Saṁyutta Nikāya 43.12 2.

Asaṅkhatasutta

Dutiyavagga Asaṅkhatasutta “Asaṅkhatañca vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi asaṅkhatagāmiñca maggaṁ.

And I will teach you about the Unconditioned and the path leading to the Unconditioned.

Taṁ suṇātha.

Listen to that.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhataṁ?

And what is the Unconditioned?

Yo, bhikkhave, rāgakkhayo dosakkhayo mohakkhayo— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhataṁ.

The destruction of greed, the destruction of hatred, the destruction of delusion: this is called the Unconditioned.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Samatho.

Calm.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.

This is called the path leading to the Unconditioned.

Iti kho, bhikkhave, desitaṁ vo mayā asaṅkhataṁ, desito asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.

Thus I have taught you the Unconditioned, I have taught you the path leading to the Unconditioned.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, satthārā karaṇīyaṁ sāvakānaṁ hitesinā anukampakena anukampaṁ upādāya, kataṁ vo taṁ mayā.

What should be done by a teacher out of compassion for his disciples, seeking their welfare, that I have done for you.

Etāni, bhikkhave, rukkhamūlāni, etāni suññāgārāni.

These are the roots of trees, these are empty huts.

Jhāyatha, bhikkhave, mā pamādattha; mā pacchā vippaṭisārino ahuvattha.

Practice do not be negligent; do not regret it later.

Ayaṁ vo amhākaṁ anusāsanīti.

This is our instruction to you.

Asaṅkhatañca vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi asaṅkhatagāmiñca maggaṁ. Taṁ suṇātha. Katamañca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhataṁ?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Yo, bhikkhave, rāgakkhayo dosakkhayo mohakkhayo— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhataṁ. Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Vipassanā.

Insight.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.

This is called the path leading to the Unconditioned.

Iti kho, bhikkhave, desitaṁ vo mayā asaṅkhataṁ …pe…

Thus I have taught you the Unconditioned...

ayaṁ vo amhākaṁ anusāsanīti.

this is our instruction to you.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Savitakko savicāro samādhi.

Concentration with directed and sustained attention.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the Unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Avitakko vicāramatto samādhi. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

Concentration without directed attention, with only sustained attention.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo? Avitakko avicāro samādhi. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….

This is called the path leading to the Unconditioned.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Suññato samādhi.

Concentration on emptiness.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the Unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Animitto samādhi.

Signless concentration.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the Unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Appaṇihito samādhi.

Desireless concentration.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….

This is called the path leading to the Unconditioned.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ.

Here a disciple dwells contemplating the body in the body, ardent, fully aware, and mindful, having put away craving and aversion for the world.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the Unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vedanāsu vedanānupassī viharati …pe…

Here a disciple dwells contemplating feelings in feelings...

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

this is called the path leading to the Unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu citte cittānupassī viharati …pe…

Here a disciple dwells contemplating mind in mind...

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

this is called the path leading to the Unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati …pe…

Here a disciple dwells contemplating phenomena in phenomena...

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….

this is called the path leading to the Unconditioned...

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu anuppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ anuppādāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati.

Here a disciple generates desire, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives to prevent the arising of unarisen unskillful unwholesome states.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the Unconditioned...

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu uppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati.

Here a disciple generates desire, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives to abandon arisen unskillful unwholesome states.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the Unconditioned...

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu anuppannānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ uppādāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati.

Here a disciple generates desire, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives to develop unarisen wholesome states.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the Unconditioned...

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu uppannānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ ṭhitiyā asammosāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya bhāvanāya pāripūriyā chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati.

Here a disciple generates desire, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives to maintain arisen wholesome states, not to let them fade away, to increase, expand, and fully develop them.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….

This is called the path leading to the Unconditioned...

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu chandasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti.

Here a disciple develops the basis of spiritual power that is endowed with concentration due to desire and volitional formations of striving.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the Unconditioned...

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīriyasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti.

Here a disciple develops the basis of spiritual power that is endowed with concentration due to energy and volitional formations of striving.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the Unconditioned...

