Bojjhaṅga Sutta
“When the cultivation of awareness,
using the breath as a reminder,
is cultivated and practiced often, monks,
It bears great fruits, and is of great benefit.
How is it cultivated and practiced?
Here,
(1) One cultivates awareness with the breath
conveyed by the support for awakening of awareness. [1]
Which moves towards letting go,
calming down,
release,
and culminates into surrender. [2]
(2) One cultivates awareness with the breath
conveyed by the support for awakening of discerning states. [3]
Which moves towards letting go,
calming down,
release,
and culminates into surrender.
(3) One cultivates awareness with the breath conveyed
by the support for awakening of devotion.
Which moves towards letting go,
calming down,
release,
and culminates into surrender.
(4) One cultivates awareness with the breath conveyed
by the support for awakening of Joy.
Which moves towards letting go,
calming down,
release,
and culminates into surrender.
(5) One cultivates awareness with the breath
conveyed by the support for awakening of Calm.
Which moves towards letting go,
calming down,
release,
and culminates into surrender.
(6) One cultivates awareness with the breath
conveyed by the support for awakening of mental collectedness.
Which moves towards letting go,
calming down,
release,
and culminates into surrender.
(7) One cultivates awareness with the breath
conveyed by the support for awakening of steadiness of mind. [4]
Which moves towards letting go,
calming down,
release,
and culminates into surrender.
Cultivated and practiced in this way monks,
Awareness using the breath as a reminder,
is highly fruitful and beneficial.
[1] ānāpānassatisahagataṃ satisambojjhaṅgaṃ bhāveti: Interesting alternatives for translating sahagataṃ: Accompanied, followed, escorted, attended, conveyed, together with, conjunct with, associated with…
[2] vivekanissitaṃ virāganissitaṃ nirodhanissitaṃ vossaggapariṇāmiṃ: Very classic sequence. I am contemplating on the root of the word nissita. As either, nisīdati [Sk. niṣīdati, ni+sīdati] to sit down, to be seated, to sit, to dwell (PED) or Nissita (adj.) [Sk. niśrita, pp. of nissayati, corresp. in meaning
to Sk. āśrita] hanging on, dependent on, inhabiting; attached to, supported by, living by means of, relying on, being founded or rooted in, bent on (PED). This inquiry has led to an interesting perspective from the usual context of ‘being rooted’ or ‘dependent upon’ to an innovative ‘dwelling in’ or ‘going towards.’ Not so much as a cause but as a destination, the movement is slightly different and can give good credit for these qualities to be taken as a ‘direction or destination’ rather that a foundation. Although both perspectives are wonderful. This sequence comes back, again and again in the suttas, that is enough for the interested seeker to pay particular attention.
[3] dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṃ
[4] upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṃ
