3.
The Discourse on the Path
409.
At Sāvatthī.
There the Blessed One addressed the monks thus:
"On one occasion, monks, I was dwelling at Uruvelā on the bank of the river Nerañjarā at the goatherd's banyan tree, newly fully enlightened.
When I had gone to a private place and was in seclusion, monks, this reflection arose in my mind:
'This is the one-way path for the purification of beings, for the transcendence of sorrow and lamentation, for the passing away of pain and displeasure, for the achievement of the true method, for the realisation of Nibbāna, that is to say -
the four establishments of mindfulness.'
"Which four? A monk should dwell observing the body in the body, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world; or a monk should dwell observing feelings in feelings, etc. or a monk should dwell observing mind in mind, etc. or a monk should dwell observing mental phenomena in mental phenomena, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world. This is the one-way path for the purification of beings, for the transcendence of sorrow and lamentation, for the passing away of pain and displeasure, for the achievement of the true method, for the realisation of Nibbāna, that is to say - the four establishments of mindfulness."
"Then, monks, Brahmā Sahampati, having known with his mind the reflection in my mind - just as a strong man might extend his bent arm or bend his extended arm, even so - having vanished from the Brahma world, appeared before me. Then, monks, Brahmā Sahampati, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards me, said this to me - 'So it is, Blessed One, so it is, Fortunate One! This is the one-way path, venerable sir, for the purification of beings, for the transcendence of sorrow and lamentation, for the passing away of pain and displeasure, for the achievement of the true method, for the realisation of Nibbāna, that is to say - the four establishments of mindfulness.'
"Which four? A monk, venerable sir, should dwell observing the body in the body, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world; or in feelings, etc. or in mind, etc. or, venerable sir, a monk should dwell observing mental phenomena in mental phenomena, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world. This is the one-way path, venerable sir, for the purification of beings, for the transcendence of sorrow and lamentation, for the passing away of pain and displeasure, for the achievement of the true method, for the realisation of Nibbāna, that is to say - the four establishments of mindfulness."
"This, monks, Brahmā Sahampati said. Having said this, he further said this -
By this path they crossed before, will cross, and those who are crossing the flood." The third.