1.
The First Discourse on Being Alone
899.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Venerable Anuruddha was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Then, when the Venerable Anuruddha had gone to a private place and was in seclusion, this reflection arose in his mind:
"For whomsoever the four establishments of mindfulness have been missed, missed for them is the noble path rightly leading to the elimination of suffering.
For whomsoever the four establishments of mindfulness have been undertaken, undertaken for them is the noble path rightly leading to the elimination of suffering."
Then the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, having known with his mind the reflection in the mind of the Venerable Anuruddha - just as a strong man might extend his bent arm or bend his extended arm, even so - appeared before the Venerable Anuruddha. Then the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said this to the Venerable Anuruddha - "In what way, friend Anuruddha, are the four establishments of mindfulness undertaken by a monk?"
"Here, friend, a monk dwells internally observing the nature of arising in the body, dwells internally observing the nature of falling in the body, dwells internally observing the nature of arising and falling in the body, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world. He dwells externally observing the nature of arising in the body, dwells externally observing the nature of falling in the body, dwells externally observing the nature of arising and falling in the body, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world. He dwells internally and externally observing the nature of arising in the body, dwells internally and externally observing the nature of falling in the body, dwells internally and externally observing the nature of arising and falling in the body, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world.
"If he wishes - 'May I dwell perceiving the repulsive in the non-repulsive', he dwells there perceiving the repulsive; if he wishes - 'May I dwell perceiving the non-repulsive in the repulsive', he dwells there perceiving the non-repulsive; if he wishes - 'May I dwell perceiving the repulsive in both the non-repulsive and the repulsive', he dwells there perceiving the repulsive; if he wishes - 'May I dwell perceiving the non-repulsive in both the repulsive and the non-repulsive', he dwells there perceiving the non-repulsive; if he wishes - 'May I, having avoided both the non-repulsive and the repulsive, dwell equanimous, mindful and fully aware', he dwells there equanimous, mindful and fully aware.
"He dwells internally observing the nature of arising in feelings, dwells internally observing the nature of falling in feelings, dwells internally observing the nature of arising and falling in feelings, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world. He dwells externally observing the nature of arising in feelings, dwells externally observing the nature of falling in feelings, dwells externally observing the nature of arising and falling in feelings, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world. He dwells internally and externally observing the nature of arising in feelings, dwells internally and externally observing the nature of falling in feelings, dwells internally and externally observing the nature of arising and falling in feelings, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world.
"If he wishes - 'May I dwell perceiving the repulsive in the non-repulsive', he dwells there perceiving the repulsive; if he wishes - 'May I dwell perceiving the non-repulsive in the repulsive', he dwells there perceiving the non-repulsive; if he wishes - 'May I dwell perceiving the repulsive in both the non-repulsive and the repulsive', he dwells there perceiving the repulsive; if he wishes - 'May I dwell perceiving the non-repulsive in both the repulsive and the non-repulsive', he dwells there perceiving the non-repulsive; if he wishes - 'May I, having avoided both the non-repulsive and the repulsive, dwell equanimous, mindful and fully aware', he dwells there equanimous, mindful and fully aware.
Internally in mind, etc. externally in mind, etc. he dwells observing the nature of arising internally and externally in mind... he dwells observing the nature of falling internally and externally in mind... he dwells observing the nature of arising and falling internally and externally in mind, ardent, etc. covetousness and displeasure.
"If he wishes - 'May I dwell perceiving the repulsive in the non-repulsive', he dwells there perceiving the repulsive, etc. he dwells there equanimous, mindful and fully aware.
Internally in mental phenomena, etc. externally in mental phenomena, etc. he dwells observing the nature of arising internally and externally in mental phenomena... he dwells observing the nature of falling internally and externally in mental phenomena... he dwells observing the nature of arising and falling internally and externally in mental phenomena, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world.
"If he wishes - 'May I dwell perceiving the repulsive in the non-repulsive', he dwells there perceiving the repulsive, etc. he dwells there equanimous, mindful and fully aware. To this extent, friend, a monk's four establishments of mindfulness have been undertaken. The first.