1 Ignorance AvijjaSutta(XLV.1) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthi,in JetasGrove,Anathapindikasmonastery.Thereheaddressedthemonks, Monks! Yes,lord,themonksresponded. TheBlessedOnesaid,Monks,ignoranceistheleaderintheattainmentof unskillfulqualities,followedbylackofconscience&lackofconcern.Ina unknowledgeableperson,immersedinignorance,wrongviewarises.Inoneof wrongview,wrongresolvearises.Inoneofwrongresolve,wrongspeech....In oneofwrongspeech,wrongaction....Inoneofwrongaction,wrong livelihood....Inoneofwronglivelihood,wrongeffort....Inoneofwrongeffort, wrongmindfulness....Inoneofwrongmindfulness,wrongconcentrationarises. Clearknowingistheleaderintheattainmentofskillfulqualities,followed byconscience&concern.

Inaknowledgeableperson,immersedinclear knowing,rightviewarises.Inoneofrightview,rightresolvearises.Inoneof rightresolve,rightspeech....Inoneofrightspeech,rightaction....Inoneofright action,rightlivelihood....Inoneofrightlivelihood,righteffort....Inoneofright effort,rightmindfulness....Inoneofrightmindfulness,rightconcentration arises.

Half(oftheHolyLife) UpaddhaSutta(XLV.2) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewaslivingamongthe Sakyans.NowthereisaSakyantownnamedSakkara.ThereVen.Anandawent totheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntotheBlessedOne,satto oneside.Ashewassittingthere,Ven.AnandasaidtotheBlessedOne,Thisis halfoftheholylife,lord:admirablefriendship,admirablecompanionship, admirablecamaraderie.1

2 Dontsaythat,Ananda.Dontsaythat.Admirablefriendship,admirable companionship,admirablecamaraderieisactuallythewholeoftheholylife. Whenamonkhasadmirablepeopleasfriends,companions,&comrades,hecan beexpectedtodevelop&pursuethenobleeightfoldpath. Andhowdoesamonkwhohasadmirablepeopleasfriends,companions, &comrades,develop&pursuethenobleeightfoldpath?Thereisthecasewhere amonkdevelopsrightviewdependentonseclusion,dependentondispassion, dependentoncessation,resultinginrelinquishment.Hedevelopsrightresolve... rightspeech...rightaction...rightlivelihood...righteffort...right mindfulness...rightconcentrationdependentonseclusion,dependenton dispassion,dependentoncessation,resultinginrelinquishment.Thisishowa monkwhohasadmirablepeopleasfriends,companions,&colleagues,develops &pursuesthenobleeightfoldpath. Andthroughthislineofreasoningonemayknowhowadmirablefriendship, admirablecompanionship,admirablecamaraderieisactuallythewholeoftheholy life:Itisindependenceonmeasanadmirablefriendthatbeingssubjecttobirthhave gainedreleasefrombirth,thatbeingssubjecttoaginghavegainedreleasefrom aging,thatbeingssubjecttodeathhavegainedreleasefromdeath,thatbeings subjecttosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairhavegainedreleasefrom sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despair.Itisthroughthislineofreasoningthat onemayknowhowadmirablefriendship,admirablecompanionship,admirable camaraderieisactuallythewholeoftheholylife. NOTE:1.AsANVIII.54pointsout,thismeansnotonlyassociatingwithgood people,butalsolearningfromthemandemulatingtheirgoodqualities. Seealso:MN95;ANIV.192;ANVIII.54;ANIX.1;UdIV.1;Iti17

AnAnalysisofthePath MaggavibhangaSutta(XLV.8) IhaveheardthatatonetimetheBlessedOnewasstayinginSavatthiatJetas Grove,Anathapindikaspark.Thereheaddressedthemonks,saying,Monks! Yes,lord,themonksrespondedtohim.

3 TheBlessedOnesaid,Iwillteach&analyzeforyoutheNobleEightfold Path.Listen&paycloseattention.Iwillspeak. Asyousay,lord,themonksrespondedtohim. TheBlessedOnesaid,Nowwhat,monks,istheNobleEightfoldPath?Right view,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,right mindfulness,rightconcentration. Andwhat,monks,isrightview?Knowledgewithregardtostress, knowledgewithregardtotheoriginationofstress,knowledgewithregardtothe stoppingofstress,knowledgewithregardtothewayofpracticeleadingtothe stoppingofstress:This,monks,iscalledrightview. Andwhat,monks,isrightresolve?Beingresolvedonrenunciation,on freedomfromillwill,onharmlessness:This,monks,iscalledrightresolve. Andwhat,monks,isrightspeech?Abstainingfromlying,abstainingfrom divisivespeech,abstainingfromabusivespeech,abstainingfromidlechatter: This,monks,iscalledrightspeech. Andwhat,monks,isrightaction?Abstainingfromtakinglife,abstaining fromstealing,abstainingfromsexualintercourse:This,monks,iscalledright action. Andwhat,monks,isrightlivelihood?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleof thenobleones,havingabandoneddishonestlivelihood,keepshislifegoingwith rightlivelihood:This,monks,iscalledrightlivelihood. Andwhat,monks,isrighteffort?(i)Thereisthecasewhereamonk generatesdesire,endeavors,activatespersistence,upholds&exertshisintentfor thesakeofthenonarisingofevil,unskillfulqualitiesthathavenotyetarisen.(ii) Hegeneratesdesire,endeavors,activatespersistence,upholds&exertshisintent forthesakeoftheabandonmentofevil,unskillfulqualitiesthathavearisen.(iii) Hegeneratesdesire,endeavors,activatespersistence,upholds&exertshisintent forthesakeofthearisingofskillfulqualitiesthathavenotyetarisen.(iv)He generatesdesire,endeavors,activatespersistence,upholds&exertshisintentfor themaintenance,nonconfusion,increase,plenitude,development,& culminationofskillfulqualitiesthathavearisen:This,monks,iscalledright effort. Andwhat,monks,isrightmindfulness?(i)Thereisthecasewhereamonk remainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitselfardent,aware,&mindfulputting awaygreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.(ii)Heremainsfocusedon feelingsin&ofthemselvesardent,aware,&mindfulputtingawaygreed& distresswithreferencetotheworld.(iii)Heremainsfocusedonthemindin&of

4 itselfardent,aware,&mindfulputtingawaygreed&distresswithreference totheworld.(iv)Heremainsfocusedonmentalqualitiesin&of themselvesardent,aware,&mindfulputtingawaygreed&distresswith referencetotheworld.This,monks,iscalledrightmindfulness. Andwhat,monks,isrightconcentration?(i)Thereisthecasewherea monkquitewithdrawnfromsensuality, withdrawnfromunskillful(mental) qualitiesenters&remainsinthefirstjhana:rapture&pleasurebornfrom withdrawal,accompaniedbydirectedthought&evaluation.(ii)Withthestilling ofdirectedthought&evaluation,heenters&remainsinthesecondjhana: rapture&pleasurebornofconcentration,unificationofawarenessfreefrom directedthought&evaluationinternalassurance.(iii)Withthefadingof rapture,heremainsinequanimity,mindful&fullyaware,andphysically sensitiveofpleasure.Heenters&remainsinthethirdjhana,ofwhichtheNoble Onesdeclare,Equanimous&mindful,hehasapleasurableabiding.(iv)With theabandoningofpleasure&painaswiththeearlierdisappearanceofelation &distressheenters&remainsinthefourthjhana:purityofequanimity& mindfulness,neitherpleasurenorpain.This,monks,iscalledright concentration. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,themonksdelightedinthe BlessedOneswords. NOTES 1.Forfurtherexplanationofrightview,seeMN2andSNXII.15 2.Forfurtherexplanationofrightmindfulness,seeDN22. 3.Forthemeaningofsensuality,here,seeANVI.63. 4.Forfurtherexplanationofrightconcentration,seeMN44,ANIV.41,AN V.28,andANIX.36. Seealso:MN117,MN126
3 2 1

Floods OghaSutta(XLV.171)

5 AtSavatthi.Monks,therearethesefourfloods.Whichfour?Thefloodof sensuality,thefloodofbecoming,thefloodofviews,&thefloodofignorance. Thesearethefourfloods. Now,thisnobleeightfoldpathistobedevelopedfordirectknowledgeof, comprehensionof,thetotalendingof,&theabandoningofthesefourfloods. Whichnobleeightfoldpath?Thereisthecasewhereamonkdevelopsrightview dependentonseclusion,dependentondispassion,dependentoncessation, resultinginlettinggo.Hedevelopsrightresolve...rightspeech...rightaction... rightlivelihood...righteffort...rightmindfulness...rightconcentration dependentonseclusion,dependentondispassion,dependentoncessation, resultinginlettinggo.Thisnobleeightfoldpathistobedevelopedfordirect knowledgeof,forcomprehensionof,forthetotalendingof,&forthe abandoningofthesefourfloods. Seealso:SNI.1;ANIV.10;SnV

TheHimalayas(OntheFactorsforawakening) HimavantaSutta(XLVI.1) Monks,itisindependenceontheHimalayas,thekingofmountains,that serpents(nagas)growinbodyandgaininstrength.Havinggrowninbodyand gainedstrengththere,theydescendtothesmalllakes.Havingdescendedtothe smalllakes,theydescendtothelargelakes...thesmallrivers...thelargerivers...to thegreatocean.Theretheyattaingreatness&prosperityintermsofthebody. Inthesameway,itisindependenceonvirtue,establishedonvirtue,having developed&pursuedthesevenfactorsforawakening,thatamonkattainsto greatness&prosperityintermsofmentalqualities.Andhowisitthata monkindependenceonvirtue,establishedonvirtue,havingdeveloped& pursuedthesevenfactorsforawakeningattainstogreatness&prosperityin termsofmentalqualities? Thereisthecasewhereamonkdevelopsmindfulnessasafactorfor awakeningdependentonseclusion,dependentondispassion,dependenton cessation,resultinginrelinquishment.Hedevelopsanalysisofqualitiesasafactor forawakening...persistenceasafactorforawakening...raptureasafactorfor awakening...serenityasafactorforawakening...concentrationasafactorfor

6 awakening...equanimityasafactorforawakeningdependentonseclusion, dependentondispassion,dependentoncessation,resultinginrelinquishment. Thisishowamonkindependenceonvirtue,establishedonvirtue,having developed&pursuedthesevenfactorsforawakeningattainstogreatness& prosperityintermsofmentalqualities.

Ill GilanaSutta(XLVI.14) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayinginRajagahainthe BambooGrove,theSquirrelsFeedingGround.AndonthatoccasionVen.Maha KassapawasstayinginthePepperTreeCave,diseased,inpain,severelyill. ThentheBlessedOne,inthelateafternoon,lefthisseclusionandwenttowhere Ven.MahaKassapawasstaying.Onarrival,hesatdownonapreparedseatand saidtoVen.MahaKassapa,Ihopeyouaregettingbetter,Kassapa.Ihopeyou arecomfortable.Ihopethatyourpainsarelesseningandnotincreasing.Ihope thattherearesignsoftheirlessening,andnotoftheirincreasing. Iamnotgettingbetter,lord.Iamnotcomfortable.Myextremepainsare increasing,notlessening.Therearesignsoftheirincreasing,andnotoftheir lessening. Kassapa,thesesevenfactorsforawakeningrightlytaughtbyme,when developedandpursued,leadtodirectknowledge,toselfAwakening,to Unbinding.Whichseven? Mindfulnessasafactorforawakeningrightlytaughtbyme,when developedandpursued,leadstodirectknowledge,toselfAwakening,to Unbinding. Analysisofqualitiesasafactorforawakening,rightlytaughtbyme,when developedandpursued,leadstodirectknowledge,toselfAwakening,to Unbinding. Persistenceasafactorforawakening.... Raptureasafactorforawakening.... Serenityasafactorforawakening.... Concentrationasafactorforawakening....

7 Equanimityasafactorforawakeningrightlytaughtbyme,when developedandpursued,leadstodirectknowledge,toselfAwakening,to Unbinding. Kassapa,thesearethesevenfactorsforawakeningrightlytaughtbyme thatwhendevelopedandpursuedleadtodirectknowledge,toself Awakening,toUnbinding. Theyareindeedfactorsforawakening,OBlessedOne.Theyareindeed factorsforawakening,OOneWellGone. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,Ven.MahaKassapadelightedin theBlessedOneswords.AndVen.MahaKassaparecoveredfromhisdisease. ThatwashowVen.MahaKassapasdiseasewasabandoned. Seealso:SNLII.10

Food(fortheFactorsforawakening) AharaSutta(XLVI.51) Monks,Iwillteachyouthefeeding&starvingofthefivehindrances&ofthe sevenfactorsforawakening.Listen&paycloseattention.Iwillspeak.... FeedingtheHindrances.Andwhatisthefoodforthearisingofunarisen sensualdesire,orforthegrowth&increaseofsensualdesireonceithasarisen? Thereisthethemeofbeauty.Tofosterinappropriateattentiontoit:Thisisthe foodforthearisingofunarisensensualdesire,orforthegrowth&increaseof sensualdesireonceithasarisen. Andwhatisthefoodforthearisingofunarisenillwill,orforthegrowth& increaseofillwillonceithasarisen?Thereisthethemeofirritation.Tofoster inappropriateattentiontoit:Thisisthefoodforthearisingofunarisenillwill,or forthegrowth&increaseofillwillonceithasarisen. Andwhatisthefoodforthearisingofunarisensloth&drowsiness,orforthe growth&increaseofsloth&drowsinessonceithasarisen?Thereareboredom, weariness,yawning,drowsinessafterameal,&sluggishnessofawareness.To fosterinappropriateattentiontothem:Thisisthefoodforthearisingofunarisen sloth&drowsiness,orforthegrowth&increaseofsloth&drowsinessonceit hasarisen.

8 Andwhatisthefoodforthearisingofunarisenrestlessness&anxiety,orfor thegrowth&increaseofrestlessness&anxietyonceithasarisen?Thereisnon stillnessofawareness.Tofosterinappropriateattentiontothat:Thisisthefood forthearisingofunarisenrestlessness&anxiety,orforthegrowth&increaseof restlessness&anxietyonceithasarisen. Andwhatisthefoodforthearisingofunarisenuncertainty,orforthe growth&increaseofuncertaintyonceithasarisen?Therearephenomenathat actasafootholdforuncertainty.Tofosterinappropriateattentiontothem:This isthefoodforthearisingofunarisenuncertainty,orforthegrowth&increaseof uncertaintyonceithasarisen. FeedingtheFactorsforAwakening.Now,whatisthefoodforthearising ofunarisenmindfulnessasafactorforawakening,orforthegrowth&increaseof mindfulnessasafactorforawakeningonceithasarisen?Therearemental qualitiesthatactasafootholdformindfulnessasafactorforawakening[well purifiedvirtue&viewsmadestraight].Tofosterappropriateattentiontothem: Thisisthefoodforthearisingofunarisenmindfulnessasafactorforawakening, orforthegrowth&increaseofmindfulnessasafactorforawakeningonceithas arisen. Andwhatisthefoodforthearisingofunarisenanalysisofqualitiesasa factorforawakening,orforthegrowth&increaseofanalysisofqualities...once ithasarisen?Therearementalqualitiesthatareskillful&unskillful, blameworthy&blameless,gross&refined,sidingwithdarkness&withlight.To fosterappropriateattentiontothem:Thisisthefoodforthearisingofunarisen analysisofqualitiesasafactorforawakening,orforthegrowth&increaseof analysisofqualities...onceithasarisen. Andwhatisthefoodforthearisingofunarisenpersistenceasafactorfor awakening,orforthegrowth&increaseofpersistence...onceithasarisen? Thereisthepotentialforeffort,thepotentialforexertion,thepotentialfor striving.Tofosterappropriateattentiontothem:Thisisthefoodforthearising ofunarisenpersistenceasafactorforawakening,orforthegrowth&increaseof persistence...onceithasarisen. Andwhatisthefoodforthearisingofunarisenraptureasafactorfor awakening,orforthegrowth&increaseofrapture...onceithasarisen?There arementalqualitiesthatactasafootholdforraptureasafactorforawakening. Tofosterappropriateattentiontothem:Thisisthefoodforthearisingof unarisenraptureasafactorforawakening,orforthegrowth&increaseof rapture...onceithasarisen.

9 Andwhatisthefoodforthearisingofunarisenserenityasafactorfor awakening,orforthegrowth&increaseofserenity...onceithasarisen?Thereis physicalserenity&thereismentalserenity.Tofosterappropriateattentionto them:Thisisthefoodforthearisingofunarisenserenityasafactorfor awakening,orforthegrowth&increaseofserenity...onceithasarisen. Andwhatisthefoodforthearisingofunarisenconcentrationasafactorfor awakening,orforthegrowth&increaseofconcentration...onceithasarisen? Therearethemesforcalm,themesfornondistraction[thesearethefourframes ofreference].Tofosterappropriateattentiontothem:Thisisthefoodforthe arisingofunarisenconcentrationasafactorforawakening,orforthegrowth& increaseofconcentration...onceithasarisen. Andwhatisthefoodforthearisingofunarisenequanimityasafactorfor awakening,orforthegrowth&increaseofequanimity...onceithasarisen? Therearementalqualitiesthatactasafootholdforequanimityasafactorfor awakening.Tofosterappropriateattentiontothem:Thisisthefoodforthe arisingofunarisenequanimityasafactorforawakening,orforthegrowth& increaseofequanimityasafactorforawakeningonceithasarisen. StarvingtheHindrances.Now,whatislackoffoodforthearisingof unarisensensualdesire,orforthegrowth&increaseofsensualdesireonceithas arisen?Thereisthethemeofunattractiveness.Tofosterappropriateattentionto it:Thisislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisensensualdesire,orforthegrowth &increaseofsensualdesireonceithasarisen. Andwhatislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisenillwill,orforthegrowth &increaseofillwillonceithasarisen?Thereisthereleaseofthemind[through goodwill,compassion,appreciation,orequanimity].Tofosterappropriate attentiontothat:Thisislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisenillwill,orforthe growth&increaseofillwillonceithasarisen. Andwhatislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisensloth&drowsiness,orfor thegrowth&increaseofsloth&drowsinessonceithasarisen?Thereisthe potentialforeffort,thepotentialforexertion,thepotentialforstriving.Tofoster appropriateattentiontothem:Thisislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisen sloth&drowsiness,orforthegrowth&increaseofsloth&drowsinessonceit hasarisen. Andwhatislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisenrestlessness&anxiety,or forthegrowth&increaseofrestlessness&anxietyonceithasarisen?Thereis stillnessofawareness.Tofosterappropriateattentiontothat:Thisislackoffood

10 forthearisingofunarisenrestlessness&anxiety,orforthegrowth&increaseof restlessness&anxietyonceithasarisen. Andwhatislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisenuncertainty,orforthe growth&increaseofuncertaintyonceithasarisen?Therearementalqualities thatareskillful&unskillful,blameworthy&blameless,gross&refined,siding withdarkness&withlight.Tofosterappropriateattentiontothem:Thisislack offoodforthearisingofunarisenuncertainty,orforthegrowth&increaseof uncertaintyonceithasarisen. StarvingtheFactorsforAwakening.Now,whatislackoffoodforthe arisingofunarisenmindfulnessasafactorforawakening,orforthegrowth& increaseofmindfulnessasafactorforawakeningonceithasarisen?Thereare mentalqualitiesthatactasafootholdformindfulnessasafactorforawakening. Notfosteringattentiontothem:Thisislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisen mindfulnessasafactorforawakening,orforthegrowth&increaseof mindfulnessasafactorforawakeningonceithasarisen. Andwhatislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisenanalysisofqualitiesasa factorforawakening,orforthegrowth&increaseofanalysisofqualities...once ithasarisen?Therearementalqualitiesthatareskillful&unskillful, blameworthy&blameless,gross&refined,sidingwithdarkness&withlight. Notfosteringattentiontothem:Thisislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisen analysisofqualitiesasafactorforawakening,orforthegrowth&increaseof analysisofqualities...onceithasarisen. Andwhatislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisenpersistenceasafactorfor awakening,orforthegrowth&increaseofpersistence...onceithasarisen? Thereisthepotentialforeffort,thepotentialforexertion,thepotentialfor striving.Notfosteringattentiontothem:Thisislackoffoodforthearisingof unarisenpersistenceasafactorforawakening,orforthegrowth&increaseof persistence...onceithasarisen. Andwhatislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisenraptureasafactorfor awakening,orforthegrowth&increaseofrapture...onceithasarisen?There arementalqualitiesthatactasafootholdforraptureasafactorforawakening. Notfosteringattentiontothem:Thisislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisen raptureasafactorforawakening,orforthegrowth&increaseofrapture...once ithasarisen. Andwhatislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisenserenityasafactorfor awakening,orforthegrowth&increaseofserenity...onceithasarisen?Thereis physicalserenity&thereismentalserenity.Notfosteringattentiontothem:This

11 islackoffoodforthearisingofunarisenserenityasafactorforawakening,orfor thegrowth&increaseofserenity...onceithasarisen. Andwhatislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisenconcentrationasafactor forawakening,orforthegrowth&increaseofconcentration...onceithas arisen?Therearethethemesforconcentration,themesfornonconfusion.Not fosteringattentiontothem:Thisislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisen concentrationasafactorforawakening,orforthegrowth&increaseof concentration...onceithasarisen. Andwhatislackoffoodforthearisingofunarisenequanimityasafactorfor awakening,orforthegrowth&increaseofequanimityasafactorforawakening onceithasarisen?Therearementalqualitiesthatactasafootholdfor equanimityasafactorforawakening.Notfosteringattentiontothem:Thisis lackoffoodforthearisingofunarisenequanimityasafactorforawakening,or forthegrowth&increaseofequanimityasafactorforawakeningonceithas arisen. TheHawk SakunagghiSutta(XLVII.6) Onceahawksuddenlyswoopeddownonaquailandseizedit.Thenthequail, asitwasbeingcarriedoffbythehawk,lamented,O,justmybadluckandlack ofmeritthatIwaswanderingoutofmyproperrangeandintotheterritoryof others!IfonlyIhadkepttomyproperrangetoday,tomyownancestral territory,thishawkwouldhavebeennomatchformeinbattle. Butwhatisyourproperrange?thehawkasked.Whatisyourown ancestralterritory? Anewlyplowedfieldwithclumpsofearthallturnedup. Sothehawk,withoutbraggingaboutitsownstrength,withoutmentioning itsownstrength,letgoofthequail.Go,quail,butevenwhenyouhavegone thereyouwontescapeme. Thenthequail,havinggonetoanewlyplowedfieldwithclumpsofearth allturnedupandclimbingupontopofalargeclumpofearth,stoodtaunting thehawk,Nowcomeandgetme,youhawk!Nowcomeandgetme,you hawk!

12 Sothehawk,withoutbraggingaboutitsownstrength,withoutmentioning itsownstrength,foldeditstwowingsandsuddenlyswoopeddowntowardthe quail.Whenthequailknew,Thehawkiscomingatmefullspeed,itslipped behindtheclumpofearth,andrighttherethehawkshattereditsownbreast. Thisiswhathappenstoanyonewhowandersintowhatisnothisproper rangeandistheterritoryofothers. Forthisreason,youshouldnotwanderintowhatisnotyourproperrange andistheterritoryofothers.Inonewhowandersintowhatisnothisproper rangeandistheterritoryofothers,Maragainsanopening,Maragainsa foothold.Andwhat,foramonk,isnothisproperrangeandistheterritoryof others?Thefivestringsofsensuality.Whichfive?Formscognizablebythe eyeagreeable,pleasing,charming,endearing,fosteringdesire,enticing.Sounds cognizablebytheear...Aromascognizablebythenose...Flavorscognizableby thetongue...Tactilesensationscognizablebythebodyagreeable,pleasing, charming,endearing,fosteringdesire,enticing.These,foramonk,arenothis properrangeandaretheterritoryofothers. Wander,monks,inwhatisyourproperrange,yourownancestralterritory. Inonewhowandersinwhatishisproperrange,hisownancestralterritory, Maragainsnoopening,Maragainsnofoothold.Andwhat,foramonk,ishis properrange,hisownancestralterritory?Thefourframesofreference.Which four?Thereisthecasewhereamonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&of itselfardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed&distresswithreferenceto theworld.Heremainsfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves...mindin&of itself...mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselvesardent,alert,&mindfulputting asidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.This,foramonk,ishisproper range,hisownancestralterritory. Seealso:SNXXXV.199 TheMonkey MakkataSutta(XLVII.7) ThereareintheHimalayas,thekingofmountains,difficult,unevenareas whereneithermonkeysnorhumanbeingswander.Therearedifficult,uneven areaswheremonkeyswander,butnothumanbeings.Therearelevelstretchesof

13 land,delightful,wherebothmonkeysandhumanbeingswander.Insuchspots hunterssetatartrapinthemonkeystracks,inordertocatchsomemonkeys. Thosemonkeyswhoarenotfoolishorcarelessbynature,whentheyseethetar trap,willkeeptheirdistance.Butanymonkeywhoisfoolish&carelessby naturecomesuptothetartrapandgrabsitwithitspaw,whichthengetsstuck there.Thinking,Illfreemypaw,hegrabsitwithhisotherpaw.Thattoo getsstuck.Thinking,Illfreebothofmypaws,hegrabsitwithhisfoot.That toogetsstuck.Thinking,Illfreebothofmypawsandmyfoot,hegrabsit withhisotherfoot.Thattoogetsstuck.Thinking,Illfreebothofmypaws andmyfeetaswell,hegrabsitwithhismouth.Thattoogetsstuck.Sothe monkey,snaredinfiveways,liestherewhimpering,havingfallenonmisfortune, fallenonruin,apreytowhateverthehunterwantstodowithhim.Thenthe hunter,withoutreleasingthemonkey,skewershimrightthere,pickshimup, andgoesoffashelikes. Thisiswhathappenstoanyonewhowandersintowhatisnothisproper rangeandistheterritoryofothers. Forthisreason,youshouldnotwanderintowhatisnotyourproperrange andistheterritoryofothers.Inonewhowandersintowhatisnothisproper rangeandistheterritoryofothers,Maragainsanopening,Maragainsa foothold.Andwhat,foramonk,isnothisproperrangeandistheterritoryof others?Thefivestringsofsensuality.Whichfive?Formscognizablebythe eyeagreeable,pleasing,charming,endearing,fosteringdesire,enticing.Sounds cognizablebytheear...Aromascognizablebythenose...Flavorscognizableby thetongue...Tactilesensationscognizablebythebodyagreeable,pleasing, charming,endearing,fosteringdesire,enticing.These,foramonk,arenothis properrangeandaretheterritoryofothers. Wander,monks,inwhatisyourproperrange,yourownancestralterritory. Inonewhowandersinwhatishisproperrange,hisownancestralterritory, Maragainsnoopening,Maragainsnofoothold.Andwhat,foramonk,ishis properrange,hisownancestralterritory?Thefourframesofreference.Which four?Thereisthecasewhereamonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&of itselfardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed&distresswithreferenceto theworld.Heremainsfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves...mindin&of itself...mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselvesardent,alert,&mindfulputting asidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.This,foramonk,ishisproper range,hisownancestralterritory.

14

TheCook SudaSutta(XLVII.8) Supposethatthereisafoolish,inexperienced,unskillfulcookwhohas presentedakingorakingsministerwithvariouskindsofcurry:mainlysour, mainlybitter,mainlypeppery,mainlysweet,alkalineornonalkaline,saltyor nonsalty.Hedoesnottakenoteofhismaster,thinking,Todaymymasterlikes thiscurry,orhereachesoutforthatcurry,orhetakesalotofthiscurry,orhe praisesthatcurry.Todaymymasterlikesmainlysourcurry....Todaymymaster likesmainlybittercurry...mainlypepperycurry...mainlysweetcurry... alkalinecurry...nonalkalinecurry...saltycurry...Todaymymasterlikesnon saltycurry,orhereachesoutfornonsaltycurry,orhetakesalotofnonsalty curry,orhepraisesnonsaltycurry.Asaresult,heisnotrewardedwith clothingorwagesorgifts.Whyisthat?Becausethefoolish,inexperienced, unskillfulcookdoesnottakenoteofhisownmaster. Inthesameway,thereisthecasewhereafoolish,inexperienced,unskillful monkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitselfardent,alert,& mindfulputtingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Ashe remainsthusfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself,hisminddoesnotbecome concentrated,hisdefilements[Comm:thefiveHindrances]arenotabandoned. Hedoesnottakenoteofthatfact.Heremainsfocusedonfeelingsin&of themselves...themindin&ofitself...mentalqualitiesin&of themselvesardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed&distresswith referencetotheworld.Asheremainsthusfocusedonmentalqualitiesin&of themselves,hisminddoesnotbecomeconcentrated,hisdefilementsarenot abandoned.Hedoesnottakenoteofthatfact.Asaresult,heisnotrewarded withapleasantabidinghere&now,norwithmindfulness&alertness.Whyis that?Becausethefoolish,inexperienced,unskillfulmonkdoesnottakenoteof hisownmind. Nowsupposethatthereisawise,experienced,skillfulcookwhohas presentedakingorakingsministerwithvariouskindsofcurry:mainlysour, mainlybitter,mainlypeppery,mainlysweet,alkalineornonalkaline,saltyor nonsalty.Hetakesnoteofhismaster,thinking,Todaymymasterlikesthis curry,orhereachesoutforthatcurry,orhetakesalotofthiscurryorhepraises thatcurry.Todaymymasterlikesmainlysourcurry....Todaymymasterlikes

15 mainlybittercurry...mainlypepperycurry...mainlysweetcurry...alkaline curry...nonalkalinecurry...saltycurry...Todaymymasterlikesnonsalty curry,orhereachesoutfornonsaltycurry,orhetakesalotofnonsaltycurry, orhepraisesnonsaltycurry.Asaresult,heisrewardedwithclothing,wages, &gifts.Whyisthat?Becausethewise,experienced,skillfulcooktakesnoteofhis ownmaster. Inthesameway,thereisthecasewhereawise,experienced,skillfulmonk remainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself...feelingsin&ofthemselves...the mindin&ofitself...mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselvesardent,alert,& mindfulputtingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Ashe remainsthusfocusedonmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves,hismindbecomes concentrated,hisdefilementsareabandoned.Hetakesnoteofthatfact.Asa result,heisrewardedwithapleasantabidinghere&now,togetherwith mindfulness&alertness.Whyisthat?Becausethewise,experienced,skillful monktakesnoteofhisownmind.

