禪行法想經

Thus Have I Heard:

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

"If, even for the space of a single instant, one contemplates the perception of death, reflecting that all that has a body must die, this is called diligently practicing meditative concentration. To act exactly in accordance with what the Buddha has taught is not to be a foolish person who merely knows how to receive the food given in alms by the people of the country—how much more so to practice it abundantly.

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

"Contemplate the perception of the corpse as food for the various kinds of worms.

"Contemplate the perception of blood flowing out.

"Contemplate the perception of the corpse bloated and swollen.

"Contemplate the perception of the corpse livid and decomposing.

"Contemplate the perception of the stench of the flesh putrefying.

"Contemplate the perception of the hair falling away and the flesh dissolving.

"Contemplate the perception of all bonds being loosened and undone.

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

"Contemplate the perception of the bones turning red, white, and a parched black, just like the color of a pigeon.

"Contemplate the perception of the bones rotting away into ashes.

"Contemplate the perception that in the world there is no place to turn toward.

"Contemplate the perception that the world is not firm and stable.

"Contemplate the perception that the world is something to be separated from.

"Contemplate the perception that the world is dark and obscure.

"Contemplate the perception that the world is difficult to endure.

"Contemplate the perception that worldly life is wasted and does not accord with one's wishes.

"Contemplate the perception that worldly life is a calamity to be feared, and so to be wearied of.

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

"O bhikṣus! If, even for the space of a single instant, one contemplates and calls to mind the matters of these perceptions, this is all diligent practice, acting in accordance with the teaching of the Buddha—not to be a foolish person who merely knows how to receive the food given in alms by others—how much more so one who 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 joyfully received and upheld it.