1

MoggallanatheGuardsman GopakaMoggallanaSutta(MajjhimaNikaya108) ThisdiscoursepresentsapictureoflifeintheearlyBuddhistcommunityshortlyafter theBuddhaspassingaway.Ontheonehand,itshowstherelationshipbetweenthe monasticcommunityandthepoliticalpowersthatbe:themonksarepoliteandcourteous topoliticalfunctionaries,buttheexistenceofthisdiscourseshowsthattheyhadno qualmsaboutdepictingthosefunctionariesasalittledense.Ontheotherhand,itshows thatearlyBuddhistpracticehadnoroomformanypracticesthatlaterdevelopedin Buddhisttraditions,suchasappointedlineageholders,electedecclesiasticalheads,orthe useofmentaldefilementsasabasisforconcentrationpractice. IhaveheardthatononeoccasionVen.AnandawasstayingnearRajagahainthe BambooGrove,theSquirrelsSanctuary,notlongaftertheBlessedOnestotal Unbinding. NowatthattimeKingAjatasattuVedehiputtaofMagadha,suspiciousof KingPajjota,washavingRajagahafortified. Thenintheearlymorning,Ven.Ananda,havingputonhisrobesand carryinghisbowlandouterrobe,wentintoRajagahaforalms.Thethought occurredtohim,ItstooearlytogoforalmsinRajagaha.WhatifIweretogo tothebrahmanMoggallanatheGuardsmanathisconstructionsite?Sohewent toMoggallanatheGuardsmanathisconstructionsite.Moggallanathe Guardsmansawhimcomingfromafar,andonseeinghimsaidtohim,Come, MasterAnanda.Welcome,MasterAnanda.IthasbeenalongtimesinceMaster Anandahasfoundthetimetocomehere.Sitdown,MasterAnanda.Hereisa seatmadereadyforyou. SoVen.Anandasatdownontheseatmadeready.Moggallanathe Guardsman,takingalowerseat,sattooneside. Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtoVen.Ananda:MasterAnanda,isthere anyonemonkendowedineach&everywaywiththequalitieswithwhich MasterGotamaworthy&rightlyselfawakenedwasendowed? No,brahman,thereisntanyonemonkendowedineach&everyway withthequalitieswithwhichtheBlessedOneworthy&rightlyself awakenedwasendowed.FortheBlessedOnewasthearouseroftheunarisen path,thebegetteroftheunbegottenpath,theexpounderoftheunexpounded

2 path,theknowerofthepath,theexpertwithregardtothepath,adeptatthe path.Andnowhisdisciplesfollowthepathandbecomeendowedwithitafter him. AndthenVen.AnandasdiscussionwithMoggallanatheGuardsmanwas interruptedinmidcourse,forthebrahmanVassakara,theMagadhan administrator,onaninspectiontouroftheconstructionsitesinRajagaha,wentto Ven.AnandaatMoggallanatheGuardsmansconstructionsite.Onarrival,he exchangedcourteousgreetingswithVen.Ananda.Afteranexchangeoffriendly greetings&courtesies,hesattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtoVen. Ananda,Justnow,forwhatdiscussionwereyousittingtogetherwhenyou wereinterruptedinmidcourse? Justnow,brahman,MoggallanatheGuardsmansaidtome,Master Ananda,isthereanyonemonkendowedineach&everywaywiththequalities withwhichMasterGotamaworthy&rightlyselfawakenedwasendowed? Andwhenthiswassaid,Isaidtohim,No,brahman,thereisntanyonemonk endowedineach&everywaywiththequalitieswithwhichtheBlessed Oneworthy&rightlyselfawakenedwasendowed.FortheBlessedOnewas thearouseroftheunarisenpath,thebegetteroftheunbegottenpath,the expounderoftheunexpoundedpath,theknowerofthepath,theexpertwith regardtothepath,adeptatthepath.Andnowhisdisciplesfollowthepathand becomeendowedwithitafterhim.Thiswasmydiscussionwiththebrahman MoggallanatheGuardsmanthatwasinterruptedinmidcoursewhenyou arrived. MasterAnanda,isthereanyonemonkappointedbyMasterGotama[with thewords],HewillbeyourarbitratorafterIamgone,towhomyounow turn? No,brahman.ThereisntanyonemonkappointedbytheBlessed Onetheonewhoknows,theonewhosees,worthy&rightlyself awakened[withthewords]HewillbeyourarbitratorafterIamgone,to whomwenowturn. ThenisthereanyonemonkauthorizedbytheSanghaandappointedbya largebodyofeldermonks[withthewords],Hewillbeourarbitratorafterthe BlessedOneisgone,towhomyounowturn? No,brahman.ThereisntanyonemonkauthorizedbytheSanghaand appointedbyalargebodyofeldermonks[withthewords]Hewillbeour arbitratoraftertheBlessedOneisgone,towhomwenowturn.

3 Beingthuswithoutanarbitrator,MasterAnanda,whatisthereasonfor yourconcord? Itsnotthecase,brahman,thatwerewithoutanarbitrator.Wehavean arbitrator.TheDhammaisourarbitrator. Whenasked,MasterAnanda,isthereanyonemonkappointedbyMaster Gotama[withthewords],HewillbeyourarbitratorafterIamgone,towhom younowturn?yousaid,No,brahman.Thereisntanyonemonkappointed bytheBlessedOne...towhomwenowturn. Whenasked,ThenisthereanyonemonkauthorizedbytheSangha...to whomyounowturn?yousaid,No,brahman.Thereisntanyonemonk authorizedbytheSangha...towhomwenowturn. Whenasked,Beingthuswithoutanarbitrator,MasterAnanda,whatis thereasonforyourconcord?yousaid,Itsnotthecase,brahman,that werewithoutanarbitrator.Wehaveanarbitrator.TheDhammaisour arbitrator.Nowhowisthemeaningofwhatyouhavesaidtobeunderstood? Brahman,thereisatrainingrulelaiddownbytheBlessedOnetheone whoknows,theonewhosees,worthy&rightlyselfawakenedaPatimokkha thathasbeencodified.Ontheuposathaday,allofuswholivedependentona singletownshipgathertogetherinoneplace.Havinggatheredtogether,we invitetheonetowhomitfalls[torecitethePatimokkha].If,whileheisreciting,a monkremembersanoffenseortransgression,wedealwithhiminaccordance withtheDhamma,inaccordancewithwhathasbeeninstructed.Werenotthe oneswhodealwiththatvenerableone.Rather,theDhammaiswhatdealswith us. Isthere,MasterAnanda,anyonemonkyounowhonor,respect,revere,& venerate,onwhomhonoring&respectingyouliveindependence? Yes,brahman,thereisamonkwenowhonor,respect,revere,&venerate, onwhomhonoring&respectingweliveindependence. Whenasked,MasterAnanda,isthereanyonemonkappointedbyMaster Gotama[withthewords],HewillbeyourarbitratorafterIamgone,towhom younowturn?yousaid,No,brahman.Thereisntanyonemonkappointed bytheBlessedOne...towhomwenowturn. Whenasked,ThenisthereanyonemonkauthorizedbytheSangha...to whomyounowturn?yousaid,No,brahman.Thereisntanyonemonk authorizedbytheSangha...towhomwenowturn. Whenasked,Isthere,MasterAnanda,anyonemonkyounowhonor, respect,revere,&venerate,onwhomhonoring&respectingyoulivein

4 dependence?yousaid,Yes,brahman,thereisamonkwenowhonor,respect, revere,&venerate,onwhomhonoring&respectingweliveindependence. Nowhowisthemeaningofwhatyouhavesaidtobeunderstood? Brahman,thereareteninspiringqualitiesexpoundedbytheBlessed Onetheonewhoknows,theonewhosees,worthy&rightlyselfawakened.In whoeveramongusthosetenqualitiesarefound,wenowhonor,respect,revere, &veneratehim;honoring&respectinghim,weliveindependenceonhim. Whichten? [1]Thereisthecasewhereamonkisvirtuous.Hedwellsrestrainedin accordancewiththePatimokkha,consummateinhisbehavior&sphereof activity.Hetrainshimself,havingundertakenthetrainingrules,seeingdanger intheslightestfaults. [2]Hehasheardmuch,hasretainedwhathehasheard,hasstoredwhathe hasheard.Whateverteachingsareadmirableinthebeginning,admirableinthe middle,admirableintheend,thatintheirmeaning&expressionproclaimthe holylifeentirelyperfect&pure:thosehehaslistenedtooften,retained, discussed,accumulated,examinedwithhismind,andwellpenetratedinterms ofhisviews. [3]Heiscontentwithrobes,almsfood,lodgings,&medicinalrequisitesfor curingthesick. [4]Heattainswheneverhewants,withoutstrain,withoutdifficultythe fourjhanasthatareheightenedmentalstates,pleasantabidingsinthehere& now. [5]Heexperiencesmanifoldsupranormalpowers.Havingbeenonehe becomesmany;havingbeenmanyhebecomesone.Heappears.Hevanishes.He goesunimpededthroughwalls,ramparts,&mountainsasifthroughspace.He divesin&outoftheearthasifitwerewater.Hewalksonwaterwithoutsinking asifitweredryland.Sittingcrossleggedhefliesthroughtheairlikeawinged bird.Withhishandhetouches&strokeseventhesun&moon,somighty& powerful.HeexercisesinfluencewithhisbodyevenasfarastheBrahmaworlds. [6]Hehearsbymeansofthedivineearelement,purified&surpassingthe humanbothkindsofsounds:divine&human,whethernearorfar. [7]Heknowstheawarenessofotherbeings,otherindividuals,having encompasseditwithhisownawareness.Hediscernsamindwithpassionasa mindwithpassion,andamindwithoutpassionasamindwithoutpassion.He discernsamindwithaversionasamindwithaversion,andamindwithout aversionasamindwithoutaversion.Hediscernsamindwithdelusionasa

5 mindwithdelusion,andamindwithoutdelusionasamindwithoutdelusion. Hediscernsarestrictedmindasarestrictedmind,andascatteredmindasa scatteredmind.Hediscernsanenlargedmindasanenlargedmind,andan unenlargedmindasanunenlargedmind.Hediscernsanexcelledmind[onethat isnotatthemostexcellentlevel]asanexcelledmind,andanunexcelledmindas anunexcelledmind.Hediscernsaconcentratedmindasaconcentratedmind, andanunconcentratedmindasanunconcentratedmind.Hediscernsareleased mindasareleasedmind,andanunreleasedmindasanunreleasedmind. [8]Herecollectshismanifoldpastlives(lit:previoushomes),i.e.,onebirth, twobirths,threebirths,four,five,ten,twenty,thirty,forty,fifty,onehundred, onethousand,onehundredthousand,manyaeonsofcosmiccontraction,many aeonsofcosmicexpansion,manyaeonsofcosmiccontraction&expansion, [recollecting],ThereIhadsuchaname,belongedtosuchaclan,hadsuchan appearance.Suchwasmyfood,suchmyexperienceofpleasure&pain,suchthe endofmylife.Passingawayfromthatstate,Irearosethere.TheretooIhad suchaname,belongedtosuchaclan,hadsuchanappearance.Suchwasmy food,suchmyexperienceofpleasure&pain,suchtheendofmylife.Passing awayfromthatstate,Irearosehere.Thusheremembershismanifoldpast livesintheirmodes&details. [9]Heseesbymeansofthedivineeye,purified&surpassingthe humanbeingspassingawayandreappearing,andhediscernshowtheyare inferior&superior,beautiful&ugly,fortunate&unfortunateinaccordancewith theirkamma:Thesebeingswhowereendowedwithbadconductofbody, speech,&mind,whoreviledthenobleones,heldwrongviewsandundertook actionsundertheinfluenceofwrongviewswiththebreakupofthebody,after death,havereappearedintheplaneofdeprivation,thebaddestination,the lowerrealms,inhell.Butthesebeingswhowereendowedwithgoodconduct ofbody,speech,&mind,whodidnotrevilethenobleones,whoheldright viewsandundertookactionsundertheinfluenceofrightviewswiththebreak upofthebody,afterdeath,havereappearedinthegooddestinations,inthe heavenlyworld.Thusbymeansofthedivineeye,purified&surpassingthe humanheseesbeingspassingawayandreappearing,andhediscernshow theyareinferior&superior,beautiful&ugly,fortunate&unfortunatein accordancewiththeirkamma. [10]Throughtheendingofthementalfermentations,heremainsinthe fermentationfreereleaseofawareness&releaseofdiscernment,havingknown &madethemmanifestforhimselfrightinthehere&now.

6 These,brahman,aretheteninspiringqualitiesexpoundedbytheBlessed Onetheonewhoknows,theonewhosees,worthy&rightlyselfawakened.In whoeveramongusthesetenqualitiesarefound,wenowhonor,respect,revere, &veneratehim;honoring&respectinghim,weliveindependenceonhim. Whenthiswassaid,thebrahmanVassakara,theMagadhanadministrator, turnedtoGeneralUpanandaandsaid,Whatdoyouthink,general?Dothese venerableoneshonorwhatshouldbehonored,respectwhatshouldbe respected,reverewhatshouldberevered,veneratewhatshouldbevenerated? Ofcoursetheyhonorwhatshouldbehonored,respectwhatshouldberespected, reverewhatshouldberevered,veneratewhatshouldbevenerated.Forifthey didnothonor,respect,revere,orvenerateapersonlikethis,thenwhatsortof personwouldtheyhonor,respect,revere,&venerate;onwhatsortofperson, honor&respecting,wouldtheyliveindependence? ThenthebrahmanVassakara,theMagadhanadministrator,saidtoVen. Ananda,Butwhereareyoustayingnow,MasterAnanda? IamnowstayingattheBambooGrove,brahman. Itrust,MasterAnanda,thattheBambooGroveisdelightful,quiet,freeof noise,withanairofisolation,remotefromhumanbeings,&appropriatefor retreat. Certainly,brahman,theBambooGroveisdelightful,quiet,freeofnoise, withanairofisolation,remotefromhumanbeings,&appropriateforretreat becauseofguardians&protectorslikeyourself. Certainly,MasterAnanda,theBambooGroveisdelightful,quiet,freeof noise,withanairofisolation,remotefromhumanbeings,&appropriatefor retreatbecauseofvenerableoneswhoareendowedwithmentalabsorption (jhana),whomakementalabsorptiontheirhabit.Youvenerableonesareboth endowedwithmentalabsorption&makementalabsorptionyourhabit. Once,Ven.Ananda,MasterGotamawasstayingnearVesaliinthePeaked RoofedPavilionintheGreatWood.IwenttohimatthePeakedRoofedPavilion intheGreatWood,andtherehespokeinavarietyofwaysonmentalabsorption. MasterGotamawasbothendowedwithmentalabsorption&mademental absorptionhishabit.Infact,hepraisedmentalabsorptionofeverysort. Itwasntthecase,brahman,thattheBlessedOnepraisedmental absorptionofeverysort,nordidhecriticizementalabsorptionofeverysort.And whatsortofmentalabsorptiondidhenotpraise?Thereisthecasewherea certainpersondwellswithhisawarenessovercomebysensualpassion,seized withsensualpassion.Hedoesnotdiscerntheescape,asitactuallyispresent,

7 fromsensualpassiononceithasarisen.Makingthatsensualpassionthefocal point,heabsorbshimselfwithit,besorbs,resorbs,&supersorbshimselfwithit. Hedwellswithhisawarenessovercomebyillwill.... Hedwellswithhisawarenessovercomebysloth&drowsiness.... Hedwellswithhisawarenessovercomebyrestlessness&anxiety.... Hedwellswithhisawarenessovercomebyuncertainty,seizedwith uncertainty.Hedoesnotdiscerntheescape,asitactuallyispresent,from uncertaintyonceithasarisen.Makingthatuncertaintythefocalpoint,heabsorbs himselfwithit,besorbs,resorbs,&supersorbshimselfwithit.Thisisthesortof mentalabsorptionthattheBlessedOnedidnotpraise. Andwhatsortofmentalabsorptiondidhepraise?Thereisthecasewherea monkquitewithdrawnfromsensualpleasures,withdrawnfromunskillful (mental)qualitiesenters&remainsinthefirstjhana:rapture&pleasureborn fromwithdrawal,accompaniedbydirectedthought&evaluation.Withthe stillingofdirectedthought&evaluation,heenters&remainsinthesecond jhana:rapture&pleasurebornofconcentration,unificationofawarenessfree fromdirectedthought&evaluationinternalassurance.Withthefadingof rapture,heremainsinequanimity,mindful&fullyaware,andphysically sensitiveofpleasure.Heenters&remainsinthethirdjhana,ofwhichtheNoble Onesdeclare,Equanimous&mindful,hehasapleasurableabiding.Withthe abandoningofpleasure&painaswiththeearlierdisappearanceofelation& distressheenters&remainsinthefourthjhana:purityofequanimity& mindfulness,neitherpleasurenorpain.Thisisthesortofmentalabsorptionthat theBlessedOnepraised. Itwouldseem,Ven.Ananda,thatMasterGotamacriticizedthemental absorptionthatdeservescriticism,andpraisedthatwhichdeservespraise. Well,now,MasterAnanda,Imustbegoing.Manyaremyduties,manythe thingsImustdo. Thendo,brahman,whatyouthinkitisnowtimetodo. SothebrahmanVassakara,theMagadhanadministrator,delighting& rejoicinginwhatVen.Anandahadsaid,gotupfromhisseat&left. Then,notlongafterhehadleft,MoggallanatheGuardsmansaidtoVen. Ananda,MasterAnanda,youstillhaventansweredwhatIaskedyou. DidntIjusttellyou,brahman?Thereisntanyonemonkendowedin each&everywaywiththequalitieswithwhichtheBlessedOneworthy& rightlyselfawakenedwasendowed.FortheBlessedOnewasthearouserofthe unarisenpath,thebegetteroftheunbegottenpath,theexpounderofthe

8 unexpoundedpath,theknowerofthepath,theexpertwithregardtothepath, adeptatthepath.Andnowhisdisciplesfollowthepathandbecomeendowed withitafterhim.

TheGreatFullmoonNightDiscourse MahaPunnamaSutta(MN109) Thissuttaprovidesathoroughdiscussionofissuesrelatedtothefiveaggregates. Towardtheendofthediscussion,amonkthinksthathehasfoundaloopholeinthe teaching.ThewaytheBuddhahandlesthisincidentshowstheproperuseoftheteachings ontheaggregates:notasametaphysicaltheory,butasatoolforquestioningclinging andsogainingrelease. IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthiin theEasternMonastery,thepalaceofMigarasmother.Andonthat occasiontheuposathaofthefifteenth,thenightofaveryfullmoonhewas sittingoutintheopenwiththecommunityofmonks. Thenacertainmonk,risingfromhisseat,arranginghisrobeoverone shoulder,andplacinghishandspalmtopalmovertheheart,saidtotheBlessed One:Venerablesir,thereisanareawhere,iftheBlessedOnewouldgiveme leave,Iwouldliketheanswertoaquestion. Verywell,then,monk.Sitbackdowninyourseatandaskwhateveryou want. RespondingtotheBlessedOne,Yes,lord,themonksatbackdowninhis seatandsaidtotheBlessedOne,Arentthesethefiveclingingaggregates,i.e., formasaclingingaggregate,feelingperceptionfabricationsconsciousness asaclingingaggregate. Monk,thesearethefiveclingingaggregates,i.e.,formasaclinging aggregate,feelingperceptionfabricationsconsciousnessasaclinging aggregate. Saying,Verygood,lord,themonkdelighted&approvedoftheBlessed Oneswordsandthenaskedhimafurtherquestion:Butinwhat,lord,are thesefiveclingingaggregatesrooted? Monk,thesefiveclingingaggregatesarerootedindesire. Saying,Verygood,lord,themonkaskedhimafurtherquestion:Is clingingthesamethingasthefiveclingingaggregates,orisclingingseparate fromthefiveclingingaggregates?

10 Monk,clingingisneitherthesamethingasthefiveclingingaggregates,nor isitseparatefromthefiveclingingaggregates.Justthatwhateverpassion& delightisthere,thatstheclingingthere. Saying,Verygood,lord,themonkaskedhimafurtherquestion: Mighttherebediversityinthedesire&passionforthefiveclinging aggregates? Theremight,monk.Thereisthecasewherethethoughtoccurstosomeone, MayIbeonewithsuchaforminthefuture.MayIbeonewithsuchafeeling perceptionfabricationssuchaconsciousnessinthefuture.Thisishowthere wouldbediversityinthedesire&passionforthefiveclingingaggregates. Saying,Verygood,lord,themonkaskedhimafurtherquestion:To whatextentdoesthedesignationaggregateapplytotheaggregates? Monk,whateverformispast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatant orsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear:thatiscalledtheaggregateofform. Whateverfeelingispast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantorsubtle; commonorsublime;farornear:thatiscalledtheaggregateoffeeling.Whatever perceptionispast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantorsubtle; commonorsublime;farornear:thatiscalledtheaggregateofperception. Whateverfabricationsarepast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantor subtle;commonorsublime;farornear:thosearecalledtheaggregateof fabrication.Whateverconsciousnessispast,future,orpresent;internalor external;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear:thatiscalledthe aggregateofconsciousness.[1]Thisistheextenttowhichthetermaggregate appliestotheaggregates. Saying,Verygood,lord,themonkaskedhimafurtherquestion:Lord, whatisthecause,whatthecondition,forthedelineation[2]oftheaggregateof form?Whatisthecause,whatthecondition,forthedelineationoftheaggregate offeelingperceptionfabricationsconsciousness? Monk,thefourgreatexistents(earth,water,fire,&wind)arethecause,the fourgreatexistentsthecondition,forthedelineationoftheaggregateofform. Contactisthecause,contactthecondition,forthedelineationoftheaggregateof feeling.Contactisthecause,contactthecondition,forthedelineationofthe aggregateofperception.Contactisthecause,contactthecondition,forthe delineationoftheaggregateoffabrications.Name&formisthecause,name& formthecondition,forthedelineationoftheaggregateofconsciousness. Saying,Verygood,lord,themonkaskedhimafurtherquestion:Lord, howdoesselfidentityviewcomeabout?

11 Thereisthecase,monk,whereanuninstructed,runofthemill personwhohasnoregardfornobleones,isnotwellversedordisciplinedin theirDhamma;whohasnoregardformenofintegrity,isnotwellversedor disciplinedintheirDhammaassumesformtobetheself,ortheselfas possessingform,orformasintheself,ortheselfasinform. Heassumesfeelingtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingfeeling,orfeeling asintheself,ortheselfasinfeeling.Heassumesperceptiontobetheself,orthe selfaspossessingperception,orperceptionasintheself,ortheselfasin perception.Heassumesfabricationstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessing fabrications,orfabricationsasintheself,ortheselfasinfabrications.He assumesconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingconsciousness,or consciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness. This,monk,ishowselfidentityviewcomesabout. Saying,Verygood,lord,themonkaskedhimafurtherquestion:Lord, howdoesselfidentityviewnolongercomeabout? Thereisthecase,monk,whereawellinstructeddiscipleofthenoble oneswhohasregardfornoblesones,iswellversed&disciplinedintheir Dhamma;whohasregardformenofintegrity,iswellversed&disciplinedin theirDhammadoesnotassumeformtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessing form,orformasintheself,ortheselfasinform.Hedoesnotassumefeelingto betheself....doesnotassumeperceptiontobetheself....doesnotassume fabricationstobetheself....Hedoesnotassumeconsciousnesstobetheself,or theselfaspossessingconsciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfas inconsciousness. This,monk,ishowselfidentityviewnolongercomesabout. Saying,Verygood,lord,themonkaskedhimafurtherquestion: What,lord,istheallureofform?Whatisitsdrawback?Whatistheescape fromit?Whatistheallureoffeelingperceptionfabricationsconsciousness? Whatisitsdrawback?Whatistheescapefromit? Monk,whateverpleasure&joyarisesdependentonform:thatistheallure ofform.Thefactthatformisinconstant,stressful,subjecttochange:thatisthe drawbackofform.Thesubduingofdesire&passion,theabandoningofdesire& passionforform:thatistheescapefromform. Whateverpleasure&joyarisesdependentonfeeling:thatistheallureof feeling. Whateverpleasure&joyarisesdependentonperception:thatistheallure ofperception.

12 Whateverpleasure&joyarisesdependentonfabrications:thatistheallure offabrications. Whateverpleasure&joyarisesdependentonconsciousness:thatisthe allureofconsciousness.Thefactthatconsciousnessisinconstant,stressful, subjecttochange:thatisthedrawbackofconsciousness.Thesubduingofdesire &passion,theabandoningofdesire&passionforconsciousness:thatisthe escapefromconsciousness. Saying,Verygood,lord,themonkaskedhimafurtherquestion: Knowinginwhatway,seeinginwhatway,istherewithregardtothisbody endowedwithconsciousness,andwithregardtoallexternalsignsnolonger anyImaking,ormymaking,orobsessionwithconceit? Monk,oneseesanyformwhatsoeverpast,future,orpresent;internalor external;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farorneareveryform,asit actuallyiswithrightdiscernment:Thisisnotmine.Thisisnotmyself.Thisis notwhatIam. Oneseesanyfeelingwhatsoeveranyperceptionwhatsoeverany fabricationswhatsoever Oneseesanyconsciousnesswhatsoeverpast,future,orpresent;internalor external;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornearevery consciousnessasitactuallyiswithrightdiscernment:Thisisnotmine.Thisis notmyself.ThisisnotwhatIam. Monk,knowinginthisway,seeinginthiswayistherewithregardtothis bodyendowedwithconsciousness,andwithregardtoallexternalsignsno longeranyImaking,ormymaking,orobsessionwithconceit. Nowatthatmomentthislineofthinkingappearedintheawarenessofa certainmonk:Soformisnotself,feelingisnotself,perceptionisnotself, fabricationsarenotself,consciousnessisnotself.Thenwhatselfwillbetouched bytheactionsdonebywhatisnotself? ThentheBlessedOne,realizingwithhisawarenessthelineofthinkinginthat monksawareness,addressedthemonks:Itspossiblethatasenseless personimmersedinignorance,overcomewithcravingmightthinkthathe couldoutsmarttheTeachersmessageinthisway:Soformisnotself,feeling isnotself,perceptionisnotself,fabricationsarenotself,consciousnessisnot self.Thenwhatselfwillbetouchedbytheactionsdonebywhatisnotself? Now,monks,haventItrainedyouincounterquestioningwithregardtothis& thattopichere&there?WhatdoyouthinkIsformconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord.Andisthatwhichisinconstanteasefulorstressful?

13 Stressful,lord.Andisitfittingtoregardwhatisinconstant,stressful, subjecttochangeas:Thisismine.Thisismyself.ThisiswhatIam? No,lord. ...Isfeelingconstantorinconstant?Inconstant,lord..... ...Isperceptionconstantorinconstant?Inconstant,lord..... ...Arefabricationsconstantorinconstant?Inconstant,lord..... Whatdoyouthink,monksIsconsciousnessconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord.Andisthatwhichisinconstanteasefulorstressful? Stressful,lord.Andisitfittingtoregardwhatisinconstant,stressful, subjecttochangeas:Thisismine.Thisismyself.ThisiswhatIam? No,lord. Thus,monks,anyformwhatsoeverthatispast,future,orpresent;internal orexternal;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear:everyformistobe seenasitactuallyiswithrightdiscernmentas:Thisisnotmine.Thisisnotmy self.ThisisnotwhatIam. Anyfeelingwhatsoever.... Anyperceptionwhatsoever.... Anyfabricationswhatsoever.... Anyconsciousnesswhatsoeverthatispast,future,orpresent;internalor external;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear:everyconsciousness istobeseenasitactuallyiswithrightdiscernmentas:Thisisnotmine.Thisis notmyself.ThisisnotwhatIam. Seeingthus,theinstructeddiscipleofthenobleonesgrowsdisenchanted withform,disenchantedwithfeeling,disenchantedwithperception, disenchantedwithfabrications,disenchantedwithconsciousness.Disenchanted, hebecomesdispassionate.Throughdispassion,heisfullyreleased.Withfull release,thereistheknowledge,Fullyreleased.HediscernsthatBirthis ended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthis world. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,themonksdelightedinthe BlessedOneswords.Andwhilethisexplanationwasbeinggiven,themindsof sixtymonks,throughnoclinging(notbeingsustained),werefullyreleasedfrom fermentations.

