Day 73: Understanding Ānāpānasati through the Girimānanda Sutta (AN 10.60) – Study Notes from BMV Monday Sutta Study with Bhante Dr. G. Chandima

Why is Ānāpānasati Considered the Tenth Perception?

Ānāpānasati (mindfulness of breathing in and out) is  explicitly listed as one of the Ten Perceptions (dasa saññā) in the Girimānanda Sutta (AN 10.60). However, it serves as a fundamental practice that supports and deepens the development of these ten perceptions. As a universal meditation object, the breath aligns with and enhances each perception, providing a direct path to insight and liberation.

Interestingly, the description of Ānāpānasati in the Girimānanda Sutta closely mirrors its exposition in the Ānāpānasati Sutta (MN 118). This suggests that its role in AN 10.60 extends beyond a simple contemplation of breath. Unlike the more general approach to breath meditation found in the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (MN 10 and DN 22), here it is presented as an integrative practice that consolidates and elevates the preceding perceptions.

The placement of Ānāpānasati as the final perception is significant. Breath meditation is the focal point of many meditative disciplines, including the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta, because it cultivates sustained awareness and insight into the changing, unsatisfactory, and not-self nature of existence. By anchoring the mind to the breath, one gains the clarity needed to internalize the truths revealed by the Ten Perceptions, ultimately leading to deeper wisdom and liberation.

1st Tetrad: Contemplation of the Body (kāya-anupassanā)

• Focuses on bodily awareness and calming bodily formations.

1. Long breath awareness (dīghaṁ vā assasanto ‘dīghaṁ assasāmī’ti pajānāti) – "Breathing in long, one understands: ‘I breathe in long.’"
2. Short breath awareness (rassaṁ vā assasanto ‘rassaṁ assasāmī’ti pajānāti) – "Breathing in short, one understands: ‘I breathe in short.’"
3. Experiencing the whole body (sabbakāyapaṭisaṁvedī assasissāmīti sikkhati) – Expanding awareness beyond the breath to the entire body.
4. Calming bodily formations (passambhayaṁ kāyasaṅkhāraṁ assasissāmīti sikkhati) – Relaxing physical tensions, preparing for deeper meditation.

🔹 Goal: Cultivating mindfulness and relaxation in the body through breath awareness.

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2nd Tetrad: Contemplation of Feelings (Vedanā-anupassanā)

• Focuses on experiencing and transforming feelings (vedanā).

5. Experiencing rapture (pītipaṭisaṁvedī assasissāmīti sikkhati) – Joy arises as concentration deepens.
6. Experiencing happiness (sukhapaṭisaṁvedī assasissāmīti sikkhati) – Deep peace and contentment settle in.
7. Experiencing mental formations (cittasaṅkhārapaṭisaṁvedī assasissāmīti sikkhati) – Recognizing how the mind is affected by feelings.
8. Calming mental formations (passambhayaṁ cittasaṅkhāraṁ assasissāmīti sikkhati) – Letting go of agitation, deepening stillness.

🔹 Goal: Moving from excitement to deep tranquility, balancing mental energies through breath awareness.

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3rd Tetrad: Contemplation of the Mind (Citta-anupassanā)

• Cultivates insight into the nature of the mind.

9. Experiencing thoughts (Cittapaṭisaṁvedī assasissāmīti sikkhati) – Recognizing the state of mind (distracted, focused, dull, bright).
10. Gladdening thoughts (abhippamodayaṁ cittaṁ assasissāmīti sikkhati)– Cultivating positive states for deeper concentration.
11. Concentrating thoughts (samādahaṁ cittaṁ assasissāmīti sikkhati) – Developing concentration and stability.
12. Liberating thoughts (vimocayaṁ cittaṁ assasissāmīti sikkhati) – Releasing craving and clinging for freedom.

🔹 Goal: Strengthening and purifying the thoughts for deeper insight through breath awareness.

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4th Tetrad: Contemplation of Dhamma (Dhamma-anupassanā)

• Leads to wisdom by contemplating impermanence and cessation.

13. Contemplating change (aniccānupassī assasissāmīti sikkhati) – Seeing the breath as constantly changing.
14. Contemplating fading away (virāgānupassī assasissāmīti sikkhati) – Reducing clinging to sensations and mental states.
15. Contemplating cessation (nirodhānupassī assasissāmīti sikkhati) – Understanding the end of dukkha.
16. Contemplating letting go (paṭinissaggānupassī assasissāmīti sikkhati) – Cultivating deep renunciation and release.

🔹 Goal: Gaining insight into the nature of reality, leading to awakening through breath awareness.

Although Ānāpānasati is not explicitly named as the 10th perception, it functions as a comprehensive method for cultivating all ten perceptions in the Girimānanda Sutta. By training in mindfulness of breathing, a meditator directly realizes change, not-self, and the cessation of dukkha, fulfilling the purpose of these ten perceptions. In addition, profound healing naturally arises as an integral part of practicing the Ten Perceptions taught in the Girimānanda Sutta (AN 10.60).