The Buddha explains the cause for the restraint of all the taints and how there is abandoning of all the taints through the seven methods of seeing, restraint, proper use, enduring, avoiding, removing, and cultivation.

MN 2  Sabbāsava sutta - Overcoming Of All The Taints

Evaṁ me sutaṁ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “bhikkhavo”ti.

Thus have I heard—At one time, the Buddha was dwelling at Sāvatthi, in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s park. There the Buddha addressed the bhikkhus: “Bhikkhus.”

“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:

“Venerable sir,” those bhikkhus replied to the Buddha. The Buddha said this:

“sabbāsavasaṁvarapariyāyaṁ vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi. Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I will explain to you the |cause for the restraint of all the taints::method on the restraint of all the effluents [sabbāsavasaṃvarapariyāya]|. Listen to this and pay close attention, I will speak.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:

“Yes, venerable sir,” those bhikkhus replied to the Buddha. The Buddha said this:

Summary

“Jānato ahaṁ, bhikkhave, passato āsavānaṁ khayaṁ vadāmi, no ajānato no apassato. Kiñca, bhikkhave, jānato kiñca passato āsavānaṁ khayaṁ vadāmi? Yoniso ca manasikāraṁ ayoniso ca manasikāraṁ. Ayoniso, bhikkhave, manasikaroto anuppannā ceva āsavā uppajjanti, uppannā ca āsavā pavaḍḍhanti; yoniso ca kho, bhikkhave, manasikaroto anuppannā ceva āsavā na uppajjanti, uppannā ca āsavā pahīyanti.

“Bhikkhus, I declare that the |wearing away of the taints::gradual exhaustion and elimination of the mental defilements or deep-seated afflictions such as sensual desire, craving for existence, views, and ignorance [āsava + khaya]| is for one who knows and sees, not for one who does not know and does not see. Who knows and sees what? |Wise attention::proper attention, prudent use of the mind, wise reflection, attention to the source [yoniso + manasikāra]| and |unwise attention::improper attention, imprudent use of the mind [ayonisomanasikāra]|. When one attends unwisely, unarisen taints arise and arisen taints increase. When one attends wisely, unarisen taints do not arise and arisen taints are abandoned.

Atthi, bhikkhave, āsavā dassanā pahātabbā, atthi āsavā saṁvarā pahātabbā, atthi āsavā paṭisevanā pahātabbā, atthi āsavā adhivāsanā pahātabbā, atthi āsavā parivajjanā pahātabbā, atthi āsavā vinodanā pahātabbā, atthi āsavā bhāvanā pahātabbā.

Bhikkhus, there are taints to be abandoned through seeing, taints to be abandoned through restraint, taints to be abandoned through proper use, taints to be abandoned by enduring, taints to be abandoned by avoiding, taints to be abandoned by removing, and taints to be abandoned through development.

1. Taints to be Abandoned through Seeing

Katame ca, bhikkhave, āsavā dassanā pahātabbā? Idha, bhikkhave, assutavā puthujjano ariyānaṁ adassāvī ariyadhammassa akovido ariyadhamme avinīto, sappurisānaṁ adassāvī sappurisadhammassa akovido sappurisadhamme avinīto manasikaraṇīye dhamme nappajānāti, amanasikaraṇīye dhamme nappajānāti. So manasikaraṇīye dhamme appajānanto amanasikaraṇīye dhamme appajānanto, ye dhammā na manasikaraṇīyā, te dhamme manasi karoti, ye dhammā manasikaraṇīyā te dhamme na manasi karoti.

What taints, bhikkhus, should be abandoned by seeing? Here, bhikkhus, an uninstructed ordinary person, who has no regard for the Noble Ones, and is unskilled and undisciplined in the |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]| of the Noble Ones, who has no regard for the persons of integrity, and is unskilled and undisciplined in the Dhamma of the persons of integrity, does not understand what things are fit for attention and what things are unfit for attention. Since that is so, they attend to things unfit for attention and do not attend to things fit for attention.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, dhammā na manasikaraṇīyā ye dhamme manasi karoti? Yassa, bhikkhave, dhamme manasikaroto anuppanno kāmāsavo uppajjati, uppanno kāmāsavo pavaḍḍhati; anuppanno bhavāsavo uppajjati, uppanno bhavāsavo pavaḍḍhati; anuppanno avijjāsavo uppajjati, uppanno avijjāsavo pavaḍḍhati ime dhammā na manasikaraṇīyā ye dhamme manasi karoti.

And what things, bhikkhus, are unfit for attention that they attend to? Bhikkhus, there are things that when one attends to them, the |taint of sensual desire::oozing sensual desire [kāmāsava]|—if not yet arisen—arises, and if already arisen, it increases. Similarly, the |taint of becoming::effluent of becoming, taint of existence [bhavāsava]|—if not yet arisen—arises, and if already arisen, it increases. Likewise, the |taint of ignorance::taint of not knowing how things have come to be, illusion of knowing, distorted perception [avijjāsava]|—if not yet arisen—arises, and if already arisen, it increases. These are the things unfit for attention that they attend to.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, dhammā manasikaraṇīyā ye dhamme na manasi karoti? Yassa, bhikkhave, dhamme manasikaroto anuppanno kāmāsavo na uppajjati, uppanno kāmāsavo pahīyati; anuppanno bhavāsavo na uppajjati, uppanno bhavāsavo pahīyati; anuppanno avijjāsavo na uppajjati, uppanno avijjāsavo pahīyati ime dhammā manasikaraṇīyā ye dhamme na manasi karoti.

And what things, bhikkhus, are fit for attention, that they do not attend to? Bhikkhus, there are things that when one attends to them, the taint of sensual desire—if not yet arisen—does not arise, and if already arisen, it is abandoned. Similarly, the taint of becoming—if not yet arisen—does not arise, and if already arisen, it is abandoned. Likewise, the taint of ignorance—if not yet arisen—does not arise, and if already arisen, it is abandoned. These are the things fit for attention that they do not attend to.

Tassa amanasikaraṇīyānaṁ dhammānaṁ manasikārā manasikaraṇīyānaṁ dhammānaṁ amanasikārā anuppannā ceva āsavā uppajjanti uppannā ca āsavā pavaḍḍhanti.

For one who attends to things unfit for attention and does not attend to things fit for attention, unarisen taints arise and arisen taints increase.

So evaṁ ayoniso manasi karoti: ‘ahosiṁ nu kho ahaṁ atītamaddhānaṁ? Na nu kho ahosiṁ atītamaddhānaṁ? Kiṁ nu kho ahosiṁ atītamaddhānaṁ? Kathaṁ nu kho ahosiṁ atītamaddhānaṁ? Kiṁ hutvā kiṁ ahosiṁ nu kho ahaṁ atītamaddhānaṁ? Bhavissāmi nu kho ahaṁ anāgatamaddhānaṁ? Na nu kho bhavissāmi anāgatamaddhānaṁ? Kiṁ nu kho bhavissāmi anāgatamaddhānaṁ? Kathaṁ nu kho bhavissāmi anāgatamaddhānaṁ? Kiṁ hutvā kiṁ bhavissāmi nu kho ahaṁ anāgatamaddhānan’ti? Etarahi paccuppannamaddhānaṁ ajjhattaṁ kathaṅkathī hoti: ‘ahaṁ nu khosmi? No nu khosmi? Kiṁ nu khosmi? Kathaṁ nu khosmi? Ayaṁ nu kho satto kuto āgato? So kuhiṁ gāmī bhavissatī’ti?

