MahÄrÄhulovÄda Sutta
The Buddha and RÄhula are on their way to the village for alms, and the Buddha tells RÄhula that all rÅ«pa should be regarded as anattÄ, and not only rÅ«pa, but also the other khandhas. RÄhula stops and sits under a tree meditating. SÄriputta approaches and suggests that he should develop mindfulness of respiration (ÄnÄpÄnasat)i. Later in the evening RÄhula asks the Buddha how he can do this. The Buddha describes how it is done by regarding all the elements — earth, water, fire, air and space, both personal and external — with disgust and loathing of heart. One should not allow sensory impressions to lay hold of one’s heart, just as the earth remains impassive whatever may be thrown upon it. It is so with the other elements. One should grow in loving-kindness, compassion, in gladness over the welfare of others, in equanimity, contemplation of the body’s corruption, perception of the fleeting nature of things, and in the mindfulness which comes from ordered breathing.
M.i.420 6; it is perhaps a part of this sutta which is quoted at Mil. 385, 388; see Mil. Trs.ii.312, n.1.
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