AboutCunda(SariputtasPassingAway) CundaSutta(XLVII.13) OnoneoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthiinJetasGrove, Anathapindikasmonastery.NowatthattimeVen.Sariputtawasstaying amongtheMagadhansinNalakavillagediseased,inpain,severelyill.Cunda thenovicewashisattendant.Then,becauseofthatillness,Ven.Sariputta attainedtotalUnbinding. SoCundathenovice,takingVen.Sariputtasbowl&robes,wenttoVen. AnandainJetasGrove,Anathapindikasmonastery,nearSavatthi,andon arrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.Ashewassittingtherehe saidtoVen.Ananda:Venerablesir,Ven.Sariputtahasattainedtotal Unbinding.Herearehisbowl&robes. Cunda,myfriend,thisnewsisreasonforseeingtheBlessedOne.Come, letsgototheBlessedOneandreportthismattertohim. Yes,venerablesir,Cundathenovicereplied. SoVen.Ananda&CundathenovicewenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival, havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.Astheyweresittingthere,Ven. Anandasaidtohim,Lord,justnowCundathenovicesaidtome,Venerable

16 sir,Ven.SariputtahasattainedtotalUnbinding.Herearehisbowl&robes.It wasasifmybodyweredrugged,Ilostmybearings,thingswerentcleartome, onhearingthatVen.SariputtahadattainedtotalUnbinding. But,Ananda,whenheattainedtotalUnbinding,didSariputtatakethe aggregateofvirtuealongwithhim?Didhetaketheaggregateofconcentration... discernment...release...theaggregateofknowledge&visionofreleasealong withhim? No,lord,whenheattainedtotalUnbinding,Ven.Sariputtadidnttakethe aggregateofvirtue...concentration...discernment...release...theaggregateof knowledge&visionofreleasealongwithhim.Itsjustthathewasmy instructor&counselor,onewhoexhorted,urged,roused,&encouragedme.He wastirelessinteachingtheDhamma,ahelptohiscompanionsintheholylife. WemissthenourishmentofhisDhamma,thewealthofhisDhamma,hishelpin theDhamma. But,Ananda,haventIalreadytaughtyouthestateofgrowingdifferent withregardtoallthingsdear&appealing,thestateofbecomingseparate,the stateofbecomingotherwise?Whatelseistheretoexpect?Itsimpossiblethat onecouldforbidanythingborn,existent,fabricated,&subjecttodisintegration fromdisintegrating. Justasifthelargestlimbweretofalloffofagreattreecomposedof heartwood,standingfirm;inthesameway,Sariputtahasattainedtotal Unbindingfromthisgreatcommunityofmonkscomposedofheartwood, standingfirm.Whatelseistheretoexpect?Itsimpossiblethatonecouldforbid anythingborn,existent,fabricated,&subjecttodisintegrationfrom disintegrating. Therefore,Ananda,eachofyoushouldremainwithyourselfasanisland, yourselfasyourrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge.Remainwiththe Dhammaasanisland,theDhammaasyourrefuge,withoutanythingelseasa refuge.Andhowdoesamonkremainwithhisselfasanisland,hisselfashis refuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge?Howdoesheremainwiththe Dhammaasanisland,theDhammaashisrefuge,withoutanythingelseasa refuge?Thereisthecasewhereamonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&of itselfardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed&distresswithreferenceto theworld.Heremainsfocusedonfeelings...mind...mentalqualitiesin&of themselvesardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed&distresswith referencetotheworld.Thisishowamonkremainswithhisselfasanisland,his selfashisrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge,withtheDhammaasan

17 island,theDhammaashisrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge.Forthose whonoworafterIamgoneremainwiththeirselfasanisland,theirselfas theirrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge,withtheDhammaasanisland, theDhammaastheirrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge,theywillbethe highestofthemonkswhodesiretraining. Seealso:DN16;SNXXI.2 AtSedaka(TheAcrobat) SedakaSutta(1)(XLVII.19) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewaslivingamongthe Sumbhas.NowthereisaSumbhantownnamedSedaka.TheretheBlessedOne addressedthemonks,Monks! Yes,lord,themonksresponded. TheBlessedOnesaid,Onceuponatime,monks,abambooacrobat,having erectedabamboopole,addressedhisassistant,FryingPan:Come,mydear FryingPan.Climbupthebamboopoleandstandonmyshoulders. Asyousay,Master,FryingPanansweredthebambooacrobatand, climbingthebamboopole,stoodonhisshoulders. Sothenthebambooacrobatsaidtohisassistant,Nowyouwatchafterme, mydearFryingPan,andIllwatchafteryou.Thus,protectingoneanother, watchingafteroneanother,wellshowoffourskill,receiveourreward,and comedownsafelyfromthebamboopole. Whenhehadsaidthis,FryingPansaidtohim,Butthatwontdoatall, Master.Youwatchafteryourself,andIllwatchaftermyself,andthuswitheach ofusprotectingourselves,watchingafterourselves,wellshowoffourskill, receiveourreward,andcomedownsafelyfromthebamboopole. WhatFryingPan,theassistant,saidtoherMasterwastherightwayinthat case. Monks,aframeofreferenceistobepracticedwiththethought,Illwatch aftermyself.Aframeofreferenceistobepracticedwiththethought,Ill watchafterothers.Whenwatchingafteryourself,youwatchafterothers.When watchingafterothers,youwatchafteryourself.

18 Andhowdoyouwatchafterotherswhenwatchingafteryourself?Through pursuing[thepractice],throughdevelopingit,throughdevotingoneselftoit. Thisishowyouwatchafterotherswhenwatchingafteryourself. Andhowdoyouwatchafteryourselfwhenwatchingafterothers?Through endurance,throughharmlessness,andthroughamindofkindness&sympathy. Thisishowyouwatchafteryourselfwhenwatchingafterothers. Theframesofreferencearetobepracticedwiththethought,Illwatch aftermyself.Theframesofreferencearetobepracticedwiththethought,Ill watchafterothers.Whenwatchingafteryourself,youwatchafterothers.When watchingafterothers,youwatchafteryourself.

AtSedaka(TheBeautyQueen) SedakaSutta(2)(XLVII.20) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewaslivingamongthe Sumbhas.NowthereisaSumbhantownnamedSedaka.TheretheBlessedOne addressedthemonks,Monks! Yes,lord,themonksresponded. TheBlessedOnesaid,Suppose,monks,thatalargecrowdofpeoplecomes throngingtogether,saying,Thebeautyqueen!Thebeautyqueen!And supposethatthebeautyqueenishighlyaccomplishedatsinging&dancing,so thatanevengreatercrowdcomesthronging,saying,Thebeautyqueenis singing!Thebeautyqueenisdancing!Thenamancomesalong,desiringlife& shrinkingfromdeath,desiringpleasure&abhorringpain.Theysaytohim, Nowlookhere,mister.Youmusttakethisbowlfilledtothebrimwithoiland carryitonyourheadinbetweenthegreatcrowd&thebeautyqueen.Aman witharaisedswordwillfollowrightbehindyou,andwhereveryouspillevena dropofoil,righttherewillhecutoffyourhead.Nowwhatdoyouthink, monks:Willthatman,notpayingattentiontothebowlofoil,lethimselfget distractedoutside? No,lord. Ihavegivenyouthisparabletoconveyameaning.Themeaningisthis:The bowlfilledtothebrimwithoilstandsformindfulnessimmersedinthebody. Thusyoushouldtrainyourselves:Wewilldevelopmindfulnessimmersedin thebody.Wewillpursueit,giveitameansoftransport,giveitagrounding,

19 steadyit,consolidateit,andundertakeitwell.Thatishowyoushouldtrain yourselves. Seealso:MN119;SNXXXV.206

AnAnalysisoftheFramesofReference SatipatthanavibhangaSutta(XLVII.40) Iwillteachyoutheframesofreference,theirdevelopment,andthepathof practiceleadingtotheirdevelopment.Listen&paycloseattention.Iwillspeak. Now,whataretheframesofreference?Thereisthecasewhereamonk remainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitselfardent,alert,&mindfulputting asidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Heremainsfocusedon feelingsin&ofthemselves...mindin&ofitself...mentalqualitiesin&of themselvesardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed&distresswith referencetotheworld. Thisiscalledtheframesofreference. Andwhatisthedevelopmentoftheframesofreference?Thereisthecase whereamonkremainsfocusedonthephenomenonoforiginationwithregardto thebody,remainsfocusedonthephenomenonofpassingawaywithregardto thebody,remainsfocusedonthephenomenonoforigination&passingaway withregardtothebodyardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed&distress withreferencetotheworld. Heremainsfocusedonthephenomenonoforiginationwithregardto feelings,remainsfocusedonthephenomenonofpassingawaywithregardto feelings,remainsfocusedonthephenomenonoforigination&passingaway withregardtofeelingsardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed&distress withreferencetotheworld. Heremainsfocusedonthephenomenonoforiginationwithregardtothe mind,remainsfocusedonthephenomenonofpassingawaywithregardtothe mind,remainsfocusedonthephenomenonoforigination&passingawaywith regardtothemindardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed&distress withreferencetotheworld. Heremainsfocusedonthephenomenonoforiginationwithregardto mentalqualities,remainsfocusedonthephenomenonofpassingawaywith

20 regardtomentalqualities,remainsfocusedonthephenomenonoforigination& passingawaywithregardtomentalqualitiesardent,alert,&mindfulputting asidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld. Thisiscalledthedevelopmentoftheframesofreference. Andwhatisthepathofpracticetothedevelopmentoftheframesof reference?Justthisnobleeightfoldpath:rightview,rightresolve,rightspeech, rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration. Thisiscalledthepathofpracticetothedevelopmentoftheframesofreference. Seealso:DN22

AnAnalysisoftheMentalFaculties IndriyavibhangaSutta(XLVIII.10) Monks,therearethesefivefaculties.Whichfive?Thefacultyofconviction,the facultyofpersistence,thefacultyofmindfulness,thefacultyofconcentration,the facultyofdiscernment. Nowwhatisthefacultyofconviction?Thereisthecasewhereamonk,a discipleofthenobleones,hasconviction,isconvincedoftheTathagatas Awakening:Indeed,theBlessedOneispureandrightlyselfawakened, consummateinknowledge&conduct,wellgone,anexpertwithregardtothe world,unexcelledasatrainerforthosepeoplefittobetamed,theTeacherof divine&humanbeings,awakened,blessed.Thisiscalledthefacultyof conviction. Andwhatisthefacultyofpersistence?Thereisthecasewhereamonk,a discipleofthenobleones,keepshispersistencearousedforabandoning unskillfulmentalqualitiesandtakingonskillfulmentalqualities.Heissteadfast, solidinhiseffort,notshirkinghisdutieswithregardtoskillfulmentalqualities. Hegeneratesdesire,endeavors,arousespersistence,upholds&exertshisintent forthesakeofthenonarisingofevil,unskillfulqualitiesthathavenotyet arisen...forthesakeoftheabandoningofevil,unskillfulqualitiesthathave arisen...forthesakeofthearisingofskillfulqualitiesthathavenotyetarisen... (and)forthemaintenance,nonconfusion,increase,plenitude,development,& culminationofskillfulqualitiesthathavearisen.Thisiscalledthefacultyof persistence.

21 Andwhatisthefacultyofmindfulness?Thereisthecasewhereamonk,a discipleofthenobleones,ismindful,highlymeticulous,remembering&ableto calltomindeventhingsthatweredone&saidlongago.Heremainsfocusedon thebodyin&ofitselfardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed&distress withreferencetotheworld.Heremainsfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves... themindin&ofitself...mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselvesardent,alert,& mindfulputtingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Thisis calledthefacultyofmindfulness. Andwhatisthefacultyofconcentration?Thereisthecasewhereamonk,a discipleofthenobleones,makingithisobjecttoletgo,attainsconcentration, attainssinglenessofmind.Quitewithdrawnfromsensuality,withdrawnfrom unskillfulmentalqualities,heenters&remainsinthefirstjhana:rapture& pleasurebornfromwithdrawal,accompaniedbydirectedthought&evaluation. Withthestillingofdirectedthought&evaluation,heenters&remainsinthe secondjhana:rapture&pleasurebornofcomposure,unificationofawareness freefromdirectedthought&evaluationinternalassurance.Withthefadingof raptureheremainsinequanimity,mindful&alert,andphysicallysensitiveof pleasure.Heenters&remainsinthethirdjhana,ofwhichtheNobleOnes declare,Equanimous&mindful,hehasapleasurableabiding.Withthe abandoningofpleasure&painaswiththeearlierdisappearanceofelation& distressheenters&remainsinthefourthjhana:purityofequanimity& mindfulness,neitherpleasurenorpain.Thisiscalledthefacultyof concentration. Andwhatisthefacultyofdiscernment?Thereisthecasewhereamonk,a discipleofthenobleones,isdiscerning,endowedwithdiscernmentofarising& passingawaynoble,penetrating,leadingtotherightendingofstress.He discerns,asitisactuallypresent:Thisisstress...Thisistheoriginationof stress...Thisisthecessationofstress...Thisisthepathofpracticeleadingtothe cessationofstress.Thisiscalledthefacultyofdiscernment. Thesearethefivefaculties. OldAge JaraSutta(XLVIII.41)

22 IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthiin theEasternMonastery,thepalaceofMigarasmother.Nowonthatoccasionthe BlessedOne,onemergingfromseclusioninthelateafternoon,satwarminghis backinthewesternsun.ThenVen.AnandawenttotheBlessedOneand,on arrival,havingboweddowntotheBlessedOne,massagedtheBlessedOnes limbswithhishandandsaid,Itsamazing,lord.Itsastounding,howthe BlessedOnescomplexionisnolongersoclear&bright;hislimbsareflabby& wrinkled;hisback,bentforward;theresadiscerniblechangeinhis facultiesthefacultyoftheeye,thefacultyoftheear,thefacultyofthenose,the facultyofthetongue,thefacultyofthebody. Thatsthewayitis,Ananda.Whenyoung,oneissubjecttoaging;when healthy,subjecttoillness;whenalive,subjecttodeath.Thecomplexionisno longersoclear&bright;thelimbsareflabby&wrinkled;theback,bentforward; theresadiscerniblechangeinthefacultiesthefacultyoftheeye,thefacultyof theear,thefacultyofthenose,thefacultyofthetongue,thefacultyofthe body. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWellgone,the Teacher,saidfurther: Ispitonyou,oldage oldagethatmakesforugliness. Thebodilyimage,socharming, istrampledbyoldage. Eventhosewholivetoahundred areheadedalltoanendindeath, whichsparesnoone, whichtramplesall.

Seealso:DN16;SNIII.25;ThigV.8

EasternGatehouse PubbakotthakaSutta(XLVIII.44)

23 IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayinginSavatthi,atthe EasternGatehouse.ThereheaddressedVen.Sariputta:Sariputta,doyoutakeit onconvictionthatthefacultyofconviction,whendeveloped&pursued,plunges intotheDeathless,hastheDeathlessasitsgoal&consummation?Doyoutakeit onconvictionthatthefacultyofpersistence...mindfulness...concentration... discernment,whendeveloped&pursued,plungesintotheDeathless,hasthe Deathlessasitsgoal&consummation? Lord,itsnotthatItakeitonconvictionintheBlessedOnethatthefaculty ofconviction...persistence...mindfulness...concentration...discernment,when developed&pursued,plungesintotheDeathless,hastheDeathlessasitsgoal& consummation.Thosewhohavenotknown,seen,penetrated,realized,or attaineditbymeansofdiscernmentwouldhavetotakeitonconvictioninothers thatthefacultyofconviction...persistence...mindfulness...concentration... discernment,whendeveloped&pursued,plungesintotheDeathless,hasthe Deathlessasitsgoal&consummation;whereasthosewhohaveknown,seen, penetrated,realized,&attaineditbymeansofdiscernmentwouldhavenodoubt oruncertaintythatthefacultyofconviction...persistence...mindfulness... concentration...discernment,whendeveloped&pursued,plungesintothe Deathless,hastheDeathlessasitsgoal&consummation.Andasforme,Ihave known,seen,penetrated,realized,&attaineditbymeansofdiscernment.Ihave nodoubtoruncertaintythatthefacultyofconviction...persistence... mindfulness...concentration...discernment,whendeveloped&pursued, plungesintotheDeathless,hastheDeathlessasitsgoal&consummation. Excellent,Sariputta.Excellent.Thosewhohavenotknown,seen, penetrated,realized,orattaineditbymeansofdiscernmentwouldhavetotakeit onconvictioninothersthatthefacultyofconviction...persistence...mindfulness ...concentration...discernment,whendeveloped&pursued,plungesintothe Deathless,hastheDeathlessasitsgoal&consummation;whereasthosewho haveknown,seen,penetrated,realized,&attaineditbymeansofdiscernment wouldhavenodoubtoruncertaintythatthefacultyofconviction... persistence...mindfulness...concentration...discernment,whendeveloped& pursued,plungesintotheDeathless,hastheDeathlessasitsgoal& consummation.

ToUnnabhatheBrahman

24 BrahmanaSutta(LI.15) IhaveheardthatononeoccasionVen.AnandawasstayinginKosambi,at GhositasPark.ThentheBrahmanUnnabhawenttowhereVen.Anandawas stayingandonarrivalgreetedhimcourteously.Afteranexchangeoffriendly greetings&courtesies,hesatdowntooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaid toVen.Ananda:MasterAnanda,whatistheaimofthisholylifelivedunder thecontemplativeGotama? Brahman,theholylifeislivedundertheBlessedOnewiththeaimof abandoningdesire. Isthereapath,isthereapractice,fortheabandoningofthatdesire? Yes,thereisapath,isthereapractice,fortheabandoningofthatdesire. Whatisthepath,thepractice,fortheabandoningofthatdesire? Brahman,thereisthecasewhereamonkdevelopsthebaseofpower endowedwithconcentrationfoundedondesire&thefabricationsofexertion.He developsthebaseofpowerendowedwithconcentrationfoundedon persistence...concentrationfoundedonintent...concentrationfoundedon discrimination&thefabricationsofexertion.This,Brahman,isthepath,thisis thepracticefortheabandoningofthatdesire. Ifthatsso,MasterAnanda,thenitsanendlesspath,andnotonewith anend,foritsimpossiblethatonecouldabandondesirebymeansofdesire. Inthatcase,brahman,letmequestionyouonthismatter.Answerasyou seefit.Whatdoyouthink:Didntyoufirsthavedesire,thinking,Illgotothe park,andthenwhenyoureachedthepark,wasntthatparticulardesire allayed? Yes,sir. Didntyoufirsthavepersistence,thinking,Illgotothepark,and thenwhenyoureachedthepark,wasntthatparticularpersistenceallayed? Yes,sir. Didntyoufirsthavetheintent,thinking,Illgotothepark,andthen whenyoureachedthepark,wasntthatparticularintentallayed? Yes,sir. Didntyoufirsthave[anactof]discrimination,thinking,Illgotothe park,andthenwhenyoureachedthepark,wasntthatparticularactof discriminationallayed? Yes,sir.

