merit: the buddha's strategies for happiness
TRANSCRIPT
Merit
THEBUDDHAâS
STRATEGIES
FORHAPPINESS
a s tudyguide
preparedby
ThanissaroBhikkhu
2
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IntroductionOFALLTHECONCEPTScentraltoBuddhism,merit(puñña)isoneofthe
leastknownandleastappreciatedintheWest.Thisisperhapsbecausethepursuitofmeritseemstobealowlypractice,focusedongettingandâselfing,âwhereashigherBuddhistpracticefocusesonlettinggo,particularlyofanysenseofself.BecauseweintheWestoftenfeelpressedfortime,wedonâtwanttowasteourtimeonlowlypractices,andinsteadwanttogostraighttothehigherlevels.YettheBuddharepeatedlywarnsthatthehigherlevelscannotbepracticedinastablemannerunlesstheydeveloponastrongfoundation.Thepursuitofmeritprovidesthatfoundation.ToparaphraseamodernBuddhistpsychologist,onecannotwiselyletgoofoneâssenseofselfuntilonehasdevelopedawisesenseofself.ThepursuitofmeritistheBuddhistwaytodevelopawisesenseofself.
Thefollowingreadingsshowhowthisisdone.Theybeginwithasectiononbasicwisdom,whichshowshowthequestionsthatleadultimatelytothewisdomoflettinggofirstfocusonthingstoholdonto:theskillfultraitsthat,onthebeginninglevel,provideasecureplacetostandwhilelettinggoofcharactertraitsthatareobviouslyharmful.Buddhistwisdomfamouslyfocusesonperceptionsofinconstancy,stress,andnot-self,buttheapplicationofthatwisdomgrowsoutofthepursuitofwhatisrelativelyconstantandpleasant,andrequiresamaturesenseofself:abletoplanforthefuture,toanticipatedangers,tosacrificeshort-termhappinessforlong-termhappiness,toconsidertheneedsofothers,tosubstituteharmlesspleasuresforharmfulones,andtodevelopastrongsenseofself-relianceinthepursuitofahappinessthatiswise,pure,andcompassionate.
Thesectiononmeritthensetsoutingeneraltermsthetypesofmeritoriousactivitiesthatconducetothathappiness,focusingprimarilyonthree:giving,virtue,andmeditation.Thenextthreesectionsfocusonthewaysinwhicheachoftheseactivitiescanbepursuedsoastoproducethemosthappiness.Forinstance,thesectionongivingdiscusseshowthehappinessofgenerositycanbemaximizedbywiselychoosingthepropermotivationforgivingagift,apropergift,andaproperrecipientforoneâsgift.Thesectionofvirtueshowshowtolearnfromoneâspastmistakeswithoutsuccumbingtodebilitatingfeelingsofguilt.Thesectiononmeditationdiscussesnotonlyhowthedevelopmentofgoodwillâthemeditativepracticemostoftencitedinconjunctionwithmeritâcan
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leadtohappinessbothnowandinthepresent,butalsohowitcanhelpminimizethebadresultsofoneâspastunwiseactions.
Allthreeoftheseformsofmeritconducetothehighestformofmerit:therealizationofstream-entryâenteringtheâstreamâtonibbanaâthefirstglimpseofthedeathless.Thusthepenultimatesectionofthisstudyguidefocusesonthehappinessandwell-beingthatderivefromthisattainment.
Foralltherewardsofmeritoriousaction,however,theconcludingsectionservesasareminderthatthepursuitofhappinessultimatelyleadsbeyondthepursuitofmerit.Infact,thisbookisplannedaspartofatwo-partseriescoveringtheBuddhistapproachtothepursuitofhappiness,withthesecondpartdiscussingtheperceptionsofinconstancy,stress,andnot-selfasthenextstageinapproachingthedeathlesshappinessattainedwitharahantship.Still,itwouldbeamistaketoviewthetwostagesasradicallyseparate.Inthecourseofdevelopingawisesenseofselfinthepursuitofmerit,oneisalreadylearninghowtoletgoofunwisewaysofâselfingâasonelearnstoovercomestinginess,apathy,andhard-heartednessthroughthedevelopmentofgiving,virtue,andgoodwill.Theteachingsonthethreeperceptionssimplycarrythissameprocessofâde-selfingâforthesakeofaneventruerhappinesstoahigherpitch.
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BasicWisdomâTherearesomecasesinwhichapersonovercomewithpain,hismind
exhausted,grieves,mourns,laments,beatshisbreast,&becomesbewildered.Oroneovercomewithpain,hismindexhausted,comestosearchoutside,âWhoknowsawayortwotostopthispain?âItellyou,monks,thatstressresultseitherinbewildermentorinsearch.ââAN6:63
âThisisthewayleadingtodiscernment:whenvisitingacontemplativeorbrahman,toask:âWhatisskillful,venerablesir?Whatisunskillful?Whatisblameworthy?Whatisblameless?Whatshouldbecultivated?Whatshouldnotbecultivated?What,whenIdoit,willbeformylong-termharm&suffering?Orwhat,whenIdoit,willbeformylong-termwelfare&happiness?âââMN135
âWhatdoyouthink,Rahula:Whatisamirrorfor?ââForreflection,sir.ââInthesameway,Rahula,bodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactions
aretobedonewithrepeatedreflection.âWheneveryouwanttoperformabodilyaction,youshouldreflectonit:
âThisbodilyactionIwanttoperformâwoulditleadtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth?Isitanunskillfulbodilyaction,withpainfulconsequences,painfulresults?âIf,onreflection,youknowthatitwouldleadtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwouldbeanunskillfulbodilyactionwithpainfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenanybodilyactionofthatsortisabsolutelyunfitforyoutodo.ButifonreflectionyouknowthatitwouldnotcauseafflictionâŠitwouldbeaskillfulbodilyactionwithhappyconsequences,happyresults,thenanybodilyactionofthatsortisfitforyoutodo.
âWhileyouareperformingabodilyaction,youshouldreflectonit:âThisbodilyactionIamdoingâisitleadingtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth?Isitanunskillfulbodilyaction,withpainfulconsequences,painfulresults?âIf,onreflection,youknowthatitisleadingtoself-affliction,toafflictionofothers,orbothâŠyoushouldgiveitup.ButifonreflectionyouknowthatitisnotâŠyoumaycontinuewithit.
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âHavingperformedabodilyaction,youshouldreflectonit.âŠIf,onreflection,youknowthatitledtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwasanunskillfulbodilyactionwithpainfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenyoushouldconfessit,revealit,layitopentotheTeacherortoaknowledgeablecompanionintheholylife.HavingconfesseditâŠyoushouldexerciserestraintinthefuture.ButifonreflectionyouknowthatitdidnotleadtoafflictionâŠitwasaskillfulbodilyactionwithhappyconsequences,happyresults,thenyoushouldstaymentallyrefreshed&joyful,trainingday&nightinskillfulmentalqualities.
[Similarlywithverbalandmentalactions,exceptforthelastparagraphundermentalaction:]
âHavingperformedamentalaction,youshouldreflectonit.âŠIf,onreflection,youknowthatitledtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwasanunskillfulmentalactionwithpainfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenyoushouldfeeldistressed,ashamed,&disgustedwithit.FeelingdistressedâŠyoushouldexerciserestraintinthefuture.ButifonreflectionyouknowthatitdidnotleadtoafflictionâŠitwasaskillfulmentalactionwithhappyconsequences,happyresults,thenyoushouldstaymentallyrefreshed&joyful,trainingday&nightinskillfulmentalqualities.
âRahula,allthosecontemplatives&brahmansinthecourseofthepastwhopurifiedtheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactions,diditthroughrepeatedreflectionontheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactionsinjustthisway.
âAllthosecontemplatives&brahmansinthecourseofthefuturewhowillpurifytheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactions,willdoitthroughrepeatedreflectionontheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactionsinjustthisway.
âAllthosecontemplatives&brahmansatpresentwhopurifytheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactions,doitthroughrepeatedreflectionontheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactionsinjustthisway.
âThus,Rahula,youshouldtrainyourself:âIwillpurifymybodilyactionsthroughrepeatedreflection.Iwillpurifymyverbalactionsthroughrepeatedreflection.Iwillpurifymymentalactionsthroughrepeatedreflection.âThatâshowyoushouldtrainyourself.ââMN61
âAsforthecourseofactionthatisunpleasanttodobutthat,whendone,leadstowhatisprofitable,itâsinlightofthiscourseofactionthatonemaybe
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knownâintermsofmanlystamina,manlypersistence,manlyeffortâasafoolorawiseperson.Forafooldoesnâtreflect,âEventhoughthiscourseofactionisunpleasanttodo,stillwhenitisdoneitleadstowhatisprofitable.âSohedoesnâtdoit,andthusthenon-doingofthatcourseofactionleadstowhatisunprofitableforhim.Butawisepersonreflects,âEventhoughthiscourseofactionisunpleasanttodo,stillwhenitisdoneitleadstowhatisprofitable.âSohedoesit,andthusthedoingofthatcourseofactionleadstowhatisprofitableforhim.
âAsforthecourseofactionthatispleasanttodobutthat,whendone,leadstowhatisunprofitable,itâsinlightofthiscourseofactionthatonemaybeknownâintermsofmanlystamina,manlypersistence,manlyeffortâasafoolorawiseperson.Forafooldoesnâtreflect,âEventhoughthiscourseofactionispleasanttodo,stillwhenitisdoneitleadstowhatisunprofitable.âSohedoesit,andthusthedoingofthatcourseofactionleadstowhatisunprofitableforhim.Butawisepersonreflects,âEventhoughthiscourseofactionispleasanttodo,stillwhenitisdoneitleadstowhatisunprofitable.âSohedoesnâtdoit,andthusthenon-doingofthatcourseofactionleadstowhatisprofitableforhim.ââAN4:115
Yourownselfisyourownmainstay,forwhoelsecouldyourmainstaybe?Withyouyourselfwell-trainedyouobtainthemainstayhardtoobtain.âDhp160
Evilisdonebyoneself,byoneselfisonedefiled.
Evilisleftundonebyoneself,byoneselfisonecleansed.
Purity&impurityareoneâsowndoing.Noonepurifiesanother.Nootherpurifiesone.âDhp165
Youyourselfshouldreproveyourself,shouldexamineyourself.
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Asaself-guardedmonkwithguardedself,mindful,youdwellatease.âDhp379
âAndwhatistheselfasagoverningprinciple?Thereisthecasewhereamonk,havinggonetoawilderness,tothefootofatree,ortoanemptydwelling,reflectsonthis:âItâsnotforthesakeofrobesthatIhavegoneforthfromthehomelifeintohomelessness;itâsnotforthesakeofalmsfood,forthesakeoflodgings,orforthesakeofthisorthatstateof[future]becomingthatIhavegoneforthfromthehomelifeintohomelessness.SimplythatIambesetbybirth,aging,&death;bysorrows,lamentations,pains,distresses,&despairs;besetbystress,overcomewithstress,[andIhope,]âPerhapstheendofthisentiremassofsuffering&stressmightbeknown!âNow,ifIweretoseekthesamesortofsensualpleasuresthatIabandonedingoingforthfromhomeintohomelessnessâoraworsesortâthatwouldnotbefittingforme.âSohereflectsonthis:âMypersistencewillbearoused¬lax;mymindfulnessestablished¬confused;mybodycalm¬aroused;mymindcentered&unified.âHavingmadehimselfhisgoverningprinciple,heabandonswhatisunskillful,developswhatisskillful,abandonswhatisblameworthy,developswhatisunblameworthy,andlooksafterhimselfinapureway.Thisiscalledtheselfasagoverningprinciple.ââAN3:40
Ananda:ââThisbodycomesintobeingthroughconceit.Andyetitisbyrelyingonconceitthatconceitistobeabandoned.âThusitwassaid.Andinreferencetowhatwasitsaid?Thereisthecase,sister,whereamonkhears,âThemonknamedsuch-and-such,theysay,throughtheendingoftheeffluents,hasentered&remainsintheeffluent-freeawareness-release&discernment-release,havingdirectlyknown&realizedthemforhimselfrightinthehere&now.âThethoughtoccurstohim,âThemonknamedsuch-&-such,theysay,throughtheendingoftheeffluents,hasentered&remainsintheeffluent-freeawareness-release&discernment-release,havingdirectlyknown&realizedthemforhimselfrightinthehere&now.Thenwhynotme?âThen,atalatertime,heabandonsconceit,havingreliedonconceit.ââAN4:159
Gentlesages,constantlyrestrainedinbody,gototheunwaveringstatewhere,havinggone,
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thereâsnogrief.âDhp225
Theyawaken,alwayswideawake:Gotamaâsdisciples
whosemindfulness,bothday&night,isconstantlyimmersed
intheBuddhaâŠtheDhammaâŠtheSangha.Theyawaken,alwayswideawake:
Gotamaâsdiscipleswhosemindfulness,bothday&night,isconstantlyimmersed
inthebody.âDhp296â299
If,byforsakingalimitedease,hewouldseeanabundanceofease,theenlightenedmanwouldforsakethelimitedeaseforthesakeoftheabundant.âDhp290
âThesefourtypesofactionhavebeenunderstood,realized,&madeknownbyme.Whichfour?Thereisactionthatisdarkwithdarkresult;actionthatisbrightwithbrightresult;actionthatisdark&brightwithdark&brightresult;andactionthatisneitherdarknorbrightwithneitherdarknorbrightresult,leadingtotheendingofaction.
âAndwhatisactionthatisdarkwithdarkresult?ThereisthecasewhereacertainpersonfabricatesaninjuriousbodilyfabricationâŠaninjuriousverbalfabricationâŠaninjuriousmentalfabricationâŠHerearisesinaninjuriousworldwhereheistouchedbyinjuriouscontactsâŠHeexperiencesfeelingsthatareexclusivelypainful,likethoseofthebeingsinhell.Thisiscalledactionthatisdarkwithdarkresult.
âAndwhatisactionthatisbrightwithbrightresult?ThereisthecasewhereacertainpersonfabricatesanuninjuriousbodilyfabricationâŠanuninjuriousverbalfabricationâŠanuninjuriousmentalfabrication.âŠHerearisesinan
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uninjuriousworldwhereheistouchedbyuninjuriouscontacts.âŠHeexperiencesfeelingsthatareexclusivelypleasant,likethoseoftheEver-radiantDevas.Thisiscalledkammathatisbrightwithbrightresult.
âAndwhatisactionthatisdark&brightwithdark&brightresult?Thereisthecasewhereacertainpersonfabricatesabodilyfabricationthatisinjurious&uninjuriousâŠaverbalfabricationthatisinjurious&uninjuriousâŠamentalfabricationthatisinjurious&uninjurious.âŠHerearisesinaninjurious&uninjuriousworldwhereheistouchedbyinjurious&uninjuriouscontacts.âŠHeexperiencesinjurious&uninjuriousfeelings,pleasuremingledwithpain,likethoseofhumanbeings,somedevas,andsomebeingsinthelowerrealms.Thisiscalledkammathatisdark&brightwithdark&brightresult.
âAndwhatisactionthatisneitherdarknorbrightwithneitherdarknorbrightresult,leadingtotheendingofaction?TheintentionrighttheretoabandonthisactionthatisdarkwithdarkresultâŠthisactionthatisbrightwithbrightresultâŠthisactionthatisdark&brightwithdark&brightresult.Thisiscalledactionthatisneitherdarknorbrightwithneitherdarknorbrightresult,leadingtotheendingofaction.ââAN4:232
[Arelateddiscourserepeatsmostoftheabove,definingdarkactionwithdarkresultwiththefollowingexample:âThereisthecaseofacertainpersonwhokillslivingbeings,stealswhatisnotgiven,engagesinsexualmisconduct,tellslies,anddrinksfermented&distilledliquorsthatarethebasisforheedlessness,âandbrightactionwithbrightresultwiththefollowingexample:âThereisthecaseofacertainpersonwhoabstainsfromkillinglivingbeings,abstainsfromstealingwhatisnotgiven,abstainsfromengaginginsexualmisconduct,abstainsfromtellinglies,andabstainsfromdrinkingfermented&distilledliquorsthatarethebasisforheedlessness.â]âAN4:234
âAndwhatisactionthatisneitherdarknorbrightwithneitherdarknorbrightresult,leadingtotheendingofaction?Rightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration.ââAN4:237
So,aimingatSuppabuddhatheleper,theBlessedOnegaveastep-by-steptalk,i.e.,atalkongenerosity,onvirtue,onheaven;hedeclaredthedrawbacks,degradation,&corruptionofsensualpassions,andtherewardsofrenunciation.ThenwhenhesawthatSuppabuddhatheleperâsmindwasready,malleable,freefromhindrances,elated,&bright,hethengavetheDhamma-talkpeculiarto
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AwakenedOnes,i.e.,stress,origination,cessation,&path.Andjustasacleancloth,freeofstains,wouldproperlyabsorbadye,inthesameway,asSuppabuddhatheleperwassittinginthatveryseat,thedustless,stainlessDhammaeyearosewithinhim,âWhateverissubjecttooriginationisallsubjecttocessation.ââUd5:3
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Puñña:MeritAblessing:friendswhentheneedarises.Ablessing:contentmentwithwhateverthereis.Meritattheendingoflifeisablessing.Ablessing:theabandoningofallsuffering
&stress.
Ablessingintheworld:reverencetoyourmother.
Ablessing:reverencetoyourfatheraswell.Ablessingintheworld:
reverencetoacontemplative.Ablessing:reverenceforabrahmin,too.Ablessingintooldageisvirtue.Ablessing:convictionestablished.Ablessing:discernmentattained.Thenon-doingofevilthingsis
ablessing.âDhp331â333
ThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:âMonks,donâtbeafraidofactsofmerit.Thisisanotherwayofsayingwhatisblissful,desirable,pleasing,endearing,charmingâi.e.,actsofmerit.Iamcognizantthat,havinglongperformedmeritoriousdeeds,Ilongexperienceddesirable,pleasing,endearing,charmingresults.Havingdevelopedamindofgoodwillforsevenyears,thenforsevenaeonsofcontraction&expansionIdidnâtreturntothisworld.Whenevertheaeonwascontracting,IwenttotherealmofStreamingRadiance.Whenevertheaeonwasexpanding,IreappearedinanemptyBrahma-abode.ThereIwastheGreatBrahman,theUnconqueredConqueror,All-seeing,&WielderofPower.Thenforthirty-sixtimesIwasSakka,rulerofthedevas.FormanyhundredsoftimesIwasaking,awheel-turningemperor,arighteouskingofDhamma,conquerorofthefourcornersoftheearth,maintainingstablecontroloverthecountryside,endowedwiththeseventreasures*âtosaynothingofthetimesIwasalocalking.Thethoughtoccurredtome:âOfwhatactionofmineisthisthefruit,ofwhatactiontheresult,thatInowhavesuchgreatpower
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&might?âThenthethoughtoccurredtome:âThisisthefruitofmythree[typesof]action,theresultofthreetypesofaction,thatInowhavesuchgreatpower&might:i.e.,generosity,self-control,&restraint.ââ
Traininactsofmeritthatbringlong-lastingblissâdevelopgenerosity,
alifeintune,amindofgoodwill.
Developingthesethreethingsthatbringaboutbliss,
thewisereappearinaworldofbliss
unalloyed.
* NO T E : Theseventreasuresareadivinewheel,anidealjewel,anidealelephant,anidealhorse,anidealwife,anidealtreasurer,anidealcounselor.
âIti22
Hereherejoicesherejoiceshereafter.
Inbothworldsthemerit-makerrejoices.Herejoices,isjubilant,seeingthepurity
ofhisdeeds.Herehedelightshedelightshereafter.
Inbothworldsthemerit-makerdelights.Hedelightsatthethought,
âIâvemademerit.âHavinggonetoagooddestination,hedelights
allthemore.âDhp16,18
Bequickindoing
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whatâsadmirable.Restrainyourmindfromwhatâsevil.Whenyouâreslowinmakingmerit,evildelightsthemind.âDhp116
Eventheevilmeetwithgoodfortuneaslongastheirevilhasyettomature.Butwhenitâsmaturedthatâswhentheymeet
withevil.Eventhegoodmeetwithbadfortuneaslongastheirgoodhasyettomature.Butwhenitâsmaturedthatâswhentheymeet
withgoodfortune.
Donâtbeheedlessofevil(âItwonâtcometomeâ).Awaterjarfills,evenwithwaterfallingindrops.Withevilâevenif
bitby
bit,habituallyâ
thefoolfillshimselffull.Donâtbeheedlessofmerit(âItwonâtcometomeâ).Awaterjarfills,evenwithwaterfallingindrops.Withmeritâevenif
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bitby
bit,habituallyâ
theenlightenedonefillshimselffull.âDhp119â122
ThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:âTherearethesethreegroundsformeritoriousactivity.Whichthree?Thegroundformeritoriousactivitymadeofgenerosity,thegroundformeritoriousactivitymadeofvirtue,andthegroundformeritoriousactivitymadeofdevelopment[meditation].Thesearethethreegroundsformeritoriousactivity.â
Traininactsofmeritthatbringlong-lastingblissâdevelopgenerosity,
alifeintune,amindofgoodwill.
Developingthesethreethingsthatbringaboutbliss,
thewisereappearinaworldofbliss
unalloyed.âIti60
ThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:âIhaveseenbeingswhoâendowedwithbodilygoodconduct,verbalgoodconduct,&mentalgoodconduct;whodidnotrevilenobleones,whoheldrightviewsandundertookactionsundertheinfluenceofrightviewsâatthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,havere-appearedinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.ItisnotfromhavingheardthisfromanothercontemplativeorbrahmanthatItellyouthatIhaveseenbeingswhoâendowedwithbodilygoodconduct,verbalgoodconduct,&mentalgoodconduct;whodidnotrevilenobleones,whoheldrightviewsandundertookactionsundertheinfluenceofrightviewsâatthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,havere-appearedinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.Itâsfromhavingknownitmyself,seenitmyself,realizeditmyselfthatItellyouthatIhaveseenbeingswhoâendowedwithbodilygoodconduct,verbalgoodconduct,&mentalgoodconduct;whodidnotrevilenobleones,whoheldrightviewsandundertookactionsundertheinfluenceofright
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viewsâatthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,havere-appearedinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.â
Withmindrightlydirected,speakingrightspeech,doingrightdeedswiththebody:
apersonhereofmuchlearning,adoerofmerithereinthislifesoshort,atthebreak-upofthebody,
discerning,reappearsinheaven.âIti71
Ashewassittingtooneside,KingPasenadiKosalasaidtotheBlessedOne:âJustnow,lord,whileIwasaloneinseclusion,thistrainofthoughtaroseinmyawareness:âWhoaredeartothemselves,andwhoarenotdeartothemselves?âThenitoccurredtome:âThosewhoengageinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconductarenotdeartothemselves.Eventhoughtheymaysay,âWearedeartoourselves,âstilltheyarenâtdeartothemselves.Whyisthat?Oftheirownaccord,theyacttowardthemselvesasanenemywouldacttowardanenemy;thustheyarenâtdeartothemselves.Butthosewhoengageingoodbodilyconduct,goodverbalconduct,&goodmentalconductaredeartothemselves.Eventhoughtheymaysay,âWearenâtdeartoourselves,âstilltheyaredeartothemselves.Whyisthat?Oftheirownaccord,theyacttowardthemselvesasadearonewouldacttowardadearone;thustheyaredeartothemselves.ââ
âThatâsthewayitis,greatking!Thatâsthewayitis!Thosewhoengageinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconductarenotdeartothemselves.Eventhoughtheymaysay,âWearedeartoourselves,âstilltheyarenâtdeartothemselves.Whyisthat?Oftheirownaccord,theyacttowardthemselvesasanenemywouldacttowardanenemy;thustheyarenâtdeartothemselves.Butthosewhoengageingoodbodilyconduct,goodverbalconduct,&goodmentalconductaredeartothemselves.Eventhoughtheymaysay,âWearenâtdeartoourselves,âstilltheyaredeartothemselves.Whyisthat?Oftheirownaccord,theyacttowardthemselvesasadearonewouldacttowardadearone;thustheyaredeartothemselves.â
ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWell-Gone,theTeacher,saidfurther:
âIfyouholdyourselfdear
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thendonâtfetteryourselfwithevil,
forhappinessisnâteasilygainedbyonewhocommitsawrong-doing.
WhenseizedbytheEnd-makerasyouabandonthehumanstate,
whatâstrulyyourown?Whatdoyoutakealongwhenyougo?Whatfollowsbehindyou
likeashadowthatneverleaves?
Boththemerit&evilthatyouasamortalperformhere:thatâswhatâstrulyyourown,
whatyoutakealongwhenyougo;thatâswhatfollowsbehindyou
likeashadowthatneverleaves.
Sodowhatisadmirable,asanaccumulation
forthefuturelife.Deedsofmeritarethesupportforbeings
whentheyariseintheotherworld.ââSN3:4
Ashewassittingtooneside,KingPasenadiKosalasaidtotheBlessedOne:âIsthere,lord,anyonequalitythatkeepsbothkindsofbenefitssecureâbenefitsinthislife&benefitsinlivestocome?â
âThereisonequality,greatking,thatkeepsbothkindsofbenefitssecureâbenefitsinthislife&benefitsinlivestocome.â
âButwhat,venerablesir,isthatonequalityâŠ?ââHeedfulness,greatking.Justasthefootprintsofalllivingbeingswithlegs
canbeencompassedbythefootprintoftheelephant,andtheelephantâsfootprintisdeclaredtobesupremeamongthemintermsofitsgreatsize;inthesameway,heedfulnessistheonequalitythatkeepsbothkindsofbenefitssecureâbenefitsinthislife&benefitsinlivestocome.â
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ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWell-Gone,theTeacher,saidfurther:
âForonewhodesireslonglife,health,beauty,heaven,&noblebirth,
âlavishdelights,oneafteranotherâthewisepraiseheedfulnessindoingactsofmerit.
Whenheedful,wise,youachievebothkindsofbenefit:
benefitsinthislife,&benefitsinlivestocome.
Bybreakingthroughtoyourbenefit,youârecalledenlightened,
wise.âSN3:17
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Dana:GivingâWithoutabandoningthesefivequalities,oneisincapableofentering&
remaininginthefirstjhanaâŠsecondjhanaâŠthethirdjhanaâŠthefourthjhana;incapableofrealizingthefruitofstream-entryâŠthefruitofonce-returningâŠthefruitofnon-returningâŠarahantship.Whichfive?Stinginessastooneâsmonastery[lodgings]âŠoneâsfamily[ofsupporters]âŠoneâsgainsâŠoneâsstatus,andstinginessastotheDhamma.ââAN5:256â257
Conquerstinginesswithagift.âDhp223
âAndwhatisthetreasureofgenerosity?Thereisthecaseofadiscipleofthenobleones,hisawarenesscleansedofthestainofstinginess,livingathome,freelygenerous,openhanded,delightinginbeingmagnanimous,responsivetorequests,delightinginthedistributionofalms.Thisiscalledthetreasureofgenerosity.ââAN7:6
ThenanotherdevaexclaimedintheBlessedOneâspresence:
âGivingisgood,dearsir!Evenwhenthereâsnexttonothing,
givingisgood.Givingwithconvictionisgood!Thegivingofwhatâsrighteouslygained
isgood!Andfurther:Givingwithdiscretionisgood!ItâspraisedbytheOneWell-gone:givingwithdiscretion,tothoseworthyofofferingshereintheworldoftheliving.Whatâsgiventothembearsgreatfruitlikeseedssowninagoodfield.ââSN1:33
20
âThesearethefiverewardsofgenerosity:Oneisdearandappealingtopeopleatlarge,oneisadmiredbygoodpeople,oneâsgoodnameisspreadabout,onedoesnotstrayfromtherightfuldutiesofthehouseholder,andwiththebreak-upofthebodyatdeath,onereappearsinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.ââAN5:35
âIfbeingsknew,asIknow,theresultsofgivingandsharing,theywouldnoteatwithouthavegiven,norwouldthestainofmiserlinessovercometheirminds.Evenifitweretheirlastbite,theirlastmouthful,theywouldnoteatwithouthavingshared,ifthereweresomeonetoreceivetheirgift.Butbecausebeingsdonotknow,asIknow,theresultsofgivingandsharing,theyeatwithouthavegiven.Thestainofmiserlinessovercomestheirminds.ââIti26
AsibandhakaputtatheheadmansaidtotheBlessedOne,âVenerablesir,doesnâttheBlessedOneinmanywayspraisekindness,protection,&sympathyforfamilies?â
âYes,headman,theTathagatainmanywayspraiseskindness,protection,&sympathyforfamilies.â
âThenhow,venerablesir,istheBlessedOne,togetherwithalargecommunityofmonks,wanderingontouraroundNalandainthemidstoffamine,atimeofscarcity,whenthecropsarewhitewithblightandturnedtostraw?TheBlessedOneispracticingfortheruinoffamilies.TheBlessedOneispracticingforthedemiseoffamilies.TheBlessedOneispracticingforthedownfalloffamilies.â
âHeadman,recollectingbackover91aeons,Idonotknowanyfamilytohavebeenbroughttodownfallthroughthegivingofcookedalms.Onthecontrary:Whateverfamiliesarerich,withmuchwealth,withmanypossessions,withagreatdealofmoney,agreatmanyaccoutrementsofwealth,agreatmanycommodities,allhavebecomesofromgiving,fromtruth,fromrestraint.ââSN42:9
Whatthemiserfears,thatkeepshimfromgiving,istheverydangerthatcomeswhenhedoesnâtgive.âSN1:32
Nomisersgo
21
totheworldofthedevas.Thosewhodonâtpraisegiving
arefools.Theenlightenedexpresstheirapprovalforgiving
andsofindeaseintheworldbeyond.âDhp177
âIngivingameal,thedonorgivesfivethingstotherecipient.Whichfive?He/shegiveslife,beauty,happiness,strength,&quick-wittedness.Havinggivenlife,he/shehasashareinlonglife,eitherhumanordivine.Havinggivenbeauty,he/shehasashareinbeauty,eitherhumanordivine.Havinggivenhappiness,he/shehasashareinhappiness,eitherhumanordivine.Havinggivenstrength,he/shehasashareinstrength,eitherhumanordivine.Havinggivenquick-wittedness,he/shehasashareinquick-wittedness,eitherhumanordivine.Ingivingameal,thedonorgivesthesefivethingstotherecipient.â
Theenlightenedpersongivinglife,strength,beauty,quick-wittednessâ
thewiseperson,agiverofhappinessâattainshappinesshimself.
Havinggivenlife,strength,beauty,happiness,&quick-wittedness,
hehaslonglife&statuswhereverhearises.âAN5:37
Thenacertaindevata,inthefarextremeofthenight,herextremeradiancelightinguptheentiretyofJetaâsGrove,wenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,stoodtooneside.Asshewasstandingthere,sherecitedtheseversesintheBlessedOneâspresence:
Whenahouseisonfire,thevesselsalvagedistheonethatwillbeofuse,nottheonelefttheretoburn.Sowhentheworldisonfirewithaging&death,youshouldsalvage[yourwealth]bygiving:whatâsgiveniswellsalvaged.
22
Whatâsgivenbearsfruitaspleasure.Whatisnâtgivendoesnot:Thievestakeitaway,orkings;itgetsburntbyfireorlost.Thenintheendyouleavethebodytogetherwithyourpossessions.Knowingthis,theintelligentmanenjoyspossessions&gives.
Havingenjoyed&giveninlinewithyourmeans,uncensuredyougototheheavenlystate.âSN1:41
NowonthatoccasionPrincessSumanaâwithanentourageof500ladies-in-waitingridingon500carriagesâwenttowheretheBuddhawasstaying.Onarrival,havingboweddown,shesattooneside.Asshewassittingthere,shesaidtotheBlessedOne,âSupposethereweretwodisciplesoftheBlessedOne,equalinconviction,virtue,anddiscernment,butonewasagiverofalmsandtheotherwasnot.Atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,theywouldreappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.Havingbecomedevas,wouldtherebeanydistinction,anydifferencebetweenthetwo?â
âYes,therewould,âsaidtheBlessedOne.âTheonewhowasagiverofalms,onbecomingadeva,wouldsurpasstheotherinfiveareas:indivinelifespan,divinebeauty,divinepleasure,divinestatus,anddivinepower....â
âAndiftheyweretofallfromthereandreappearinthisworld:Havingbecomehumanbeings,wouldtherebeanydistinction,anydifferencebetweenthetwo?â
âYes,therewould,âsaidtheBlessedOne.âTheonewhowasagiverofalms,onbecomingahumanbeing,wouldsurpasstheotherinfiveareas:inhumanlifespan,humanbeauty,humanpleasure,humanstatus,andhumanpower.âŠâ
âAndiftheyweretogoforthfromhomeintothehomelesslifeofamonk:Havinggoneforth,wouldtherebeanydistinction,anydifferencebetweenthetwo?â
âYes,therewould,âsaidtheBlessedOne.âTheonewhowasagiverofalms,ongoingforth,wouldsurpasstheotherinfiveareas:Hewouldoftenbeaskedto
23
makeuseofrobes;itwouldberarethathewouldnâtbeasked.HewouldoftenbeaskedtotakefoodâŠtomakeuseofshelterâŠtomakeuseofmedicine;itwouldberarethathewouldnâtbeasked.HiscompanionsintheholylifewouldoftentreathimwithpleasingactionsâŠpleasingwordsâŠpleasingthoughtsâŠandpresenthimwithpleasinggifts,andrarelywithunpleasing.âŠâ
âAndifbothweretoattainarahantship,wouldtherebeanydistinction,anydifferencebetweentheirattainmentsofarahantship?â
âInthatcase,Itellyouthattherewouldbenodifferencebetweenthetwoastotheirrelease.â
âItâsawesome,lord,andastounding.Justthisisreasonenoughtogivealms,tomakemerit,inthatitbenefitsoneasadeva,asahumanbeing,andasamonk.ââAN5:31
Apersonstashesafundaway,deepunderground,atthewaterline:âWhenaneedordutyarises,thiswillprovideformyneeds,formyreleaseifIâmdenouncedbytheking,molestedbythieves,incaseofdebt,famine,oraccidents.âWithaimslikethis
intheworldareservefundisstashedaway.Butnomatterhowwellitâsstored,deepunderground,atthewaterline,itwonâtallalwaysserveoneâsneed.Thefundgetsshiftedfromitsplace,oroneâsmemorygetsconfused;
orâunseenâwaterserpentsmakeoffwithit,spiritsstealit,orhatefulheirsrunoffwithit.
Whenoneâsmeritâsended,itâstotallydestroyed.
Butwhenamanorwomanhaslaidasideawell-storedfundofgenerosity,virtue,
24
restraint,&self-control,withregardtoashrine,theSangha,afineindividual,guests,mother,father,oreldersibling:
Thatâsawell-storedfund.Itcanâtbewrestedaway.Itfollowsyoualong.
When,havingleftthisworld,forwhereveryoumustgo,youtakeitwithyou.
Thisfundisnotheldincommonwithothers,&cannotbestolenbythieves.
So,enlightened,youshouldmakemerit,thefundthatwillfollowyoualong.Thisisthefundthatgivesalltheywanttobeingshuman,divine.âKhp8
ThenJanussoninthebrahmanwenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,exchangedcourteousgreetingswithhim.Afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,hesattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtotheBlessedOne,âMasterGotama,youknowthatwebrahmansgivegifts,makeofferings,[saying,]âMaythisgiftaccruetoourdeadrelatives.Mayourdeadrelativespartakeofthisgift.âNow,MasterGotama,doesthatgiftaccruetoourdeadrelatives?Doourdeadrelativespartakeofthatgift?â
âInpossibleplaces,brahman,itaccruestothem,butnotinimpossibleplaces.â
âAndwhich,MasterGotama,arethepossibleplaces?Whicharetheimpossibleplaces?â
âThereisthecase,brahman,whereacertainpersontakeslife,takeswhatisnotgiven,engagesinsexualmisconduct,engagesinfalsespeech,engagesindivisivespeech,engagesinharshspeech,engagesinidlechatter,iscovetous,bearsillwill,andhaswrongviews.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinhell.Helivesthere,heremainsthere,bymeansofwhateveristhe
25
foodofhell-beings.Thisisanimpossibleplaceforthatgifttoaccruetoonestayingthere.
âThenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersontakeslife,takeswhatisnotgiven,engagesinsexualmisconduct,engagesinfalsespeech,engagesindivisivespeech,engagesinharshspeech,engagesinidlechatter,iscovetous,bearsillwill,andhaswrongviews.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsintheanimalwomb.Helivesthere,heremainsthere,bymeansofwhateveristhefoodofcommonanimals.This,too,isanimpossibleplaceforthatgifttoaccruetoonestayingthere.
âThenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonrefrainsfromtakinglife,refrainsfromtakingwhatisnotgiven,refrainsfromsexualmisconduct,refrainsfromfalsespeech,refrainsfromdivisivespeech,refrainsfromharshspeech,refrainsfromidlechatter,isnotcovetous,bearsnoillwill,andhasrightviews.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofhumanbeings.Helivesthere,heremainsthere,bymeansofwhateveristhefoodofhumanbeings.This,too,isanimpossibleplaceforthatgifttoaccruetoonestayingthere.
âThenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonrefrainsfromtakinglife,refrainsfromtakingwhatisnotgiven,refrainsfromsexualmisconduct,refrainsfromfalsespeech,refrainsfromdivisivespeech,refrainsfromharshspeech,refrainsfromidlechatter,isnotcovetous,bearsnoillwill,andhasrightviews.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofthedevas.Helivesthere,heremainsthere,bymeansofwhateveristhefoodofdevas.This,too,isanimpossibleplaceforthatgifttoaccruetoonestayingthere.
âThenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersontakeslife,takeswhatisnotgiven,engagesinsexualmisconduct,engagesinfalsespeech,engagesindivisivespeech,engagesinharshspeech,engagesinidlechatter,iscovetous,bearsillwill,andhaswrongviews.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsintherealmsofthehungryshades.Helivesthere,heremainsthere,bymeansofwhateveristhefoodofhungryshades.Helivesthere,heremainsthat,bymeansofwhateverhisfriendsorrelativesgiveindedicationtohim.Thisisthepossibleplaceforthatgifttoaccruetoonestayingthere.
âBut,MasterGotama,ifthatdeadrelativedoesnotreappearinthatpossibleplace,whopartakesofthatgift?â
âOtherdeadrelatives,brahman,whohavereappearedinthatpossibleplace.ââBut,MasterGotama,ifthatdeadrelativedoesnotreappearinthatpossible
place,andotherdeadrelativeshavenotreappearedinthatpossibleplace,then
26
whopartakesofthatgift?ââItâsimpossible,brahman,itcannotbe,thatoverthislongtimethatpossible
placeisdevoidofoneâsdeadrelatives.1Butatanyrate,thedonordoesnotgowithoutreward.
âDoesMasterGotamadescribeanypreparationfortheimpossibleplaces?ââBrahman,Idodescribeapreparationfortheimpossibleplaces.Thereisthe
casewhereacertainpersontakeslife,takeswhatisnotgiven,engagesinsexualmisconduct,engagesinfalsespeech,engagesindivisivespeech,engagesinharshspeech,engagesinidlechatter,iscovetous,bearsillwill,andhaswrongviews.Buthegivesfood,drink,cloth,vehicles,garlands,scents,creams,bed,lodging,&lampstocontemplatives&brahmans.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofelephants.Therehereceivesfood,drink,flowers,&variousornaments.Itâsbecausehetooklife,tookwhatisnotgiven,engagedinsexualmisconduct,engagedinfalsespeech,engagedindivisivespeech,engagedinharshspeech,engagedinidlechatter,wascovetous,boreillwill,andhadwrongviewsthathereappearsinthecompanyofelephants.Butitâsbecausehegavefood,drink,cloth,vehicles,garlands,scents,creams,bed,lodging,&lampstocontemplatives&brahmansthathereceivesfood,drink,flowers,&variousornaments.
âThenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersontakeslifeâŠhaswrongviews.ButhegivesfoodâŠlampstocontemplatives&brahmans.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofhorsesâŠinthecompanyofcattleâŠinthecompanyofpoultry.Therehereceivesfood,drink,flowers,&variousornaments.2ItâsbecausehetooklifeâŠandhadwrongviewsthathereappearsinthecompanyofpoultry.Butitâsbecausehegavefood,drinkâŠ&lampstocontemplatives&brahmansthathereceivesfood,drink,flowers,&variousornaments.
âThenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonrefrainsfromtakinglife,refrainsfromtakingwhatisnotgiven,refrainsfromsexualmisconduct,refrainsfromfalsespeech,refrainsfromdivisivespeech,refrainsfromharshspeech,refrainsfromidlechatter,isnotcovetous,bearsnoillwill,andhasrightviews.Andhegivesfood,drink,cloth,vehicles,garlands,scents,creams,bed,lodging,&lampstocontemplatives&brahmans.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofhumanbeings.Thereheexperiencesthefivestringsofhumansensuality[delightfulsights,sounds,smells,tastes,tactilesensations].Itâsbecauseherefrainedfromtakingwhatisnotgiven,refrainedfromsexualmisconduct,refrainedfromfalsespeech,refrainedfromdivisive
27
speech,refrainedfromharshspeech,refrainedfromidlechatter,wasnotcovetous,borenoillwill,andhadrightviewsthathereappearsinthecompanyofhumanbeings.Anditâsbecausehegavefood,drink,cloth,vehicles,garlands,scents,creams,bed,lodging,&lampstocontemplatives&brahmansthatheexperiencesthefivestringsofhumansensuality.
âThenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonrefrainsfromtakinglifeâŠandhasrightviews.Andhegivesfood,drink,cloth,vehicles,garlands,scents,creams,bed,lodging,&lampstocontemplatives&brahmans.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofdevas.Thereheexperiencesthefivestringsofdivinesensuality[delightfulsights,sounds,smells,tastes,tactilesensations].ItâsbecauseherefrainedfromtakingwhatisnotgivenâŠandhadrightviewsthathereappearsinthecompanyofdevas.Anditâsbecausehegavefood,drink,cloth,vehicles,garlands,scents,creams,bed,lodging,&lampstocontemplatives&brahmansthatheexperiencesthefivestringsofdivinesensuality.Butatanyrate,brahman,thedonordoesnotgowithoutreward.â
âItâsamazing,MasterGotama,itâsastounding,howitâsenoughtomakeonewanttogiveagift,enoughtomakeonewanttomakeanoffering,wherethedonordoesnotgowithoutreward.â
âThatâsthewayitis,brahman.Thatâsthewayitis.Thedonordoesnotgowithoutreward.â
âMagnificent,MasterGotama!Magnificent!Justasifheweretoplaceuprightwhatwasoverturned,torevealwhatwashidden,toshowthewaytoonewhowaslost,ortocarryalampintothedarksothatthosewitheyescouldseeforms,inthesamewayhasMasterGotamaâthroughmanylinesofreasoningâmadetheDhammaclear.IgotoMasterGotamaforrefuge,totheDhamma,&tothecommunityofmonks.MayMasterGotamaremembermeasalayfollowerwhohasgonetohimforrefuge,fromthisdayforward,forlife.â
NOT E S1.TheVinayacountsasoneâsrelativesallthoserelatedbackthroughseven
generationspastoneâsgrandparentsâinotherwords,allthosedescendedfromoneâsgreat-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents.
2.Apparently,âornamentsâforpoultrywouldconsistofbrilliantplumage.Similarly,âornamentsâforelephants,horses,&cattlemightconsistofattractivemarkings.
âAN10:177
ThenVen.Sariputta,togetherwiththelayfollowersfromCampa,wentto
28
theBlessedOneandonarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtotheBlessedOne:âMighttherebethecasewhereapersongivesagiftofacertainsortanditdoesnotbeargreatfruitorgreatbenefit,whereasanotherpersongivesagiftofthesamesortanditbearsgreatfruitandgreatbenefit?â
âYes,Sariputta,therewould.âŠââWhy,lordâŠ?ââSariputta,thereisthecasewhereapersongivesagiftseekinghisown
profit,withamindattached[tothereward],seekingtostoreupforhimself[withthethought],âIâllenjoythisafterdeath.âHegiveshisgiftâfood,drink,clothing,avehicle;agarland,perfume,&ointment;bedding,shelter,&alampâtoacontemplativeorbrahman.Whatdoyouthink,Sariputta?Mightapersongivesuchagiftasthis?â
âYes,lord.ââHavinggiventhisgiftseekinghisownprofitâwithamindattached[tothe
reward],seekingtostoreupforhimself,[withthethought],âIâllenjoythisafterdeathââonthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyoftheFourGreatKings.Then,havingexhaustedthataction,thatpower,thatstatus,thatsovereignty,heisareturner,comingbacktothisworld.
âThenthereisthecaseofapersonwhogivesagiftnotseekinghisownprofit,notwithamindattached[tothereward],notseekingtostoreupforhimself,nor[withthethought],âIâllenjoythisafterdeath.âInstead,hegivesagiftwiththethought,âGivingisgood.âHegiveshisgiftâfood,drink,clothing,avehicle;agarland,perfume,&ointment;bedding,shelter,&alampâtoacontemplativeorabrahman.Whatdoyouthink,Sariputta?Mightapersongivesuchagiftasthis?â
âYes,lord.ââHavinggiventhisgiftwiththethought,âGivingisgood,âonthebreak-up
ofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofthedevasoftheThirty-three.Then,havingexhaustedthataction,thatpower,thatstatus,thatsovereignty,heisareturner,comingbacktothisworld.
âOr,insteadofthinking,âGivingisgood,âhegivesagiftwiththethought,âThiswasgiveninthepast,doneinthepast,bymyfather&grandfather.ItwouldnotberightformetoletthisoldfamilycustombediscontinuedââŠonthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofthedevasoftheHours.Then,havingexhaustedthataction,thatpower,thatstatus,thatsovereignty,heisareturner,comingbacktothisworld.
29
âOr,insteadâŠhegivesagiftwiththethought,âIamwell-off.Thesearenotwell-off.Itwouldnotberightforme,beingwell-off,nottogiveagifttothosewhoarenotwell-offââŠonthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyoftheContenteddevas.Then,havingexhaustedthataction,thatpower,thatstatus,thatsovereignty,heisareturner,comingbacktothisworld.
âOr,insteadâŠhegivesagiftwiththethought,âJustastherewerethegreatsacrificesofthesagesofthepastâAtthaka,Vamaka,Vamadeva,Vessamitta,Yamataggi,Angirasa,Bharadvaja,Vasettha,Kassapa,&BhaguâinthesamewaywillthisbemydistributionofgiftsââŠonthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofthedevaswhodelightincreation.Then,havingexhaustedthataction,thatpower,thatstatus,thatsovereignty,heisareturner,comingbacktothisworld.
âOr,insteadâŠhegivesagiftwiththethought,âWhenthisgiftofmineisgiven,itmakesthemindserene.Gratification&joyariseââŠonthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofthedevaswhohavepoweroverthecreationsofothers.Then,havingexhaustedthataction,thatpower,thatstatus,thatsovereignty,heisareturner,comingbacktothisworld.
âOr,insteadofthinking,âWhenthisgiftofmineisgiven,itmakesthemindserene.Gratification&joyarise,âhegivesagiftwiththethought,âThisisanornamentforthemind,asupportforthemind.âHegiveshisgiftâfood,drink,clothing,avehicle;agarland,perfume,&ointment;bedding,shelter,&alampâtoacontemplativeorabrahman.Whatdoyouthink,Sariputta?Mightapersongivesuchagiftasthis?â
âYes,lord.ââHavinggiventhis,notseekinghisownprofit,notwithamindattached[to
thereward],notseekingtostoreupforhimself,nor[withthethought],âIâllenjoythisafterdeath,â
ânorwiththethought,âGivingisgood,âânorwiththethought,âThiswasgiveninthepast,doneinthepast,bymy
father&grandfather.Itwouldnotberightformetoletthisoldfamilycustombediscontinued,â
ânorwiththethought,âIamwell-off.Thesearenotwell-off.Itwouldnotberightforme,beingwell-off,nottogiveagifttothosewhoarenotwell-off,ânorwiththethought,âJustastherewerethegreatsacrificesofthesagesofthepastâAtthaka,Vamaka,Vamadeva,Vessamitta,Yamadaggi,Angirasa,Bharadvaja,Vasettha,Kassapa,&Bhaguâinthesamewaythiswillbemydistributionofgifts,â
30
ânorwiththethought,âWhenthisgiftofmineisgiven,itmakesthemindserene.Gratification&joyarise,â
âbutwiththethought,âThisisanornamentforthemind,asupportforthemindââonthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofBrahmaâsRetinue.Then,havingexhaustedthataction,thatpower,thatstatus,thatsovereignty,heisanon-returner.Hedoesnotcomebacktothisworld.
âThis,Sariputta,isthecause,thisisthereason,whyapersongivesagiftofacertainsortanditdoesnotbeargreatfruitorgreatbenefit,whereasanotherpersongivesagiftofthesamesortanditbearsgreatfruitandgreatbenefit.ââAN7:49
âThesefiveareapersonofintegrityâsgifts.Whichfive?Apersonofintegritygivesagiftwithasenseofconviction.Apersonofintegritygivesagiftattentively.Apersonofintegritygivesagiftinseason.Apersonofintegritygivesagiftwithanempatheticheart.Apersonofintegritygivesagiftwithoutadverselyaffectinghimselforothers.
âHavinggivenagiftwithasenseofconviction,heâwherevertheresultofthatgiftripensâisrich,withmuchwealth,withmanypossessions.Andheiswell-built,handsome,extremelyinspiring,endowedwithalotus-likecomplexion.
âHavinggivenagiftattentively,heâwherevertheresultofthatgiftripensâisrich,withmuchwealth,withmanypossessions.Andhischildren,wives,slaves,servants,andworkerslistencarefullytohim,lendhimtheirears,andservehimwithunderstandinghearts.
âHavinggivenagiftinseason,heâwherevertheresultofthatgiftripensâisrich,withmuchwealth,withmanypossessions.Andhisgoalsarefulfilledinseason.
âHavinggivenagiftwithanempatheticheart,heâwherevertheresultofthatgiftripensâisrich,withmuchwealth,withmanypossessions.Andhismindinclinestotheenjoymentofthefivestringsoflavishsensuality.
âHavinggivenagiftwithoutadverselyaffectinghimselforothers,heâwherevertheresultofthatgiftripensâisrich,withmuchwealth,withmanypossessions.Andnotfromanywheredoesdestructioncometohispropertyâwhetherfromfire,fromwater,fromkings,fromthieves,orfromhatefulheirs.
âThesefiveareapersonofintegrityâsgifts.ââAN5:148
âTherearethesefiveseasonablegifts.Whichfive?Onegivestoanewcomer.
31
Onegivestoonegoingaway.Onegivestoonewhoisill.Onegivesintimeoffamine.Onesetsthefirstfruitsoffield&orchardinfrontofthosewhoarevirtuous.Thesearethefiveseasonablegifts.â
Intheproperseasontheygiveâthosewithdiscernment,responsive,freefromstinginess.
Havingbeengiveninproperseason,withheartsinspiredbytheNobleOnes
âstraightened,Suchâtheirofferingbearsanabundance.Thosewhorejoiceinthatgift
orgiveassistance,they,too,haveashareofthemerit,
andtheofferingisnâtdepletedbythat.So,withanunhesitantmind,oneshouldgivewherethegiftbearsgreatfruit.
Meritiswhatestablisheslivingbeingsinthenextlife.âAN5:36
SoPrincePayasiestablishedadonationforbrahmans,contemplatives,indigents,hoboes,paupers,&beggars.Andinthatdonationhegavefoodofthissort:unhuskedriceporridgetogetherwithpicklebrine.Andhegaveroughclothwithknottedfringe.NowabrahmanyouthnamedUttarawasthesuperintendentofthatdonation.Ashewasgivingthedonationhededicateditinthisway:âThroughthisdonationmayIbeassociatedwithPrincePayasiinthislife,butnotinthenext.âPrincePayasiheardthatUttara,whengivingthedonation,dedicateditinthisway:âThroughthisdonationmayIbeassociatedwithPrincePayasiinthislife,butnotinthenext.âSo,havingsummonedhim,hesaidtohim,âIsittrue,dearboy,thatwhengivingthedonationyoudedicatedinthisway:âThroughthisdonationmayIbeassociatedwithPrincePayasiinthislife,butnotinthenextâ?â
âYes,sir.ââButwhydoyoudedicateitinthiswayâŠ?Donâtwewhowishtogainmerit
hopeforthefruitofourdonation?ââBut,sir,thefoodinthedonationislikethis:unhuskedriceporridge
togetherwithpicklebrine.Youwouldnâtwanttotouchitwithyourfoot,muchlesseatit.Andtheroughclothwithknottedfringe:Youwouldnâtwanttotouch
32
itwithyourfoot,muchlesswearit.Youaredear&charmingtous,sohowcanweconnectwhatisdear&charmingwithwhatisnotcharming?â
âTheninthatcase,mydearboy,establish[adonationwith]thesortoffoodthatIeatandthesortofcloththatIwear.â
Responding,âYes,sir,âUttarathebrahmanyouthestablished[adonationwith]thesortoffoodthatPrincePayasiateandthesortofcloththatPrincePayasiwore.ThenPrincePayasiâhavinggiventhedonationinattentively,havinggiventhedonationnotwithhisownhand,havinggiventhedonationthoughtlessly,havinggiventhedonationasifhewerethrowingitawayâonthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearedinthecompanyofthedevasoftheFourGreatKingsintheemptySerisakapalace.ButUttara,thebrahmanyouthwhowasthesuperintendentofthedonationâhavinggiventhedonationattentively,havinggiventhedonationwithhisownhand,havinggiventhedonationthoughtfully,havinggiventhedonationnotasifhewerethrowingitawayâonthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearedinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld,inthecompanyofthe[higher]devasoftheThirty-three.âDN23
âAndhowisadonationendowedwithsixfactors?Thereisthecasewherethedonorhasthreefactorsandtherecipientshavethree.Andwhicharethedonorâsthreefactors.Thereisthecasewherethedonor,beforegiving,ishappy.Whilegivinghis/hermindisclear&confident.Aftergiving,he/sheisgratified.Therearethedonorâsthreefactors.Andwhicharetherecipientsâthreefactors?Thereisthecasewheretherecipientsarefreefrompassionorarepracticingforthesubduingofpassion;theyarefreeofaversionorarepracticingforthesubduingofaversion;theyarefreeofdelusionorarepracticingforthesubduingofdelusion.Thesearetherecipientsâthreefactors.âŠNow,itisnoteasytotakethemeasureofthemeritofadonationthusendowedwithsixfactorsasâjustthismuchbonanzaofmerit,bonanzaofskillfulness,nourishmentofbliss,heavenly,ripeninginblissleadingtoheaven,leadingtowhatisagreeable,pleasing,charming,happy,&beneficial.âItisreckonedsimplyasagreatmassofmeritthatisunreckonable,immeasurable.
âJustasitisnoteasytotakethemeasureofthewaterinthegreatoceanasâjustthismanypailsofwaterorhundredsofpailsofwaterorthousandsofpailsofwaterorhundredsofthousandsofpailsofwater.âItisreckonedsimplyasagreatmassofwaterthatisunreckonable,immeasurable.Inthesameway,itisnoteasytotakethemeasureofthemeritofadonationthusendowedwithsixfactorsasâjustthismuchbonanzaofmerit,bonanzaofskillfulness,nourishmentofbliss,
33
heavenly,ripeninginblissleadingtoheaven,leadingtowhatisagreeable,pleasing,charming,happy,&beneficial.âItisreckonedsimplyasagreatmassofmeritthatisunreckonable,immeasurable.ââAN6:37
ThenKingPasenadiKosalawenttotheBlessedOneinthemiddleofthedayand,onarrival,havingboweddowntotheBlessedOne,sattooneside.AshewassittingtheretheBlessedOnesaidtohim,âWellnow,greatking,whereareyoucomingfrominthemiddleoftheday?â
âJustnow,lord,amoney-lendinghouseholderdiedinSavatthi.Ihavecomefromconveyinghisheirlessfortunetotheroyalpalace:tenmillioninsilver,tosaynothingofthegold.Buteventhoughhewasamoney-lendinghouseholder,hisenjoymentoffoodwaslikethis:heatebrokenrice&picklebrine.Hisenjoymentofclothingwaslikethis:heworethreelengthsofhempencloth.Hisenjoymentofavehiclewaslikethis:herodeinadilapidatedlittlecartwithanawningofleaves.â
âThatâsthewayitis,greatking.Thatâsthewayitis.Onceinthepastthatmoney-lendinghouseholderprovidedalmsforthePrivateBuddhanamedTagarasikhi.Saying[tohisservant],âGivealmstothecontemplative,âhegotupfromhisseatandleft.Aftergiving,though,hefeltregret:âItwouldhavebeenbetterifmyslavesorservantshadeatenthosealmsâ.âŠNow,theresultofhisactioninhavingprovidedalmsforthePrivateBuddhanamedTagarasikhiwasthatheappearedseventimesinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.Andthroughtheremainingresultofthatactionheactedasmoney-lenderseventimesinthisverysameSavatthi.Buttheresultofhisactioninfeelingregretaftergiving[those]almsââItwouldhavebeenbetterifmyslavesorservantshadeatenthosealmsââwasthathisminddidnâtlenditselftothelavishenjoymentoffood,didnâtlenditselftothelavishenjoymentofclothing,didnâtlenditselftothelavishenjoymentofavehicle,didnâtlenditselftothelavishenjoymentofthefivestringsofsensuality.ââSN3:20
ThenVacchagottathewandererwenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,exchangedcourteousgreetingswithhim.Afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,hesattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtotheBlessedOne:âMasterGotama,IhaveheardthatâGotamathecontemplativesaysthis:âOnlytomeshouldagiftbegiven,andnottoothers.Onlytomydisciplesshouldagiftbegiven,andnottoothers.Onlywhatisgiventomebearsgreatfruit,andnotwhatisgiventoothers.Onlywhatisgiventomydisciplesbearsgreatfruit,andnotwhatisgiventothedisciplesofothers.ââNowthosewho
34
reportthis:AretheyreportingtheMasterGotamaâsactualwords,aretheynotmisrepresentinghimwithwhatisunfactual,aretheyansweringinlinewiththeDhamma,sothatnoonewhosethinkingisinlinewiththeDhammawillhavegroundsforcriticizingthem?ForwedonâtwanttomisrepresenttheMasterGotama.â
âVaccha,whoeversaysthis:âGotamathecontemplativesaysthis:âOnlytomeshouldagiftbegiven.âŠOnlywhatisgiventomydisciplesbearsgreatfruit,andnotwhatisgiventothedisciplesofothers,âisnotreportingmyactualwords,ismisrepresentingmewithwhatisunfactual&untrue.
âVaccha,whoeverpreventsanotherfromgivingagiftcreatesthreeobstructions,threeimpediments.Whichthree?Hecreatesanobstructiontothemeritofthegiver,anobstructiontotherecipientâsgains,andpriortothatheunderminesandharmshisownself.Whoeverpreventsanotherfromgivingagiftcreatesthesethreeobstructions,thesethreeimpediments.
âItellyou,Vaccha,evenifapersonthrowstherinsingsofabowloracupintoavillagepoolorpond,thinking,âMaywhateveranimalsliveherefeedonthis,âthatwouldbeasourceofmerit,tosaynothingofwhatisgiventohumanbeings.ButIdosaythatwhatisgiventoavirtuouspersonisofgreatfruit,andnotsomuchwhatisgiventoanunvirtuousperson.ââAN3:58
Ashewassittingtooneside,KingPasenadiKosalasaidtotheBlessedOne:âWhere,lord,shouldagiftbegiven?â
âWhereverthemindfeelsconfidence,greatking.ââButagiftgivenwhere,lord,bearsgreatfruit?ââThis[question]isonething,greatkingââWhereshouldagiftbegiven?ââ
whilethisââAgiftgivenwherebearsgreatfruit?ââissomethingelseentirely.Whatisgiventoavirtuouspersonâratherthantoanunvirtuousoneâbearsgreatfruit.Inthatcase,greatking,Iwillaskyouacounter-question.Answerasyouseefit.
âWhatdoyouthink,greatking?Thereisthecasewhereyouhaveawarathand,abattleimminent.Anoble-warrioryouthwouldcomealongâuntrained,unpracticed,undisciplined,undrilled,fearful,terrified,cowardly,quicktoflee.Wouldyoutakehimon?Wouldyouhaveanyuseforamanlikethat?â
âNo,lord,Iwouldnâttakehimon.Iwouldnâthaveanyuseforamanlikethat.â
âThenabrahmanyouthâŠamerchantyouthâŠalaboreryouthwouldcomealongâuntrained,unpracticed,undisciplined,undrilled,fearful,terrified,
35
cowardly,quicktoflee.Wouldyoutakehimon?Wouldyouhaveanyuseforamanlikethat?â
âNo,lord,Iwouldnâttakehimon.Iwouldnâthaveanyuseforamanlikethat.â
âNow,whatdoyouthink,greatking?Thereisthecasewhereyouhaveawarathand,abattleimminent.Anoble-warrioryouthwouldcomealongâtrained,practiced,disciplined,drilled,fearless,unterrified,notcowardly,notquicktoflee.Wouldyoutakehimon?Wouldyouhaveanyuseforamanlikethat?â
âYes,lord,Iwouldtakehimon.Iwouldhaveuseforamanlikethat.ââThenabrahmanyouthâŠamerchantyouthâŠalaboreryouthwouldcome
alongâtrained,practiced,disciplined,drilled,fearless,unterrified,notcowardly,notquicktoflee.Wouldtakeyouhimon?Wouldyouhaveanyuseforamanlikethat?â
âYes,lord,Iwouldtakehimon.Iwouldhaveuseforamanlikethat.ââInthesameway,greatking.Whensomeonehasgoneforthfromthehome
lifeintohomelessnessânomatterfromwhatclanâandhehasabandonedfivefactorsandisendowedwithfive,whatisgiventohimbearsgreatfruit.
