4👑☸ Cattāri Ariya-saccaṃ 四聖諦

4👑☸ → MN‍ → MN ²⁰ 🔝

MN ²⁰ – MN 20 Vitakka-saṇṭhāna: thought-composition
MN ^20.5 (Adhicitta = syn.of samādhi, 5 nimittas are methods to remove unwanted thoughts)
MN ^20.5.1 (Replace unskillful with skillful thought ↔ fine peg replace coarse one)
MN ^20.5.2 (Seeing danger in un-skilful ↔ wear carcass around neck)
MN ^20.5.3 (Forget, give no attention ↔ close eyes, don’t see)
MN ^20.5.4 (Progressive slow down ↔ walking, standing...lying)
MN ^20.5.5 (Mind crush mind ↔ strong man crush weak one)
MN ^20.10 (conclusion)
MN ^20.10.1 (brief summary of 5 methods)
MN ^20.10.5 (Master of thought thinks what he wants, doesn’t think what he doesn’t want)

detailed TOC

20 – MN 20 Vitakka-saṇṭhāna: thought-composition

MN 20 Vitakka-saṇṭhāna-sutta	MN 20 thought-composition-discourse
Evaṃ me sutaṃ—	Thus I heard.
ekaṃ samayaṃ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṃ viharati	One time the-Blessed-One, (at) Sāvatthī (he) dwelled
jeta-vane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.	(in) Jeta’s-Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park.
Tatra kho bhagavā	There indeed the-Blessed-One,
bhikkhū āmantesi:	(to the) monks (he) addressed:
“bhikkhavo”ti.	“Monks.”—
“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū	“Venerable sir,” those monks,
bhagavato paccassosuṃ.	(to) the-Blessed-One (they) responded.
Bhagavā etad-avoca:	The-Blessed-One {said}-this:

20.5 (Adhicitta = syn.of samādhi, 5 nimittas are methods to remove unwanted thoughts)

“Adhi-citta-manu-yuttena, bhikkhave,	"(the) Higher-mind-,(in) pursuing (it), *********,
bhikkhunā pañca nimittāni	a-monk, (to) five signs
kālena kālaṃ manasi kātabbāni.	(from) time (to) time (his) mind should-attend.
Katam'-āni pañca?	Which-(are)-these five?

20.5.1 (Replace unskillful with skillful thought ↔ fine peg replace coarse one)

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno	“Here, monks, (for a) monk,
yaṃ nimittaṃ āgamma	some sign comes,
yaṃ nimittaṃ manasi-karoto	some sign (that he was) giving-attention (to),
uppajjanti pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	[causes] arising-of evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
tena, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā	Because-of-this, monks, (a) monk,
tamhā nimittā	(away from that) sign,
aññaṃ nimittaṃ manasi kātabbaṃ	(towards) another sign (his) mind should-attend,
Kusal-ūpasaṃhitaṃ.	(which is) connected-with-the-skillful.
Tassa tamhā nimittā	Then [because of] that *** ****
aññaṃ nimittaṃ manasikaroto	other sign attended-to
kusalūpasaṃhitaṃ	[which is] connected-with-the-skillful,
ye pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	any evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
te pahīyanti te abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.	they (are) abandoned, they {go to} subsiding.
Tesaṃ pahānā	(with) that abandoning,

(ekodi & samādhi are 2nd jhāna hallmarks)

ajjhattameva cittaṃ	internally (his) mind
santiṭṭhati sannisīdati	becomes-still, settles,
ekodi hoti samādhiyati.	Transcends-into-singularity, becomes undistractible & lucid.

(simile of fine peg replacing coarse peg)

seyyathāpi, bhikkhave,	Just-as, monks,
dakkho palagaṇḍo vā	(a) dexterous carpenter or
palagaṇḍ-antevāsī vā	(a) carpenter's-apprentice **
sukhumāya āṇiyā oḷārikaṃ āṇiṃ	(with a) fine peg (aimed towards a) coarse peg,
abhi-nihaneyya	(it) should-strike (it),
abhi-nīhareyya	push-it-out,
abhi-nivatteyya;	remain behind;
evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno	like that, monks, (a) monk,

