1.3. Treatise on Breathing (PS1.3)

The Foundation of Mindfulness

346. Through in-breaths and out-breaths while acquainted with the cognizance formation there is feeling. The establishment (foundation) is mindfulness. The contemplation is knowledge. The feeling is the establishment (foundation), but it is not the mindfulness. Mindfulness is both the establishment (foundation) and the mindfulness. By means of that mindfulness and that knowledge he contemplates that feeling. Hence “Development of the Foundation (Establishment) of Mindfulness consisting in contemplation of feelings as feelings” is said.

347. He contemplates: … [repeat § 197].

348. Development: … [repeat § 198].

Training

349.–50. In-breaths and out-breaths experiencing the cognizance formation are Purification of Virtue in the sense of restraint: … [repeat the rest of §§ 246–7 up to the end].

Exercise of Mindfulness and Full-awareness

351.–54. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths while acquainted with the cognizance formation, his feelings are recognized as they arise, … [and so on as in §§ 199–202 up to the end].

Combining the Faculties, Etc.

355.–67. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths while acquainted with the cognizance formation, he combines the faculties, … [and so on as in §§ 203–15].

(viii)

368. How is it that (15) he trains thus “I shall breathe in tranquillizing the cognizance formation”; (16) he trains thus “I shall breathe out tranquillizing the cognizance formation”?

Analysis of the Object of Contemplation

369. What is the cognizance formation? Perception and feeling due to long in-breaths … long out-breaths … short in-breaths … short out-breaths … in-breaths while acquainted with the whole body [of breaths] … out-breaths while acquainted with the whole body [of breaths] … in-breaths tranquillizing the body formation … out-breaths tranquillizing the body formation … in-breaths while acquainted with happiness … out-breaths while acquainted with happiness … in-breaths while acquainted with pleasure … out-breaths while acquainted with pleasure … in-breaths while acquainted with the cognizance formation … out-breaths while acquainted with the cognizance formation are mental; these things, being bound up with cognizance, are cognizance formations; he trains in tranquillizing, stopping, stilling, those cognizance formations.

The Foundation of Mindfulness

370. Through in-breaths and out-breaths tranquillizing the cognizance formation there is feeling. The establishment (foundation) … Hence “Development of the Foundation (Establishment) of Mindfulness consisting in contemplation of feelings as feelings” is said.

371. He contemplates: … [§ 197].

372. Development: … [§ 198].

Training

373.–4. In-breaths and out-breaths tranquillizing the cognizance formation are Purification of Virtue in the sense of restraint; …

Exercise of Mindfulness and Full-awareness

375.–8. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths tranquillizing the cognizance formation, his feelings are recognized as they arise, …

Combining the Faculties, Etc.

379.–91. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths tranquillizing the cognizance formation, he combines the faculties, …

Conclusion of the Second Tetrad

392. Eight kinds of knowledge of contemplation, and eight kinds of establishment (foundation) of mindfulness. Four grounds from the Sutta dealing with contemplation of feelings as feelings.

(ix)

393. How is it that (17) he trains thus “I shall breathe in acquainted with cognizance”; (18) he trains thus “I shall breathe out acquainted with cognizance”?

Analysis of the Object of Contemplation

394. What is that cognizance? There is cognizance as consciousness due to long in-breaths; … There is cognizance as consciousness due to short in-breaths; … [and so on with all the other modes up to] … There is cognizance as consciousness due to out-breaths tranquillizing the body formation; any cognizance, mind, mentation, heart, lucidity, mind, mind base, mind faculty, consciousness, consciousness aggregate, [mind consciousness principle produced by that], is cognizance.

395. How is he acquainted with that cognizance? When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through long in-breaths, … [and so on with all the other modes up to] … When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through out-breaths tranquillizing the cognizance formation his mindfulness is established (founded). By means of that mindfulness and that knowledge he is acquainted with that cognizance.

396. When he adverts, he is acquainted with that cognizance. When he knows, … [and so on as in § 242 up to] … When he realizes what is to be realized, he is acquainted with that cognizance. That is how he is acquainted with that cognizance.

The Foundation of Mindfulness

397. Through in-breaths and out-breaths while acquainted with cognizance there is cognizance as consciousness. The establishment (foundation) is mindfulness. The contemplation is knowledge. Cognizance as consciousness is the establishment (foundation), but it is not the mindfulness. Mindfulness is both the establishment (foundation) and the mindfulness. By means of that mindfulness and that knowledge he contemplates that cognizance as consciousness. Hence “Development of the Foundation (Establishment) of Mindfulness consisting in contemplation of cognizance as cognizance” is said.