âAndwhichfivefactorshasheabandoned?HehasabandonedsensualdesireâŠillwillâŠsloth&drowsinessâŠrestlessness&anxiety...uncertainty.Thesearethefivefactorshehasabandoned.Andwithwhichfivefactorsisheendowed?HeisendowedwiththeaggregateofvirtueofonebeyondtrainingâŠtheaggregateofconcentrationofonebeyondtrainingâŠtheaggregateofdiscernmentofonebeyondtrainingâŠtheaggregateofreleaseofonebeyondtrainingâŠtheaggregateofknowledge&visionofreleaseofonebeyondtraining.Thesearethefivefactorswithwhichheisendowed.
âWhatisgiventoonewhohasabandonedfivefactorsandisendowedwithfivefactorsinthiswaybearsgreatfruit.â
ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWell-Gone,theTeacher,saidfurther:
âAsakingintentonbattlewouldhireayouthinwhomthereare
archeryskills,persistence,&strength,
andnot,onthebasisofbirth,acoward;
36
so,too,youshouldhonorapersonofnobleconduct,wise,inwhomareestablished
composure&patience,
eventhoughhisbirthmaybelowly.Letdonorsbuildpleasanthermitagesandthereinvitethelearnedtostay.Letthemmakereservoirs
indryforestsandwalkingpaths
whereitâsroughLetthemâwithaclear,calmawarenessâgivefood,drink,snacks,clothing,&lodgingstothosewhoâvebecome
straightforward.
Justasahundred-peaked,lightning-garlanded,
thunderingcloud,rainingonthefertileearth,fillstheplateaus&gullies,
evensoapersonofconviction&learning,
wise,havingstoredupprovisions,satisfieswayfarerswithfood&drink.Delightingindistributingalms,
âGivetothem!Give!âhesays.
Thatishisthunder,likearainingcloudâs.Thatshowerofmerit,
37
abundant,rainsbackontheone
whogives.ââSN3:24
ThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:âTherearethesethreesupremeobjectsofconfidence.Whichthree?
âAmongwhateverbeingstheremaybeâfootless,two-footed,four-footed,manyfooted;withformorformless;percipient,non-percipient,neitherpercipientnornon-percipientâtheTathagata,worthy&rightlyself-awakened,isconsideredsupreme.ThosewhohaveconfidenceintheAwakenedOnehaveconfidenceinwhatissupreme;andforthosewithconfidenceinthesupreme,supremeistheresult.
âAmongwhateverqualitiestheremaybe,fabricatedorunfabricated,dispassionâthesubduingofintoxication,theeliminationofthirst,theuprootingofattachment,thebreakingoftheround,thedestructionofcraving,dispassion,cessation,therealizationofUnbindingâisconsideredsupreme.Thosewhohaveconfidenceinthequalityofdispassionhaveconfidenceinwhatissupreme;andforthosewithconfidenceinthesupreme,supremeistheresult.
âAmongwhateverfabricatedqualitiestheremaybe,thenobleeightfoldpathârightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentrationâisconsideredsupreme.Thosewhohaveconfidenceinthequalityofthenoblepathhaveconfidenceinwhatissupreme;andforthosewithconfidenceinthesupreme,supremeistheresult.
âAmongwhatevercommunitiesorgroupstheremaybe,theSanghaoftheTathagataâsdisciplesisconsideredsupremeâi.e.,thefour[groupsofnobledisciples]whentakenaspairs,theeightwhentakenaspersons.ThosewhohaveconfidenceintheSanghahaveconfidenceinwhatissupreme;andforthosewithconfidenceinthesupreme,supremewillbetheresult.
âThese,monks,arethethreesupremeobjectsofconfidence.â
Withconfidence,
realizingthesupremeDhammatobesupreme,
confidenceinthesupremeBuddha,unsurpassedindeservingofferings;
confidenceinthesupremeDhamma,
38
thestillingofdispassion,bliss;
confidenceinthesupremeSangha,unsurpassedasafieldofmerit;
havinggivengiftstothesupreme,onedevelopssuprememerit,supremelonglife&beauty,status,honor,
bliss,&strength.Havinggiventothesupreme,
thewiseperson,centeredinsupremeDhamma,
whetherbecomingadivineorhumanbeing,rejoices,
havingattainedthesupreme.âIti90
ThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:âTherearethesetwokindsofgifts:agiftofmaterialthings&agiftoftheDhamma.Ofthetwo,thisissupreme:agiftoftheDhamma.Therearethesetwokindsofsharing:sharingofmaterialthings&sharingoftheDhamma.Ofthetwo,thisissupreme:sharingoftheDhamma.Therearethesetwokindsofassistance:assistancewithmaterialthings&assistancewiththeDhamma.Ofthetwo,thisissupreme:helpwiththeDhamma.â
Thegifthedescribesasforemost&unsurpassed,
thesharingtheBlessedOnehasextolled:whoâconfidentinthesupremefieldofmerit,
wise,discerningâwouldnâtgiveitatappropriatetimes?Bothforthosewhoproclaimitandthosewholisten,confidentinthemessageoftheOneWell-gone:itpurifiestheirforemostbenefitâ
thoseheedingthemessageoftheOneWell-gone.âIti98
âItâsnoteasytoteachtheDhammatoothers,Ananda.TheDhammashould
39
betaughttoothersonlywhenfivequalitiesareestablishedwithinthepersonteaching.Whichfive?
âTheDhammashouldbetaughtwiththethought,âIwillspeakstep-by-stepââŠâIwillspeakexplainingthesequence[ofcause&effect]ââŠâIwillspeakoutofcompassionââŠâIwillspeaknotforthepurposeofmaterialrewardââŠâIwillspeakwithouthurtingmyselforothers.âââAN5:159
Adeva:âAgiverofwhatisagiverofstrength?Agiverofwhat,agiverofbeauty?Agiverofwhat,agiverofease?Agiverofwhat,agiverofvision?Andwhoisagiverofeverything?
Beingasked,pleaseexplainthistome.âTheBuddha:
âAgiveroffoodisagiverofstrength.Agiverofclothes,agiverofbeauty.Agiverofavehicle,agiverofease.Agiverofalamp,agiverofvision.Andtheonewhogivesaresidenceistheoneâswhoâsagiverofeverything.
ButtheonewhoteachestheDhammaisagiveroftheDeathless.ââSN1:42
40
Sila:VirtueIrrigatorsguidethewater.Fletchersshapethearrowshaft.Carpentersshapethewood.Thoseofgoodpracticescontrol
themselves.âDhp145
Throughinitiative,heedfulness,restraint,&self-control,thewisewouldmake
anislandnofloodcansubmerge.âDhp25
âAndwhatisthetreasureofvirtue?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleonesabstainsfromtakinglife,abstainsfromstealing,abstainsfromsexualmisconduct,abstainsfromlying,abstainsfromtakingintoxicantsthatcauseheedlessness.This,monks,iscalledthetreasureofvirtue.ââAN7:6
âNowwhatisunskillful?Takinglifeisunskillful,takingwhatisnotgivenâŠsexualmisconductâŠlyingâŠharshspeechâŠdivisivetale-bearingâŠidlechatterisunskillful.CovetousnessâŠillwillâŠwrongviewsareunskillful.Thesethingsaretermedunskillful.
âAndwhatisskillful?Abstainingfromtakinglifeisskillful,abstainingfromtakingwhatisnotgivenâŠfromsexualmisconductâŠfromlyingâŠfromharshspeechâŠfromdivisivetale-bearingâŠabstainingfromidlechatterisskillful.LackofcovetousnessâŠlackofillwillâŠrightviewsareskillful.Thesethingsaretermedskillful.ââMN9
ThenKingPasenadiKosala,descendingfromthepalace,wenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtotheBlessedOne:âJustnowIwastogetherwithQueenMallikaintheupperpalace.Isaidtoher,âIsthereanyonemoredeartoyouthanyourself?â
41
ââNo,yourmajesty,âsheanswered.âThereisnoonemoredeartomethanmyself.Andwhataboutyou,yourmajesty?Isthereanyonemoredeartoyouthanyourself?â
ââNo,Mallika.Thereisnoonemoredeartomethanmyself.ââThen,onrealizingthesignificanceofthat,theBlessedOneonthatoccasion
exclaimed:
Searchingalldirectionswithyourawareness,youfindnoonedearerthanyourself.Inthesameway,othersarefiercelydeartothemselves.Soyoushouldnâthurtothersifyouloveyourself.âUd5:1
âTherearethesefivegifts,fivegreatgiftsâoriginal,long-standing,traditional,ancient,unadulterated,unadulteratedfromthebeginningâarenotopentosuspicion,willneverbeopentosuspicion,andareunfaultedbyknowledgeablecontemplatives&brahmans.Whichfive?
âThereisthecasewhereanobledisciple,abandoningthetakingoflife,abstainsfromtakinglife.Indoingso,hegivesfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings.Ingivingfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings,hegainsashareinlimitlessfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,andfreedomfromoppression.âŠ
âAbandoningtakingwhatisnotgiven(stealing),heabstainsfromtakingwhatisnotgiven.âŠ
âAbandoningsexualmisconduct,heabstainsfromsexualmisconduct.âŠâAbandoninglying,heabstainsfromlying.âŠâAbandoningtheuseofintoxicants,heabstainsfromtakingintoxicants.In
doingso,hegivesfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings.Ingivingfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings,hegainsashareinlimitlessfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,andfreedomfromoppression.âŠThisisthefifthgift,thefifthgreatgiftâoriginal,long-standing,traditional,ancient,unadulterated,unadulteratedfromthebeginningâthatisnotopentosuspicion,willneverbeopento
42
suspicion,andisunfaultedbyknowledgeablecontemplatives&brahmans.ââAN8:39
âCleansingwithregardtothebody,Cunda,isthreefold;cleansingwithregardtospeechisfourfold;andcleansingwithregardtothemind,threefold.Andhowiscleansingwithregardtothebodythreefold?Thereisthecasewhereacertainperson,abandoningthetakingoflife,abstainsfromthetakingoflife.Hedwellswithhisrodlaiddown,hisknifelaiddown,scrupulous,merciful,compassionateforthewelfareofalllivingbeings.Abandoningthetakingofwhatisnotgiven,heabstainsfromtakingwhatisnotgiven.Hedoesnottaketheungivenpropertyofanother,whetherinavillageorinthewilderness,withthievishintent.Abandoningsexualmisconduct,heabstainsfromsexualmisconduct.Hedoesnotgetsexuallyinvolvedwiththosewhoareprotectedbytheirmothers,theirfathers,theirbrothers,theirsisters,theirrelatives,ortheirDhamma;thosewithhusbands,thosewhoentailpunishments,oreventhosecrownedwithflowersbyanotherman.Thisishowcleansingwithregardtothebodyisthreefold.
âAndhowiscleansingwithregardtospeechfourfold?Thereisthecasewhereacertainperson,abandoningfalsespeech,abstainsfromfalsespeech.Whenhehasbeencalledtoatownmeeting,agroupmeeting,agatheringofhisrelatives,hisguild,oroftheroyalty[i.e.,acourtproceeding],ifheisaskedasawitness,âComeandtell,goodman,whatyouknowâ:Ifhedoesnâtknow,hesays,âIdonâtknow.âIfhedoesknow,hesays,âIknow.âIfhehasnâtseen,hesays,âIhavenâtseen.âIfhehasseen,hesays,âIhaveseen.âThushedoesnâtconsciouslytellalieforhisownsake,forthesakeofanother,orforthesakeofanyreward.Abandoningdivisivespeech,heabstainsfromdivisivespeech.Whathehasheardherehedoesnottelltheretobreakthosepeopleapartfromthesepeoplehere.Whathehasheardtherehedoesnottellheretobreakthesepeopleapartfromthosepeoplethere.Thusreconcilingthosewhohavebrokenapartorcementingthosewhoareunited,helovesconcord,delightsinconcord,enjoysconcord,speaksthingsthatcreateconcord.Abandoningharshspeech,heabstainsfromharshspeech.Hespeakswordsthataresoothingtotheear,thatareaffectionate,thatgototheheart,thatarepolite,appealing&pleasingtopeopleatlarge.Abandoningidlechatter,heabstainsfromidlechatter.Hespeaksinseason,speakswhatisfactual,whatisinaccordancewiththegoal,theDhamma,andtheVinaya.Hespeakswordsworthtreasuring,seasonable,reasonable,circumscribed,connectedwiththegoal.Thisishowcleansingwithregardtospeechisfourfold.
âAndhowiscleansingwithregardtothemindthreefold?Thereisthecase
43
whereacertainpersonisnotcovetous.Hedoesnotcovetthepropertyofanother,thinking,âO,ifonlywhatbelongstoanotherweremine!âHeisnotmalevolentatheartordestructiveinhisresolves.Hethinks,âMaythesebeingsâfreefromanimosity,freefromoppression,andfreefromtroubleâlookafterthemselveswithease.âHehasrightviewsandanunpervertedoutlook.Hebelieves,âThereiswhatisgiven,whatisoffered,whatissacrificed.Therearefruitsandresultsofgoodandbadactions.Thereisthisworldandthenextworld.Thereismotherandfather.Therearespontaneouslyrebornbeings;therearecontemplatives&brahmanswho,livingrightlyandpracticingrightly,proclaimthisworldandthenextafterhavingdirectlyknownandrealizeditforthemselves.âThisishowcleansingwithregardtothemindisthreefold.ââAN10:176
Ashewassittingtooneside,KingPasenadiKosalasaidtotheBlessedOne:âJustnow,lord,whileIwasaloneinseclusion,thistrainofthoughtaroseinmyawareness:âWhohavethemselvesprotected,andwholeavethemselvesunprotected?âThenitoccurredtome:âThosewhoengageinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconductleavethemselvesunprotected.Eventhoughasquadronofelephanttroopsmightprotectthem,asquadronofcavalrytroops,asquadronofchariottroops,asquadronofinfantrytroopsmightprotectthem,stilltheyleavethemselvesunprotected.Whyisthat?Becausethatâsanexternalprotection,notaninternalone.Thereforetheyleavethemselvesunprotected.Butthosewhoengageingoodbodilyconduct,goodverbalconduct,&goodmentalconducthavethemselvesprotected.Eventhoughneitherasquadronofelephanttroops,asquadronofcavalrytroops,asquadronofchariottroops,norasquadronofinfantrytroopsmightprotectthem,stilltheyhavethemselvesprotected.Whyisthat?Becausethatâsaninternalprotection,notanexternalone.Thereforetheyhavethemselvesprotected.ââ
âThatâsthewayitis,greatking!Thatâsthewayitis!Thosewhoengageinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconductleavethemselvesunprotected.Eventhoughasquadronofelephanttroopsmightprotectthem,asquadronofcavalrytroops,asquadronofchariottroops,asquadronofinfantrytroopsmightprotectthem,stilltheyleavethemselvesunprotected.Whyisthat?Becausethatâsanexternalprotection,notaninternalone.Thereforetheyleavethemselvesunprotected.Butthosewhoengageingoodbodilyconduct,goodverbalconduct,&goodmentalconducthavethemselvesprotected.Eventhoughneitherasquadronofelephanttroops,asquadronofcavalrytroops,asquadronofchariottroops,norasquadronofinfantrytroopsmightprotectthem,stillthey
44
havethemselvesprotected.Whyisthat?Becausethatâsaninternalprotection,notanexternalone.Thereforetheyhavethemselvesprotected.â
ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWell-Gone,theTeacher,saidfurther:
âRestraintwiththebodyisgood,goodisrestraintwithspeech.Restraintwiththeheartisgood,goodisrestrainteverywhere.Restrainedeverywhere,
conscientious,oneissaidtobeprotected.ââSN3:5
Ashewassittingtooneside,KingPasenadiKosalasaidtotheBlessedOne:âJustnow,lord,asIwassittinginjudgment,Isawthatevenaffluentnobles,affluentbrahmans,&affluenthouseholdersârich,withgreatwealth&property,withvastamountsofgold&silver,vastamountsofvaluables&commodities,vastamountsofwealth&grainâtelldeliberatelieswithsensualityasthecause,sensualityasthereason,simplyforthesakeofsensuality.Then,thethoughtoccurredtome:âIâvehadenoughofthisjudging!Letsomeotherfinefellowbeknownforhisjudgments!ââ
âThatâsthewayitis,greatking!Thatâsthewayitis!Evenaffluentnobles,affluentbrahmans,&affluenthouseholdersâŠtelldeliberatelieswithsensualityasthecause,sensualityasthereason,simplyforthesakeofsensuality.Thatwillleadtotheirlong-termharm&pain.â
ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWell-Gone,theTeacher,saidfurther:
âImpassionedwithsensualpossessions,greedy,dazedbysensualpleasures,theydonâtawakentothefact
thattheyâvegonetoofarâlikefishintotrapsetout.
Afterwardsitâsbitterforthem:evilforthem
theresult.ââSN3:7
ThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:âForthe
45
personwhotransgressesinonething,Itellyou,thereisnoevildeedthatisnottobedone.Whichonething?This:tellingadeliberatelie.â
Thepersonwholies,whotransgressinthisonething,transcendingconcernfortheworldbeyond:
thereâsnoevilhemightnotdo.âIti25
âMonks,therearethesefivekindsofloss.Whichfive?Lossofrelatives,lossofwealth,lossthroughdisease,lossintermsofvirtue,lossintermsofviews.Itâsnotbyreasonoflossofrelatives,lossofwealth,orlossthroughdiseasethatbeingsâwiththebreak-upofthebody,afterdeathâreappearindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell.Itâsbyreasonoflossintermsofvirtueandlossintermsofviewsthatbeingsâwiththebreak-upofthebody,afterdeathâreappearindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell.Thesearethefivekindsofloss.
âTherearethesefivewaysofbeingconsummate.Whichfive?Beingconsummateintermsofrelatives,beingconsummateintermsofwealth,beingconsummateintermsoffreedomfromdisease,beingconsummateintermsofvirtue,beingconsummateintermsofviews.Itâsnotbyreasonofbeingconsummateintermsofrelatives,beingconsummateintermsofwealth,orbeingconsummateintermsoffreedomfromdiseasethatbeingsâwiththebreak-upofthebody,afterdeathâreappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.Itâsbyreasonofbeingconsummateinvirtueandbeingconsummateintermsofviewsthatbeingsâwiththebreak-upofthebody,afterdeathâreappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.Thesearethefivewaysofbeingconsummate.ââAN5:130
âTherearethesefivebenefitsinbeingvirtuous,inbeingconsummateinvirtue.Whichfive?Thereisthecasewhereavirtuousperson,consummateinvirtue,throughnotbeingheedlessinhisaffairsamassesagreatquantityofwealth.âŠHisgoodnameisspreadabout.âŠWhenapproachinganassemblyofnobles,brahmans,householders,orcontemplatives,hedoessounabashedandwithassurance.âŠHedieswithoutbecomingdelirious.âŠWiththebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.Thesearethefivebenefitsinbeingvirtuous,inbeingconsummateinvirtue.ââDN16
46
ThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:âAspiringtothesethreeformsofbliss,awisepersonshouldguardhisvirtue.Whichthree?[Thinking,]âMaypraisecometome,âawisepersonshouldguardhisvirtue.[Thinking,]âMaywealthcometome,âawisepersonshouldguardhisvirtue.[Thinking,]âAtthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,mayIreappearinagooddestination,inheaven,âawisepersonshouldguardhisvirtue.Aspiringtothesethreeformsofbliss,awisepersonshouldguardhisvirtue.â
Intelligent,youshouldguardyourvirtue,aspiringtothreeformsofbliss:
praise;theobtainingofwealth;
and,afterdeath,rejoicinginheaven.
Evenifyoudonoevilbutseekoutonewhodoes,youâresuspectedofevil.Yourbadreputation
grows.Thesortofpersonyoumakeafriend,thesortyouseekout,
thatâsthesortyouyourselfbecomeâforyourlivingtogetherisof
thatsort.
Theoneassociatedwith,theonewhoassociates,theonewhoâstouched,theonewhotouchesanother
âlikeanarrowsmearedwithpoisonâcontaminatesthequiver.So,fearingcontamination,theenlightenedshouldnotbecomradeswithevilpeople.Amanwhowrapsrottingfishinabladeofkusagrassmakesthegrasssmelly:
47
soitisifyouseekoutfools.
Butamanwhowrapspowderedincenseintheleafofatreemakestheleaffragrant:
soitisifyouseekouttheenlightened.
