Bhikkhu Bodhi: Sabbasava Sutta: All The Fermentations, Part 1

This podcast delves into the Savasava Sutta, highlighting the concept of *asavas*, which are mental defilements or taints. The speaker outlines the three main *asavas*: sensual desire (*kamasava*), craving for existence (*bhavasava*), and ignorance (*avijjasava*), with a fourth, wrong views (*ditth'asava*), sometimes included. The sutta stresses the significance of "wise attention" (*yoniso manasikara*) over "unwise attention" (*ayoniso manasikara*) as a means to control and ultimately eliminate these taints, paving the way to liberation (*arahantship*). The speaker presents seven strategies for overcoming these *asavas*, emphasizing "seeing" (understanding the Four Noble Truths) and "development" (cultivating wisdom) as the key methods for their eradication. The discussion also addresses various misconceptions about the self and the nature of existence.