Mindfulness of Breathing (Ánápánasati) Translated from the Páli by Bhikkhu Ñáóamoli BP 502S Copyright © Kandy, Buddhist Publication Society, (1998) BPS Online Edition © (2007) Digital Transcription Source: Buddhist Publication Society For free distribution. This work may be republished, reformatted, reprinted and redistributed in any medium. However, any such republication and redistribution is to be made available to the public on a free and unrestricted basis and translations and other derivative works are to be clearly marked as such. Mindfulness of Breathing (Ánápánasati) Buddhist Texts from the Páli Canon and Extracts from the Páli Commentaries Translated from the Páli by Bhikkhu Ñáóamoli Buddhist Publication Society P.O. Box 61 54, Sangharaja Mawatha Kandy, Sri Lanka First published 1952 Sixth edition 1998 Copyright © 1964, by Buddhist Publication Society ISBN 955–24–0167–4 ii Contents Principal References and Abbreviations ............................................................................... 1 About the Author ..................................................................................................................... 3 Translator’s Foreword to the First Edition............................................................................ 4 Preface to the Second Edition ................................................................................................. 6 Part I ............................................................................................................................................... 7 The Discourse on Respiration-Mindfulness.......................................................................... 7 Introduction............................................................................................................................... 7 Respiration-mindfulness .........................................................................................................9 The Method: The Four Tetrads............................................................................................... 9 First Tetrad (Contemplation of the body) ......................................................................... 9 Second Tetrad (Contemplation of feeling)........................................................................ 9 Third Tetrad (Contemplation of mind) ............................................................................10 Fourth Tetrad (Contemplation of mental objects) ..........................................................10 Perfection of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness...........................................................10 Perfection of the Seven Enlightenment Factors...................................................................11 Perfection of Clear Vision and Deliverance.........................................................................12 Part II.............................................................................................................................................14 The Commentary on The Sutta..............................................................................................14 Foreword...................................................................................................................................14 The Commentary.....................................................................................................................15 Introductory .........................................................................................................................15 First Tetrad-First Base .............................................................................................................17 Second Base ..............................................................................................................................18 Third Base.................................................................................................................................19 Fourth Base...............................................................................................................................19 Method of Practice...................................................................................................................21 Learning................................................................................................................................21 The Start of Practice.............................................................................................................21 The Stages of Practice..........................................................................................................21 Counting ...............................................................................................................................22 Connection............................................................................................................................23 Contact and Fixing ..............................................................................................................23 iii The Similes............................................................................................................................23 The Sign ................................................................................................................................24 Observing, etc. .....................................................................................................................27 Second Tetrad.......................................................................................................................28 Third Tetrad .........................................................................................................................29 Fourth Tetrad .......................................................................................................................30 Four Tetrads—Conclusion .................................................................................................31 Perfection of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.......................................................32 The Seven Enlightenment Factors.....................................................................................33 Clear Vision and Deliverance ............................................................................................34 Part III...........................................................................................................................................36 The Paþisambhidámagga ........................................................................................................36 Section on Respiration-Mindfulness (Ánápánakathá) ......................................................36 Foreword...............................................................................................................................36 The Analysis.............................................................................................................................38 Synopsis ................................................................................................................................38 I. The Eight Kinds of Knowledge of Obstacles and the Eight Kinds of Knowledge of Aids........................................................................................................................................38 II. The Eighteen Kinds of Knowledge of Imperfections.................................................39 III. The Thirteen Kinds of Knowledge of Purification....................................................42 IV. The Thirty-two kinds of Knowledge of Exercise of Mindfulness...........................49 First Tetrad ...........................................................................................................................49 Second Tetrad.......................................................................................................................57 Third Tetrad .........................................................................................................................60 Fourth Tetrad .......................................................................................................................62 V. The Twenty-four Kinds of Knowledge through Concentration ..............................65 VI. The Seventy-two Kinds of Knowledge through Insight..........................................65 VII. The Eight Kinds of Knowledge of Revulsion...........................................................65 VIII. The Eight Kinds of Knowledge in Conformity with Revulsion...........................65 IX. The Eight Kinds of Knowledge of Tranquillization of Revulsion ..........................65 X. The Twenty-one Kinds of Knowledge of the Bliss of Deliverance ..........................66 Part IV...........................................................................................................................................68 Passages From Other Suttas...................................................................................................68 From Vinaya Suttavibhaòga, Párájika III .........................................................................68 From Majjhima Nikáya, Sutta 62.......................................................................................69 From Saíyutta Nikáya 54 No. 4 Fruits I.........................................................................69 From Aòguttara Nikáya .....................................................................................................74 Itivuttaka