So,knowingyourownoutcomeasliketheleaf-wrapperâs,youshouldnâtseekoutthosewhoarenâtgood.Thewisewouldassociatewiththosewhoare.Thosewhoarenâtgoodleadyoutohell.Thegoodhelpyoureachagooddestination.âIti76
Alltrembleattherod,
allarefearfulofdeath.Drawingtheparallelto
yourself,neitherkillnorgetotherstokill.
Alltrembleattherod,
allholdtheirlifedear.Drawingtheparallelto
yourself,neitherkillnorgetotherstokill.Whoevertakesarodtoharmlivingbeingsdesiringease,whenhehimselfislookingforease,
48
willmeetwithnoeaseafterdeath.Whoeverdoesnâttakearodtoharmlivingbeingsdesiringease,whenhehimselfislookingforease,willmeetwitheaseafterdeath.
Speakharshlytonoone,orthewordswillbethrown
rightbackatyou.Contentioustalkispainful,foryougetstruckbyrodsinreturn.If,likeaflattenedmetalpotyoudonâtresound,youâveattainedanUnbinding;inyouthereâsfoundnocontention.âDhp129â134
Whoever,witharod,harassesaninnocentman,unarmed,quicklyfallsintoanyoftenthings:
harshpains,devastation,abrokenbody,graveillness,mentalderangement,troublewiththegovernment,violentslander,relativeslost,propertydissolved,housesburneddown.
Atthebreak-upofthebody,thisonewithnodiscernmentreappearsinhell.âDhp137â140
âTherearefourkindsofpersontobefoundintheworld.Whichfour?Thereisthecasewhereacertainpersontakeslife,takeswhatisnotgiven(steals),engagesinsexualmisconduct,lies,speaksdivisively,speaksharshly,engagesinidlechatter;iscovetous,malevolent,&holdswrongviews.Onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell.
âButthereisalsothecasewhereacertainpersontakeslifeâŠholdswrongviews[yet],onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.
49
âAndthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonabstainsfromtakinglife,abstainsfromtakingwhatisnotgivenâŠisnotcovetous,notmalevolent,&holdsrightviews.Onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.
âButthereisalsothecasewhereacertainpersonabstainsfromtakinglife,abstainsfromtakingwhatisnotgivenâŠisnotcovetous,notmalevolent,&holdsrightviews[yet],onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell.âŠ
âInthecaseofthepersonwhotakeslifeâŠ[yet]onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearsinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld:Eitherearlierheperformedfinekammathatistobefeltaspleasant,orlaterheperformedfinekammathatistobefeltaspleasant,oratthetimeofdeathheadopted&carriedoutrightviews.Becauseofthat,onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.ButasfortheresultsoftakinglifeâŠholdingwrongviews,hewillfeelthemeitherrighthere&now,orlater[inthislifetime],orfollowingthat.âŠ
âInthecaseofthepersonwhoabstainsfromtakinglifeâŠbutonthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearsindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell:Eitherearlierheperformedevilkammathatistobefeltaspainful,orlaterheperformedevilkammathatistobefeltaspainful,oratthetimeofdeathheadopted&carriedoutwrongviews.Becauseofthat,onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell.ButasfortheresultsofabstainingfromtakinglifeâŠholdingrightviews,hewillfeelthemeitherrighthere&now,orlater[inthislifetime],orfollowingthat.ââMN136
âThereare,headman,somecontemplatives&brahmanswhoholdadoctrine&viewlikethis:âAllthosewhokilllivingbeingsexperiencepain&distressinthehere&now.AllthosewhotakewhatisnotgivenâŠwhoengageinsexualmisconductâŠwhotellliesexperiencepain&distressinthehere&now.â
âNowthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseengarlanded&adorned,freshlybathed&groomed,withhair&beardtrimmed,enjoyingthesensualitiesofwomenasifhewereaking.Theyaskabouthim:âMygoodman,whathasthismandonethathehasbeengarlanded&adornedâŠasifhewereaking?âTheyanswer:âMygoodman,thismanattackedthekingâsenemyandtookhislife.Theking,gratifiedwithhim,rewardedhim.Thatiswhyheisgarlanded&adornedâŠasifhewereaking.â
âThenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseenboundwithastout
50
ropewithhisarmspinnedtightlyagainsthisback,hisheadshavedbald,marchedtoaharsh-soundingdrumfromstreettostreet,crossroadstocrossroads,evictedthroughthesouthgate,andbeheadedtothesouthofthecity.Theyaskabouthim:âMygoodman,whathasthismandonethatheisboundwithastoutropeâŠandbeheadedtothesouthofthecity?âTheyanswer:âMygoodman,thisman,anenemyoftheking,hastakenthelifeofamanorawoman.Thatiswhytherulers,havinghadhimseized,inflictedsuchapunishmentuponhim.â
âNow,whatdoyouthink,headman:Haveyoueverseenorheardofsuchacase?â
âIhaveseenthis,lord,haveheardofit,andwillhearofit(againinthefuture).â
âSo,headman,whenthosecontemplatives&brahmanswhoholdadoctrineandviewlikethissay:âAllthosewhokilllivingbeingsexperiencepain&distressinthehere&now,âdotheyspeaktruthfullyorfalsely?âââFalsely,lord.â
âAndthosewhobabbleemptyfalsehood:aretheymoralorimmoral?âââImmoral,lord.â
âAndthosewhoareimmoralandofevilcharacter:aretheypracticingwronglyorrightly?âââWrongly,lord.â
âAndthosewhoarepracticingwrongly:dotheyholdwrongvieworrightview?âââWrongview,lord.â
âAndisitpropertoplaceconfidenceinthosewhoholdwrongview?âââNo,lord.â
âThen,headman,thereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseengarlanded&adornedâŠasifhewereaking.Theyaskabouthim:âMygoodman,whathasthismandonethathehasbeengarlanded&adornedâŠasifhewereaking?âTheyanswer:âMygoodman,thismanattackedthekingâsenemyandstoleatreasure.Theking,gratifiedwithhim,rewardedhim.âŠâ
âThenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseenboundwithastoutropeâŠandbeheadedtothesouthofthecity.Theyaskabouthim:âMygoodman,whathasthismandonethatheisboundwithastoutropeâŠandbeheadedtothesouthofthecity?âTheyanswer:âMygoodman,thisman,anenemyoftheking,hascommittedatheft,stealingsomethingfromavillageoraforest.âŠâ
âThenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseengarlanded&adornedâŠasifhewereaking.Theyaskabouthim:âMygoodman,whathasthismandonethathehasbeengarlanded&adornedâŠasifhewereaking?âTheyanswer:âMygoodman,thismanseducedthewivesofthekingâsenemy.âŠâ
âThenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseenboundwithastout
51
ropeâŠandbeheadedtothesouthofthecity.Theyaskabouthim:âMygoodman,whathasthismandonethatheisboundwithastoutropeâŠandbeheadedtothesouthofthecity?âTheyanswer:âMygoodman,thismanseducedwomen&girlsofgoodfamilies.âŠâ
âThenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseengarlanded&adornedâŠasifhewereaking.Theyaskabouthim:âMygoodman,whathasthismandonethathehasbeengarlanded&adornedâŠasifhewereaking?âTheyanswer:âMygoodman,thismanmadethekinglaughwithalieâŠâ
âThenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseenboundwithastoutropeâŠandbeheadedtothesouthofthecity.Theyaskabouthim:âMygoodman,whathasthismandonethatheisboundwithastoutropeâŠandbeheadedtothesouthofthecity?âTheyanswer:âMygoodman,thismanhasbroughttheaimsofahouseholderorahouseholderâssontoruinwithalie.Thatiswhytherulers,havinghadhimseized,inflictedsuchapunishmentuponhim.â
âNowwhatdoyouthink,headman:Haveyoueverseenorheardofsuchacase?â
âIhaveseenthis,lord,haveheardofit,andwillhearofit(againinthefuture).â
âSo,headman,whenthosecontemplatives&brahmanswhoholdadoctrine&viewlikethis,say:âAllthosewhotellliesexperiencepain&distressinthehere&now,âdotheyspeaktruthfullyorfalsely?âŠIsitpropertoplaceconfidenceinthosewhoholdwrongview?âââNo,lord.ââSN42:13
âMonks,thetakingoflifeâwhenindulgedin,developed,&pursuedâissomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromthetakingoflifeisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstoashortlifespan.
âStealingâwhenindulgedin,developed,&pursuedâissomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromstealingisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstothelossofoneâswealth.
âSexualmisconductâwhenindulgedin,developed,&pursuedâissomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromsexualmisconductisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstorivalry&revenge.
52
âTellingfalsehoodsâwhenindulgedin,developed,&pursuedâissomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromtellingfalsehoodsisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstobeingfalselyaccused.
âDivisivetale-bearingâwhenindulgedin,developed,&pursuedâissomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromdivisivetale-bearingisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstothebreakingofoneâsfriendships.
âHarshspeechâwhenindulgedin,developed,&pursuedâissomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromharshspeechisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstounappealingsounds.
âIdlechatterâwhenindulgedin,developed,&pursuedâissomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromidlechatteristhat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstowordsthatarenâtworthtakingtoheart.
âThedrinkingoffermented&distilledliquorsâwhenindulgedin,developed,&pursuedâissomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromdrinkingfermented&distilledliquorsisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstomentalderangement.ââAN8:40
ThenAsibandhakaputtatheheadman,adiscipleoftheNiganthas,wenttotheBlessedOneandonarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AshewassittingtheretheBlessedOnesaidtohim:âHeadman,howdoesNiganthaNataputtateachtheDhammatohisdisciples?â
âNiganthaNataputtateachestheDhammatohisdisciplesinthisway,lord:âAllthosewhotakelifearedestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,aredestinedforhell.Allthosewhosteal.âŠAllthosewhoindulgeinsexualmisconduct.âŠAllthosewhotellliesaredestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,aredestinedforhell.Whateveronekeepsdoingfrequently,bythatisoneled[toastateofrebirth].âThatâshowNiganthaNataputtateachestheDhammatohisdisciples.â
âIfitâstruethatâWhateveronekeepsdoingfrequently,bythatisoneled[toastateofrebirth],âthennooneisdestinedfortheplaneofdeprivationor
53
destinedtohellinlinewithNiganthaNataputtaâswords.Whatdoyouthink,headman:Ifamanisonewhotakeslife,thentakingintoconsiderationtimespentdoing¬doing,whetherbydayorbynight,whichtimeismore:thetimehespendstakinglifeorthetimehespendsnottakinglife?â
ââŠthetimehespendstakinglifeisless,lord,andthetimehespendsnottakinglifeiscertainlymore.IfitâstruethatâWhateveronekeepsdoingfrequently,bythatisoneled[toastateofrebirth],âthennooneisdestinedfortheplaneofdeprivationordestinedtohellinlinewithNiganthaNataputtaâswords.â
âWhatdoyouthink,headman:IfamanisonewhostealsâŠindulgesinsexualmisconductâŠtellslies,thentakingintoconsiderationtimespentdoing¬doing,whetherbydayorbynight,whichtimeismore:thetimehespendstellingliesorthetimehespendsnottellinglies?â
ââŠthetimehespendstellingliesisless,lord,andthetimehespendsnottellingliesiscertainlymore.IfitâstruethatâWhateveronekeepsdoingfrequently,bythatisoneled[toastateofrebirth],âthennooneisdestinedfortheplaneofdeprivationordestinedtohellinlinewithNiganthaNataputtaâswords.â
âThereâsthecase,headman,whereacertainteacherholdsthisdoctrine,holdsthisview:âAllthosewhotakelifearedestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,aredestinedforhell.Allthosewhosteal.âŠAllthosewhoindulgeinsexualmisconduct.âŠAllthosewhotellliesaredestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,aredestinedforhell.âAdisciplehasfaithinthatteacher,andthethoughtoccurstohim,âOurteacherholdsthisdoctrine,holdsthisview:âAllthosewhotakelifearedestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,aredestinedforhell.âTherearelivingbeingsthatIhavekilled.I,too,amdestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,amdestinedforhell.âHefastensontothatview.Ifhedoesnâtabandonthatdoctrine,doesnâtabandonthatstateofmind,doesnâtrelinquishthatview,thenasifheweretobecarriedoff,hewouldthusbeplacedinhell.
â[Thethoughtoccurstohim,]âOurteacherholdsthisdoctrine,holdsthisview:âAllthosewhosteal.âŠAllthosewhoindulgeinsexualmisconduct.âŠAllthosewhotellliesaredestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,aredestinedforhell.âThereareliesthatIhavetold.I,too,amdestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,amdestinedforhell.âHefastensontothatview.Ifhedoesnâtabandonthatdoctrine,doesnâtabandonthatstateofmind,doesnâtrelinquishthatview,thenasifheweretobecarriedoff,hewouldthusbeplacedinhell.
âThereisthecase,headman,whereaTathagataappearsintheworld,worthy&rightlyself-awakened,consummateinclearknowing&conduct,well-gone,a
54
knowerofthecosmos,unexcelledtrainerofthosetobetamed,teacherofhuman&divinebeings,awakened,blessed.He,invariousways,criticizes&censuresthetakingoflife,andsays,âAbstainfromtakinglife.âHecriticizes&censuresstealing,andsays,âAbstainfromstealing.âHecriticizes&censuresindulginginsexualmisconduct,andsays,âAbstainfromindulginginsexualmisconduct.âHecriticizes&censuresthetellingoflies,andsays,âAbstainfromthetellingoflies.â
âAdisciplehasfaithinthatteacherandreflects:âTheBlessedOneinavarietyofwayscriticizes&censuresthetakingoflife,andsays,âAbstainfromtakinglife.âTherearelivingbeingsthatIhavekilled,toagreaterorlesserextent.Thatwasnotright.Thatwasnotgood.ButifIbecomeremorsefulforthatreason,thatevildeedofminewillnotbeundone.âSo,reflectingthus,heabandonsrightthenthetakingoflife,andinthefuturerefrainsfromtakinglife.Thisishowtherecomestobetheabandoningofthatevildeed.Thisishowtherecomestobethetranscendingofthatevildeed.
â[Hereflects:]âTheBlessedOneinavarietyofwayscriticizes&censuresstealingâŠindulginginsexualmisconductâŠthetellingoflies,andsays,âAbstainfromthetellingoflies.âThereareliesIhavetold,toagreaterorlesserextent.Thatwasnotright.Thatwasnotgood.ButifIbecomeremorsefulforthatreason,thatevildeedofminewillnotbeundone.âSo,reflectingthus,heabandonsrightthenthetellingoflies,andinthefuturerefrainsfromtellinglies.Thisishowtherecomestobetheabandoningofthatevildeed.Thisishowtherecomestobethetranscendingofthatevildeed.ââSN42:8
OnoneoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearNalandainthePavarikaMangoGrove.ThenAsibandhakaputtatheheadmanwenttotheBlessedOneandonarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AshewassittingtherehesaidtotheBlessedOne:âThebrahmansoftheWesternlands,lordâthosewhocarrywaterpots,weargarlandsofwaterplants,purifywithwater,&worshipfireâcantake[thespiritof]adeadperson,liftitout,instructit,&sendittoheaven.ButtheBlessedOne,worthy&rightlyself-awakened,canarrangeitsothatalltheworld,atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearsinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.â
âVerywell,then,headman,Iwillquestionyouonthismatter.Answerasyouseefit.Whatdoyouthink:Thereisthecasewhereamanisonewhotakeslife,steals,indulgesinsexualmisconduct;isaliar,onewhospeaksdivisivespeech,harshspeech,&idlechatter;isgreedy,bearsthoughtsofill-will,&holdstowrongviews.Thenagreatcrowdofpeople,gathering&congregating,wouldpray,praise,&circumambulatewiththeirhandspalm-to-palmovertheheart
55
[saying,]âMaythisman,atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld!âWhatdoyouthink:Wouldthatmanâbecauseoftheprayers,praise,&circumambulationofthatgreatcrowdofpeopleâatthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld?â
âNo,lord.ââSupposeamanweretothrowalargeboulderintoadeeplakeofwater,and
agreatcrowdofpeople,gathering&congregating,wouldpray,praise,&circumambulatewiththeirhandspalm-to-palmovertheheart[saying,]âRiseup,Oboulder!Comefloatingup,Oboulder!Comefloattotheshore,Oboulder!âWhatdoyouthink:Wouldthatboulderâbecauseoftheprayers,praise,&circumambulationofthatgreatcrowdofpeopleâriseup,comefloatingup,orcomefloattotheshore?â
âNo,lord.ââSoitiswithanymanwhotakeslife,steals,indulgesinsexualmisconduct;
isaliar,onewhospeaksdivisivespeech,harshspeech,&idlechatter;isgreedy,bearsthoughtsofill-will,&holdstowrongviews.Eventhoughagreatcrowdofpeople,gathering&congregating,wouldpray,praise,&circumambulatewiththeirhandspalm-to-palmovertheheartâ[saying,]âMaythisman,atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld!ââstill,atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hewouldreappearindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell.
âNowwhatdoyouthink:Thereisthecasewhereamanisonewhorefrainsfromtakinglife,fromstealing,&fromindulginginsexualmisconduct;herefrainsfromlying,fromspeakingdivisivespeech,fromharshspeech,&fromidlechatter;heisnotgreedy,bearsnothoughtsofill-will,&holdstorightview.Thenagreatcrowdofpeople,gathering&congregating,wouldpray,praise,&circumambulatewiththeirhandspalm-to-palmovertheheart[saying,]âMaythisman,atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell!âWhatdoyouthink:Wouldthatmanâbecauseoftheprayers,praise,&circumambulationofthatgreatcrowdofpeopleâatthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell?â
âNo,lord.ââSupposeamanweretothrowajarofgheeorajarofoilintoadeeplakeof
water,whereitwouldbreak.Theretheshards&jar-fragmentswouldgodown,whilethegheeoroilwouldcomeup.Thenagreatcrowdofpeople,gathering&
56
congregating,wouldpray,praise,&circumambulatewiththeirhandspalm-to-palmovertheheart[saying,]âSink,Oghee/oil!Submerge,Oghee/oil!Godown,Oghee/oil!âWhatdoyouthink?Wouldthatghee/oil,becauseoftheprayers,praise,&circumambulationofthatgreatcrowdofpeoplesink,submerge,orgodown?â
âNo,lord.ââSoitiswithanymanwhorefrainsfromtakinglife,fromstealing,&from
indulginginsexualmisconduct;refrainsfromlying,fromspeakingdivisivespeech,fromharshspeech,&fromidlechatter;isnotgreedy,bearsnothoughtsofill-will,&holdstorightview.Eventhoughagreatcrowdofpeople,gathering&congregating,wouldpray,praise,&circumambulatewiththeirhandspalm-to-palmovertheheartâ[saying,]âMaythisman,atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell!ââstill,atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hewouldreappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.ââSN42:6
57
Bhavana:MeditationThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:âAllthe
groundsformakingmeritleadingtospontaneouslyarising(inheaven)donotequalone-sixteenthofawareness-releasethroughgoodwill.Goodwillâsurpassingthemâshines,blazes,&dazzles.
âJustastheradianceofallthestarsdoesnotequalone-sixteenthoftheradianceofthemoon,asthemoonâsurpassingthemâshines,blazes,&dazzles,evenso,allthegroundsformakingmeritleadingtospontaneouslyarisinginheavendonotequalone-sixteenthofawareness-releasethroughgoodwill.Goodwillâsurpassingthemâshines,blazes,&dazzles.
âJustasinthelastmonthoftherains,inautumn,whentheskyisclear&cloudless,thesun,onascendingthesky,overpowersthespaceimmersedindarkness,shines,blazes,&dazzles,evenso,allthegroundsformakingmeritleadingtospontaneouslyarisinginheavendonotequalone-sixteenthofawareness-releasethroughgoodwill.Goodwillâsurpassingthemâshines,blazes,&dazzles.
âJustasinthepre-dawndarknessthemorningstarshines,blazes,&dazzles,evenso,allthegroundsformakingmeritleadingtospontaneouslyarisinginheavendonotequalone-sixteenthofawareness-releasethroughgoodwill.Goodwillâsurpassingthemâshines,blazes,&dazzles.â
Whenonedevelopsâmindfulâgoodwillimmeasurable,fettersarewornthrough,onseeingtheendingofacquisitions.Ifwithuncorruptedmindyoufeelgoodwill
forevenonebeing,
youbecomeskilledfromthat.ButaNobleOneproduces
58
amindofsympathyfor
allbeings,
anabundanceofmerit.
Kinglyseers,whoconqueredtheearthswarmingwithbeings,
wentaboutmakingsacrifices:thehorsesacrifice,humansacrifice,waterrites,somarites,&theâUnobstructed,â
butthesedonâtequalonesixteenthofawell-developedmindofgoodwillâasalltheconstellationsdonât,onesixteenthoftheradianceofthemoon.Onewho
neitherkillsnorgetsotherstokill,neitherconquers,norgetsotherstoconquer,
withgoodwillforallbeings,hasnohostilitywithanyoneatall.âIti27
âMonks,foronewhosereleaseofawarenessthroughgoodwilliscultivated,developed,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertaken,elevenbenefitscanbeexpected.Whicheleven?
