Reading guide
"The path to convergence" -- ekāyano maggo
The discourse opens by naming the four kinds of mindfulness meditation “ekāyano maggo,” rendered here as “the path to convergence” — a famously debated phrase (also translatable as “the one way” or “the direct path”) that this project presents as the source translation gives it, without adjudicating between competing renderings.
Four objects, one method
The same method — observing an aspect (anupassī), keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world — is applied identically to four different objects: the body, feelings, the mind, and principles (dhammas). This fourfold structure, stated here in full for the first and only time in this discourse, is what every subsequent discourse in this saṃyutta will assume, elaborate, or apply to a further teaching.
Five stated purposes, one path
The formula names five distinct purposes for this practice: purifying sentient beings, getting past sorrow and crying, ending pain and sadness, discovering the system (or method — ñāya), and realizing extinguishment — confirming this practice is framed from its own first discourse as leading all the way to the saṃyutta's own final goal, not merely as a preliminary technique.
Key terms
The text
§1 — settingSo I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī, in Ambapālī’s Mango Grove. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!” “Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:
§2 — the fourfold formula“Mendicants, the four kinds of mindfulness meditation are the path to convergence. They are in order to purify sentient beings, to get past sorrow and crying, to make an end of pain and sadness, to discover the system, and to realize extinguishment. What four? It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of feelings—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of the mind—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. The four kinds of mindfulness meditation are the path to convergence. They are in order to purify sentient beings, to get past sorrow and crying, to make an end of pain and sadness, to discover the system, and to realize extinguishment.”
§3 — closingThat is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.
Self-check quiz
3 questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.