• Numbered Discourses 7.16 Aṅguttara Nikāya 7.16
  • 2. Tendencies 2. Anusayavagga

Observing Impermanence Aniccānupassīsutta

“Mendicants, these seven individuals are worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of greeting with joined palms, and are the supreme field of merit for the world. “Sattime, bhikkhave, puggalā āhuneyyā pāhuneyyā dakkhiṇeyyā añjalikaraṇīyā anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa. What seven? Katame satta?

First, take an individual who meditates observing impermanence in all conditions. They perceive impermanence and experience impermanence. Constantly, continually, and without interruption, they apply the mind and fathom with wisdom. Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo sabbasaṅkhāresu aniccānupassī viharati, aniccasaññī, aniccapaṭisaṁvedī satataṁ samitaṁ abbokiṇṇaṁ cetasā adhimuccamāno paññāya pariyogāhamāno. They’ve realized the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life, and live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements. So āsavānaṁ khayā …pe… sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati. This is the first individual. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamo puggalo āhuneyyo pāhuneyyo dakkhiṇeyyo añjalikaraṇīyo anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa.

Next, take an individual who meditates observing impermanence in all conditions. Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, idhekacco puggalo sabbasaṅkhāresu aniccānupassī viharati, aniccasaññī, aniccapaṭisaṁvedī satataṁ samitaṁ abbokiṇṇaṁ cetasā adhimuccamāno paññāya pariyogāhamāno. Their defilements and their life come to an end at exactly the same time. Tassa apubbaṁ acarimaṁ āsavapariyādānañca hoti jīvitapariyādānañca. This is the second individual. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyo puggalo āhuneyyo …pe… anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa.

Next, take an individual who meditates observing impermanence in all conditions. Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, idhekacco puggalo sabbasaṅkhāresu aniccānupassī viharati, aniccasaññī, aniccapaṭisaṁvedī satataṁ samitaṁ abbokiṇṇaṁ cetasā adhimuccamāno paññāya pariyogāhamāno. With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished between one life and the next. … So pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā antarāparinibbāyī hoti …pe…

With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished upon landing. … upahaccaparinibbāyī hoti …pe…

With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished without extra effort. … asaṅkhāraparinibbāyī hoti …pe…

With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished with extra effort. … sasaṅkhāraparinibbāyī hoti …pe…

With the ending of the five lower fetters they head upstream, going to the Akaniṭṭha realm. uddhaṁsoto hoti akaniṭṭhagāmī. This is the seventh individual. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, sattamo puggalo āhuneyyo pāhuneyyo dakkhiṇeyyo añjalikaraṇīyo anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa.

These are the seven individuals who are worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of greeting with joined palms, and are the supreme field of merit for the world.” Ime kho, bhikkhave, satta puggalā āhuneyyā pāhuneyyā dakkhiṇeyyā añjalikaraṇīyā anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassā”ti.

Chaṭṭhaṁ.