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ToNakulapita NakulapitaSutta(XXII.1) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewaslivingamongtheBhaggas atCrocodileHauntintheBhesakalaGroveattheDeerPark.Thenthe householderNakulapitawenttotheBlessedOneandonarrival,havingbowed downtohim,sattooneside.AshewassittingtherehesaidtotheBlessedOne, Lord,Iamafeebleoldman,aged,advancedinyears,havingcometothelast stageoflife.Iamafflictedinbody&ailingwitheverymoment.Anditisonly rarelythatIgettoseetheBlessedOne&themonkswhonourishtheheart.May theBlessedOneteachme,maytheBlessedOneinstructme,formylongterm benefit&happiness. Soitis,householder.Soitis.Thebodyisafflicted,weak,&encumbered. Forwho,lookingafterthisbody,wouldclaimevenamomentoftruehealth, exceptthroughsheerfoolishness?Soyoushouldtrainyourself:EventhoughI maybeafflictedinbody,mymindwillbeunafflicted.Thatishowyoushould trainyourself. ThenthehouseholderNakulapita,delightingin&approvingoftheBlessed Oneswords,rosefromhisseatandbowingdowntotheBlessedOneand circumambulatinghim,keepinghimtohisrightwenttoVen.Sariputtaandon arrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,Ven. Sariputtasaidtohim,Yourfacultiesareclear&calm,householder,your complexionpure.HaveyouhadtheopportunityoflisteningtoaDhammatalk inthepresenceoftheBlessedOnetoday? Howcoulditbeotherwise,venerablesir?Ihavejustnowbeensprinkledby theBlessedOnewiththedeathlessambrosiaofaDhammatalk. AndhowwereyousprinkledbytheBlessedOnewiththedeathless ambrosiaofaDhammatalk? JustnowIwenttotheBlessedOneandonarrival,havingboweddownto him,sattooneside.AsIwassittingthereIsaidtohim,Lord,Iamafeebleold man,aged,advancedinyears,havingcometothelaststageoflife.Iamafflicted inbody&ailingwitheverymoment.AnditisonlyrarelythatIgettoseethe BlessedOne&themonkswhonourishtheheart.MaytheBlessedOneteachme, maytheBlessedOneinstructme,formylongtermbenefit&happiness.

2 Whenthiswassaid,theBlessedOnesaidtome,Soitis,householder.Soit is.Thebodyisafflicted,weak,&encumbered.Forwho,lookingafterthisbody, wouldclaimevenamomentoftruehealth,exceptthroughsheerfoolishness?So youshouldtrainyourself:EventhoughImaybeafflictedinbody,mymind willbeunafflicted.Thatishowyoushouldtrainyourself.ThatshowIwas sprinkledbytheBlessedOnewiththedeathlessambrosiaofaDhammatalk. ButwhydidntitoccurtoyoutoquestiontheBlessedOnefurther:In whatwayisoneafflictedinbody&afflictedinmind?Andinwhatwayisone afflictedinbodybutunafflictedinmind? Iwouldcomefromalongwayawaytoheartheexplicationofthesewords inVen.Sariputtaspresence.ItwouldbegoodifVen.Sariputtahimselfwould enlightenmeastotheirmeaning. Theninthatcase,householder,listen&paycloseattention.Iwillspeak. Asyousay,venerablesir,thehouseholderNakulapitaresponded. Ven.Sariputtasaid:Now,howisoneafflictedinbody&afflictedinmind? Thereisthecasewhereanuninstructed,runofthemillpersonwhohas noregardfornobleones,isnotwellversedordisciplinedintheirDhamma;who hasnoregardformenofintegrity,isnotwellversedordisciplinedintheir Dhammaassumesformtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingform,orformas intheself,ortheselfasinform.HeisseizedwiththeideathatIamformor Formismine.Asheisseizedwiththeseideas,hisformchanges&alters,and hefallsintosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairoveritschange& alteration. Heassumesfeelingtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingfeeling,orfeeling asintheself,ortheselfasinfeeling.HeisseizedwiththeideathatIam feelingorFeelingismine.Asheisseizedwiththeseideas,hisfeeling changes&alters,andhefallsintosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despair overitschange&alteration. Heassumesperceptiontobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingperception,or perceptionasintheself,ortheselfasinperception.Heisseizedwiththeidea thatIamperceptionorPerceptionismine.Asheisseizedwiththese ideas,hisperceptionchanges&alters,andhefallsintosorrow,lamentation, pain,distress,&despairoveritschange&alteration. Heassumes(mental)fabricationstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessing fabrications,orfabricationsasintheself,ortheselfasinfabrications.Heis seizedwiththeideathatIamfabricationsorFabricationsaremine.Ashe

3 isseizedwiththeseideas,hisfabricationschange&alter,andhefallsinto sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairovertheirchange&alteration. Heassumesconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessing consciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness.He isseizedwiththeideathatIamconsciousnessorConsciousnessismine. Asheisseizedwiththeseideas,hisconsciousnesschanges&alters,andhefalls intosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairoveritschange&alteration. This,householder,ishowoneisafflictedinbodyandafflictedinmind. Andhowisoneafflictedinbodybutunafflictedinmind?Thereisthecase whereawellinstructeddiscipleofthenobleoneswhohasregardfornoble ones,iswellversed&disciplinedintheirDhamma;whohasregardformenof integrity,iswellversed&disciplinedintheirDhammadoesnotassumeform tobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingform,orformasintheself,ortheselfasin form.HeisnotseizedwiththeideathatIamformorFormismine.Ashe isnotseizedwiththeseideas,hisformchanges&alters,buthedoesnotfallinto sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,ordespairoveritschange&alteration. Hedoesnotassumefeelingtobetheself.... Hedoesnotassumeperceptiontobetheself.... Hedoesnotassumefabricationstobetheself.... Hedoesnotassumeconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessing consciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness.He isnotseizedwiththeideathatIamconsciousnessorConsciousnessis mine.Asheisnotseizedwiththeseideas,hisconsciousnesschanges&alters, buthedoesnotfallintosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,ordespairoverits change&alteration. This,householder,ishowoneisafflictedinbodybutunafflictedinmind. ThatiswhatVen.Sariputtasaid.Gratified,thehouseholderNakulapita delightedinVen.Sariputtaswords.

