Asubhānupassīsutta

Itivuttaka 85

So It Was Said 85

Tikanipāta

The Book of the Threes

Catutthavagga

Chapter Four

Asubhānupassīsutta

Observing Ugliness

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“Asubhānupassī, bhikkhave, kāyasmiṁ viharatha;

“Mendicants, meditate observing the ugliness of the body.

ānāpānassati ca vo ajjhattaṁ parimukhaṁ sūpaṭṭhitā hotu;

Let mindfulness of breathing be well-established internally on the present.

sabbasaṅkhāresu aniccānupassino viharatha.

Meditate observing the impermanence of all conditions.

Asubhānupassīnaṁ, bhikkhave, kāyasmiṁ viharataṁ yo subhāya dhātuyā rāgānusayo so pahīyati.

As you meditate observing the ugliness of the body, you will give up desire for the body.

Ānāpānassatiyā ajjhattaṁ parimukhaṁ sūpaṭṭhititāya ye bāhirā vitakkāsayā vighātapakkhikā, te na honti.

When mindfulness of breathing is well-established internally on the present, there will be no distressing external thoughts or wishes.

Sabbasaṅkhāresu aniccānupassīnaṁ viharataṁ yā avijjā sā pahīyati, yā vijjā sā uppajjatī”ti.

When you meditate observing the impermanence of all conditions, ignorance is given up and knowledge arises.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca.

The Buddha spoke this matter.

Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

On this it is said:

“Asubhānupassī kāyasmiṁ,

“Observing the ugliness of the body,

ānāpāne paṭissato;

mindful of the breath,

Sabbasaṅkhārasamathaṁ,

one always keen sees

passaṁ ātāpi sabbadā.

the stilling of all activities.

Sa ve sammaddaso bhikkhu,

That mendicant sees rightly,

yato tattha vimuccati;

and when freed in regards to that,

Abhiññāvosito santo,

that peaceful sage, with perfect insight,

sa ve yogātigo munī”ti.

has truly slipped their yoke.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.

Chaṭṭhaṁ.