iti.85 Itivuttaka

Contemplating Foulness

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, live contemplating the foulness of the body. Let mindfulness of breathing be inwardly well established before you. Live contemplating the impermanence of all formations.

“For those who live contemplating foulness in the body, the tendency to lust with regard to the element of beauty is abandoned. When mindfulness of breathing is inwardly well established before one, the tendencies of extraneous thoughts to produce vexation of mind remain no more. For those who live contemplating the impermanence of all formations, ignorance is abandoned and knowledge arises.”

Contemplating foulness in the body,
Being mindful of in-and-out breathing,
Ever ardent and seeing clearly
The calming down of all formations:

Such a bhikkhu who sees rightly
Is thereby well released.
Accomplished in knowledge, at peace,
That sage has overcome all bonds.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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Observing Ugliness

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, meditate observing the ugliness of the body.
Let mindfulness of breathing be well-established right there inside you.
Meditate observing the impermanence of all conditions.
As you meditate observing the ugliness of the body, you will give up desire for the body.
When mindfulness of breathing is well-established right there inside you, there will be no distressing external thoughts or wishes.
When you meditate observing the impermanence of all conditions, ignorance is given up and knowledge arises.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Observing the ugliness of the body,
mindful of the breath,
one always keen sees
the stilling of all activities.
That mendicant sees rightly,
and when freed in regards to that,
that peaceful sage, with perfect insight,
has truly escaped their bonds.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.