This is how they attend unwisely: ‘Was I in the past? Was I not in the past? What was I in the past? How was I in the past? Having been what, what did I become in the past? Will I be in the future? Will I not be in the future? What will I be in the future? How will I be in the future? Having been what, what will I become in the future?‘ Or else, they are inwardly |speculating::doubting [kathaṅkathī]| about the present thus: ‘Am I? Am I not? What am I? How am I? Where has this being come from? Where will it go?’

Tassa evaṁ ayoniso manasikaroto channaṁ diṭṭhīnaṁ aññatarā diṭṭhi uppajjati.‘Atthi me attā’ti assa saccato thetato diṭṭhi uppajjati; ‘natthi me attā’ti assa saccato thetato diṭṭhi uppajjati; ‘attanāva attānaṁ sañjānāmī’ti assa saccato thetato diṭṭhi uppajjati; ‘attanāva anattānaṁ sañjānāmī’ti assa saccato thetato diṭṭhi uppajjati; ‘anattanāva attānaṁ sañjānāmī’ti assa saccato thetato diṭṭhi uppajjati; atha panassa evaṁ diṭṭhi hoti: ‘yo me ayaṁ attā vado vedeyyo tatra tatra kalyāṇapāpakānaṁ kammānaṁ vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti so kho pana me ayaṁ attā nicco dhuvo sassato avipariṇāmadhammo sassatisamaṁ tatheva ṭhassatī’ti. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, diṭṭhigataṁ diṭṭhigahanaṁ diṭṭhikantāraṁ diṭṭhivisūkaṁ diṭṭhivipphanditaṁ diṭṭhisaṁyojanaṁ. Diṭṭhisaṁyojanasaṁyutto, bhikkhave, assutavā puthujjano na parimuccati jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi; ‘na parimuccati dukkhasmā’ti vadāmi.

For one who attends unwisely in this way, one of six views arises: 1) The view ‘I have a self’ arises in them as true and established; 2) Or the view ‘I do not have a self’ arises in them as true and established; 3) Or the view ‘I perceive the self in itself’ arises in them as true and established; 4) Or the view ‘I perceive the self in what is not-self’ arises in them as true and established; 5) Or the view ‘I perceive what is not-self as the self’ arises in them as true and established; 6) Or else, this view arises: ‘This self of mine that speaks and feels, that experiences here and there the results of good and bad actions, is permanent, everlasting, eternal, not subject to change, and it will endure as long as eternity.’ This, bhikkhus, is called adherence to views, entanglement in views, the wilderness of views, the distortion of views, the quivering of views, the fetter of views. Fettered by the fetter of views, the uninstructed ordinary person is not freed from birth, aging, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, and despair; they are not freed from suffering, I say.

Sutavā ca kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako ariyānaṁ dassāvī ariyadhammassa kovido ariyadhamme suvinīto, sappurisānaṁ dassāvī sappurisadhammassa kovido sappurisadhamme suvinīto manasikaraṇīye dhamme pajānāti amanasikaraṇīye dhamme pajānāti. So manasikaraṇīye dhamme pajānanto amanasikaraṇīye dhamme pajānanto ye dhammā na manasikaraṇīyā te dhamme na manasi karoti, ye dhammā manasikaraṇīyā te dhamme manasi karoti.

And, bhikkhus, a learned noble disciple who has regard for the Noble Ones, and is skilled and disciplined in the Dhamma of the Noble Ones, who has regard for the persons of integrity, and is skilled and disciplined in the Dhamma of the persons of integrity, understands what things are fit for attention and what things are unfit for attention. Since that is so, they attend to things fit for attention and do not attend to things unfit for attention.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, dhammā na manasikaraṇīyā ye dhamme na manasi karoti? Yassa, bhikkhave, dhamme manasikaroto anuppanno kāmāsavo uppajjati, uppanno kāmāsavo pavaḍḍhati; anuppanno bhavāsavo uppajjati, uppanno bhavāsavo pavaḍḍhati; anuppanno avijjāsavo uppajjati, uppanno avijjāsavo pavaḍḍhati ime dhammā na manasikaraṇīyā, ye dhamme na manasi karoti.

And what things, bhikkhus, are unfit for attention that they do not attend to? Bhikkhus, there are things that when one attends to them, the taint of sensual desire—if not yet arisen—arises, and if already arisen, it increases. Similarly, the taint of becoming—if not yet arisen—arises, and if already arisen, it increases. Likewise, the taint of ignorance—if not yet arisen—arises, and if already arisen, it increases. These are the things unfit for attention that they do not attend to.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, dhammā manasikaraṇīyā ye dhamme manasi karoti? Yassa, bhikkhave, dhamme manasikaroto anuppanno kāmāsavo na uppajjati, uppanno kāmāsavo pahīyati; anuppanno bhavāsavo na uppajjati, uppanno bhavāsavo pahīyati; anuppanno avijjāsavo na uppajjati, uppanno avijjāsavo pahīyati ime dhammā manasikaraṇīyā ye dhamme manasi karoti.

And what things, bhikkhus, are fit for attention, that they attend to? Bhikkhus, there are things that when one attends to them, the taint of sensual desire—if not yet arisen—does not arise, and if already arisen, it is abandoned. Similarly, the taint of becoming—if not yet arisen—does not arise, and if already arisen, it is abandoned. Likewise, the taint of ignorance—if not yet arisen—does not arise, and if already arisen, it is abandoned. These are the things fit for attention that they attend to.

Tassa amanasikaraṇīyānaṁ dhammānaṁ amanasikārā manasikaraṇīyānaṁ dhammānaṁ manasikārā anuppannā ceva āsavā na uppajjanti, uppannā ca āsavā pahīyanti.

For one who does not attend to things that are unfit for attention and attends to things that are fit for attention, unarisen taints do not arise and arisen taints are abandoned.

So ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yoniso manasi karoti, ‘ayaṁ dukkhasamudayo’ti yoniso manasi karoti, ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodho’ti yoniso manasi karoti, ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yoniso manasi karoti. Tassa evaṁ yoniso manasikaroto tīṇi saṁyojanāni pahīyanti sakkāyadiṭṭhi, vicikicchā, sīlabbataparāmāso. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, āsavā dassanā pahātabbā.

They wisely attend to: ‘This is |suffering::discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering [dukkha]|‘; they wisely attend to: ‘This is the |arising of suffering::source of stress, appearance of discomfort [dukkhasamudaya]|’; they wisely attend to: ‘This is the |ending of suffering::ending of discontentment, cessation of distress [dukkhanirodha]|'; they wisely attend to: ‘This is the |way of practice leading to the ending of suffering::i.e. the Noble Eightfold Path consisting of right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right collectedness [dukkhanirodhagāmī]|.’ For one who attends wisely in this way, three fetters are abandoned: |personal existence view::view of having an individual identity, as an embodied being, seeing oneself as the owner of the body and mind [sakkāyadiṭṭhi]|, |doubt::uncertainty, indecisiveness, lack of confidence in the Buddha’s teachings [vicikicchā]|, and |clinging to rules and observances::clinging to precepts and practices, adherence to rites and rituals [sīlabbataparāmāsa]|. These are called the taints that should be abandoned by seeing.

2. Taints to be Abandoned through Restraint

Katame ca, bhikkhave, āsavā saṁvarā pahātabbā? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisaṅkhā yoniso cakkhundriyasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati. Yañhissa, bhikkhave, cakkhundriyasaṁvaraṁ asaṁvutassa viharato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, cakkhundriyasaṁvaraṁ saṁvutassa viharato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso sotindriyasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati …pe… ghānindriyasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati …pe… jivhindriyasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati …pe… kāyindriyasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati …pe… manindriyasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati. Yañhissa, bhikkhave, manindriyasaṁvaraṁ asaṁvutassa viharato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, manindriyasaṁvaraṁ saṁvutassa viharato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti.

And what taints, bhikkhus, should be abandoned through restraint? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, wisely |reflecting::carefully considering [paṭisaṅkhā]|, abides with the eye faculty restrained. While taints, |vexation::affliction, irritation [vighāta]|, and |fever::mental torment, distress, strong desire, discomfort [pariḷāha]| might arise in one who abides with the eye faculty unrestrained, there are no taints, vexation, or fever in one who abides with the eye faculty restrained. Wisely reflecting, they abide with the ear faculty restrained... with the nose faculty restrained... with the tongue faculty restrained... with the body faculty restrained... and likewise, with the mind faculty restrained. While taints, vexation and fever might arise in one who abides with the mind faculty unrestrained, there are no taints, vexation, or fever in one who abides with the mind faculty restrained.

Yañhissa, bhikkhave, saṁvaraṁ asaṁvutassa viharato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, saṁvaraṁ saṁvutassa viharato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, āsavā saṁvarā pahātabbā.

For one, bhikkhus, who abides with the faculties unrestrained, taints, vexation, and fever might arise. But for one who abides with the faculties restrained, there are no taints, vexation, or fever. These, bhikkhus, are called the taints that should be abandoned through restraint.

3. Taints to be Abandoned through Proper Use

Katame ca, bhikkhave, āsavā paṭisevanā pahātabbā? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisaṅkhā yoniso cīvaraṁ paṭisevati: ‘yāvadeva sītassa paṭighātāya, uṇhassa paṭighātāya, ḍaṁsamakasavātātapasarīsapasamphassānaṁ paṭighātāya, yāvadeva hirikopīnappaṭicchādanatthaṁ’.

And what taints, bhikkhus, should be abandoned through proper use? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, wisely reflecting, uses the robe only for protection from cold, for protection from heat, for protection from contact with flies, mosquitoes, wind, the sun, and creeping creatures, and only for the purpose of concealing the private parts.

Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso piṇḍapātaṁ paṭisevati: ‘neva davāya, na madāya, na maṇḍanāya, na vibhūsanāya, yāvadeva imassa kāyassa ṭhitiyā yāpanāya, vihiṁsūparatiyā, brahmacariyānuggahāya, iti purāṇañca vedanaṁ paṭihaṅkhāmi navañca vedanaṁ na uppādessāmi, yātrā ca me bhavissati anavajjatā ca phāsuvihāro ca’.

Wisely reflecting, he uses alms food neither for amusement nor for intoxication nor for the sake of physical beauty and attractiveness, but only for the endurance and continuance of this body, for ending discomfort, and for assisting the |spiritual life::a life of celibacy, contemplation, and ethical discipline lived for the sake of liberation; oriented toward inner development rather than sensual pleasures [brahmacariya]|, considering: ‘Thus I shall terminate old feelings without arousing new feelings and I shall be healthy and blameless and shall live in comfort.’

Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso senāsanaṁ paṭisevati: ‘yāvadeva sītassa paṭighātāya, uṇhassa paṭighātāya, ḍaṁsamakasavātātapasarīsapasamphassānaṁ paṭighātāya, yāvadeva utuparissayavinodanapaṭisallānārāmatthaṁ’.

Wisely reflecting, he uses the resting place only for protection from cold, for protection from heat, for protection from contact with flies, mosquitoes, wind, the sun, and |creeping creatures::snake, reptile; creepy crawly [sarīsapa]|, and only for the purpose of warding off the perils of climate and for enjoying seclusion.

Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṁ paṭisevati: ‘yāvadeva uppannānaṁ veyyābādhikānaṁ vedanānaṁ paṭighātāya, abyābajjhaparamatāya’.

Wisely reflecting, he uses medicinal requisites only for protection from arisen |afflicting::oppressive, disturbing, painful [veyyābādhika]| feelings and for the purpose of attaining freedom from disease.

Yañhissa, bhikkhave, appaṭisevato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, paṭisevato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, āsavā paṭisevanā pahātabbā.

While taints, vexation, and fever might arise in one who does not use the requisites thus, there are no taints, vexation, or fever in one who uses them thus. These are called the taints that should be abandoned through proper use.

4. Taints to be Abandoned by Enduring

Katame ca, bhikkhave, āsavā adhivāsanā pahātabbā? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisaṅkhā yoniso khamo hoti sītassa uṇhassa, jighacchāya pipāsāya. Ḍaṁsamakasavātātapasarīsapasamphassānaṁ, duruttānaṁ durāgatānaṁ vacanapathānaṁ, uppannānaṁ sārīrikānaṁ vedanānaṁ dukkhānaṁ tibbānaṁ kharānaṁ kaṭukānaṁ asātānaṁ amanāpānaṁ pāṇaharānaṁ adhivāsakajātiko hoti.

And what taints, bhikkhus, should be abandoned by |enduring::tolerating, withstanding, weathering [adhivāsana]|? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, wisely reflecting, endures cold and heat, being hungry and thirsty, contact with flies, mosquitoes, wind, the sun, and creeping creatures; endures rudely spoken and unwelcome words and arisen bodily |feelings::pleasant, neutral, or painful sensation, felt on contact through eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind; second of the five aggregates [vedanā]| that are painful, racking, sharp, piercing, disagreeable, distressing, and menacing to life.

Yañhissa, bhikkhave, anadhivāsayato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, adhivāsayato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, āsavā adhivāsanā pahātabbā.

While taints, vexation, and fever might arise in one who does not endure such things, there are no taints, vexation, or fever in one who endures them. These are called the taints that should be abandoned by enduring.

5. Taints to be Abandoned by Avoiding

Katame ca, bhikkhave, āsavā parivajjanā pahātabbā? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisaṅkhā yoniso caṇḍaṁ hatthiṁ parivajjeti, caṇḍaṁ assaṁ parivajjeti, caṇḍaṁ goṇaṁ parivajjeti, caṇḍaṁ kukkuraṁ parivajjeti, ahiṁ khāṇuṁ kaṇṭakaṭṭhānaṁ sobbhaṁ papātaṁ candanikaṁ oḷigallaṁ. Yathārūpe anāsane nisinnaṁ yathārūpe agocare carantaṁ yathārūpe pāpake mitte bhajantaṁ viññū sabrahmacārī pāpakesu ṭhānesu okappeyyuṁ, so tañca anāsanaṁ tañca agocaraṁ te ca pāpake mitte paṭisaṅkhā yoniso parivajjeti.

And what taints, bhikkhus, should be abandoned by avoiding? Here a bhikkhu, wisely reflecting, avoids a wild elephant, a wild horse, a wild bull, a wild dog, and a snake. They avoid unsafe places such as tree stumps, thorny plants, pits, |precipices::cliffs [papāta]|, sewers and cesspools. Wisely reflecting, they avoid sitting in unsuitable seats, wandering to |wrong resorts::places outside one’s right domain, two kinds are mentioned in the Pātimokkha - sitting with a woman on a screened seat convenient for sexual intercourse, and sitting alone with a woman in a private place [agocara]|, or associating with |bad::harmful, injurious, destructive, or evil [pāpaka]| friends, since if he were to do so, wise companions in the spiritual life might |suspect::consider possible of [okappeti]| him of unwholesome states.

Yañhissa, bhikkhave, aparivajjayato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, parivajjayato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, āsavā parivajjanā pahātabbā.

While taints, vexation, and fever might arise in one who does not avoid such things, there are no taints, vexation, or fever in one who avoids them. These are called the taints that should be abandoned by avoiding.

6. Taints to be Abandoned by Removing

Katame ca, bhikkhave, āsavā vinodanā pahātabbā? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisaṅkhā yoniso uppannaṁ kāmavitakkaṁ nādhivāseti pajahati vinodeti byantīkaroti anabhāvaṁ gameti, uppannaṁ byāpādavitakkaṁ …pe… uppannaṁ vihiṁsāvitakkaṁ …pe… uppannuppanne pāpake akusale dhamme nādhivāseti pajahati vinodeti byantīkaroti anabhāvaṁ gameti.

And what taints, bhikkhus, should be abandoned by removing? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, wisely reflecting, does not tolerate an arisen |thought of sensuality::thought related to enjoyment of sensual pleasures, sexual thought [kāmavitakka]|; he abandons it, dispels it, puts an end to it, and obliterates it. He does not tolerate an arisen |thought of ill will::intentional thought of mental rejection, hostility, or malevolence toward others; deliberate contemplation rooted in antipathy or wishing harm [byāpādavitakka]|; he abandons it, dispels it, puts an end to it, and obliterates it. He does not tolerate an arisen |thought of harming::thought of cruelty, violence, or aggression [vihiṃsāvitakka]|; he abandons it, dispels it, puts an end to it, and obliterates it.

Yañhissa, bhikkhave, avinodayato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, vinodayato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, āsavā vinodanā pahātabbā.

While taints, vexation, and fever might arise in one who does not remove these thoughts, there are no taints, vexation, or fever in one who removes them. These are called the taints that should be abandoned by removing.

7. Taints to be Abandoned through Cultivation

Katame ca, bhikkhave, āsavā bhāvanā pahātabbā?

And what taints, bhikkhus, should be abandoned through |cultivation::development, meditation [bhāvanā]|?

1 Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisaṅkhā yoniso satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ;

1 Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, wisely reflecting, cultivates the |awakening factor of mindfulness::the quality of mindfulness leading to full awakening, remembering as a factor of enlightenment; first of the seven awakening factors [satisambojjhaṅga]|, which is |supported by seclusion::dependent on detachment, by means of disengagement [vivekanissita]|, |supported by dispassion::based on fading of desire [virāganissita]|, |based on ending::supported by cessation [nirodhanissita]|, and |culminates in complete relinquishment::ripens in release, culminating in letting go [vossaggapariṇāmī]|.

2 paṭisaṅkhā yoniso dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ;

2 Wisely reflecting, he cultivates the |awakening factor of investigation of states::the quality of discriminative investigation into states, mental qualities and other phenomena; analyzing the teaching as a factor of enlightenment; second of the seven awakening factors [dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga]|, which is supported by seclusion, supported by dispassion, supported by ending, and culminates in complete relinquishment.

3 paṭisaṅkhā yoniso vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ;

3 Wisely reflecting, he cultivates the |awakening factor of energy::the quality of unrelenting effort, the sustaining power of persistence as a factor of enlightenment; third of the seven awakening factors [vīriyasambojjhaṅga]|, which is supported by seclusion, supported by dispassion, supported by ending, and culminates in complete relinquishment.

4 paṭisaṅkhā yoniso pītisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ;

4 Wisely reflecting, he cultivates the |awakening factor of joy::the quality of heartfelt gladness, spiritual rapture untainted by sensuality, as a factor of enlightenment; fourth of the seven awakening factors [pītisambojjhaṅga]|, which is supported by seclusion, supported by dispassion, supported by ending, and culminates in complete relinquishment.

5 paṭisaṅkhā yoniso passaddhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ;

5 Wisely reflecting, he cultivates the |awakening factor of tranquility::the quality of inner stillness, bodily and mental calm, as a factor of enlightenment; fifth of the seven awakening factors [passaddhisambojjhaṅga]|, which is supported by seclusion, supported by dispassion, supported by ending, and culminates in complete relinquishment.

6 paṭisaṅkhā yoniso samādhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ;

6 Wisely reflecting, he cultivates the |awakening factor of collectedness::the quality of unification, stability, and deep stillness of the mind, as a factor of enlightenment; sixth of the seven awakening factors [samādhisambojjhaṅga]|, which is supported by seclusion, supported by dispassion, supported by ending, and culminates in complete relinquishment.

7 paṭisaṅkhā yoniso upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.

7 Wisely reflecting, he cultivates the |awakening factor of equanimity::the quality of balanced observation, non-reactivity, and mental equipoise as a factor of enlightenment; seventh of the seven awakening factors [upekkhāsambojjhaṅga]|, which is supported by seclusion, supported by dispassion, supported by ending, and culminates in complete relinquishment.

Yañhissa, bhikkhave, abhāvayato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, bhāvayato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, āsavā bhāvanā pahātabbā.

While taints, vexation, and fever might arise in one who does not cultivate these factors, there are no taints, vexation, or fever in one who cultivates them. These are called the taints that should be abandoned through cultivation.

Conclusion

Yato kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ye āsavā dassanā pahātabbā te dassanā pahīnā honti, ye āsavā saṁvarā pahātabbā te saṁvarā pahīnā honti, ye āsavā paṭisevanā pahātabbā te paṭisevanā pahīnā honti, ye āsavā adhivāsanā pahātabbā te adhivāsanā pahīnā honti, ye āsavā parivajjanā pahātabbā te parivajjanā pahīnā honti, ye āsavā vinodanā pahātabbā te vinodanā pahīnā honti, ye āsavā bhāvanā pahātabbā te bhāvanā pahīnā honti; ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave: ‘bhikkhu sabbāsavasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati, acchecchi taṇhaṁ, vivattayi saṁyojanaṁ, sammā mānābhisamayā antamakāsi dukkhassā’”ti.

Bhikkhus, when for a bhikkhu the taints that should be abandoned through seeing have been abandoned through seeing, when the taints that should be abandoned through restraint have been abandoned by restraint, when the taints that should be abandoned through proper use have been abandoned through proper use, when the taints that should be abandoned by enduring have been abandoned by enduring, when the taints that should be abandoned by avoiding have been abandoned by avoiding, when the taints that should be abandoned by removing have been abandoned by removing, and when the taints that should be abandoned through cultivation have been abandoned through cultivation — then he is called a bhikkhu who dwells restrained with regard to all the taints, who has completely cut out |craving::wanting, yearning, longing, attachment, lit. thirst [taṇha]|, |unravelled::untied [vivattayi]| the |fetters::chains, bonds, links, things which bind [saṃyojana]|, and |through full understanding of conceit::through complete comprehension of pride, egotism, superiority, comparing oneself [mānābhisamaya]|, has made an end of suffering.

Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

The Blessed One said this. The bhikkhus were delighted and rejoiced in the Blessed One’s words.

Thus have I heard—At one time, the Buddha was dwelling at Sāvatthi, in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s park. There the Buddha addressed the bhikkhus: “Bhikkhus.”

“Venerable sir,” those bhikkhus replied to the Buddha. The Buddha said this:

“Bhikkhus, I will explain to you the |cause for the restraint of all the taints::method on the restraint of all the effluents [sabbāsavasaṃvarapariyāya]|. Listen to this and pay close attention, I will speak.”

“Yes, venerable sir,” those bhikkhus replied to the Buddha. The Buddha said this:

Summary

“Bhikkhus, I declare that the |wearing away of the taints::gradual exhaustion and elimination of the mental defilements or deep-seated afflictions such as sensual desire, craving for existence, views, and ignorance [āsava + khaya]| is for one who knows and sees, not for one who does not know and does not see. Who knows and sees what? |Wise attention::proper attention, prudent use of the mind, wise reflection, attention to the source [yoniso + manasikāra]| and |unwise attention::improper attention, imprudent use of the mind [ayonisomanasikāra]|. When one attends unwisely, unarisen taints arise and arisen taints increase. When one attends wisely, unarisen taints do not arise and arisen taints are abandoned.

Bhikkhus, there are taints to be abandoned through seeing, taints to be abandoned through restraint, taints to be abandoned through proper use, taints to be abandoned by enduring, taints to be abandoned by avoiding, taints to be abandoned by removing, and taints to be abandoned through development.

1. Taints to be Abandoned through Seeing

What taints, bhikkhus, should be abandoned by seeing? Here, bhikkhus, an uninstructed ordinary person, who has no regard for the Noble Ones, and is unskilled and undisciplined in the |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]| of the Noble Ones, who has no regard for the persons of integrity, and is unskilled and undisciplined in the Dhamma of the persons of integrity, does not understand what things are fit for attention and what things are unfit for attention. Since that is so, they attend to things unfit for attention and do not attend to things fit for attention.

And what things, bhikkhus, are unfit for attention that they attend to? Bhikkhus, there are things that when one attends to them, the |taint of sensual desire::oozing sensual desire [kāmāsava]|—if not yet arisen—arises, and if already arisen, it increases. Similarly, the |taint of becoming::effluent of becoming, taint of existence [bhavāsava]|—if not yet arisen—arises, and if already arisen, it increases. Likewise, the |taint of ignorance::taint of not knowing how things have come to be, illusion of knowing, distorted perception [avijjāsava]|—if not yet arisen—arises, and if already arisen, it increases. These are the things unfit for attention that they attend to.

And what things, bhikkhus, are fit for attention, that they do not attend to? Bhikkhus, there are things that when one attends to them, the taint of sensual desire—if not yet arisen—does not arise, and if already arisen, it is abandoned. Similarly, the taint of becoming—if not yet arisen—does not arise, and if already arisen, it is abandoned. Likewise, the taint of ignorance—if not yet arisen—does not arise, and if already arisen, it is abandoned. These are the things fit for attention that they do not attend to.

For one who attends to things unfit for attention and does not attend to things fit for attention, unarisen taints arise and arisen taints increase.

This is how they attend unwisely: ‘Was I in the past? Was I not in the past? What was I in the past? How was I in the past? Having been what, what did I become in the past? Will I be in the future? Will I not be in the future? What will I be in the future? How will I be in the future? Having been what, what will I become in the future?‘ Or else, they are inwardly |speculating::doubting [kathaṅkathī]| about the present thus: ‘Am I? Am I not? What am I? How am I? Where has this being come from? Where will it go?’

For one who attends unwisely in this way, one of six views arises: 1) The view ‘I have a self’ arises in them as true and established; 2) Or the view ‘I do not have a self’ arises in them as true and established; 3) Or the view ‘I perceive the self in itself’ arises in them as true and established; 4) Or the view ‘I perceive the self in what is not-self’ arises in them as true and established; 5) Or the view ‘I perceive what is not-self as the self’ arises in them as true and established; 6) Or else, this view arises: ‘This self of mine that speaks and feels, that experiences here and there the results of good and bad actions, is permanent, everlasting, eternal, not subject to change, and it will endure as long as eternity.’ This, bhikkhus, is called adherence to views, entanglement in views, the wilderness of views, the distortion of views, the quivering of views, the fetter of views. Fettered by the fetter of views, the uninstructed ordinary person is not freed from birth, aging, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, and despair; they are not freed from suffering, I say.

And, bhikkhus, a learned noble disciple who has regard for the Noble Ones, and is skilled and disciplined in the Dhamma of the Noble Ones, who has regard for the persons of integrity, and is skilled and disciplined in the Dhamma of the persons of integrity, understands what things are fit for attention and what things are unfit for attention. Since that is so, they attend to things fit for attention and do not attend to things unfit for attention.

And what things, bhikkhus, are unfit for attention that they do not attend to? Bhikkhus, there are things that when one attends to them, the taint of sensual desire—if not yet arisen—arises, and if already arisen, it increases. Similarly, the taint of becoming—if not yet arisen—arises, and if already arisen, it increases. Likewise, the taint of ignorance—if not yet arisen—arises, and if already arisen, it increases. These are the things unfit for attention that they do not attend to.

And what things, bhikkhus, are fit for attention, that they attend to? Bhikkhus, there are things that when one attends to them, the taint of sensual desire—if not yet arisen—does not arise, and if already arisen, it is abandoned. Similarly, the taint of becoming—if not yet arisen—does not arise, and if already arisen, it is abandoned. Likewise, the taint of ignorance—if not yet arisen—does not arise, and if already arisen, it is abandoned. These are the things fit for attention that they attend to.

For one who does not attend to things that are unfit for attention and attends to things that are fit for attention, unarisen taints do not arise and arisen taints are abandoned.

They wisely attend to: ‘This is |suffering::discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering [dukkha]|‘; they wisely attend to: ‘This is the |arising of suffering::source of stress, appearance of discomfort [dukkhasamudaya]|’; they wisely attend to: ‘This is the |ending of suffering::ending of discontentment, cessation of distress [dukkhanirodha]|'; they wisely attend to: ‘This is the |way of practice leading to the ending of suffering::i.e. the Noble Eightfold Path consisting of right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right collectedness [dukkhanirodhagāmī]|.’ For one who attends wisely in this way, three fetters are abandoned: |personal existence view::view of having an individual identity, as an embodied being, seeing oneself as the owner of the body and mind [sakkāyadiṭṭhi]|, |doubt::uncertainty, indecisiveness, lack of confidence in the Buddha’s teachings [vicikicchā]|, and |clinging to rules and observances::clinging to precepts and practices, adherence to rites and rituals [sīlabbataparāmāsa]|. These are called the taints that should be abandoned by seeing.

2. Taints to be Abandoned through Restraint

And what taints, bhikkhus, should be abandoned through restraint? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, wisely |reflecting::carefully considering [paṭisaṅkhā]|, abides with the eye faculty restrained. While taints, |vexation::affliction, irritation [vighāta]|, and |fever::mental torment, distress, strong desire, discomfort [pariḷāha]| might arise in one who abides with the eye faculty unrestrained, there are no taints, vexation, or fever in one who abides with the eye faculty restrained. Wisely reflecting, they abide with the ear faculty restrained... with the nose faculty restrained... with the tongue faculty restrained... with the body faculty restrained... and likewise, with the mind faculty restrained. While taints, vexation and fever might arise in one who abides with the mind faculty unrestrained, there are no taints, vexation, or fever in one who abides with the mind faculty restrained.

For one, bhikkhus, who abides with the faculties unrestrained, taints, vexation, and fever might arise. But for one who abides with the faculties restrained, there are no taints, vexation, or fever. These, bhikkhus, are called the taints that should be abandoned through restraint.

3. Taints to be Abandoned through Proper Use

And what taints, bhikkhus, should be abandoned through proper use? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, wisely reflecting, uses the robe only for protection from cold, for protection from heat, for protection from contact with flies, mosquitoes, wind, the sun, and creeping creatures, and only for the purpose of concealing the private parts.

Wisely reflecting, he uses alms food neither for amusement nor for intoxication nor for the sake of physical beauty and attractiveness, but only for the endurance and continuance of this body, for ending discomfort, and for assisting the |spiritual life::a life of celibacy, contemplation, and ethical discipline lived for the sake of liberation; oriented toward inner development rather than sensual pleasures [brahmacariya]|, considering: ‘Thus I shall terminate old feelings without arousing new feelings and I shall be healthy and blameless and shall live in comfort.’

Wisely reflecting, he uses the resting place only for protection from cold, for protection from heat, for protection from contact with flies, mosquitoes, wind, the sun, and |creeping creatures::snake, reptile; creepy crawly [sarīsapa]|, and only for the purpose of warding off the perils of climate and for enjoying seclusion.

Wisely reflecting, he uses medicinal requisites only for protection from arisen |afflicting::oppressive, disturbing, painful [veyyābādhika]| feelings and for the purpose of attaining freedom from disease.

While taints, vexation, and fever might arise in one who does not use the requisites thus, there are no taints, vexation, or fever in one who uses them thus. These are called the taints that should be abandoned through proper use.

4. Taints to be Abandoned by Enduring

And what taints, bhikkhus, should be abandoned by |enduring::tolerating, withstanding, weathering [adhivāsana]|? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, wisely reflecting, endures cold and heat, being hungry and thirsty, contact with flies, mosquitoes, wind, the sun, and creeping creatures; endures rudely spoken and unwelcome words and arisen bodily |feelings::pleasant, neutral, or painful sensation, felt on contact through eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind; second of the five aggregates [vedanā]| that are painful, racking, sharp, piercing, disagreeable, distressing, and menacing to life.

While taints, vexation, and fever might arise in one who does not endure such things, there are no taints, vexation, or fever in one who endures them. These are called the taints that should be abandoned by enduring.

5. Taints to be Abandoned by Avoiding

And what taints, bhikkhus, should be abandoned by avoiding? Here a bhikkhu, wisely reflecting, avoids a wild elephant, a wild horse, a wild bull, a wild dog, and a snake. They avoid unsafe places such as tree stumps, thorny plants, pits, |precipices::cliffs [papāta]|, sewers and cesspools. Wisely reflecting, they avoid sitting in unsuitable seats, wandering to |wrong resorts::places outside one’s right domain, two kinds are mentioned in the Pātimokkha - sitting with a woman on a screened seat convenient for sexual intercourse, and sitting alone with a woman in a private place [agocara]|, or associating with |bad::harmful, injurious, destructive, or evil [pāpaka]| friends, since if he were to do so, wise companions in the spiritual life might |suspect::consider possible of [okappeti]| him of unwholesome states.

While taints, vexation, and fever might arise in one who does not avoid such things, there are no taints, vexation, or fever in one who avoids them. These are called the taints that should be abandoned by avoiding.

6. Taints to be Abandoned by Removing

And what taints, bhikkhus, should be abandoned by removing? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, wisely reflecting, does not tolerate an arisen |thought of sensuality::thought related to enjoyment of sensual pleasures, sexual thought [kāmavitakka]|; he abandons it, dispels it, puts an end to it, and obliterates it. He does not tolerate an arisen |thought of ill will::intentional thought of mental rejection, hostility, or malevolence toward others; deliberate contemplation rooted in antipathy or wishing harm [byāpādavitakka]|; he abandons it, dispels it, puts an end to it, and obliterates it. He does not tolerate an arisen |thought of harming::thought of cruelty, violence, or aggression [vihiṃsāvitakka]|; he abandons it, dispels it, puts an end to it, and obliterates it.

While taints, vexation, and fever might arise in one who does not remove these thoughts, there are no taints, vexation, or fever in one who removes them. These are called the taints that should be abandoned by removing.

7. Taints to be Abandoned through Cultivation

And what taints, bhikkhus, should be abandoned through |cultivation::development, meditation [bhāvanā]|?

1 Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, wisely reflecting, cultivates the |awakening factor of mindfulness::the quality of mindfulness leading to full awakening, remembering as a factor of enlightenment; first of the seven awakening factors [satisambojjhaṅga]|, which is |supported by seclusion::dependent on detachment, by means of disengagement [vivekanissita]|, |supported by dispassion::based on fading of desire [virāganissita]|, |based on ending::supported by cessation [nirodhanissita]|, and |culminates in complete relinquishment::ripens in release, culminating in letting go [vossaggapariṇāmī]|.

2 Wisely reflecting, he cultivates the |awakening factor of investigation of states::the quality of discriminative investigation into states, mental qualities and other phenomena; analyzing the teaching as a factor of enlightenment; second of the seven awakening factors [dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga]|, which is supported by seclusion, supported by dispassion, supported by ending, and culminates in complete relinquishment.

3 Wisely reflecting, he cultivates the |awakening factor of energy::the quality of unrelenting effort, the sustaining power of persistence as a factor of enlightenment; third of the seven awakening factors [vīriyasambojjhaṅga]|, which is supported by seclusion, supported by dispassion, supported by ending, and culminates in complete relinquishment.

4 Wisely reflecting, he cultivates the |awakening factor of joy::the quality of heartfelt gladness, spiritual rapture untainted by sensuality, as a factor of enlightenment; fourth of the seven awakening factors [pītisambojjhaṅga]|, which is supported by seclusion, supported by dispassion, supported by ending, and culminates in complete relinquishment.

5 Wisely reflecting, he cultivates the |awakening factor of tranquility::the quality of inner stillness, bodily and mental calm, as a factor of enlightenment; fifth of the seven awakening factors [passaddhisambojjhaṅga]|, which is supported by seclusion, supported by dispassion, supported by ending, and culminates in complete relinquishment.

6 Wisely reflecting, he cultivates the |awakening factor of collectedness::the quality of unification, stability, and deep stillness of the mind, as a factor of enlightenment; sixth of the seven awakening factors [samādhisambojjhaṅga]|, which is supported by seclusion, supported by dispassion, supported by ending, and culminates in complete relinquishment.

7 Wisely reflecting, he cultivates the |awakening factor of equanimity::the quality of balanced observation, non-reactivity, and mental equipoise as a factor of enlightenment; seventh of the seven awakening factors [upekkhāsambojjhaṅga]|, which is supported by seclusion, supported by dispassion, supported by ending, and culminates in complete relinquishment.

