{"collection":"Samyutta Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_sn47.3/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_sn47.3","id":"suttacentral_sn47.3","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/sn47.3/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Samyutta Nikaya"],"text":"At one time the Buddha was staying near S\u0101vatth\u012b in Jeta\u2019s Grove, An\u0101thapi\u1e47\u1e0dika\u2019s monastery. Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, \u201cSir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I\u2019ve heard it, I\u2019ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.\u201d \u201cThis is exactly how some futile people ask me for something. But when the teaching has been explained they think only of following me around.\u201d \u201cSir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief! May the Holy One teach me the Dhamma in brief! Hopefully I can understand the meaning of what the Buddha says! Hopefully I can be an heir of the Buddha\u2019s teaching!\u201d \u201cWell then, mendicant, you should purify the starting point of skillful qualities. What is the starting point of skillful qualities? Well purified ethics and correct view. When your ethics are well purified and your view is correct, you should develop the four kinds of mindfulness meditation in three ways, depending on and grounded on ethics. What four? Meditate observing an aspect of the body internally\u2014keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. Or meditate observing an aspect of the body externally\u2014keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. Or meditate observing an aspect of the body internally and externally\u2014keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. Or meditate observing an aspect of feelings internally \u2026 externally \u2026 internally and externally\u2014keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. Or meditate observing an aspect of the mind internally \u2026 externally \u2026 internally and externally\u2014keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. Or meditate observing an aspect of principles internally \u2026 externally \u2026 internally and externally\u2014keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. When you develop the four kinds of mindfulness meditation in these three ways, depending on and grounded on ethics, you can expect growth, not decline, in skillful qualities, whether by day or by night.\u201d And then that mendicant approved and agreed with what the Buddha said. He got up from his seat, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving. Then that mendicant, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness. He understood: \u201cRebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.\u201d And that mendicant became one of the perfected.","title":"A Monk","tradition":"Samyutta Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":458}