Samyukta Āgama (292), Part One

(1) Original text: 尔时。世尊告诸比丘。云何思量观察正尽苦。究竟苦边。时思量众生所有众苦。种种差别。此诸苦何因何集。何生何触。思量取因取集。取生取触。若彼取灭无余。众苦则灭。彼所乘苦灭道迹。如实知。修行彼向次法。是名比丘向正尽苦。究竟苦边。所谓取灭。

Explanation: The World-Honored One told the bhikkhus how to deliberate and contemplate the complete and thorough cessation of suffering, so as to reach the ultimate edge of suffering. At this time, one should deliberate on all the suffering of sentient beings, as well as the various differentiated marks of these sufferings, and contemplate by what causes and conditions these sufferings arise, by the arising of what dharma they are summoned forth, from what cause they are born, and by the contact of what dharma they are produced.

This means one must deliberate that it is grasping (upādāna) as the cause that makes suffering appear; it is the arising of grasping that leads to the appearance of suffering; it is the birth of grasping that leads to the birth of suffering; and it is the contact of grasping that produces suffering. If all those graspings cease without remainder, then all suffering will cease. The bhikkhus should truly understand the path of practice for the cessation of suffering, and should cultivate the auxiliary dharmas and secondary dharmas that lead toward the complete cessation of suffering. In this way, the bhikkhus can proceed toward the complete cessation of suffering and can ultimately reach the edge of suffering. This is the method of extinguishing grasping.