(repeat verbatim instructions before simile)

yaṃ nimittaṃ āgamma	some sign comes,
yaṃ nimittaṃ manasi-karoto	some sign (that he was) giving-attention (to),
uppajjanti pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	[causes] arising-of evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
tena, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā	Because-of-this, monks, (a) monk,
tamhā nimittā	(away from that) sign,
aññaṃ nimittaṃ manasi kātabbaṃ	(towards) another sign (his) mind should-attend,
Kusal-ūpasaṃhitaṃ.	(which is) connected-with-the-skillful.
Tassa tamhā nimittā	Then [because of] that *** ****
aññaṃ nimittaṃ manasikaroto	other sign attended-to
kusalūpasaṃhitaṃ	[which is] connected-with-the-skillful,
ye pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	any evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
te pahīyanti te abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.	they (are) abandoned, they {go to} subsiding.
Tesaṃ pahānā	(with) that abandoning,
ajjhattameva cittaṃ	internally (his) mind
santiṭṭhati sannisīdati	becomes-still, settles,
ekodi hoti samādhiyati.	Transcends-into-singularity, becomes undistractible & lucid.

20.5.2 (Seeing danger in un-skilful ↔ wear carcass around neck)

Tassa ce, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno	Then if, monks, (a) monk,
tamhā nimittā	(away from) some sign,
aññaṃ nimittaṃ manasi-karoto	(towards) another sign (his) mind-attends
kusal-ūpasaṃhitaṃ	connected-with-the-skillful,
uppajjant-eva pāpakā a-kusalā vitakkā	(there) {still}-arises evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
tena, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā	then, monks, (a) monk,
tesaṃ vitakkānaṃ	(regarding) those thoughts,
ādīnavo upa-par-ikkhitabbo:	(their) danger (he) should-deeply-inspect:
‘iti-pi-me vitakkā a-kusalā,	thus-indeed-my thoughts (are) un-skillful,
iti-pi-me vitakkā s-āvajjā,	thus-indeed-my thoughts (are) blameworthy,
iti-pi-me vitakkā dukkha-vipākā’ti.	thus-indeed-my thoughts (have) suffering-(as the)-result.'
Tassa tesaṃ vitakkānaṃ	Then those thoughts
ādīnavaṃ upa-par-ikkhato	(whose) dangers (were) deeply-inspected,
ye pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	any evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
te pahīyanti te abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.	they (are) abandoned, they {go to} subsiding.
Tesaṃ pahānā	(with) that abandoning,

(ekodi & samādhi are 2nd jhāna hallmarks)

ajjhattameva cittaṃ	internally (his) mind
santiṭṭhati sannisīdati	becomes-still, settles,
ekodi hoti samādhiyati.	Transcends-into-singularity, becomes undistractible & lucid.

(simile of wearing carcass around neck)

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave,	Just-as, *********,
itthī vā puriso vā	(a) woman (or) man **
daharo yuvā	(who is) young, (a) youth
maṇḍana-kajātiko	fond-of-ornaments,
ahi-kuṇapena vā	[if a] snake-carcass or
kukkura-kuṇapena vā	dog-carcass or
manussa-kuṇapena vā	human-carcass **
kaṇṭhe āsattena	{were worn around their} neck,
aṭṭiyeyya	(they) might-be-anxious,
harāyeyya	(they) might-be-ashamed,
jiguccheyya;	(they) might-be-disgusted;

(repeat verbatim instructions before simile)

tassa ce bhikkhuno	Then if (a) monk,
tamhāpi nimittā	(away from) some sign,
aññaṃ nimittaṃ manasi-karoto	(towards) another sign (his) mind-attends
kusal-ūpasaṃhitaṃ	connected-with-the-skillful,
uppajjant-eva pāpakā a-kusalā vitakkā	(there) {still}-arises evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,

tena, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā	then, monks, (a) monk,
tesaṃ vitakkānaṃ	(regarding) those thoughts,
ādīnavo upa-par-ikkhitabbo:	(their) danger (he) should-deeply-inspect:
‘iti-pi-me vitakkā a-kusalā,	thus-indeed-my thoughts (are) un-skillful,
iti-pi-me vitakkā s-āvajjā,	thus-indeed-my thoughts (are) blameworthy,
iti-pi-me vitakkā dukkha-vipākā’ti.	thus-indeed-my thoughts (have) suffering-(as the)-result.'
Tassa tesaṃ vitakkānaṃ	Then those thoughts
ādīnavaṃ upa-par-ikkhato	(whose) dangers (were) deeply-inspected,

ye pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	any evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
te pahīyanti te abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.	they (are) abandoned, they {go to} subsiding.
Tesaṃ pahānā	(with) that abandoning,
ajjhattameva cittaṃ	internally (his) mind
santiṭṭhati sannisīdati	becomes-still, settles,
ekodi hoti samādhiyati.	Transcends-into-singularity, becomes undistractible & lucid.