398. He contemplates: …

399. Development: …

Training

400.–1. In-breaths and out-breaths while acquainted with cognizance are Purification of Virtue in the sense of restraint; …

Exercise of Mindfulness and Full-awareness

402.–5. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths while acquainted with cognizance, his feelings are recognized as they arise, …

Combining the Faculties, Etc.

406.–18. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths while acquainted with cognizance, he combines the faculties, …

(x)

419. How is it that (19) he trains thus “I shall breathe in gladdening cognizance”; (20) he trains thus “I shall breathe out gladdening cognizance”?

Analysis of the Object of Contemplation

420. What is gladdening of cognizance? When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through long in-breaths, … [and so on with all the other modes up to] … When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through out-breaths while acquainted with cognizance, gladdening of cognizance arises in him. Any gladdening of cognizance, gladdenedness, gayness, gaiety, satisfaction, elation, mental uplift, is gladdening of cognizance.

The Foundation of Mindfulness

421. Through in-breaths and out-breaths gladdening cognizance there is cognizance as consciousness. The establishment (foundation) … Hence “Development of the Foundation (Establishment) of Mindfulness consisting in contemplation of cognizance as cognizance” is said.

422. He contemplates: …

423. Development: …

Training

424.–5. In-breaths and out-breaths gladdening cognizance are Purification of Virtue in the sense of restraint; …

Exercise of Mindfulness and Full-awareness

426.–9. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths gladdening cognizance, his feelings are recognized when they arise, …

Combining the Faculties, Etc.

430.–42. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths gladdening cognizance, he combines the faculties, …

(xi)

443. How is it that (21) he trains thus “I shall breathe in concentrating cognizance”; (22) he trains thus “I shall breathe out concentrating cognizance”?

Analysis of the Object of Contemplation

444. What is concentration? Unification of cognizance and non-distraction due to long in-breaths are concentration, … [and so on with all the other modes up to] … Unification of cognizance and non-distraction due to out-breaths concentrating cognizance are concentration; any stationariness, steadiedness, steadfastness, of cognizance, non-scattering, non-distraction, non-scatteredness of mentation, serenity, concentration faculty, concentration power, right concentration, is concentration.

The Foundation of Mindfulness

445. Through in-breaths and out-breaths concentrating cognizance there is cognizance as consciousness. The establishment (foundation) … Hence “Development of the Foundation (Establishment) of Mindfulness consisting in contemplation of cognizance as cognizance” is said.

446. He contemplates: …

447. Development: …

Training

448.–9. In-breaths and out-breaths concentrating cognizance are Purification of Virtue in the sense of restraint; …

Exercise of Mindfulness and Full-awareness

450.–3. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths concentrating cognizance, his feelings are recognized when they arise, …

Combining the Faculties, Etc.

454.–466. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths concentrating cognizance, he combines the powers, …

(xii)

467. How is it that (23) he trains thus “I shall breathe in liberating cognizance”; (24) he trains thus “I shall breathe out liberating cognizance”?

Analysis of the Object of Contemplation

468. He trains thus “I shall breathe in liberating cognizance from greed”, he trains thus “I shall breathe out liberating cognizance from greed”, he trains thus “I shall breathe in liberating cognizance from hate”, he trains, thus “I shall breathe out liberating cognizance from hate”, he trains thus “I shall breathe in liberating cognizance from delusion”, he trains thus “I shall breathe out liberating cognizance from delusion”, he trains thus “I shall breathe in liberating cognizance from conceit (pride)”, … “I shall breathe in liberating cognizance from [false] view”, … “I shall breathe in liberating cognizance from uncertainty”, … “I shall breathe in liberating cognizance from stiffness and torpor”, … “I shall breathe in liberating cognizance from agitation”, … “I shall breathe in liberating cognizance from consciencelessness”, … “I shall breathe in liberating cognizance from shamelessness”, he trains thus “I shall breathe out liberating cognizance from shamelessness”.

The Foundation of Mindfulness

469. Through in-breaths and out-breaths liberating cognizance there is cognizance as consciousness. The establishment (foundation) … Hence “Development of the Foundation (Establishment) of Mindfulness consisting in contemplation of cognizance as cognizance” is said.

