A SkeletonAṭṭhikamahapphalasutta

At Sāvatthī.Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

“Mendicants, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated it’s very fruitful and beneficial.“Aṭṭhikasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṁsā. How so?Kathaṁ bhāvitā ca, bhikkhave, aṭṭhikasaññā kathaṁ bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṁsā? It’s when a mendicant develops the perception of a skeleton together with the awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion,Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu aṭṭhikasaññāsahagataṁ satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ …pe… and equanimity, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go.aṭṭhikasaññāsahagataṁ upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. That’s how the perception of a skeleton, when developed and cultivated, is very fruitful and beneficial.”Evaṁ bhāvitā kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭhikasaññā evaṁ bahulīkatā mahapphalā hoti mahānisaṁsā”ti.

“When the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated you can expect one of two results: enlightenment in this very life, or if there’s residue left behind, non-return.“Aṭṭhikasaññāya, bhikkhave, bhāvitāya bahulīkatāya dvinnaṁ phalānaṁ aññataraṁ phalaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—diṭṭheva dhamme aññā, sati vā upādisese anāgāmitā. How so? …”Kathaṁ bhāvitāya ca kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭhikasaññāya kathaṁ bahulīkatāya dvinnaṁ phalānaṁ aññataraṁ phalaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—diṭṭheva dhamme aññā, sati vā upādisese anāgāmitā?

“Mendicants, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated it leads to great benefit.“Aṭṭhikasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahato atthāya saṁvattati. How so? …”Kathaṁ bhāvitā ca, bhikkhave, aṭṭhikasaññā kathaṁ bahulīkatā mahato atthāya saṁvattati?

“Mendicants, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated it leads to great sanctuary from the yoke.“Aṭṭhikasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahato yogakkhemāya saṁvattati. How so? …”Kathaṁ bhāvitā ca, bhikkhave, aṭṭhikasaññā kathaṁ bahulīkatā mahato yogakkhemāya saṁvattati?

“Mendicants, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated it leads to great inspiration.“Aṭṭhikasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahato saṁvegāya saṁvattati. How so? …”Kathaṁ bhāvitā ca, bhikkhave, aṭṭhikasaññā kathaṁ bahulīkatā mahato saṁvegāya saṁvattati?

“Mendicants, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated it leads to dwelling in great ease.“Aṭṭhikasaññā, bhikkhave, bhāvitā bahulīkatā mahato phāsuvihārāya saṁvattati. How so? …”Kathaṁ bhāvitā ca, bhikkhave, aṭṭhikasaññā kathaṁ bahulīkatā mahato phāsuvihārāya saṁvattati?