25 Soitiswithanarahantwhosementalfermentationsareended,whohas reachedfulfillment,donethetask,laiddowntheburden,attainedthetruegoal, totallydestroyedthefetterofbecoming,andwhoisreleasedthroughright gnosis.Whateverdesirehefirsthadfortheattainmentofarahantship,on attainingarahantshipthatparticulardesireisallayed.Whateverpersistencehe firsthadfortheattainmentofarahantship,onattainingarahantshipthat particularpersistenceisallayed.Whateverintenthefirsthadfortheattainment ofarahantship,onattainingarahantshipthatparticularintentisallayed. Whateverdiscriminationhefirsthadfortheattainmentofarahantship,on attainingarahantshipthatparticulardiscriminationisallayed.Sowhatdoyou think,brahman?Isthisanendlesspath,oronewithanend? Youreright,MasterAnanda.Thisisapathwithanend,andnotan endlessone.Magnificent,MasterAnanda!Magnificent!Justasifheweretoplace uprightwhatwasoverturned,torevealwhatwashidden,toshowthewayto onewhowaslost,ortocarryalampintothedarksothatthosewitheyescould seeforms,inthesamewayhasMasterAnandathroughmanylinesof reasoningmadetheDhammaclear.IgotoMasterGotamaforrefuge,tothe Dhamma,andtotheSanghaofmonks.MayMasterAnandaremembermeasa layfollowerwhohasgoneforrefuge,fromthisdayforward,forlife.

AnAnalysisoftheBasesofPower IddhipadavibhangaSutta(LI.20) Thesefourbasesofpower,whendeveloped&pursued,areofgreatfruit& greatbenefit.Andhowarethefourbasesofpowerdeveloped&pursuedsoasto beofgreatfruit&greatbenefit? Thereisthecasewhereamonkdevelopsthebaseofpowerendowedwith concentrationfoundedondesire&thefabricationsofexertion,thinking,This desireofminewillbeneitheroverlysluggishnoroverlyactive,neitherinwardly restrictednoroutwardlyscattered.Hekeepsperceivingwhatisinfront& behindsothatwhatisinfrontisthesameaswhatisbehind,whatisbehindis thesameaswhatisinfront.Whatisbelowisthesameaswhatisabove,whatis aboveisthesameaswhatisbelow.Nightisthesameasday,dayisthesameas night.Bymeansofanawarenessthusopen&unhampered,hedevelopsa brightenedmind.

26 Hedevelopsthebaseofpowerendowedwithconcentrationfoundedon persistence... Hedevelopsthebaseofpowerendowedwithconcentrationfoundedon intent... Hedevelopsthebaseofpowerendowedwithconcentrationfoundedon discrimination&thefabricationsofexertion,thinking,Thisdiscriminationof minewillbeneitheroverlysluggishnoroverlyactive,neitherinwardlyrestricted noroutwardlyscattered.Hekeepsperceivingwhatisinfront&behindsothat whatisinfrontisthesameaswhatisbehind,whatisbehindisthesameaswhat isinfront.Whatisbelowisthesameaswhatisabove,whatisaboveisthesame aswhatisbelow.[Hedwells]bynightasbyday,andbydayasbynight.By meansofanawarenessthusopen&unhampered,hedevelopsabrightened mind. Andhowisdesireoverlysluggish?Whateverdesireisaccompaniedby laziness,conjoinedwithlaziness,thatiscalledoverlysluggishdesire. Andhowisdesireoverlyactive?Whateverdesireisaccompaniedby restlessness,conjoinedwithrestlessness,thatiscalledoverlyactivedesire. Andhowisdesireinwardlyrestricted?Whateverdesireisaccompaniedby sloth&drowsiness,conjoinedwithsloth&drowsiness,thatiscalledinwardly restricteddesire. Andhowisdesireoutwardlyscattered?Whateverdesireisstirredupby thefivestrandsofsensuality,outwardlydispersed&dissipated,thatiscalled outwardlyscattereddesire. Andhowdoesamonkdwellperceivingwhatisinfront&behindsothat whatisinfrontisthesameaswhatisbehind,andwhatisbehindisthesameas whatisinfront?Thereisthecasewhereamonksperceptionofwhatisinfront &behindiswellinhand,wellattendedto,wellconsidered,welltuned (penetrated)bymeansofdiscernment.Thisishowamonkkeepsperceiving whatisinfrontandbehindsothatwhatisinfrontisthesameaswhatisbehind, andwhatisbehindisthesameaswhatisinfront. Andhowdoesamonkdwellsothatwhatisbelowisthesameaswhatis above,andwhatisaboveisthesameaswhatisbelow?Thereisthecasewherea monkreflectsonthisverybody,fromthesolesofthefeetonup,fromthecrown oftheheadondown,surroundedbyskin,&fullofvariouskindsofunclean things:Inthisbodythereareheadhairs,bodyhairs,nails,teeth,skin,flesh, tendons,bones,bonemarrow,kidneys,heart,liver,pleura,spleen,lungs,large intestines,smallintestines,gorge,feces,bile,phlegm,pus,blood,sweat,fat,

27 tears,skinoil,saliva,mucus,fluidinthejoints,urine.Thisishowamonk dwellssothatwhatisbelowisthesameaswhatisabove,andwhatisaboveis thesameaswhatisbelow. Andhowdoesamonkdwellbynightasbyday,andbydayasbynight? Thereisthecasewhereamonkatnightdevelopsthebaseofpowerendowed withconcentrationfoundedondesire&thefabricationsofexertionbymeansof thesamemodes(permutations)&signs&themesthatheusesbyday,andby dayhedevelopsthebaseofpowerendowedwithconcentrationfoundedon desire&thefabricationsofexertionbymeansofthesamemodes&signs& themesthatheusesbynight.Thisishowamonkdwellsbynightasbyday,and bydayasbynight. Andhowdoesamonkbymeansofanawarenessopen& unhampereddevelopabrightenedmind?Thereisthecasewhereamonkhas theperceptionoflight,theperceptionofdaytime[atanyhouroftheday]wellin hand&wellestablished.Thisishowamonkbymeansofanawarenessopen& unhampereddevelopsabrightenedmind. (Theabovediscussionisthenrepeatedforpersistence,intent,& discrimination.) Whenamonkhasthusdeveloped&pursuedthefourbasesofpower,he experiencesmanifoldsupranormalpowers.Havingbeenonehebecomesmany; havingbeenmanyhebecomesone.Heappears.Hevanishes.Hegoes unimpededthroughwalls,ramparts,&mountainsasifthroughspace.Hedives in&outoftheearthasifitwerewater.Hewalksonwaterwithoutsinkingasif itweredryland.Sittingcrossleggedhefliesthroughtheairlikeawingedbird. Withhishandhetouches&strokeseventhesun&moon,somighty&powerful. HeexercisesinfluencewithhisbodyevenasfarastheBrahmaworlds. Hehearsbymeansofthedivineearelement,purified&surpassingthe humanbothkindsofsounds:divine&human,whethernearorfar. Heknowstheawarenessofotherbeings,otherindividuals,having encompasseditwithhisownawareness.Hediscernsamindwithpassionasa mindwithpassion,andamindwithoutpassionasamindwithoutpassion.He discernsamindwithaversionasamindwithaversion,andamindwithout aversionasamindwithoutaversion.Hediscernsamindwithdelusionasa mindwithdelusion,andamindwithoutdelusionasamindwithoutdelusion. Hediscernsarestrictedmindasarestrictedmind,andascatteredmindasa scatteredmind.Hediscernsanenlargedmindasanenlargedmind,andan unenlargedmindasanunenlargedmind.Hediscernsanexcelledmind[onethat

28 isnotatthemostexcellentlevel]asanexcelledmind,andanunexcelledmindas anunexcelledmind.Hediscernsaconcentratedmindasaconcentratedmind, andanunconcentratedmindasanunconcentratedmind.Hediscernsareleased mindasareleasedmind,andanunreleasedmindasanunreleasedmind. 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. 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. Throughtheendingofthementalfermentations,heenters&remainsinthe fermentationfreeawarenessrelease&discernmentrelease,havingdirectly known&realizedthemforhimselfrightinthehere&now. Thisishowthesefourbasesofpower,whendeveloped&pursued,areof greatfruit&greatbenefit.

