Reading guide
The unconditioned, defined once for the whole saṃyutta
“The ending of greed, hate, and delusion” — this exact three-part definition of asaṅkhata is presupposed rather than restated in every one of this vagga's own remaining nine discourses, confirmed by reading SN 43.2–10 directly: only the “path” half of the formula varies from here on, not the goal itself.
Eleven paths, one goal — the cycle this vagga sets up
Mindfulness of the body opens a list of eleven formulations of practice this vagga will cycle through one at a time, ending at SN 43.11 with the noble eightfold path itself — not a ranking from lesser to greater practice, since each discourse names its own single formulation “the path that leads to the unconditioned” without qualification, the same unqualified claim made eleven times over for eleven different practices.
Key terms
The text
§1At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you the unconditioned and the path that leads to the unconditioned. Listen … And what is the unconditioned? The ending of greed, hate, and delusion. This is called the unconditioned. And what is the path that leads to the unconditioned? Mindfulness of the body. This is called the path that leads to the unconditioned. So, mendicants, I’ve taught you the unconditioned and the path that leads to the unconditioned. Out of sympathy, I’ve done what a teacher should do who wants what’s best for their disciples. Here are these roots of trees, and here are these empty huts. Practice absorption, mendicants! Don’t be negligent! Don’t regret it later! This is my instruction to you.”
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