20.5.3 (Forget, give no attention ↔ close eyes, don’t see)

Tassa ce, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno	Then if, monks, (a) monk,
tesampi vitakkānaṃ	[regarding] those thoughts
ādīnavaṃ upa-par-ikkhato	(whose) dangers (were being) deeply-inspected,
uppajjanteva pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	(there) {still}-arises evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
tena, bhikkhave,bhikkhunā	Then, *******, *******
tesaṃ vitakkānaṃ	those thoughts
a-sati-a-manasi-kāro āpajjitabbo.	{he should endeavor to} forget-(and)-not-pay-attention (to them).
Tassa tesaṃ vitakkānaṃ	regarding those thoughts (for which he)
a-sati-a-manasi-kāraṃ āpajjato	[is trying to] not-remember-(and)-not-pay-attention-to,
ye pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	any evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
te pahīyanti te abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.	they (are) abandoned, they {go to} subsiding.
Tesaṃ pahānā	(with) that abandoning,

(ekodi & samādhi are 2nd jhāna hallmarks)

ajjhattameva cittaṃ	internally (his) mind
santiṭṭhati sannisīdati	becomes-still, settles,
ekodi hoti samādhiyati.	Transcends-into-singularity, becomes undistractible & lucid.

(simile of closing eyes to not see)

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave,	Just-like, ********,
cakkhumā puriso	{a man} [with good] eyes
āpātha-gatānaṃ rūpānaṃ	within-range (of) [visible]-form
a-dassana-kāmo	{who desires to}-not-see (it)
assa;	****;
so nimīleyya vā	he should-close-his-eyes or
aññena vā apalokeyya;	(he) should look away;
evameva kho, bhikkhave,	even so, monks,

(repeat verbatim instructions before simile)

tassa ce bhikkhuno	Then if (the) monk,
tesampi vitakkānaṃ	[regarding] those thoughts
ādīnavaṃ upa-par-ikkhato	(whose) dangers (were being) deeply-inspected,
uppajjanteva pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	(there) {still}-arises evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,

tena, bhikkhave,bhikkhunā	Then, *******, *******
tesaṃ vitakkānaṃ	those thoughts
a-sati-a-manasi-kāro āpajjitabbo.	{he should endeavor to} forget-(and)-not-pay-attention (to them).
Tassa tesaṃ vitakkānaṃ	regarding those thoughts (for which he)
a-sati-a-manasi-kāraṃ āpajjato	[is trying to] not-remember-(and)-not-pay-attention-to,

ye pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	any evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
te pahīyanti te abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.	they (are) abandoned, they {go to} subsiding.
Tesaṃ pahānā	(with) that abandoning,
ajjhattameva cittaṃ	internally (his) mind
santiṭṭhati sannisīdati	becomes-still, settles,
ekodi hoti samādhiyati.	Transcends-into-singularity, becomes undistractible & lucid.

20.5.4 (Progressive slow down ↔ walking, standing...lying)

Tassa ce, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno	then if, *******, ******
tesampi vitakkānaṃ	[regarding] those thoughts (for which he)
a-sati-a-manasi-kāraṃ āpajjato	[is trying to] not-remember-(and)-not-pay-attention-to,
uppajjanteva pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	(there) {still}-arises evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
tena, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā	Then, *******, *******
tesaṃ vitakkānaṃ	(regarding) those thoughts,
Vitakka-saṅkhāra-saṇṭhānaṃ manasi-kātabbaṃ.	Thought-formation-stilling (should be his) mind’s-activity
Tassa tesaṃ vitakkānaṃ	if,-while (regarding) those thoughts,
Vitakka-saṅkhāra-saṇṭhānaṃ manasi-karoto	Thought-formation-stilling (is his) mind’s-activity
ye pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	any evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
te pahīyanti te abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.	they (are) abandoned, they {go to} subsiding.
Tesaṃ pahānā	(with) that abandoning,

(ekodi & samādhi are 2nd jhāna hallmarks)

ajjhattameva cittaṃ	internally (his) mind
santiṭṭhati sannisīdati	becomes-still, settles,
ekodi hoti samādhiyati.	Transcends-into-singularity, becomes undistractible & lucid.

(simile of walking, standing, ...)

