The Buddha praises Sāriputta's practice of emptiness meditation and teaches how a mendicant should systematically check progress—purifying ethics, alms, hindrances, aggregates, and factors of awakening before attaining.

MN 151 The Purification of Alms

Evaṁ me sutaṁ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.

Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ bhagavā etadavoca: “Vippasannāni kho te, sāriputta, indriyāni, parisuddho chavivaṇṇo pariyodāto. Katamena kho tvaṁ, sāriputta, vihārena etarahi bahulaṁ viharasī”ti?

“Suññatāvihārena kho ahaṁ, bhante, etarahi bahulaṁ viharāmī”ti.

“Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta. Mahāpurisavihārena kira tvaṁ, sāriputta, etarahi bahulaṁ viharasi. Mahāpurisavihāro eso, sāriputta, yadidaṁ suññatā.

Tasmātiha, sāriputta, bhikkhu sace ākaṅkheyya: ‘suññatāvihārena bahulaṁ vihareyyan’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ: ‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, atthi nu kho me tattha cakkhuviññeyyesu rūpesu chando rāgo doso moho paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti? Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, atthi me tattha cakkhuviññeyyesu rūpesu chando rāgo doso moho paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, natthi me tattha cakkhuviññeyyesu rūpesu chando rāgo doso moho paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ: ‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, atthi nu kho me tattha sotaviññeyyesu saddesu …pe… ghānaviññeyyesu gandhesujivhāviññeyyesu rasesukāyaviññeyyesu phoṭṭhabbesumanoviññeyyesu dhammesu chando rāgo doso moho paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti? Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, atthi me tattha manoviññeyyesu dhammesu chando rāgo doso moho paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, natthi me tattha manoviññeyyesu dhammesu chando rāgo doso moho paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ: ‘pahīnā nu kho me pañca kāmaguṇā’ti? Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘appahīnā kho me pañca kāmaguṇā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā pañcannaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘pahīnā kho me pañca kāmaguṇā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ: ‘pahīnā nu kho me pañca nīvaraṇā’ti? Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘appahīnā kho me pañca nīvaraṇā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā pañcannaṁ nīvaraṇānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘pahīnā kho me pañca nīvaraṇā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ: ‘pariññātā nu kho me pañcupādānakkhandhā’ti? Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘apariññātā kho me pañcupādānakkhandhā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā pañcannaṁ upādānakkhandhānaṁ pariññāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘pariññātā kho me pañcupādānakkhandhā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ: ‘bhāvitā nu kho me cattāro satipaṭṭhānā’ti? Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘abhāvitā kho me cattāro satipaṭṭhānā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā catunnaṁ satipaṭṭhānānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘bhāvitā kho me cattāro satipaṭṭhānā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ: ‘bhāvitā nu kho me cattāro sammappadhānā’ti? Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘abhāvitā kho me cattāro sammappadhānā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā catunnaṁ sammappadhānānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘bhāvitā kho me cattāro sammappadhānā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu. Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ: ‘bhāvitā nu kho me cattāro iddhipādā’ti? Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘abhāvitā kho me cattāro iddhipādā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā catunnaṁ iddhipādānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘bhāvitā kho me cattāro iddhipādā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu. Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ: ‘bhāvitāni nu kho me pañcindriyānī’ti? Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘abhāvitāni kho me pañcindriyānī’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā pañcannaṁ indriyānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘bhāvitāni kho me pañcindriyānī’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu. Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ: ‘bhāvitāni nu kho me pañca balānī’ti? Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘abhāvitāni kho me pañca balānī’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā pañcannaṁ balānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘bhāvitāni kho me pañca balānī’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu. Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ: ‘bhāvitā nu kho me satta bojjhaṅgā’ti? Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘abhāvitā kho me satta bojjhaṅgā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘bhāvitā kho me satta bojjhaṅgā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu. Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ: ‘bhāvito nu kho me ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo’ti? Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘abhāvito kho me ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā ariyassa aṭṭhaṅgikassa maggassa bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘bhāvito kho me ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ: ‘bhāvitā nu kho me samatho ca vipassanā cā’ti? Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘abhāvitā kho me samatho ca vipassanā cā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā samathavipassanānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘bhāvitā kho me samatho ca vipassanā cā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ: ‘sacchikatā nu kho me vijjā ca vimutti cā’ti? Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘asacchikatā kho me vijjā ca vimutti cā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā vijjāya vimuttiyā sacchikiriyāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘sacchikatā kho me vijjā ca vimutti cā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

Ye hi keci, sāriputta, atītamaddhānaṁ samaṇā brāhmaṇā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhesuṁ, sabbe te evameva paccavekkhitvā paccavekkhitvā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhesuṁ. Yepi hi keci, sāriputta, anāgatamaddhānaṁ samaṇā brāhmaṇā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhessanti, sabbe te evameva paccavekkhitvā paccavekkhitvā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhessanti. Yepi hi keci, sāriputta, etarahi samaṇā brāhmaṇā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhenti, sabbe te evameva paccavekkhitvā paccavekkhitvā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhenti. Tasmātiha, sāriputta, ‘paccavekkhitvā paccavekkhitvā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhessāmā’ti evañhi vo, sāriputta, sikkhitabban”ti.

Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamano āyasmā sāriputto bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandīti.

Piṇḍapātapārisuddhisuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ navamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Evaṁ me sutaṁ

So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.

Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

Then in the late afternoon, Sāriputta came out of retreat and went to the Buddha. He bowed and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him,

“Vippasannāni kho te, sāriputta, indriyāni, parisuddho chavivaṇṇo pariyodāto.

“Sāriputta, your faculties are so very clear, and your complexion is pure and bright.

Katamena kho tvaṁ, sāriputta, vihārena etarahi bahulaṁ viharasī”ti?

What kind of meditation are you usually practicing these days?”

“Suññatāvihārena kho ahaṁ, bhante, etarahi bahulaṁ viharāmī”ti.

“Sir, these days I usually practice the meditation on emptiness.”

“Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta.

“Good, good, Sāriputta!

Mahāpurisavihārena kira tvaṁ, sāriputta, etarahi bahulaṁ viharasi.

It seems you usually practice the meditation of a great man.

Mahāpurisavihāro eso, sāriputta, yadidaṁ

For emptiness is the meditation of a great man.

suññatā.

Tasmātiha, sāriputta, bhikkhu sace ākaṅkheyya:

Now, a mendicant might wish:

‘suññatāvihārena bahulaṁ vihareyyan’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

‘May I usually practice the meditation on emptiness.’ So they should reflect:

‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, atthi nu kho me tattha cakkhuviññeyyesu rūpesu chando rāgo doso moho paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti?

‘Along the path that I went for alms, or in the place I wandered for alms, or along the path that I returned from alms, was there any desire or greed or hate or delusion or aversion in my heart for sights known by the eye?’

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, atthi me tattha cakkhuviññeyyesu rūpesu chando rāgo doso moho paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

there was such desire or greed or hate or delusion or aversion in their heart, they should make an effort to give up those unskillful qualities.

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, natthi me tattha cakkhuviññeyyesu rūpesu chando rāgo doso moho paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

there was no such desire or greed or hate or delusion or aversion in their heart, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect:

‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, atthi nu kho me tattha sotaviññeyyesu saddesu …pe…

‘Along the path that I went for alms, or in the place I wandered for alms, or along the path that I returned from alms, was there any desire or greed or hate or delusion or repulsion in my heart for sounds known by the ear …

ghānaviññeyyesu gandhesu

smells known by the nose …

jivhāviññeyyesu rasesu

tastes known by the tongue …

kāyaviññeyyesu phoṭṭhabbesu

touches known by the body …

manoviññeyyesu dhammesu chando rāgo doso moho paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti?

ideas known by the mind?’

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, atthi me tattha manoviññeyyesu dhammesu chando rāgo doso moho paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

there was such desire or greed or hate or delusion or aversion in their heart, they should make an effort to give up those unskillful qualities.

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, natthi me tattha manoviññeyyesu dhammesu chando rāgo doso moho paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

there was no such desire or greed or hate or delusion or aversion in their heart, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect:

‘pahīnā nu kho me pañca kāmaguṇā’ti?

‘Have I given up the five kinds of sensual stimulation?’

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘appahīnā kho me pañca kāmaguṇā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā pañcannaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

they have not given them up, they should make an effort to do so.

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘pahīnā kho me pañca kāmaguṇā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

they have given them up, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect:

‘pahīnā nu kho me pañca nīvaraṇā’ti?

‘Have I given up the five hindrances?’

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘appahīnā kho me pañca nīvaraṇā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā pañcannaṁ nīvaraṇānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

they have not given them up, they should make an effort to do so.

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘pahīnā kho me pañca nīvaraṇā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

they have given them up, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect:

‘pariññātā nu kho me pañcupādānakkhandhā’ti?

‘Have I completely understood the five grasping aggregates?’

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘apariññātā kho me pañcupādānakkhandhā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā pañcannaṁ upādānakkhandhānaṁ pariññāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

they have not completely understood them, they should make an effort to do so.

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘pariññātā kho me pañcupādānakkhandhā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

they have completely understood them, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect:

‘bhāvitā nu kho me cattāro satipaṭṭhānā’ti?

‘Have I developed the four kinds of mindfulness meditation?’

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘abhāvitā kho me cattāro satipaṭṭhānā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā catunnaṁ satipaṭṭhānānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

they haven’t developed them, they should make an effort to do so.

