禪行法想經

Thus Have I Heard:

At one time, the Buddha was wandering and dwelling in the grove of Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta's Grove, in the country of Śrāvastī. The Buddha addressed the bhikṣus, and the assembly of bhikṣus all listened attentively to the teaching of the Buddha. The Buddha taught:

—If for even a single moment one contemplates the perception of death, reflecting that all things that have a body must die, this is called diligently practicing meditative concentration. To act exactly as the Buddha has taught is not to be like a foolish person who only knows how to receive the food given in alms by the people of the country—how much more so when one practices it abundantly.

To speak in brief: if one calls to mind the perception of impurity and filth, the perception of food, the perception that nothing in all the world is peaceful and joyful, the perception of impermanence, the perception that impermanence is suffering, the perception that suffering is not the self, the perception that what is not the self is empty, the perception of separation, the perception of abandoning lust, the perception of the cessation of all things, the perception of non-self.

Contemplate the perception that the corpse is food for the worms.

Contemplate the perception of blood flowing out.

Contemplate the perception of the corpse bloated and swollen.

Contemplate the perception of the corpse bruised, blackened, and decaying.

Contemplate the perception of the stench of rotting flesh.

Contemplate the perception of the hair falling out and the flesh dissolving.

Contemplate the perception that all bonds are loosened.

Contemplate the perception of the joints and bones falling apart and disintegrating.

Contemplate the perception that the bones turn red, white, dry, and black, like the color of a pigeon.

Contemplate the perception of the bones rotting away into ashes.

Contemplate the perception that the world has no place to turn toward.

Contemplate the perception that the world is not firm or enduring.

Contemplate the perception that the world is to be left behind.

Contemplate the perception that the world is dark.

Contemplate the perception that the world is difficult to endure.

Contemplate the perception that the world is a futile waste, devoid of harmony.

Contemplate the perception that worldly life is a calamity to be dreaded and therefore wearied of.

Contemplate the perception that Nirvāṇa is the place of return for all the world.

O bhikṣus! If for even a single moment one ponders and calls to mind the matters of these perceptions, all of this is diligent practice, acting in accordance with the teaching of the Buddha—not to be like a foolish person who only knows how to receive the food given in alms by others—how much more so when one is able to practice it abundantly. Therefore one should be able to call to mind and practice the perception of all dharmas.

When the Buddha had finished expounding this sūtra, all the bhikṣus rejoiced and received it with reverence.