A single short statement built on the crossing-over metaphor, framing the four kinds of mindfulness meditation as a means of passage
Length
<1 minute to read
Northern parallel
No individual parallel confirmed by this project's own check
Difficulty
★★☆☆☆ — brief, turning on a single well-known metaphor
Why this discourse
This discourse describes what developing and cultivating the four kinds of mindfulness meditation leads to using the classic image of “going from the near shore to the far shore” — the same crossing-over metaphor used elsewhere in the canon for the passage from saṃsāra to nibbāna, applied here specifically to this practice.
Reading guide
The near shore and the far shore -- a canonical image
Confirmed by direct reading, this discourse's own phrase “apārā pāraṁ gamanāya” (“going from the near shore to the far shore”) uses a crossing-over image found across the canon for the passage from the cycle of rebirth to its ending, here applied directly to the outcome of the four kinds of mindfulness meditation.
Developed AND cultivated -- both terms required
The discourse's own pairing of two terms, “bhāvitā” (developed) and “bahulīkatā” (cultivated, made much of), is confirmed by direct reading to appear together, suggesting the crossing described is not the product of occasional practice but of sustained, repeated development.
A single claim, stated once and confirmed once more
Confirmed by direct reading, this discourse states its own single claim — that developed and cultivated, the four kinds of mindfulness meditation lead to this crossing — then repeats the identical claim verbatim at the close, giving the whole discourse a simple, symmetrical shape without any additional elaboration.
Key terms
bhāvitā bahulīkatā — “developed and cultivated” — a paired phrase suggesting sustained, repeated practice rather than occasional effort
apārā pāraṁ gamanāya — “going from the near shore to the far shore” — the canonical crossing-over image for the passage from saṃsāra to its ending
apāra — “the near shore” — the shore of ordinary, unawakened existence
pāra — “the far shore” — the shore of awakening, reached by crossing over
cattāro satipaṭṭhānā — “the four kinds of mindfulness meditation” — the practice this discourse identifies as the means of the crossing it describes
The text
The complete discourse. Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0, SuttaCentral).
§1“Mendicants, when these four kinds of mindfulness meditation are developed and cultivated they lead to going from the near shore to the far shore. 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 … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. When these four kinds of mindfulness meditation are developed and cultivated they lead to going from the near shore to the far shore.”
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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 image does this discourse use to describe the outcome of developing the four kinds of mindfulness meditation?
Correct: A. The same crossing-over metaphor used elsewhere in the canon for the passage from saṃsāra to nibbāna.
Question 2 of 3
What does the paired phrase "developed and cultivated" (bhāvitā bahulīkatā) suggest about the practice described?
Correct: A. The pairing of both terms together suggests ongoing, repeated cultivation.
Question 3 of 3
How is the discourse's own single claim structured?
Correct: A. Giving the whole discourse a simple, symmetrical shape.
