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← Saṃyutta Nikāya

In the Atmosphere (1st)

SN 36.12 · Paṭhamaākāsasutta

A coastal tree and tawny grasses beside the sea.

“Mendicants, various winds blow in the atmosphere. Winds blow from the east, the west, the north, and the south. There are winds that are dusty and dustless, cool and warm, weak and strong.

In the same way, various feelings arise in this body: pleasant, painful, and neutral feelings.

There are many and various winds that blow in the atmosphere. From the east they come, also the west, the north, and then the south.

They are dusty and dustless, cool and sometimes warm, strong and weak; these are the different gales that blow.

So too, in this body feelings arise, pleasant and painful, and those that are neutral.

But when a mendicant is keen, not neglecting situational awareness, that astute person understands all feelings.

Completely understanding feelings, they’re without defilements in this very life. That knowledge master is firm in principle; when their body breaks up, they can’t be reckoned.”

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Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.