âOnesleepseasily,wakeseasily,dreamsnoevildreams.Oneisdeartohumanbeings,deartonon-humanbeings.Devasprotectone.Neitherfire,poison,norweaponscantouchone.Oneâsmindgainsconcentrationquickly.Oneâscomplexionisbright.OnediesunconfusedandâifpenetratingnohigherâisheadedfortheBrahmaworlds.ââAN11:16
âNow,whataretherootsofunskillfulthings?Greedisarootofunskillfulthings,aversionisarootofunskillfulthings,delusionisarootofunskillful
59
things.Thesearetermedtherootsofunskillfulthings.âŠâAndwhataretherootsofskillfulthings?Lackofgreedisarootofskillful
things,lackofaversionisarootofskillfulthings,lackofdelusionisarootofskillfulthings.Thesearetermedtherootsofskillfulthings.ââMN9
ThentheKalamasofKesaputtawenttotheBlessedOne.Onarrival,someofthemboweddowntotheBlessedOneandsattooneside.Someofthemexchangedcourteousgreetingswithhimand,afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,sattooneside.Someofthemsattoonesidehavingsalutedhimwiththeirhandspalm-to-palmovertheirhearts.Someofthemsattoonesidehavingannouncedtheirname&clan.Someofthemsattoonesideinsilence.
Astheysatthere,theKalamasofKesaputtasaidtotheBlessedOne,âLord,therearesomecontemplatives&brahmanswhocometoKesaputta.Theyexpound&glorifytheirowndoctrines,butasforthedoctrinesofothers,theydeprecatethem,revilethem,showcontemptforthem,&disparagethem.Andthenothercontemplatives&brahmanscometoKesaputta.Theyexpound&glorifytheirowndoctrines,butasforthedoctrinesofothers,theydeprecatethem,revilethem,showcontemptforthem,&disparagethem.Theyleaveusabsolutelyuncertain&indoubt:Whichofthesevenerablecontemplatives&brahmansarespeakingthetruth,andwhichonesarelying?â
âOfcourseyouareuncertain,Kalamas.Ofcourseyouareindoubt.Whentherearereasonsfordoubt,uncertaintyisborn.Sointhiscase,Kalamas,donâtgobyreports,bylegends,bytraditions,byscripture,bylogicalconjecture,byinference,byanalogies,byagreementthroughponderingviews,byprobability,orbythethought,âThiscontemplativeisourteacher.âWhenyouknowforyourselvesthat,âThesequalitiesareunskillful;thesequalitiesareblameworthy;thesequalitiesarecriticizedbythewise;thesequalities,whenundertaken&carriedout,leadtoharm&tosufferingââthenyoushouldabandonthem.
âWhatdoyouthink,Kalamas?Whengreedarisesinaperson,doesitariseforwelfareorforharm?â
âForharm,lord.ââAndthisgreedyperson,overcomebygreed,hismindpossessedbygreed,
killslivingbeings,takeswhatisnotgiven,goesafteranotherpersonâswife,tellslies,andinducesotherstodolikewise,allofwhichisforlong-termharm&suffering.â
âYes,lord.â
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[Similarlywithaversionanddelusion.]âSo,asIsaid,Kalamas:âDonâtgobyreports,bylegends,bytraditions,by
scripture,bylogicalconjecture,byinference,byanalogies,byagreementthroughponderingviews,byprobability,orbythethought,âThiscontemplativeisourteacher.âWhenyouknowforyourselvesthat,âThesequalitiesareunskillful;thesequalitiesareblameworthy;thesequalitiesarecriticizedbythewise;thesequalities,whenundertaken&carriedout,leadtoharm&tosufferingââthenyoushouldabandonthem.âThuswasitsaid.Andinreferencetothiswasitsaid.
âNow,Kalamas,donâtgobyreports,bylegends,bytraditions,byscripture,bylogicalconjecture,byinference,byanalogies,byagreementthroughponderingviews,byprobability,orbythethought,âThiscontemplativeisourteacher.âWhenyouknowforyourselvesthat,âThesequalitiesareskillful;thesequalitiesareblameless;thesequalitiesarepraisedbythewise;thesequalities,whenundertaken&carriedout,leadtowelfare&tohappinessââthenyoushouldenter&remaininthem.
âWhatdoyouthink,Kalamas?Whenlackofgreedarisesinaperson,doesitariseforwelfareorforharm?â
âForwelfare,lord.ââAndthisungreedyperson,notovercomebygreed,hismindnotpossessed
bygreed,doesnâtkilllivingbeings,takewhatisnotgiven,goafteranotherpersonâswife,telllies,orinduceotherstodolikewise,allofwhichisforlong-termwelfare&happiness.â
âYes,lord.â[Similarlywithlackofaversionandlackofdelusion.]âSo,asIsaid,Kalamas:âDonâtgobyreports,bylegends,bytraditions,by
scripture,bylogicalconjecture,byinference,byanalogies,byagreementthroughponderingviews,byprobability,orbythethought,âThiscontemplativeisourteacher.âWhenyouknowforyourselvesthat,âThesequalitiesareskillful;thesequalitiesareblameless;thesequalitiesarepraisedbythewise;thesequalities,whenundertaken&carriedout,leadtowelfare&tohappinessââthenyoushouldenter&remaininthem.âThuswasitsaid.Andinreferencetothiswasitsaid.
âNow,Kalamas,onewhoisadiscipleofthenobleonesâthusdevoidofgreed,devoidofillwill,undeluded,alert,&resoluteâkeepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]âaswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourthâwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill.Thushekeepspervadingabove,below,&allaround,everywhere&ineveryrespecttheall-encompassingworld
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withanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill:abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.
âHekeepspervadingthefirstdirectionâaswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourthâwithanawarenessimbuedwithcompassion.Thushekeepspervadingabove,below,&allaround,everywhere&ineveryrespecttheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithcompassion:abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.
âHekeepspervadingthefirstdirectionâaswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourthâwithanawarenessimbuedwithempatheticjoy.Thushekeepspervadingabove,below,&allaround,everywhere&ineveryrespecttheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithempatheticjoy:abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.
âHekeepspervadingthefirstdirectionâaswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourthâwithanawarenessimbuedwithequanimity.Thushekeepspervadingabove,below,&allaround,everywhere&ineveryrespecttheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithequanimity:abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.
âNow,Kalamas,onewhoisadiscipleofthenobleonesâhismindthusfreefromhostility,freefromillwill,undefiled,&pureâacquiresfourassurancesinthehere-&-now:
ââIfthereisaworldafterdeath,ifthereisthefruitofactionsrightly&wronglydone,thenthisisthebasisbywhich,withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,Iwillreappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.âThisisthefirstassuranceheacquires.
ââButifthereisnoworldafterdeath,ifthereisnofruitofactionsrightly&wronglydone,thenhereinthepresentlifeIlookaftermyselfwitheaseâfreefromhostility,freefromillwill,freefromtrouble.âThisisthesecondassuranceheacquires.
ââIfevilisdonethroughacting,stillIhavewillednoevilforanyone.Havingdonenoevilaction,fromwherewillsufferingtouchme?âThisisthethirdassuranceheacquires.
ââButifnoevilisdonethroughacting,thenIcanassumemyselfpureinbothrespects.âThisisthefourthassuranceheacquires.
âOnewhoisadiscipleofthenobleonesâhismindthusfreefromhostility,freefromillwill,undefiled,&pureâacquiresthesefourassurancesinthehere-&-now.ââAN3:66
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ThenalargenumberofmonkswenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.Astheyweresittingtheretheysaidtohim,âLord,justnowinSavatthiacertainmonkdiedafterhavingbeenbittenbyasnake.â
âThenitâscertain,monks,thatthatmonkdidnâtsuffusethefourroyalsnakelineageswithamindofgoodwill.Forifhehadsuffusedthefourroyalsnakelineageswithamindofgoodwill,hewouldnothavediedafterhavingbeenbittenbyasnake.Whichfour?TheVirupakkharoyalsnakelineage,theErapatharoyalsnakelineage,theChabyaputtaroyalsnakelineage,theDarkGotamakaroyalsnakelineage.Itâscertainthatthatmonkdidnâtsuffusethesefourroyalsnakelineageswithamindofgoodwill.Forifhehadsuffusedthesefourroyalsnakelineageswithamindofgoodwill,hewouldnothavediedafterhavingbeenbittenbyasnake.Iallowyou,monks,tosuffusethesefourroyalsnakelineageswithamindofgoodwillforthesakeofself-protection,self-guarding,self-preservation.â
IhavegoodwillfortheVirupakkhas,goodwillfortheErapathas,goodwillfortheChabyaputtas,goodwillfortheDarkGotamakas.
Ihavegoodwillforfootlessbeings,goodwillfortwo-footedbeings,goodwillforfour-footedbeings,goodwillformany-footedbeings.
Mayfootlessbeingsdomenoharm.Maytwo-footedbeingsdomenoharm.Mayfour-footedbeingsdomenoharm.Maymany-footedbeingsdomenoharm.
Mayallcreatures,allbreathingthings,
allbeingsâeach&everyoneâmeetwithgoodfortune.
Maynoneofthemcometoanyevil.ImmeasurableistheBuddha,immeasurabletheDhamma,immeasurabletheSangha.
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Thereisameasuretocreepingthings:snakes,scorpions,centipedes,spiders,lizards,&rats.
Ihavemadethissafeguard,Ihavemadethisprotection.
Maythebeingsdepart.IpayhomagetotheBlessedOne,homagetothesevenrightlyself-awakenedones.âAN4:67
âMonks,therearethesefiveaspectsofspeechbywhichothersmayaddressyou:timelyoruntimely,trueorfalse,affectionateorharsh,beneficialorunbeneficial,withamindofgoodwillorwithinnerhate.Othersmayaddressyouinatimelywayoranuntimelyway.Theymayaddressyouwithwhatistrueorwhatisfalse.Theymayaddressyouinanaffectionatewayoraharshway.Theymayaddressyouinabeneficialwayoranunbeneficialway.Theymayaddressyouwithamindofgoodwillorwithinnerhate.Inanyevent,youshouldtrainyourselves:âOurmindswillbeunaffectedandwewillsaynoevilwords.Wewillremainsympathetictothatpersonâswelfare,withamindofgoodwill,andwithnoinnerhate.Wewillkeeppervadinghimwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwilland,beginningwithhim,wewillkeeppervadingtheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwillâabundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.âThatâshowyoushouldtrainyourselves.
âSupposethatamanweretocomealongcarryingahoe&abasket,saying,âIwillmakethisgreatearthbewithoutearth.âHewoulddighere&there,scattersoilhere&there,spithere&there,urinatehere&there,saying,âBewithoutearth.Bewithoutearth.âNow,whatdoyouthinkâwouldhemakethisgreatearthbewithoutearth?â
âNo,lord.Whyisthat?Becausethisgreatearthisdeep&enormous.Itcanâteasilybemadetobewithoutearth.Themanwouldreaponlyashareofweariness&disappointment.â
âInthesameway,monks,therearethesefiveaspectsofspeechbywhichothersmayaddressyou:timelyoruntimely,trueorfalse,affectionateorharsh,beneficialorunbeneficial,withamindofgoodwillorwithinnerhate.Othersmayaddressyouinatimelywayoranuntimelyway.Theymayaddressyouwith
64
whatistrueorwhatisfalse.Theymayaddressyouinanaffectionatewayoraharshway.Theymayaddressyouinabeneficialwayoranunbeneficialway.Theymayaddressyouwithamindofgoodwillorwithinnerhate.Inanyevent,youshouldtrainyourselves:âOurmindswillbeunaffectedandwewillsaynoevilwords.Wewillremainsympathetictothatpersonâswelfare,withamindofgoodwill,andwithnoinnerhate.Wewillkeeppervadinghimwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwilland,beginningwithhim,wewillkeeppervadingtheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwillequaltothegreatearthâabundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.âThatâshowyoushouldtrainyourselves.
âSupposethatamanweretocomealongcarryinglac,yelloworpiment,indigo,orcrimson,saying,âIwilldrawpicturesinspace,Iwillmakepicturesappear.âNow,whatdoyouthinkâwouldhedrawpicturesinspace&makepicturesappear?â
âNo,lord.Whyisthat?Becausespaceisformless&featureless.Itâsnoteasytodrawpicturesthereandtomakethemappear.Themanwouldreaponlyashareofweariness&disappointment.â
âInthesameway,monks,therearethesefiveaspectsofspeechbywhichothersmayaddressyou.âŠInanyevent,youshouldtrainyourselves:âOurmindswillbeunaffectedandwewillsaynoevilwords.Wewillremainsympathetictothatpersonâswelfare,withamindofgoodwill,andwithnoinnerhate.Wewillkeeppervadinghimwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwilland,beginningwithhim,wewillkeeppervadingtheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwillequaltospaceâabundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.âThatâshowyoushouldtrainyourselves.
âSupposethatamanweretocomealongcarryingaburninggrasstorchandsaying,âWiththisburninggrasstorchIwillheatuptheriverGangesandmakeitboil.âNow,whatdoyouthinkâwouldhe,withthatburninggrasstorch,heatuptheriverGangesandmakeitboil?â
âNo,lord.Whyisthat?BecausetheriverGangesisdeep&enormous.Itâsnoteasytoheatitupandmakeitboilwithaburninggrasstorch.Themanwouldreaponlyashareofweariness&disappointment.â
âInthesameway,monks,therearethesefiveaspectsofspeechbywhichothersmayaddressyou.âŠInanyevent,youshouldtrainyourselves:âOurmindswillbeunaffectedandwewillsaynoevilwords.Wewillremainsympathetictothatpersonâswelfare,withamindofgoodwill,andwithnoinnerhate.Wewillkeeppervadinghimwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwilland,beginningwithhim,wewillkeeppervadingtheall-encompassingworldwithanawareness
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imbuedwithgoodwillequaltotheriverGangesâabundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.âThatâshowyoushouldtrainyourselves.
âSupposetherewereacatskinbagâbeaten,well-beaten,beatenthrough&through,soft,silky,freeofrustling&cracklingâandamanweretocomealongcarryingastickorshardandsaying,âWiththisstickorshardIwilltakethiscatskinbagâbeaten,well-beaten,beatenthrough&through,soft,silky,freeofrustling&cracklingâandIwillmakeitrustle&crackle.âNow,whatdoyouthinkâwouldhe,withthatstickorshard,takethatcatskinbagâbeaten,well-beaten,beatenthrough&through,soft,silky,freeofrustling&cracklingâandmakeitrustle&crackle?â
âNo,lord.Whyisthat?Becausethecatskinbagisbeaten,well-beaten,beatenthrough&through,soft,silky,freeofrustling&crackling.Itâsnoteasytomakeitrustle&cracklewithastickorshard.Themanwouldreaponlyashareofweariness&disappointment.â
âInthesameway,monks,therearethesefiveaspectsofspeechbywhichothersmayaddressyou.âŠInanyevent,youshouldtrainyourselves:âOurmindswillbeunaffectedandwewillsaynoevilwords.Wewillremainsympathetictothatpersonâswelfare,withamindofgoodwill,andwithnoinnerhate.Wewillkeeppervadinghimwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwilland,beginningwithhim,wewillkeeppervadingtheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwillequaltoacatskinbagâabundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.âThatâshowyoushouldtrainyourselves.
âMonks,evenifbanditsweretocarveyouupsavagely,limbbylimb,withatwo-handledsaw,heamongyouwholethisheartgetangeredevenatthatwouldnotbedoingmybidding.Eventhenyoushouldtrainyourselves:âOurmindswillbeunaffectedandwewillsaynoevilwords.Wewillremainsympathetic,withamindofgoodwill,andwithnoinnerhate.Wewillkeeppervadingthesepeoplewithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwilland,beginningwiththem,wewillkeeppervadingtheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwillâabundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.âThatâshowyoushouldtrainyourselves.
âMonks,ifyouattendconstantlytothisadmonitiononthesimileofthesaw,doyouseeanyaspectsofspeech,slightorgross,thatyoucouldnotendure?â
âNo,lord.ââThenattendconstantlytothisadmonitiononthesimileofthesaw.That
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willbeforyourlong-termwelfare&happiness.ââMN21
Thisistobedonebyoneskilledinaimswhowantstobreakthroughtothestateofpeace:Becapable,upright,&straightforward,easytoinstruct,gentle,¬conceited,content&easytosupport,withfewduties,livinglightly,withpeacefulfaculties,masterful,modest,&nogreedforsupporters.Donotdotheslightestthingthatthewisewouldlatercensure.
Think:Happy,atrest,mayallbeingsbehappyatheart.Whateverbeingstheremaybe,
weakorstrong,withoutexception,long,large,middling,short,subtle,blatant,seen&unseen,near&far,born&seekingbirth:
Mayallbeingsbehappyatheart.Letnoonedeceiveanotherordespiseanyoneanywhere,orthroughangerorirritationwishforanothertosuffer.Asamotherwouldriskherlifetoprotectherchild,heronlychild,evensoshouldonecultivateanimmeasurableheartwithregardtoallbeings.Withgoodwillfortheentirecosmos,cultivateanimmeasurableheart:Above,below,&allaround,unobstructed,withouthostilityorhate.Whetherstanding,walking,
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sitting,orlyingdown,aslongasoneisalert,
oneshouldberesolvedonthismindfulness.Thisiscalledasublimeabiding
here&now.
Nottakenwithviews,butvirtuous&consummateinvision,havingsubdueddesireforsensualpleasures,
oneneveragainwilllieinthewomb.âKhp9
âWise&mindful,youshoulddevelopimmeasurableconcentration[i.e.,concentrationbasedonimmeasurablegoodwill,compassion,empatheticjoy,orequanimity].When,wise&mindful,onehasdevelopedimmeasurableconcentration,fiverealizationsariserightwithinoneself.Whichfive?
âTherealizationarisesrightwithinoneselfthatâThisconcentrationisblissfulinthepresentandwillresultinblissinthefuture.â
âTherealizationarisesrightwithinoneselfthatâThisconcentrationisnoble¬connectedwiththebaitsoftheflesh.â
âTherealizationarisesrightwithinoneselfthatâThisconcentrationisnotobtainedbybasepeople.â
âTherealizationarisesrightwithinoneselfthatâThisconcentrationispeaceful,exquisite,theacquiringofserenity,theattainmentofunity,notkeptinplacebythefabricationsofforcefulrestraint.â
âTherealizationarisesrightwithinoneselfthatâIenterintothisconcentrationmindfully,andmindfullyIemergefromit.â
âWise&mindful,youshoulddevelopimmeasurableconcentration.When,wise&mindful,onehasdevelopedimmeasurableconcentration,thesefiverealizationsariserightwithinoneself.ââAN5:27
âMonks,foronewhoseawareness-releasethroughgoodwilliscultivated,developed,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertaken,elevenbenefitscanbeexpected.Whicheleven?
âOnesleepseasily,wakeseasily,dreamsnoevildreams.Oneisdeartohumanbeings,deartonon-humanbeings.Thedevasprotectone.Neitherfire,poison,norweaponscantouchone.Oneâsmindgainsconcentrationquickly.
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Oneâscomplexionisbright.OnediesunconfusedandâifpenetratingnohigherâisheadedfortheBrahmaworlds.
âThesearetheelevenbenefitsthatcanbeexpectedforonewhoseawareness-releasethroughgoodwilliscultivated,developed,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertaken.ââAN11:16
âHavingabandonedthetakingoflife,he[thediscipleofthenobleones]refrainsfromtakinglifeâŠherefrainsfromstealingâŠherefrainsfromsexualmisconductâŠherefrainsfromliesâŠherefrainsfromdivisivespeechâŠherefrainsfromharshspeechâŠherefrainsfromidlechatter.Havingabandonedcovetousness,hebecomesuncovetous.Havingabandonedmalevolence&anger,hebecomesonewithamindofnomalevolence.Havingabandonedwrongviews,hebecomesonewhohasrightviews.
âThatdiscipleofthenobleones,headmanâthusdevoidofcovetousness,devoidofmalevolence,unbewildered,alert,mindfulâkeepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]withanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill,likewisethesecond,likewisethethird,likewisethefourth.Thusabove,below,&allaround,everywhere,initsentirety,hekeepspervadingtheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwillâabundant,expansive,immeasurable,withouthostility,withoutmalevolence.Justasastrongconch-trumpetblowercannotifythefourdirectionswithoutanydifficulty,inthesameway,whenawareness-releasethroughgoodwillisthusdeveloped,thuspursued,anydeeddonetoalimitedextentnolongerremainsthere,nolongerstaysthere.
