Reading guide
A question of consequence, framed both ways at once
Confirmed by direct reading, Bhadda's own question asks for both the cause of failure AND the cause of success in a single breath — “what is the reason why the true teaching does not last long... what is the reason why the true teaching does last long” — setting up an answer that must address both outcomes symmetrically.
A single, unqualified answer for both outcomes
Ānanda's own answer is confirmed by direct reading to name a single deciding factor for both directions: the ABSENCE of developing and cultivating the four kinds of mindfulness meditation causes the teaching's own decline, and its PRESENCE causes the teaching's own long survival — not two separate causes, but one practice whose presence or absence determines the outcome either way.
The same courteous opening as SN 47.21
This discourse's own opening — Ānanda's identical praise for Bhadda's question, restated word for word — is confirmed by direct comparison to match SN 47.21's own opening exactly, confirming this is a direct continuation of the same conversation between the same two mendicants.
Key terms
The text
§1 — Bhadda's own questionThe same setting. Venerable Bhadda said to Venerable Ānanda: “What is the cause, Reverend Ānanda, what is the reason why the true teaching does not last long after the final quenching of the Realized One? What is the cause, what is the reason why the true teaching does last long after the final quenching of the Realized One?”
§2 — Ānanda's own answer“Good, good, Reverend Bhadda! Your approach and eloquence are excellent, and it’s a good question. For you asked: ‘What is the cause, Reverend Ānanda, what is the reason why the true teaching does not last long after the final quenching of the Realized One? What is the cause, what is the reason why the true teaching does last long after the final quenching of the Realized One?’” “Yes, reverend.” “It’s because of not developing and cultivating the four kinds of mindfulness meditation that the true teaching doesn’t last long after the final quenching of the Realized One. It’s because of developing and cultivating the four kinds of mindfulness meditation that the true teaching does last long after the final quenching of the Realized One.
§3 — the fourfold formula, and the answer restatedWhat 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 … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. It’s because of not developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that the true teaching doesn’t last long after the final quenching of the Realized One. It’s because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that the true teaching does last long after the final quenching of the Realized One.”
Self-check quiz
3 questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.