SN46.57 — The Discourse on the Perception of a Skeleton
Originating in Sāvatthī. Disciples, the perception of a skeleton, when developed and cultivated, is of great fruit and benefit. And how is the perception of a skeleton developed and cultivated so that it is of great fruit and benefit? Here a disciple develops the mindfulness enlightenment factor accompanied by the perception of a skeleton, which is based on seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, and matures in release... He develops the equanimity enlightenment factor accompanied by the perception of a skeleton, which is based on seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, and matures in release. Thus developed and cultivated the perception of a skeleton is of great fruit and benefit.
The Discourse on One of Two Fruits
Disciples, when the perception of a skeleton is developed and cultivated, one of two fruits is to be expected: either final knowing here and now, or if there is a residue of clinging, non-returning. And how is the perception of a skeleton developed and cultivated so that one of two fruits is to be expected: either final knowing here and now, or if there is a residue of clinging, non-returning? Here a disciple develops the mindfulness enlightenment factor accompanied by the perception of a skeleton... He develops the equanimity enlightenment factor accompanied by the perception of a skeleton, which is based on seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, and matures in release. Thus developed and cultivated the perception of a skeleton is such that one of two fruits is to be expected: either final knowing here and now, or if there is a residue of clinging, non-returning.
The Discourse on Great Benefit
Disciples, the perception of a skeleton, when developed and cultivated, leads to great benefit. And how is the perception of a skeleton developed and cultivated so that it leads to great benefit? Here a disciple develops the mindfulness enlightenment factor accompanied by the perception of a skeleton... He develops the equanimity enlightenment factor accompanied by the perception of a skeleton, which is based on seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, and matures in release. Thus developed and cultivated the perception of a skeleton leads to great benefit.
The Discourse on Security
Disciples, the perception of a skeleton, when developed and cultivated, leads to great security. And how is the perception of a skeleton developed and cultivated so that it leads to great security? Here a disciple develops the mindfulness enlightenment factor accompanied by the perception of a skeleton... He develops the equanimity enlightenment factor accompanied by the perception of a skeleton, which is based on seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, and matures in release. Thus developed and cultivated the perception of a skeleton leads to great security.
The Discourse on Urgency
Disciples, the perception of a skeleton, when developed and cultivated, leads to great urgency.
And how is the perception of a skeleton developed and cultivated so that it leads to great urgency? Here a disciple develops the mindfulness enlightenment factor accompanied by the perception of a skeleton... He develops the equanimity enlightenment factor accompanied by the perception of a skeleton, which is based on seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, and matures in release. Thus developed and cultivated the perception of a skeleton leads to great urgency.
Disciples, the perception of a skeleton, when developed and cultivated, leads to comfortable abiding. And how is the perception of a skeleton developed and cultivated so that it leads to comfortable abiding? Here a disciple develops the mindfulness enlightenment factor accompanied by the perception of a skeleton... He develops the equanimity enlightenment factor accompanied by the perception of a skeleton, which is based on seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, and matures in release. Thus developed and cultivated the perception of a skeleton leads to comfortable abiding.