Itivuttaka 53

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Adapted From the Translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu(Geoffrey DeGraff)

Compared with the Pali Tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org

53. Dutiyavedanasuttam ( How to Watch Sensations in Meditation)

This was said by the Lord Buddha(Bhagavata), said by the Arahant, so I have heard:

“Monks, there are these three sensations. Which three? A sensation of pleasure, a sensation of pain, a sensation of neither pleasure nor pain.

(1) A sensation of pleasure should be seen as sufferingful.

(2) A sensation of pain should be seen as an arrow.

(3) A sensation of neither pleasure nor pain should be seen as inconstant.

When a monk has seen a feeling(sensation) of pleasure as sufferingful, a feeling(sensation) of pain as an arrow, and a feeling(sensation) of neither pleasure nor pain as inconstant, then he is called a monk who is noble, who has seen rightly, who has cut off craving(tanha), destroyed the fetters, and who—from the right breaking-through of conceit—has put an end to suffering & suffering.”

Whoever watches pleasure as suffering, watches pain as an arrow, sees peaceful neither pleasure nor pain as inconstant: he is a monk who’s seen with equanimity. From that he is there released. A master of direct knowing, at peace,(a yogi), he is a sage gone beyond bonds.

See also: MN 44; SN 36:4; SN 36:6