Seth Auberon, Amber Larson, Seven Dhr. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly, Ven. Thanissaro (trans.) Cula-Suññata Sutra: "The Shorter Discourse on Emptiness" (MN 121)
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| Sitting on an empty beach in calm waters after yoga (sweetwaterhrv.com). |
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| Tibetan monastery: meditation hall for study, chanting, and sitting (rishabh.asthana/flickr). |
Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One (the Buddha) was staying at Savatthi in the Eastern Temple, the monastery of Migara's mother. Then in the evening, Ven. Ananda, coming out of [meditative] seclusion, went to the Blessed One, bowed, and sat respectfully to one side.
As he was sitting there, he said to the [Buddha]: "On one occasion, when the Blessed One was staying among [his family] the Shakyans in a Shakyan town [far west of India] named Nagaraka, there -- face-to-face with the Blessed One -- I heard this, face-to-face I learned this:
"'I now remain fully in a dwelling of emptiness.' Did I hear that correctly, learn it correctly, attend to it correctly, remember it correctly?"
- NOTE: This discourse deals with the "four immaterial meditative absorptions" or arupa jhanas beyond the "fine material (rupa) sphere" and its four levels of absorption.
"Just as this monastery of Migara's mother is empty [devoid] of elephants, cattle, and mares, empty of gold and silver, empty of assemblies of women and men, and there is only this non-emptiness -- the singleness based on the community of monastics -- even so, Ananda, a meditator -- not attending to the perception [mental note] of village, not attending to the perception of human being -- attends to the singleness based on the perception of wilderness.
"One's mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, and indulges in its perception of wilderness. "One discerns that 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of village are not present. Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of human being are not present. There is only this modicum of disturbance: the singleness based on the perception of wilderness.'
"One discerns that, 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of village. This mode of perception is empty of the perception of human being. There is only this non-emptiness: the singleness based on the perception of wilderness.' Thus, one regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, one discerns as present, 'There is this.' And so this, one's entry into emptiness, accords with actuality (reality), is undistorted in meaning, and pure.
The Perception of Earth
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| Space, the akasha deva loka (NASA) |
"Just as a bull's hide is stretched free of wrinkles with a hundred supporting stakes, even so -- without attending to all of the ridges and hollows, the river ravines, the tracts of stumps and thorns, the craggy irregularities of this earth -- one attends to the singleness based on the perception of earth. One's mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, and indulges in its perception of earth.
"One discerns that, 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of human being are not present. Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of wilderness are not present. There is only this modicum of disturbance, the singleness based on the perception of earth.'
One discerns that, 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of human being. This mode of perception is empty of the perception of wilderness. There is only this non-emptiness, the singleness based on the perception of earth.' Thus, one regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, one discerns as present, 'There is this.' And so this, one's entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, and pure.
(The Boundlessness of Space)
Further, Ananda, the meditator -- not attending to the perception of
wilderness, not attending to the perception of earth -- attends to the
singleness based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of
space. One's mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, and
indulges in its perception of the dimension of the infinitude of space.
"One discerns that, 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of wilderness are not present. Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of earth are not present. There is only this modicum of disturbance, the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of space.'
One discerns that, 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of wilderness. This mode of perception is empty of the perception of earth. There is only this non-emptiness, the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of space.' Thus, one regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, one discerns as present, 'There is this.' And so this, one's entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, and pure.
"One discerns that, 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of wilderness are not present. Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of earth are not present. There is only this modicum of disturbance, the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of space.'
One discerns that, 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of wilderness. This mode of perception is empty of the perception of earth. There is only this non-emptiness, the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of space.' Thus, one regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, one discerns as present, 'There is this.' And so this, one's entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, and pure.
(The Boundlessness of Consciousness)
"Further, Ananda, the meditator -- not attending to the perception of
earth, not attending to the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of space -- attends to the singleness based on the perception
of the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness.
One's mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, and indulges in its perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness.
"One discerns that, 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of earth are not present. Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of space are not present. There is only this modicum of disturbance, the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness.'
"One discerns that, 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of earth. This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of space. There is only this non-emptiness, the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness.'
"Thus, one regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, one discerns as present, 'There is this.' And so this, one's entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, and pure.
One's mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, and indulges in its perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness.
"One discerns that, 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of earth are not present. Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of space are not present. There is only this modicum of disturbance, the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness.'
"One discerns that, 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of earth. This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of space. There is only this non-emptiness, the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness.'
"Thus, one regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, one discerns as present, 'There is this.' And so this, one's entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, and pure.
(Nothingness)
"Further, Ananda, the meditator -- not attending to the perception of the
dimension of the boundlessness of space, not attending to the perception of
the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness -- attends to the
singleness based on the perception of the dimension of nothingness.
"One's mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, and indulges in its perception of the dimension of nothingness.
"One discerns that, 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of space are not present. Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness are not present.