AtDevadaha DevadahaSutta(XXII.2) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingamongthe SakyansataSakyantownnamedDevadaha.Thenalargenumberofmonks headedforoutlyingdistrictswenttotheBlessedOneandonarrival,having

4 boweddowntohim,sattooneside.Astheyweresittingtheretheysaidtothe BlessedOne,Lord,wewanttogotothecountrysideoftheoutlyingdistricts andtotakeupresidencethere. HaveyouinformedSariputta? No,lord,wehaventinformedVen.Sariputta. InformSariputta,monks.Sariputtaiswise,agreathelptothemonkswho arehisfellowsintheholylife. Asyousay,lord,themonksreplied. AtthattimeVen.Sariputtawassittingunderacertaincassiatreenotfarfrom theBlessedOne.Thenthemonks,delightingin&approvingoftheBlessed Oneswords,rosefromtheirseatsandbowingdowntotheBlessedOneand circumambulatinghim,keepinghimtotheirrightwenttoVen.Sariputta.On arrival,theyexchangedcourteousgreetingswithhim.Afteranexchangeof friendlygreetings&courtesies,theysattooneside.Astheyweresittingthere, theysaidtoVen.Sariputta,FriendSariputta,wewanttogotothecountryside oftheoutlyingdistrictsandtotakeupresidencethere.Wehavealready informedtheTeacher. Friends,inforeignlandstherearewisenobles&priests,householders& contemplativesforthepeopletherearewise&discriminatingwhowill questionamonk:Whatisyourteachersdoctrine?Whatdoesheteach? Haveyoulistenedwelltotheteachingsgraspedthemwell,attendedtothem well,consideredthemwell,penetratedthemwellbymeansofdiscernmentso thatinansweringyouwillspeakinlinewithwhattheBlessedOnehassaid,will notmisrepresenttheBlessedOnewithwhatisunfactual,willanswerinlinewith theDhamma,andnoonewhosethinkingisinlinewiththeDhammawillhave groundsforcriticizingyou? Wewouldcomefromalongwayawaytoheartheexplicationofthese wordsinVen.Sariputtaspresence.ItwouldbegoodifVen.Sariputtahimself wouldenlightenusastotheirmeaning. Theninthatcase,friends,listen&paycloseattention.Iwillspeak. Asyousay,friend,themonksresponded. Ven.Sariputtasaid:Friends,inforeignlandstherearewisenobles& priests,householders&contemplativesforthepeopletherearewise& discriminatingwhowillquestionamonk:Whatisyourteachersdoctrine? Whatdoesheteach? Thusasked,youshouldanswer,Ourteacherteachesthesubduingof passion&desire.

5 Havingthusbeenanswered,theremaybewisenobles&priests, householders&contemplatives...whowillquestionyoufurther,Andyour teacherteachesthesubduingofpassion&desireforwhat? Thusasked,youshouldanswer,Ourteacherteachesthesubduingof passion&desireforform...forfeeling...forperception...forfabrications.Our teacherteachesthesubduingofpassion&desireforconsciousness. Havingthusbeenanswered,theremaybewisenobles&priests, householders&contemplatives...whowillquestionyoufurther,Andseeing whatdangerdoesyourteacherteachthesubduingofpassion&desirefor form...forfeeling...forperception...forfabrications.Seeingwhatdangerdoes yourteacherteachthesubduingofpassion&desireforconsciousness? Thusasked,youshouldanswer,Whenoneisnotfreefrompassion, desire,love,thirst,fever,&cravingforform,thenfromanychange&alteration inthatform,therearisessorrow,lamentation,pain,grief,&despair.Whenoneis notfreefrompassion...forfeeling...forperception...forfabrications...When oneisnotfreefrompassion,desire,love,thirst,fever,&cravingfor consciousness,thenfromanychange&alterationinthatconsciousness,there arisesorrow,lamentation,pain,grief,&despair.Seeingthisdanger,ourteacher teachesthesubduingofpassion&desireforform...forfeeling...for perception...forfabrications.Seeingthisdangerourteacherteachesthe subduingofpassion&desireforconsciousness. Havingthusbeenanswered,theremaybewisenobles&priests, householders&contemplatives...whowillquestionyoufurther,Andseeing whatbenefitdoesyourteacherteachthesubduingofpassion&desireforform... forfeeling...forperception...forfabrications.Seeingwhatbenefitdoesyour teacherteachthesubduingofpassion&desireforconsciousness? Thusasked,youshouldanswer,Whenoneisfreefrompassion,desire, love,thirst,fever,&cravingforform,thenwithanychange&alterationinthat form,theredoesnotariseanysorrow,lamentation,pain,grief,ordespair.When oneisfreefrompassion...forfeeling...forperception...forfabrications...When oneisfreefrompassion,desire,love,thirst,fever,&cravingforconsciousness, thenwithanychange&alterationinthatconsciousness,theredoesnotariseany sorrow,lamentation,pain,grief,ordespair.Seeingthisbenefit,ourteacher teachesthesubduingofpassion&desireforform...forfeeling...for perception...forfabrications.Seeingthisbenefitourteacherteachesthe subduingofpassion&desireforconsciousness.

6 Friends,ifonewhoentered&remainedinunskillfulmentalqualitieswere tohaveapleasantabidinginthehere&nowunthreatened,undespairing, unfeverishandonthebreakupofthebody,afterdeath,couldexpectagood destination,thentheBlessedOnewouldnotadvocatetheabandoningof unskillfulmentalqualities.Butbecauseonewhoenters&remainsinunskillful mentalqualitieshasastressfulabidinginthehere&nowthreatened, despairing,&feverishandonthebreakupofthebody,afterdeath,canexpect abaddestination,thatiswhytheBlessedOneadvocatestheabandoningof unskillfulmentalqualities. Ifonewhoentered&remainedinskillfulmentalqualitiesweretohavea stressfulabidinginthehere&nowthreatened,despairing,&feverishandon thebreakupofthebody,afterdeath,couldexpectabaddestination,thenthe BlessedOnewouldnotadvocateenteringintoskillfulmentalqualities.But becauseonewhoenters&remainsinskillfulmentalqualitieshasapleasant abidinginthehere&nowunthreatened,undespairing,unfeverishandonthe breakupofthebody,afterdeath,canexpectagooddestination,thatiswhythe BlessedOneadvocatesenteringintoskillfulmentalqualities. ThatiswhatVen.Sariputtasaid.Gratified,themonksdelightedinVen. Sariputtaswords. ToHaliddakani HaliddakaniSutta(XXII.3) IhaveheardthatononeoccasionVen.MahaKaccayanawasstayinginAvantiat OspreysHaunt,onSheerfacePeak.ThenHaliddakanithehouseholderwentto himand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.Ashewas sittingtherehesaidtoVen.MahaKaccayana:Venerablesir,thiswassaidby theBlessedOneinMagandiyasQuestionsintheAtthakaVagga: Havingabandonedhome, livingfreefromsociety, thesage invillages createsnointimacies. Ridofsensuality,not

