126. [Discourse on Being of a Mortal Nature] (SA126)

Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was staying at Mount Makula, at that time being with an attendant monk by the name of Rādha.

Then the Blessed One said to Rādha: “Whatever bodily form, whether past, future or present, internal or external, gross or subtle, sublime or repugnant, far or near, it should all be contemplated as being completely of a mortal nature. Feeling … perception … formations … consciousness is also like this.

The rest should be recited as before.

Translated by Bhikkhu Anālayo. Originally published in ‘On Rādha and Views – A Translation of Saṁyukta-āgama Discourses 111 to 138 (Fascicle 6)’, Dharma Drum Journal of Buddhist Studies, 2015, vol. 17 pp. 1–42.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Seniya Ariyakumara and Ayya Vimala.