470. He contemplates: …

471. Development: …

Training

472.–3. In-breaths and out-breaths liberating cognizance are Purification of Virtue in the sense of restraint; …

Exercise of Mindfulness and Full-awareness

474.–5. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths liberating cognizance, his feelings are recognized as they arise, …

Combining the Faculties, Etc.

476.–90. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths liberating cognizance, he combines the powers, …

Conclusion of the Third Tetrad

491. Eight kinds of knowledge of contemplation, and eight kinds of establishment (foundation) of mindfulness. Four grounds from the Sutta dealing with contemplation of cognizance as cognizance.

(xiii)

492. How is it that (25) he trains thus “I shall breathe in contemplating impermanence”, (26) he trains thus “I shall breathe out contemplating impermanence”?

Analysis of the Object of Contemplation

493. Impermanent: What is impermanent? The five aggregates are impermanent.

In what sense impermanent? Impermanent in the sense of rise and fall.

494. How many characteristics does he see who sees the rise of the five aggregates? How many characteristics does he see who sees the fall of the five aggregates? How many characteristics does he see who sees the rise and fall of the five aggregates?

He who sees the rise of the five aggregates sees twenty-five characteristics. He who sees the fall of the five aggregates sees twenty-five characteristics. He who sees the rise and fall of the five aggregates sees fifty characteristics.

495. He trains thus “I shall breathe in contemplating impermanence in materiality”; he trains thus “I shall breathe out contemplating impermanence in materiality”; he trains thus “I shall breathe in contemplating impermanence in feeling”, … [and so on with the rest of the 201 ideas listed in Tr. I § 5 up to] … he trains thus “I shall breathe out contemplating impermanence in ageing-and-death”.

The Foundation of Mindfulness

496. Through in-breaths and out-breaths contemplating impermanence there are ideas. The establishment (foundation) is mindfulness. The contemplation is knowledge. Ideas are the establishment (foundation), but they are not the mindfulness. Mindfulness is both the establishment (foundation) and the mindfulness. By means of that knowledge and that mindfulness he contemplates those ideas. Hence “Development of the Foundation (Establishment) of Mindfulness consisting in contemplation of ideas as ideas” is said.

497. He contemplates: …

498. Development: …

Training

499.–500. In-breaths and out-breaths contemplating impermanence are Purification of Virtue as restraint; …

Exercise of Mindfulness and Full-awareness

501.–4. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths contemplating impermanence, his feelings are recognized as they arise, …

Combining the Faculties, Etc.

505.–17. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths contemplating impermanence, he combines the faculties, …

(xiv)

518. How is it that (27) he trains thus “I shall breathe in contemplating fading away of greed”; (28) he trains thus “I shall breathe out contemplating fading away of greed”?

Analysis of the Object of Contemplation

519. Seeing danger in materiality, he has zeal for the fading away of greed for materiality, he is resolute in faith and his cognizance is well steadied thereon; he trains thus “I shall breathe in contemplating fading away of greed for materiality”, he trains thus “I shall breathe out contemplating fading away of greed for materiality”. Seeing danger in feeling, … [and so on with the rest of the 201 ideas listed in Tr. I § 5 up to] … Seeing danger in ageing-and-death he has zeal for the fading away of greed for ageing-and-death, he is resolute in faith and his cognizance is well steadied thereon; he trains thus “I shall breathe in contemplating fading away in ageing-and-death”, he trains thus “I shall breathe out contemplating fading away in ageing-and-death”.

The Foundation of Mindfulness

520. Through in-breaths and out-breaths contemplating fading away there are ideas. The establishment (foundation) … Hence “Development of the Foundation (Establishment) of Mindfulness consisting in contemplation of ideas as ideas” is said.

Training

521.–2. In-breaths and out-breaths contemplating fading away are Purification of Virtue …

Exercise of Mindfulness and Full-awareness

523.–6. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths contemplating fading away of greed, his feelings are recognized when they arise, …

Combining of the Faculties, Etc.

527.–39. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths contemplating fading away of greed, he combines the faculties, …

(xv)

540. How is it that (29) he trains thus “I shall breathe in contemplating cessation”; (30) he trains thus “I shall breathe out contemplating cessation”?