7 preferring, hewouldntengagewithpeople inquarrelsomedebate. Howisthedetailedmeaningofthis,theBlessedOnesbriefstatement,to beunderstood? [Ven.MahaKaccayana:]Thepropertyofform,householder,isthehomeof consciousness.Whenconsciousnessisinbondagethroughpassiontothe propertyofform,itissaidtobelivingathome.Thepropertyoffeeling... perception...fabricationisthehomeofconsciousness.Whenconsciousnessisin bondagethroughpassiontothepropertyoffabrication,itissaidtobedwelling athome. Andhowdoesonenotliveathome?Anydesire,passion,delight,craving, anyattachments,clingings,fixationsofawareness,biases,orobsessionswith regardtothepropertyofform:thesetheTathagatahasabandoned,theirroot destroyed,likeanuprootedpalmtree,deprivedoftheconditionsofexistence, notdestinedforfuturearising.ThereforetheTathagataissaidtobenotdwelling athome. Anydesire,passion,delight,craving,anyattachments,clingings,fixations ofawareness,biasesorobsessionswithregardtothepropertyoffeeling... perception... Anydesire,passion,delight,craving,anyattachments,clingings,fixations ofawareness,biasesorobsessionswithregardtothepropertyoffabrication: thesetheTathagatahasabandoned,theirrootdestroyed,likeanuprootedpalm tree,deprivedoftheconditionsofexistence,notdestinedforfuturearising. ThereforetheTathagataissaidtobenotdwellingathome. Andhowdoesonelivewithsociety?Onewhoisinbondagetothe distractionofthesocietyofformimpressionsissaidtobelivinginsociety.One whoisinbondagetothedistractionofthesocietyofsoundimpressions... aromaimpressions...flavorimpressions...tactilesensationimpressions...idea impressionsissaidtobelivinginsociety.Thisishowoneliveswithsociety. Andhowdoesonelivefreefromsociety?TheTathagatahasabandoned bondagetothedistractionofthesocietyofformimpressions,itsrootdestroyed, likeanuprootedpalmtree,deprivedoftheconditionsofexistence,notdestined forfuturearising.ThereforetheTathagataissaidtobelivingfreefromsociety. TheTathagatahasabandonedbondagetothedistractionofthesocietyof soundimpressions...aromaimpressions...flavorimpressions...tactile

8 sensationimpressions...ideaimpressions,itsrootdestroyed,likeanuprooted palmtree,deprivedoftheconditionsofexistence,notdestinedforfuturearising. ThereforetheTathagataissaidtobelivingfreefromsociety. Andhowisoneintimateinvillages?Thereisthecasewhereacertain personlivesentangledwithhouseholders.Delightingtogetherwiththem, sorrowingtogetherwiththem,happywhentheyarehappy,painedwhenthey arepained,hetakesonanyoftheirarisenbusinessaffairsashisownduty.This ishowoneisintimateinvillages. Andhowisonenotintimateinvillages?Thereisthecasewhereamonk livesunentangledwithhouseholders.Notdelightingtogetherwiththem,not sorrowingtogetherwiththem,nothappywhentheyarehappy,notpainedwhen theyarepained,hedoesnottakeonanyoftheirarisenbusinessaffairsashis ownduty.Thisishowoneisnotintimateinvillages. Andhowisonenotridofsensuality?Thereisthecasewhereacertain personisnotfreeofpassionforsensuality,notfreeofdesire,notfreeoflove,not freeofthirst,notfreeoffever,notfreeofcravingforsensuality.Thisishowone isnotridofsensuality. Andhowisoneridofsensuality?Thereisthecasewhereacertainpersonis freeofpassionforsensuality,freeofdesire,freeoflove,freeofthirst,freeof fever,freeofcravingforsensuality.Thisishowoneisridofsensuality. Andhowdoesonehavepreferences?Thereisthecasewhereacertain personthinks,Mayformbelikethisinthefuture.Mayfeeling....May perception....Mayfabrication....Mayconsciousnessbelikethisinthefuture. Thisishowonehaspreferences. Andhowisonefreefrompreferences?Thereisthecasewhereacertain persondoesnotthink,Mayformbelikethisinthefuture.Mayfeeling....May perception....Mayfabrication....Mayconsciousnessbelikethisinthefuture. Thisishowoneisfreefrompreferences. Andhowdoesoneengagewithpeopleinquarrelsomedebate?Thereisthe casewhereacertainpersonisafomenterofthiskindofdebate:You understandthisdoctrine&discipline?Imtheonewhounderstandsthis doctrine&discipline.Howcouldyouunderstandthisdoctrine&discipline? Yourepracticingwrongly.Impracticingrightly.Whatshouldbesaidfirst yousaidlast.Whatshouldbesaidlastyousaidfirst.Imbeingconsistent. Yourenot.Whatyoutooksolongtothinkouthasbeenrefuted.Yourdoctrine hasbeenoverthrown.Youredefeated.Goandtrytosalvageyourdoctrine,or

9 extricateyourselfifyoucan!Thisishowoneengageswithpeoplein quarrelsomedebate. Andhowdoesonenotengagewithpeopleinquarrelsomedebate?Thereis thecasewhereacertainpersonisnotafomenterofthiskindofdebate:You understandthisdoctrine&discipline?Imtheonewhounderstandsthis doctrine&discipline.Howcouldyouunderstandthisdoctrine&discipline? Yourepracticingwrongly.Impracticingrightly.Whatshouldbesaidfirst yousaidlast.Whatshouldbesaidlastyousaidfirst.Imbeingconsistent. Yourenot.Whatyoutooksolongtothinkouthasbeenrefuted.Yourdoctrine hasbeenoverthrown.Youredefeated.Goandtrytosalvageyourdoctrine,or extricateyourselfifyoucan!Thisishowonedoesnotengagewithpeoplein quarrelsomedebate. So,householder,whatwassaidbytheBlessedOneinMagandiyas QuestionsintheAtthakaVagga: Havingabandonedhome, livingfreefromsociety, thesage invillages createsnointimacies. Ridofsensuality,not preferring, hewouldntengagewithpeople inquarrelsomedebate. Thisishowthedetailedmeaningofthis,theBlessedOnesbriefstatement, istobeunderstood.

TheBurden BharaSutta(SNXXII.22) AtSavatthi.Monks,Iwillteachyoutheburden,thecarrieroftheburden,the takingupoftheburden,andthecastingoffoftheburden. Listen&payclose attention.Iwillspeak. Asyousay,lord,themonksresponded.