"'There is only this modicum of disturbance, the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of nothingness.' "One discerns that, 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of space.
"This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness. There is only this non-emptiness, the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of nothingness.'
"Thus, one regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, one discerns as present, 'There is this.' And so this, one's entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, and pure.
"Further, Ananda, the meditator -- not attending to the perception of the
dimension of the boundlessness of space, not attending to the perception of
the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness -- attends to the
singleness based on the perception of the dimension of nothingness."One's mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, and indulges in its perception of the dimension of nothingness.
"One discerns that, 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of space are not present. Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness are not present.
"'There is only this modicum of disturbance, the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of nothingness.' "One discerns that, 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of space.
"This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness. There is only this non-emptiness, the singleness based on the perception of the dimension of nothingness.'
"Thus, one regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, one discerns as present, 'There is this.' And so this, one's entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, and pure.
(Neither Perception nor Non-Perception)
"Further, Ananda, the meditator -- not attending to the perception of the
dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness, not attending to the
perception of the dimension of nothingness -- attends to the singleness
based on the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.
"One's mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, and indulges in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.
"One discerns that, 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness are not present. Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of nothingness are not present.
"There is only this modicum of disturbance, the singleness based on the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.'
"One discerns that, 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness. This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of nothingness.
"There is only this non-emptiness, the singleness based on the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.' Thus, one regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, one discerns as present, 'There is this.' And so this, one's entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, and pure.
Signless Concentration
"Further, Ananda, the meditator -- not attending to the perception of the
dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness, not attending to the
perception of the dimension of nothingness -- attends to the singleness
based on the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception."One's mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, and indulges in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.
"One discerns that, 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness are not present. Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of nothingness are not present.
"There is only this modicum of disturbance, the singleness based on the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.'
"One discerns that, 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of the boundlessness of consciousness. This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of nothingness.
"There is only this non-emptiness, the singleness based on the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.' Thus, one regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, one discerns as present, 'There is this.' And so this, one's entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, and pure.
Signless Concentration
"Further, Ananda, the meditator -- not attending to the perception of the
dimension of nothingness, not attending to the perception of the
dimension of neither perception nor non-perception -- attends to the
singleness [onepointedness of mind] based on the signless concentration of awareness."One's mind [heart] takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, and indulges in its signless concentration of awareness.
"One discerns that, 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of nothingness are not present. Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception are not present.
"And there is only this modicum of disturbance, [stimuli] connected with the six sensory spheres, dependent on this very body with life as its condition.' One discerns that, 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of nothingness. This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.
"There is only this non-emptiness, [stimuli] connected with the six sensory spheres, dependent on this very body with life as its condition.' Thus, one regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, one discerns as present, 'There is this.' And so this, one's entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, and pure.
Release
"Further, Ananda, the meditator -- not attending to the perception of the dimension of nothingness, not attending to the perception of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception -- attends to the singleness based on the signless concentration of awareness.
"One's mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, and indulges in its signless concentration of awareness.
"One discerns that, 'This signless concentration of awareness is fabricated and mentally fashioned.' And one discerns that, 'Whatever is fabricated and mentally fashioned is inconstant and subject to cessation.'
"For one -- thus knowing, thus seeing -- the mind [heart] is released from the effluent [obstacle, defilement, bond] of sensual craving, the effluent of becoming, the effluent of ignorance. With release, there is the knowledge, 'Released.' One discerns that, 'Rebirth is ended, the supreme life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for this world.'
"One discerns that, 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the effluent of sensual craving...the effluent of becoming...the effluent of ignorance are not present. And there is only this modicum of disturbance, [stimuli] connected with the six sensory spheres, dependent on this very body with life as its condition.'
"One discerns that, 'This mode of perception is empty of the effluent of sensual craving...becoming...ignorance. And there is just this non-emptiness, [stimuli] connected with the six sensory spheres, dependent on this very body with life as its condition.'
"Thus, one regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, one discerns as present, 'There is this.' And so this, one's entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, pure -- superior and unsurpassed.
How it was done
"Whatever wandering ascetics and temple-bound priests who in the future will enter and remain in an emptiness that will be pure, superior, and unsurpassed, they all will enter and remain in this very same emptiness that is pure, superior, and unsurpassed.
"Whatever wandering ascetics and temple-bound priests who at present enter and remain in an emptiness that is pure, superior, and unsurpassed, they all enter and remain in this very same emptiness that is pure, superior, and unsurpassed.
"Therefore, Ananda, train yourselves: 'We will enter and remain in the emptiness that is pure, superior, and unsurpassed.'"
That is what the Blessed One said. Gratified, Ven. Ananda delighted in the Blessed One's words.
- See also Pañcala's Verses (AN 9.42) "In a confining place, he found an opening -- the one of extensive wisdom, the awakened one who awakened to meditative absorption (jhana), the chief bull, withdrawn, the sage."
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