5-46-7 Ānāpānavaggo | Samyutta

VII. In-And-Out Breathing

57 (1) The Skeleton

(i. Of great fruit)

At Sāvatthī.

Bhikkhus, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated, it is of great fruit and benefit.

And how, Bhikkhus, is the perception of a skeleton developed and cultivated so that it is of great fruit and benefit?

Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of mindfulness accompanied by the perception of a skeleton …

… he develops the enlightenment factor of equanimity accompanied by the perception of a skeleton, based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.

- It is in this way that the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated so that it is of great fruit and benefit.

(ii. One of 2 fruits)

Bhikkhus, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated, one of 2 fruits is to be expected:

either final knowledge in this very life
or, if there is a residue of clinging, the state of non-returning.

And how, Bhikkhus, is the perception of a skeleton developed and cultivated

so that one of 2 fruits is to be expected: either final knowledge in this very life or, if there is a residue of clinging, the state of non-returning?

Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of mindfulness accompanied by the perception of a skeleton …

…he develops the enlightenment factor of equanimity accompanied by the perception of a skeleton, based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.

- It is in this way that the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated

so that one of 2 fruits is to be expected: either final knowledge in this very life or, if there is a residue of clinging, the state of non-returning.

(iii. Great good)

Bhikkhus, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated, it leads to great good.

And how, Bhikkhus, is the perception of a skeleton developed and cultivated so that it leads to great good?

Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of mindfulness accompanied by the perception of a skeleton …

…he develops the enlightenment factor of equanimity accompanied by the perception of a skeleton, based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.

- It is in this way that the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated so that it leads to great good.

(iv. Security from bondage)

Bhikkhus, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated, it leads to great security from bondage.

And how, Bhikkhus, is the perception of a skeleton developed and cultivated so that it leads to great security from bondage?…

(All as above.)

(v. Sense of urgency)

Bhikkhus, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated, it leads to a great sense of urgency.

And how, Bhikkhus, is the perception of a skeleton developed and cultivated so that it leads to a great sense of urgency?…

(All as above.)

(vi. Dwelling in comfort)

Bhikkhus, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated, it leads to dwelling in great comfort.

And how, Bhikkhus, is the perception of a skeleton developed and cultivated so that it leads to dwelling in great comfort?…

(All as above.)

(Each of the following Suttas, §§58–76, is to be elaborated in accordance with the 6-fold method of §57.)

58 (2) The Worm-Infested

Bhikkhus, when the perception of a worm-infested corpse is developed …

59 (3) The Livid

Bhikkhus, when the perception of a livid corpse is developed …

60 (4) The Fissured

Bhikkhus, when the perception of a fissured corpse is developed …

61 (5) The Bloated

Bhikkhus, when the perception of a bloated corpse is developed …

62 (6) Loving kindness

Bhikkhus, when loving kindness is developed …

63 (7) Compassion

Bhikkhus, when compassion is developed …

64 (8) Altruistic Joy

Bhikkhus, when altruistic joy is developed …

65 (9) Equanimity

Bhikkhus, when equanimity is developed …

66 (10) Breathing

Bhikkhus, when mindfulness of breathing is developed …