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RelayChariots RathavinitaSutta(MajjhimaNikaya24) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearRajagahain theBambooGrove,theSquirrelsSanctuary.Thenanumberofmonksfromthe [BlessedOnes]nativeland,havingcompletedtheRainsRetreatinthenative land,wenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,satto oneside. Astheyweresittingthere,theBlessedOnesaidtothem,Monks,whomin ournativelanddothenativelandmonkshiscompanionsintheholy lifeesteeminthisway:Modesthimself,hegivestalkstothemonkson modesty.Contentedhimself,hegivestalkstothemonksoncontentment. Secludedhimself,hegivestalkstothemonksonseclusion.Unentangledhimself, hegivestalkstothemonksonnonentanglement.Havingarousedpersistencein himself,hegivestalkstothemonksonarousingpersistence.Consummateinhis ownvirtue,hegivestalkstothemonksonbecomingconsummateinvirtue. Consummateinhisownconcentration,hegivestalkstothemonksonbecoming consummateinconcentration.Consummateinhisowndiscernment,hegives talkstothemonksonbecomingconsummateindiscernment.Consummateinhis ownrelease,hegivestalkstothemonksonbecomingconsummateinrelease. Consummateinhisownknowledge&visionofrelease,hegivestalkstothe monksonbecomingconsummateintheknowledge&visionofrelease.[1]Heis onewhoexhorts,informs,instructs,urges,rouses,&encourageshiscompanions intheholylife. Lord,themonknamedPunnaMantaniputta(Mantanisson)isesteemed bythenativelandmonkshiscompanionsintheholylifeinthisway: Modesthimself,hegivestalkstothemonksonmodesty.Contentedhimself,he givestalkstothemonksoncontentment.Secludedhimself,hegivestalkstothe monksonseclusion.Unentangledhimself,hegivestalkstothemonksonnon entanglement.Havingarousedpersistenceinhimself,hegivestalkstothe monksonarousingpersistence.Consummateinhisownvirtue,hegivestalksto themonksonbecomingconsummateinvirtue.Consummateinhisown concentration,hegivestalkstothemonksonbecomingconsummatein concentration.Consummateinhisowndiscernment,hegivestalkstothemonks onbecomingconsummateindiscernment.Consummateinhisownrelease,he

2 givestalkstothemonksonbecomingconsummateinrelease.Consummatein hisownknowledge&visionofrelease,hegivestalkstothemonksonbecoming consummateintheknowledge&visionofrelease.Heisonewhoexhorts, informs,instructs,urges,rouses,&encourageshiscompanionsintheholy life. NowatthattimeVen.SariputtawassittingnotfarfromtheBlessedOne.The thoughtoccurredtohim:Itsagain,agreatgainforVen.PunnaMantaniputta thathisknowledgeablecompanionsintheholylifespeakhispraisepointby pointinthepresenceoftheTeacher,andthattheTeachersecondsthatpraise. MaybesometimeorotherI,too,willgotomeetwithVen.PunnaMantaniputta; maybeIllhavesomeconversationwithhim. ThentheBlessedOne,havingstayedatRajagahaaslongasheliked,setout wanderingtoSavatthi.Wanderingbystages,hearrivedthereandstayedin JetasGrove,Anathapindikasmonastery.Ven.PunnaMantaniputtaheard, TheBlessedOnehasarrivedatSavatthiandisstayingnearSavatthiinJetas Grove,Anathapindikasmonastery.Settinghislodgingsinorderandtaking hisrobes&bowl,hesetoutwanderingtoSavatthi.Wanderingbystages,he wenttowheretheBlessedOnewasstayinginJetasGrove,Anathapindikas monastery.Onarrival,havingboweddowntotheBlessedOne,hesattoone side.Ashewassittingthere,theBlessedOneinstructed,urged,roused,& encouragedhimwithaDhammatalk.ThenVen.Punnainstructed,urged, roused,&encouragedwiththeBlessedOnesDhammatalk;delighting& approvingoftheBlessedOneswordsgotupfromhisseat,boweddownto theBlessedOne,circumambulatedhim,andwenttotheGroveoftheBlindfor thedaysabiding. ThenacertainmonkwenttoVen.Sariputtaand,onarrival,saidtohim: FriendSariputta,themonknamedPunnaMantaniputtawhomyouhaveso oftenpraisedinstructed,urged,roused,&encouragedwiththeBlessedOnes Dhammatalk;delighting&approvingoftheBlessedOneswordshasgotten upfromhisseat,boweddowntotheBlessedOne,circumambulatedhim,and hasgonetotheGroveoftheBlindforthedaysabiding.SoVen.Sariputta quicklypickedupasittingclothandfollowedrightbehindVen.Punna,keeping hisheadinsight.Ven.PunnaplungedintotheGroveoftheBlindandsatdown intheshadeofatreeforthedaysabiding.Ven.Sariputtaalsoplungedintothe GroveoftheBlindandsatdownintheshadeofatreeforthedaysabiding. Thenintheevening,Ven.SariputtaarosefromhisseclusionandwenttoVen. Punna.Onarrival,heexchangedcourteousgreetingswithhim.Afteran

3 exchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,hesattooneside.Ashewassitting there,hesaidtoVen.Punna,Myfriend,istheholylifelivedundertheBlessed One? Yes,myfriend. AndistheholylifelivedundertheBlessedOneforthesakeofpurityin termsofvirtue?[2] No,myfriend. ThenistheholylifelivedundertheBlessedOneforthesakeofpurityin termsofmind[concentration]? No,myfriend. ThenistheholylifelivedundertheBlessedOneforthesakeofpurityin termsofview? No,myfriend. ThenistheholylifelivedundertheBlessedOneforthesakeofpurityin termsoftheovercomingofperplexity? No,myfriend. ThenistheholylifelivedundertheBlessedOneforthesakeofpurityin termsofknowledge&visionofwhatis&isnotthepath? No,myfriend. ThenistheholylifelivedundertheBlessedOneforthesakeofpurityin termsofknowledge&visionoftheway? No,myfriend. ThenistheholylifelivedundertheBlessedOneforthesakeofpurityin termsofknowledge&vision? No,myfriend. WhenaskediftheholylifeislivedundertheBlessedOneforthesakeof purityintermsofvirtue,yousay,No,myfriend.Whenaskediftheholylife islivedundertheBlessedOneforthesakeofpurityintermsofmindview theovercomingofperplexityknowledge&visionofwhatis&isnotthepath knowledge&visionofthewayknowledge&vision,yousay,No,my friend.Forthesakeofwhat,then,myfriend,istheholylifelivedunderthe BlessedOne? TheholylifeislivedundertheBlessedOne,myfriend,forthesakeoftotal Unbindingthroughlackofclinging.[3] ButispurityintermsofvirtuetotalUnbindingthroughlackofclinging? No,myfriend.

4 Thenispurityintermsofmindviewtheovercomingofperplexity knowledge&visionofwhatis&isnotthepathknowledge&visionofthe wayknowledge&visiontotalUnbindingthroughlackofclinging? No,myfriend. ThenistotalUnbindingthroughlackofclingingsomethingapartfrom thesequalities? No,myfriend. Whenaskedifpurityintermsofvirtuemindviewtheovercomingof perplexityknowledge&visionofwhatis&isnotthepathknowledge& visionofthewayknowledge&visionistotalUnbindingthroughlackof clinging,yousay,No,myfriend.ButwhenaskediftotalUnbindingthrough lackofclingingissomethingapartfromthesequalities,yousay,No,my friend.Nowhow,myfriend,isthemeaningofthesestatementstobe understood? IftheBlessedOnehaddescribedpurityintermsofvirtueastotal Unbindingthroughlackofclinging,myfriend,thenhewouldhavedefined somethingstillaccompaniedbyclingingastotalUnbindingthroughlackof clinging.Ifhehaddescribedpurityintermsofmindviewtheovercomingof perplexityknowledge&visionofwhatis&isnotthepathknowledge& visionofthewayknowledge&visionastotalUnbindingthroughlackof clinging,thenhewouldhavedefinedsomethingstillaccompaniedbyclingingas totalUnbindingthroughlackofclinging.ButiftotalUnbindingthroughlackof clingingwereapartfromthesequalities,thenarunofthemillpersonwouldbe totallyunbound,inasmuchasarunofthemillpersonisapartfromthese qualities. So,myfriend,Iwillgiveyouananalogy,fortherearecaseswhereits throughanalogiesthatknowledgeablepeoplecanunderstandthemeaningof whatisbeingsaid.SupposethatwhileKingPasenadiKosalawasstayingat Savatthi,someurgentbusinessweretoariseatSaketa;andthatbetweenSavatthi andSaketasevenrelaychariotsweremadereadyforhim.Comingoutthedoor oftheinnerpalaceinSavatthi,hewouldgetinthefirstrelaychariot.Bymeansof thefirstrelaychariothewouldreachthesecondrelaychariot.Gettingoutofthe firstrelaychariothewouldgetinthesecondrelaychariot.Bymeansofthe secondrelaychariothewouldreachthethirdbymeansofthethirdhewould reachthefourthbymeansofthefourth,thefifthbymeansofthefifth,the sixthbymeansofthesixthhewouldreachtheseventhrelaychariot.Getting outofthesixthrelaychariothewouldgetintheseventhrelaychariot.Bymeans

5 oftheseventhrelaychariothewouldfinallyarriveatthedooroftheinnerpalace atSaketa.Ashearrivedthere,hisfriends&companions,relatives&kinwould askhim,Greatking,didyoucomefromSavatthitothedooroftheinnerpalace inSaketabymeansofthischariot?Answeringinwhatway,myfriend,would KingPasenadiKosalaanswerthemcorrectly? Answeringinthisway,myfriend,hewouldanswerthemcorrectly:Just now,asIwasstayingatSavatthi,someurgentbusinessaroseatSaketa;and betweenSavatthiandSaketasevenrelaychariotsweremadereadyforme. ComingoutthedooroftheinnerpalaceinSavatthi,Igotinthefirstrelay chariot.BymeansofthefirstrelaychariotIreachedthesecondrelaychariot. GettingoutofthefirstrelaychariotIgotinthesecondrelaychariot.Bymeansof thesecondrelaychariotIreachedthethirdbymeansofthethirdIreachedthe fourthbymeansofthefourth,thefifthbymeansofthefifth,thesixthby meansofthesixthIreachedtheseventhrelaychariot.Gettingoutofthesixth relaychariotIgotintheseventhrelaychariot.Bymeansoftheseventhrelay chariotIfinallyarrivedatthedooroftheinnerpalaceatSaketa.Answeringin thisway,hewouldanswerthemcorrectly. Inthesameway,myfriend,purityintermsofvirtueissimplyforthesake ofpurityintermsofmind.Purityintermsofmindissimplyforthesakeof purityintermsofview.Purityintermsofviewissimplyforthesakeofpurityin termsoftheovercomingofperplexity.Purityintermsoftheovercomingof perplexityissimplyforthesakeofpurityintermsofknowledge&visionof whatis&isnotthepath.Purityintermsofknowledge&visionofwhatis&is notthepathissimplyforthesakeofpurityintermsofknowledge&visionof theway.Purityintermsofknowledge&visionofthewayissimplyforthesake ofpurityintermsofknowledge&vision.Purityintermsofknowledge&vision issimplyforthesakeoftotalUnbindingthroughlackofclinging.Anditsfor thesakeoftotalUnbindingthroughlackofclingingthattheholylifeislived undertheBlessedOne. Whenthiswassaid,Ven.SariputtasaidtoVen.PunnaMantaniputta:What isyourname,friend,andhowdoyourcompanionsintheholylifeknowyou? MynameisPunna,friend,andmycompanionsintheholylifeknowmeas Mantaniputta. Howamazing,myfriend,howastounding,thatVen.PunnaMantaniputta hasansweredpointbypointwithprofound,profounddiscernmentinthe mannerofalearneddisciplewhohasrightlyunderstoodtheTeachers message!Itsagain,agreatgain,foranyofhiscompanionsintheholylifewho

