The Word of the Buddha The Four Noble Truths
The Word of the BuddhaIV. The Path that Leads to the Extinction of Suffering
4.5. Observing the Mental Qualities with regard to the Four Noble Truths
Again, a bhikkhu dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves with regard to the Four Noble Truths.
And how does a bhikkhu dwell observing the mental qualities in and of themselves with regard to the Four Noble Truths? Here, a bhikkhu discerns as it actually is, ‘This is suffering,’ he discerns as it actually is, ‘This is the arising of suffering,’ he discerns as it actually is, ‘This is the cessation of suffering,’ and he discerns as it actually is, ‘This is the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering.’
Thus, he dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves internally, or he dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves externally, or he dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves both internally and externally. He dwells observing the arising nature in the mental qualities, or he dwells observing the vanishing nature in the mental qualities, or he dwells observing both the arising and vanishing nature in the mental qualities. Or else, mindfulness that ‘there are mental qualities’ is simply established in him to the extent necessary for knowledge and remembrance. He dwells independently and does not cling to anything in the world.
In this way too, a bhikkhu dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves with regard to the Four Noble Truths.
Last updated on October 20, 2026