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← Saṃyutta Nikāya

The World

SN 47.28 · Lokasutta

Layered Himalayan ridges beyond a high mountain pass.

The same setting. “Reverend Anuruddha, what things have you developed and cultivated to attain great direct knowledge?”

“Reverend, I attained great direct knowledge by developing and cultivating the four kinds of mindfulness meditation.

What four? It’s when I meditate observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. I meditate observing an aspect of feelings … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. I attained great direct knowledge by developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation.

And it’s because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I directly know the thousandfold galaxy.”

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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.