Twelve Discourses on the Ganges River, Etc.

“Mendicants, the Ganges river slants, slopes, and inclines to the east.

In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the four kinds of mindfulness meditation slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.

And how does a mendicant who develops the four kinds of mindfulness meditation slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment?

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.

That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the four kinds of mindfulness meditation slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

Six on slanting to the east,

and six on slanting to the ocean;

these two sixes make twelve,

and that’s how this chapter is recited.