The following two posts clarify why ‘pañcupādānakkhandha kāya‘ is the ‘kāya‘ discussed not only in the Ānāpānassati Sutta (MN 118) and the Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta (DN 22) but also in most suttās.
Kāya Can be Pañcupādānakkhandha or Physical Body
Kāya Is Pañcupādānakkhandha Kāya in Most Suttās
- Anyone can ask questions if things are not clear or if there are any contradictions.
Notes:
1. The “Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta (DN 22)” does not discuss kāyānupassanā. It discusses only ‘kāye kāyānupassanā’ together with ‘vedanāsu vedanānupassanā, citte cittānupassanā, and ‘dhammesu dhammānupassanā.’ Kāyānupassanā is discussed in the first stage of the Ānāpānassati Sutta (MN 118). That means focusing only on the ‘purāna kamma‘ stage as stated in the “Kammanirodha Sutta (SN 35.146)”; see below.
- Those who believe that Ānāpānassati Sutta (MN 118) describes ‘Mindfulness of Breathing,’ must first understand the ‘three-stage structure’ of that sutta discussed in “Ānāpānasati Sutta – Complete Overview” and also the ‘purāna kamma‘ stage in the “Kammanirodha Sutta (SN 35.146).”
- They should also understand that the 11 types of rūpa discussed in the “Khandha Sutta (SN 22.48)“: ‘Yaṁ kiñci, bhikkhave, rūpaṁ atītānāgatapaccuppannaṁ ajjhattaṁ vā bahiddhā vā oḷārikaṁ vā sukhumaṁ vā hīnaṁ vā paṇītaṁ vā yaṁ dūre santike vā, ayaṁ vuccati rūpakkhandho.’ Those ajjhatta and bahiddha rūpa arise in the the ‘purāna kamma‘ stage as stated in the “Kammanirodha Sutta (SN 35.146).”
- The verse ‘Iti ajjhattaṁ vā kāye kāyānupassī viharati, bahiddhā vā kāye kāyānupassī viharati, ajjhattabahiddhā vā kāye kāyānupassī viharati‘ in the “Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta (DN 22)” refers to comprehending the ajjhatta and bahiddha rūpa arising in the ‘purāna kamma‘ stage.
2. Note that all living beings have the ‘pañcupādānakkhandha kāya‘ unless they are Arahants.
- Thus, Brahmās also need to cultivate not only Kāyānupassanā, but also ‘kāye kāyānupassanā’ together with ‘vedanāsu vedanānupassanā, citte cittānupassanā, and ‘dhammesu dhammānupassanā.’ Those latter are the ‘cattāro satipaṭṭhānā‘ or the ‘four types of satipaṭṭhāna.’
3. Now, to the issue of ‘Do Brahmas go to charnel grounds?‘
- Of course, some subsections (1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 1.6) of the Kāyānupassanā section cannot be practiced by Brahmas without physical bodies. However, since humans can benefit from them, those subsections cannot be omitted.
- However, Brahmas can practice subsections 1.1 and 1.5. That is all they need to practice in the Kāyānupassanā section.
- Brahmas do not need to abstain from many akusala kamma like killing, stealing, etc., either!
4. It must be kept in mind that Satipaṭṭhāna in the Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta (DN 22) can be cultivated by only Sotapannas or above, whether they are humans or Brahmas.
- To attain the Sotapanna stage, they must cultivate the first stage of Ānāpānassati in the Ānāpānassati Sutta (MN 118). I discussed that in “Ānāpānasati Sutta – Complete Overview.”
- Thus, Ānāpānassati Sutta (MN 118) and the Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta (DN 22) are not the same! The Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta discusses in detail the stages two and three in the Ānāpānassati Sutta.
5. Finally, the Sutta Central translation of the “Kāyagatāsati Sutta (MN 119)” starts with the title “Mindfulness of the Body.”
- I have not yet discussed this sutta in a post. However, this sutta describes the final stages of Satipatthana: once the mind has overcome not only the ‘nava kamma‘ stage but also kama guna, and is trying to overcome the ajjhatta and bahiddha stages early in the ‘purana kamma‘ stage.
- At the end of the sutta, it describes the benefits of cultivating Kāyagatāsati.
- At marker 42.1, it states that the practice will lead to Nibbāna: “Āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ..”
- How can that be possible if ‘Kāya‘ in Kāyagatāsati means the ‘physical body’?
- Here, Kāyaagatā means “involving the ‘kāye kāya‘ or the ‘purāna kamma‘ stage of the pañcupādānakkhandha kāya.
6. Anyone can ask questions. Questions/criticisms/comments are welcome! We are all trying to uncover the true teachings of the Buddha.