禪行法想經

Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was travelling in the Garden of Anāthapiṇḍika, in the Grove of Prince Jeta, in the country of Śrāvastī. The Buddha addressed the bhikṣus, and the bhikṣus, receiving the instruction, listened to the Buddha. The Buddha taught, saying:

— O bhikṣus! If, for the span of time it takes to snap one's fingers, one contemplates the perception of death (calling to mind death), reflecting that whatever has a body must die, this is the diligent practice of meditation, this is in accord with the teaching of the Buddha; such a one is not a fool who eats the alms given by the people of the country — how much more so one who cultivates abundantly? Take hold, then, of these essential words!

Or one calls to mind the perception of impurity, the perception of foulness in food, the perception that in all the world there is nothing delightful, the perception of impermanence, the perception that what is impermanent is suffering, the perception that what is suffering is not the self, the perception that what is not the self is empty, the perception of relinquishment, the perception of turning away from lust, the perception of complete cessation, the perception of non-self, the perception of the dead body as food for worms, the perception of flowing blood, the perception of bloating and swelling, the perception of decay turning livid and pallid, the perception of dissolution reeking and putrid, the perception of the hair falling away and the flesh wholly gone,

the perception of all bonds loosened and undone, the perception of the joints and bones scattered apart, the perception of the bones changing in color — red, white, withered, black — like the hue of a dove, the perception of the bones ground into ashes, the perception that in the world there is no place of refuge, the perception that the world is not firm or enduring, the perception that the world is separation, the perception that the world is darkness, the perception that the world is hard to endure, the perception that life is squandered and spent to no purpose, the perception that life is calamity and affliction worthy of weariness, the perception that all the world returns to Nirvāṇa!

O bhikṣus! If, for the span of time it takes to snap one's fingers, one calls to mind and reflects upon these perceptions, this is altogether the conduct of diligence, this is obeying the teaching of the Buddha; such a one is not a fool who eats the alms given by the people — how much more so one who is able to cultivate yet more abundantly. Therefore, O you, call to mind and practice these perceptions of the Dharma!

When the Buddha had spoken thus, the bhikṣus all rejoiced and received it.