While taints, vexation, and fever might arise in one who does not cultivate these factors, there are no taints, vexation, or fever in one who cultivates them. These are called the taints that should be abandoned through cultivation.

Conclusion

Bhikkhus, when for a bhikkhu the taints that should be abandoned through seeing have been abandoned through seeing, when the taints that should be abandoned through restraint have been abandoned by restraint, when the taints that should be abandoned through proper use have been abandoned through proper use, when the taints that should be abandoned by enduring have been abandoned by enduring, when the taints that should be abandoned by avoiding have been abandoned by avoiding, when the taints that should be abandoned by removing have been abandoned by removing, and when the taints that should be abandoned through cultivation have been abandoned through cultivation — then he is called a bhikkhu who dwells restrained with regard to all the taints, who has completely cut out |craving::wanting, yearning, longing, attachment, lit. thirst [taṇha]|, |unravelled::untied [vivattayi]| the |fetters::chains, bonds, links, things which bind [saṃyojana]|, and |through full understanding of conceit::through complete comprehension of pride, egotism, superiority, comparing oneself [mānābhisamaya]|, has made an end of suffering.

The Blessed One said this. The bhikkhus were delighted and rejoiced in the Blessed One’s words.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “bhikkhavo”ti.

“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:

“sabbāsavasaṁvarapariyāyaṁ vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi. Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:

“Jānato ahaṁ, bhikkhave, passato āsavānaṁ khayaṁ vadāmi, no ajānato no apassato. Kiñca, bhikkhave, jānato kiñca passato āsavānaṁ khayaṁ vadāmi? Yoniso ca manasikāraṁ ayoniso ca manasikāraṁ. Ayoniso, bhikkhave, manasikaroto anuppannā ceva āsavā uppajjanti, uppannā ca āsavā pavaḍḍhanti; yoniso ca kho, bhikkhave, manasikaroto anuppannā ceva āsavā na uppajjanti, uppannā ca āsavā pahīyanti.

Atthi, bhikkhave, āsavā dassanā pahātabbā, atthi āsavā saṁvarā pahātabbā, atthi āsavā paṭisevanā pahātabbā, atthi āsavā adhivāsanā pahātabbā, atthi āsavā parivajjanā pahātabbā, atthi āsavā vinodanā pahātabbā, atthi āsavā bhāvanā pahātabbā.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, āsavā dassanā pahātabbā? Idha, bhikkhave, assutavā puthujjano ariyānaṁ adassāvī ariyadhammassa akovido ariyadhamme avinīto, sappurisānaṁ adassāvī sappurisadhammassa akovido sappurisadhamme avinīto manasikaraṇīye dhamme nappajānāti, amanasikaraṇīye dhamme nappajānāti. So manasikaraṇīye dhamme appajānanto amanasikaraṇīye dhamme appajānanto, ye dhammā na manasikaraṇīyā, te dhamme manasi karoti, ye dhammā manasikaraṇīyā te dhamme na manasi karoti.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, dhammā na manasikaraṇīyā ye dhamme manasi karoti? Yassa, bhikkhave, dhamme manasikaroto anuppanno kāmāsavo uppajjati, uppanno kāmāsavo pavaḍḍhati; anuppanno bhavāsavo uppajjati, uppanno bhavāsavo pavaḍḍhati; anuppanno avijjāsavo uppajjati, uppanno avijjāsavo pavaḍḍhati ime dhammā na manasikaraṇīyā ye dhamme manasi karoti.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, dhammā manasikaraṇīyā ye dhamme na manasi karoti? Yassa, bhikkhave, dhamme manasikaroto anuppanno kāmāsavo na uppajjati, uppanno kāmāsavo pahīyati; anuppanno bhavāsavo na uppajjati, uppanno bhavāsavo pahīyati; anuppanno avijjāsavo na uppajjati, uppanno avijjāsavo pahīyati ime dhammā manasikaraṇīyā ye dhamme na manasi karoti.

Tassa amanasikaraṇīyānaṁ dhammānaṁ manasikārā manasikaraṇīyānaṁ dhammānaṁ amanasikārā anuppannā ceva āsavā uppajjanti uppannā ca āsavā pavaḍḍhanti.

So evaṁ ayoniso manasi karoti: ‘ahosiṁ nu kho ahaṁ atītamaddhānaṁ? Na nu kho ahosiṁ atītamaddhānaṁ? Kiṁ nu kho ahosiṁ atītamaddhānaṁ? Kathaṁ nu kho ahosiṁ atītamaddhānaṁ? Kiṁ hutvā kiṁ ahosiṁ nu kho ahaṁ atītamaddhānaṁ? Bhavissāmi nu kho ahaṁ anāgatamaddhānaṁ? Na nu kho bhavissāmi anāgatamaddhānaṁ? Kiṁ nu kho bhavissāmi anāgatamaddhānaṁ? Kathaṁ nu kho bhavissāmi anāgatamaddhānaṁ? Kiṁ hutvā kiṁ bhavissāmi nu kho ahaṁ anāgatamaddhānan’ti? Etarahi paccuppannamaddhānaṁ ajjhattaṁ kathaṅkathī hoti: ‘ahaṁ nu khosmi? No nu khosmi? Kiṁ nu khosmi? Kathaṁ nu khosmi? Ayaṁ nu kho satto kuto āgato? So kuhiṁ gāmī bhavissatī’ti?

Tassa evaṁ ayoniso manasikaroto channaṁ diṭṭhīnaṁ aññatarā diṭṭhi uppajjati.‘Atthi me attā’ti assa saccato thetato diṭṭhi uppajjati; ‘natthi me attā’ti assa saccato thetato diṭṭhi uppajjati; ‘attanāva attānaṁ sañjānāmī’ti assa saccato thetato diṭṭhi uppajjati; ‘attanāva anattānaṁ sañjānāmī’ti assa saccato thetato diṭṭhi uppajjati; ‘anattanāva attānaṁ sañjānāmī’ti assa saccato thetato diṭṭhi uppajjati; atha panassa evaṁ diṭṭhi hoti: ‘yo me ayaṁ attā vado vedeyyo tatra tatra kalyāṇapāpakānaṁ kammānaṁ vipākaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti so kho pana me ayaṁ attā nicco dhuvo sassato avipariṇāmadhammo sassatisamaṁ tatheva ṭhassatī’ti. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, diṭṭhigataṁ diṭṭhigahanaṁ diṭṭhikantāraṁ diṭṭhivisūkaṁ diṭṭhivipphanditaṁ diṭṭhisaṁyojanaṁ. Diṭṭhisaṁyojanasaṁyutto, bhikkhave, assutavā puthujjano na parimuccati jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi; ‘na parimuccati dukkhasmā’ti vadāmi.