6 gettoseehimandvisitwithhim.Eveniftheyhadtocarryhimaroundona cushionplacedontopoftheirheadsinordertoseehimandvisitwithhim,it wouldbeagainforthem,agreatgain.AndthefactthatIhavegottentoseehim andvisitwithhimhasbeenagain,agreatgainforme. Whenthiswassaid,Ven.PunnasaidtoVen.Sariputta:Andwhatisyour name,friend,andhowdoyourcompanionsintheholylifeknowyou? MynameisUpatissa,friend,andmycompanionsintheholylifeknowme asSariputta. What?IvebeentalkingwiththedisciplewhoisliketheTeacherhimself withoutknowingthatitisVen.Sariputta?HadIknownitwasVen.Sariputta,I wouldnthaveansweredatsuchlength.Howamazing,myfriend,how astounding,thatVen.Sariputtahasquestionedpointbypointwithprofound, profounddiscernmentinthemannerofalearneddisciplewhohasrightly understoodtheTeachersmessage!Itsagain,agreatgain,foranyofhis companionsintheholylifewhogettoseehimandvisitwithhim.Evenifthey hadtocarryhimaroundonacushionplacedontopoftheirheadsinordertosee himandvisitwithhim,itwouldbeagainforthem,agreatgain.Andthefact thatIhavegottentoseehimandvisitwithhimhasbeenagain,agreatgainfor me. Inthiswaydidbothgreatbeingsrejoiceineachothersgoodwords. [Seealso:SnIV.9]

NOTES [1]SeeANX.69 [2]Ven.SariputtaandVen.Punnaspeakofthislistofsevenpuritiespurityin termsofvirtue,mind,view,theovercomingofperplexity,knowledge&visionof whatis&isnotthepath,knowledge&visionoftheway,andknowledge& visionasifitwereateachingfamiliartobothofthem,andyetnowhereelseisit mentionedasaBuddhistteachinginthediscourses.TheAtthakaVagga(SnIV), however,mentionsvariousnonBuddhistsectarianswhospokeofpurityasthe goaloftheirteachingandwhovariouslydefinedthatpurityintermsofvirtue, view,knowledge,&practice.Perhapstheseventypesofpuritylistedinthis discoursewereoriginallynonBuddhistteachingsthatwereadoptedbytheearly Buddhistcommunityandadaptedtotheirownpurposeforshowingthatthese

7 sevenformsofpurityfunctionednotasagoalofpracticebutasstagesalongthe pathtothatgoal.Atanyrate,thislistofthesevenpuritiesformedtheframework forBuddhaghosasVisuddhimagga(ThePathofPurity),thecornerstoneofhisPali commentaries,inwhichthesevenpuritiescoverallthreepartsofthethreefold traininginvirtue,concentration,&discernment. [3]Anupadaparinibbana.TheCommentarygivestwointerpretationsofthis term,bothofthemequatinganupadawithanupadana(withoutupadana).The first,takingupadanaasclinging,istotalUnbindingthroughlackofclinging. This,itsays,referstothefactthattotalUnbindingfollowsonthefruitof arahantship,whichisdevoidofclinging.Theothermeaning,takingupadanaas sustenance,istotalUnbindingwithnosustenance.This,itsays,referstothefact thattotalUnbindingisindependentofanycondition.Foranexplanationofthese meaningsofthewordupadana,seeTheMindLikeFireUnbound,chapter3.

TheLongerDiscoursetoSaccaka(Excerpt) MahaSaccakaSutta(MajjhimaNikaya36) [TheBuddhaisspeakingtoSaccakaAggivessana] BeforemyAwakening,whenIwasstillanunawakenedBodhisatta,the thoughtoccurredtome:Householdlifeisconfining,adustypath.Lifegone forthistheopenair.Itisnteasy,livinginahome,topracticetheholylife totallyperfect,totallypure,apolishedshell.WhatifI,havingshavedoffmyhair &beardandputtingontheochrerobe,weretogoforthfromthehouseholdlife intohomelessness? Soatalatertime,whenIwasstillyoung,blackhaired,endowedwiththe blessingsofyouthinthefirststageoflife,havingshavedoffmyhair& beardthoughmyparentswishedotherwiseandweregrievingwithtearson theirfacesIputontheochrerobeandwentforthfromthehomelifeinto homelessness. Havinggoneforthinsearchofwhatmightbeskillful,seekingthe unexcelledstateofsublimepeace,IwenttoAlaraKalamaand,onarrival,saidto him:FriendKalama,Iwanttopracticeinthisdoctrine&discipline. Whenthiswassaid,herepliedtome,Youmaystayhere,myfriend.This doctrineissuchthatawisepersoncansoonenter&dwellinhisownteachers knowledge,havingrealizeditforhimselfthroughdirectknowledge. ItwasnotlongbeforeIquicklylearnedthedoctrine.Asfarasmerelip reciting&repetition,Icouldspeakthewordsofknowledge,thewordsofthe elders,andIcouldaffirmthatIknew&sawI,alongwithothers. Ithought:ItisntthroughmereconvictionalonethatAlaraKalama declares,Ihaveentered&dwellinthisDhamma,havingrealizeditformyself throughdirectknowledge.Certainlyhedwellsknowing&seeingthis Dhamma.SoIwenttohimandsaid,Towhatextentdoyoudeclarethatyou haveentered&dwellinthisDhamma?Whenthiswassaid,hedeclaredthe dimensionofnothingness. Ithought:NotonlydoesAlaraKalamahaveconviction,persistence, mindfulness,concentration,&discernment.I,too,haveconviction,persistence, mindfulness,concentration,&discernment.WhatifIweretoendeavortorealize formyselftheDhammathatAlaraKalamadeclareshehasentered&dwellsin, havingrealizeditforhimselfthroughdirectknowledge.Soitwasnotlong

9 beforeIquicklyentered&dwelledinthatDhamma,havingrealizeditformyself throughdirectknowledge.Iwenttohimandsaid,FriendKalama,isthisthe extenttowhichyouhaveentered&dwellinthisDhamma,havingrealizeditfor yourselfthroughdirectknowledge? Yes,myfriend.... This,friend,istheextenttowhichI,too,haveentered&dwellinthis Dhamma,havingrealizeditformyselfthroughdirectknowledge. Itisagainforus,myfriend,agreatgainforus,thatwehavesucha companionintheholylife.SotheDhammaIdeclareIhaveentered&dwellin, havingrealizeditformyselfthroughdirectknowledge,istheDhammayou declareyouhaveentered&dwellin,havingrealizeditforyourselfthrough directknowledge.AndtheDhammayoudeclareyouhaveentered&dwellin, havingrealizeditforyourselfthroughdirectknowledge,istheDhammaI declareIhaveentered&dwellin,havingrealizeditformyselfthroughdirect knowledge.TheDhammaIknowistheDhammayouknow;theDhammayou knowistheDhammaIknow.AsIam,soareyou;asyouare,soamI.Come friend,letusnowleadthiscommunitytogether. InthiswaydidAlaraKalama,myteacher,placeme,hispupil,onthesame levelwithhimselfandpaymegreathonor.Butthethoughtoccurredtome, ThisDhammaleadsnottodisenchantment,todispassion,tocessation,to stilling,todirectknowledge,toAwakening,nortoUnbinding,butonlyto reappearanceinthedimensionofnothingness.So,dissatisfiedwiththat Dhamma,Ileft. Insearchofwhatmightbeskillful,seekingtheunexcelledstateofsublime peace,IwenttoUddakaRamaputtaand,onarrival,saidtohim:Friend Uddaka,Iwanttopracticeinthisdoctrine&discipline. Whenthiswassaid,herepliedtome,Youmaystayhere,myfriend.This doctrineissuchthatawisepersoncansoonenter&dwellinhisownteachers knowledge,havingrealizeditforhimselfthroughdirectknowledge. ItwasnotlongbeforeIquicklylearnedthedoctrine.Asfarasmerelip reciting&repetition,Icouldspeakthewordsofknowledge,thewordsofthe elders,andIcouldaffirmthatIknew&sawI,alongwithothers. Ithought:ItwasntthroughmereconvictionalonethatRamadeclared, Ihaveentered&dwellinthisDhamma,havingrealizeditformyselfthrough directknowledge.Certainlyhedwelledknowing&seeingthisDhamma.SoI wenttoUddakaandsaid,TowhatextentdidRamadeclarethathehadentered

10 &dwelledinthisDhamma?Whenthiswassaid,Uddakadeclaredthe dimensionofneitherperceptionnornonperception. Ithought:NotonlydidRamahaveconviction,persistence,mindfulness, concentration,&discernment.I,too,haveconviction,persistence,mindfulness, concentration,&discernment.WhatifIweretoendeavortorealizeformyself theDhammathatRamadeclaredheentered&dwelledin,havingrealizeditfor himselfthroughdirectknowledge.SoitwasnotlongbeforeIquicklyentered &dwelledinthatDhamma,havingrealizeditformyselfthroughdirect knowledge.IwenttoUddakaandsaid,FriendUddaka,isthistheextentto whichRamaentered&dwelledinthisDhamma,havingrealizeditforhimself throughdirectknowledge? Yes,myfriend.... This,friend,istheextenttowhichI,too,haveentered&dwellinthis Dhamma,havingrealizeditformyselfthroughdirectknowledge. Itisagainforus,myfriend,agreatgainforus,thatwehavesucha companionintheholylife.SotheDhammaRamadeclaredheentered&dwelled in,havingrealizeditforhimselfthroughdirectknowledge,istheDhammayou declareyouhaveentered&dwellin,havingrealizeditforyourselfthrough directknowledge.AndtheDhammayoudeclareyouhaveentered&dwellin, havingrealizeditforyourselfthroughdirectknowledge,istheDhammaRama declaredheentered&dwelledin,havingrealizeditforhimselfthroughdirect knowledge.TheDhammaheknewistheDhammayouknow;theDhammayou knowistheDhammaheknew.Ashewas,soareyou;asyouare,sowashe. Comefriend,leadthiscommunity. InthiswaydidUddakaRamaputta,mycompanionintheholylife,placeme inthepositionofteacherandpaymegreathonor.Butthethoughtoccurredto me,ThisDhammaleadsnottodisenchantment,todispassion,tocessation,to stilling,todirectknowledge,toAwakening,nortoUnbinding,butonlyto reappearanceinthedimensionofneitherperceptionnornonperception.So, dissatisfiedwiththatDhamma,Ileft. Insearchofwhatmightbeskillful,seekingtheunexcelledstateofsublime peace,IwanderedbystagesintheMagadhancountryandcametothemilitary townofUruvela.ThereIsawsomedelightfulcountryside,withaninspiring forestgrove,aclearflowingriverwithfine,delightfulbanks,andvillagesfor almsgoingonallsides.Thethoughtoccurredtome:Howdelightfulisthis countryside,withitsinspiringforestgrove,clearflowingriverwithfine, delightfulbanks,andvillagesforalmsgoingonallsides.Thisisjustrightforthe

