AN7.49 — Dutiyasannasutta
Disciples, these seven perceptions, when developed and cultivated, are of great fruit and benefit, leading to the deathless, having the deathless as their culmination.
What are the seven?
The perception of unattractiveness, the perception of death, the perception of repulsiveness in food, the perception of dissatisfaction in every world, the perception of impermanence, the perception of suffering in impermanence, the perception of non-self in suffering.
These are the seven perceptions which, when developed and cultivated, are of great fruit and benefit, leading to the deathless, having the deathless as their culmination.
Perception of Unattractiveness
The perception of unattractiveness when developed and cultivated, is of great fruit and benefit, leading to the deathless, having the deathless as their culmination.
Thus it has been said. Why was this said?
With frequent contemplation of the perception of unattractiveness the mind of a disciple who dwells frequently therein recoils from sexual intercourse, does not incline towards it, either indifference or repulsion stands.
Just as a leaf or a piece of meat thrown into the fire recoils, does not spread out.
Similarly with frequent contemplation of the perception of unattractiveness, the mind of a disciple who dwells frequently therein recoils from sexual intercourse, does not incline towards it, either indifference or repulsion stands.
If on the other hand, a disciple dwells frequently therein, contemplating the perception of unattractiveness, and his mind inclines towards sexual intercourse, indifference stands; it should be understood by that disciple, My perception of unattractiveness is undeveloped, there is no distinction for me between before and after, my cultivation of power is unattained.
Thus he is clearly aware there.
But if while a disciple dwells frequently therein, contemplating the perception of unattractiveness, his mind recoils from sexual intercourse, does not incline towards it, either indifference or repulsion stands; it should be understood by that disciple, My perception of unattractiveness is well developed, there is a distinction for me between before and after, my cultivation of power is attained.
Thus he is clearly aware there.
The perception of unattractiveness when developed and cultivated, is of great fruit and benefit, leading to the deathless, having the deathless as their culmination, thus it was said with reference to this.
Perception of Death
The perception of death when developed and cultivated, is of great fruit and benefit, leading to the deathless, having the deathless as their culmination, thus it was said. Why was this said?
With frequent contemplation of the perception of death the mind of a disciple who dwells frequently therein recoils from the desire for life, does not incline towards it, either indifference or repulsion stands.
Just as a leaf or a piece of meat thrown into the fire recoils, does not spread out.
Similarly with frequent contemplation of the perception of death, the mind of a disciple who dwells frequently therein recoils from the desire for life, does not incline towards it, either indifference or repulsion stands.
If on the other hand, a disciple dwells frequently therein, contemplating the perception of death, and his mind inclines towards the desire for life, indifference stands; it should be understood by that disciple, My perception of death is undeveloped, there is no distinction for me between before and after, my cultivation of power is unattained.
Thus he is clearly aware there.
But if while a disciple dwells frequently therein, contemplating the perception of death, his mind recoils from the desire for life, does not incline towards it, either indifference or repulsion stands; it should be understood by that disciple, My perception of death is well developed, there is a distinction for me between before and after, my cultivation of power is attained.
Thus he is clearly aware there.
The perception of death when developed and cultivated, is of great fruit and benefit, leading to the deathless, having the deathless as their culmination, thus it was said with reference to this.
Perception of Repulsiveness in Food
The perception of repulsiveness in food when developed and cultivated, is of great fruit and benefit, leading to the deathless, having the deathless as their culmination, thus it has indeed been said. Why has this been said?
Disciples, with frequent contemplation of the perception of repulsiveness in food, the mind becomes devoid of craving for sensual pleasures, does not incline towards them, either indifference or repulsion stands.
Just as a leaf or a piece of meat thrown into the fire recoils, does not spread out.
Similarly with frequent contemplation of the perception of repulsiveness in food, the mind becomes devoid of craving for sensual pleasures, does not incline towards them, either indifference or repulsion stands.
Perception of Dissatisfaction in Every World
The perception of dissatisfaction in every world when developed and cultivated, is of great fruit and benefit, leading to the deathless, having the deathless as their culmination, thus it has indeed been said. Why has this been said?
Disciples, with frequent contemplation of the perception of dissatisfaction in every world, the mind becomes devoid of craving for sensual pleasures, does not incline towards them, either indifference or repulsion stands.
Just as a leaf or a piece of meat thrown into the fire recoils, does not spread out.
Similarly with frequent contemplation of the perception of dissatisfaction in every world, the mind becomes devoid of craving for sensual pleasures, does not incline towards them, either indifference or repulsion stands.
Perception of Impermanence
The perception of impermanence when developed and cultivated, is of great fruit and benefit, leading to the deathless, having the deathless as their culmination, thus it has indeed been said. Why has this been said?
Disciples, with frequent contemplation of the perception of impermanence, the mind withdraws from gain, honor, and fame, either equanimity or repulsion arises.
Just as a leaf or a piece of meat thrown into the fire withdraws, contracts, and recoils, it does not spread out.
Similarly with frequent contemplation of the perception of impermanence, the mind withdraws from gain, honor, and fame, either equanimity or repulsion arises.
Perception of Suffering in Impermanence
The perception of suffering in impermanence when developed and cultivated, is of great fruit and benefit, leading to the deathless, having the deathless as their culmination, thus it has indeed been said. Why has this been said?
Disciples, with frequent contemplation of the perception of suffering in impermanence, a sharp perception of fear arises, just as for a murderer with a drawn sword.
If on the other hand, a disciple frequently dwells with his mind imbued with the perception of suffering in impermanence, a sharp perception of fear does not arise.
Perception of Not-self in Suffering
The perception of not-self in suffering when developed and cultivated, is of great fruit and benefit, leading to the deathless, having the deathless as their culmination, thus indeed it has been said. Why has this been said?
Because with frequent contemplation of the perception of not-self in suffering, the mind becomes devoid of egoism, conceit, and arrogance, surpassed, peaceful, and utterly liberated.
These seven perceptions when developed and cultivated, are of great fruit and benefit, leading to the deathless, having the deathless as their culmination.