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the Unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cittasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti.

Here a disciple develops the basis of spiritual power that is endowed with concentration due to mind and volitional formations of striving.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the Unconditioned...

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

What is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīmaṁsasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti.

Here a disciple develops the basis of spiritual power that is endowed with concentration due to inquiry, which is supported by effort.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….

This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhindriyaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.

Here a disciple develops the faculty of faith, which is based on seclusion, dispassion, cessation, and leads to relinquishment.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīriyindriyaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe…

Here a disciple develops the faculty of energy, which is based on seclusion, ....

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satindriyaṁ bhāveti …pe…

Here a disciple develops the faculty of mindfulness, ....

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu samādhindriyaṁ bhāveti …pe…

Here a disciple develops the faculty of concentration, ....

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paññindriyaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.

Here a disciple develops the faculty of wisdom, which is based on seclusion, dispassion, cessation, and leads to relinquishment.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….

This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhābalaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe…

Here a disciple develops the power of faith, which is based on seclusion, ....

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīriyabalaṁ bhāveti …pe…

Here a disciple develops the power of energy, ....

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satibalaṁ bhāveti …pe…

Here a disciple develops the power of mindfulness, ....

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu samādhibalaṁ bhāveti …pe…

Here a disciple develops the power of concentration, ....

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paññābalaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.

Here a disciple develops the power of wisdom, which is based on seclusion, dispassion, cessation, and leads to relinquishment.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….

This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe…

Here a disciple develops the factor of enlightenment of mindfulness, which is based on seclusion, ....

ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe…

Here a disciple develops the factor of enlightenment of investigation of states, ....

vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe…

He develops the factor of enlightenment of energy, ....

pītisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe…

He develops the factor of enlightenment of pīti, ....

passaddhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe…

He develops the factor of enlightenment of tranquility, ....

samādhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe…

He develops the factor of enlightenment of concentration, ....

upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.

He develops the factor of enlightenment of equanimity, which is based on seclusion, dispassion, cessation, and leads to relinquishment.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe….

This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sammādiṭṭhiṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.

Here a disciple develops right view, which is based on seclusion, dispassion, cessation, and leads to relinquishment.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo …pe…

This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sammāsaṅkappaṁ bhāveti …pe…

Here a disciple develops right intention, ....

sammāvācaṁ bhāveti …pe…

He develops right speech, ....

sammākammantaṁ bhāveti …pe…

He develops right action, ....

sammāājīvaṁ bhāveti …pe…

He develops right livelihood, ....

sammāvāyāmaṁ bhāveti …pe…

He develops right effort, ....

sammāsatiṁ bhāveti …pe…

He develops right mindfulness, ....

asaṅkhatañca vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi asaṅkhatagāmiñca maggaṁ.

And I will teach you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned.

Taṁ suṇātha.

Listen to that.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhataṁ …pe…?

And what is the unconditioned?

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo?

And what is the path leading to the unconditioned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sammāsamādhiṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.

Here a disciple develops right concentration, which is based on seclusion, dispassion, cessation, and leads to relinquishment.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.

This is called the path leading to the unconditioned.

Iti kho, bhikkhave, desitaṁ vo mayā asaṅkhataṁ, desito asaṅkhatagāmimaggo.

Thus I have taught you the unconditioned, I have taught you the path leading to the unconditioned.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, satthārā karaṇīyaṁ sāvakānaṁ hitesinā anukampakena anukampaṁ upādāya, kataṁ vo taṁ mayā.

Whatever should be done by a teacher who seeks the welfare of his disciples, out of compassion, that I have done for you.

Etāni, bhikkhave, rukkhamūlāni, etāni suññāgārāni.

These are the roots of trees these are empty huts.

Jhāyatha, bhikkhave, mā pamādattha; mā pacchā vippaṭisārino ahuvattha.

Practice, do not be negligent; do not regret it later.

Ayaṁ vo amhākaṁ anusāsanī”ti. Paṭhamaṁ.

This is our instruction to you.