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sn.47.5 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

A Heap of the Wholesome

At Savatthi. There the Blessed One said this: “Bhikkhus, if one were to say of anything ‘a heap of the unwholesome,’ it is about the five hindrances that one could rightly say this. For this is a complete heap of the unwholesome, that is, the five hindrances. What five? The hindrance of sensual desire, the hindrance of ill will, the hindrance of sloth and torpor, the hindrance of restlessness and remorse, the hindrance of doubt. If one were to say of anything ‘a heap of the unwholesome,’ it is about these five hindrances that one could rightly say this. For this is a complete heap of the unwholesome, that is, the five hindrances.

“If, bhikkhus, one were to say of anything ‘a heap of the wholesome, ’ it is about the four establishments of mindfulness that one could rightly say this. For this is a complete heap of the wholesome, that is, the four establishments of mindfulness. What four? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body in the body, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world. He dwells contemplating feelings in feelings … mind in mind … phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world. If one were to say of anything ‘a heap of the wholesome, ’ it is about these four establishments of mindfulness that one could rightly say this. For this is a complete heap of the wholesome, that is, the four establishments of mindfulness.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh


A Heap of the Unskillful

At Sāvatthī.
There the Buddha said:
“Rightly speaking, mendicants, you’d call these five hindrances a ‘heap of the unskillful’.
For these five hindrances are entirely a heap of the unskillful.
What five?
The hindrances of sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, and doubt.
Rightly speaking, you’d call these five hindrances a ‘heap of the unskillful’.
For these five hindrances are entirely a heap of the unskillful.
Rightly speaking, you’d call these four kinds of mindfulness meditation a ‘heap of the skillful’.
For these four kinds of mindfulness meditation are entirely a heap of the skillful.
What four?
It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.
They meditate observing an aspect of feelings …
They meditate observing an aspect of the mind …
They meditate observing an aspect of principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.
Rightly speaking, you’d call these four kinds of mindfulness meditation a ‘heap of the skillful’.
For these four kinds of mindfulness meditation are entirely a heap of the skillful.”