The Related Suttas Collection 36.31

3. The Explanation of the Hundred and Eight

Not of the Flesh

“Bhikkhus, there is (mental) joy of the flesh, (mental) joy not of the flesh, and (mental) joy even more spiritual than that not of the flesh.

There is pleasure of the flesh, pleasure not of the flesh, and pleasure even more spiritual that that not of the flesh.

There is equanimity of the flesh, equanimity not of the flesh, and equanimity even more spiritual than that not of the flesh.

There is liberation of the flesh, liberation not of the flesh, and liberation even more spiritual than that not of the flesh.

And what is (mental) joy of the flesh? There are these five kinds of sensual stimulation. What five? Sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. Sounds … Smells … Tastes … Touches known by the body that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. These are the five kinds of sensual stimulation. The (mental) joy that arises from these five kinds of sensual stimulation is called (mental) joy of the flesh.

And what is (mental) joy not of the flesh? It’s when a bhikkhu, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first jhāna, which has the (mental) joy and (bodily) pleasure born of seclusion, while thougths are being born and sustained analysis is going on. As the thougths being born and the sustained analysis going on are stilled, they enter and remain in the second jhāna, which has the (mental) joy and (bodily) pleasure born of samādhi, with internal clarity and mind at one, without thougths being born and without sustained analysis going on. This is called (mental) joy not of the flesh.

And what is (mental) joy even more spiritual than that not of the flesh? When a bhikkhu who has ended the defilements reviews their mind free from greed, hate, and delusion, (mental) joy arises. This is called (mental) joy even more spiritual than that not of the flesh.

And what is pleasure of the flesh? Bhikkhus, there are these five kinds of sensual stimulation. What five? Sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. Sounds … Smells … Tastes … Touches known by the body that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. These are the five kinds of sensual stimulation. The pleasure and happiness that arise from these five kinds of sensual stimulation is called pleasure of the flesh.

And what is pleasure not of the flesh? It’s when a bhikkhu, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first jhāna, which has the (mental) joy and (bodily) pleasure born of seclusion, while thougths are being born and sustained analysis is going on. As the thougths being born and the sustained analysis going on are stilled, they enter and remain in the second jhāna, which has the (mental) joy and (bodily) pleasure born of samādhi, with internal clarity and mind at one, without thougths being born and without sustained analysis going on. And with the fading away of (mental) joy, they enter and remain in the third jhāna, where they meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, personally feeling deeply the (bodily) pleasure of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, a pleasure is to meditate.’ This is called pleasure not of the flesh.

And what is pleasure even more spiritual that that not of the flesh? When a bhikkhu who has ended the defilements reviews their mind free from greed, hate, and delusion, pleasure and happiness arises. This is called pleasure even more spiritual that that not of the flesh.

And what is equanimity of the flesh? There are these five kinds of sensual stimulation. What five? Sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. Sounds … Smells … Tastes … Touches known by the body that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. These are the five kinds of sensual stimulation. The equanimity that arises from these five kinds of sensual stimulation is called equanimity of the flesh.

And what is equanimity not of the flesh? It’s when, giving up pleasure and pain, and ending former happiness and sadness, a bhikkhu enters and remains in the fourth jhāna, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness. This is called equanimity not of the flesh.

And what is equanimity even more spiritual than that not of the flesh? When a bhikkhu who has ended the defilements reviews their mind free from greed, hate, and delusion, equanimity arises. This is called equanimity even more spiritual than that not of the flesh.

And what is liberation of the flesh? Liberation connected with form is liberation of the flesh.

And what is liberation not of the flesh? Liberation connected with the formless is liberation not of the flesh.

And what is liberation even more spiritual than that not of the flesh? When a bhikkhu who has ended the defilements reviews their mind free from greed, hate, and delusion, liberation arises. This is called liberation even more spiritual than that not of the flesh.”

The Related Suttas Collection on feeling are complete.