NOTES

14 [1]Oneformofconsciousnessapparentlydoesnotcomeundertheaggregate ofconsciousness.Thisistermedvianamanidassanamconsciousnesswithouta surface,orconsciousnesswithoutfeature.MN49saysspecificallythatthis consciousnessdoesnotpartakeoftheallnessoftheall,theallbeing conterminouswiththefiveaggregates.Thestandarddefinitionoftheaggregate ofconsciousnessstatesthatthisaggregateincludesallconsciousness,past, present,orfuturenearorfar.However,becausevianamanidassanamstands outsideofspaceandtimeitwouldnotbecoveredbytheseterms.Similarly, whereSNXXII.97saysthatnoconsciousnessiseternal,eternalisaconcept thatappliesonlywithinthedimensionoftime,andthuswouldnotapplytothis formofconsciousness. [2]Delineation(paapana)literallymeans,makingdiscernible.This apparentlyreferstotheintentionalaspectofperception,whichtakesthe objectivesideofexperienceandfabricatesitintodiscernibleobjects.Inthecase oftheaggregates,thefourgreatexistents,contact,andname&formprovidethe objectivebasisfordiscerningthem,whiletheprocessoffabricationtakestheraw materialprovidedbytheobjectivebasisandturnsitintodiscernibleinstancesof theaggregates.ThisprocessisdescribedinslightlydifferenttermsinSNXXII.79.

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TheShorterDiscourseontheFullmoonNight CulaPunnamaSutta(MajjhimaNikaya110) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthiin theEasternMonastery,thepalaceofMigarasmother.Andonthat occasiontheuposathaofthefifteenth,thenightofaveryfullmoonhewas sittingoutintheopenwiththecommunityofmonks.Then,havingsurveyedthe silentcommunityofmonks,headdressedthem:Monks,couldapersonofno integrityknowofapersonofnointegrity:Thisisapersonofnointegrity? No,lord. Good,monks.Itsimpossible,theresnoway,thatapersonofnointegrity wouldknowofapersonofnointegrity:Thisisapersonofnointegrity. Couldapersonofnointegrityknowofapersonofintegrity:Thisisa personofintegrity? No,lord. Good,monks.Itsimpossible,theresnoway,thatapersonofnointegrity wouldknowofapersonofintegrity:Thisisapersonofintegrity. Apersonofnointegrityisendowedwithqualitiesofnointegrity;heisa personofnointegrityinhisfriendship,inthewayhewills,thewayhegives advice,thewayhespeaks,thewayheacts,theviewsheholds,&thewayhe givesagift. Andhowisapersonofnointegrityendowedwithqualitiesofnointegrity? Thereisthecasewhereapersonofnointegrityislackinginconviction,lacking inconscience,lackinginconcern[fortheresultsofunskillfulactions];heis unlearned,lazy,ofmuddledmindfulness,&poordiscernment.Thisishowa personofnointegrityisendowedwithqualitiesofnointegrity. Andhowisapersonofnointegrityapersonofnointegrityinhis friendship?Thereisthecasewhereapersonofnointegrityhas,ashisfriends& companions,thosepriests&contemplativeswhoarelackinginconviction, lackinginconscience,lackinginconcern,unlearned,lazy,ofmuddled mindfulness,&poordiscernment.Thisishowapersonofnointegrityisa personofnointegrityinhisfriendship. Andhowisapersonofnointegrityapersonofnointegrityinthewayhe wills?Thereisthecasewhereapersonofnointegritywillsforhisownaffliction,

16 orfortheafflictionofothers,orfortheafflictionofboth.Thisishowapersonof nointegrityisapersonofnointegrityinthewayhewills. Andhowisapersonofnointegrityapersonofnointegrityinthewayhe givesadvice?Thereisthecasewhereapersonofnointegritygivesadviceforhis ownaffliction,orfortheafflictionofothers,orfortheafflictionofboth.Thisis howapersonofnointegrityisapersonofnointegrityinthewayhegives advice. Andhowisapersonofnointegrityapersonofnointegrityinthewayhe speaks?Thereisthecasewhereapersonofnointegrityisonewhotellslies, engagesindivisivetalebearing,engagesinharshspeech,engagesinidlechatter. Thisishowapersonofnointegrityisapersonofnointegrityinthewayhe speaks. Andhowisapersonofnointegrityapersonofnointegrityinthewayhe acts?Thereisthecasewhereapersonofnointegrityisonewhotakeslife,steals, engagesinillicitsex.Thisishowapersonofnointegrityisapersonofno integrityinthewayheacts. Andhowisapersonofnointegrityapersonofnointegrityintheviewshe holds?Thereisthecasewhereapersonofnointegrityisonewhoholdsaview likethis:Thereisnothinggiven,nothingoffered,nothingsacrificed.Thereisno fruitorresultofgoodorbadactions.Thereisnothisworld,nonextworld,no mother,nofather,nospontaneouslyrebornbeings;nopriestsorcontemplatives who,faringrightly&practicingrightly,proclaimthisworld&thenextafter havingdirectlyknown&realizeditforthemselves.Thisishowapersonofno integrityisapersonofnointegrityintheviewsheholds. Andhowisapersonofnointegrityapersonofnointegrityinthewayhe givesagift?Thereisthecasewhereapersonofnointegritygivesagift inattentively,notwithhisownhand,disrespectfully,asifthrowingitaway,with theviewthatnothingwillcomeofit.Thisishowapersonofnointegrityisa personofnointegrityinthewayhegivesagift. Thispersonofnointegritythusendowedwithqualitiesofnointegrity;a personofnointegrityinhisfriendship,inthewayhewills,thewayhegives advice,thewayhespeaks,thewayheacts,theviewsheholds,&thewayhe givesagiftonthebreakupofthebody,afterdeath,reappearsinthe destinationofpeopleofnointegrity.Andwhatisthedestinationofpeopleofno integrity?Hellortheanimalwomb. Now,monks,couldapersonofintegrityknowofapersonofnointegrity: Thisisapersonofnointegrity?

17 Yes,lord. Good,monks.Itispossiblethatapersonofintegritywouldknowofa personofnointegrity:Thisisapersonofnointegrity. Couldapersonofintegrityknowofapersonofintegrity:Thisisaperson ofintegrity? Yes,lord. Good,monks.Itispossiblethatapersonofintegritywouldknowofa personofintegrity:Thisisapersonofintegrity. Apersonofintegrityisendowedwithqualitiesofintegrity;heisaperson ofintegrityinhisfriendship,inthewayhewills,thewayhegivesadvice,the wayhespeaks,thewayheacts,theviewsheholds,&thewayhegivesagift. Andhowisapersonofintegrityendowedwithqualitiesofintegrity?There isthecasewhereapersonofintegrityisendowedwithconviction,conscience, concern;heislearned,witharousedpersistence,unmuddledmindfulness,& gooddiscernment.Thisishowapersonofintegrityisendowedwithqualitiesof integrity. Andhowisapersonofintegrityapersonofintegrityinhisfriendship? Thereisthecasewhereapersonofintegrityhas,ashisfriends&companions, thosepriests&contemplativeswhoareendowedwithconviction,conscience, concern;whoarelearned,witharousedpersistence,unmuddledmindfulness,& gooddiscernment.Thisishowapersonofintegrityisapersonofintegrityinhis friendship. Andhowisapersonofintegrityapersonofintegrityinthewayhewills? Thereisthecasewhereapersonofintegritywillsneitherforhisownaffliction, norfortheafflictionofothers,norfortheafflictionofboth.Thisishowaperson ofintegrityisapersonofintegrityinthewayhewills. Andhowisapersonofintegrityapersonofintegrityinthewayhegives advice?Thereisthecasewhereapersonofintegritygivesadviceneitherforhis ownaffliction,norfortheafflictionofothers,norfortheafflictionofboth.Thisis howapersonofintegrityisapersonofintegrityinthewayhegivesadvice. Andhowisapersonofintegrityapersonofintegrityinthewayhespeaks? Thereisthecasewhereapersonofintegrityisonewhorefrainsfromlies, refrainsfromdivisivetalebearing,refrainsfromharshspeech,refrainsfromidle chatter.Thisishowapersonofintegrityisapersonofintegrityinthewayhe speaks. Andhowisapersonofintegrityapersonofintegrityinthewayheacts? Thereisthecasewhereapersonofintegrityisonewhorefrainsfromtakinglife,

18 refrainsfromstealing,refrainsfromillicitsex.Thisishowapersonofintegrityis apersonofintegrityinthewayheacts. Andhowisapersonofintegrityapersonofintegrityintheviewshe holds?Thereisthecasewhereapersonofintegrityisonewhoholdsaviewlike this:Thereiswhatisgiven,whatisoffered,whatissacrificed.Therearefruits &resultsofgood&badactions.Thereisthisworld&thenextworld.Thereis mother&father.Therearespontaneouslyrebornbeings;therearepriests& contemplativeswho,faringrightly&practicingrightly,proclaimthisworld& thenextafterhavingdirectlyknown&realizeditforthemselves.Thisishowa personofintegrityisapersonofintegrityintheviewsheholds. Andhowisapersonofintegrityapersonofintegrityinthewayhegivesa gift?Thereisthecasewhereapersonofintegritygivesagiftattentively,withhis ownhand,respectfully,notasifthrowingitaway,withtheviewthatsomething willcomeofit.Thisishowapersonofintegrityisapersonofintegrityinthe wayhegivesagift. Thispersonofintegritythusendowedwithqualitiesofintegrity;aperson ofintegrityinhisfriendship,inthewayhewills,thewayhegivesadvice,the wayhespeaks,thewayheacts,theviewsheholds,&thewayhegivesagifton thebreakupofthebody,afterdeath,reappearsinthedestinationofpeopleof integrity.Andwhatisthedestinationofpeopleofintegrity?Greatnessamong devasoramonghumanbeings. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,themonksdelightedinthe BlessedOneswords.

19

TheGreatForty MahacattarisakaSutta(MajjhimaNikaya117) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingatSavatthi,in JetasGrove,Anathapindikasmonastery.Thereheaddressedthemonks: Monks! Yes,lord,themonksreplied. TheBlessedOnesaid,Monks,Iwillteachyounoblerightconcentration withitssupportsandrequisiteconditions.Listen,andpaycloseattention.Iwill speak. Yes,lord,themonksreplied. TheBlessedOnesaid:Nowwhat,monks,isnoblerightconcentrationwith itssupports&requisiteconditions?Anysinglenessofmindequippedwiththese sevenfactorsrightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,right livelihood,righteffort,&rightmindfulnessiscallednoblerightconcentration withitssupports&requisiteconditions. [1]Ofthose,rightviewistheforerunner.Andhowisrightviewthe forerunner?Onediscernswrongviewaswrongview,andrightviewasright view.Thisisonesrightview.Andwhatiswrongview?Thereisnothing given,nothingoffered,nothingsacrificed.Thereisnofruitorresultofgoodor badactions.Thereisnothisworld,nonextworld,nomother,nofather,no spontaneouslyrebornbeings;nopriestsorcontemplativeswho,faringrightly& practicingrightly,proclaimthisworld&thenextafterhavingdirectlyknown& realizeditforthemselves.Thisiswrongview. Andwhatisrightview?Rightview,Itellyou,isoftwosorts:Thereisright viewwithfermentations,sidingwithmerit,resultingintheacquisitions[of becoming];andthereisnoblerightview,withoutfermentations,transcendent,a factorofthepath. Andwhatistherightviewthathasfermentations,sideswithmerit,& resultsinacquisitions?Thereiswhatisgiven,whatisoffered,whatis sacrificed.Therearefruits&resultsofgood&badactions.Thereisthisworld& thenextworld.Thereismother&father.Therearespontaneouslyrebornbeings; therearepriests&contemplativeswho,faringrightly&practicingrightly, proclaimthisworld&thenextafterhavingdirectlyknown&realizeditfor

20 themselves.Thisistherightviewthathasfermentations,sideswithmerit,& resultsinacquisitions. Andwhatistherightviewthatiswithoutfermentations,transcendent,a factorofthepath?Thediscernment,thefacultyofdiscernment,thestrengthof discernment,analysisofqualitiesasafactorforawakening,thepathfactorofright viewinonedevelopingthenoblepathwhosemindisnoble,whosemindisfree fromfermentations,whoisfullypossessedofthenoblepath.Thisistherightview thatiswithoutfermentations,transcendent,afactorofthepath. Onetriestoabandonwrongview&toenterintorightview:Thisisones righteffort.Oneismindfultoabandonwrongview&toenter&remaininright view:Thisisonesrightmindfulness.Thusthesethreequalitiesrightview, righteffort,&rightmindfulnessrun&circlearoundrightview. [2]Ofthose,rightviewistheforerunner.Andhowisrightviewthe forerunner?Onediscernswrongresolveaswrongresolve,andrightresolveas rightresolve.Andwhatiswrongresolve?Beingresolvedonsensuality,onill will,onharmfulness.Thisiswrongresolve. Andwhatisrightresolve?Rightresolve,Itellyou,isoftwosorts:Thereis rightresolvewithfermentations,sidingwithmerit,resultingintheacquisitions [ofbecoming];andthereisnoblerightresolve,withoutfermentations, transcendent,afactorofthepath. Andwhatistherightresolvethathasfermentations,sideswithmerit,& resultsinacquisitions?Beingresolvedonrenunciation,onfreedomfromillwill, onharmlessness.Thisistherightresolvethathasfermentations,sideswith merit,&resultsinacquisitions. Andwhatistherightresolvethatiswithoutfermentations,transcendent,a factorofthepath?Thethinking,directedthinking,resolve,mentalabsorption, mentalfixity,focusedawareness,&verbalfabricationsinonedevelopingthe noblepathwhosemindisnoble,whosemindiswithoutfermentations,whois fullypossessedofthenoblepath.Thisistherightresolvethatiswithout fermentations,transcendent,afactorofthepath. Onetriestoabandonwrongresolve&toenterintorightresolve:Thisisones righteffort.Oneismindfultoabandonwrongresolve&toenter&remaininright resolve:Thisisonesrightmindfulness.Thusthesethreequalitiesrightview, righteffort,&rightmindfulnessrun&circlearoundrightresolve. [3]Ofthose,rightviewistheforerunner.Andhowisrightviewthe forerunner?Onediscernswrongspeechaswrongspeech,andrightspeechas