11 strivingofaclansmanintentonstriving.SoIsatdownrightthere,thinking, Thisisjustrightforstriving. Thenthesethreesimilesspontaneous,neverbeforeheardappearedtome. Supposetherewereawet,sappypieceoftimberlyinginthewater,andaman weretocomealongwithanupperfirestick,thinking,Illlightafire.Ill produceheat.Nowwhatdoyouthink?Wouldhebeabletolightafireand produceheatbyrubbingtheupperfirestickinthewet,sappytimberlyinginthe water? No,MasterGotama.Whyisthat?Becausethetimberiswet&sappy,and besidesitislyinginthewater.Eventuallythemanwouldreaponlyhisshareof weariness&disappointment. Soitiswithanypriestorcontemplativewhodoesnotlivewithdrawnfrom sensualityinbody&mind,andwhosedesire,infatuation,urge,thirst,&fever forsensualityisnotrelinquished&stilledwithinhim:Whetherornothefeels painful,racking,piercingfeelingsduetohisstriving[forAwakening],heis incapableofknowledge,vision,&unexcelledselfawakening.Thiswasthefirst similespontaneous,neverbeforeheardthatappearedtome. Thenasecondsimilespontaneous,neverbeforeheardappearedtome. Supposetherewereawet,sappypieceoftimberlyingonlandfarfromwater, andamanweretocomealongwithanupperfirestick,thinking,Illlighta fire.Illproduceheat.Nowwhatdoyouthink?Wouldhebeabletolighta fireandproduceheatbyrubbingtheupperfirestickinthewet,sappytimber lyingonlandfarfromwater? No,MasterGotama.Whyisthat?Becausethetimberiswet&sappy,even thoughitislyingonlandfarfromwater.Eventuallythemanwouldreaponly hisshareofweariness&disappointment. Soitiswithanypriestorcontemplativewholiveswithdrawnfrom sensualityinbodyonly,butwhosedesire,infatuation,urge,thirst,&feverfor sensualityisnotrelinquished&stilledwithinhim:Whetherornothefeels painful,racking,piercingfeelingsduetohisstriving,heisincapableof knowledge,vision,&unexcelledselfawakening.Thiswasthesecond similespontaneous,neverbeforeheardthatappearedtome. Thenathirdsimilespontaneous,neverbeforeheardappearedtome. Supposetherewereadry,saplesspieceoftimberlyingonlandfarfromwater, andamanweretocomealongwithanupperfirestick,thinking,Illlighta fire.Illproduceheat.Nowwhatdoyouthink?Wouldhebeabletolighta

12 fireandproduceheatbyrubbingtheupperfirestickinthedry,saplesstimber lyingonland? Yes,MasterGotama.Whyisthat?Becausethetimberisdry&sapless,and besidesitislyingonlandfarfromwater. Soitiswithanypriestorcontemplativewholiveswithdrawnfrom sensualityinbody&mind,andwhosedesire,infatuation,urge,thirst,&fever forsensualityisrelinquished&stilledwithinhim:Whetherornothefeels painful,racking,piercingfeelingsduetohisstriving,heiscapableofknowledge, vision,&unexcelledselfawakening.Thiswasthethirdsimilespontaneous, neverbeforeheardthatappearedtome. Ithought:SupposethatI,clenchingmyteethandpressingmytongue againsttheroofofmymouth,weretobeatdown,constrain,&crushmymind withmyawareness.So,clenchingmyteethandpressingmytongueagainstthe roofofmymouth,Ibeatdown,constrained,&crushedbymindwithmy awareness.Justasastrongman,seizingaweakermanbytheheadorthethroat ortheshoulders,wouldbeathimdown,constrain,&crushhim,inthesameway Ibeatdown,constrained,&crushedmymindwithmyawareness.AsIdidso, sweatpouredfrommyarmpits.Andalthoughtirelesspersistencewasarousedin me,andunmuddledmindfulnessestablished,mybodywasaroused&uncalm becauseofthepainfulexertion.Butthepainfulfeelingthataroseinthiswaydid notinvademymindorremain. Ithought:SupposeIweretobecomeabsorbedinthetranceofnon breathing.SoIstoppedtheinbreaths&outbreathsinmynose&mouth.AsI didso,therewasaloudroaringofwindscomingoutmyearholes,justlikethe loudroarofwindscomingoutofasmithsbellows....SoIstoppedthein breaths&outbreathsinmynose&mouth&ears.AsIdidso,extremeforces slicedthroughmyhead,justasifastrongmanwereslicingmyheadopenwitha sharpsword....Extremepainsaroseinmyhead,justasifastrongmanwere tighteningaturbanmadeoftoughleatherstrapsaroundmyhead....Extreme forcescarvedupmystomachcavity,justasifabutcherorhisapprenticewereto carveupthestomachcavityofanox....Therewasanextremeburninginmy body,justasiftwostrongmen,grabbingaweakermanbythearms,wereto roast&broilhimoverapitofhotembers.Andalthoughtirelesspersistencewas arousedinme,andunmuddledmindfulnessestablished,mybodywasaroused &uncalmbecauseofthepainfulexertion.Butthepainfulfeelingthatarosein thiswaydidnotinvademymindorremain.

13 Devas,onseeingme,said,Gotamathecontemplativeisdead.Other devassaid,Heisntdead,hesdying.Otherssaid,Hesneitherdeadnor dying,hesanarahant,forthisisthewayarahantslive. Ithought:SupposeIweretopracticegoingaltogetherwithoutfood. Thendevascametomeandsaid,Dearsir,pleasedontpracticegoing altogetherwithoutfood.Ifyougoaltogetherwithoutfood,wellinfusedivine nourishmentinthroughyourpores,andyouwillsurviveonthat.Ithought, IfIweretoclaimtobecompletelyfastingwhilethesedevasareinfusingdivine nourishmentinthroughmypores,Iwouldbelying.SoIdismissedthem, saying,Enough. Ithought:SupposeIweretotakeonlyalittlefoodatatime,onlyahandful atatimeofbeansoup,lentilsoup,vetchsoup,orpeasoup.SoItookonlya littlefoodatatime,onlyahandfulatatimeofbeansoup,lentilsoup,vetch soup,orpeasoup.Mybodybecameextremelyemaciated.Simplyfrommy eatingsolittle,mylimbsbecamelikethejointedsegmentsofvinestemsor bamboostems....Mybacksidebecamelikeacamelshoof....Myspinestood outlikeastringofbeads....Myribsjuttedoutlikethejuttingraftersofanold, rundownbarn....Thegleamofmyeyesappearedtobesunkdeepinmyeye socketslikethegleamofwaterdeepinawell....Myscalpshriveled&withered likeagreenbittergourd,shriveled&witheredintheheat&thewind....Theskin ofmybellybecamesostucktomyspinethatwhenIthoughtoftouchingmy belly,Igrabbedholdofmyspineaswell;andwhenIthoughtoftouchingmy spine,Igrabbedholdoftheskinofmybellyaswell....IfIurinatedordefecated, Ifelloveronmyfacerightthere....Simplyfrommyeatingsolittle,ifItriedto easemybodybyrubbingmylimbswithmyhands,thehairrottedatits rootsfellfrommybodyasIrubbed,simplyfromeatingsolittle. Peopleonseeingmewouldsay,Gotamathecontemplativeisblack.Other peoplewouldsay,Gotamathecontemplativeisntblack,hesbrown. Otherswouldsay,Gotamathecontemplativeisneitherblacknorbrown,hes goldenskinned.Somuchhadtheclear,brightcolorofmyskindeteriorated, simplyfromeatingsolittle. Ithought:Whateverpriestsorcontemplativesinthepasthavefeltpainful, racking,piercingfeelingsduetotheirstriving,thisistheutmost.Nonehavebeen greaterthanthis.Whateverpriestsorcontemplativesinthefuturewillfeel painful,racking,piercingfeelingsduetotheirstriving,thisistheutmost.None willbegreaterthanthis.Whateverpriestsorcontemplativesinthepresentare feelingpainful,racking,piercingfeelingsduetotheirstriving,thisistheutmost.

14 Noneisgreaterthanthis.ButwiththisrackingpracticeofausteritiesIhavent attainedanysuperiorhumanstate,anydistinctioninknowledgeorvision worthyofthenobleones.CouldtherebeanotherpathtoAwakening? Ithought:Irecallonce,whenmyfathertheSakyanwasworking,andI wassittinginthecoolshadeofaroseappletree,thenquitewithdrawnfrom sensuality,withdrawnfromunskillfulmentalqualitiesIentered&remainedin thefirstjhana:rapture&pleasurebornfromwithdrawal,accompaniedby directedthought&evaluation.CouldthatbethepathtoAwakening?Then, followingonthatmemory,cametherealization:ThatisthepathtoAwakening. Ithought:SowhyamIafraidofthatpleasurethathasnothingtodowith sensuality,nothingtodowithunskillfulmentalqualities?Ithought:Iamno longerafraidofthatpleasurethathasnothingtodowithsensuality,nothingto dowithunskillfulmentalqualities,butthatpleasureisnoteasytoachievewitha bodysoextremelyemaciated.SupposeIweretotakesomesolidfood:somerice &porridge.SoItooksomesolidfood:somerice&porridge.Nowfivemonks hadbeenattendingonme,thinking,IfGotama,ourcontemplative,achieves somehigherstate,hewilltellus.Butwhentheysawmetakingsomesolid foodsomerice&porridgetheyweredisgustedandleftme,thinking, Gotamathecontemplativeislivingluxuriously.Hehasabandonedhisexertion andisbackslidingintoabundance. SowhenIhadtakensolidfoodandregainedstrength,thenquite withdrawnfromsensuality,withdrawnfromunskillfulmentalqualities,I entered&remainedinthefirstjhana:rapture&pleasurebornfromwithdrawal, accompaniedbydirectedthought&evaluation.Butthepleasantfeelingthat aroseinthiswaydidnotinvademymindorremain.Withthestillingofdirected thought&evaluation,Ientered&remainedinthesecondjhana:rapture& pleasurebornofcomposure,unificationofawarenessfreefromdirectedthought &evaluationinternalassurance.Butthepleasantfeelingthataroseinthisway didnotinvademymindorremain.WiththefadingofraptureIremainedin equanimity,mindful&alert,andphysicallysensitiveofpleasure.Ientered& remainedinthethirdjhana,ofwhichtheNobleOnesdeclare,Equanimous& mindful,hehasapleasurableabiding.Butthepleasantfeelingthataroseinthis waydidnotinvademymindorremain.Withtheabandoningofpleasure& painaswiththeearlierdisappearanceofelation&distressIentered& remainedinthefourthjhana:purityofequanimity&mindfulness,neither pleasurenorpain.Butthepleasantfeelingthataroseinthiswaydidnotinvade mymindorremain.