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10 TheBlessedOnesaid,Andwhichistheburden?Thefiveclinging aggregates,itshouldbesaid.Whichfive?Formasaclingingaggregate,feeling asaclingingaggregate,perceptionasaclingingaggregate,fabricationsasa clingingaggregate,consciousnessasaclingingaggregate:This,monks,iscalled theburden. Andwhichisthecarrieroftheburden?Theperson,itshouldbesaid. Thisvenerableonewithsuchaname,suchaclanname:Thisiscalledthecarrier oftheburden. Andwhichisthetakingupoftheburden?Thecravingthatmakesfor furtherbecomingaccompaniedbypassion&delight,relishingnowhere&now therei.e.,cravingforsensuality,cravingforbecoming,cravingfornon becoming:Thisiscalledthetakingupoftheburden. Andwhichisthecastingoffoftheburden?Theremainderlessfading& cessation,renunciation,relinquishment,release,&lettinggoofthatverycraving: Thisiscalledthecastingoffoftheburden. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWellgone,the Teacher,saidfurther: Aburdenindeed arethefiveaggregates, andthecarrieroftheburden istheperson. Takinguptheburdenintheworld isstressful. Castingofftheburden isbliss. Havingcastofftheheavyburden andnottakingonanother, pullingupcraving, alongwithitsroot, oneisfreefromhunger, totallyunbound.

NOTE:1.Thisdiscourseparallelstheteachingonthefournobletruths,but withatwist.Theburdenisdefinedinthesametermsasthefirstnobletruth, thetruthofsuffering&stress.Thetakingonoftheburdenisdefinedinthesame

11 termsasthesecondnobletruth,theoriginationofstress;andthecastingoffof theburden,inthesametermsasthethirdnobletruth,thecessationofstress.The fourthfactor,howeverthecarrieroftheburdenhasnoparallelinthefour nobletruths,andhasproventobeoneofthemostcontroversialtermsinthe historyofBuddhistphilosophy.Whendefiningthisfactorastheperson(or individual,puggala),theBuddhadropstheabstractformoftheotherfactors,and usestheordinary,everydaylanguageofnarrative:thepersonwithsuchand suchaname.Andhowwouldthispersontranslateintomoreabstractfactors? Hedoesntsay.Afterhispassingaway,however,Buddhistscholastics attemptedtoprovideananswerforhim,anddividedintotwomajorcampsover theissue.Onecamprefusedtoranktheconceptofpersonasatruthonthe ultimatelevel.Thisgroupinspiredwhateventuallybecametheclassic Theravadapositiononthisissue:thatthepersonwassimplyaconventional designationforthefiveaggregates.However,theothercampwhodeveloped intothePudgalavadin(Personalist)schoolsaidthatthepersonwasneithera ultimatetruthnoramereconventionaldesignation,neitheridenticalwithnor totallyseparatefromthefiveaggregates.Thisspecialmeaningofperson,they said,wasrequiredtoaccountforthreethings:thecohesionofapersons identityinthislifetime(onespersonsmemories,forinstance,cannotbecome anotherpersonsmemories);theunitarynatureofrebirth(onepersoncannotbe reborninseveralplacesatonce);andthefactthat,withthecessationofthe khandhasatthedeathofanarahant,he/sheissaidtoattaintheFurtherShore. However,afterthatmoment,theysaid,nothingfurthercouldbesaidaboutthe person,forthatwasasfarastheconceptsdescriptivepowerscouldgo. Asmightbeimagined,thefirstgroupaccusedthesecondgroupofdenying theconceptofanatta,ornotself;whereasthesecondgroupaccusedthefirstof beingunabletoaccountforthetruthsthattheysaidtheirconceptofperson explained.Bothgroups,however,foundthattheirpositionsentangledthemin philosophicaldifficultiesthathaveneverbeensuccessfullyresolved. Perhapsthemostusefullessontodrawfromthehistoryofthiscontroversyis theonethataccordswiththeBuddhasstatementsinMN72,whereherefuses togetinvolvedinquestionsofwhetherapersonhasaliveessenceseparatefrom oridenticaltohis/herbody,orofwhetherafterdeaththereissomethingofan arahantthatexistsornot.Inotherwords,thequestionsarentworthasking. Nothingisaccomplishedbyassumingordenyinganultimaterealitybehind whatwethinkofasaperson.Instead,thestrategyofthepracticeisto

12 comprehendtheburdenthatweeacharecarryingandtothrowitoff.Thatis whatwillsettleallquestions.

Comprehension PariaSutta(SNXXII.23) AtSavatthi.Monks,Iwillteachyouthephenomenatobecomprehended,as wellascomprehension.Listen&paycloseattention.Iwillspeak. Asyousay,lord,themonksresponded. TheBlessedOnesaid,Andwhicharethephenomenatobecomprehended? Formisaphenomenontobecomprehended.FeelingPerceptionFabrications Consciousnessisaphenomenontobecomprehended.Thesearecalled phenomenatobecomprehended. Andwhichiscomprehension?Anyendingofpassion,endingofaversion, endingofdelusion. Thisiscalledcomprehension. NOTE:1.Comprehensionheremeansthearahantsfullknowing(seeMN 117).AsSNLVI.11shows,thefirstnobletruthofsufferingandstressistobe comprehended.AsSNLVI.20furtherimplies,whenthefirstnobletruthhasbeen comprehended,thetaskswithregardtoalltheothernobletruthshavebeen completedaswell.
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TheMonk(onIdentifyingwiththeAggregates) BhikkhuSutta(SNXXII.36) SomepeoplehavesaidthattheBuddhasteachingsontheaggregatesconstitutehis analysisofwhatwetrulyare;andthatbecausetheaggregatesareimpermanentand interdependent,wehaveanimpermanent,interdependentself.Thissutta,however, showsthatwecanbeanalyzedintotheaggregatesonlyifwefeelobsessionorattachment forthem.Ifwedontfeelthesethings,theresnowaywecanbemeasured,classified,or defined.