29 Illness GilayanaSutta(LII.10) IhaveheardthatononeoccasionVen.AnuruddhawasstayingnearSavatthiin theDarkForestdiseased,inpain,severelyill.Thenalargenumberofmonks wenttoVen.Anuruddhaandonarrivalsaidtohim,What(mental)dwelling areyoudwellinginsothatthepainsthathaveariseninthebodydonotinvade orremaininthemind? WhenIdwellwithmymindwellestablishedinthefourframesof reference,thepainsthathaveariseninthebodydonotinvadeorremaininthe mind.Whichfour?ThereisthecasewhereIremainfocusedonthebodyin&of itselfardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed&distresswithreferenceto theworld.Iremainfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves...mindin&of itself...mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselvesardent,alert,&mindfulputting asidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.WhenIdwellwithmymind wellestablishedinthesefourframesofreference,thepainsthathavearisenin thebodydonotinvadeorremaininthemind. Seealso:SNXLVI.14

ToAnanda(onMindfulnessofBreathing) AnandaSutta(LIV.13) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthiin JetasGrove,AnathapindikasPark.ThenVen.Anandawenttowherethe BlessedOnewasstayingand,onarriving,boweddownandsattooneside.As hewassittingthereheaddressedtheBlessedOne,saying,Isthereonequality that,whendeveloped&pursued,bringsfourqualitiestocompletion?Andfour qualitiesthat,whendeveloped&pursued,bringsevenqualitiestocompletion? Andsevenqualitiesthat,whendeveloped&pursued,bringtwoqualitiesto completion? Yes,Ananda,thereisonequalitythat,whendeveloped&pursued,brings fourqualitiestocompletion;andfourqualitiesthat,whendeveloped&pursued, bringsevenqualitiestocompletion;andsevenqualitiesthat,whendeveloped&

30 pursued,bringtwoqualitiestocompletion.Andwhatistheonequalitythat, whendeveloped&pursued,bringsfourqualitiestocompletion?Whatarethe fourqualitiesthat,whendeveloped&pursued,bringsevenqualitiesto completion?Whatarethesevenqualitiesthat,whendeveloped&pursued,bring twoqualitiestocompletion? Mindfulnessofin&outbreathing,whendeveloped&pursued,bringsthe fourframesofreference(foundationsofmindfulness)tocompletion.Thefour framesofreference,whendeveloped&pursued,bringthesevenfactorsfor awakeningtocompletion.Thesevenfactorsforawakening,whendeveloped& pursued,bringclearknowing&releasetocompletion. Nowinwhatwaydoesamonkdevelop&pursuemindfulnessofin&out breathingsothatitbringsthefourframesofreferencetocompletion? Thereisthecasewhereamonk,havinggonetothewilderness,totheshade ofatree,ortoanemptybuilding,sitsdownfoldinghislegscrosswise,holding hisbodyerect,andsettingmindfulnesstothefore.Alwaysmindful,hebreathes in;mindfulhebreathesout. (1)Breathinginlong,hediscernsthatheisbreathinginlong;orbreathing outlong,hediscernsthatheisbreathingoutlong.(2)Orbreathinginshort,he discernsthatheisbreathinginshort;orbreathingoutshort,hediscernsthatheis breathingoutshort.(3)Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitivetotheentire body,andtobreatheoutsensitivetotheentirebody.(4)Hetrainshimselfto breatheincalmingthebodilyfabrication,andtobreatheoutcalmingthebodily fabrication. (5)Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitivetorapture,andtobreatheout sensitivetorapture.(6)Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitivetopleasure,and tobreatheoutsensitivetopleasure.(7)Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitiveto mentalfabrication,andtobreatheoutsensitivetomentalfabrication.(8)He trainshimselftobreatheincalmingmentalfabrication,andtobreatheout calmingmentalfabrication. (9)Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitivetothemind,andtobreatheout sensitivetothemind.(10)Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsatisfyingthemind, andtobreatheoutsatisfyingthemind.(11)Hetrainshimselftobreathein steadyingthemind,andtobreatheoutsteadyingthemind.(12)Hetrains himselftobreatheinreleasingthemind,andtobreatheoutreleasingthemind. (13)Hetrainshimselftobreatheinfocusingoninconstancy,andtobreathe outfocusingoninconstancy.(14)Hetrainshimselftobreatheinfocusingon dispassion(literally,fading),andtobreatheoutfocusingondispassion.(15)He

31 trainshimselftobreatheinfocusingoncessation,andtobreatheoutfocusingon cessation.(16)Hetrainshimselftobreatheinfocusingonrelinquishment,andto breatheoutfocusingonrelinquishment. 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. Onwhateveroccasionamonktrainshimselftobreathein...&...outsensitive torapture;trainshimselftobreathein...&...outsensitivetopleasure;trains himselftobreathein...&...outsensitivetomentalfabrication;trainshimselfto breathein...&...outcalmingmentalfabrication:Onthatoccasionthemonk remainsfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselvesardent,alert,& mindfulsubduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Itellyou, monks,thatthiscloseattentiontoin&outbreathsisclassedasafeeling amongfeelings,whichiswhythemonkonthatoccasionremainsfocusedon feelingsin&ofthemselvesardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed& distresswithreferencetotheworld. Onwhateveroccasionamonktrainshimselftobreathein...&...outsensitive tothemind;trainshimselftobreathein...&...outsatisfyingthemind;trains himselftobreathein...&...outsteadyingthemind;trainshimselftobreathe in...&...outreleasingthemind:Onthatoccasionthemonkremainsfocusedonthe mindin&ofitselfardent,alert,&mindfulsubduinggreed&distresswith referencetotheworld.Idontsaythatthereismindfulnessofin&out breathinginoneofconfusedmindfulnessandnoalertness,whichiswhythe monkonthatoccasionremainsfocusedonthemindin&ofitselfardent,alert, &mindfulputtingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld. Onwhateveroccasionamonktrainshimselftobreathein...&...outfocusing oninconstancy;trainshimselftobreathein...&...outfocusingondispassion; trainshimselftobreathein...&...outfocusingoncessation;trainshimselfto breathein...&...outfocusingonrelinquishment:Onthatoccasionthemonk

32 remainsfocusedonmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselvesardent,alert,& mindfulsubduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Hewhosees clearlywithdiscernmenttheabandoningofgreed&distressisonewhooversees withequanimity,whichiswhythemonkonthatoccasionremainsfocusedon mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselvesardent,alert,&mindfulputtingaside greed&distresswithreferencetotheworld. Thisishowdeveloping&pursuingmindfulnessofin&outbreathingin bringsthefourframesofreferencetocompletion. Andhowarethefourframesofreferencedeveloped&pursuedsothatthe sevenfactorsforawakeningcometocompletion? (1)Onwhateveroccasionthemonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&of itselfardent,alert,&mindfulputtingasidegreed&distresswithreferenceto theworld,onthatoccasionhismindfulnessissteady&withoutlapse.Whenhis mindfulnessissteady&withoutlapse,thenmindfulnessasafactorforawakening becomesaroused.Hedevelopsit,andthroughhimitgoestotheculminationof itsdevelopment. (2)Remainingmindfulinthisway,heexamines,analyzes,&comestoa comprehensionofthatqualitywithdiscernment.Whenheremainsmindfulin thisway,examining,analyzing,&comingtoacomprehensionofthatquality withdiscernment,thenanalysisofqualitiesasafactorforawakeningbecomes aroused.Hedevelopsit,andthroughhimitgoestotheculminationofits development. (3)Inonewhoexamines,analyzes,&comestoacomprehensionofthat qualitywithdiscernment,unflaggingpersistenceisaroused.Whenunflagging persistenceisarousedinonewhoexamines,analyzes,&comestoa comprehensionofthatqualitywithdiscernment,thenpersistenceasafactorfor awakeningbecomesaroused.Hedevelopsit,andthroughhimitgoestothe culminationofitsdevelopment. (4)Inonewhosepersistenceisaroused,arapturenotoftheflesharises. Whenarapturenotoftheflesharisesinonewhosepersistenceisaroused,then raptureasafactorforawakeningbecomesaroused.Hedevelopsit,andthrough himitgoestotheculminationofitsdevelopment. (5)Foronewhoisenraptured,thebodygrowscalmandthemindgrows calm.Whenthebody&mindofanenrapturedmonkgrowcalm,thenserenityas afactorforawakeningbecomesaroused.Hedevelopsit,andthroughhimitgoes totheculminationofitsdevelopment.

33 (6)Foronewhoisateasehisbodycalmedthemindbecomes concentrated.Whenthemindofonewhoisateasehisbodycalmedbecomes concentrated,thenconcentrationasafactorforawakeningbecomesaroused.He developsit,andthroughhimitgoestotheculminationofitsdevelopment. (7)Heoverseesthemindthusconcentratedwithequanimity.Whenhe overseesthemindthusconcentratedwithequanimity,equanimityasafactorfor awakeningbecomesaroused.Hedevelopsit,andthroughhimitgoestothe culminationofitsdevelopment. (Similarlywiththeotherthreeframesofreference:feelings,mind,&mental qualities.) Thisishowthefourframesofreference,whendeveloped&pursued,lead totheculminationofthesevenfactorsforawakening. Andhowarethesevenfactorsforawakeningdeveloped&pursuedsoasto leadtotheculminationofclearknowing&release?Thereisthecasewherea monkdevelopsmindfulnessasafactorforawakeningdependenton seclusion...dispassion...cessation,resultinginrelinquishment.Hedevelops analysisofqualitiesasafactorforawakening...persistenceasafactorfor awakening...raptureasafactorforawakening...serenityasafactorfor awakening...concentrationasafactorforawakening...equanimityasafactorfor awakeningdependentonseclusion...dispassion...cessation,resultingin relinquishment. Thisishowthesevenfactorsforawakening,whendeveloped&pursued, leadtotheculminationofclearknowing&release. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,Ven.Anandadelightedinthe BlessedOneswords.