15 Whenthemindwasthusconcentrated,purified,bright,unblemished,ridof defilement,pliant,malleable,steady,&attainedtoimperturbability,Idirectedit totheknowledgeofrecollectingmypastlives.Irecollectedmymanifoldpast lives,i.e.,onebirth,two...five,ten...fifty,ahundred,athousand,ahundred thousand,manyeonsofcosmiccontraction,manyeonsofcosmicexpansion, manyeonsofcosmiccontraction&expansion:ThereIhadsuchaname, belongedtosuchaclan,hadsuchanappearance.Suchwasmyfood,suchmy experienceofpleasure&pain,suchtheendofmylife.Passingawayfromthat state,Irearosethere.TheretooIhadsuchaname,belongedtosuchaclan,had suchanappearance.Suchwasmyfood,suchmyexperienceofpleasure&pain, suchtheendofmylife.Passingawayfromthatstate,Irearosehere.ThusI rememberedmymanifoldpastlivesintheirmodes&details. ThiswasthefirstknowledgeIattainedinthefirstwatchofthenight. Ignorancewasdestroyed;knowledgearose;darknesswasdestroyed;light aroseashappensinonewhoisheedful,ardent,&resolute.Butthepleasant feelingthataroseinthiswaydidnotinvademymindorremain. Whenthemindwasthusconcentrated,purified,bright,unblemished,ridof defilement,pliant,malleable,steady,&attainedtoimperturbability,Idirectedit totheknowledgeofthepassingaway&reappearanceofbeings.Isawby meansofthedivineeye,purified&surpassingthehumanbeingspassingaway &reappearing,andIdiscernedhowtheyareinferior&superior,beautiful& ugly,fortunate&unfortunateinaccordancewiththeirkamma:These beingswhowereendowedwithbadconductofbody,speech,&mind,who reviledthenobleones,heldwrongviewsandundertookactionsunderthe influenceofwrongviewswiththebreakupofthebody,afterdeath,havere appearedintheplaneofdeprivation,thebaddestination,thelowerrealms,in hell.Butthesebeingswhowereendowedwithgoodconductofbody,speech& mind,whodidnotrevilethenobleones,whoheldrightviewsandundertook actionsundertheinfluenceofrightviewswiththebreakupofthebody,after death,havereappearedinthegooddestinations,intheheavenlyworld. Thusbymeansofthedivineeye,purified&surpassingthehumanIsaw beingspassingaway&reappearing,andIdiscernedhowtheyareinferior& superior,beautiful&ugly,fortunate&unfortunateinaccordancewiththeir kamma. ThiswasthesecondknowledgeIattainedinthesecondwatchofthenight. Ignorancewasdestroyed;knowledgearose;darknesswasdestroyed;light

16 aroseashappensinonewhoisheedful,ardent,&resolute.Butthepleasant feelingthataroseinthiswaydidnotinvademymindorremain. Whenthemindwasthusconcentrated,purified,bright,unblemished,ridof defilement,pliant,malleable,steady,&attainedtoimperturbability,Idirectedit totheknowledgeoftheendingofthementalfermentations.Idiscerned,asitwas actuallypresent,thatThisisstress...Thisistheoriginationofstress...Thisis thecessationofstress...Thisisthewayleadingtothecessationofstress...These arefermentations...Thisistheoriginationoffermentations...Thisisthe cessationoffermentations...Thisisthewayleadingtothecessationof fermentations.Myheart,thusknowing,thusseeing,wasreleasedfromthe fermentationofsensuality,releasedfromthefermentationofbecoming,released fromthefermentationofignorance.Withrelease,therewastheknowledge, Released.IdiscernedthatBirthisended,theholylifefulfilled,thetask done.Thereisnothingfurtherforthisworld. ThiswasthethirdknowledgeIattainedinthethirdwatchofthenight. Ignorancewasdestroyed;knowledgearose;darknesswasdestroyed;light aroseashappensinonewhoisheedful,ardent,&resolute.Butthepleasant feelingthataroseinthiswaydidnotinvademymindorremain.

17

TheShorterSetofQuestions&Answers CulavedallaSutta(MajjhimaNikaya44) TheBuddhapraisedDhammadinnathenunastheforemostDhammateacheramong hisnundisciples.Inthisdiscoursesheanswersquestionsputtoherbya laymanVisakhawho,accordingtothecommentary,washerformerhusband,a merchantofRajagaha,andanonreturner. IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearRajagahain theBambooGrove,theSquirrelsSanctuary.ThenVisakhathelayfollower wenttoDhammadinnathenunand,onarrival,havingboweddowntoher,sat tooneside.Ashewassittingtherehesaidtoher,Selfidentification.Self identification,itissaid,lady.Whichselfidentificationisdescribedbythe BlessedOne? Therearethesefiveclingingaggregates,friendVisakha:formasaclinging aggregate,feelingasaclingingaggregate,perceptionasaclingingaggregate, fabricationsasaclingingaggregate,consciousnessasaclingingaggregate.These fiveclingingaggregatesaretheselfidentificationdescribedbytheBlessed One. Saying,Yes,lady,Visakhathelayfollowerdelighted&rejoicedinwhat Dhammadinnathenunhadsaid.Thenheaskedherafurtherquestion:The originationofselfidentification,theoriginationofselfidentification,itissaid, lady.WhichoriginationofselfidentificationisdescribedbytheBlessedOne? Thecravingthatmakesforfurtherbecomingaccompaniedbypassion& delight,relishingnowhere&nowtherei.e.,cravingforsensualpleasure, cravingforbecoming,cravingfornonbecoming:This,friendVisakha,isthe originationofselfidentificationdescribedbytheBlessedOne. Thecessationofselfidentification,thecessationofselfidentification,it issaid,lady.WhichcessationofselfidentificationisdescribedbytheBlessed One? Theremainderlessfading&cessation,renunciation,relinquishment, release,&lettinggoofthatverycraving:This,friendVisakha,isthecessationof selfidentificationdescribedbytheBlessedOne. Thewayofpracticeleadingtothecessationofselfidentification,theway ofpracticeleadingtothecessationofselfidentification,itissaid,lady.Which

18 wayofpracticeleadingtothecessationofselfidentificationisdescribedbythe BlessedOne? Preciselythisnobleeightfoldpathrightview,rightresolve,rightspeech, rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration: This,friendVisakha,isthewayofpracticeleadingtothecessationofself identificationdescribedbytheBlessedOne. Isitthecase,lady,thatclingingisthesamethingasthefiveclinging aggregatesorisitsomethingseparate? FriendVisakha,neitherisclingingthesamethingasthefiveclinging aggregates,norisitsomethingseparate.Whateverdesire&passionthereiswith regardtothefiveclingingaggregates,thatistheclingingthere. But,lady,howdoesselfidentificationcomeabout? Thereisthecase,friendVisakha,whereanuninstructed,runofthemill personwhohasnoregardfornobleones,isnotwellversedordisciplinedin theirDhamma;whohasnoregardformenofintegrity,isnotwellversedor disciplinedintheirDhammaassumesform(thebody)tobetheself,ortheself aspossessingform,orformasintheself,ortheselfasinform. Heassumesfeelingtobetheself.... Heassumesperceptiontobetheself.... Heassumes(mental)fabricationstobetheself.... Heassumesconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessing consciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness.This ishowselfidentificationcomesabout. But,lady,howdoesselfidentificationnotcomeabout? Thereisthecasewhereawellinstructeddiscipleofthenobleoneswho hasregardfornobleones,iswellversed&disciplinedintheirDhamma;who hasregardformenofintegrity,iswellversed&disciplinedintheir Dhammadoesnotassumeformtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingform,or formasintheself,ortheselfasinform. Hedoesnotassumefeelingtobetheself.... Hedoesnotassumeperceptiontobetheself.... Hedoesnotassumefabricationstobetheself.... Hedoesnotassumeconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessing consciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness.This ishowselfidentificationdoesnotcomeabout. Now,again,lady,whatisthenobleeightfoldpath?

19 Thisisthenobleeightfoldpath,friendVisakha:rightview,rightresolve, rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,right concentration. Isthenobleeightfoldpathfabricatedorunfabricated? Thenobleeightfoldpathisfabricated. Andarethethreeaggregates[ofvirtue,concentration,&discernment] includedunderthenobleeightfoldpath,lady,oristhenobleeightfoldpath includedunderthethreeaggregates? Thethreeaggregatesarenotincludedunderthenobleeightfoldpath,friend Visakha,butthenobleeightfoldpathisincludedunderthethreeaggregates. Rightspeech,rightaction,&rightlivelihoodcomeundertheaggregateofvirtue. Righteffort,rightmindfulness,&rightconcentrationcomeundertheaggregate ofconcentration.Rightview&rightresolvecomeundertheaggregateof discernment. Nowwhatisconcentration,lady,whatqualitiesareitsthemes,what qualitiesareitsrequisites,andwhatisitsdevelopment? Singlenessofmindisconcentration,friendVisakha;thefourframesof referenceareitsthemes;thefourrightexertionsareitsrequisites;andany cultivation,development,&pursuitofthesequalitiesisitsdevelopment. Now,lady,whatarefabrications? Thesethreefabrications,friendVisakha:bodilyfabrications,verbal fabrications,&mentalfabrications. Butwhatarebodilyfabrications?Whatareverbalfabrications?Whatare mentalfabrications? In&outbreathsarebodilyfabrications.Directedthought&evaluationare verbalfabrications.Perceptions&feelingsarementalfabrications. Butwhyarein&outbreathsbodilyfabrications?Whyaredirectedthought &evaluationverbalfabrications?Whyareperceptions&feelingsmental fabrications? In&outbreathsarebodily;thesearethingstiedupwiththebody.Thats whyin&outbreathsarebodilyfabrications.Havingfirstdirectedones thoughtsandmadeanevaluation,onethenbreaksoutintospeech.Thatswhy directedthought&evaluationareverbalfabrications.Perceptions&feelingsare mental;thesearethingstiedupwiththemind.Thatswhyperceptions& feelingsarementalfabrications. Now,lady,howdoestheattainmentofthecessationofperception&feeling comeabout?

20 Thethoughtdoesnotoccurtoamonkasheisattainingthecessationof perception&feelingthatIamabouttoattainthecessationofperception& feelingorthatIamattainingthecessationofperception&feelingorthatI haveattainedthecessationofperception&feeling.Instead,thewayhismind haspreviouslybeendevelopedleadshimtothatstate. Butwhenamonkisattainingthecessationofperception&feeling,which thingsceasefirst:bodilyfabrications,verbalfabrications,ormentalfabrications? Whenamonkisattainingthecessationofperception&feeling,friend Visakha,verbalfabricationsceasefirst,thenbodilyfabrications,thenmental fabrications.1 Now,lady,howdoesemergencefromthecessationofperception&feeling comeabout? Thethoughtdoesnotoccurtoamonkasheisemergingfromthecessation ofperception&feelingthatIamabouttoemergefromthecessationof perception&feelingorthatIamemergingfromthecessationofperception& feelingorthatIhaveemergedfromthecessationofperception&feeling. Instead,thewayhismindhaspreviouslybeendevelopedleadshimtothat state. Butwhenamonkisemergingfromthecessationofperception&feeling, whichthingsarisefirst:bodilyfabrications,verbalfabrications,ormental fabrications? Whenamonkisattainingthecessationofperception&feeling,friend Visakha,mentalfabricationsarisefirst,thenbodilyfabrications,thenverbal fabrications. Whenamonkhasemergedfromthecessationofperception&feeling,lady, howmanycontactsmakecontact? Whenamonkhasemergedfromthecessationofperception&feeling, friendVisakha,threecontactsmakecontact:contactwithemptiness,contactwith thesignless,&contactwiththeundirected.2 Whenamonkhasemergedfromthecessationofperception&feeling,lady, towhatdoeshismindlean,towhatdoesittend,towhatdoesitincline? Whenamonkhasemergedfromthecessationofperception&feeling, friendVisakha,hismindleanstoseclusion,tendstoseclusion,inclinesto seclusion.3 Now,lady,howmanykindsoffeelingarethere?

