Yuganaddhasutta

Ways of practicing tranquility (serenity) and insight (discernment).

Thus have I heard— at one time, the venerable Ānanda was dwelling in Kosambi, in Ghosita’s Park. There, the venerable Ānanda addressed the monks: “Friends, monks.”

“Friend,” those monks responded to the venerable Ānanda. The venerable Ānanda said:

"Indeed, friends, whether it is a monk or a nun who declares the attainment of arahantship in my presence, all do so by one of four paths, or by some among them.

Which four?

Here, friends, a monk develops insight preceded by tranquility. As one develops insight preceded by tranquility, the path arises. One practices, develops, and frequently cultivates that path. As one practices, develops, and frequently cultivates that path, fetters are abandoned, underlying tendencies are eradicated.

Again, friends, a monk develops tranquility preceded by insight. As one develops tranquility preceded by insight, the path arises. One practices, develops, and frequently cultivates that path. As one practices, develops, and frequently cultivates that path, fetters are abandoned, underlying tendencies are eradicated.

Again, friends, a monk develops tranquility and insight in tandem. As one develops tranquility and insight in tandem, the path arises. One practices, develops, and frequently cultivates that path. As one practices, develops, and frequently cultivates that path, fetters are abandoned, underlying tendencies are eradicated.

Again, friends, at times a monk’s mind is seized by restlessness concerning the Dhamma. There comes a time, friends, when that mind settles internally, rests, becomes unified, and concentrates. The path arises for them. One practices, develops, and frequently cultivates that path. As one practices, develops, and frequently cultivates that path, fetters are abandoned, underlying tendencies are eradicated.

Indeed, friends, whether it is a monk or a nun who declares the attainment of arahantship in my presence, all do so by these four paths, or by some among them."

The words tranquility and insight come from the Pali words Samatho and vipassanā respectively. There are alternate words used by different translations for these two:

  • Samatho ~ Serenity, Calm, Tranquility, Collectedness, Immersion, Absorption, Concentration
  • Vipassanā ~ Discernment, Insight

Related Teachings: