“I will teach you, bhikkhus, about the unconditioned and the way of practice leading to the unconditioned. Listen to this.
And what, bhikkhus, is the unconditioned? The ending of |passion::intense desire, strong emotion, infatuation, obsession, lust [rāga]|, the ending of |aversion::ill will, hate, hatred, fault, resentment [dosa]|, the ending of |illusion::delusion, hallucination, misapprehension, distorted view; that which fuels further confusion and doubt [moha]| — this, bhikkhus, is called the unconditioned.
Tranquility
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? It is |tranquility::serenity, stilling, calming, peace, mental unification [samatha]|. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught you about the unconditioned, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
What should be done for his disciples out of compassion by a teacher who seeks their welfare and has compassion for them, that I have done for you, bhikkhus. These are the roots of trees, these are empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not be negligent; lest you regret it later. This is our instruction to you.
I will teach you, bhikkhus, about the unconditioned and the way of practice leading to the unconditioned. Listen to this.
And what, bhikkhus, is the unconditioned? The ending of desire, the ending of aversion, the ending of delusion — this is called, bhikkhus, the unconditioned.
Insight
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? It is |insight::seeing clearly, penetrating internal vision [vipassanā]|. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned. Thus, I have taught you about the unconditioned, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned?
Collectedness
It is collectedness accompanied by reflection and examination [of thoughts].
... It is collectedness with examination [of thoughts] only.
... It is collectedness without reflection or examination [of thoughts].
... It is the collectedness of |emptiness::voidness, essencelessness [suññata]|.
... It is the collectedness |absent of any signs::signless, featureless, free of mental images, without any sign of trouble [animitta]|.
It is the collectedness in |desirelessness::undirected, unguided, without intent [appaṇihita]|. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned. Thus, I have taught you about the unconditioned, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Four Foundations of Mindfulness
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells observing the body in and of itself, with continuous effort, fully aware, mindful, having removed |craving and distress::greediness and dissatisfaction, wanting and unhappiness, craving and aversion [abhijjhā + domanassa]| with regard to the world. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu dwells observing the feelings in and of itself, with continuous effort, fully aware, mindful, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu dwells observing the mind in and of itself, with continuous effort, fully aware, mindful, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu dwells observing the mental qualities in and of itself, with continuous effort, fully aware, mindful, having removed craving and distress with regard to the world. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Four Right Efforts
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu generates desire, applies effort, arouses energy, takes hold of his mind, and strives to prevent the arising of unarisen unwholesome states. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu generates desire, applies effort, arouses energy, takes hold of his mind, and strives to abandon arisen unwholesome states. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu generates desire, applies effort, arouses energy, takes hold of his mind, and strives for the arising of unarisen wholesome states. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu generates desire, applies effort, arouses energy, takes hold of his mind, and strives for the continuance, non-confusion, further growth, increase, and fulfillment by development of arisen wholesome states. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
four bases of psychic abilities
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic ability that is endowed with |collectedness::stability of mind, stillness of mind, mental composure [samādhi]| arising from |aspiration::a goal, an interest, an objective, a wholesome motivation [chanda]| and accompanied by intentional effort. This is called, bhikkhus, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic ability that is endowed with collectedness arising from |energy::persistence, willpower, determination [vīriya]| and accompanied by intentional effort. This is called, bhikkhus, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic ability that is endowed with collectedness arising from [purification of] |mind::consciousness [citta]| and accompanied by intentional effort. This is called, bhikkhus, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis of psychic ability that is endowed with collectedness arising from |investigation::consideration, reflection, examination [vīmaṃsanta]| and accompanied by intentional effort. This is called, bhikkhus, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Five Faculties
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of |faith::confidence, conviction, devotion, trust [saddhā]|, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of energy, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of mindfulness, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of collectedness, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of wisdom, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Five Powers
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the power of faith, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the power of energy, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the power of mindfulness, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the power of collectedness, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, a bhikkhu develops the power of wisdom, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Seven Factors of Awakening
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the awakening factor of mindfulness, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
... |awakening factor of investigation of states::the quality of discriminative investigation into states, mental qualities and other phenomena; analyzing the teaching as an factor of enlightenment; second of the seven awakening factors [dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga]|... awakening factor of energy... awakening factor of |joy::rapture|... awakening factor of tranquility... awakening factor of collectedness... awakening factor of |equanimity::mental poise|, develops the awakening factor of equanimity, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Noble Eightfold Path
And what, bhikkhus, is the way of practice leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops right view, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go. This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
develops right intention... develops right speech... develops right action... develops right livelihood... develops right effort... develops right mindfulness... develops right collectedness, which leads to seclusion, leads to dispassion, leads to cessation, culminates in letting go.
This, bhikkhus, is called the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught you about the unconditioned, the way of practice leading to the unconditioned.
What should be done for his disciples out of compassion by a teacher who seeks their welfare and has compassion for them, that I have done for you, bhikkhus. These are the roots of trees, these are empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not be negligent; lest you regret it later. This is our instruction to you.”