Analysis of the Object of Contemplation

541. Seeing danger in materiality, he has zeal for the cessation of materiality, he is resolute in faith and his cognizance is well steadied thereon; he trains thus “I shall breathe in contemplating the cessation of materiality”, he trains thus “I shall breathe out contemplating the cessation of materiality”. Seeing danger in feeling, … [and so with the rest of the 201 ideas listed in Tr. I § 5 up to] … Seeing danger in ageing-and-death, he has zeal for the cessation of ageing-and-death, he is resolute in faith and his cognizance is well steadied thereon; he trains thus “I shall breathe in contemplating the cessation of ageing-and-death”, he trains thus “I shall breathe out contemplating the cessation of ageing-and-death”.

542. In how many aspects is there danger in ignorance? In how many aspects does ignorance cease?

There is danger in ignorance in five aspects. Ignorance ceases in eight aspects.

In what five aspects is there danger in ignorance?

There is danger in ignorance in the sense of impermanence, there is danger in ignorance in the sense of pain … in the sense of not self, … in the sense of burning up (torment), … there is danger in ignorance in the sense of change. There is danger in ignorance in these five aspects.

In what eight aspects does ignorance cease?

Ignorance ceases with the cessation of the source, ignorance ceases with the cessation of the origin, … with the cessation of the birth, … with the cessation of the production, … with the cessation of the cause, … with the cessation of the condition, ignorance ceases with the arousing of knowledge, ignorance ceases with the appearance of cessation. Ignorance ceases in these eight aspects.

Having seen danger in ignorance in these five aspects, he has zeal for the cessation of ignorance in these eight aspects, he is resolute in faith and his cognizance is well steadied thereon; he trains thus “I shall breathe in contemplating the cessation of ignorance”, he trains thus “I shall breathe out contemplating the cessation of ignorance”.

543. In how many aspects is there danger in formations? In how many … [and so on as in § 542 up to] … he trains thus “I shall breathe out contemplating the cessation of formations”.

544. In how many aspects is there danger in consciousness? …

545. … danger in mentality-materiality? …

546. … danger in the sixfold base? …

547. … danger in contact? …

548. … danger in feeling? …

549. … danger in craving? …

550. … danger in clinging? …

551. … danger in being? …

552. … danger in birth? …

553. In how many aspects is there danger in ageing-and-death? In how many aspects does ageing-and-death cease?

There is danger in ageing-and-death in five aspects. Ageing-and-death ceases …

… “I shall breathe out contemplating the cessation of ageing-and-death”.

The Foundation of Mindfulness

554. Through in-breaths and out-breaths contemplating cessation there are ideas. The establishment (foundation) … Hence “Development of the Foundation (Establishment) of Mindfulness consisting in contemplation of ideas as ideas” is said.

Training

555.–6. In-breaths and out-breaths contemplating cessation are Purification of Virtue in the sense of restraint; …

Exercise of Mindfulness and Full-awareness

557.–60. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths contemplating cessation, his feelings are recognized as they arise, …

Combining the Faculties, Etc.

561.–73. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths contemplating cessation, he combines the faculties, …

(xvi)

574. How is it that (31) he trains thus “I shall breathe in contemplating relinquishment”; (32) he trains thus “I shall breathe out contemplating relinquishment”?

Analysis of the Object of Contemplation

575. Relinquishment: there are two kinds of relinquishment: relinquishment as giving up and relinquishment as entering into (launching out into).

576. It gives up materiality, thus it is relinquishment as giving up; cognizance enters into (launches out into) the cessation of materiality, nibbana, thus it is relinquishment as entering into (launching out into); he trains thus “I shall breathe in contemplating relinquishment of materiality”, he trains thus “I shall breathe out contemplating relinquishment of materiality”. It gives up feeling, … [and so on with the rest of the 201 ideas listed in Tr. I § 5 up to] … “I shall breathe out contemplating relinquishment of ageing-and-death”.

The Foundation of Mindfulness

577. Through in-breaths and out-breaths contemplating relinquishment there are ideas. The establishment (foundation) … Hence “Development of the Foundation (Establishment) of Mindfulness consisting in contemplation of ideas as ideas” is said.

Training

578.–9. In-breaths and out-breaths contemplating relinquishment are Purification of Virtue …

Exercise of Mindfulness and Full-awareness

580.–3. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths contemplating relinquishment, his feelings are recognized as they arise, …

Combining of the Faculties, Etc.

584.–96. When he understands unification of cognizance and non-distraction through in-breaths and out-breaths contemplating relinquishment, he combines the faculties, …

Conclusion of the Fourth Tetrad

597. Eight kinds of knowledge of contemplation, and eight kinds of establishment (foundation) of mindfulness.

Four grounds from the Sutta dealing with contemplation of ideas as ideas.