13 AtSavatthi.ThenacertainmonkwenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,having boweddowntohim,sattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtothe BlessedOne:Itwouldbegood,venerablesir,iftheBlessedOnewouldteach metheDhammainbriefsuchthat,havingheardtheDhammafromtheBlessed One,Imightdwellalone,secluded,heedful,ardent,&resolute. Monk,whateveronestaysobsessedwith,[1]thatswhatoneismeasured by.Whateveroneismeasuredby,thatshowoneisclassified.Whateverone doesntstayobsessedwith,thatsnotwhatoneismeasuredby.Whateverone isntmeasuredby,thatsnothowoneisclassified. Iunderstand,OBlessedOne!Iunderstand,OOneWellgone! Andhow,monk,doyouunderstandthedetailedmeaningofwhatIhave saidinbrief? Ifonestaysobsessedwithform,lord,thatswhatoneismeasuredby. Whateveroneismeasuredby,thatshowoneisclassified. Ifonestaysobsessedwithfeeling. Ifonestaysobsessedwithperception. Ifonestaysobsessedwithfabrications. Ifonestaysobsessedwithconsciousness,thatswhatoneismeasuredby. Whateveroneismeasuredby,thatshowoneisclassified.[2] Butifonedoesntstayobsessedwithform,lord,thatsnotwhatoneis measuredby.Whateveroneisntmeasuredby,thatsnothowoneisclassified. Ifonedoesntstayobsessedwithfeeling. Ifonedoesntstayobsessedwithperception. Ifonedoesntstayobsessedwithfabrications. Ifonedoesntstayobsessedwithconsciousness,thatsnotwhatoneis measuredby.Whateveroneisntmeasuredby,thatsnothowoneisclassified. [3] Lord,thisishowIunderstandthedetailedmeaningofwhatyouhavesaid inbrief. Good,monk.Verygood.Itsgoodthatthisishowyouunderstandthe detailedmeaningofwhatIhavesaidinbrief. Ifonestaysobsessedwithform,monk,thatswhatoneismeasuredby. Whateveroneismeasuredby,thatshowoneisclassified. Ifonestaysobsessedwithfeeling. Ifonestaysobsessedwithperception. Ifonestaysobsessedwithfabrications.

14 Ifonestaysobsessedwithconsciousness,thatswhatoneismeasuredby. Whateveroneismeasuredby,thatshowoneisclassified. Butifonedoesntstayobsessedwithform,monk,thatsnotwhatoneis measuredby.Whateveroneisntmeasuredby,thatsnothowoneisclassified. Ifonedoesntstayobsessedwithfeeling. Ifonedoesntstayobsessedwithperception. Ifonedoesntstayobsessedwithfabrications. Ifonedoesntstayobsessedwithconsciousness,thatsnotwhatoneis measuredby.Whateveroneisntmeasuredby,thatsnothowoneisclassified. ThisishowthedetailedmeaningofwhatIhavesaidinbriefshouldbe seen. Thenthemonk,delightinginandapprovingoftheBlessedOneswords,got upfromhisseatandboweddowntotheBlessedOne,circledaroundhim, keepingtheBlessedOnetohisright,anddeparted.Then,dwellingalone, secluded,heedful,ardent,&resolute,heinnolongtimereached&remainedin thesupremegoaloftheholylifeforwhichclansmenrightlygoforthfromhome intohomelessness,knowing&realizingitforhimselfinthehere&now.He knew:Birthisended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothing furtherforthesakeofthisworld.Andthushebecameanotheroneofthe arahants. NOTES 1.Theobsessionsare:theobsessionofsensualpassion,theobsessionof resistance,theobsessionofviews,theobsessionofuncertainty,theobsessionof conceit,theobsessionofpassionforbecoming,andtheobsessionofignorance. SeeANVII.12. 2.SeeSNXXIII.2 3.SeeMN72

Assumptions SamanupassanaSutta(XXII.47) AtSavatthi.TheretheBlessedOnesaid,Monks,whatevercontemplativesor priestswhoassumeinvariouswayswhenassumingaself,allassumethefive clingingaggregates,oracertainoneofthem.Whichfive?Thereisthecasewhere

15 anuninstructed,runofthemillpersonwhohasnoregardfornobleones,isnot wellversedordisciplinedintheirDhamma;whohasnoregardformenof integrity,isnotwellversedordisciplinedintheirDhammaassumesformtobe theself,ortheselfaspossessingform,orformasintheself,ortheselfasinform. Heassumesfeelingtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingfeeling,orfeeling asintheself,ortheselfasinfeeling. Heassumesperceptiontobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingperception,or perceptionasintheself,ortheselfasinperception. Heassumes(mental)fabricationstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessing fabrications,orfabricationsasintheself,ortheselfasinfabrications. Heassumesconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessing consciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness. Thus,boththisassumption&theunderstanding,Iam,occurtohim. AndsoitiswithreferencetotheunderstandingIamthatthereisthe appearanceofthefivefacultieseye,ear,nose,tongue,&body(thesensesof vision,hearing,smell,taste,&touch). Now,thereistheintellect,thereareideas(mentalqualities),thereisthe propertyofignorance.Toanuninstructedrunofthemillperson,touchedby experiencebornofthecontactofignorance,thereoccur(thethoughts):Iam, Iamthus,Ishallbe,Ishallnotbe,Ishallbepossessedofform,I shallbeformless,Ishallbepercipient(conscious),Ishallbenon percipient,orIshallbeneitherpercipientnornonpercipient. Thefivefaculties,monks,continueastheywere.Andwithregardtothem thewellinstructeddiscipleofthenobleonesabandonsignoranceandgivesrise toclearknowing.Owingtothefadingofignoranceandthearisingofclear knowing,(thethoughts)Iam,Iamthis,Ishallbe,Ishallnotbe, Ishallbepossessedofform,Ishallbeformless,Ishallbepercipient (conscious),Ishallbenonpercipient,andIshallbeneitherpercipientnor nonpercipientdonotoccurtohim.

Aggregates KhandhaSutta(XXII.48)

16 AtSavatthi.TheretheBlessedOnesaid,Monks,Iwillteachyouthefive aggregates&thefiveclingingaggregates.Listen&paycloseattention.Iwill speak. Asyousay,lord,themonksresponded. TheBlessedOnesaid,Nowwhat,monks,arethefiveaggregates? Whateverformispast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantor subtle;commonorsublime;farornear:thatiscalledtheaggregateofform. Whateverfeelingispast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantor subtle;commonorsublime;farornear:thatiscalledtheaggregateoffeeling. Whateverperceptionispast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatant orsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear:thatiscalledtheaggregateof perception. Whatever(mental)fabricationsarepast,future,orpresent;internalor external;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear:thosearecalledthe aggregateoffabrication. Whateverconsciousnessispast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal; blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear:thatiscalledtheaggregateof consciousness. Thesearecalledthefiveaggregates. Andwhatarethefiveclingingaggregates? Whateverformpast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantor subtle;commonorsublime;farornearisclingable,offerssustenance,andis accompaniedwithmentalfermentation:thatiscalledformasclingingaggregate. Whateverfeelingpast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantor subtle;commonorsublime;farornearisclingable,offerssustenance,andis accompaniedwithmentalfermentation:thatiscalledfeelingasaclinging aggregate. Whateverperceptionpast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatant orsubtle;commonorsublime;farornearisclingable,offerssustenance,andis accompaniedwithmentalfermentation:thatiscalledperceptionasaclinging aggregate. Whatever(mental)fabricationspast,future,orpresent;internalor external;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornearareclingable,offer sustenance,andareaccompaniedwithmentalfermentation:thosearecalled fabricationasaclingingaggregate. Whateverconsciousnesspast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal; blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornearisclingable,offerssustenance,