21 rightspeech.Andwhatiswrongspeech?Lying,divisivetalebearing,abusive speech,&idlechatter.Thisiswrongspeech. Andwhatisrightspeech?Rightspeech,Itellyou,isoftwosorts:Thereis rightspeechwithfermentations,sidingwithmerit,resultingintheacquisitions [ofbecoming];andthereisnoblerightspeech,withoutfermentations, transcendent,afactorofthepath. Andwhatistherightspeechthathasfermentations,sideswithmerit,& resultsinacquisitions?Abstainingfromlying,fromdivisivetalebearing,from abusivespeech,&fromidlechatter.Thisistherightspeechthathas fermentations,sideswithmerit,&resultsinacquisitions. Andwhatistherightspeechthatiswithoutfermentations,transcendent,a factorofthepath?Theabstaining,desisting,abstinence,avoidanceofthefour formsofverbalmisconductinonedevelopingthenoblepathwhosemindis noble,whosemindiswithoutfermentations,whoisfullypossessedofthenoble path.Thisistherightspeechthatiswithoutfermentations,transcendent,afactor ofthepath. Onetriestoabandonwrongspeech&toenterintorightspeech:Thisisones righteffort.Oneismindfultoabandonwrongspeech&toenter&remaininright speech:Thisisonesrightmindfulness.Thusthesethreequalitiesrightview,right effort,&rightmindfulnessrun&circlearoundrightspeech. [4]Ofthose,rightviewistheforerunner.Andhowisrightviewthe forerunner?Onediscernswrongactionaswrongaction,andrightactionasright action.Andwhatiswrongaction?Killing,takingwhatisnotgiven,illicitsex. Thisiswrongaction. Andwhatisrightaction?Rightaction,Itellyou,isoftwosorts:Thereis rightactionwithfermentations,sidingwithmerit,resultingintheacquisitions [ofbecoming];andthereisnoblerightaction,withoutfermentations, transcendent,afactorofthepath. Andwhatistherightactionthathasfermentations,sideswithmerit,& resultsinacquisitions?Abstainingfromkilling,fromtakingwhatisnotgiven,& fromillicitsex.Thisistherightactionthathasfermentations,sideswithmerit,& resultsinacquisitions. Andwhatistherightactionthatiswithoutfermentations,transcendent,a factorofthepath?Theabstaining,desisting,abstinence,avoidanceofthethree formsofbodilymisconductinonedevelopingthenoblepathwhosemindis noble,whosemindiswithoutfermentations,whoisfullypossessedofthenoble

22 path.Thisistherightactionthatiswithoutfermentations,transcendent,afactor ofthepath. Onetriestoabandonwrongaction&toenterintorightaction:Thisisones righteffort.Oneismindfultoabandonwrongaction&toenter&remaininright action:Thisisonesrightmindfulness.Thusthesethreequalitiesrightview, righteffort,&rightmindfulnessrun&circlearoundrightaction. [5]Ofthose,rightviewistheforerunner.Andhowisrightviewthe forerunner?Onediscernswronglivelihoodaswronglivelihood,andright livelihoodasrightlivelihood.Andwhatiswronglivelihood?Scheming, persuading,hinting,belittling,&pursuinggainwithgain.Thisiswrong livelihood. Andwhatisrightlivelihood?Rightlivelihood,Itellyou,isoftwosorts: Thereisrightlivelihoodwithfermentations,sidingwithmerit,resultinginthe acquisitions[ofbecoming];andthereisnoblerightlivelihood,without fermentations,transcendent,afactorofthepath. Andwhatistherightlivelihoodthathasfermentations,sideswithmerit,& resultsinacquisitions?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleones abandonswronglivelihoodandmaintainshislifewithrightlivelihood.Thisisthe rightlivelihoodthathasfermentations,sideswithmerit,&resultsinacquisitions. Andwhatistherightlivelihoodthatiswithoutfermentations, transcendent,afactorofthepath?Theabstaining,desisting,abstinence, avoidanceofwronglivelihoodinonedevelopingthenoblepathwhosemindis noble,whosemindiswithoutfermentations,whoisfullypossessedofthenoble path.Thisistherightlivelihoodthatiswithoutfermentations,transcendent,a factorofthepath. Onetriestoabandonwronglivelihood&toenterintorightlivelihood:This isonesrighteffort.Oneismindfultoabandonwronglivelihood&toenter& remaininrightlivelihood:Thisisonesrightmindfulness.Thusthesethree qualitiesrightview,righteffort,&rightmindfulnessrun&circlearoundright livelihood. Ofthose,rightviewistheforerunner.Andhowisrightviewthe forerunner?Inoneofrightview,rightresolvecomesintobeing.Inoneofright resolve,rightspeechcomesintobeing.Inoneofrightspeech,rightaction....In oneofrightaction,rightlivelihood....Inoneofrightlivelihood,righteffort....In oneofrighteffort,rightmindfulness....Inoneofrightmindfulness,right concentration....Inoneofrightconcentration,rightknowledge....Inoneofright

23 knowledge,rightreleasecomesintobeing.Thusthelearnerisendowedwith eightfactors,andtheArahantwithten. Ofthose,rightviewistheforerunner.Andhowisrightviewthe forerunner?Inoneofrightview,wrongviewisabolished.Themanyevil, unskillfulqualitiesthatcomeintoplaywithwrongviewastheirconditionare alsoabolished,whilethemanyskillfulqualitiesthathaverightviewastheir conditiongototheculminationoftheirdevelopment.Inoneofrightresolve, wrongresolveisabolished....Inoneofrightspeech,wrongspeechis abolished....Inoneofrightaction,wrongactionisabolished....Inoneofright livelihood,wronglivelihoodisabolished....Inoneofrighteffort,wrongeffortis abolished....Inoneofrightmindfulness,wrongmindfulnessisabolished...In oneofrightconcentration,wrongconcentrationisabolished....Inoneofright knowledge,wrongknowledgeisabolished....Inoneofrightrelease,wrong releaseisabolished.Themanyevil,unskillfulqualitiesthatcomeintoplaywith wrongreleaseastheirconditionarealsoabolished,whilethemanyskillful qualitiesthathaverightreleaseastheirconditiongototheculminationoftheir development. Thus,monks,therearetwentyfactorssidingwithskillfulness,andtwenty withunskillfulness. ThisDhammadiscourseontheGreatFortyhasbeensetrollingandcannot bestoppedbyanycontemplativeorpriestordevaorMaraandBrahmaor anyoneatallintheworld. IfanypriestorcontemplativemightthinkthatthisGreatFortyDhamma discourseshouldbecensured&rejected,therearetenlegitimateimplicationsof hisstatementthatwouldformgroundsforcensuringhimhere&now.Ifhe censuresrightview,thenhewouldhonoranypriestsandcontemplativeswho areofwrongview;hewouldpraisethem.Ifhecensuresrightresolve...right speech...rightaction...rightlivelihood...righteffort...rightmindfulness... rightconcentration...rightknowledge....Ifhecensuresrightrelease,thenhe wouldhonoranypriestsandcontemplativeswhoareofwrongrelease;hewould praisethem.IfanypriestorcontemplativemightthinkthatthisGreatForty Dhammadiscourseshouldbecensured&rejected,therearethesetenlegitimate implicationsofhisstatementthatwouldformgroundsforcensuringhimhere& now. EvenVassa&BhaathoseteachersfromOkkalawhowereproponentsof nocausality,noaction,&noexistencewouldnotthinkthatthisDhamma

24 discourseontheGreatFortyshouldbecensured&rejected.Whyisthat?Forfear ofcriticism,opposition,&reproach. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,themonksdelightedinthe BlessedOneswords.

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MindfulnessofBreathing AnapanasatiSutta(MajjhimaNikaya118) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingatSavatthiinthe EasternMonastery,thepalaceofMigarasmother,togetherwillmanywell knownelderdisciplesVen.Sariputta,Ven.MahaMoggallana,Ven.Maha Kassapa,Ven.MahaKaccayana,Ven.MahaKotthita,Ven.MahaKappina,Ven. MahaCunda,Ven.Revata,Ven.Ananda,andotherwellknownelderdisciples. Onthatoccasiontheeldermonkswereteaching&instructing.Someeldermonks wereteaching&instructingtenmonks,somewereteaching&instructingtwenty monks,somewereteaching&instructingthirtymonks,somewereteaching& instructingfortymonks.Thenewmonks,beingtaught&instructedbytheelder monks,werediscerninggrand,successivedistinctions. NowonthatoccasiontheUposathadayofthefifteenth,thefullmoonnight ofthePavaranaceremonytheBlessedOnewasseatedintheopenair surroundedbythecommunityofmonks.Surveyingthesilentcommunityof monks,headdressedthem: Monks,Iamcontentwiththispractice.Iamcontentatheartwiththis practice.Soarouseevenmoreintensepersistencefortheattainingoftheasyet unattained,thereachingoftheasyetunreached,therealizationoftheasyet unrealized.IwillremainrighthereatSavatthi[foranothermonth]throughthe WhiteWaterlilyMonth,thefourthmonthoftherains. Themonksinthecountrysideheard,TheBlessedOne,theysay,willremain rightthereatSavatthithroughtheWhiteWaterlilyMonth,thefourthmonthof therains.SotheyleftforSavatthitoseetheBlessedOne. Thentheeldermonkstaught&instructedevenmoreintensely.Someelder monkswereteaching&instructingtenmonks,somewereteaching&instructing twentymonks,somewereteaching&instructingthirtymonks,somewere teaching&instructingfortymonks.Thenewmonks,beingtaught&instructed bytheeldermonks,werediscerninggrand,successivedistinctions. NowonthatoccasiontheUposathadayofthefifteenth,thefullmoonnight oftheWhiteWaterlilyMonth,thefourthmonthoftherainstheBlessedOne wasseatedintheopenairsurroundedbythecommunityofmonks.Surveying thesilentcommunityofmonks,headdressedthem:

26 Monks,thisassemblyisfreefromidlechatter,devoidofidlechatter,andis establishedonpureheartwood:suchisthiscommunityofmonks,suchisthis assembly.Thesortofassemblythatisworthyofgifts,worthyofhospitality, worthyofofferings,worthyofrespect,anincomparablefieldofmeritforthe world:suchisthiscommunityofmonks,suchisthisassembly.Thesortof assemblytowhichasmallgift,whengiven,becomesgreat,andagreatgift greater:suchisthiscommunityofmonks,suchisthisassembly.Thesortof assemblythatitisraretoseeintheworld:suchisthiscommunityofmonks, suchisthisassemblythesortofassemblythatitwouldbeworthtravelingfor leagues,takingalongprovisions,inordertosee. Inthiscommunityofmonkstherearemonkswhoarearahants,whose mentaleffluentsareended,whohavereachedfulfillment,donethetask,laid downtheburden,attainedthetruegoal,totallydestroyedthefetterofbecoming, andwhoarereleasedthroughrightgnosis:sucharethemonksinthis communityofmonks. Inthiscommunityofmonkstherearemonkswho,withthetotalendingof thefirstsetoffivefetters,areduetobereborn[inthePureAbodes],theretobe totallyunbound,neveragaintoreturnfromthatworld:sucharethemonksin thiscommunityofmonks. Inthiscommunityofmonkstherearemonkswho,withthetotalendingof [thefirst]threefetters,andwiththeattenuationofpassion,aversion,&delusion, areoncereturners,whoonreturningonlyonemoretimetothisworldwill makeanendingtostress:sucharethemonksinthiscommunityofmonks. Inthiscommunityofmonkstherearemonkswho,withthetotalendingof [thefirst]threefetters,arestreamwinners,steadfast,neveragaindestinedfor statesofwoe,headedforselfawakening:sucharethemonksinthiscommunity ofmonks. Inthiscommunityofmonkstherearemonkswhoremaindevotedtothe developmentofthefourframesofreference...thefourrightexertions...thefour basesofpower...thefivefaculties...thefivestrengths...thesevenfactorsfor awakening...thenobleeightfoldpath:sucharethemonksinthiscommunityof monks. Inthiscommunityofmonkstherearemonkswhoremaindevotedtothe developmentofgoodwill...compassion...appreciation...equanimity...[the perceptionofthe]foulness[ofthebody]...theperceptionofinconstancy:such arethemonksinthiscommunityofmonks.