These are the thirty-two kinds of knowledge in mindful workers.

Section V

598. What are the twenty-four kinds of knowledge through concentration?

599. Unification of cognizance and non-distraction through long in-breaths are concentration. Unification of cognizance and non-distraction through long out-breaths … [and so on with all the twenty-four modes in the first three tetrads up to] … Unification of cognizance and non-distraction through out-breaths liberating cognizance are concentration. These are the twenty-four kinds of knowledge through concentration.

Section VI

600. What are the seventy-two kinds of knowledge through insight?

601. Due to long in-breath there is insight in the sense of contemplation as impermanent, there is insight in the sense of contemplation as painful, there is insight in the sense of contemplation as not self. Due to long out-breath … [and so on with the three contemplations in the case of each of the rest of the twenty-four modes in the first three tetrads up to] … Due to out-breath liberating cognizance there is insight in the sense of contemplation of impermanence, there is insight in the sense of contemplation of pain, there is insight in the sense of contemplation of not self.

These are the seventy-two kinds of knowledge through insight.

Section VII

602. What are the eight kinds of knowledge of dispassion?

603. One contemplating as impermanent knows and sees in-breath as it is, thus there is knowledge of dispassion. One contemplating as impermanent knows and sees out-breath as it is, … One contemplating fading away knows and sees in-breath … out-breath as it is, … One contemplating cessation knows and sees in-breath … out-breath as it is, … One contemplating relinquishment knows and sees in-breath as it is, thus there is knowledge of dispassion. One contemplating relinquishment knows and sees out-breath as it is, thus there is knowledge of dispassion.

These are the eight kinds of knowledge of dispassion.

Section VIII

604. What are the eight kinds of knowledge of what is in conformity with dispassion?

605. Understanding of appearance as terror due to in-breath in one contemplating impermanence is knowledge of what is in conformity with dispassion. Understanding of appearance as terror due to out-breath in one contemplating impermanence is knowledge of what is in conformity with dispassion. Understanding of appearance as terror due to in-breath in one contemplating fading away … [and so on with the rest of the eight modes in the fourth tetrad up to] … Understanding of appearance as terror due to out-breath in one contemplating relinquishment is knowledge of what is in conformity with dispassion.

These are the eight kinds of knowledge of what is in conformity with dispassion.

Section IX

606. What are the eight kinds of knowledge as tranquillization of dispassion?

607. Understanding of reflexion and of composure due to in-breath in one contemplating impermanence is knowledge as tranquillization of dispassion. Understanding … [and so on with the rest of the eight modes of the fourth tetrad up to] … Understanding of reflexion and of composure due to out-breath in one contemplating relinquishment is knowledge as tranquillization of dispassion.

These are the eight kinds of knowledge as tranquillization of dispassion.

Section X

608. What are the twenty-one kinds of knowledge of bliss of deliverance?

609. With the stream-entry path, knowledge of the bliss of deliverance arises due to the abandoning and cutting off of

(1) [wrong] view of individuality,

(2) uncertainty,

(3) misapprehension of virtue and duty,

(4) the underlying tendency to [wrong] view,

(5) the underlying tendency to uncertainty.

610. With the once-return path, knowledge of the bliss of deliverance arises due to the abandoning and cutting off of

(6) the gross fetter of greed for sensual-desire,

(7) the gross fetter of resistance,

(8) the gross underlying tendency to greed for sensual-desire,

(9) the gross underlying tendency to resistance.

611. With the non-return path, knowledge of the bliss of deliverance arises due to the abandoning and cutting off of

(10) the secondary fetter of greed for sensual-desire,

(11) the secondary fetter of resistance,

(12) the secondary underlying tendency to greed for sensual-desire,

(13) the secondary underlying tendency to resistance.

612. With the arahant path, knowledge of the bliss of deliverance arises due to the abandoning and cutting off of

(14) greed for material [being],

(15) greed for immaterial [being],

(16) conceit (pride),

(17) agitation,

(18) ignorance,

(19) the underlying tendency to conceit (pride),

(20) the underlying tendency to greed for being,

(21) the underlying tendency to ignorance.

These are the twenty-one kinds of knowledge of bliss of deliverance. These are the over two hundred kinds of knowledge that arise in one who develops concentration by mindfulness of breathing with sixteen grounds.

End of Treatise on Breathing.

Translated from the Pāḷi by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli, 1982.

The errata were found by Roynon Collings and Ngan van Nguyen.

Published by The Pali Text Society, Oxford.

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