Category Archives: Uncategorized

iv.360; p.1372 of Bhikkhu Bodhi’s translation: 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 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’m in the process of a major transition, having completed my separation from the town that I’ve lived in for the last twenty-three years. Hopefully, I will be able to regularly write in this blog from here on. I’ve been … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Continuing with MN 119, Kāyagatāsati Sutta… In the following passage I took the liberty of replacing the usual “carrying her robe and bowl” with a more neutral reference, “in respect of clothing.” “Furthermore, seekers, a practitioner is fully aware when … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Going into hospital this week for a small operation on this body. How fragile, how vulnerable, it is to the illnesses typical of old age. I think of that description by the Buddha of his body before he died. Ananda … Continue reading → Continue reading →

So, in the Kāyagatā Sutta, in response to the monks’ discussion, the Buddha expands on the practice of mindfulness of the body. And to begin with he describes a person who accustoms herself to unifying breath and whole-body awareness. This … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Mindfulness of the Body is often underrated. The disbelief or surprise – I imagine, even the skepticism – at this practice and teaching, the teaching of the power of mindfulness of the body, is hinted at in the beginning of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

In the Sāmaññaphala Sutta we read that a meditator at some stage develops a ‘mind-made body’ (manomayakaya): “And with [her] mind thus concentrated… imperturbable, [she] applies and directs her mind to the producing of a mind-made body. Out of this … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Mindfulness directed to the body is no small thing, in the Buddha’s dispensation: “They have not comprehended the Deathless who have not comprehended mindfulness directed to the body. They have comprehended the Deathless who have comprehended mindfulness directed to the … Continue reading → Continue reading →