Aṅguttara Nikāya
IX. Navaka Nipāta
VII. Satipaṭṭhāna Vagga

IX. The Book of the Nines

Chapter VII: The Arisings of Mindfulness

Sutta 69

Macchariya Sati-Paṭṭhāna Suttaṃ

Meanness

[302]

Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Savatthī,
at Jeta Grove,
in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

There he addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," they replied;
and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, there are these five forms of meanness.¹

What five?

Meanness in (sharing) a lodging;
meanness in (sharing the benefits from) a family;
meanness in (sharing) gains;
meanness in (sharing) fame;²
and meanness in (sharing) Dhamma.

Monks, there are these five forms of meanness.

Monks, when these five are put away,
four arisings of mindfulness should be made to become.

What four?

Monks, herein a monk abides contemplating the body as body,
strenuous,
mindful
and self-possessed,
having overcome both the hankering and discontent
common in the world.

■

He abides contemplating the feelings as feelings
strenuous,
mindful
and self-possessed,
having overcome both the hankering and discontent
common in the world.

■

He abides contemplating the mind as mind
strenuous,
mindful
and self-possessed,
having overcome both the hankering and discontent
common in the world.

■

He abides contemplating ideas as ideas
strenuous,
mindful
and self-possessed,
having overcome both the hankering and discontent
common in the world.

Monks, when these five are put away,
these four arisings of mindfulness should be made to become."

¹ Macchariya. D. iii., loc. cit.; DhS. trsl § 1122; Vism. 683.