27 Inthiscommunityofmonkstherearemonkswhoremaindevotedto mindfulnessofin&outbreathing. Mindfulnessofin&outbreathing,whendeveloped&pursued,isofgreat fruit,ofgreatbenefit.Mindfulnessofin&outbreathing,whendeveloped& pursued,bringsthefourframesofreferencetotheirculmination.Thefour framesofreference,whendeveloped&pursued,bringthesevenfactorsfor awakeningtotheirculmination.Thesevenfactorsforawakening,when developed&pursued,bringclearknowing&releasetotheirculmination. MindfulnessofIn&OutBreathing Nowhowismindfulnessofin&outbreathingdeveloped&pursuedsoas tobringthefourframesofreferencetotheirculmination? Thereisthecasewhereamonk,havinggonetothewilderness,totheshade ofatree,ortoanemptybuilding,sitsdownfoldinghislegscrosswise,holding hisbodyerect,andsettingmindfulnesstothefore.1Alwaysmindful,hebreathes in;mindfulhebreathesout. [1]Breathinginlong,hediscernsthatheisbreathinginlong;orbreathing outlong,hediscernsthatheisbreathingoutlong.[2]Orbreathinginshort,he discernsthatheisbreathinginshort;orbreathingoutshort,hediscernsthatheis breathingoutshort.[3]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitivetotheentire body,2andtobreatheoutsensitivetotheentirebody.[4]Hetrainshimselfto breatheincalmingbodilyfabrication,3andtobreatheoutcalmingthebodily fabrication. [5]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitivetorapture,andtobreatheout sensitivetorapture.[6]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitivetopleasure,and tobreatheoutsensitivetopleasure.[7]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitiveto mentalfabrication,4andtobreatheoutsensitivetomentalfabrication.[8]He trainshimselftobreatheincalmingmentalfabrication,andtobreatheout calmingmentalfabrication. [9]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitivetothemind,andtobreatheout sensitivetothemind.[10]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsatisfyingthemind, andtobreatheoutsatisfyingthemind.[11]Hetrainshimselftobreathein steadyingthemind,andtobreatheoutsteadyingthemind.[12]Hetrains himselftobreatheinreleasingthemind,andtobreatheoutreleasingthemind.5 [13]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinfocusingoninconstancy,andtobreathe outfocusingoninconstancy.[14]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinfocusingon dispassion[literally,fading],andtobreatheoutfocusingondispassion.[15]He

28 trainshimselftobreatheinfocusingoncessation,andtobreatheoutfocusingon cessation.[16]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinfocusingonrelinquishment,andto breatheoutfocusingonrelinquishment. TheFourFramesofReference [1]Now,onwhateveroccasionamonkbreathinginlongdiscernsthatheis breathinginlong;orbreathingoutlong,discernsthatheisbreathingoutlong;or breathinginshort,discernsthatheisbreathinginshort;orbreathingoutshort, discernsthatheisbreathingoutshort;trainshimselftobreathein...&...out sensitivetotheentirebody;trainshimselftobreathein...&...outcalmingbodily fabrication:Onthatoccasionthemonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&of itselfardent,alert,&mindfulsubduinggreed&distresswithreferencetothe world.Itellyou,monks,thatthisthein&outbreathisclassedasabody amongbodies,whichiswhythemonkonthatoccasionremainsfocusedonthe bodyin&ofitselfardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed&distresswith referencetotheworld. [2]Onwhateveroccasionamonktrainshimselftobreathein...&...out sensitivetorapture;trainshimselftobreathein...&...outsensitivetopleasure; trainshimselftobreathein...&...outsensitivetomentalfabrication;trainshimself tobreathein...&...outcalmingmentalfabrication:Onthatoccasionthemonk remainsfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselvesardent,alert,& mindfulsubduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Itellyou, monks,thatthiscloseattentiontoin&outbreathsisclassedasafeeling amongfeelings,6whichiswhythemonkonthatoccasionremainsfocusedon feelingsin&ofthemselvesardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed& distresswithreferencetotheworld. [3]Onwhateveroccasionamonktrainshimselftobreathein...&...out sensitivetothemind;trainshimselftobreathein...&...outsatisfyingthemind; trainshimselftobreathein...&...outsteadyingthemind;trainshimselftobreathe in...&...outreleasingthemind:Onthatoccasionthemonkremainsfocusedonthe mindin&ofitselfardent,alert,&mindfulsubduinggreed&distresswith referencetotheworld.Idontsaythatthereismindfulnessofin&out breathinginoneofconfusedmindfulnessandnoalertness,whichiswhythe monkonthatoccasionremainsfocusedonthemindin&ofitselfardent,alert, &mindfulputtingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld. [4]Onwhateveroccasionamonktrainshimselftobreathein...&...out focusingoninconstancy;trainshimselftobreathein...&...outfocusingon

29 dispassion;trainshimselftobreathein...&...outfocusingoncessation;trains himselftobreathein...&...outfocusingonrelinquishment:Onthatoccasionthe monkremainsfocusedonmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselvesardent,alert,& mindfulsubduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Hewhosees clearlywithdiscernmenttheabandoningofgreed&distressisonewhooversees withequanimity,whichiswhythemonkonthatoccasionremainsfocusedon mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselvesardent,alert,&mindfulputtingaside greed&distresswithreferencetotheworld. Thisishowmindfulnessofin&outbreathingisdeveloped&pursuedso astobringthefourframesofreferencetotheirculmination. TheSevenFactorsforAwakening Andhowarethefourframesofreferencedeveloped&pursuedsoasto bringthesevenfactorsforawakeningtotheirculmination? [1]Onwhateveroccasionthemonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&of itselfardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed&distresswithreferenceto theworld,onthatoccasionhismindfulnessissteady&withoutlapse.Whenhis mindfulnessissteady&withoutlapse,thenmindfulnessasafactorforawakening becomesaroused.Hedevelopsit,andforhimitgoestotheculminationofits development. [2]Remainingmindfulinthisway,heexamines,analyzes,&comestoa comprehensionofthatqualitywithdiscernment.Whenheremainsmindfulin thisway,examining,analyzing,&comingtoacomprehensionofthatquality withdiscernment,thenanalysisofqualitiesasafactorforawakeningbecomes aroused.Hedevelopsit,andforhimitgoestotheculminationofits development. [3]Inonewhoexamines,analyzes,&comestoacomprehensionofthat qualitywithdiscernment,unflaggingpersistenceisaroused.Whenunflagging persistenceisarousedinonewhoexamines,analyzes,&comestoa comprehensionofthatqualitywithdiscernment,thenpersistenceasafactorfor awakeningbecomesaroused.Hedevelopsit,andforhimitgoestothe culminationofitsdevelopment. [4]Inonewhosepersistenceisaroused,arapturenotoftheflesharises. Whenarapturenotoftheflesharisesinonewhosepersistenceisaroused,then raptureasafactorforawakeningbecomesaroused.Hedevelopsit,andforhimit goestotheculminationofitsdevelopment.

30 [5]Foronewhoisenraptured,thebodygrowscalmandthemindgrows calm.Whenthebody&mindofanenrapturedmonkgrowcalm,thenserenityas afactorforawakeningbecomesaroused.Hedevelopsit,andforhimitgoesto theculminationofitsdevelopment. [6]Foronewhoisateasehisbodycalmedthemindbecomes concentrated.Whenthemindofonewhoisateasehisbodycalmedbecomes concentrated,thenconcentrationasafactorforawakeningbecomesaroused.He developsit,andforhimitgoestotheculminationofitsdevelopment. [7]Heoverseesthemindthusconcentratedwithequanimity.Whenhe overseesthemindthusconcentratedwithequanimity,equanimityasafactorfor awakeningbecomesaroused.Hedevelopsit,andforhimitgoestothe culminationofitsdevelopment. [Similarlywiththeotherthreeframesofreference:feelings,mind,&mental qualities.] Thisishowthefourframesofreferencearedeveloped&pursuedsoasto bringthesevenfactorsforawakeningtotheirculmination. ClearKnowing&Release Andhowarethesevenfactorsforawakeningdeveloped&pursuedsoasto bringclearknowing&releasetotheirculmination?Thereisthecasewherea monkdevelopsmindfulnessasafactorforawakeningdependentonseclusion... dispassion...cessation,resultinginrelinquishment.Hedevelopsanalysisof qualitiesasafactorforawakening...persistenceasafactorforawakening... raptureasafactorforawakening...serenityasafactorforawakening... concentrationasafactorforawakening...equanimityasafactorforawakening dependentonseclusion...dispassion...cessation,resultinginrelinquishment. Thisishowthesevenfactorsforawakening,whendeveloped&pursued, bringclearknowing&releasetotheirculmination. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gladatheart,themonksdelightedinthe BlessedOneswords. NOTES 1.Tothefore(parimukham):TheAbhidhammatakesanetymological approachtothisterm,definingitasaround(pari)themouth(mukham).Inthe Vinaya,however,itisusedinacontext(Cv.V.27.4)whereitundoubtedlymeans

31 thefrontofthechest.Thereisalsothepossibilitythatthetermcouldbeused idiomaticallyastothefront,whichishowIhavetranslatedithere. 2.Thecommentariesinsistthatbodyheremeansthebreath,butthisis unlikelyinthiscontext,forthenextstepwithoutfurtherexplanationrefersto thebreathasbodilyfabrication.IftheBuddhawereusingtwodifferentterms torefertothebreathinsuchcloseproximity,hewouldhavebeencarefulto signalthathewasredefininghisterms(ashedoesbelow,whenexplainingthat thefirstfourstepsinbreathmeditationcorrespondtothepracticeoffocusingon thebodyinandofitselfasaframeofreference).Thestepofbreathinginandout sensitivetotheentirebodyrelatestothemanysimilesinthesuttasdepicting jhanaasastateofwholebodyawareness(seeMN119). 3.In&outbreathsarebodily;thesearethingstiedupwiththebody. Thatswhyin&outbreathsarebodilyfabrications.MN44. 4.Perceptions&feelingsaremental;thesearethingstiedupwiththemind. Thatswhyperceptions&feelingsarementalfabrications.MN44. 5.ANIX.34showshowthemind,stepbystep,istemporarilyreleasedfrom burdensomementalstatesofgreaterandgreaterrefinementasitadvances throughthestagesofjhana. 6.Asthisshows,ameditatorfocusingonfeelingsinthemselvesasaframeof referenceshouldnotabandonthebreathasthebasisforhis/herconcentration.

32

MindfulnessImmersedintheBody KayagatasatiSutta(MajjhimaNikaya119) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayinginSavatthiat JetasGrove,Anathapindikasmonastery.Nowatthattimealargenumberof monks,afterthemeal,onreturningfromtheiralmsround,hadgatheredatthe meetinghallwhenthisdiscussionarose:Isntitamazing,friends!Isntit astounding!theextenttowhichmindfulnessimmersedinthebody,when developed&pursued,issaidbytheBlessedOnewhoknows,whoseesthe worthyone,rightlyselfawakenedtobeofgreatfruit&greatbenefit.And thisdiscussioncametonoconclusion. ThentheBlessedOne,emergingfromhisseclusioninthelateafternoon,went tothemeetinghalland,onarrival,satdownonaseatmadeready.Ashesat downthere,headdressedthemonks:Forwhattopicareyougatheredtogether here?Andwhatwasthediscussionthatcametonoconclusion? Justnow,lord,afterthemeal,onreturningfromouralmsround,we gatheredatthemeetinghallwhenthisdiscussionarose:Isntitamazing, friends!Isntitastounding!theextenttowhichmindfulnessimmersedinthe body,whendeveloped&pursued,issaidbytheBlessedOnewhoknows,who seestheworthyone,rightlyselfawakenedtobeofgreatfruit&great benefit.Thiswasthediscussionthathadcometonoconclusionwhenthe BlessedOnearrived. [TheBlessedOnesaid:]Andhowismindfulnessimmersedinthebody developed,howisitpursued,soastobeofgreatfruit&greatbenefit? Thereisthecasewhereamonkhavinggonetothewilderness,tothe shadeofatree,ortoanemptybuildingsitsdownfoldinghislegscrosswise, holdinghisbodyerectandsettingmindfulnesstothefore.Alwaysmindful,he breathesin;mindfulhebreathesout. Breathinginlong,hediscernsthatheisbreathinginlong;orbreathingout long,hediscernsthatheisbreathingoutlong.Orbreathinginshort,hediscerns thatheisbreathinginshort;orbreathingoutshort,hediscernsthatheis breathingoutshort.Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitivetotheentirebody andtobreatheoutsensitivetotheentirebody.Hetrainshimselftobreathein calmingbodilyfabrication(thebreath)andtobreatheoutcalmingbodily fabrication.Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute,anymemories&

33 resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned,andwiththeirabandoning hismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.Thisishowa monkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody. Furthermore,whenwalking,themonkdiscernsthatheiswalking.When standing,hediscernsthatheisstanding.Whensitting,hediscernsthatheis sitting.Whenlyingdown,hediscernsthatheislyingdown.Orhoweverhis bodyisdisposed,thatishowhediscernsit.Andasheremainsthusheedful, ardent,&resolute,anymemories&resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeare abandoned,andwiththeirabandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly, growsunified&centered.Thisishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersed inthebody. Furthermore,whengoingforward&returning,hemakeshimselffully alert;whenlookingtoward&lookingaway...whenbending&extendinghis limbs...whencarryinghisoutercloak,hisupperrobe&hisbowl...wheneating, drinking,chewing,&savoring...whenurinating&defecating...whenwalking, standing,sitting,fallingasleep,wakingup,talking,&remainingsilent,hemakes himselffullyalert.Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute,any memories&resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned,andwiththeir abandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.This ishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody. Furthermore,themonkreflectsonthisverybodyfromthesolesofthefeet onup,fromthecrownoftheheadondown,surroundedbyskinandfullof variouskindsofuncleanthings:Inthisbodythereareheadhairs,bodyhairs, nails,teeth,skin,flesh,tendons,bones,bonemarrow,kidneys,heart,liver, pleura,spleen,lungs,largeintestines,smallintestines,gorge,feces,bile,phlegm, pus,blood,sweat,fat,tears,skinoil,saliva,mucus,fluidinthejoints,urine. Justasifasackwithopeningsatbothendswerefullofvariouskindsof grainwheat,rice,mungbeans,kidneybeans,sesameseeds,huskedriceanda manwithgoodeyesight,pouringitout,weretoreflect,Thisiswheat.Thisis rice.Thesearemungbeans.Thesearekidneybeans.Thesearesesameseeds. Thisishuskedrice;inthesameway,themonkreflectsonthisverybodyfrom thesolesofthefeetonup,fromthecrownoftheheadondown,surroundedby skinandfullofvariouskindsofuncleanthings:Inthisbodytherearehead hairs,bodyhairs,nails,teeth,skin,flesh,tendons,bones,bonemarrow,kidneys, heart,liver,pleura,spleen,lungs,largeintestines,smallintestines,gorge,feces, bile,phlegm,pus,blood,sweat,fat,tears,skinoil,saliva,mucus,fluidinthe joints,urine.Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute,anymemories

