11 (1) A Thousand Aeons

On one occasion the Venerable Anuruddha was dwelling at Sāvatthi in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapindika’s Park. Then a number of Bhikkhus approached the Venerable Anuruddha and exchanged greetings with him. When they had concluded their greetings and cordial talk, they sat down to one side and said to the Venerable Anuruddha:

“By having developed and cultivated what things has the Venerable Anuruddha attained to greatness of direct knowledge?” “It is, friends, because I have developed and cultivated the four establishments of mindfulness that I have attained to greatness of direct knowledge. What four? Here, friends, I dwell contemplating the body in the body … feelings in feelings … mind in mind … phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.

“It is, friends, because I have developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness that I have attained to greatness of direct knowledge. Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness that I recollect a thousand aeons.”

12 (2) Spiritual Power

… “Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness that I wield the various kinds of spiritual power: having been one I become many; having been many I become one … I exercise mastery with the body as far as the brahmā world.”

13 (3) The Divine Ear

… “Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness that with the divine ear element, which is purified and surpasses the human, I hear both kinds of sound, the divine and the human, those that are far as well as near.”

14 (4) Encompassing the Mind

… “Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness that I understand the minds of other beings and persons, having encompassed them with my own mind. I understand a mind with lust as a mind with lust … an unliberated mind as an unliberated mind.”

15 (5) The Possible

… “Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness that I understand the possible as possible and the impossible as impossible.”

16 (6) The Undertaking of Kamma

… “Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness that I understand as it really is the result of past, future, and present kamma by way of potential and by way of cause.”

17 (7) Leading Everywhere

… “Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness that I understand as it really is the way leading everywhere.”

18 (8) Diverse Elements

… “Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness that I understand as it really is the world with its manifold and diverse elements.”

19 (9) Diverse Dispositions

… “Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness that I understand as it really is the diversity in the dispositions of beings.”

20 (10) Degrees of the Faculties

… “Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness that I understand as it really is the degrees of maturity in the spiritual faculties of other beings and persons.”

21 (11) The Jhānas, Etc.

… “Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness that I understand as it really is the defilement, the cleansing, and the emergence in regard to the jhānas, deliverances, concentrations, and attainments.”

22 (12) Past Abodes

… “Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness that I recollect my manifold past abodes, that is, one birth, two births … many aeons of world-contraction and expansion…. Thus I recollect my manifold past abodes with their modes and details.”

23 (13) The Divine Eye

… “Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness that with the divine eye, which is purified and surpasses the human, I see beings passing away and being reborn … and I understand how beings fare on in accordance with their kamma.”

24 (14) The Destruction of the Taints

… “Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness that by the destruction of the taints, in this very life I enter and dwell in the taintless liberation of mind, liberation by wisdom, realizing it for myself with direct knowledge.”