SettingtheWheelofDhammainMotion DhammacakkappavattanaSutta(LVI.11) AccordingtoMahavaggaI.6,thiswastheBuddhasfirstdiscourseafterhis Awakening. IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearVaranasiin theGameRefugeatIsipatana.Thereheaddressedthegroupoffivemonks:

34 Therearethesetwoextremesthatarenottobeindulgedinbyonewhohas goneforth.Whichtwo?Thatwhichisdevotedtosensualpleasureinconnection withsensuality:base,vulgar,common,ignoble,unprofitable;andthatwhichis devotedtoselfaffliction:painful,ignoble,unprofitable.Avoidingbothofthese extremes,themiddlewayrealizedbytheTathagataproducingvision, producingknowledgeleadstocalm,todirectknowledge,toselfawakening,to Unbinding. AndwhatisthemiddlewayrealizedbytheTathagatathatproducing vision,producingknowledgeleadstocalm,todirectknowledge,toself awakening,toUnbinding?PreciselythisNobleEightfoldPath:rightview,right resolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,right mindfulness,rightconcentration.Thisisthemiddlewayrealizedbythe Tathagatathatproducingvision,producingknowledgeleadstocalm,todirect knowledge,toselfawakening,toUnbinding. Nowthis,monks,isthenobletruthofstress :Birthisstressful,ageingis stressful,deathisstressful;sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairare stressful;associationwiththeunbelovedisstressful,separationfromthelovedis stressful,notgettingwhatiswantedisstressful.Inshort,thefiveclinging aggregatesarestressful. Andthis,monks,isthenobletruthoftheoriginationofstress:thecraving thatmakesforfurtherbecomingaccompaniedbypassion&delight,relishing nowhere&nowtherei.e.,cravingforsensuality,cravingforbecoming,craving fornonbecoming. Andthis,monks,isthenobletruthofthecessationofstress:the remainderlessfading&cessation,renunciation,relinquishment,release,&letting goofthatverycraving. Andthis,monks,isthenobletruthofthewayofpracticeleadingtothe cessationofstress:preciselythisNobleEightfoldPathrightview,rightresolve, rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,right concentration. Visionarose,insightarose,discernmentarose,knowledgearose, illuminationarosewithinmewithregardtothingsneverheardbefore:Thisis thenobletruthofstress...Thisnobletruthofstressistobe comprehended...Thisnobletruthofstresshasbeencomprehended. Visionarose,insightarose,discernmentarose,knowledgearose, illuminationarosewithinmewithregardtothingsneverheardbefore:Thisis
4 3 2 1

35 thenobletruthoftheoriginationofstress...Thisnobletruthofthe originationofstressistobeabandoned ...Thisnobletruthoftheorigination ofstresshasbeenabandoned. Visionarose,insightarose,discernmentarose,knowledgearose, illuminationarosewithinmewithregardtothingsneverheardbefore:Thisis thenobletruthofthecessationofstress...Thisnobletruthofthecessationof stressistobedirectlyexperienced...Thisnobletruthofthecessationofstress hasbeendirectlyexperienced. Visionarose,insightarose,discernmentarose,knowledgearose, illuminationarosewithinmewithregardtothingsneverheardbefore:Thisis thenobletruthofthewayofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstress...This nobletruthofthewayofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstressistobe developed...Thisnobletruthofthewayofpracticeleadingtothecessation ofstresshasbeendeveloped. And,monks,aslongasthisknowledge&visionofminewithitsthree rounds&twelvepermutationsconcerningthesefournobletruthsasthey actuallyarepresentwasnotpure,Ididnotclaimtohavedirectlyawakenedto therightselfawakeningunexcelledinthecosmoswithitsdeities,Maras,& Brahmas,withitscontemplatives&priests,itsroyalty&commonfolk.Butas soonasthisknowledge&visionofminewithitsthreerounds&twelve permutationsconcerningthesefournobletruthsastheyactuallyare presentwastrulypure,thenIdidclaimtohavedirectlyawakenedtotheright selfawakeningunexcelledinthecosmoswithitsdeities,Maras&Brahmas,with itscontemplatives&priests,itsroyalty&commonfolk.Knowledge&vision aroseinme:Unprovokedismyrelease.Thisisthelastbirth.Thereisnowno furtherbecoming. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,thegroupoffivemonks delightedintheBlessedOneswords.Andwhilethisexplanationwasbeing given,therearosetoVen.Kondaathedustless,stainlessDhammaeye: Whateverissubjecttooriginationisallsubjecttocessation. AndwhentheBlessedOnehadsettheWheelofDhammainmotion,the earthdeitiescriedout:AtVaranasi,intheGameRefugeatIsipatana,the BlessedOnehassetinmotiontheunexcelledWheelofDhammathatcannotbe stoppedbypriestorcontemplative,deity,Mara,orBrahmaoranyoneatallin thecosmos.Onhearingtheearthdeitiescry,thedeitiesoftheFourKings Heaventookupthecry...thedeitiesoftheThirtythree...theYamadeities...the Tusitadeities...theNimmanaratideities...theParanimmitavasavattideities...
6 5

36 thedeitiesofBrahmasretinuetookupthecry:AtVaranasi,intheGame RefugeatIsipatana,theBlessedOnehassetinmotiontheunexcelledWheelof Dhammathatcannotbestoppedbypriestorcontemplative,deity,Mara,orGod oranyoneatallinthecosmos. Sointhatmoment,thatinstant,thecryshotrightuptotheBrahmaworlds. Andthistenthousandfoldcosmosshivered&quivered&quaked,whileagreat, measurelessradianceappearedinthecosmos,surpassingtheeffulgenceofthe deities. ThentheBlessedOneexclaimed:Soyoureallyknow,Kondaa?Soyou reallyknow?AndthatishowVen.KondaaacquiredthenameAa KondaaKondaawhoknows. NOTES 1.ThePaliphrasesforthefournobletruthsaregrammaticalanomalies.From theseanomalies,somescholarshavearguedthattheexpressionnobletruthis alateradditiontothetexts.Othershavearguedevenfurtherthatthecontentof thefourtruthsisalsoalateraddition.Bothoftheseargumentsarebasedonthe unprovenassumptionthatthelanguagetheBuddhaspokewasgrammatically regular,andthatanyirregularitieswerelatercorruptionsofthelanguage.This assumptionforgetsthatthelanguagesoftheBuddhastimewereoraldialects, andthatthenatureofsuchdialectsistocontainmanygrammaticalirregularities. Languagestendtobecomeregularonlywhenbeingusedtogovernalarge nationstateortoproducealargebodyofliterature:eventsthathappenedin IndiaonlyaftertheBuddhastime.(AEuropeanexample:Italianwasagroup ofirregularoraldialectsuntilDantefashioneditintoaregularlanguageforthe sakeofhispoetry.)ThustheirregularityofthePalihereisnoproofeitherforthe earlinessorlatenessofthisparticularteaching. 2.Forfurtherdiscussionofthefirstnobletruth,seeDN22,MN109,SN XXII.48,SNXXII.79,SNXXXVIII.14,ANVI.63. 3.Forfurtherdiscussionofthesecondnobletruth,seeDN22,SNXII.2,SN XII.64. 4.Forfurtherdiscussionofthefourthnobletruth,seeMN117,SNXLV.8. 5.Anotherargumentforthelatenessoftheexpressionnobletruthisthata truthmeaninganaccuratestatementaboutabodyoffactsisnotsomething thatshouldbeabandoned.Inthiscase,onlythecravingistobeabandoned,not thetruthaboutcraving.However,inVedicSanskritasinmodernEnglisha truthcanmeanbothafactandanaccuratestatementaboutafact.Inthiscase,

37 thetruthisthefact,notthestatementaboutthefact.Thefactofcravingisto beabandoned,notthestatementaboutit.Thustheexpressionisnotnecessarily late. 6.Thediscussioninthefourparagraphsbeginningwiththephrase,Vision arose.takestwosetsofvariablesthefournobletruthsandthethreelevelsof knowledgeappropriatetoeachandliststheirtwelvepermutations.Inancient Indianphilosophicalandlegaltraditions,thissortofdiscussioniscalledawheel. Thus,thispassageistheWheelofDhammafromwhichthediscoursetakesits name.

TheSimsapaLeaves SimsapaSutta(LVI.31) OncetheBlessedOnewasstayingatKosambiintheSimsapaforest.Then, pickingupafewSimsapaleaveswithhishand,heaskedthemonks,Howdo youconstruethis,monks:Whicharemorenumerous,thefewSimsapaleavesin myhandorthoseoverheadintheSimsapaforest? TheleavesinthehandoftheBlessedOnearefewinnumber,lord.Those overheadintheforestarefarmorenumerous. Inthesameway,monks,thosethingsthatIhaveknownwithdirect knowledgebuthavenottaughtarefarmorenumerous[thanwhatIhave taught].AndwhyhaventItaughtthem?Becausetheyarenotconnectedwith thegoal,donotrelatetotherudimentsoftheholylife,anddonotleadto disenchantment,todispassion,tocessation,tocalm,todirectknowledge,toself awakening,toUnbinding.ThatiswhyIhavenottaughtthem. AndwhathaveItaught?Thisisstress...Thisistheoriginationofstress... Thisisthecessationofstress...Thisisthepathofpracticeleadingtothe cessationofstress:ThisiswhatIhavetaught.AndwhyhaveItaughtthese things?Becausetheyareconnectedwiththegoal,relatetotherudimentsofthe holylife,andleadtodisenchantment,todispassion,tocessation,tocalm,to directknowledge,toselfawakening,toUnbinding.ThisiswhyIhavetaught them. Thereforeyourdutyisthecontemplation,Thisisstress...Thisisthe originationofstress...Thisisthecessationofstress.Yourdutyisthe contemplation,Thisisthepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstress.

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TheHole ChiggalaSutta(LVI.48) Monks,supposethatthisgreatearthweretotallycoveredwithwater,anda manweretotossayokewithasingleholethere.Awindfromtheeastwould pushitwest,awindfromthewestwouldpushiteast.Awindfromthenorth wouldpushitsouth,awindfromthesouthwouldpushitnorth.Andsupposea blindseaturtlewerethere.Itwouldcometothesurfaceonceeveryonehundred years.Nowwhatdoyouthink:wouldthatblindseaturtle,comingtothesurface onceeveryonehundredyears,stickhisneckintotheyokewithasinglehole? Itwouldbeasheercoincidence,lord,thattheblindseaturtle,comingto thesurfaceonceeveryonehundredyears,wouldstickhisneckintotheyoke withasinglehole. Itslikewiseasheercoincidencethatoneobtainsthehumanstate.Its likewiseasheercoincidencethataTathagata,worthy&rightlyselfawakened, arisesintheworld.Itslikewiseasheercoincidencethatadoctrine&discipline expoundedbyaTathagataappearsintheworld.Now,thishumanstatehasbeen obtained.ATathagata,worthy&rightlyselfawakened,hasarisenintheworld. Adoctrine&disciplineexpoundedbyaTathagataappearsintheworld. Thereforeyourdutyisthecontemplation:Thisisstress...Thisisthe originationofstress...Thisisthecessationofstress...Thisisthepathofpractice leadingtothecessationofstress.