dispassion, depending on cessation, maturing in relinquishment, develops the Joy Factor of Complete Awakening depending on solitude, depending on dispassion, depending on cessation, maturing in relinquishment, develops the Tranquillity Factor of Complete Awakening depending on solitude, depending on dispassion, depending on cessation, maturing in relinquishment, develops the Concentration Factor of Complete Awakening depending on solitude, depending on dispassion, depending on cessation, maturing in relinquishment, develops the Equanimity Factor of Complete Awakening depending on solitude, depending on dispassion, depending on cessation, maturing in relinquishment.

Like this, monks, the Seven Factors of Complete Awakening are developed. Like this, when made much of, they fulfil Knowledge and Freedom.û

and those monks were uplifted and greatly rejoiced in what was said by the Gracious One.