21 Thesethreekindsoffeeling:pleasantfeeling,painfulfeeling,&neither pleasantnorpainfulfeeling. Whatispleasantfeeling?Whatispainfulfeeling?Whatisneitherpleasant norpainfulfeeling? Whateverisexperiencedphysicallyormentallyaspleasant&gratifyingis pleasantfeeling.Whateverisexperiencedphysicallyormentallyaspainful& hurtingispainfulfeeling.Whateverisexperiencedphysicallyormentallyas neithergratifyingnorhurtingisneitherpleasantnorpainfulfeeling. Inwhatwayispleasantfeelingpleasant,lady,andinwhatwaypainful? Pleasantfeelingispleasantinremaining,&painfulinchanging,friend Visakha.Painfulfeelingispainfulinremaining&pleasantinchanging.Neither pleasantnorpainfulfeelingispleasantinoccurringtogetherwithknowledge, andpainfulinoccurringwithoutknowledge. Whatobsessiongetsobsessedwithpleasantfeeling?Whatobsessiongets obsessedpainfulfeeling?Whatobsessiongetsobsessedwithneitherpleasant norpainfulfeeling? Passionobsessiongetsobsessedwithpleasantfeeling.Resistanceobsession getsobsessedwithpainfulfeeling.Ignoranceobsessiongetsobsessedwith neitherpleasantnorpainfulfeeling. Doespassionobsessiongetobsessedwithallpleasantfeeling?Does resistanceobsessiongetobsessedwithallpainfulfeeling?Doesignorance obsessiongetobsessedwithallneitherpleasantnorpainfulfeeling? No.... Butwhatistobeabandonedwithregardtopleasantfeeling?Whatistobe abandonedwithregardtopainfulfeeling?Whatistobeabandonedwithregard toneitherpleasantnorpainfulfeeling? Passionobsessionistobeabandonedwithregardtopleasantfeeling. Resistanceobsessionistobeabandonedwithregardtopainfulfeeling. Ignoranceobsessionistobeabandonedwithregardtoneitherpleasantnor painfulfeeling. Ispassionobsessiontobeabandonedwithregardtoallpleasantfeeling?Is resistanceobsessiontobeabandonedwithregardtoallpainfulfeeling?Is ignoranceobsessiontobeabandonedwithregardtoallneitherpleasantnor painfulfeeling? No....Thereisthecasewhereamonkquitewithdrawnfromsensuality, withdrawnfromunskillfulqualitiesenters&remainsinthefirstjhana:rapture &pleasurebornfromwithdrawal,accompaniedbydirectedthought&

22 evaluation.Withthatheabandonspassion.Nopassionobsessiongetsobsessed there.4Thereisthecasewhereamonkconsiders,OwhenwillIenter&remain inthedimensionthatthosewhoarenoblenowenter&remainin?Andashe thusnursesthisyearningfortheunexcelledliberations,thereariseswithinhim sorrowbasedonthatyearning.Withthatheabandonsresistance.Noresistance obsessiongetsobsessedthere.5Thereisthecasewhereamonk,withthe abandoningofpleasure&painaswiththeearlierdisappearanceofelation& distressenters&remainsinthefourthjhana:purityofequanimity& mindfulness,neitherpleasurenorpain.Withthatheabandonsignorance.No ignoranceobsessiongetsobsessedthere.6 Nowwhat,lady,liesontheothersideofpleasantfeeling? Passionliesontheothersideofpleasantfeeling. Andwhatliesontheothersideofpainfulfeeling? Resistanceliesontheothersideofpainfulfeeling. Whatliesontheothersideofneitherpleasantnorpainfulfeeling? Ignoranceliesontheothersideofneitherpleasantnorpainfulfeeling. Whatliesontheothersideofignorance? Clearknowingliesontheothersideofignorance. Whatliesontheothersideofclearknowing? Releaseliesontheothersideofclearknowing. Whatliesontheothersideofrelease? Unbindingliesontheothersideofrelease. WhatliesontheothersideofUnbinding? Youvegonetoofar,friendVisakha.Youcantkeepholdingonuptothe limitofquestions.FortheholylifeplungesintoUnbinding,culminatesin Unbinding,hasUnbindingasitsfinalend.Ifyouwish,gototheBlessedOne andaskhimthemeaningofthesethings.Whateverhesays,thatshowyou shouldrememberit. ThenVisakhathelayfollower,delighting&rejoicinginwhatDhammadinna thenunhadsaid,boweddowntoherand,keepinghertohisright,wenttothe BlessedOne.Onarrival,havingboweddowntotheBlessedOne,hesattoone side.AshewassittingtherehetoldtheBlessedOnethefullextentofthe conversationhehadhadwithDhammadinnathenun.Whenthiswassaid,the BlessedOnesaidtohim,Dhammadinnathenuniswise,Visakha,awomanof greatdiscernment.Ifyouhadaskedmethosethings,Iwouldhaveansweredyou inthesamewayshedid.Thatisthemeaningofthosethings.Thatishowyou shouldrememberit.

23 ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,Visakhathelayfollower delightedintheBlessedOneswords.

NOTES [1]Verbalfabricationgrowsstillonattainingthesecondjhana;bodilyfabrication growsstillonattainingthefourthjhana;mentalfabricationgrowsstillon attainingthecessationofperception&feeling. [2]Emptiness,thesignless,&theundirectedarenamesforastateof concentrationthatliesonthethresholdofUnbinding.Theydifferonlyinhow theyareapproached.Accordingtothecommentary,theycoloronesfirst apprehensionofUnbinding:ameditatorwhohasbeenfocusingonthethemeof inconstancywillfirstapprehendUnbindingassignless;onewhohasbeen focusingonthethemeofstresswillfirstapprehenditasundirected;onewhohas beenfocusingonthethemeofnotselfwillfirstapprehenditasemptiness. [3]Accordingtothecommentary,seclusionherestandsforUnbinding.On emergingfromthecessationofperception&feeling,andhavinghadcontact withemptiness/thesignless/theundirected,themindinclinesnaturallytoa directexperienceofUnbinding. [4]Inotherwords,oncethepleasureofthefirstjhanahasbeenusedasabasisfor givingrisetothediscernmentthatleadstoarahantship,themindhasnofurther passionobsessionwithpleasantfeeling.(Thecommentarysaysthatthisistrueat attainmentofnonreturning,butthismustbeamistake,asnonreturnersarestill subjecttopassionforformandformlessphenomena.) [5]Oncethissorrowhasbeenusedasabasisforgivingrisetothediscernment thatleadstononreturning,themindhasnofurtherresistanceobsessionwith painfulfeeling. [6]Oncethisfeelingofneitherpleasurenorpainhasbeenusedasabasisfor givingrisetothediscernmentthatleadstoarahantship,themindhasnofurther ignoranceobsessionwithfeelingsofneitherpleasurenorpain.

24

TheShorterDiscourseonTakingonPractices CulaDhammasamadanaSutta(MajjhimaNikaya45) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthiin JetasGrove,Anathapindikasmonastery.Thereheaddressedthemonks: Monks! Yes,lord,themonksreplied. Monks,therearethesefourwaysoftakingonpractices.Whichfour?There isthetakingonofapracticethatispleasantinthepresentbutyieldspaininthe future.Thereisthetakingonofapracticethatispainfulinthepresentandyields paininthefuture.Thereisthetakingonofapracticethatispainfulinthe presentbutyieldspleasureinthefuture.Thereisthetakingonofapracticethat ispleasantinthepresentandyieldspleasureinthefuture. Now,whatisthetakingonofapracticethatispleasantinthepresentbut yieldspaininthefuture?Therearesomepriests&contemplativeswhoholdtoa doctrine,aviewlikethis:Thereisnoharminsensualpleasures.Thusthey meetwiththeirdownfallthroughsensualpleasures.Theyconsortwithwomen wandererswhoweartheirhaircoiledinatopknot. Thethoughtoccurstothem:Nowwhatfuturedangerconcerningsensual pleasuresdothose[other]priests&contemplativesforeseethattheyhave spokenoftherelinquishmentofsensualpleasuresanddescribethefull comprehensionofsensualpleasures?Itspleasant,thetouchofthiswoman wandererssoft,tender,downyarm. Thustheymeetwiththeirdownfallthroughsensualpleasures.Then, havingmetwiththeirdownfallthroughsensualpleasures,withthebreakupof thebody,afterdeath,theygotoabadbourn,destitution,therealmofthehungry shades,hell.Theretheyexperiencesharp,burningpains.Theysay:Thiswas thefuturedangerconcerningsensualpleasuresthosepriests&contemplatives foresawthattheyspokeoftherelinquishmentofsensualpleasuresanddescribed thefullcomprehensionofsensualpleasures.Itsbecauseofsensualpleasures, asaresultofsensualpleasures,thatwerenowexperiencingthesesharp, burningpains. Justasifamaluvacreeperpodweretoburstopeninthelastmonthofthe hotseason,andamaluvacreeperseedweretofallatthefootofasalatree.The deitylivinginthetreewouldbecomefrightened,apprehensive,&anxious.Her

25 friends&companions,relatives&kingardendeities,forestdeities,treedeities, deitieslivinginherbs,grass,&forestmonarchswouldgathertogetherto consoleher:Havenofear,havenofear.Inalllikelihoodapeacockissureto swallowthismaluvacreeperseed,oradeerwilleatit,orabrushfirewillburnit up,orwoodsmenwillpickitup,ortermiteswillcarryitoff,andanywayit probablyisntreallyaseed. Andthennopeacockswallowedit,nodeerateit,nobrushfireburnedit up,nowoodsmenpickeditup,notermitescarrieditoff,anditreallywasaseed. Wateredbyarainladencloud,itsproutedinduecourseandcurleditssoft, tender,downytendrilaroundthesalatree. Thethoughtoccurredtothedeitylivinginthesalatree:Nowwhatfuture dangerdidmyfriends&companions,relatives&kingardendeities,forest deities,treedeities,deitieslivinginherbs,grass,&forestmonarchsforeseein thatmaluvacreeperseedthattheygatheredtogethertoconsoleme:Haveno fear,havenofear.Inalllikelihoodapeacockissuretoswallowthismaluva creeperseed,oradeerwilleatit,orabrushfirewillburnitup,orwoodsmen willpickitup,ortermiteswillcarryitoff,andanywayitprobablyisntreallya seed.Itspleasant,thetouchofthismaluvacreeperssoft,tender,downy tendril. Thenthecreeper,havingenwrappedthesalatree,havingmadeacanopy overit,&cascadingdownaroundit,causedthemassivelimbsofthesalatreeto comecrashingdown.Thethoughtoccurredtothedeitylivinginthetree:This wasthefuturedangermyfriends...foresawinthatmaluvacreeperseed,thatthey gatheredtogethertoconsoleme....Itsbecauseofthatmaluvacreeperseedthat Imnowexperiencingsharp,burningpains. Inthesameway,monks,therearesomepriests&contemplativeswhohold toadoctrine,aviewlikethis:Thereisnoharminsensualpleasures.Thus theymeetwiththeirdownfallthroughsensualpleasures.Theyconsortwith womenwandererswhoweartheirhaircoiledinatopknot. Thethoughtoccurstothem:Nowwhatfuturedangerdothose[other] priests&contemplativesforeseethattheyteachtherelinquishment&analysisof sensualpleasures?Itspleasant,thetouchofthiswomanwandererssoft, tender,downyarm. Thustheymeetwiththeirdownfallthroughsensualpleasures.Then,having metwiththeirdownfallthroughsensualpleasures,withthebreakupofthe body,afterdeath,theygotoabadbourn,destitution,therealmofthehungry shades,hell.Theretheyexperiencesharp,burningpains.Theysay:Thiswas