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave,	Just-as, ***********,
puriso sīghaṃ gaccheyya.	(a) man {might be walking} swiftly.
Tassa evamassa:	He considers:
‘kiṃ nu kho ahaṃ sīghaṃ gacchāmi?	'Why the heck (am) I swiftly walking?
Yannūn-āhaṃ saṇikaṃ gaccheyyan’ti.	Coudn't-I slowly walk?'
So saṇikaṃ gaccheyya.	[Then] he {might walk} slowly.
Tassa evamassa:	He considers:
‘kiṃ nu kho ahaṃ saṇikaṃ gacchāmi?	'Why the heck (am) I slowly walking?
Yannūn-āhaṃ tiṭṭheyyan’ti.	Couldn't-I stand?'
So tiṭṭheyya.	[Then] he might-stand.
Tassa evamassa:	He considers:
‘kiṃ nu kho ahaṃ ṭhito?	'Why the heck (am) I standing?
Yannūnāhaṃ nisīdeyyan’ti.	Couldn't-I sit?'
So nisīdeyya.	[Then] he might-sit.
Tassa evamassa:	He considers:
‘kiṃ nu kho ahaṃ nisinno?	'Why the heck (am) I sitting?
Yannūnāhaṃ nipajjeyyan’ti.	Couldn't-I lie-down?'
So nipajjeyya.	[Then] he might-lie-down.
Evañhi so, bhikkhave,	In such a way, monks,
puriso oḷārikaṃ oḷārikaṃ iriyāpathaṃ abhinivajjetvā	(the) man {having removed a} very coarse posture
sukhumaṃ sukhumaṃ iriyāpathaṃ kappeyya.	(with a) much finer posture (he) might-adopt.
Evameva kho, bhikkhave,	Just-like that, monks,

(repeat verbatim instructions before simile)

tassa ce bhikkhuno	then if, *******, ******
tesampi vitakkānaṃ	[regarding] those thoughts (for which he)
a-sati-a-manasi-kāraṃ āpajjato	[is trying to] not-remember-(and)-not-pay-attention-to,
uppajjanteva pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	(there) {still}-arises evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,

tena, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā	Then, *******, *******
tesaṃ vitakkānaṃ	(regarding) those thoughts,
Vitakka-saṅkhāra-saṇṭhānaṃ manasi-kātabbaṃ.	Thought-formation-stilling (should be his) mind’s-activity
Tassa tesaṃ vitakkānaṃ	if,-while (regarding) those thoughts,
Vitakka-saṅkhāra-saṇṭhānaṃ manasi-karoto	Thought-formation-stilling (is his) mind’s-activity
ye pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	any evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
te pahīyanti te abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.	they (are) abandoned, they {go to} subsiding.
Tesaṃ pahānā	(with) that abandoning,
ajjhattameva cittaṃ	internally (his) mind
santiṭṭhati sannisīdati	becomes-still, settles,

20.5.5 (Mind crush mind ↔ strong man crush weak one)

“tassa ce, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno	“then if, monks, (a) monk,
tesampi vitakkānaṃ	(regarding) those thoughts,
Vitakka-saṅkhāra-saṇṭhānaṃ manasi-karoto	Thought-formation-stilling (is his) mind’s-activity
uppajjanteva pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	(there) {still}-arises evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
tena, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā	then, monks, (a) monk,
Dante-bhi-danta-mādhāya	with teeth clenched,
jivhāya tāluṃ āhacca	tongue (to the) roof-of-the-mouth, pressed-against-it,
cetasā cittaṃ	(with) mind (on) mind
abhi-niggaṇhitabbaṃ	{he should} restrain (it),
abhi-nippīḷetabbaṃ	{he should} crush (it),
abhi-santāpetabbaṃ.	{he should} burn (it).
tassa	While (he),
Dante-bhi-danta-mādhāya	with teeth clenched,
jivhāya tāluṃ āhacca	tongue (to the) roof-of-the-mouth, pressed-against-it,
cetasā cittaṃ	(with) mind (on) mind
Abhi-niggaṇhato	retraining (it),
Abhi-nippīḷayato	crushing (it),
Abhi-santāpayato	burning (it) ,
ye pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	any evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
te pahīyanti te abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.	they (are) abandoned, they {go to} subsiding.
Tesaṃ pahānā	(with) that abandoning,

(ekodi & samādhi are 2nd jhāna hallmarks)

ajjhattameva cittaṃ	internally (his) mind
santiṭṭhati sannisīdati	becomes-still, settles,
ekodi hoti samādhiyati.	Transcends-into-singularity, becomes undistractible & lucid.