Sutavā ca kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako ariyānaṁ dassāvī ariyadhammassa kovido ariyadhamme suvinīto, sappurisānaṁ dassāvī sappurisadhammassa kovido sappurisadhamme suvinīto manasikaraṇīye dhamme pajānāti amanasikaraṇīye dhamme pajānāti. So manasikaraṇīye dhamme pajānanto amanasikaraṇīye dhamme pajānanto ye dhammā na manasikaraṇīyā te dhamme na manasi karoti, ye dhammā manasikaraṇīyā te dhamme manasi karoti.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, dhammā na manasikaraṇīyā ye dhamme na manasi karoti? Yassa, bhikkhave, dhamme manasikaroto anuppanno kāmāsavo uppajjati, uppanno kāmāsavo pavaḍḍhati; anuppanno bhavāsavo uppajjati, uppanno bhavāsavo pavaḍḍhati; anuppanno avijjāsavo uppajjati, uppanno avijjāsavo pavaḍḍhati ime dhammā na manasikaraṇīyā, ye dhamme na manasi karoti.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, dhammā manasikaraṇīyā ye dhamme manasi karoti? Yassa, bhikkhave, dhamme manasikaroto anuppanno kāmāsavo na uppajjati, uppanno kāmāsavo pahīyati; anuppanno bhavāsavo na uppajjati, uppanno bhavāsavo pahīyati; anuppanno avijjāsavo na uppajjati, uppanno avijjāsavo pahīyati ime dhammā manasikaraṇīyā ye dhamme manasi karoti.

Tassa amanasikaraṇīyānaṁ dhammānaṁ amanasikārā manasikaraṇīyānaṁ dhammānaṁ manasikārā anuppannā ceva āsavā na uppajjanti, uppannā ca āsavā pahīyanti.

So ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yoniso manasi karoti, ‘ayaṁ dukkhasamudayo’ti yoniso manasi karoti, ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodho’ti yoniso manasi karoti, ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yoniso manasi karoti. Tassa evaṁ yoniso manasikaroto tīṇi saṁyojanāni pahīyanti sakkāyadiṭṭhi, vicikicchā, sīlabbataparāmāso. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, āsavā dassanā pahātabbā.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, āsavā saṁvarā pahātabbā? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisaṅkhā yoniso cakkhundriyasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati. Yañhissa, bhikkhave, cakkhundriyasaṁvaraṁ asaṁvutassa viharato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, cakkhundriyasaṁvaraṁ saṁvutassa viharato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso sotindriyasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati …pe… ghānindriyasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati …pe… jivhindriyasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati …pe… kāyindriyasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati …pe… manindriyasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati. Yañhissa, bhikkhave, manindriyasaṁvaraṁ asaṁvutassa viharato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, manindriyasaṁvaraṁ saṁvutassa viharato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti.

Yañhissa, bhikkhave, saṁvaraṁ asaṁvutassa viharato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, saṁvaraṁ saṁvutassa viharato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, āsavā saṁvarā pahātabbā.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, āsavā paṭisevanā pahātabbā? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisaṅkhā yoniso cīvaraṁ paṭisevati: ‘yāvadeva sītassa paṭighātāya, uṇhassa paṭighātāya, ḍaṁsamakasavātātapasarīsapasamphassānaṁ paṭighātāya, yāvadeva hirikopīnappaṭicchādanatthaṁ’.

Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso piṇḍapātaṁ paṭisevati: ‘neva davāya, na madāya, na maṇḍanāya, na vibhūsanāya, yāvadeva imassa kāyassa ṭhitiyā yāpanāya, vihiṁsūparatiyā, brahmacariyānuggahāya, iti purāṇañca vedanaṁ paṭihaṅkhāmi navañca vedanaṁ na uppādessāmi, yātrā ca me bhavissati anavajjatā ca phāsuvihāro ca’.

Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso senāsanaṁ paṭisevati: ‘yāvadeva sītassa paṭighātāya, uṇhassa paṭighātāya, ḍaṁsamakasavātātapasarīsapasamphassānaṁ paṭighātāya, yāvadeva utuparissayavinodanapaṭisallānārāmatthaṁ’.

Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṁ paṭisevati: ‘yāvadeva uppannānaṁ veyyābādhikānaṁ vedanānaṁ paṭighātāya, abyābajjhaparamatāya’.

Yañhissa, bhikkhave, appaṭisevato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, paṭisevato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, āsavā paṭisevanā pahātabbā.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, āsavā adhivāsanā pahātabbā? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisaṅkhā yoniso khamo hoti sītassa uṇhassa, jighacchāya pipāsāya. Ḍaṁsamakasavātātapasarīsapasamphassānaṁ, duruttānaṁ durāgatānaṁ vacanapathānaṁ, uppannānaṁ sārīrikānaṁ vedanānaṁ dukkhānaṁ tibbānaṁ kharānaṁ kaṭukānaṁ asātānaṁ amanāpānaṁ pāṇaharānaṁ adhivāsakajātiko hoti.

Yañhissa, bhikkhave, anadhivāsayato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, adhivāsayato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, āsavā adhivāsanā pahātabbā.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, āsavā parivajjanā pahātabbā? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisaṅkhā yoniso caṇḍaṁ hatthiṁ parivajjeti, caṇḍaṁ assaṁ parivajjeti, caṇḍaṁ goṇaṁ parivajjeti, caṇḍaṁ kukkuraṁ parivajjeti, ahiṁ khāṇuṁ kaṇṭakaṭṭhānaṁ sobbhaṁ papātaṁ candanikaṁ oḷigallaṁ. Yathārūpe anāsane nisinnaṁ yathārūpe agocare carantaṁ yathārūpe pāpake mitte bhajantaṁ viññū sabrahmacārī pāpakesu ṭhānesu okappeyyuṁ, so tañca anāsanaṁ tañca agocaraṁ te ca pāpake mitte paṭisaṅkhā yoniso parivajjeti.

Yañhissa, bhikkhave, aparivajjayato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, parivajjayato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, āsavā parivajjanā pahātabbā.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, āsavā vinodanā pahātabbā? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisaṅkhā yoniso uppannaṁ kāmavitakkaṁ nādhivāseti pajahati vinodeti byantīkaroti anabhāvaṁ gameti, uppannaṁ byāpādavitakkaṁ …pe… uppannaṁ vihiṁsāvitakkaṁ …pe… uppannuppanne pāpake akusale dhamme nādhivāseti pajahati vinodeti byantīkaroti anabhāvaṁ gameti.

Yañhissa, bhikkhave, avinodayato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, vinodayato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, āsavā vinodanā pahātabbā.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, āsavā bhāvanā pahātabbā?

1 Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paṭisaṅkhā yoniso satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ;

2 paṭisaṅkhā yoniso dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ;

3 paṭisaṅkhā yoniso vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ;

4 paṭisaṅkhā yoniso pītisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ;

5 paṭisaṅkhā yoniso passaddhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ;

6 paṭisaṅkhā yoniso samādhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ;

7 paṭisaṅkhā yoniso upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.

Yañhissa, bhikkhave, abhāvayato uppajjeyyuṁ āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, bhāvayato evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, āsavā bhāvanā pahātabbā.

Yato kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ye āsavā dassanā pahātabbā te dassanā pahīnā honti, ye āsavā saṁvarā pahātabbā te saṁvarā pahīnā honti, ye āsavā paṭisevanā pahātabbā te paṭisevanā pahīnā honti, ye āsavā adhivāsanā pahātabbā te adhivāsanā pahīnā honti, ye āsavā parivajjanā pahātabbā te parivajjanā pahīnā honti, ye āsavā vinodanā pahātabbā te vinodanā pahīnā honti, ye āsavā bhāvanā pahātabbā te bhāvanā pahīnā honti; ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave: ‘bhikkhu sabbāsavasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati, acchecchi taṇhaṁ, vivattayi saṁyojanaṁ, sammā mānābhisamayā antamakāsi dukkhassā’”ti.

Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

Last updated on September 13, 2025

CC0 License Button