26 thefuturedangerconcerningsensualpleasuresthosepriests&contemplatives foresawthattheyspokeoftherelinquishmentofsensualpleasuresanddescribed thefullcomprehensionofsensualpleasures.Itsbecauseofsensualpleasures, asaresultofsensualpleasures,thatwerenowexperiencingthesesharp, burningpains. Thisiscalledthetakingonofapracticethatispleasantinthepresentbut yieldspaininthefuture. Andwhatisthetakingonofapracticethatispainfulinthepresentand yieldspaininthefuture? Thereisthecasewheresomeoneisaclothless[1]ascetic,rejecting conventions,lickinghishands,notcomingwhenasked,notstayingwhenasked. Hedoesntconsenttofoodbroughttohimorfooddedicatedtohimortoan invitationtoameal.Heacceptsnothingfromthemouthofapotorfromthe mouthofabowl.Heacceptsnothingfromacrossastick,acrossapestle,from twoeatingtogether,fromapregnantwoman,fromanursingwoman,froma womanlyingwithaman,fromafoodcollection,fromwhereadogiswaitingor fliesarebuzzing.Hetakesnofishormeat.Hedrinksnoliquor,wine,or fermenteddrink.Helimitshimselftoonehouse&onemorseladay,ortwo houses&twomorselssevenhouses&sevenmorsels.Helivesononesaucerful aday,twosevensaucerfulsaday.Hetakesfoodonceaday,onceeverytwo daysonceeverysevendays,andsooneuptoafortnight,devotedtoregulating hisintakeoffood.Heisaneaterofgreens,millet,wildrice,hideparings,moss, ricebran,ricescum,sesameflour,grass,orcowdung.Helivesonforestroots& berries.Hefeedsonfallenfruits.Hewearshemp,canvas,shrouds,refuserags, treebark,antelopehide,stripsofantelopehide,kusagrassgarments,bark garments,woodshavinggarments,headhairgarments,animalwool,owls wings.Heisahair&beardpuller,onedevotedtothepracticeofpullingouthis hair&beard.Heisastander,onewhorejectsseats.Heisahandsaroundthe kneessitter,onedevotedtotheexertionofsittingwithhishandsaroundhis knees.Heisaspikemattresser,onewhomakeshisbedonabedofspikes.Heis athirdtimeintheeveningbather,onewhostaysdevotedtothepracticeof bathinginwater.Thusinavarietyofwayshestaysdevotedtothepracticeof tormenting&afflictingthebody.Withthebreakupofthebody,afterdeath,he goestoabadbourn,destitution,therealmofthehungryshades,hell. Thisiscalledthetakingonofapracticethatispainfulinthepresentand yieldspaininthefuture.

27 Andwhatisthetakingonofapracticethatispainfulinthepresentbut yieldspleasureinthefuture?Thereisthecaseofapersonwhoisnormally stronglypassionatebynatureandfrequentlyexperiencespain&griefbornof passion;apersonwhoisnormallystronglyaversivebynatureandfrequently experiencespain&griefbornofaversion;apersonwhoisnormallystrongly deludedbynatureandfrequentlyexperiencespain&griefbornofdelusion. Eventhoughtouchedwithpain&grief,cryingwithatearfulface,helivesthe holylifethatisutterlyperfect,surpassinglypure.Withthebreakupofthebody, afterdeath,hereappearsinthegoodbourn,theheavenlyworld.Thisiscalled thetakingonofapracticethatispainfulinthepresentbutyieldspleasureinthe future. Andwhatisthetakingonofapracticethatispleasantinthepresentand yieldspleasureinthefuture?Thereisthecaseofapersonwhoisnotnormally stronglypassionatebynatureanddoesntfrequentlyexperiencepain&grief bornofpassion;whoisnotnormallystronglyaversivebynatureanddoesnt frequentlyexperiencepain&griefbornofaversion;whoisnotnormallystrongly deludedbynatureanddoesntfrequentlyexperiencepain&griefbornof delusion.Quitewithdrawnfromsensualpleasures,withdrawnfromunskillful (mental)qualities,heenters&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.Withthebreakupofthebody,after death,hereappearsinthegoodbourn,theheavenlyworld.Thisiscalledthe takingonofapracticethatispleasantinthepresentandyieldspleasureinthe future. Andthesearethefourwaysoftakingonpractices. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,themonksdelightedinthe BlessedOneswords.

28 NOTE:[1]Acelaka:Onewithoutcloth.Oftentranslatedasnaked,butas thedescriptionshows,suchapersonmightweargarmentsnotmadeofcloth. [Seealso:ANIV.192]

29

ToPrinceAbhaya AbhayarajakumaraSutta(MajjhimaNikaya58) INTRODUCTION Inthisdiscourse,theBuddhashowsthefactorsthatgointodecidingwhatisandis notworthsaying.Themainfactorsarethree:whetherornotastatementistrue,whether ornotitisbeneficial,andwhetherornotitispleasingtoothers.TheBuddhahimself wouldstateonlythosethingsthataretrueandbeneficial,andwouldhaveasenseoftime forwhenpleasingandunpleasingthingsshouldbesaid.Noticethatthepossibilitythata statementmightbeuntrueyetbeneficialisnotevenentertained. Thisdiscoursealsoshows,inaction,theBuddhasteachingonthefourcategoriesof questionsandhowtheyshouldbeanswered(seeAN.IV.42).Theprinceaskshimtwo questions,andinbothcasesherespondsfirstwithacounterquestion,beforegoingonto giveananalyticalanswertothefirstquestionandacategoricalanswertothesecond. Eachcounterquestionservesadoublefunction:togivetheprinceafamiliarreference pointforunderstandingtheanswerabouttocome,andalsotogivehimachancetospeak ofhisownintelligenceandgoodmotives.Thisprovideshimwiththeopportunitytosave faceafterbeingstymiedinhisdesiretobesttheBuddhainargument.TheCommentary notesthattheprincehadplacedhisinfantsononhislapasacheapdebaterstrick:ifthe Buddhahadputhiminanuncomfortablespotinthedebate,theprincewouldhave pinchedhisson,causinghimtocryandthuseffectivelybringingthedebatetoahalt.The Buddha,however,usestheinfantspresencetoremoveanysenseofadebateandalsoto makeaneffectivepoint.TakingNiganthaNataputtasimageofadangerousobjectstuck inthethroat,heappliesittotheinfant,andthengoesontomakethepointthat,unlike theNiganthaswhowerecontenttoleavesomeonewithapotentiallylethalobjectinthe throattheBuddhasdesireistoremovesuchobjects,outofsympathyandcompassion. Inthisway,hebringstheprinceovertohisside,convertingapotentialopponentintoa disciple. Thusthisdiscourseisnotonlyaboutrightspeech,butalsoshowsrightspeechin action. IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearRajagahain theBambooGrove,theSquirrelsSanctuary.

30 ThenPrinceAbhayawenttoNiganthaNataputtaandonarrival,having boweddowntohim,sattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,NiganthaNataputta saidtohim,Come,now,prince.Refutethewordsofthecontemplative Gotama,andthisadmirablereportaboutyouwillspreadafar:Thewordsof thecontemplativeGotamasomighty,sopowerfulwererefutedbyPrince Abhaya! Buthow,venerablesir,willIrefutethewordsofthecontemplative Gotamasomighty,sopowerful? Comenow,prince.GotothecontemplativeGotamaandonarrivalsay this:Venerablesir,wouldtheTathagatasaywordsthatareunendearing& disagreeabletoothers?IfthecontemplativeGotama,thusasked,answers, TheTathagatawouldsaywordsthatareunendearing&disagreeableto others,thenyoushouldsay,Thenhowisthereanydifferencebetweenyou, venerablesir,andrunofthemillpeople?Forevenrunofthemillpeoplesay wordsthatareunendearing&disagreeabletoothers.Butifthecontemplative Gotama,thusasked,answers,TheTathagatawouldnotsaywordsthatare unendearing&disagreeabletoothers,thenyoushouldsay,Thenhow, venerablesir,didyousayofDevadattathatDevadattaisheadedfor destitution,Devadattaisheadedforhell,Devadattawillboilforaneon, Devadattaisincurable?ForDevadattawasupset&disgruntledatthosewords ofyours.WhenthecontemplativeGotamaisaskedthistwoprongedquestion byyou,hewontbeabletoswallowitdownorspititup.Justasifatwohorned chestnut1werestuckinamansthroat:hewouldnotbeabletoswallowitdown orspititup.Inthesameway,whenthecontemplativeGotamaisaskedthistwo prongedquestionbyyou,hewontbeabletoswallowitdownorspititup. Responding,Asyousay,venerablesir,PrinceAbhayagotupfromhis seat,boweddowntoNiganthaNataputta,circumambulatedhim,andthenwent totheBlessedOne.Onarrival,heboweddowntotheBlessedOneandsattoone side.Ashewassittingthere,heglancedupatthesunandthought,Todayis notthetimetorefutetheBlessedOneswords.TomorrowinmyownhomeI willoverturntheBlessedOneswords.SohesaidtotheBlessedOne,May theBlessedOne,togetherwiththreeothers,acquiescetomyofferoftomorrows meal. TheBlessedOneacquiescedwithsilence. ThenPrinceAbhaya,understandingtheBlessedOnesacquiescence,gotup fromhisseat,boweddowntotheBlessedOne,circumambulatedhim,andleft.

31 Then,afterthenighthadpassed,theBlessedOneearlyinthemorningput onhisrobesand,carryinghisbowlandouterrobe,wenttoPrinceAbhayas home.Onarrival,hesatdownonaseatmadeready.PrinceAbhaya,withhis ownhand,served&satisfiedtheBlessedOnewithfinestaple&nonstaple foods.Then,whentheBlessedOnehadeatenandhadremovedhishandfrom hisbowl,PrinceAbhayatookalowerseatandsatdowntooneside.Ashewas sittingtherehesaidtotheBlessedOne,Venerablesir,wouldtheTathagatasay wordsthatareunendearing&disagreeabletoothers? Prince,thereisnocategoricalyesornoanswertothat. Thenrighthere,venerablesir,theNiganthasaredestroyed. Butprince,whydoyousay,Thenrighthere,venerablesir,theNiganthas aredestroyed? Justyesterday,venerablesir,IwenttoNiganthaNataputtaand...hesaidto me...Comenow,prince.GotothecontemplativeGotamaandonarrivalsay this:Venerablesir,wouldtheTathagatasaywordsthatareunendearing& disagreeabletoothers?....Justasifatwohornedchestnutwerestuckina mansthroat:hewouldnotbeabletoswallowitdownorspititup.Inthesame way,whenthecontemplativeGotamaisaskedthistwoprongedquestionby you,hewontbeabletoswallowitdownorspititup. Nowatthattimeababyboywaslyingfaceupontheprinceslap.Sothe BlessedOnesaidtotheprince,Whatdoyouthink,prince:Ifthisyoungboy, throughyourownnegligenceorthatofthenurse,weretotakeastickorapiece ofgravelintoitsmouth,whatwouldyoudo? Iwouldtakeitout,venerablesir.IfIcouldntgetitoutrightaway,then holdingitsheadinmylefthandandcrookingafingerofmyright,Iwouldtake itout,evenifitmeantdrawingblood.Whyisthat?BecauseIhavesympathyfor theyoungboy. Inthesameway,prince: [1]InthecaseofwordsthattheTathagataknowstobeunfactual,untrue, unbeneficial(or:notconnectedwiththegoal),unendearing&disagreeableto others,hedoesnotsaythem. [2]InthecaseofwordsthattheTathagataknowstobefactual,true, unbeneficial,unendearing&disagreeabletoothers,hedoesnotsaythem. [3]InthecaseofwordsthattheTathagataknowstobefactual,true, beneficial,butunendearing&disagreeabletoothers,hehasasenseoftheproper timeforsayingthem.