17 andisaccompaniedwithmentalfermentation:thatiscalledconsciousnessasa clingingaggregate. Thesearecalledthefiveclingingaggregates. Attached UpayaSutta(XXII.53) AtSavatthi.TheretheBlessedOnesaid,Oneattachedisunreleased;one unattachedisreleased.Shouldconsciousness,whenstanding,standattachedto (aphysical)form,supportedbyform(asitsobject),establishedonform,watered withdelight,itwouldexhibitgrowth,increase,&proliferation. Shouldconsciousness,whenstanding,standattachedtofeeling,supported byfeeling(asitsobject),establishedonfeeling,wateredwithdelight,itwould exhibitgrowth,increase,&proliferation. Shouldconsciousness,whenstanding,standattachedtoperception, supportedbyperception(asitsobject),establishedonperception,wateredwith delight,itwouldexhibitgrowth,increase,&proliferation. Shouldconsciousness,whenstanding,standattachedtofabrications, supportedbyfabrications(asitsobject),establishedonfabrications,wateredwith delight,itwouldexhibitgrowth,increase,&proliferation. Weresomeonetosay,Iwilldescribeacoming,agoing,apassingaway, anarising,agrowth,anincrease,oraproliferationofconsciousnessapartfrom form,fromfeeling,fromperception,fromfabrications,thatwouldbe impossible. Ifamonkabandonspassionforthepropertyofform.... Ifamonkabandonspassionforthepropertyoffeeling.... Ifamonkabandonspassionforthepropertyofperception... Ifamonkabandonspassionforthepropertyoffabrications.... Ifamonkabandonspassionforthepropertyofconsciousness,thenowing totheabandonmentofpassion,thesupportiscutoff,andthereisnobasefor consciousness.Consciousness,thusunestablished,notproliferating,not performinganyfunction,isreleased.Owingtoitsrelease,itissteady.Owingto itssteadiness,itiscontented.Owingtoitscontentment,itisnotagitated.Not agitated,he(themonk)istotallyunboundrightwithin.HediscernsthatBirth

18 isended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthis world. Seealso:SNXII.64

MeansofPropagation BijaSutta(SNXXII.54) AtSavatthi.TheretheBlessedOneaddressedthemonks:Monks. Yes,lord,themonksresponded. TheBlessedOnesaid:Monks,therearethesefivemeansofpropagation. Whichfive?Rootpropagation,stempropagation,jointpropagation,cutting propagation,&seedpropagationasthefifth.Andifthesefivemeansof propagationarenotbroken,notrotten,notdamagedbywind&sun,mature, andwellburied,butthereisnoearthandnowater,wouldtheyexhibitgrowth, increase,&proliferation? No,lord. Andifthesefivemeansofpropagationarebroken,rotten,damagedby wind&sun,immature,andpoorlyburied,butthereisearth&water,would theyexhibitgrowth,increase,&proliferation? No,lord. Andifthesefivemeansofpropagationarenotbroken,notrotten,not damagedbywind&sun,mature,andwellburied,andthereisearth&water, wouldtheyexhibitgrowth,increase,&proliferation? Yes,lord. Liketheearthproperty,monks,ishowthefourstandingspotsfor consciousnessshouldbeseen.Liketheliquidpropertyishowdelight&passion shouldbeseen.Likethefivemeansofpropagationishowconsciousness togetherwithitsnutrimentshouldbeseen. Shouldconsciousness,whentakingastance,standattachedto(aphysical) form,supportedbyform(asitsobject),establishedonform,wateredwith delight,itwouldexhibitgrowth,increase,&proliferation. Shouldconsciousness,whentakingastance,standattachedtofeeling, supportedbyfeeling(asitsobject),establishedonfeeling,wateredwithdelight, itwouldexhibitgrowth,increase,&proliferation.

19 Shouldconsciousness,whentakingastance,standattachedtoperception, supportedbyperception(asitsobject),establishedonperception,wateredwith delight,itwouldexhibitgrowth,increase,&proliferation. Shouldconsciousness,whentakingastance,standattachedtofabrications, supportedbyfabrications(asitsobject),establishedonfabrications,wateredwith delight,itwouldexhibitgrowth,increase,&proliferation. Weresomeonetosay,Iwilldescribeacoming,agoing,apassingaway, anarising,agrowth,anincrease,oraproliferationofconsciousnessapartfrom form,fromfeeling,fromperception,fromfabrications,thatwouldbe impossible. Ifamonkabandonspassionforthepropertyofform.... Ifamonkabandonspassionforthepropertyoffeeling.... Ifamonkabandonspassionforthepropertyofperception... Ifamonkabandonspassionforthepropertyoffabrications.... Ifamonkabandonspassionforthepropertyofconsciousness,thenowing totheabandonmentofpassion,thesupportiscutoff,andthereisnobasefor consciousness.Consciousness,thusunestablished,notproliferating,not performinganyfunction,isreleased.Owingtoitsrelease,itissteady.Owingto itssteadiness,itiscontented.Owingtoitscontentment,itisnotagitated.Not agitated,he(themonk)istotallyunboundrightwithin.HediscernsthatBirth isended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthis world.