34 &resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned,andwiththeir abandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.This ishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody. Furthermore,themonkcontemplatesthisverybodyhoweveritstands, howeveritisdisposedintermsofproperties:Inthisbodythereistheearth property,theliquidproperty,thefireproperty,&thewindproperty.Justasa skilledbutcherorhisapprentice,havingkilledacow,wouldsitatacrossroads cuttingitupintopieces,themonkcontemplatesthisverybodyhoweverit stands,howeveritisdisposedintermsofproperties:Inthisbodythereisthe earthproperty,theliquidproperty,thefireproperty,&thewindproperty. Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute,anymemories&resolves relatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned,andwiththeirabandoninghismind gathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.Thisishowamonk developsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody. Furthermore,asifheweretoseeacorpsecastawayinacharnel groundoneday,twodays,threedaysdeadbloated,livid,&festering,he appliesittothisverybody,Thisbody,too:Suchisitsnature,suchisitsfuture, suchitsunavoidablefate... Oragain,asifheweretoseeacorpsecastawayinacharnelground,picked atbycrows,vultures,&hawks,bydogs,hyenas,&variousothercreatures...a skeletonsmearedwithflesh&blood,connectedwithtendons...afleshless skeletonsmearedwithblood,connectedwithtendons...askeletonwithoutflesh orblood,connectedwithtendons...bonesdetachedfromtheirtendons,scattered inalldirectionshereahandbone,thereafootbone,hereashinbone,therea thighbone,hereahipbone,thereabackbone,herearib,thereachestbone,here ashoulderbone,thereaneckbone,hereajawbone,thereatooth,herea skull...theboneswhitened,somewhatlikethecolorofshells...piledup,more thanayearold...decomposedintoapowder:Heappliesittothisverybody, Thisbody,too:Suchisitsnature,suchisitsfuture,suchitsunavoidablefate. Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute,anymemories& resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned,andwiththeirabandoning hismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.Thisishowa monkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody. TheFourJhanas Furthermore,quitewithdrawnfromsensualpleasures,withdrawnfrom unskillfulmentalqualities,heenters&remainsinthefirstjhana:rapture&

35 pleasurebornfromwithdrawal,accompaniedbydirectedthought&evaluation. Hepermeates&pervades,suffuses&fillsthisverybodywiththerapture& pleasurebornfromwithdrawal.Justasifaskilledbathmanorbathmans apprenticewouldpourbathpowderintoabrassbasinandkneadittogether, sprinklingitagain&againwithwater,sothathisballofbath powdersaturated,moistureladen,permeatedwithin&withoutwould neverthelessnotdrip;evenso,themonkpermeates...thisverybodywiththe rapture&pleasurebornofwithdrawal.Thereisnothingofhisentirebody unpervadedbyrapture&pleasurebornfromwithdrawal.Andasheremains thusheedful,ardent,&resolute,anymemories&resolvesrelatedtothe householdlifeareabandoned,andwiththeirabandoninghismindgathers& settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered.Thisishowamonkdevelops mindfulnessimmersedinthebody. Then,withthestillingofdirectedthought&evaluation,heenters& remainsinthesecondjhana:rapture&pleasurebornofcomposure,unification ofawarenessfreefromdirectedthought&evaluationinternalassurance.He permeates&pervades,suffuses&fillsthisverybodywiththerapture& pleasurebornofcomposure.Justlikealakewithspringwaterwellingupfrom within,havingnoinflowfromtheeast,west,north,orsouth,andwiththeskies supplyingabundantshowerstime&again,sothatthecoolfountofwater wellingupfromwithinthelakewouldpermeate&pervade,suffuse&fillitwith coolwaters,therebeingnopartofthelakeunpervadedbythecoolwaters;even so,themonkpermeates...thisverybodywiththerapture&pleasurebornof composure.Thereisnothingofhisentirebodyunpervadedbyrapture& pleasurebornofcomposure.Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent,&resolute, anymemories&resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned,andwith theirabandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified&centered. Thisishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody. Then,withthefadingofrapture,heremainsinequanimity,mindful&alert, andphysicallysensitiveofpleasure.Heenters&remainsinthethirdjhana,of whichthenobleonesdeclare,Equanimous&mindful,hehasapleasurable abiding.Hepermeates&pervades,suffuses&fillsthisverybodywiththe pleasuredivestedofrapture.Justasinalotuspond,someofthelotuses,born& growinginthewater,stayimmersedinthewaterandflourishwithoutstanding upoutofthewater,sothattheyarepermeated&pervaded,suffused&filled withcoolwaterfromtheirrootstotheirtips,andnothingofthoselotuseswould beunpervadedwithcoolwater;evenso,themonkpermeates...thisverybody

36 withthepleasuredivestedofrapture.Thereisnothingofhisentirebody unpervadedwithpleasuredivestedofrapture.Andasheremainsthusheedful, ardent,&resolute,anymemories&resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeare abandoned,andwiththeirabandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly, growsunified&centered.Thisishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersed inthebody. Then,withtheabandoningofpleasure&painaswiththeearlier disappearanceofelation&distressheenters&remainsinthefourthjhana: purityofequanimity&mindfulness,neitherpleasurenorpain.Hesits, permeatingthebodywithapure,brightawareness.Justasifamanweresitting coveredfromheadtofootwithawhiteclothsothattherewouldbenopartofhis bodytowhichthewhiteclothdidnotextend;evenso,themonksits,permeating thebodywithapure,brightawareness.Thereisnothingofhisentirebody unpervadedbypure,brightawareness.Andasheremainsthusheedful,ardent, &resolute,anymemories&resolvesrelatedtothehouseholdlifeareabandoned, andwiththeirabandoninghismindgathers&settlesinwardly,growsunified& centered.Thisishowamonkdevelopsmindfulnessimmersedinthebody. FullnessofMind Monks,whoeverdevelops&pursuesmindfulnessimmersedinthebody encompasseswhateverskillfulqualitiesareonthesideofclearknowing.Justas whoeverpervadesthegreatoceanwithhisawarenessencompasseswhatever rivuletsflowdownintotheocean,inthesameway,whoeverdevelops& pursuesmindfulnessimmersedinthebodyencompasseswhateverskillful qualitiesareonthesideofclearknowing. Inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyisnotdeveloped,not pursued,Maragainsentry,Maragainsafoothold. Supposethatamanweretothrowaheavystoneballintoapileofwetclay. Whatdoyouthink,monkswouldtheheavystoneballgainentryintothepile ofwetclay? Yes,venerablesir. Inthesameway,inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyisnot developed,notpursued,Maragainsentry,Maragainsafoothold. Now,supposethattherewereadry,saplesspieceoftimber,andaman weretocomealongwithanupperfirestick,thinking,Illlightafire.Ill produceheat.Whatdoyouthinkwouldhebeabletolightafireandproduce heatbyrubbingtheupperfirestickinthedry,saplesspieceoftimber?

37 Yes,venerablesir. Inthesameway,inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyisnot developed,notpursued,Maragainsentry,Maragainsafoothold. Now,supposethattherewereanempty,hollowwaterpotsetonastand, andamanweretocomealongcarryingaloadofwater.Whatdoyou thinkwouldhegetaplacetoputhiswater? Yes,venerablesir. Inthesameway,inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyisnot developed,notpursued,Maragainsentry,Maragainsafoothold. Now,inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyisdeveloped,is pursued,Maragainsnoentry,Maragainsnofoothold.Supposethatamanwere tothrowaballofstringagainstadoorpanelmadeentirelyofheartwood.What doyouthinkwouldthatlightballofstringgainentryintothatdoorpanel madeentirelyofheartwood? No,venerablesir. Inthesameway,inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyis developed,ispursued,Maragainsnoentry,Maragainsnofoothold. Now,supposethattherewereawet,sappypieceoftimber,andamanwere tocomealongwithanupperfirestick,thinking,Illlightafire.Illproduce heat.Whatdoyouthinkwouldhebeabletolightafireandproduceheatby rubbingtheupperfirestickinthewet,sappypieceoftimber? No,venerablesir. Inthesameway,inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyis developed,ispursued,Maragainsnoentry,Maragainsnofoothold. Now,supposethattherewereawaterpotsetonastand,fullofwaterupto thebrimsothatcrowscoulddrinkoutofit,andamanweretocomealong carryingaloadofwater.Whatdoyouthinkwouldhegetaplacetoputhis water? No,lord. Inthesameway,inwhomevermindfulnessimmersedinthebodyis developed,ispursued,Maragainsnoentry,Maragainsnofoothold. AnOpeningtotheHigherKnowledges Whenanyonehasdeveloped&pursuedmindfulnessimmersedinthe body,thenwhicheverofthesixhigherknowledgesheturnshismindtoknow& realize,hecanwitnessthemforhimselfwheneverthereisanopening.

38 Supposethattherewereawaterjar,setonastand,brimfulofwatersothat acrowcoulddrinkfromit.Ifastrongmanweretotipitinanywayatall,would waterspillout? Yes,lord. Inthesameway,whenanyonehasdeveloped&pursuedmindfulness immersedinthebody,thenwhicheverofthesixhigherknowledgesheturnshis mindtoknow&realize,hecanwitnessthemforhimselfwheneverthereisan opening. Supposetherewerearectangularwatertanksetonlevelground,bounded bydikesbrimfulofwatersothatacrowcoulddrinkfromit.Ifastrongman weretoloosenthedikesanywhereatall,wouldwaterspillout? Yes,lord. Inthesameway,whenanyonehasdeveloped&pursuedmindfulness immersedinthebody,thenwhicheverofthesixhigherknowledgesheturnshis mindtoknow&realize,hecanwitnessthemforhimselfwheneverthereisan opening. Supposetherewereachariotonlevelgroundatfourcrossroads,harnessed tothoroughbreds,waitingwithwhipslyingready,sothataskilleddriver,a traineroftamablehorses,mightmountandtakingthereinswithhislefthand andthewhipwithhisrightdriveout&back,towhateverplace&bywhichever roadheliked;inthesameway,whenanyonehasdeveloped&pursued mindfulnessimmersedinthebody,thenwhicheverofthesixhigherknowledges heturnshismindtoknow&realize,hecanwitnessthemforhimselfwhenever thereisanopening. TenBenefits Monks,foroneinwhommindfulnessimmersedinthebodyiscultivated, developed,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied, consolidated,&wellundertaken,tenbenefitscanbeexpected.Whichten? [1]Heconquersdispleasure&delight,anddispleasuredoesnotconquer him.Heremainsvictoriousoveranydispleasurethathasarisen. [2]Heconquersfear&dread,andfear&dreadtonotconquerhim.He remainsvictoriousoveranyfear&dreadthathavearisen. [3]Heisresistanttocold,heat,hunger,thirst,thetouchofgadflies& mosquitoes,wind&sun&creepingthings;toabusive,hurtfullanguage;heis thesortthatcanendurebodilyfeelingsthat,whentheyarise,arepainful,sharp, stabbing,fierce,distasteful,disagreeable,deadly.

39 [4]Hecanattainatwill,withouttroubleordifficulty,thefour jhanasheightenedmentalstatesprovidingapleasantabidinginthehere& now. [5]Hewieldsmanifoldsupranormalpowers.Havingbeenonehebecomes many;havingbeenmanyhebecomesone.Heappears.Hevanishes.Hegoes unimpededthroughwalls,ramparts,&mountainsasifthroughspace.Hedives in&outoftheearthasifitwerewater.Hewalksonwaterwithoutsinkingasif itweredryland.Sittingcrossleggedhefliesthroughtheairlikeawingedbird. Withhishandhetouches&strokeseventhesun&moon,somighty&powerful. HeexercisesinfluencewithhisbodyevenasfarastheBrahmaworlds. [6]Hehearsbymeansofthedivineearelement,purified&surpassingthe humanbothkindsofsounds:divine&human,whethernearorfar. [7]Heknowstheawarenessofotherbeings,otherindividuals,having encompasseditwithhisownawareness.Hediscernsamindwithpassionasa mindwithpassion,andamindwithoutpassionasamindwithoutpassion.He discernsamindwithaversionasamindwithaversion,andamindwithout aversionasamindwithoutaversion.Hediscernsamindwithdelusionasa mindwithdelusion,andamindwithoutdelusionasamindwithoutdelusion. Hediscernsarestrictedmindasarestrictedmind,andascatteredmindasa scatteredmind.Hediscernsanenlargedmindasanenlargedmind,andan unenlargedmindasanunenlargedmind.Hediscernsanexcelledmind[onethat isnotatthemostexcellentlevel]asanexcelledmind,andanunexcelledmindas anunexcelledmind.Hediscernsaconcentratedmindasaconcentratedmind, andanunconcentratedmindasanunconcentratedmind.Hediscernsareleased mindasareleasedmind,andanunreleasedmindasanunreleasedmind. [8]Herecollectshismanifoldpastlives(lit:previoushomes),i.e.,onebirth, twobirths,threebirths,four,five,ten,twenty,thirty,forty,fifty,onehundred, onethousand,onehundredthousand,manyaeonsofcosmiccontraction,many aeonsofcosmicexpansion,manyaeonsofcosmiccontraction&expansion, [recollecting],ThereIhadsuchaname,belongedtosuchaclan,hadsuchan appearance.Suchwasmyfood,suchmyexperienceofpleasure&pain,suchthe endofmylife.Passingawayfromthatstate,Irearosethere.TheretooIhad suchaname,belongedtosuchaclan,hadsuchanappearance.Suchwasmy food,suchmyexperienceofpleasure&pain,suchtheendofmylife.Passing awayfromthatstate,Irearosehere.Thusheremembershismanifoldpast livesintheirmodes&details.

40 [9]Heseesbymeansofthedivineeye,purified&surpassingthe humanbeingspassingaway&reappearing,andhediscernshowtheyare inferior&superior,beautiful&ugly,fortunate&unfortunateinaccordancewith theirkamma:Thesebeingswhowereendowedwithbadconductofbody, speech,&mind,whoreviledthenobleones,heldwrongviewsandundertook actionsundertheinfluenceofwrongviewswiththebreakupofthebody,after death,havereappearedintheplaneofdeprivation,thebaddestination,the lowerrealms,inhell.Butthesebeingswhowereendowedwithgoodconduct ofbody,speech,&mind,whodidnotrevilethenobleones,whoheldright viewsandundertookactionsundertheinfluenceofrightviewswiththebreak upofthebody,afterdeath,havereappearedinthegooddestinations,inthe heavenlyworld.Thusbymeansofthedivineeye,purified&surpassingthe humanheseesbeingspassingaway&reappearing,andhediscernshowthey areinferior&superior,beautiful&ugly,fortunate&unfortunateinaccordance withtheirkamma. [10]Throughtheendingofthementaleffluents,heremainsintheeffluent freereleaseofawareness&releaseofdiscernment,havingknownandmade themmanifestforhimselfrightinthehere&now. Monks,foroneinwhommindfulnessimmersedinthebodyiscultivated, developed,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied, consolidated,&wellundertaken,thesetenbenefitscanbeexpected. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,themonksdelightedinthe BlessedOneswords.

