Chapter 9 Asankhata Samyutta: On the unconditioned
SN 43.1 Kāyagatāsati Sutta: Mindfulness Directed to the Body
At Savatthi. "Bhikkhus, I will teach you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned. Listen to that ... . " "And what, bhikkhus, is the unconditioned? The destruction of lust, the destruction of hatred, the destruction of delusion: this is called the unconditioned. "
"And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Mindfulness directed to the body: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned. Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned. Whatever should be done, bhikkhus, by a compassionate teacher out of compassion for his disciples, desiring their welfare, that I have done for you. These are the feet of trees, bhikkhus, these are empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not be negligent, lest you regret it later. This is our instruction to you."
SN 43.2 Samathavipassanā Sutta: Serenity and Insight
"Bhikkhus, I will teach you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned. Listen to that ... . "
"And what, bhikkhus, is the unconditioned? The destruction of lust, the destruction of hatred, the destruction of delusion: this is called the unconditioned. "
"And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Serenity and insight: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned .... "
SN 43.3 Savitakkasavicāra Sutta: With Thought and Examination
... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Concentration with thought and examination; concentration without thought, with examination only; concentration without thought and examination:367 this is called the path leading to the unconditioned ... . "
SN 43.4 Suññatasamādhi Sutta: Emptiness Concentration
... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The emptiness concentration, the sign-less concentration, the undirected concentration:368 this is called the path leading to the unconditioned ... . "
SN 43.5 Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta: Establishments of Mil1dfulness
... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The four establishments of mindfulness .... "
SN 43.6 Sammappadhāna Sutta: Right Strivings
... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The four right strivings ... . "
SN 43.7 Iddhipāda Sutta: Bases for Spiritual Power
... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The four bases for spiritual power ... . "
SN 43.8 Indriya Sutta: Spiritual Faculties
... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The five spiritual faculties ... . "
SN 43.9 Bala Sutta: Powers
... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The five powers . . .. "
SN 43.10 Bojjhaṅga Sutta: Factors of Enlightenment
... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The seven factors of enlightenment ... . "
SN 43.11 Maggaṅga Sutta: The Eightfold Path
... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? The Noble Eightfold Path: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned. "Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned .... This is our instruction to you."
SN 43.12 Asaṅkhata Sutta: The Unconditioned (i. Serenity)
"Bhikkhus, I will teach you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned. Listen to that. . .." "And what, bhikkhus, is the unconditioned? The destruction of lust, the destruction of hatred, the destruction of delusion: this is called the unconditioned. "
(i) serenity "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Serenity: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned .... Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned .. .. This is our instruction to you."
(ii) Insight "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Insight: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned .... "
(iii-viii Concentration)
(iii) .. U And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Concentration with thought and examination: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned .... " (iv) . . . U And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Concentration without thought, with examination only .... " (v) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Concentration without thought and examination . . .. " (vi) . . . U And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Emptiness concentration .... " (vii) ... U And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Sign-less concentration . . .. " (viii) . . . U And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Undirected concentration: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned .... "
(ix-xii. The four establishments of mindfulness)
(ix) ... U And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? 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: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned . . .. " (x) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating feelings in feelings, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world . . . . " (xi) ... U And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating mind in mind, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world . . .. " (xii) ... "And what, bhikkhus is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned .... "
(xiii-xvi. The four right strivings)
(xiii) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu generates desire for the non-arising of unarisen evil unwholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned .... " (xiv) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu generates desire for the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives .... " (xv) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu generates desire for the arising of unarisen wholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives . . .. " (xvi) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu generates desire for the continuance of arisen wholesome states, for their non-decay, increase, expansion, and fulfillment by development; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned ... . "
(xvii-xx. The four bases for spiritual power)
(xvii) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to desire and volitional formations of striving: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned .... " (xviii) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to energy and volitional formations of striving ... . " (xix) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to mind and volitional formations of striving . . .. " (xx) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the basis for spiritual power that possesses concentration due to investigation and volitional formations of striving: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned .... "
(xxi-xxv. The five spiritual faculties)
(xxi) .. , "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of faith, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned .... "
(xxii-xxv) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of energy ... the faculty of mindfulness ... the faculty of concentration ... the faculty of wisdom, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned"
(xxvi-xxx. The five powers) (xxvi) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the power of faith, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned .... " (xxvii-xxx) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the power of energy ... the power of mindfulness . ... the power of concentration ... the power of wisdom which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned ... . "
(xxxi-xxxvii. The seven factors of enlightenment)
(xxxi) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of mindfulness, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned ... . " (xxxii-xxxvii) '" "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the enlightenment factor of discrimination of states ... the enlightenment factor of energy ... the enlightenment factor of rapture ... the enlightenment factor of tranquility ... the enlightenment factor of concentration ... the enlightenment factor of equanimity, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned .... "
(xxxviii-xiv. The Noble Eightfold Path)
(xxxviii) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops right view, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned . . .. " (xxxix-xlv) ... "And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the unconditioned? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops right intention ... right speech ... right action ... right livelihood ... right effort ... right mindfulness ... right concentration, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release: this is called the path leading to the unconditioned. "
"Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught you the unconditioned and the path leading to the unconditioned. Whatever should be done, bhikkhus, by a compassionate teacher out of compassion for his disciples, desiring their welfare, that I have done for you. These are the feet of trees, bhikkhus, these are empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not be negligent, lest you regret it later. This is our instruction to you."
SN 43.13 Anata Sutta: The Uninclined
"Bhikkhus, I will teach you the uninclined and the path leading to the uninclined. Listen to that .... "And what, bhikkhus, is the uninclined? .. " (To be elaborated in full as in §§1-12.)
SN 43.14-43 Anāsavādi Sutta: The Taintless, Etc.
"Bhikkhus, I will teach you the taintless and the path leading to the taintless. Listen to that ....
"Bhikkhus, I will teach you the truth and the path leading to the truth . .. . I will teach you the far shore ... the subtle ... the very difficult to see ... the unaging ..... the stable ... the undisintegrating ... the unmanifest ... the unproliferated..... the peaceful ... the deathless ... the sublime ... the auspicious .... the secure .... the destruction of craving ... the wonderful ... the amazing ... the unailing ... the unailing state ... Nibbana ... the unafflicted ... dispassion ... purity ... freedom . .. the unadhesive ... the island .. , the shelter ... the asylum ... the refuge . .. . . "
SN 43.44 Parāyana Sutta: The Destination
"Bhikkhus, I will teach you the destination and the path leading to the destination. Listen to that .... "
"And what, bhikkhus, is the destination? The destruction of lust, the destruction of hatred, the destruction of delusion: this is called the destination. And what, bhikkhus, is the path leading to the destination? Mindfulness directed to the body: this is called the path leading to the destination. "
"Thus, bhikkhus, I have taught you the destination and the path leading to the destination. Whatever should be done, bhikkhus, by a compassionate teacher out of compassion for his disciples, desiring their welfare, that I have done for you. These are the feet of trees, bhikkhus, these are empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not be negligent, lest you regret it later. This is our instruction to you." (Each to be elaborated in full as in §§1-12.)
References 1. www.accesstoinsight.org 2. https://suttacentral.net/ 3. The connected discourses of the Buddha (Bhikkhu Bodhi)