Exclamation UdanaSutta(XXII.55) AtSavatthi.TheretheBlessedOneexclaimedthisexclamation:Itshouldnot be,itshouldnotoccurtome(shouldnotbemine);itwillnotbe,itwillnotoccur tome(willnotbemine):amonksetonthiswouldbreakthe[five]lower fetters. Whenthiswassaid,acertainmonksaidtotheBlessedOne,Inwhatway wouldamonksetonthisItshouldnotbe,itshouldnotoccurtome;itwillnot be,itwillnotoccurtomebreakthe[five]lowerfetters? Thereisthecase,monk,whereanuninstructed,runofthemill personwhohasnoregardfornobleones,isnotwellversedordisciplinedin

20 theirDhamma;whohasnoregardformenofintegrity,isnotwellversedor disciplinedintheirDhammaassumesformtobetheself,ortheselfas possessingform,orformasintheself,ortheselfasinform. Heassumesfeelingtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingfeeling,orfeeling asintheself,ortheselfasinfeeling.Heassumesperceptiontobetheself,orthe selfaspossessingperception,orperceptionasintheself,ortheselfasin perception.Heassumes(mental)fabricationstobetheself,ortheselfas possessingfabrications,orfabricationsasintheself,ortheselfasinfabrications. Heassumesconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingconsciousness, orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness. Hedoesnotdiscern,asitactuallyis,inconstantformasinconstantform. Hedoesnotdiscern,asitactuallyis,inconstantfeelingasinconstantfeeling inconstantperceptionasinconstantperceptioninconstantfabricationsas inconstantfabricationsinconstantconsciousnessasinconstant consciousness. Hedoesnotdiscern,asitactuallyis,stressfulformasstressfulform stressfulfeelingasstressfulfeelingstressfulperceptionasstressful perceptionstressfulfabricationsasstressfulfabricationsstressful consciousnessasstressfulconsciousness. Hedoesnotdiscern,asitactuallyis,notselfformasnotselfformnot selffeelingasnotselffeelingnotselfperceptionasnotselfperception notselffabricationsasnotselffabricationsnotselfconsciousnessasnot selfconsciousness. Hedoesnotdiscern,asitactuallyis,fabricatedformasfabricatedform fabricatedfeelingasfabricatedfeelingfabricatedperceptionas fabricatedperceptionfabricatedfabricationsasfabricatedfabrications fabricatedconsciousnessasfabricatedconsciousness. Hedoesnotdiscern,asitactuallyis,thatformwillstopbeing feelingwillstopbeingperceptionwillstopbeingfabricationswill stopbeingconsciousnesswillstopbeing. Now,awellinstructeddiscipleofthenobleoneswhohasregardfornoble ones,iswellversed&disciplinedintheirDhamma;whohasregardformenof integrity,iswellversed&disciplinedintheirDhammadoesnotassumeform tobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingform,orformasintheself,ortheselfasin form.Hedoesnotassumefeelingtobetheself....doesnotassumeperceptionto betheself....doesnotassumefabricationstobetheself....Hedoesnotassume

21 consciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingconsciousness,or consciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness. Hediscerns,asitactuallyis,inconstantformasinconstantform inconstantfeelingasinconstantfeelinginconstantperceptionas inconstantperceptioninconstantfabricationsasinconstantfabrications inconstantconsciousnessasinconstantconsciousness. Hediscerns,asitactuallyis,stressfulformasstressfulformstressful feelingasstressfulfeelingstressfulperceptionasstressfulperception stressfulfabricationsasstressfulfabricationsstressfulconsciousnessas stressfulconsciousness. Hediscerns,asitactuallyis,notselfformasnotselfformnotself feelingasnotselffeelingnotselfperceptionasnotselfperception notselffabricationsasnotselffabricationsnotselfconsciousnessasnot selfconsciousness. Hediscerns,asitactuallyis,fabricatedformasfabricatedform fabricatedfeelingasfabricatedfeelingfabricatedperceptionasfabricated perceptionfabricatedfabricationsasfabricatedfabricationsfabricated consciousnessasfabricatedconsciousness. Hediscerns,asitactuallyis,thatformwillstopbeingfeelingwill stopbeingperceptionwillstopbeingfabricationswillstopbeing consciousnesswillstopbeing. Fromthestoppingofform,fromthestoppingoffeelingofperception offabricationsofconsciousness,amonksetonthisItshouldnotbe,it shouldnotoccurtome;itwillnotbe,itwillnotoccurtomewouldbreakthe [five]lowerfetters. Lord,amonksetonthiswouldbreakthe[five]lowerfetters.Butforone knowinginwhatway,seeinginwhatway,istheretheimmediateendingof fermentations? Thereisthecasewhereanuninstructedrunofthemillpersonfallsinto fearoverwhatisnotgroundsforfear.Thereisfearforanuninstructedrunof themillperson[whothinks],Itshouldnotbe,itshouldnotoccurtome;itwill notbe,itwillnotoccurtome.Butaninstructeddiscipleofthenobleonesdoes notfallintofearoverwhatisnotgroundsforfear.Thereisnofearforan instructeddiscipleofthenobleones[whothinks],Itshouldnotbe,itshouldnot occurtome;itwillnotbe,itwillnotoccurtome.

22 Shouldconsciousness,whenstanding(still),standattachedto(aphysical) form,supportedbyform(asitsobject),establishedonform,wateredwith delight,itwouldexhibitgrowth,increase,&proliferation. Shouldconsciousness,whenstanding(still),standattachedtofeeling, supportedbyfeeling(asitsobject),establishedonfeeling,wateredwithdelight, itwouldexhibitgrowth,increase,&proliferation. Shouldconsciousness,whenstanding(still),standattachedtoperception, supportedbyperception(asitsobject),establishedonperception,wateredwith delight,itwouldexhibitgrowth,increase,&proliferation. Shouldconsciousness,whenstanding(still),standattachedtofabrications, supportedbyfabrications(asitsobject),establishedonfabrications,wateredwith delight,itwouldexhibitgrowth,increase,&proliferation. Weresomeonetosay,Iwilldescribeacoming,agoing,apassingaway, anarising,agrowth,anincrease,oraproliferationofconsciousnessapartfrom form,fromfeeling,fromperception,fromfabrications,thatwouldbe impossible. Ifamonkabandonspassionforthepropertyofform.... Ifamonkabandonspassionforthepropertyoffeeling.... Ifamonkabandonspassionforthepropertyofperception... Ifamonkabandonspassionforthepropertyoffabrications.... Ifamonkabandonspassionforthepropertyofconsciousness,thenowingto theabandonmentofpassion,thesupportiscutoff,andthereisnobasefor consciousness.Consciousness,thusunestablished,notproliferating,not performinganyfunction,isreleased.Owingtoitsrelease,itstandsstill.Owing toitsstillness,itiscontented.Owingtoitscontentment,itisnotagitated.Not agitated,he(themonk)istotallyunboundrightwithin.HediscernsthatBirthis ended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthis world. Foroneknowinginthisway,seeinginthisway,monk,thereisthe immediateendingoffermentations. Seealso:MN106

The(Fourfold)Round ParivattaSutta(XXII.56)