âThatdiscipleofthenobleonesâŠkeepspervadingthefirstdirectionwithanawarenessimbuedwithcompassionâŠempatheticjoyâŠequanimity,likewisethesecond,likewisethethird,likewisethefourth.Thusabove,below,&allaround,everywhere,initsentirety,hekeepspervadingtheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithequanimityâabundant,expansive,immeasurable,withouthostility,withoutmalevolence.Justasastrongconch-trumpetblowercannotifythefourdirectionswithoutanydifficulty,inthesameway,whenawareness-releasethroughequanimityisthusdeveloped,thuspursued,anydeeddonetoalimitedextentnolongerremainsthere,nolongerstaysthere.ââSN42:8
âMonks,Idonâtspeakofthewipingoutofintentionalactionsthathavebeendone&accumulatedwithout[theirresults]havingbeenexperienced,eitherinthehere&noworinafurtherstatehereafter.NordoIspeakoftheactof
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puttinganendtosufferingandstresswithouthavingexperienced[theresultsof]intentionalactionsthathavebeendone&accumulated.1
âThatdiscipleofthenobleonesâthusdevoidofcovetousness,devoidofillwill,unbewildered,alert,mindfulâkeepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]withanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill,likewisethesecond,likewisethethird,likewisethefourth.Thusabove,below,&allaround,everywhere,initsentirety,hekeepspervadingtheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwillâabundant,expansive,immeasurable,withouthostility,withoutillwill.Hediscerns,âBefore,thismindofminewaslimited&undeveloped.Butnowthismindofmineisimmeasurable&welldeveloped.Andwhateveractionthatwasdoneinameasurablewaydoesnotremainthere,doesnotlingerthere.â
âWhatdoyouthink,monks:Ifthatyouth,fromchildhood,weretodevelopawareness-releasethroughgoodwill,wouldhedoanyevilaction?â
âNo,lord.ââNotdoinganyevilaction,wouldhetouchsuffering?ââNo,lord,forwhenonedoesnoevilaction,fromwherewouldhetouch
suffering?ââThisawareness-releasethroughgoodwillshouldbedevelopedwhetherone
isawomanoraman.Neitherawomannoramancangotakingthisbodyalong.Death,monks,isbutagapofathoughtaway.One[whopracticesthisawareness-release]discerns,âWhateverevilactionhasbeendonebythisbodybornofaction,thatwillallbeexperiencedhere[inthislife].Itwillnotcometobehereafter.âThusdeveloped,awareness-releasethroughgoodwillleadstonon-returningforthemonkwhohasgainedgnosishereandhaspenetratedtonohigherrelease.
âThatdiscipleofthenobleonesâthusdevoidofcovetousness,devoidofillwill,unbewildered,alert,mindfulâkeepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]withanawarenessimbuedwithcompassion.âŠ
âThatdiscipleofthenobleonesâthusdevoidofcovetousness,devoidofillwill,unbewildered,alert,mindfulâkeepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]withanawarenessimbuedwithempatheticjoy.âŠ
âThatdiscipleofthenobleonesâthusdevoidofcovetousness,devoidofillwill,unbewildered,alert,mindfulâkeepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]withanawarenessimbuedwithequanimity,likewisethesecond,likewisethethird,likewisethefourth.Thusabove,below,&allaround,everywhere,initsentirety,hekeepspervadingtheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithequanimityâabundant,expansive,immeasurable,without
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hostility,withoutillwill.Hediscerns,âBefore,thismindofminewaslimited&undeveloped.Butnowthismindofmineisimmeasurable&welldeveloped.Andwhateveractionthatwasdoneinameasurablewaydoesnotremainthere,doesnotlingerthere.â
âWhatdoyouthink,monks:Ifthatyouth,fromchildhood,weretodevelopawareness-releasethroughequanimity,wouldhedoanyevilaction?â
âNo,lord.ââNotdoinganyevilaction,wouldhetouchsuffering?ââNo,lord,forwhenonedoesnoevilaction,fromwherewouldhetouch
suffering?ââThisawareness-releasethroughequanimityshouldbedevelopedwhether
oneisawomanoraman.Neitherawomannoramancangotakingthisbodyalong.Death,monks,isbutagapofathoughtaway.One[whopracticesthisawareness-release]discerns,âWhateverevilactionhasbeendonebythisbodybornofaction,thatwillallbeexperiencedhere[inthislife].Itwillnotcometobehereafter.âThusdeveloped,awareness-releasethroughequanimityleadstonon-returningforthemonkwhohasgainedgnosishereandhaspenetratedtonohigherrelease.â
NOT E : 1 . F.L.WoodwardâthePaliTextSocietytranslatoroftheAnguttaraTensandElevensânotesthatthissuttaseemspatchedtogetherfromvarioussources.Asproof,hecitestheabruptbreaksbetweenthisparagraphandthenext,andbetweenthenextandtheonefollowingit.
âAN10:208
âMonks,foranyonewhosays,âInwhateverwayapersonmakeskamma,thatishowitisexperienced,âthereisnolivingoftheholylife,thereisnoopportunityfortherightendingofstress.Butforanyonewhosays,âWhenapersonmakeskammatobefeltinsuch&suchaway,thatishowitsresultisexperienced,âthereisthelivingoftheholylife,thereistheopportunityfortherightendingofstress.
âThereisthecasewhereatriflingevildeeddonebyacertainindividualtakeshimtohell.Thereisthecasewheretheverysamesortoftriflingdeeddonebyanotherindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment.
âNow,atriflingevildeeddonebywhatsortofindividualtakeshimtohell?Thereisthecasewhereacertainindividualisundevelopedinbody[accordingto
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MN36,thismeansthatpleasurecaninvadehismindandremainthere],undevelopedinvirtue,undevelopedinmind[paincaninvadehismindandremainthere]:restricted,small-hearted,dwellingwithsuffering.Atriflingevildeeddonebythissortofindividualtakeshimtohell.
âNow,atriflingevildeeddonebywhatsortofindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment?Thereisthecasewhereacertainindividualisdevelopedinbody,developedinvirtue,developedinmind,developedindiscernment:unrestricted,large-hearted,dwellingwiththeimmeasurable[awareness-release].Atriflingevildeeddonebythissortofindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment.
âSupposethatamanweretodropasaltcrystalintoasmallamountofwaterinacup.Whatdoyouthink?Wouldthewaterinthecupbecomesaltybecauseofthesaltcrystal,andunfittodrink?â
âYes,lord.Whyisthat?Therebeingonlyasmallamountofwaterinthecup,itwouldbecomesaltybecauseofthesaltcrystal,andunfittodrink.â
âNowsupposethatamanweretodropasaltcrystalintotheRiverGanges.Whatdoyouthink?WouldthewaterintheRiverGangesbecomesaltybecauseofthesaltcrystal,andunfittodrink?â
âNo,lord.Whyisthat?TherebeingagreatmassofwaterintheRiverGanges,itwouldnotbecomesaltybecauseofthesaltcrystalorunfittodrink.â
âInthesameway,thereisthecasewhereatriflingevildeeddonebyoneindividual[thefirst]takeshimtohell;andthereisthecasewheretheverysamesortoftriflingdeeddonebytheotherindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment.âŠ
âThereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisthrownintojailforhalfadollar[kahapana],isthrownintojailforadollar,isthrownintojailforonehundreddollars.Andthereisthecasewhereanotherpersonisnotthrownintojailforhalfadollar,isnotthrownintojailforadollar,isnotthrownintojailforonehundreddollars.NowwhatsortofpersonisthrownintojailforhalfadollarâŠforadollarâŠforonehundreddollars?Thereisthecasewhereapersonispoor,oflittlewealth,offewpossessions.ThisisthesortofpersonwhoisthrownintojailforhalfadollarâŠforadollarâŠforonehundreddollars.AndwhatsortofpersonisnotthrownintojailforhalfadollarâŠforadollarâŠforonehundreddollars?Thereisthecasewhereapersoniswealthy,withmanybelongings,manypossessions.Thisisthesortofpersonwhoisnotthrownintojailforhalfadollar.âŠforadollarâŠforonehundreddollars.
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âInthesameway,thereisthecasewhereatriflingevildeeddonebyoneindividualtakeshimtohell;andthereisthecasewheretheverysamesortoftriflingdeeddonebytheotherindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment.âŠ
âItâsjustaswhenagoatbutcherisempoweredtobeatorbindorslayortreatashelikesacertainpersonwhostealsagoat,butisnotempoweredtobeatorbindorslayortreatashelikesanotherpersonwhostealsagoat.Now,whenwhatsortofpersonhasstolenagoatisthegoatbutcherempoweredtobeathimorbindhimorslayhimortreathimashelikes?Thereisthecasewhereapersonispoor,oflittlewealth,offewpossessions.Thisisthesortofpersonwho,whenhehasstolenagoat,thegoatbutcherisempoweredtobeatorbindorslayortreatashelikes.Andwhenwhatsortofpersonhasstolenagoatisthegoatbutchernotempoweredtobeathimorbindhimorslayhimortreathimashelikes?Thereisthecasewhereapersoniswealthy,withmanybelongings,manypossessions;akingorakingâsminister.Thisisthesortofpersonwho,whenhehasstolenagoat,thegoatbutcherisnotempoweredtobeatorbindorslayortreatashelikes.Allhecandoisgowithhishandsclaspedbeforehisheartandbeg:âPlease,dearsir,givemeagoatorthepriceofagoat.â
âInthesameway,thereisthecasewhereatriflingevildeeddonebyoneindividualtakeshimtohell;andthereisthecasewheretheverysamesortoftriflingdeeddonebytheotherindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment.
âNow,atriflingevildeeddonebywhatsortofindividualtakeshimtohell?Thereisthecasewhereacertainindividualisundevelopedinbody,undevelopedinvirtue,undevelopedinmind,undevelopedindiscernment:restricted,small-hearted,dwellingwithsuffering.Atriflingevildeeddonebythissortofindividualtakeshimtohell.
âNow,atriflingevildeeddonebywhatsortofindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment?Thereisthecasewhereacertainindividualisdevelopedinbody,developedinvirtue,developedinmind,developedindiscernment:unrestricted,large-hearted,dwellingwiththeimmeasurable[awareness-release].Atriflingevildeeddonebythissortofindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment.
âMonks,foranyonewhosays,âInwhateverwayapersonmakeskamma,thatishowitisexperienced,âthereisnolivingoftheholylife,thereisnoopportunityfortherightendingofstress.Butforanyonewhosays,âWhenapersonmakeskammatobefeltinsuch&suchaway,thatishowitsresultisexperienced,â
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thereisthelivingoftheholylife,thereistheopportunityfortherightendingofstress.ââAN3:101
âThereisthecasewhereamonkmightsay,âAlthoughgoodwillhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenbymeasmyawareness-release,stillillwillkeepsoverpoweringmymind.âHeshouldbetold,âDonâtsaythat.Youshouldnâtspeakinthatway.DonâtmisrepresenttheBlessedOne,foritâsnotrighttomisrepresenttheBlessedOne,andtheBlessedOnewouldnâtsaythat.Itâsimpossible,thereisnowaythatâwhengoodwillhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenasanawareness-releaseâillwillwouldstillkeepoverpoweringthemind.Thatpossibilitydoesnâtexist,forthisistheescapefromillwill:goodwillasanawareness-release.â
âFurthermore,thereisthecasewhereamonkmightsay,âAlthoughcompassionhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenbymeasmyawareness-release,stillviciousnesskeepsoverpoweringmymind.âHeshouldbetold,âDonâtsaythat.Youshouldnâtspeakinthatway.DonâtmisrepresenttheBlessedOne,foritâsnotrighttomisrepresenttheBlessedOne,andtheBlessedOnewouldnâtsaythat.Itâsimpossible,thereisnowaythatâwhencompassionhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenasanawareness-releaseâviciousnesswouldstillkeepoverpoweringthemind.Thatpossibilitydoesnâtexist,forthisistheescapefromviciousness:compassionasanawareness-release.â
âFurthermore,thereisthecasewhereamonkmightsay,âAlthoughempatheticjoyhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenbymeasmyawareness-release,stillresentmentkeepsoverpoweringmymind.âHeshouldbetold,âDonâtsaythat.Youshouldnâtspeakinthatway.DonâtmisrepresenttheBlessedOne,foritâsnotrighttomisrepresenttheBlessedOne,andtheBlessedOnewouldnâtsaythat.Itâsimpossible,thereisnowaythatâwhenempatheticjoyhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenasanawareness-releaseâresentmentwouldstillkeepoverpoweringthemind.Thatpossibilitydoesnâtexist,forthisistheescapefromresentment:empatheticjoyasanawareness-release.â
âFurthermore,thereisthecasewhereamonkmightsay,âAlthoughequanimityhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenbymeasmyawareness-release,still
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passionkeepsoverpoweringmymind.âHeshouldbetold,âDonâtsaythat.Youshouldnâtspeakinthatway.DonâtmisrepresenttheBlessedOne,foritâsnotrighttomisrepresenttheBlessedOne,andtheBlessedOnewouldnâtsaythat.Itâsimpossible,thereisnowaythatâwhenequanimityhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenasanawareness-releaseâpassionwouldstillkeepoverpoweringthemind.Thatpossibilitydoesnâtexist,forthisistheescapefrompassion:equanimityasanawareness-release.âââAN6:13
âAndhowisawareness-releasethroughgoodwilldeveloped,whatisitsdestiny,itsexcellence,itsreward,&itsconsummation?
âThereisthecasewhereamonkdevelopsmindfulnessasafactorforAwakeningaccompaniedbygoodwill,dependentonseclusionâŠdispassionâŠcessation,resultinginlettinggo.HedevelopsanalysisofqualitiesasafactorforAwakeningâŠpersistenceasafactorforAwakeningâŠraptureasafactorforAwakeningâŠcalmasafactorforAwakeningâŠconcentrationasafactorforAwakeningâŠequanimityasafactorforAwakeningaccompaniedbygoodwill,dependentonseclusionâŠdispassionâŠcessation,resultinginlettinggo.Ifhewants,heremainspercipientofloathsomenessinthepresenceofwhatisnotloathsome.Ifhewants,heremainspercipientofunloathsomenessinthepresenceofwhatisloathsome.Ifhewants,heremainspercipientofloathsomenessinthepresenceofwhatisnotloathsome&whatis.Ifhewants,heremainspercipientofunloathsomenessinthepresenceofwhatisloathsome&whatisnot.Ifhewantsâinthepresenceofwhatisloathsome&whatisnotâcuttinghimselfofffromboth,heremainsequanimous,alert,&mindful.Orhemayenter&remaininthebeautifulliberation.Itellyou,monks,awareness-releasethroughgoodwillhasthebeautifulasitsexcellenceâinthecaseofonewhohaspenetratedtonohigherrelease.
âAndhowisawareness-releasethroughcompassiondeveloped,whatisitsdestiny,itsexcellence,itsreward,&itsconsummation?
âThereisthecasewhereamonkdevelopsmindfulnessasafactorforAwakeningaccompaniedbycompassionâŠetc.âŠIfhewantsâinthepresenceofwhatisloathsome&whatisnotâcuttinghimselfofffromboth,heremainsequanimous,alert,&mindful.Or,withthecompletetranscendingofperceptionsof[physical]form,withthedisappearanceofperceptionsofresistance,andnotheedingperceptionsofdiversity,thinking,âInfinitespace,âheenters&remainsinthesphereoftheinfinitudeofspace.Itellyou,monks,awareness-releasethroughcompassionhasthesphereoftheinfinitudeofspaceas
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itsexcellenceâinthecaseofonewhohaspenetratedtonohigherrelease.âAndhowisawareness-releasethroughempatheticjoydeveloped,whatisits
destiny,itsexcellence,itsreward,&itsconsummation?âThereisthecasewhereamonkdevelopsmindfulnessasafactorfor
awakeningaccompaniedbyempatheticjoyâŠetc.âŠIfhewantsâinthepresenceofwhatisloathsome&whatisnotâcuttinghimselfofffromboth,heremainsequanimous,alert,&mindful.Or,withthecompletetranscendingofthesphereofinfinitudeofspace,thinkingâInfiniteconsciousness,âheenters&remainsinthesphereoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness.Itellyou,monks,awareness-releasethroughempatheticjoyhasthesphereoftheinfinitudeofconsciousnessasitsexcellenceâinthecaseofonewhohaspenetratedtonohigherrelease.
âAndhowisawareness-releasethroughequanimitydeveloped,whatisitsdestiny,itsexcellence,itsreward,&itsconsummation?
âThereisthecasewhereamonkdevelopsmindfulnessasafactorforAwakeningaccompaniedbyequanimityâŠetc.âŠIfhewantsâinthepresenceofwhatisloathsome&whatisnotâcuttinghimselfofffromboth,heremainsequanimous,alert,&mindful.Or,withthecompletetranscendingofthesphereofinfinitudeofconsciousness,thinkingâThereisnothing,âheenters&remainsinthesphereofnothingness.Itellyou,monks,awareness-releasethroughequanimityhasthesphereofnothingnessasitsexcellenceâinthecaseofonewhohaspenetratedtonohigherrelease.ââSN46:54
âThereisthecasewhereanindividualkeepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]âaswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourthâwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill.Thushekeepspervadingabove,below,&allaround,everywhere&ineveryrespecttheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill:abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.Hesavorsthat,longsforthat,findssatisfactionthroughthat.Stayingthereâfixedonthat,dwellingthereoften,notfallingawayfromthatâthenwhenhedieshereappearsinconjunctionwiththedevasofBrahmaâsretinue.ThedevasofBrahmaâsretinue,monks,havealife-spanofanaeon.Arun-of-the-millperson,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,goestohell,totheanimalwomb,tothestateofthehungryshades.ButadiscipleoftheBlessedOne,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,isunboundrightinthatstateofbeing.This,monks,isthedifference,thisthedistinction,thisthedistinguishingfactor,betweenaneducateddiscipleofthenobleonesandanuneducatedrun-of-the-millperson,whenthereisadestination,areappearing.
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âAgain,thereisthecasewhereanindividualkeepspervadingthefirstdirectionâaswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourthâwithanawarenessimbuedwithcompassion.âŠStayingthereâfixedonthat,dwellingthereoften,notfallingawayfromthatâthenwhenhedieshereappearsinconjunctionwiththeAbhassara[Radiant]devas.1TheAbhassaradevas,monks,havealife-spanoftwoaeons.Arun-of-the-millperson,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,goestohell,totheanimalwomb,tothestateofthehungryshades.ButadiscipleoftheBlessedOne,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,isunboundrightinthatstateofbeing.This,monks,isthedifference,thisthedistinction,thisthedistinguishingfactor,betweenaneducateddiscipleofthenobleonesandanuneducatedrun-of-the-millperson,whenthereisadestination,areappearing.2
âAgain,thereisthecasewhereanindividualkeepspervadingthefirstdirectionâaswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourthâwithanawarenessimbuedwithempatheticjoy.âŠStayingthereâfixedonthat,dwellingthereoften,notfallingawayfromthatâthenwhenhedieshereappearsinconjunctionwiththeSubhakinha[BeautifulBlack]devas.TheSubhakinhadevas,monks,havealife-spanoffouraeons.Arun-of-the-millperson,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,goestohell,totheanimalwomb,tothestateofthehungryshades.ButadiscipleoftheBlessedOne,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,isunboundrightinthatstateofbeing.This,monks,isthedifference,thisthedistinction,thisthedistinguishingfactor,betweenaneducateddiscipleofthenobleonesandanuneducatedrun-of-the-millperson,whenthereisadestination,areappearing.
âAgain,thereisthecasewhereanindividualkeepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]âaswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourthâwithanawarenessimbuedwithequanimity.Thushekeepspervadingabove,below,&allaround,everywhere&ineveryrespecttheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithequanimity:abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.Hesavorsthat,longsforthat,findssatisfactionthroughthat.Stayingthereâfixedonthat,dwellingthereoften,notfallingawayfromthatâthenwhenhedieshereappearsinconjunctionwiththeVehapphala[Sky-fruit]devas.TheVehapphaladevas,monks,havealife-spanof500aeons.Arun-of-the-millperson,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,goestohell,totheanimalwomb,tothestateofthehungryshades.ButadiscipleoftheBlessedOne,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,isunboundrightinthatstateofbeing.This,monks,isthedifference,thisthedistinction,thisthedistinguishingfactor,
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betweenaneducateddiscipleofthenobleonesandanuneducatedrun-of-the-millperson,whenthereisadestination,areappearing.
