Mettāsahagatasutta

Suttapiṭaka · Saṁyuttanikāya · Mahāvaggasaṁyutta · Vol. 19 · Section 600

[600] "And how, bhikkhus, is the liberation of mind (cetovimutti) by equanimity developed? What is its destination, what is its culmination, what is its fruit, what is its final end? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the factor of awakening (bojjhaṅga) of mindfulness accompanied by equanimity … he develops the factor of awakening of equanimity accompanied by equanimity, based upon seclusion (viveka), based upon dispassion (virāga), based upon cessation (nirodha), maturing in relinquishment (vossagga). If he wishes: 'May I dwell perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive,' he dwells perceiving the repulsive therein. If he wishes: 'May I dwell perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive,' he dwells perceiving the unrepulsive therein. If he wishes: 'May I dwell perceiving the repulsive in both the unrepulsive and the repulsive,' he dwells perceiving the repulsive therein. If he wishes: 'May I dwell perceiving the unrepulsive in both the repulsive and the unrepulsive,' he dwells perceiving the unrepulsive therein. If he wishes: 'Avoiding both the unrepulsive and the repulsive, may I dwell equanimous, mindful and clearly comprehending,' he dwells therein equanimous, mindful and clearly comprehending. Or else, with the complete transcending of the base of the infinity of consciousness (viññāṇañcāyatana), aware that 'there is nothing,' he enters and dwells in the base of nothingness (ākiñcaññāyatana). Bhikkhus, I declare that the liberation of mind by equanimity has the base of nothingness as its culmination — for a bhikkhu whose wisdom is here (idha-pañña), who has not penetrated a further liberation."

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.

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