The Buddha teaches on progressive cessation, presenting a ninefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 9.61 Progressive Cessation

“‘Anupubbanirodho, anupubbanirodho’ti, āvuso, vuccati. Kittāvatā nu kho, āvuso, anupubbanirodho vutto bhagavatā”ti?

“Idhāvuso, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, anupubbanirodho vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena …pe….

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati, paññāya cassa disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā honti. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, anupubbanirodho vutto bhagavatā nippariyāyenā”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“‘Anupubbanirodho, anupubbanirodho’ti, āvuso, vuccati.

“Reverend, they speak of ‘progressive cessation’.

Kittāvatā nu kho, āvuso, anupubbanirodho vutto bhagavatā”ti?

What is the progressive cessation that the Buddha spoke of?”

“Idhāvuso, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

“First, take a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures … enters and remains in the first absorption.

Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, anupubbanirodho vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena …pe….

To this extent the Buddha spoke of progressive cessation in a qualified sense. …

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati, paññāya cassa disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā honti.

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, their defilements come to an end.

Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, anupubbanirodho vutto bhagavatā nippariyāyenā”ti.

To this extent the Buddha spoke of progressive cessation in a definitive sense.”

Dasamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Ending

Ending

The complete exhaustion and ending of craving, aversion, and delusion—the three roots of suffering. It refers to both the gradual wearing away of defilements through practice and the final cessation that constitutes Nibbāna.

Also known as: cessation, exhaustion, gradual ending, wearing away
Pāli: khaya, khīṇa, nirodha
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Jhana

Jhana

An abiding with a steady, collected awareness that is attained through seclusion from the five hindrances and unwholesome mental states. When supported by right view, a jhāna can be a basis for the wearing away of taints and directing the mind toward the vision of Nibbāna.

Also known as: meditation, undistracted awareness, absorption, mental absorption
Pāli: jhāna, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Sensual desire

Sensual desire

A mental quality of desiring sensory gratification. It pulls the mind’s attention toward sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or touches in a search for satisfaction.

Also known as: craving for sensuality, passion for sensual pleasures, lust, pull toward enticing sense objects
Pāli: kāmacchanda
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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026