(simile of strong man crushing weak man)

seyyathāpi, bhikkhave,	Just-as, monks,
balavā puriso dub-balataraṃ purisaṃ	(a) powerful man (to a) weak-powered man
sīse vā gale vā khandhe vā gahetvā	{having-grabbed him by the} head or neck or trunk **
abhi-niggaṇheyya	(he) would-restrain (him),
abhi-nippīḷeyya	(he) would-crush (him),
abhi-santāpeyya;	(he) would-burn (him);

(repeat verbatim instructions before simile)

evameva kho, bhikkhave,	like that, monks,
tassa ce bhikkhuno	if a monk
tesampi vitakkānaṃ	(regarding) those thoughts,
Vitakka-saṅkhāra-saṇṭhānaṃ manasi-karoto	Thought-formation-stilling (is his) mind’s-activity
uppajjanteva pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	(there) {still}-arises evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,

tena, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā	then, monks, (a) monk,
Dante-bhi-danta-mādhāya	with teeth clenched,
jivhāya tāluṃ āhacca	tongue (to the) roof-of-the-mouth, pressed-against-it,
cetasā cittaṃ	(with) mind (on) mind
abhi-niggaṇhitabbaṃ	{he should} restrain (it),
abhi-nippīḷetabbaṃ	{he should} crush (it),
abhi-santāpetabbaṃ.	{he should} burn (it).
tassa	While (he),
Dante-bhi-danta-mādhāya	with teeth clenched,
jivhāya tāluṃ āhacca	tongue (to the) roof-of-the-mouth, pressed-against-it,
cetasā cittaṃ	(with) mind (on) mind
Abhi-niggaṇhato	retraining (it),
Abhi-nippīḷayato	crushing (it),
Abhi-santāpayato	burning (it) ,
ye pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	any evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
te pahīyanti te abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.	they (are) abandoned, they {go to} subsiding.
Tesaṃ pahānā	(with) that abandoning,
ajjhattameva cittaṃ	internally (his) mind
santiṭṭhati sannisīdati	becomes-still, settles,
ekodi hoti samādhiyati.	Transcends-into-singularity, becomes undistractible & lucid.

20.10 (conclusion)

20.10.1 (brief summary of 5 methods)

Yato kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno

so then, monks, (for a) monk,

(1.)

yaṃ nimittaṃ āgamma	some sign comes,
yaṃ nimittaṃ manasi-karoto	some sign (that he was) giving-attention (to),
uppajjanti pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	[causes] arising-of evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
ekodi hoti samādhiyati.	Transcends-into-singularity, becomes undistractible & lucid.
Tassa tamhā nimittā	Then [because of] that *** ****
aññaṃ nimittaṃ manasikaroto	other sign attended-to
kusalūpasaṃhitaṃ	[which is] connected-with-the-skillful,
ye pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	any evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
te pahīyanti te abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.	they (are) abandoned, they {go to} subsiding.
Tesaṃ pahānā	(with) that abandoning,
ajjhattameva cittaṃ	internally (his) mind
santiṭṭhati sannisīdati	becomes-still, settles,
ekodi hoti samādhiyati.	Transcends-into-singularity, becomes undistractible & lucid.

(2.)

Tesampi vitakkānaṃ	Then (those) thoughts
ādīnavaṃ upa-par-ikkhato	(whose) dangers (were) deeply-inspected,

ye pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	any evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
te pahīyanti te abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.	they (are) abandoned, they {go to} subsiding.
Tesaṃ pahānā	(with) that abandoning,
ajjhattameva cittaṃ	internally (his) mind
santiṭṭhati sannisīdati	becomes-still, settles,

(3.)

tesampi vitakkānaṃ	(regarding) those thoughts (for which he)
a-sati-a-manasi-kāraṃ āpajjato	[is trying to] not-remember-(and)-not-pay-attention-to,

ye pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	any evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
te pahīyanti te abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.	they (are) abandoned, they {go to} subsiding.
Tesaṃ pahānā	(with) that abandoning,
ajjhattameva cittaṃ	internally (his) mind
santiṭṭhati sannisīdati	becomes-still, settles,
ekodi hoti samādhiyati.	Transcends-into-singularity, becomes undistractible & lucid.