41

TheShorterDiscourseonEmptiness CulaSuataSutta(MajjhimaNikaya121) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingatSavatthiinthe EasternMonastery,thepalaceofMigarasmother.Thenintheevening,Ven. Ananda,comingoutofseclusion,approachedtheBlessedOneand,onarrival, havingboweddown,satdowntooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtothe BlessedOne:Ononeoccasion,whentheBlessedOnewasstayingamongthe SakyansinaSakyantownnamedNagaraka,therefacetofacewiththeBlessed OneIheardandlearnedthis:Inowoftenremaininanattitudeof emptiness.DidIhearthatcorrectly,learnitcorrectly,attendtoitcorrectly, rememberitcorrectly? [TheBuddha:]Yes,Ananda,youheardthatcorrectly,learneditcorrectly, attendedtoitcorrectly,remembereditcorrectly.Now,aswellasbefore,Ioften remaininanattitudeofemptiness.JustasthispalaceofMigarasmotheris emptyofelephants,cattle&mares,emptyofgold&silver,emptyofassemblies ofwomen&men,andthereisonlythisnonemptinessthesinglenessbasedon thecommunityofmonks;evenso,Ananda,amonknotattendingtothe perception(mentalnote)ofvillage,notattendingtotheperceptionofhuman beingattendstothesinglenessbasedontheperceptionofforest.Hismindtakes pleasure,findssatisfaction,settles,&indulgesinitsperceptionofforest. HediscernsthatWhateverdisturbancesthatwouldexistbasedonthe perceptionofvillagearenotpresent.Whateverdisturbancesthatwouldexist basedontheperceptionofhumanbeingarenotpresent.Thereisonlythis modicumofdisturbance:thesinglenessbasedontheperceptionofforest.He discernsthatThismodeofperceptionisemptyoftheperceptionofvillage. Thismodeofperceptionisemptyoftheperceptionofhumanbeing.Thereis onlythisnonemptiness:thesinglenessbasedontheperceptionofforest.Thus heregardsitasemptyofwhateverisnotthere.Whateverremains,hediscernsas present:Thereisthis.Andsothis,hisentryintoemptiness,accordswith actuality,isundistortedinmeaning,&pure. ThePerceptionofEarth Further,Ananda,themonknotattendingtotheperceptionofhuman being,notattendingtotheperceptionofforestattendstothesinglenessbased

42 ontheperceptionofearth.Hismindtakespleasure,findssatisfaction,settles,& indulgesinitsperceptionofearth.Justasabullshideisstretchedfreefrom wrinkleswithahundredstakes,evensowithoutattendingtoalltheridges& hollows,theriverravines,thetractsofstumps&thorns,thecraggyirregularities ofthisearthheattendstothesinglenessbasedontheperceptionofearth.His mindtakespleasure,findssatisfaction,settles,&indulgesinitsperceptionof earth. HediscernsthatWhateverdisturbancesthatwouldexistbasedonthe perceptionofhumanbeingarenotpresent.Whateverdisturbanceswouldexist basedontheperceptionofforestarenotpresent.Thereisonlythismodicumof disturbance:thesinglenessbasedontheperceptionofearth.Hediscernsthat Thismodeofperceptionisemptyoftheperceptionofhumanbeing.Thismode ofperceptionisemptyoftheperceptionofforest.Thereisonlythisnon emptiness:thesinglenessbasedontheperceptionofearth.Thusheregardsit asemptyofwhateverisnotthere.Whateverremains,hediscernsaspresent: Thereisthis.Andsothis,hisentryintoemptiness,accordswithactuality,is undistortedinmeaning,&pure. TheInfinitudeofSpace Further,Ananda,themonknotattendingtotheperceptionofforest,not attendingtotheperceptionofearthattendstothesinglenessbasedonthe perceptionofthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspace.Hismindtakespleasure, findssatisfaction,settles,&indulgesinitsperceptionofthedimensionofthe infinitudeofspace. HediscernsthatWhateverdisturbancesthatwouldexistbasedonthe perceptionofforestarenotpresent.Whateverdisturbancesthatwouldexist basedontheperceptionofeartharenotpresent.Thereisonlythismodicumof disturbance:thesinglenessbasedontheperceptionofthedimensionofthe infinitudeofspace.HediscernsthatThismodeofperceptionisemptyofthe perceptionofforest.Thismodeofperceptionisemptyoftheperceptionofearth. Thereisonlythisnonemptiness:thesinglenessbasedontheperceptionofthe dimensionoftheinfinitudeofspace.Thusheregardsitasemptyofwhateveris notthere.Whateverremains,hediscernsaspresent:Thereisthis.Andso this,hisentryintoemptiness,accordswithactuality,isundistortedinmeaning, &pure. TheInfinitudeofConsciousness

43 Further,Ananda,themonknotattendingtotheperceptionofearth,not attendingtotheperceptionofthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspaceattends tothesinglenessbasedontheperceptionofthedimensionoftheinfinitudeof consciousness.Hismindtakespleasure,findssatisfaction,settles,&indulgesin itsperceptionofthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness. HediscernsthatWhateverdisturbancesthatwouldexistbasedonthe perceptionofeartharenotpresent.Whateverdisturbancesthatwouldexist basedontheperceptionofthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspacearenot present.Thereisonlythismodicumofdisturbance:thesinglenessbasedonthe perceptionofthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness.Hediscernsthat Thismodeofperceptionisemptyoftheperceptionofearth.Thismodeof perceptionisemptyoftheperceptionofthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspace. Thereisonlythisnonemptiness:thesinglenessbasedontheperceptionofthe dimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness.Thusheregardsitasemptyof whateverisnotthere.Whateverremains,hediscernsaspresent:Thereisthis. Andsothis,hisentryintoemptiness,accordswithactuality,isundistortedin meaning,&pure. Nothingness Further,Ananda,themonknotattendingtotheperceptionofthe dimensionoftheinfinitudeofspace,notattendingtotheperceptionofthe dimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousnessattendstothesinglenessbasedon theperceptionofthedimensionofnothingness.Hismindtakespleasure,finds satisfaction,settles,&indulgesinitsperceptionofthedimensionofnothingness. HediscernsthatWhateverdisturbancesthatwouldexistbasedonthe perceptionofthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspacearenotpresent.Whatever disturbancesthatwouldexistbasedontheperceptionofthedimensionofthe infinitudeofconsciousnessarenotpresent.Thereisonlythismodicumof disturbance:thesinglenessbasedontheperceptionofthedimensionof nothingness.HediscernsthatThismodeofperceptionisemptyofthe perceptionofthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspace.Thismodeofperceptionis emptyoftheperceptionofthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness. Thereisonlythisnonemptiness:thesinglenessbasedontheperceptionofthe dimensionofnothingness.Thusheregardsitasemptyofwhateverisnotthere. Whateverremains,hediscernsaspresent:Thereisthis.Andsothis,hisentry intoemptiness,accordswithactuality,isundistortedinmeaning,&pure.

44 NeitherPerceptionnorNonperception Further,Ananda,themonknotattendingtotheperceptionofthe dimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness,notattendingtotheperceptionof thedimensionofnothingnessattendstothesinglenessbasedonthedimension ofneitherperceptionnornonperception.Hismindtakespleasure,finds satisfaction,settles,&indulgesinthedimensionofneitherperceptionnornon perception. HediscernsthatWhateverdisturbancesthatwouldexistbasedonthe perceptionofthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousnessarenotpresent. Whateverdisturbancesthatwouldexistbasedontheperceptionofthe dimensionofnothingnessarenotpresent.Thereisonlythismodicumof disturbance:thesinglenessbasedonthedimensionofneitherperceptionnor nonperception.HediscernsthatThismodeofperceptionisemptyofthe perceptionofthedimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness.Thismodeof perceptionisemptyoftheperceptionofthedimensionofnothingness.Thereis onlythisnonemptiness:thesinglenessbasedonthedimensionofneither perceptionnornonperception.Thusheregardsitasemptyofwhateverisnot there.Whateverremains,hediscernsaspresent:Thereisthis.Andsothis,his entryintoemptiness,accordswithactuality,isundistortedinmeaning,&pure. ThemelessConcentration Further,Ananda,themonknotattendingtotheperceptionofthe dimensionofnothingness,notattendingtotheperceptionofthedimensionof neitherperceptionnornonperceptionattendstothesinglenessbasedonthe themelessconcentrationofawareness.Hismindtakespleasure,finds satisfaction,settles,&indulgesinitsthemelessconcentrationofawareness. HediscernsthatWhateverdisturbanceswouldexistbasedonthe perceptionofthedimensionofnothingnessarenotpresent.Whatever disturbanceswouldexistbasedontheperceptionofthedimensionofneither perceptionnornonperception,arenotpresent.Andthereisonlythismodicum ofdisturbance:thatconnectedwiththesixsensoryspheres,dependentonthis verybodywithlifeasitscondition.HediscernsthatThismodeofperception isemptyoftheperceptionofthedimensionofnothingness.Thismodeof perceptionisemptyoftheperceptionofthedimensionofneitherperceptionnor nonperception.Thereisonlythisnonemptiness:thatconnectedwiththesix sensoryspheres,dependentonthisverybodywithlifeasitscondition.Thushe

45 regardsitasemptyofwhateverisnotthere.Whateverremains,hediscernsas present:Thereisthis.Andsothis,hisentryintoemptiness,accordswith actuality,isundistortedinmeaning,&pure. Release Further,Ananda,themonknotattendingtotheperceptionofthe dimensionofnothingness,notattendingtotheperceptionofthedimensionof neitherperceptionnornonperceptionattendstothesinglenessbasedonthe themelessconcentrationofawareness.Hismindtakespleasure,finds satisfaction,settles,&indulgesinitsthemelessconcentrationofawareness. HediscernsthatThisthemelessconcentrationofawarenessisfabricated& mentallyfashioned.AndhediscernsthatWhateverisfabricated&mentally fashionedisinconstant&subjecttocessation.Forhimthusknowing,thus seeingthemindisreleasedfromthefermentationofsensuality,thefermentation ofbecoming,thefermentationofignorance.Withrelease,thereistheknowledge, Released.HediscernsthatBirthisended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone. Thereisnothingfurtherforthisworld. HediscernsthatWhateverdisturbanceswouldexistbasedonthe fermentationofsensuality...thefermentationofbecoming...thefermentationof ignorance,arenotpresent.Andthereisonlythismodicumofdisturbance:that connectedwiththesixsensoryspheres,dependentonthisverybodywithlifeas itscondition.HediscernsthatThismodeofperceptionisemptyofthe fermentationofsensuality...becoming...ignorance.Andthereisjustthisnon emptiness:thatconnectedwiththesixsensoryspheres,dependentonthisvery bodywithlifeasitscondition.Thusheregardsitasemptyofwhateverisnot there.Whateverremains,hediscernsaspresent:Thereisthis.Andsothis,his entryintoemptiness,accordswithactuality,isundistortedinmeaning, puresuperior&unsurpassed. Ananda,whatevercontemplativesandpriestswhointhepastentered& remainedinanemptinessthatwaspure,superior,&unsurpassed,theyall entered&remainedinthisverysameemptinessthatispure,superior,& unsurpassed.Whatevercontemplativesandpriestswhointhefuturewillenter &remaininanemptinessthatwillbepure,superior,&unsurpassed,theyall willenter&remaininthisverysameemptinessthatispure,superior,& unsurpassed.Whatevercontemplativesandpriestswhoatpresententer& remaininanemptinessthatispure,superior,&unsurpassed,theyallenter& remaininthisverysameemptinessthatispure,superior,&unsurpassed.

46 Therefore,Ananda,youshouldtrainyourselves:Wewillenter&remain intheemptinessthatispure,superior,&unsurpassed. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,Ven.Anandadelightedinthe BlessedOneswords.

47

ToBhumija BhumijaSutta(MajjhimaNikaya126) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearRajagahain theBambooGrove,theSquirrelsSanctuary. Then,earlyinthemorning,Ven.Bhumijaputonhisrobesand,carryinghis bowl&outerrobe,wenttoPrinceJayasenasresidence.1Onarrival,hesat downonaseatmadeready.PrinceJayasenawenttoVen.Bhumijaand,on arrival,exchangedcourteousgreetingswithhim.Afteranexchangeoffriendly greetings&courtesies,hesattooneside.AshewassittingtherehesaidtoVen. Bhumija,MasterBhumija,therearesomepriests&contemplativeswho espousethisteaching,espousethisview:Ifonefollowstheholylife,evenwhen havingmadeawish[forresults],oneisincapableofobtainingresults.Ifone followstheholylifeevenwhenhavingmadenowish,oneisincapableof obtainingresults.Ifonefollowstheholylifeevenwhenbothhavingmadeawish andhavingmadenowish,oneisincapableofobtainingresults.Ifonefollows theholylifeevenwhenneitherhavingmadeawishnorhavingmadenowish, oneisincapableofobtainingresults.2Withregardtothat,whatdoesMaster Bhumijasteachersay,whatishisview,whatdoeshedeclare? IhaventheardthisfacetofacewiththeBlessedOne,prince,Ihavent receivedthisfacetofacewiththeBlessedOne,butthereisthepossibilitythatthe BlessedOnewouldanswerinthisway:Ifonefollowstheholylife inappropriately,evenwhenhavingmadeawish[forresults],oneisincapableof obtainingresults.Ifonefollowstheholylifeinappropriately,evenwhenhaving madenowish...bothhavingmadeawishandhavingmadenowish...neither havingmadeawishnorhavingmadenowish,oneisincapableofobtaining results.[But]ifonefollowstheholylifeappropriately,evenwhenhavingmadea wish,oneiscapableofobtainingresults.Ifonefollowstheholylife appropriately,evenwhenhavingmadenowish...bothhavingmadeawishand havingmadenowish...neitherhavingmadeawishnorhavingmadenowish, oneiscapableofobtainingresults.Ihaventheardthisfacetofacewiththe BlessedOne,IhaventreceivedthisfacetofacewiththeBlessedOne,butthere isthepossibilitythattheBlessedOnewouldanswerinthisway.

