Reading guide
A peyyāla formula spanning across a vagga boundary
Unlike the preceding Ānāpānavagga, which opened with its own explicit six-part bundle (SN 46.57), this vagga opens directly with a compressed single line — confirming, by direct reading of the root Pāli, that the sixfold benefit formula first established at SN 46.57 continues to apply across this vagga boundary, not merely within the vagga where it was first spelled out.
Key terms
asubhasaññā — “the perception of ugliness” — a meditation countering attachment to physical beauty, this vagga's own opening topic
bhāvitā bahulīkatā — “developed and cultivated” — the standard phrase, followed by the source's own elision
satta bojjhaṅgā — the seven awakening factors, implicitly developed together with this meditation topic
mahapphalā mahānisaṁsā — the implied sixfold benefit carried over from SN 46.57's own full elaboration in the preceding vagga
paṭhamaṁ — “the first” — the Pāli root's own closing numeral, confirming this discourse opens the vagga's own ten topics
The text
The complete discourse as the source itself gives it. Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0, SuttaCentral).
§1“Mendicants, when the perception of ugliness is developed and cultivated it’s very fruitful and beneficial. …”
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Self-check quiz
3 questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.
Question 1 of 3
What does this discourse confirm about the sixfold benefit formula first established at SN 46.57?
Correct: A. Confirmed by direct reading of the root Pāli, a peyyāla formula genuinely spanning multiple vaggas.
Question 2 of 3
What does the perception of ugliness counter, as a meditation subject?
Correct: A. This vagga's own opening topic, distinct from but related to the charnel-ground contemplations of the preceding vagga.
Question 3 of 3
Unlike the preceding vagga, what does this vagga's own opening discourse lack?
Correct: A. This vagga relies entirely on the formula already established at SN 46.57 in the preceding vagga.