32 [4]InthecaseofwordsthattheTathagataknowstobeunfactual,untrue, unbeneficial,butendearing&agreeabletoothers,hedoesnotsaythem. [5]InthecaseofwordsthattheTathagataknowstobefactual,true, unbeneficial,butendearing&agreeabletoothers,hedoesnotsaythem. [6]InthecaseofwordsthattheTathagataknowstobefactual,true, beneficial,andendearing&agreeabletoothers,hehasasenseofthepropertime forsayingthem.Whyisthat?BecausetheTathagatahassympathyforliving beings. Venerablesir,whenwisenoblesorpriests,householdersorcontemplatives, havingformulatedquestions,cometotheTathagataandaskhim,doesthisline ofreasoningappeartohisawarenessbeforehandIfthosewhoapproachme askthis,IthusaskedwillanswerinthiswayordoestheTathagatacome upwiththeansweronthespot? Inthatcase,prince,Iwillaskyouacounterquestion.Answerasyouseefit. Whatdoyouthink:areyouskilledinthepartsofachariot? Yes,venerablesir.Iamskilledinthepartsofachariot. Andwhatdoyouthink:Whenpeoplecome&askyou,Whatisthename ofthispartofthechariot?doesthislineofreasoningappeartoyourawareness beforehandIfthosewhoapproachmeaskthis,Ithusaskedwillanswerin thiswayordoyoucomeupwiththeansweronthespot? Venerablesir,Iamrenownedforbeingskilledinthepartsofachariot.All thepartsofachariotarewellknowntome.Icomeupwiththeansweronthe spot. Inthesameway,prince,whenwisenoblesorpriests,householdersor contemplatives,havingformulatedquestions,cometotheTathagataandask him,hecomesupwiththeansweronthespot.Whyisthat?Becausetheproperty oftheDhammaisthoroughlypenetratedbytheTathagata.Fromhisthorough penetrationofthepropertyoftheDhamma,hecomesupwiththeansweronthe spot. Whenthiswassaid,PrinceAbhayasaidtotheBlessedOne:Magnificent, venerablesir!Magnificent!Justasifheweretoplaceuprightwhatwas overturned,torevealwhatwashidden,toshowthewaytoonewhowaslost,or tocarryalampintothedarksothatthosewitheyescouldseeforms,inthesame wayhastheBlessedOnethroughmanylinesofreasoningmadetheDhamma clear.IgototheBlessedOneforrefuge,totheDhamma,andtotheSanghaof monks.MaytheBlessedOneremembermeasalayfollowerwhohasgoneto himforrefuge,fromthisdayforward,forlife.

33 NOTE:[1]Atwohornedchestnutisthenutofatree(Trapabicornis)growing insouthandsoutheastAsia.Itsshelllooksliketheheadofawaterbuffalo,with twonasty,curvedhornsstickingoutofeitherside. (Seealso:AN.IV.42;AN.IV.183)

34

InstructionstoRahulaatMangoStone AmbalatthikarahulovadaSutta(MajjhimaNikaya61)

IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearRajagaha,at theBambooGrove,theSquirrelsFeedingGround. AtthattimeVen.Rahula1wasstayingattheMangoStone.ThentheBlessed One,arisingfromhisseclusioninthelateafternoon,wenttowhereVen.Rahula wasstayingattheMangoStone.Ven.Rahulasawhimcomingfromafarand,on seeinghim,setoutaseat&waterforwashingthefeet.TheBlessedOnesat downontheseatsetoutand,havingsatdown,washedhisfeet.Ven.Rahula, bowingdowntotheBlessedOne,satdowntooneside. ThentheBlessedOne,havingleftalittlebitoftheremainingwaterinthe waterdipper,saidtoVen.Rahula,Rahula,doyouseethislittlebitof remainingwaterleftinthewaterdipper? Yessir. Thatshowlittleofacontemplativethereisinanyonewhofeelsnoshame attellingadeliberatelie. Havingtossedawaythelittlebitofremainingwater,theBlessedOnesaidto Ven.Rahula,Rahula,doyouseehowthislittlebitofremainingwateristossed away? Yes,sir. Whateverthereisofacontemplative2inanyonewhofeelsnoshameat tellingadeliberatelieistossedawayjustlikethat. Havingturnedthewaterdipperupsidedown,theBlessedOnesaidtoVen. Rahula,Rahula,doyouseehowthiswaterdipperisturnedupsidedown? Yes,sir. Whateverthereisofacontemplativeinanyonewhofeelsnoshameat tellingadeliberatelieisturnedupsidedownjustlikethat. Havingturnedthewaterdipperrightsideup,theBlessedOnesaidtoVen. Rahula,Rahula,doyouseehowempty&hollowthiswaterdipperis? Yes,sir. Whateverthereisofacontemplativeinanyonewhofeelsnoshameat tellingadeliberatelieisempty&hollowjustlikethat.

35 Rahula,itslikearoyalelephant:immense,pedigreed,accustomedto battles,itstuskslikechariotpoles.Havinggoneintobattle,itusesitsforefeet& hindfeet,itsforequarters&hindquarters,itshead&ears&tusks&tail,butwill simplyholdbackitstrunk.Theelephanttrainernoticesthatandthinks,This royalelephanthasnotgivenupitslifetotheking.Butwhentheroyal elephant...havinggoneintobattle,usesitsforefeet&hindfeet,itsforequarters& hindquarters,itshead&ears&tusks&tail&histrunk,thetrainernoticesthat andthinks,Thisroyalelephanthasgivenupitslifetotheking.Thereis nothingitwillnotdo. Thesameholdstruewithanyonewhofeelsnoshameintellingadeliberate lie:Thereisnoevil,Itellyou,hewillnotdo.Thus,Rahula,youshouldtrain yourself,Iwillnottelladeliberatelieeveninjest. Whatdoyouthink,Rahula:Whatisamirrorfor? Forreflection,sir. Inthesameway,Rahula,bodilyacts,verbalacts,&mentalactsaretobe donewithrepeatedreflection. Wheneveryouwanttoperformabodilyact,youshouldreflectonit:This bodilyactIwanttoperformwoulditleadtoselfaffliction,totheafflictionof others,ortoboth?Isitanunskillfulbodilyact,withpainfulconsequences, painfulresults?If,onreflection,youknowthatitwouldleadtoselfaffliction, totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwouldbeanunskillfulbodilyactwith painfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenanybodilyactofthatsortis absolutelyunfitforyoutodo.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitwouldnot causeaffliction...itwouldbeaskillfulbodilyactionwithhappyconsequences, happyresults,thenanybodilyactofthatsortisfitforyoutodo. Whileyouareperformingabodilyact,youshouldreflectonit:This bodilyactIamdoingisitleadingtoselfaffliction,totheafflictionofothers,or toboth?Isitanunskillfulbodilyact,withpainfulconsequences,painfulresults? If,onreflection,youknowthatitisleadingtoselfaffliction,toafflictionof others,orboth...youshouldgiveitup.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitis not...youmaycontinuewithit. Havingperformedabodilyact,youshouldreflectonit....If,onreflection, youknowthatitledtoselfaffliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwas anunskillfulbodilyactwithpainfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenyou shouldconfessit,revealit,layitopentotheTeacherortoaknowledgeable companionintheholylife.Havingconfessedit...youshouldexerciserestraintin thefuture.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitdidnotleadtoaffliction...itwasa

36 skillfulbodilyactionwithhappyconsequences,happyresults,thenyoushould staymentallyrefreshed&joyful,trainingday&nightinskillfulmentalqualities. Wheneveryouwanttoperformaverbalact,youshouldreflectonit:This verbalactIwanttoperformwoulditleadtoselfaffliction,totheafflictionof others,ortoboth?Isitanunskillfulverbalact,withpainfulconsequences, painfulresults?If,onreflection,youknowthatitwouldleadtoselfaffliction, totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwouldbeanunskillfulverbalactwith painfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenanyverbalactofthatsortis absolutelyunfitforyoutodo.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitwouldnot causeaffliction...itwouldbeaskillfulverbalactionwithhappyconsequences, happyresults,thenanyverbalactofthatsortisfitforyoutodo. Whileyouareperformingaverbalact,youshouldreflectonit:This verbalactIamdoingisitleadingtoselfaffliction,totheafflictionofothers,or toboth?Isitanunskillfulverbalact,withpainfulconsequences,painfulresults? If,onreflection,youknowthatitisleadingtoselfaffliction,totheafflictionof others,ortoboth...youshouldgiveitup.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitis not...youmaycontinuewithit. Havingperformedaverbalact,youshouldreflectonit....If,onreflection, youknowthatitledtoselfaffliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwas anunskillfulverbalactwithpainfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenyou shouldconfessit,revealit,layitopentotheTeacherortoaknowledgeable companionintheholylife.Havingconfessedit...youshouldexerciserestraintin thefuture.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitdidnotleadtoaffliction...itwasa skillfulverbalactionwithhappyconsequences,happyresults,thenyoushould staymentallyrefreshed&joyful,trainingday&nightinskillfulmentalqualities. Wheneveryouwanttoperformamentalact,youshouldreflectonit:This mentalactIwanttoperformwoulditleadtoselfaffliction,totheafflictionof others,ortoboth?Isitanunskillfulmentalact,withpainfulconsequences, painfulresults?If,onreflection,youknowthatitwouldleadtoselfaffliction, totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwouldbeanunskillfulmentalactwith painfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenanymentalactofthatsortis absolutelyunfitforyoutodo.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitwouldnot causeaffliction...itwouldbeaskillfulmentalactionwithhappyconsequences, happyresults,thenanymentalactofthatsortisfitforyoutodo. Whileyouareperformingamentalact,youshouldreflectonit:This mentalactIamdoingisitleadingtoselfaffliction,totheafflictionofothers,or toboth?Isitanunskillfulmentalact,withpainfulconsequences,painfulresults?

37 If,onreflection,youknowthatitisleadingtoselfaffliction,totheafflictionof others,ortoboth...youshouldgiveitup.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitis not...youmaycontinuewithit. Havingperformedamentalact,youshouldreflectonit....If,onreflection, youknowthatitledtoselfaffliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwas anunskillfulmentalactwithpainfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenyou shouldfeeldistressed,ashamed,&disgustedwithit.Feelingdistressed...you shouldexerciserestraintinthefuture.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitdid notleadtoaffliction...itwasaskillfulmentalactionwithhappyconsequences, happyresults,thenyoushouldstaymentallyrefreshed&joyful,trainingday& nightinskillfulmentalqualities. Rahula,allthosepriests&contemplativesinthecourseofthepastwho purifiedtheirbodilyacts,verbalacts,&mentalacts,diditthroughrepeated reflectionontheirbodilyacts,verbalacts,&mentalactsinjustthisway. Allthosepriests&contemplativesinthecourseofthefuturewhowill purifytheirbodilyacts,verbalacts,&mentalacts,willdoitthroughrepeated reflectionontheirbodilyacts,verbalacts,&mentalactsinjustthisway. Allthosepriests&contemplativesatpresentwhopurifytheirbodilyacts, verbalacts,&mentalacts,doitthroughrepeatedreflectionontheirbodilyacts, verbalacts,&mentalactsinjustthisway. Thus,Rahula,youshouldtrainyourself:Iwillpurifymybodilyacts throughrepeatedreflection.Iwillpurifymyverbalactsthroughrepeated reflection.Iwillpurifymymentalactsthroughrepeatedreflection.Thats howyoushouldtrainyourself. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,Ven.Rahuladelightedinthe BlessedOneswords.