48 IfthatiswhatMasterBhumijasteachersays,ifthatishisview,ifthatis whathedeclares,thenyes,MasterBhumijasteacherstands,asitwere,having struckallofthosemanypriests&contemplativesdownbythehead. PrinceJayasenathenservedVen.Bhumijafromhisowndishofmilkrice. ThenVen.Bhumija,afterhismeal,returningfromhisalmsround,wenttothe BlessedOne.Onarrival,havingboweddowntotheBlessedOne,hesattoone side.AshewassittingtherehesaidtotheBlessedOne:Justnow,lord,earlyin themorning,Iputonmyrobesand,carryingmybowl&outerrobe,wentto PrinceJayasenasresidence.Onarrival,Isatdownonaseatmadeready.Then PrinceJayasenawenttomeand,onarrival,exchangedcourteousgreetingswith me.Afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,hesattooneside.Ashe wassittingtherehesaidtome,MasterBhumija,therearesomepriest& contemplativeswhoespousethisteaching,espousethisview:Ifonefollowsthe holylifeevenwhenhavingmadeawish[forresults]...havingmadenowish... bothhavingmadeawishandhavingmadenowish...neitherhavingmadea wishnorhavingmadenowish,oneisincapableofobtainingresults.With regardtothat,whatdoesMasterBhumijasteachersay,whatishisview,what doeshedeclare? Whenthiswassaid,IrepliedtoPrinceJayasena,Ihaventheardthisface tofacewiththeBlessedOne,prince,Ihaventreceivedthisfacetofacewiththe BlessedOne,butthereisthepossibilitythattheBlessedOnewouldanswerin thisway:Ifonefollowstheholylifeinappropriately,evenwhenhavingmadea wish[forresults]...havingmadenowish...bothhavingmadeawishand havingmadenowish...neitherhavingmadeawishnorhavingmadenowish, oneisincapableofobtainingresults.[But]ifonefollowstheholylife appropriately,evenwhenhavingmadeawish...havingmadenowish...both havingmadeawishandhavingmadenowish...neitherhavingmadeawish norhavingmadenowish,oneiscapableofobtainingresults.Ihaventheard thisfacetofacewiththeBlessedOne,Ihaventreceivedthisfacetofacewith theBlessedOne,butthereisthepossibilitythattheBlessedOnewouldanswer inthisway. IfthatiswhatMasterBhumijasteachersays,ifthatishisview,ifthatis whathedeclares,thenyes,MasterBhumijasteacherstands,asitwere,having struckallofthosemanypriests&contemplativesdownbythehead. Answeringinthiswaywhenthusasked,lord,amIspeakinginlinewith whattheBlessedOnehassaid,amInotmisrepresentingtheBlessedOnewith

49 whatisunfactual,amIansweringinlinewiththeDhammasothatnoonewhose thinkingisinlinewiththeDhammawillhavegroundsforcriticizingme? Certainly,Bhumija,inansweringinthiswaywhenthusasked,youare speakinginlinewithwhatIhavesaid,youarenotmisrepresentingmewith whatisunfactual,andyouareansweringinlinewiththeDhammasothatno onewhosethinkingisinlinewiththeDhammawillhavegroundsforcriticizing you.Foranypriestsorcontemplativesendowedwithwrongview,wrong resolve,wrongspeech,wrongaction,wronglivelihood,wrongeffort,wrong mindfulness,&wrongconcentration:Iftheyfollowtheholylifeevenwhen havingmadeawish[forresults],theyareincapableofobtainingresults.Ifthey followtheholylifeevenwhenhavingmadenowish,theyareincapableof obtainingresults.Iftheyfollowtheholylifeevenwhenbothhavingmadeawish andhavingmadenowish,theyareincapableofobtainingresults.Iftheyfollow theholylifeevenwhenneitherhavingmadeawishnorhavingmadenowish, theyareincapableofobtainingresults.Whyisthat?Becauseitisan inappropriatewayofobtainingresults. Supposeamaninneedofoil,lookingforoil,wanderinginsearchofoil, wouldpilegravelinatubandpressit,sprinklingitagain&againwithwater.If heweretopilegravelinatubandpressit,sprinklingitagain&againwithwater evenwhenhavingmadeawish[forresults]...havingmadenowish...both havingmadeawishandhavingmadenowish...neitherhavingmadeawish norhavingmadenowish,hewouldbeincapableofobtainingresults.Whyis that?Becauseitisaninappropriatewayofobtainingresults. Inthesameway,anypriestsorcontemplativesendowedwithwrongview, wrongresolve,wrongspeech,wrongaction,wronglivelihood,wrongeffort, wrongmindfulness,&wrongconcentration:Iftheyfollowtheholylifeeven whenhavingmadeawish[forresults]...havingmadenowish...bothhaving madeawishandhavingmadenowish...neitherhavingmadeawishnor havingmadenowish,theyareincapableofobtainingresults.Whyisthat? Becauseitisaninappropriatewayofobtainingresults. Supposeamaninneedofmilk,lookingformilk,wanderinginsearchof milk,wouldtwistthehornofanewlycalvedcow.Ifheweretotwistthehornof anewlycalvedcowevenwhenhavingmadeawish[forresults]...havingmade nowish...bothhavingmadeawishandhavingmadenowish...neitherhaving madeawishnorhavingmadenowish,hewouldbeincapableofobtaining results.Whyisthat?Becauseitisaninappropriatewayofobtainingresults.

50 Inthesameway,anypriestsorcontemplativesendowedwithwrongview, wrongresolve,wrongspeech,wrongaction,wronglivelihood,wrongeffort, wrongmindfulness,&wrongconcentration:Iftheyfollowtheholylifeeven whenhavingmadeawish[forresults]...havingmadenowish...bothhaving madeawishandhavingmadenowish...neitherhavingmadeawishnor havingmadenowish,theyareincapableofobtainingresults.Whyisthat? Becauseitisaninappropriatewayofobtainingresults. Supposeamaninneedofbutter,lookingforbutter,wanderinginsearchof butter,wouldsprinklewateronwaterinacrockandtwirlitwithachurnstick. Ifheweretosprinklewateronwaterinacrockandtwirlitwithachurnstick evenwhenhavingmadeawish[forresults]...havingmadenowish...both havingmadeawishandhavingmadenowish...neitherhavingmadeawish norhavingmadenowish,hewouldbeincapableofobtainingresults.Whyis that?Becauseitisaninappropriatewayofobtainingresults. Inthesameway,anypriestsorcontemplativesendowedwithwrongview, wrongresolve,wrongspeech,wrongaction,wronglivelihood,wrongeffort, wrongmindfulness,&wrongconcentration:Iftheyfollowtheholylifeeven whenhavingmadeawish[forresults]...havingmadenowish...bothhaving madeawishandhavingmadenowish...neitherhavingmadeawishnor havingmadenowish,theyareincapableofobtainingresults.Whyisthat? Becauseitisaninappropriatewayofobtainingresults. Supposeamaninneedoffire,lookingforfire,wanderinginsearchoffire, wouldtakeafirestickandrubitintoawet,sappypieceofwood.Ifhewereto takeafirestickandrubitintoawet,sappypieceofwoodevenwhenhaving madeawish[forresults]...havingmadenowish...bothhavingmadeawish andhavingmadenowish...neitherhavingmadeawishnorhavingmadeno wish,hewouldbeincapableofobtainingresults.Whyisthat?Becauseitisan inappropriatewayofobtainingresults. Inthesameway,anypriestsorcontemplativesendowedwithwrongview, wrongresolve,wrongspeech,wrongaction,wronglivelihood,wrongeffort, wrongmindfulness,&wrongconcentration:Iftheyfollowtheholylifeeven whenhavingmadeawish[forresults]...havingmadenowish...bothhaving madeawishandhavingmadenowish...neitherhavingmadeawishnor havingmadenowish,theyareincapableofobtainingresults.Whyisthat? Becauseitisaninappropriatewayofobtainingresults. Butasforanypriestsorcontemplativesendowedwithrightview,right resolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,right

51 mindfulness,&rightconcentration:Iftheyfollowtheholylifeevenwhenhaving madeawish,theyarecapableofobtainingresults.Iftheyfollowtheholylife evenwhenhavingmadenowish,theyarecapableofobtainingresults.Ifthey followtheholylifeevenwhenbothhavingmadeawishandhavingmadeno wish,theyarecapableofobtainingresults.Iftheyfollowtheholylifeevenwhen neitherhavingmadeawishnorhavingmadenowish,theyarecapableof obtainingresults.Whyisthat?Becauseitisanappropriatewayofobtaining results. Supposeamaninneedofoil,lookingforoil,wanderinginsearchofoil, wouldpilesesameseedsinatubandpressthem,sprinklingthemagain&again withwater.Ifheweretopilesesameseedsinatubandpressthem,sprinkling themagain&againwithwater,evenwhenhavingmadeawish[forresults]... havingmadenowish...bothhavingmadeawishandhavingmadenowish... neitherhavingmadeawishnorhavingmadenowish,hewouldbecapableof obtainingresults.Whyisthat?Becauseitisanappropriatewayofobtaining results. Inthesameway,anypriestsorcontemplativesendowedwithrightview, rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,right mindfulness,&rightconcentration:Iftheyfollowtheholylifeevenwhenhaving madeawish[forresults]...havingmadenowish...bothhavingmadeawishand havingmadenowish...neitherhavingmadeawishnorhavingmadenowish, theyarecapableofobtainingresults.Whyisthat?Becauseitisanappropriate wayofobtainingresults. Supposeamaninneedofmilk,lookingformilk,wanderinginsearchof milk,wouldpulltheteatofanewlycalvedcow.Ifheweretopulltheteatofa newlycalvedcowevenwhenhavingmadeawish[forresults]...havingmade nowish...bothhavingmadeawishandhavingmadenowish...neitherhaving madeawishnorhavingmadenowish,hewouldbecapableofobtainingresults. Whyisthat?Becauseitisanappropriatewayofobtainingresults. Inthesameway,anypriestsorcontemplativesendowedwithrightview, rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,right mindfulness,&rightconcentration:Iftheyfollowtheholylifeevenwhenhaving madeawish[forresults]...havingmadenowish...bothhavingmadeawishand havingmadenowish...neitherhavingmadeawishnorhavingmadenowish, theyarecapableofobtainingresults.Whyisthat?Becauseitisanappropriate wayofobtainingresults.

52 Supposeamaninneedofbutter,lookingforbutter,wanderinginsearchof butter,wouldsprinklewateroncurdsinacrockandtwirlthemwithachurn stick.3Ifheweretosprinklewateroncurdsinacrockandtwirlthemwitha churnstickevenwhenhavingmadeawish[forresults]...havingmadeno wish...bothhavingmadeawishandhavingmadenowish...neitherhaving madeawishnorhavingmadenowish,hewouldbecapableofobtainingresults. Whyisthat?Becauseitisanappropriatewayofobtainingresults. Inthesameway,anypriestsorcontemplativesendowedwithrightview, rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,right mindfulness,&rightconcentration:Iftheyfollowtheholylifeevenwhenhaving madeawish[forresults]...havingmadenowish...bothhavingmadeawishand havingmadenowish...neitherhavingmadeawishnorhavingmadenowish, theyarecapableofobtainingresults.Whyisthat?Becauseitisanappropriate wayofobtainingresults. Supposeamaninneedoffire,lookingforfire,wanderinginsearchoffire, wouldtakeafirestickandrubitintoadry,saplesspieceofwood.Ifhewereto takeafirestickandrubitintoadry,saplesspieceofwoodevenwhenhaving madeawish[forresults]...havingmadenowish...bothhavingmadeawish andhavingmadenowish...neitherhavingmadeawishnorhavingmadeno wish,hewouldbecapableofobtainingresults.Whyisthat?Becauseitisan appropriatewayofobtainingresults. Inthesameway,anypriestsorcontemplativesendowedwithrightview, rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,right mindfulness,&rightconcentration:Iftheyfollowtheholylifeevenwhenhaving madeawish[forresults],theyarecapableofobtainingresults.Iftheyfollowthe holylifeevenwhenhavingmadenowish,theyarecapableofobtainingresults. Iftheyfollowtheholylifeevenwhenbothhavingmadeawishandhavingmade nowish,theyarecapableofobtainingresults.Iftheyfollowtheholylifeeven whenneitherhavingmadeawishnorhavingmadenowish,theyarecapableof obtainingresults.Whyisthat?Becauseitisanappropriatewayofobtaining results. Bhumija,ifthesefoursimileshadoccurredtoyouinthepresenceofPrince Jayasena,hewouldhavenaturallyfeltconfidenceinyouandfeeling confidencewouldhaveshownhisconfidenceinyou. But,lord,howcouldthesefoursimileshaveoccurredtomeinthepresence ofPrinceJayasena,astheyarenaturaltotheBlessedOneandhaveneverbefore beenheardfromhim?

53 ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,Ven.Bhumijadelightedinthe BlessedOneswords.

NOTES [1]AccordingtotheCommentary,Ven.BhumijawasPrinceJayasenasuncle. [2]Thesepriests&contemplativesareprobablytheproponentsofnonaction, annihilation,andnonrelatednessaspresentedinDN2. [3]Tothisday,thisisthewaybutterisobtainedinruralnorthIndia.Thechurn stickisasmallstickthathasattachedtoitsendblocksofwoodresemblingan orangewithalternatesectionsremoved.Thisistwirledinthecurds.Thewater sprinkledonthecurdsdilutesthebuttermilk,whichhelpsseparateitfromthe milkfatleftontheblocksofthechurnstick.