Saṁyutta Nikāya 43.12
Translators: sujato
Linked Discourses 43.12
2. Dutiyavagga
Chapter Two
Asaṅkhatasutta
The Unconditioned
“Asaṅkhatañca vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi asaṅkhatagāmiñca maggaṁ.
“Mendicants, I will teach you the unconditioned and the path that leads to the unconditioned.
Taṁ suṇātha.
Listen …
Katamañca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhataṁ?
And what is the unconditioned?
Yo, bhikkhave, rāgakkhayo dosakkhayo mohakkhayo—
The ending of greed, hate, and delusion.
idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhataṁ.
This is called the unconditioned.
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
And what is the path that leads to the unconditioned?
Samatho.
Serenity.
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.
This is called the path that leads to the unconditioned.
Iti kho, bhikkhave, desitaṁ vo mayā asaṅkhataṁ, desito asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.
So, mendicants, I’ve taught you the unconditioned and the path that leads to the unconditioned.
Yaṁ, bhikkhave, satthārā karaṇīyaṁ sāvakānaṁ hitesinā anukampakena anukampaṁ upādāya, kataṁ vo taṁ mayā.
Out of sympathy, I’ve done what a teacher should do who wants what’s best for their disciples.
Etāni, bhikkhave, rukkhamūlāni, etāni suññāgārāni. Jhāyatha, bhikkhave, mā pamādattha; mā pacchā vippaṭisārino ahuvattha. Ayaṁ vo amhākaṁ anusāsanīti.
Here are these roots of trees, and here are these empty huts. Practice absorption, mendicants! Don’t be negligent! Don’t regret it later! This is my instruction to you.”
Asaṅkhatañca vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi asaṅkhatagāmiñca maggaṁ.
“Mendicants, I will teach you the unconditioned and the path that leads to the unconditioned.
Taṁ suṇātha.
Listen …
Katamañca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhataṁ?
And what is the unconditioned?
Yo, bhikkhave, rāgakkhayo dosakkhayo mohakkhayo—
The ending of greed, hate, and delusion.
idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhataṁ.
This is called the unconditioned.
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
And what is the path that leads to the unconditioned?
Vipassanā.
Discernment.
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.
This is called the path that leads to the unconditioned. …”
Iti kho, bhikkhave, desitaṁ vo mayā asaṅkhataṁ …pe…
ayaṁ vo amhākaṁ anusāsanīti.
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
“And what is the path that leads to the unconditioned?
Savitakko savicāro samādhi.
Immersion with placing the mind and keeping it connected. …
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Avitakko vicāramatto samādhi.
Immersion without placing the mind, merely keeping it connected. …
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Avitakko avicāro samādhi. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….
Immersion without placing the mind or keeping it connected. …
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Suññato samādhi.
Emptiness immersion. …
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Animitto samādhi.
Signless immersion. …
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Appaṇihito samādhi. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….
Undirected immersion. …
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ.
A mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. …
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vedanāsu vedanānupassī viharati …pe…
A mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of feelings …
ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu citte cittānupassī viharati …pe…
A mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the mind …
ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati …pe… ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….
A mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of principles …
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu anuppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ anuppādāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati.
A mendicant generates enthusiasm, tries, makes an effort, exerts the mind, and strives so that bad, unskillful qualities don’t arise. …
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu uppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati.
A mendicant generates enthusiasm, tries, makes an effort, exerts the mind, and strives so that bad, unskillful qualities are given up. …
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu anuppannānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ uppādāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati.
A mendicant generates enthusiasm, tries, makes an effort, exerts the mind, and strives so that skillful qualities arise. …
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
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….
A mendicant generates enthusiasm, tries, makes an effort, exerts the mind, and strives so that skillful qualities that have arisen remain, are not lost, but increase, mature, and are fulfilled by development. …
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu chandasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti.
A mendicant develops the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to enthusiasm, and active effort. …
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīriyasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti.
A mendicant develops the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to energy …
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cittasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti.
immersion due to mental development …
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīmaṁsasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….
immersion due to inquiry, and active effort. …
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhindriyaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.
A mendicant develops the faculty of faith, which relies on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripens as letting go. …
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīriyindriyaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe…
A mendicant develops the faculty of energy …
ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satindriyaṁ bhāveti …pe…
mindfulness …
ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu samādhindriyaṁ bhāveti …pe…
immersion …
ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paññindriyaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….
wisdom, which relies on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripens as letting go. …
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhābalaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe…
A mendicant develops the power of faith …
ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīriyabalaṁ bhāveti …pe…
energy …
ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satibalaṁ bhāveti …pe…
mindfulness …
ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu samādhibalaṁ bhāveti …pe…
immersion …
ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paññābalaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….
wisdom, which relies on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripens as letting go. …
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe…
A mendicant develops the awakening factor of mindfulness …
ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe…
investigation of principles …
vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe…
energy …
pītisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe…
rapture …
passaddhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe…
tranquility …
samādhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe…
immersion …
upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….
equanimity, which relies on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripens as letting go. …
Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sammādiṭṭhiṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.
A mendicant develops right view …
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…
katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sammāsaṅkappaṁ bhāveti …pe…
right thought …
sammāvācaṁ bhāveti …pe…
right speech …
sammākammantaṁ bhāveti …pe…
right action …
sammāājīvaṁ bhāveti …pe…
right livelihood …
sammāvāyāmaṁ bhāveti …pe…
right effort …
sammāsatiṁ bhāveti …pe…
right mindfulness …
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.
right immersion, which relies on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripens as letting go.
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.
This is called the path that leads to the unconditioned.
Iti kho, bhikkhave, desitaṁ vo mayā asaṅkhataṁ, desito asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.
So, mendicants, I’ve taught you the unconditioned and the path that leads to the unconditioned.
Yaṁ, bhikkhave, satthārā karaṇīyaṁ sāvakānaṁ hitesinā anukampakena anukampaṁ upādāya, kataṁ vo taṁ mayā.
Out of sympathy, I’ve done what a teacher should do who wants what’s best for their disciples.
Etāni, bhikkhave, rukkhamūlāni, etāni suññāgārāni. Jhāyatha, bhikkhave, mā pamādattha; mā pacchā vippaṭisārino ahuvattha. Ayaṁ vo amhākaṁ anusāsanī”ti.
Here are these roots of trees, and here are these empty huts. Practice absorption, mendicants! Don’t be negligent! Don’t regret it later! This is my instruction to you.”
Paṭhamaṁ.