SN47.21 — The Section on the Establishment of Mindfulness

The Discourse on Virtue

Thus have I heard. On one occasion, the Venerable Ānanda and the Venerable Bhadda were dwelling at Pāṭaliputta in the Kukkuṭārāma. Then, in the evening, the Venerable Bhadda, having emerged from seclusion, approached the Venerable Ānanda. Having approached, he exchanged greetings with the Venerable Ānanda. After exchanging greetings and cordial talk, he sat down to one side.

Sitting to one side, the Venerable Bhadda said to the Venerable Ānanda, Friend Ānanda, for what purpose did the Blessed One declare these wholesome virtues?

Good, good, friend Bhadda. You have asked well, friend Bhadda, and your inquiry is commendable. For you have asked, Friend Ānanda, for what purpose did the Blessed One declare these wholesome virtues?

Yes, friend, he replied.

Friend Bhadda, the Blessed One declared these wholesome virtues for the purpose of developing the four establishments of mindfulness. What are these four? Here, friend, a disciple dwells contemplating the body in the body, ardent, clearly knowing, and mindful, having removed covetousness and grief in regard to the world. He dwells contemplating feelings in feelings, ardent, clearly knowing, and mindful, having removed covetousness and grief in regard to the world. He dwells contemplating the mind in the mind, ardent, clearly knowing, and mindful, having removed covetousness and grief in regard to the world. He dwells contemplating phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly knowing, and mindful, having removed covetousness and grief in regard to the world.

Friend Bhadda, the Blessed One declared these wholesome virtues for the purpose of developing these four establishments of mindfulness.

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