sn.52.11 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

A Thousand Eons

At one time Venerable Anuruddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.
Then several mendicants went up to Venerable Anuruddha, exchanged greetings with him … and said:
“What things has Venerable Anuruddha developed and cultivated to attain great direct knowledge?”
“Reverends, I attained great direct knowledge by developing and cultivating the four kinds of mindfulness meditation.
What four?
I meditate observing an aspect of the body …
feelings …
mind …
principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.
I attained great direct knowledge by developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation.
And it’s because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I recollect a thousand eons.”