NOTES [1]Rahula:theBuddhasson,whoaccordingtotheCommentarywasseven yearsoldwhenthisdiscoursewasdeliveredtohim. [2]Samaa.Throughoutancientcultures,theterminologyofmusicwasusedto describethemoralqualityofpeopleandacts.Discordantintervalsorpoorly tunedmusicalinstrumentsweremetaphorsforevil;harmoniousintervalsand welltunedinstrumentsweremetaphorsforgood.InPali,theterm samaevendescribedaninstrumenttunedonpitch.Thereisafamous

38 passagewheretheBuddharemindsSonaKolivisawhohadbeenoverexerting himselfinthepracticethatalutesoundsappealingonlyifthestringsare neithertootautortoolax,butevenlytuned.Thisimagewouldhavespecial resonanceswiththeBuddha'steachingonthemiddleway.Italsoaddsmeaning tothetermsamanamonkorcontemplativewhichthetextsfrequentlymention asbeingderivedfromsama.Thewordsamaaevenness,thequalityof beingintunealsomeansthequalityofbeingacontemplative:thetrue contemplativeisalwaysintunewithwhatisproperandgood.

39

TheShorterInstructionstoMalunkya CulaMalunkyovadaSutta(MajjhimaNikaya63) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthiat JetasGrove,Anathapindikasmonastery.Then,asVen.Malunkyaputtawas aloneinseclusion,thistrainofthoughtaroseinhisawareness:Thesepositions thatareundisclosed,setaside,discardedbytheBlessedOneThecosmosis eternal,Thecosmosisnoteternal,Thecosmosisfinite,Thecosmosis infinite,Thesoul&thebodyarethesame,Thesoulisonethingandthe bodyanother,AfterdeathaTathagataexists,AfterdeathaTathagata doesnotexist,AfterdeathaTathagatabothexists&doesnotexist,After deathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexistIdontapprove,Idont acceptthattheBlessedOnehasnotdisclosedthemtome.IllgoasktheBlessed Oneaboutthismatter.IfhedisclosestomethatThecosmosiseternal,that Thecosmosisnoteternal,thatThecosmosisfinite,thatThecosmosis infinite,thatThesoul&thebodyarethesame,thatThesoulisonething andthebodyanother,thatAfterdeathaTathagataexists,thatAfterdeath aTathagatadoesnotexist,thatAfterdeathaTathagatabothexists&doesnot exist,orthatAfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist,thenI willlivetheholylifeunderhim.IfhedoesnotdisclosetomethatThecosmos iseternal,...orthatAfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist, thenIwillrenouncethetrainingandreturntothelowerlife. Then,whenitwasevening,Ven.Malunkyaputtaarosefromseclusionand wenttotheBlessedOne.Onarrival,havingboweddown,hesattooneside.As hewassittingtherehesaidtotheBlessedOne,Lord,justnow,asIwasalonein seclusion,thistrainofthoughtaroseinmyawareness:Thesepositionsthatare undisclosed,setaside,discardedbytheBlessedOne...Idontapprove,Idont acceptthattheBlessedOnehasnotdisclosedthemtome.IllgoasktheBlessed Oneaboutthismatter.IfhedisclosestomethatThecosmosiseternal,...or thatAfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist,thenIwilllive theholylifeunderhim.IfhedoesnotdisclosetomethatThecosmosis eternal,...orthatAfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist, thenIwillrenouncethetrainingandreturntothelowerlife. Lord,iftheBlessedOneknowsthatThecosmosiseternal,thenmayhe disclosetomethatThecosmosiseternal.IfheknowsthatThecosmosis

40 noteternal,thenmayhedisclosetomethatThecosmosisnoteternal.Butif hedoesntknoworseewhetherthecosmosiseternalornoteternal,then,inone whoisunknowing&unseeing,thestraightforwardthingistoadmit,Idont know.Idontsee.....Ifhedoesntknoworseewhetherafterdeatha Tathagataexists...doesnotexist...bothexists&doesnotexist...neitherexists nordoesnotexist,then,inonewhoisunknowing&unseeing,the straightforwardthingistoadmit,Idontknow.Idontsee. Malunkyaputta,didIeversaytoyou,Come,Malunkyaputta,livethe holylifeunderme,andIwilldisclosetoyouthatThecosmosiseternal,or Thecosmosisnoteternal,orThecosmosisfinite,orThecosmosis infinite,orThesoul&thebodyarethesame,orThesoulisonethingand thebodyanother,orAfterdeathaTathagataexists,orAfterdeatha Tathagatadoesnotexist,orAfterdeathaTathagatabothexists&doesnot exist,orAfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist? No,lord. Anddidyoueversaytome,Lord,Iwilllivetheholylifeunderthe BlessedOneand[inreturn]hewilldisclosetomethatThecosmosiseternal, orThecosmosisnoteternal,orThecosmosisfinite,orThecosmosis infinite,orThesoul&thebodyarethesame,orThesoulisonethingand thebodyanother,orAfterdeathaTathagataexists,orAfterdeatha Tathagatadoesnotexist,orAfterdeathaTathagatabothexists&doesnot exist,orAfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist? No,lord. Thenthatbeingthecase,foolishman,whoareyoutobeclaiming grievances/makingdemandsofanyone? Malunkyaputta,ifanyoneweretosay,Iwontlivetheholylifeunderthe BlessedOneaslongashedoesnotdisclosetomethatThecosmosis eternal,...orthatAfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist, themanwoulddieandthosethingswouldstillremainundisclosedbythe Tathagata. Itsjustasifamanwerewoundedwithanarrowthicklysmearedwith poison.Hisfriends&companions,kinsmen&relativeswouldprovidehimwith asurgeon,andthemanwouldsay,IwonthavethisarrowremoveduntilI knowwhetherthemanwhowoundedmewasanoblewarrior,apriest,a merchant,oraworker.Hewouldsay,Iwonthavethisarrowremoveduntil Iknowthegivenname&clannameofthemanwhowoundedme...untilIknow whetherhewastall,medium,orshort...untilIknowwhetherhewasdark,

41 ruddybrown,orgoldencolored...untilIknowhishomevillage,town,orcity... untilIknowwhetherthebowwithwhichIwaswoundedwasalongbowora crossbow...untilIknowwhetherthebowstringwithwhichIwaswoundedwas fiber,bamboothreads,sinew,hemp,orbark...untilIknowwhethertheshaft withwhichIwaswoundedwaswildorcultivated...untilIknowwhetherthe feathersoftheshaftwithwhichIwaswoundedwerethoseofavulture,astork, ahawk,apeacock,oranotherbird...untilIknowwhethertheshaftwithwhichI waswoundedwasboundwiththesinewofanox,awaterbuffalo,alangur,ora monkey.Hewouldsay,IwonthavethisarrowremoveduntilIknow whethertheshaftwithwhichIwaswoundedwasthatofacommonarrow,a curvedarrow,abarbed,acalftoothed,oranoleanderarrow.Themanwould dieandthosethingswouldstillremainunknowntohim. Inthesameway,ifanyoneweretosay,Iwontlivetheholylifeunder theBlessedOneaslongashedoesnotdisclosetomethatThecosmosis eternal,...orthatAfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist, themanwoulddieandthosethingswouldstillremainundisclosedbythe Tathagata. Malunkyaputta,itsnotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,Thecosmos iseternal,thereisthelivingoftheholylife.Anditsnotthecasethatwhen thereistheview,Thecosmosisnoteternal,thereisthelivingoftheholylife. Whenthereistheview,Thecosmosiseternal,andwhenthereistheview, Thecosmosisnoteternal,thereisstillthebirth,thereistheaging,thereisthe death,thereisthesorrow,lamentation,pain,despair,&distresswhose destructionImakeknownrightinthehere&now. Itsnotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,Thecosmosisfinite,there isthelivingoftheholylife.Anditsnotthecasethatwhenthereistheview, Thecosmosisinfinite,thereisthelivingoftheholylife.Whenthereisthe view,Thecosmosisfinite,andwhenthereistheview,Thecosmosis infinite,thereisstillthebirth,thereistheaging,thereisthedeath,thereisthe sorrow,lamentation,pain,despair,&distresswhosedestructionImakeknown rightinthehere&now. Itsnotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,Thesoul&thebodyarethe same,thereisthelivingoftheholylife.Anditsnotthecasethatwhenthere istheview,Thesoulisonethingandthebodyanother,thereisthelivingof theholylife.Whenthereistheview,Thesoul&thebodyarethesame,and whenthereistheview,Thesoulisonethingandthebodyanother,thereis stillthebirth,thereistheaging,thereisthedeath,thereisthesorrow,

42 lamentation,pain,despair,&distresswhosedestructionImakeknownrightin thehere&now. Itsnotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,AfterdeathaTathagata exists,thereisthelivingoftheholylife.Anditsnotthecasethatwhenthere istheview,AfterdeathaTathagatadoesnotexist,thereisthelivingofthe holylife.Anditsnotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,Afterdeatha Tathagatabothexists&doesnotexist,thereisthelivingoftheholylife.And itsnotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,AfterdeathaTathagataneither existsnordoesnotexistthereisthelivingoftheholylife.Whenthereisthe view,AfterdeathaTathagataexists...AfterdeathaTathagatadoesnot exist...AfterdeathaTathagatabothexists&doesnotexist...Afterdeath aTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist,thereisstillthebirth,thereisthe aging,thereisthedeath,thereisthesorrow,lamentation,pain,despair,& distresswhosedestructionImakeknownrightinthehere&now. So,Malunkyaputta,rememberwhatisundisclosedbymeasundisclosed, andwhatisdisclosedbymeasdisclosed.Andwhatisundisclosedbyme?The cosmosiseternal,isundisclosedbyme.Thecosmosisnoteternal,is undisclosedbyme.Thecosmosisfinite...Thecosmosisinfinite...The soul&thebodyarethesame...Thesoulisonethingandthebody another...AfterdeathaTathagataexists...AfterdeathaTathagatadoes notexist...AfterdeathaTathagatabothexists&doesnotexist...After deathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist,isundisclosedbyme. Andwhyaretheyundisclosedbyme?Becausetheyarenotconnectedwith thegoal,arenotfundamentaltotheholylife.Theydonotleadto disenchantment,dispassion,cessation,calming,directknowledge,self awakening,Unbinding.Thatswhytheyareundisclosedbyme. Andwhatisdisclosedbyme?Thisisstress,isdisclosedbyme.Thisis theoriginationofstress,isdisclosedbyme.Thisisthecessationofstress,is disclosedbyme.Thisisthepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstress, isdisclosedbyme.Andwhyaretheydisclosedbyme?Becausetheyare connectedwiththegoal,arefundamentaltotheholylife.Theyleadto disenchantment,dispassion,cessation,calming,directknowledge,self awakening,Unbinding.Thatswhytheyaredisclosedbyme. So,Malunkyaputta,rememberwhatisundisclosedbymeasundisclosed, andwhatisdisclosedbymeasdisclosed. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,Ven.Malunkyaputtadelighted intheBlessedOneswords.