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘bhāvitā kho me cattāro satipaṭṭhānā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

they have developed them, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect:

‘bhāvitā nu kho me cattāro sammappadhānā’ti?

‘Have I developed the four right efforts …

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

‘abhāvitā kho me cattāro sammappadhānā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā catunnaṁ sammappadhānānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

‘bhāvitā kho me cattāro sammappadhānā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

‘bhāvitā nu kho me cattāro iddhipādā’ti?

the four bases of psychic power …

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

‘abhāvitā kho me cattāro iddhipādā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā catunnaṁ iddhipādānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

‘bhāvitā kho me cattāro iddhipādā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

‘bhāvitāni nu kho me pañcindriyānī’ti?

the five faculties …

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

‘abhāvitāni kho me pañcindriyānī’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā pañcannaṁ indriyānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

‘bhāvitāni kho me pañcindriyānī’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

‘bhāvitāni nu kho me pañca balānī’ti?

the five powers …

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

‘abhāvitāni kho me pañca balānī’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā pañcannaṁ balānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

‘bhāvitāni kho me pañca balānī’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

‘bhāvitā nu kho me satta bojjhaṅgā’ti?

the seven awakening factors …

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

‘abhāvitā kho me satta bojjhaṅgā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

‘bhāvitā kho me satta bojjhaṅgā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

‘bhāvito nu kho me ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo’ti?

the noble eightfold path?’

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘abhāvito kho me ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā ariyassa aṭṭhaṅgikassa maggassa bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

they haven’t developed it, they should make an effort to do so.

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘bhāvito kho me ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

they have developed it, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect:

‘bhāvitā nu kho me samatho ca vipassanā cā’ti?

‘Have I developed serenity and discernment?’

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘abhāvitā kho me samatho ca vipassanā cā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā samathavipassanānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

they haven’t developed them, they should make an effort to do so.

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘bhāvitā kho me samatho ca vipassanā cā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

they have developed them, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect:

‘sacchikatā nu kho me vijjā ca vimutti cā’ti?

‘Have I realized knowledge and freedom?’

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘asacchikatā kho me vijjā ca vimutti cā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā vijjāya vimuttiyā sacchikiriyāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

they haven’t realized them, they should make an effort to do so.

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that

‘sacchikatā kho me vijjā ca vimutti cā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

they have realized them, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

Ye hi keci, sāriputta, atītamaddhānaṁ samaṇā brāhmaṇā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhesuṁ, sabbe te evameva paccavekkhitvā paccavekkhitvā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhesuṁ.

Whether in the past, future, or present, all those who purify their almsfood do so by continually checking in this way.

Yepi hi keci, sāriputta, anāgatamaddhānaṁ samaṇā brāhmaṇā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhessanti, sabbe te evameva paccavekkhitvā paccavekkhitvā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhessanti.

Yepi hi keci, sāriputta, etarahi samaṇā brāhmaṇā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhenti, sabbe te evameva paccavekkhitvā paccavekkhitvā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhenti.

Tasmātiha, sāriputta, ‘paccavekkhitvā paccavekkhitvā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhessāmā’ti

So, Sāriputta, you should all train like this: ‘We shall purify our almsfood by continually checking.’”

evañhi vo, sāriputta, sikkhitabban”ti.

Idamavoca bhagavā.

That is what the Buddha said.

Attamano āyasmā sāriputto bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandīti.

Satisfied, Venerable Sāriputta approved what the Buddha said.

Piṇḍapātapārisuddhisuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ navamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Collectedness

Collectedness

A mental quality of composure where awareness is gathered, steady, rather than scattered or tense. In such collectedness, supported by mindfulness and right view, experience is clearly known and can be wisely contemplated.

Also known as: mental composure, stability of mind, stillness of mind, concentration, undistracted awareness
Pāli: samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
View all discourses →
Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

A disciplined way of living grounded in harmlessness and integrity. Ethical conduct restrains the body and speech from harm, purifies behavior, and forms the foundation for collectedness and wisdom.

Also known as: moral integrity, right action, virtue
Pāli: sīla, sammākammanta
View all discourses →
Investigation

Investigation

Investigation involves the process of a careful inquiry of mental states, qualities, and phenomena, examining their arising, persisting, and ceasing in order to understand their true nature and support the cultivation of wisdom and awakening.

Also known as: inquiry, contemplation, examination, analysis, exploration
Pāli: vicaya, vīmaṃsā, parikkhati
View all discourses →
Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Active presence of mind and lucid retention; the faculty that remembers the Dhamma, anchors attention to the chosen object or present experience, and guards the mind against unwholesome states.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anussati
View all discourses →
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
View all discourses →

Last updated on July 27, 2026