(4.)

tesampi vitakkānaṃ	(regarding) those thoughts,
Vitakka-saṅkhāra-saṇṭhānaṃ manasi-karoto	Thought-formation-stilling (is his) mind’s-activity
ye pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	any evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
te pahīyanti te abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.	they (are) abandoned, they {go to} subsiding.
Tesaṃ pahānā	(with) that abandoning,
ajjhattameva cittaṃ	internally (his) mind
santiṭṭhati sannisīdati	becomes-still, settles,
ekodi hoti samādhiyati.	Transcends-into-singularity, becomes undistractible & lucid.

(5.)

Dante-bhi-danta-mādhāya	with teeth clenched,
jivhāya tāluṃ āhacca	tongue (to the) roof-of-the-mouth, pressed-against-it,
cetasā cittaṃ	(with) mind (on) mind
Abhi-niggaṇhato	retraining (it),
Abhi-nippīḷayato	crushing (it),
Abhi-santāpayato	burning (it) ,
ye pāpakā akusalā vitakkā	any evil un-skillful thoughts
chand-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-desire,
dos-ūpasaṃhitāpi	connected-with-aversion,
moh-ūpasaṃhitāpi,	connected-with-delusion,
te pahīyanti te abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.	they (are) abandoned, they {go to} subsiding.
Tesaṃ pahānā	(with) that abandoning,
ajjhattameva cittaṃ	internally (his) mind
santiṭṭhati sannisīdati	becomes-still, settles,
ekodi hoti samādhiyati.	Transcends-into-singularity, becomes undistractible & lucid.

20.10.5 (Master of thought thinks what he wants, doesn’t think what he doesn’t want)

ayaṃ vuccati, bhikkhave, bhikkhu	This (is) called, **********, (a) monk
vasī vitakka-pariyāya-pathesu.	(who is a) master (of) thought-order-pathways.
yaṃ vitakkaṃ ākaṅkhissati	The thoughts (he) wishes,
taṃ vitakkaṃ vitakkessati,	those thoughts (he) thinks.
yaṃ vitakkaṃ n-ākaṅkhissati	The thoughts (he does) not wish,
na taṃ vitakkaṃ vitakkessati.	those thoughts (he does) {not} think.
ac-checchi taṇhaṃ,	Fully-cut-off craving,
vivattayi saṃyojanaṃ,	Flung-away (the) fetters,
sammā mān-ābhisamayā	Right {penetration}-of-conceit,
anta-m-akāsi dukkhassā”ti.	end-reached (for) suffering."
♦ idam-avoca bhagavā.	this-(was)-said (by) the-blessed-one.
attamanā te bhikkhū	Glad (were) those monks.
bhagavato bhāsitaṃ abhi-nandunti.	The-blessed-one words delighted (them).
♦ vitakka-saṇṭhāna-suttaṃ niṭṭhitaṃ	(thought-composition-discourse (is) finished)

(end of sutta⏹️)

4👑☸ Cattāri Ariya-saccaṃ 四聖諦

detailed TOC

20 – MN 20 Vitakka-saṇṭhāna: thought-composition

20.5 (Adhi­citta = syn.of samādhi, 5 nimittas are methods to remove unwanted thoughts)

20.5.1 (Replace unskillful with skillful thought ↔ fine peg replace coarse one)

(ekodi & samādhi are 2nd jhāna hallmarks)

(simile of fine peg replacing coarse peg)

(repeat verbatim instructions before simile)

20.5.2 (Seeing danger in un-skilful ↔ wear carcass around neck)

(ekodi & samādhi are 2nd jhāna hallmarks)

(simile of wearing carcass around neck)

(repeat verbatim instructions before simile)

20.5.3 (Forget, give no attention ↔ close eyes, don’t see)

(ekodi & samādhi are 2nd jhāna hallmarks)

(simile of closing eyes to not see)

(repeat verbatim instructions before simile)

20.5.4 (Progressive slow down ↔ walking, standing...lying)

(ekodi & samādhi are 2nd jhāna hallmarks)

(simile of walking, standing, ...)

(repeat verbatim instructions before simile)

20.5.5 (Mind crush mind ↔ strong man crush weak one)

(ekodi & samādhi are 2nd jhāna hallmarks)

(simile of strong man crushing weak man)

(repeat verbatim instructions before simile)

20.10 (conclusion)

20.10.1 (brief summary of 5 methods)

(1.)

(2.)

(3.)

(4.)

(5.)

20.10.5 (Master of thought thinks what he wants, doesn’t think what he doesn’t want)

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20.5 (Adhicitta = syn.of samādhi, 5 nimittas are methods to remove unwanted thoughts)