âThesearefourtypesofindividualstobefoundexistingintheworld.â
NOT E S1.TheAbhassara,Subhakinha,andVehapphaladevasareallBrahmasonthelevelof
form.2.Thissutta,readinconjunctionwithAN4:123,hasgivenrisetothebeliefthatthe
developmentofgoodwillasanimmeasurablestatecanleadonlytothefirstjhana,andthatthenexttwoimmeasurablestatesâcompassionandempatheticjoyâcanlead,respectively,onlytothesecondandthirdjhanas.However,asAN8:63showsbelow,allfourimmeasurablestatescanleadallthewaytothefourthjhana.Thedifferencebetweenthatdiscourseandthisliesinhowthepersonpracticingthesestatesrelatestothem.Inthatsutta,thepersondeliberatelyusesthestateasabasisfordevelopingallthejhanas.Inthissutta,thepersonsimplyenjoysthestateandremainsinit.
âAN4:125
ThenacertainmonkwenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AshewassittingtherehesaidtotheBlessedOne:âItwouldbegoodiftheBlessedOnewouldteachmetheDhammainbriefsothat,havingheardtheDhammafromtheBlessedOne,Imightdwellaloneinseclusion:heedful,ardent,&resolute.â
âButitisinjustthiswaythatsomeworthlessmenmakearequestbutthen,havingbeentoldtheDhamma,thinktheyshouldtagalongrightbehindme.â
âMaytheBlessedOneteachmetheDhammainbrief!MaytheOneWell-goneteachmetheDhammainbrief!ItmaywellbethatIwillunderstandtheBlessedOneâswords.ItmaywellbethatIwillbecomeanheirtotheBlessedOneâswords.â
âThen,monk,youshouldtrainyourselfthus:âMymindwillbeestablishedinwardly,well-composed.Noevil,unskillfulqualities,oncetheyhavearisen,willremainconsumingthemind.âThatâshowyoushouldtrainyourself.
âThenyoushouldtrainyourselfthus:âGoodwill,asmyawareness-release,willbedeveloped,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied,consolidated,&well-undertaken.âThatâshowyoushouldtrainyourself.Whenyouhavedevelopedthisconcentrationinthisway,youshoulddevelopthisconcentrationwithdirectedthought&evaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&amodicumofevaluation,youshoulddevelopitwith
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nodirectedthought&noevaluation,youshoulddevelopitaccompaniedbyraptureâŠnotaccompaniedbyraptureâŠendowedwithasenseofenjoyment;youshoulddevelopitendowedwithequanimity.
âWhenthisconcentrationisthusdeveloped,thuswell-developedbyyou,youshouldthentrainyourselfthus:âCompassion,asmyawareness-release.âŠEmpatheticjoy,asmyawareness-release.âŠEquanimity,asmyawareness-release,willbedeveloped,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied,consolidated,&well-undertaken.âThatâshowyoushouldtrainyourself.Whenyouhavedevelopedthisconcentrationinthisway,youshoulddevelopthisconcentrationwithdirectedthought&evaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&amodicumofevaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&noevaluation,youshoulddevelopitaccompaniedbyraptureâŠnotaccompaniedbyraptureâŠendowedwithasenseofenjoyment;youshoulddevelopitendowedwithequanimity.
âWhenthisconcentrationisthusdeveloped,thuswell-developedbyyou,youshouldthentrainyourselfthus:âIwillremainfocusedonthebodyin&ofitselfâardent,alert,&mindfulâputtingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.âThatâshowyoushouldtrainyourself.Whenyouhavedevelopedthisconcentrationinthisway,youshoulddevelopthisconcentrationwithdirectedthought&evaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&amodicumofevaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&noevaluation,youshoulddevelopitaccompaniedbyraptureâŠnotaccompaniedbyraptureâŠendowedwithasenseofenjoyment;youshoulddevelopitendowedwithequanimity.
âWhenthisconcentrationisthusdeveloped,thuswell-developedbyyou,youshouldtrainyourself:âIwillremainfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselvesâŠthemindin&ofitselfâŠmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselvesâardent,alert,&mindfulâputtingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.âThatâshowyoushouldtrainyourself.Whenyouhavedevelopedthisconcentrationinthisway,youshoulddevelopthisconcentrationwithdirectedthought&evaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&amodicumofevaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&noevaluation,youshoulddevelopitaccompaniedbyraptureâŠnotaccompaniedbyraptureâŠendowedwithasenseofenjoyment;youshoulddevelopitendowedwithequanimity.
âWhenthisconcentrationisthusdeveloped,thuswell-developedbyyou,thenwhereveryougo,youwillgoincomfort.Whereveryoustand,youwillstandincomfort.Whereveryousit,youwillsitincomfort.Whereveryouliedown,youwillliedownincomfort.â
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Thenthatmonk,havingbeenadmonishedbytheadmonishmentfromtheBlessedOne,gotupfromhisseatandboweddowntotheBlessedOne,circledaroundhim,keepingtheBlessedOnetohisrightside,andleft.Then,dwellingalone,secluded,heedful,ardent,&resolute,heinnolongtimereached&remainedinthesupremegoaloftheholylifeforwhichclansmenrightlygoforthfromhomeintohomelessness,knowing&realizingitforhimselfinthehere&now.Heknew:âBirthisended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthesakeofthisworld.âAndthushebecameanotheroneoftheArahants.âAN8:63
âThereisthecasewhereanindividualkeepspervadingthefirstdirectionâaswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourthâwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill.Thushekeepspervadingabove,below,&allaround,everywhere&ineveryrespecttheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill:abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.Heregardswhateverphenomenatherethatareconnectedwithform,feeling,perception,fabrications,&consciousness,asinconstant,stressful,adisease,acancer,anarrow,painful,anaffliction,alien,adisintegration,anemptiness,not-self.Atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinconjunctionwiththedevasofthePureAbodes.Thisrebirthisnotincommonwithrun-of-the-millpeople.â
[Similarlywithcompassion,empatheticjoy,&equanimity.]âAN4:126
âThenagain,amonkkeepspervadingthefirstdirectionwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill,likewisethesecond,likewisethethird,likewisethefourth.Thusabove,below,&allaround,everywhere,initsentirety,hekeepspervadingtheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwillâabundant,expansive,immeasureable,withouthostility,withoutillwill.Hereflectsonthisanddiscerns,âThisawareness-releasethroughgoodwillisfabricated&intended.Nowwhateverisfabricated&intendedisinconstant&subjecttocessation.âStayingrightthere,hereachestheendingofthementaleffluents.Or,ifnot,thenâthroughthisveryDhamma-passion,thisDhamma-delight,andfromthetotalwastingawayofthefivelowerfetters[self-identityviews,uncertainty,graspingathabits&practices,sensualpassion,andirritation]âheisduetobespontaneouslyreborn[inthePureAbodes],theretobetotallyunbound,neveragaintoreturnfromthatworld.
âThistoo,householder,isasinglequalitydeclaredbytheBlessedOneâtheonewhoknows,theonewhosees,worthy&rightlyself-awakenedâwherethe
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unreleasedmindofamonkwhodwellsthereheedful,ardent,&resolutebecomesreleased,orhisunendedeffluentsgototheirtotalending,orheattainstheunexcelledsecurityfromtheyokethathehadnotattainedbefore.â
[Similarlywithawareness-releasethroughcompassion,throughempatheticjoy,&throughequanimity.]âMN52
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TheMeritofStream-entryâSariputta,âThestream,thestreamâ:thusitissaid.Andwhat,Sariputta,is
thestream?ââThisnobleeightfoldpath,lord,isthestream:rightview,rightresolve,right
speech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration.â
âVerygood,Sariputta!Verygood!Thisnobleeightfoldpathârightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentrationâisthestream.ââSN55:5
âAndwhatisrightview?Knowledgeintermsofstress,knowledgeintermsoftheoriginationofstress,knowledgeintermsofthecessationofstress,knowledgeintermsofthewayofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstress:Thisiscalledrightview.
âAndwhatisrightresolve?Beingresolvedonrenunciation,onnon-illwill,onharmlessness:Thisiscalledrightresolve.
âAndwhatisrightspeech?Abstainingfromlying,fromdivisivespeech,fromharshspeech,&fromidlechatter:Thisiscalledrightspeech.
âAndwhatisrightaction?Abstainingfromtakinglife,fromstealing,&fromsexualintercourse:Thisiscalledrightaction.
âAndwhatisrightlivelihood?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleones,havingabandoneddishonestlivelihood,keepshislifegoingwithrightlivelihood.Thisiscalledrightlivelihood.
âAndwhatisrighteffort?Thereisthecasewhereamonkgeneratesdesire,endeavors,arousespersistence,upholds&exertshisintentforthesakeofthenon-arisingofevil,unskillfulqualitiesthathavenotyetarisenâŠforthesakeoftheabandoningofevil,unskillfulqualitiesthathavearisenâŠforthesakeofthearisingofskillfulqualitiesthathavenotyetarisenâŠ(and)forthemaintenance,non-confusion,increase,plenitude,development,&culminationofskillfulqualitiesthathavearisen.Thisiscalledrighteffort.
âAndwhatisrightmindfulness?Thereisthecasewhereamonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitselfâardent,alert,&mindfulâputtingasidegreed
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&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Heremainsfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselvesâŠthemindin&ofitselfâŠmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselvesâardent,alert,&mindfulâputtingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Thisiscalledrightmindfulness.
âAndwhatisrightconcentration?Thereisthecasewhereamonkâquitesecludedfromsensuality,secludedfromunskillfulqualitiesâenters&remainsinthefirstjhana:rapture&pleasurebornofseclusion,accompaniedbydirectedthought&evaluation.Withthestillingofdirectedthoughts&evaluations,heenters&remainsinthesecondjhana:rapture&pleasurebornofconcentration,unificationofawarenessfreefromdirectedthought&evaluationâinternalassurance.Withthefadingofraptureheremainsequanimous,mindful,&alert,andsensespleasurewiththebody.Heenters&remainsinthethirdjhana,ofwhichtheNobleOnesdeclare,âEquanimous&mindful,hehasapleasantabiding.âWiththeabandoningofpleasure&painâaswiththeearlierdisappearanceofelation&distressâheenters&remainsinthefourthjhana:purityofequanimity&mindfulness,neitherpleasurenorpain.Thisiscalledrightconcentration.ââSN45:8
âThereisthecasewherethediscipleofthenobleones[heremeaningastream-enterer]isendowedwithverifiedconfidenceintheAwakenedOneâŠverifiedconfidenceintheDhammaâŠverifiedconfidenceintheSanghaâŠHe/sheisendowedwithvirtuesthatareappealingtothenobleones:untorn,unbroken,unspotted,unsplattered,liberating,praisedbythewise,untarnished,leadingtoconcentration.ââAN10:92
âMonks,therearethesefourbonanzasofmerit,bonanzasofskillfulness,nourishmentsofbliss.Whichfour?
âThereisthecasewherethediscipleofthenobleonesisendowedwithverifiedconfidenceintheAwakenedOne:âIndeed,theBlessedOneisworthyandrightlyself-awakened,consummateinknowledge&conduct,well-gone,anexpertwithregardtotheworld,unexcelledasatrainerforthosepeoplefittobetamed,theTeacherofdivine&humanbeings,awakened,blessed.âThisisthefirstbonanzaofmerit,bonanza,ofskillfulness,nourishmentofbliss.
âFurthermore,thediscipleofthenobleonesisendowedwithverifiedconfidenceintheDhamma:âTheDhammaiswell-expoundedbytheBlessedOne,tobeseenhere&now,timeless,invitingverification,pertinent,toberealizedbythewiseforthemselves.âThisisthesecondbonanzaofmerit,bonanza,ofskillfulness,nourishmentofbliss.
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âFurthermore,thediscipleofthenobleonesisendowedwithverifiedconfidenceintheSangha:âTheSanghaoftheBlessedOneâsdiscipleswhohavepracticedwellâŠwhohavepracticedstraight-forwardlyâŠwhohavepracticedmethodicallyâŠwhohavepracticedmasterfullyâinotherwords,thefourtypesofnoblediscipleswhentakenaspairs,theeightwhentakenasindividualtypesâtheyaretheSanghaoftheBlessedOneâsdisciples:worthyofgifts,worthyofhospitality,worthyofofferings,worthyofrespect,theincomparablefieldofmeritfortheworld.âThisisthethirdbonanzaofmerit,bonanza,ofskillfulness,nourishmentofbliss.
âFurthermore,thediscipleofthenobleonesisendowedwithvirtuesthatareappealingtothenobleones:untorn,unbroken,unspotted,unsplattered,liberating,praisedbythewise,untarnished,leadingtoconcentration.Thisisthefourthbonanzaofmerit,bonanza,ofskillfulness,nourishmentofbliss.
âThesearefourbonanzasofmerit,bonanzasofskillfulness,nourishmentsofbliss.ââSN55:31
SN55:32definesthefourthbonanzaofmeritasfollows:âFurthermore,thediscipleofthenobleoneslivesathomewithanawarenesscleansedofthestainofstinginess,freelygenerous,openhanded,delightinginbeingmagnanimous,responsivetorequests,delightinginthedistributionofalms.
SN55:33definesitasfollows:âFurthermore,thediscipleofthenobleonesisdiscerning,endowedwithdiscernmentofarising&passingawayânoble,penetrating,leadingtotherightendingofstress.â
âJustasitâsnoteasytotakethemeasureofthewaterinthegreatoceanasâjustthismanypailsofwaterorhundredsofpailsofwaterorthousandsofpailsofwaterorhundredsofthousandsofpailsofwater.âItisreckonedsimplyasagreatmassofwaterthatisunreckonable,immeasurable.Inthesameway,whenadiscipleofthenobleonesisendowedwiththesefourbonanzasofmerit,bonanzasofskillfulness,itâsnoteasytotakethemeasureofthemeritasâjustthismuchbonanzaofmerit,bonanzaofskillfulness,nourishmentofbliss,heavenly,ripeninginblissleadingtoheaven,leadingtowhatisagreeable,pleasing,charming,happy,&beneficial.âItisreckonedsimplyasagreatmassofmeritthatisunreckonable,immeasurable.ââSN55:41
[Ven.AnandaisspeakingtoAnathapindikaconcerningthefirstlistofbonanzasofmerit:]âAwell-instructeddiscipleofthenobleones,whenendowedwiththesefourqualities,hasnoterror,notrepidation,nofearatdeathwith
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regardtothenextlife.ââSN55:27
âThenthereisthecaseofthepersonwhohasnodoubtorperplexity,whohasarrivedatcertaintywithregardtotheTrueDhamma.Thenhecomesdownwithaseriousdisease.Ashecomesdownwithaseriousdisease,thethoughtoccurstohim,âIhavenodoubtorperplexity.IhavearrivedatcertaintywithregardtotheTrueDhamma.âHedoesnâtgrieve,isnâttormented;doesnâtweep,beathisbreast,orgrowdelirious.This,too,isapersonwho,subjecttodeath,isnotafraidorinterrorofdeath.ââAN4:184
[TheBuddhaisspeakingtoNandaka,thechiefministeroftheLicchavis,concerningthefirstlistofbonanzasofmerit:]âAdiscipleofthenobleonesendowedwiththesefourqualitiesisastream-winner,steadfast,neveragaindestinedforstatesofwoe,headedforself-awakening.
âFurthermore,adiscipleofthenobleonesendowedwiththesefourqualitiesislinkedwithlonglife,humanordivine;islinkedwithbeauty,humanordivine;islinkedwithhappiness,humanordivine;islinkedwithstatus,humanordivine;islinkedwithinfluence,humanordivine.
âItellyouthis,Nandaka,nothavinghearditfromanyotherbrahmanorcontemplative.Instead,Itellyouthishavingknown,seen,andrealizeditformyself.â
Whenthiswassaid,acertainmansaidtoNandaka,thechiefministeroftheLicchavis,âItisnowtimeforyourbath,sir.â
[Nandakaresponded,]âEnough,Isay,withthisexternalbath.Iamsatisfiedwiththisinternalbath:confidenceintheBlessedOne.ââSN55:30
ThentheBlessedOne,pickingupalittlebitofdustwiththetipofhisfingernail,saidtothemonks,âWhatdoyouthink,monks?Whichisgreater:thelittlebitofdustIhavepickedupwiththetipofmyfingernail,orthegreatearth?â
âThegreatearthisfargreater,lord.ThelittlebitofdusttheBlessedOnehaspickedupwiththetipofhisfingernailisnexttonothing.Itâsnotahundredth,athousandth,aonehundred-thousandthâthislittlebitofdusttheBlessedOnehaspickedupwiththetipofhisfingernailâwhencomparedwiththegreatearth.â
âInthesameway,monks,foradiscipleofthenobleoneswhoisconsummateinview,anindividualwhohasbrokenthrough[tostream-entry],
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thesuffering&stresstotallyended&extinguishedisfargreater.Thatwhichremainsinthestateofhavingatmostsevenremaininglifetimesisnexttonothing:itâsnotahundredth,athousandth,aonehundred-thousandth,whencomparedwiththepreviousmassofsuffering.ThatâshowgreatthebenefitisofbreakingthroughtotheDhamma,monks.ThatâshowgreatthebenefitisofobtainingtheDhammaeye.ââSN13:1
Soledominionovertheearth,goingtoheaven,lordshipoverallworlds:
thefruitofStream-entryexcelsthem.âDhp178
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BeyondMeritAshewasstandingtooneside,Uttarathedevaâssonrecitedthisverseinthe
BlessedOneâspresence:
âLifeissweptalong,next-to-nothingitsspan.Foronesweptonbyaging
nosheltersexist.Perceivingthisdangerindeath,oneshoulddodeedsofmeritthatbringaboutbliss.â
TheBuddha:âLifeissweptalong,next-to-nothingitsspan.Foroneswepttooldage
nosheltersexist.Perceivingthisdangerindeath,oneshoulddroptheworldâsbait
andlookforpeace.ââSN2:19
Forapersonofunsoddenedmind,unassaultedawareness,
abandoningmerit&evil,wakeful,
thereisnodangernofear.âDhp39
Hehasgonebeyondattachmenthereforbothmerit&evilâsorrowless,dustless,&pure:
heâswhatIcall
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abrahman.âDhp412
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GlossaryArahant:Aâworthyoneâorâpureoneâ;apersonwhosemindisfreeofdefilementandisthusnotsubjecttofurtherrebirth.AtitlefortheBuddhaandhishighestlevelofnobledisciples.
Asava:Effluent;fermentation.Fourqualitiesâsensuality,views,becoming,andignoranceâthatâflowoutâofthemindandcreatethefloodoftheroundofdeathandrebirth.
Brahma:Aninhabitantofthehighestheavenlyrealmsofformandformlessness.
Brahman:Amemberofthepriestlycaste,whichclaimedtobethehighestcasteinIndia,basedonbirth.InaspecificallyBuddhistusage,âbrahmanâcanalsomeananarahant,conveyingthepointthatexcellenceisbasednotonbirthorrace,butonthequalitiesattainedinthemind.
Deva(devata):Literally,âshiningone.âAninhabitantoftheheavenlyrealms.
Dhamma:(1)Event;action;(2)aphenomenoninandofitself;(3)mentalquality;(4)doctrine,teaching;(5)nibbana(althoughtherearepassagesdescribingnibbanaastheabandoningofalldhammas).Sanskritform:Dharma.
Jhana:Mentalabsorption.Astateofstrongconcentrationfocusedonasinglesensationormentalnotion.Thistermisrelatedtotheverbjhayati,whichmeanstoburnwithastill,steadyflame.
Kamma:Intentionalaction.Sanskritform:Karma.
Nibbana:Literally,theâunbindingâofthemindfrompassion,aversion,anddelusion,andfromtheentireroundofdeathandrebirth.Asthistermalsodenotestheextinguishingofafire,itcarriesconnotationsofstilling,cooling,andpeace.Sanskritform:Nirvana.
Sangha:Community.Ontheconventionallevel,thistermdenotesthecommunitiesofBuddhistmonksandnuns.Ontheideallevel,itdenotesthosefollowersoftheBuddha,layorordained,whohaveattainedatleastthefirstlevelofAwakening.
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Sutta:Discourse.Sanskritform:Sutra.
Tathagata:Literally,âonewhohasbecomeauthentic(tatha-agata)âorâonewhoistrulygone(tatha-gata).âAnepithetusedinancientIndiaforapersonwhohasattainedthehighestreligiousgoal.InBuddhism,itusuallydenotestheBuddha,althoughoccasionallyitalsodenotesanyofhisarahantdisciples.
Vinaya:Themonasticdiscipline.
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AbbreviationsReferencesaretotextsfrom
thePaliCanon:
AN AnguttaraNikayaDhp DhammapadaDN DighaNikayaIti ItivuttakaKhp KhuddakapathaMN MajjhimaNikayaMv MahavaggaSN SamyuttaNikayaUd Udana
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TableofContents
Titlepage 2Copyright 3Introduction 4BasicWisdom 6Puñña:Merit 13Dana:Giving 20Sila:Virtue 41Bhavana:Meditation 58TheMeritofStream-entry 82BeyondMerit 87Glossary 89Abbreviations 91
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