23

AtSavatthi.TheretheBlessedOnesaid,Monks,therearethesefiveclinging aggregates.Whichfive?Formasaclingingaggregate,feelingasaclinging aggregate,perceptionasaclingingaggregate,fabricationsasaclinging aggregate,consciousnessasaclingingaggregate. Now,aslongasIdidnothavedirectknowledgeofthefourfoldroundwith regardtothesefiveclingingaggregates,Ididnotclaimtohavedirectly awakenedtotheunexcelledrightselfawakeninginthiscosmoswithitsdevas, Maras,&Brahmas,inthisgenerationwithitspriests&contemplatives,its royalty&commonfolk.ButwhenIdidhavedirectknowledgeofthefourfold roundwithregardtothesefiveclingingaggregates,thenIdidclaimtohave directlyawakenedtotheunexcelledrightselfawakeninginthiscosmoswithits devas,Maras,&Brahmas,inthisgenerationwithitspriests&contemplatives,its royalty&commonfolk. Thefourfoldroundinwhatway?Ihaddirectknowledgeofform...ofthe originationofform...ofthecessationofform...ofthepathofpracticeleadingto thecessationofform. Ihaddirectknowledgeoffeeling.... Ihaddirectknowledgeofperception.... Ihaddirectknowledgeoffabrications.... Ihaddirectknowledgeofconsciousness...oftheoriginationof consciousness...ofthecessationofconsciousness...ofthepathofpractice leadingtothecessationofconsciousness. Andwhatisform?Thefourgreatexistents[theearthproperty,theliquid property,thefireproperty,&thewindproperty]andtheformderivedfrom them:thisiscalledform.Fromtheoriginationofnutrimentcomestheorigination ofform.Fromthecessationofnutrimentcomesthecessationofform.Andjust thisnobleeightfoldpathisthepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationofform, i.e.,rightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,right effort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration. Foranypriestsorcontemplativeswhobydirectlyknowingforminthis way,directlyknowingtheoriginationofforminthisway,directlyknowingthe cessationofforminthisway,directlyknowingthepathofpracticeleadingtothe cessationofforminthisway,arepracticingfor disenchantmentdispassioncessationwithregardtoform,theyarepracticing rightly.Thosewhoarepracticingrightlyarefirmlybasedinthisdoctrine& discipline.Andanypriestsorcontemplativeswhobydirectlyknowingformin

24 thisway,directlyknowingtheoriginationofforminthisway,directlyknowing thecessationofforminthisway,directlyknowingthepathofpracticeleadingto thecessationofforminthisway,arefromdisenchantment,dispassion, cessation,lackofclinging/sustenancewithregardtoformreleased,theyare wellreleased.Thosewhoarewellreleasedarefullyaccomplished.Andwith thosewhoarefullyaccomplished,thereisnocycleforthesakeofdescribing them. Andwhatisfeeling?Thesesixbodiesoffeelingfeelingbornofeye contact,feelingbornofearcontact,feelingbornofnosecontact,feelingbornof tonguecontact,feelingbornofbodycontact,feelingbornofintellectcontact:this iscalledfeeling.Fromtheoriginationofcontactcomestheoriginationoffeeling. Fromthecessationofcontactcomesthecessationoffeeling.Andjustthisnoble eightfoldpathisthepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationoffeeling.... Andwhatisperception?Thesesixbodiesofperceptionperceptionof form,perceptionofsound,perceptionofsmell,perceptionoftaste,perceptionof tactilesensation,perceptionofideas:thisiscalledperception.Fromthe originationofcontactcomestheoriginationofperception.Fromthecessationof contactcomesthecessationofperception.Andjustthisnobleeightfoldpathis thepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationofperception.... Andwhatarefabrications?Thesesixbodiesofintentionintentionwith regardtoform,intentionwithregardtosound,intentionwithregardtosmell, intentionwithregardtotaste,intentionwithregardtotactilesensation,intention withregardtoideas:thesearecalledfabrications.Fromtheoriginationofcontact comestheoriginationoffabrications.Fromthecessationofcontactcomesthe cessationoffabrications.Andjustthisnobleeightfoldpathisthepathofpractice leadingtothecessationoffabrications.... Andwhatisconsciousness?Thesesixbodiesofconsciousnesseye consciousness,earconsciousness,noseconsciousness,tongueconsciousness, bodyconsciousness,intellectconsciousness:thisiscalledconsciousness.From theoriginationofname&formcomestheoriginationofconsciousness.Fromthe cessationofname&formcomesthecessationofconsciousness.Andjustthis nobleeightfoldpathisthepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationof consciousness,i.e.,rightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,right livelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration. Foranypriestsorcontemplativeswhobydirectlyknowingconsciousness inthisway,directlyknowingtheoriginationofconsciousnessinthisway, directlyknowingthecessationofconsciousnessinthisway,directlyknowingthe

25 pathofpracticeleadingtothecessationofconsciousnessinthisway,are practicingfordisenchantmentdispassioncessationwithregardto consciousness,theyarepracticingrightly.Thosewhoarepracticingrightlyare firmlybasedinthisdoctrine&discipline.Andanypriestsorcontemplatives whobydirectlyknowingconsciousnessinthisway,directlyknowingthe originationofconsciousnessinthisway,directlyknowingthecessationof consciousnessinthisway,directlyknowingthepathofpracticeleadingtothe cessationofconsciousnessinthisway,arefromdisenchantment,dispassion, cessation,lackofclinging/sustenancewithregardtoconsciousnessreleased, theyarewellreleased.Thosewhoarewellreleasedarefullyaccomplished.And withthosewhoarefullyaccomplished,thereisnocycleforthesakeof describingthem.

SevenBases SattatthanaSutta(XXII.57) Thetermsevenbasesherecanalsomeanthesevennotesofthemusicalscale;and itispossiblethatthephrasethreemodesofinvestigationmayalsobeborrowedfrom musicaltheory:itmayrefertothreewaysoftestingamusicalscaleonceithasbeen tuned.ThusinthisdiscoursetheBuddhamaybeborrowingtermscommonlyusedto describeaconsummatemusicianandapplyingthemtohisdescriptionofaconsummate meditator. TheCommentarysinglesoutthisdiscourseasonethatenticesaseriousmeditatorto practice. IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingatSavatthi,in JetasGrove,AnathapindikasMonastery.Thereheaddressedthemonks, Monks! Yes,lord,themonksrepliedtotheBlessedOne. TheBlessedOnesaid:Monks,amonkwhoisskilledinsevenbasesandhas threemodesofinvestigationisfulfilled&fullyaccomplishedinthisdoctrine& disciplinetheultimateperson. Andhowisamonkskilledinsevenbases?Thereisthecasewhereamonk discernsform,theoriginationofform,thecessationofform,thepathofpractice

26 leadingtothecessationofform.Hediscernstheallureofform,thedrawbackof form,andtheescapefromform. Hediscernsfeeling....Hediscernsperception....Hediscernsfabrications.... Hediscernsconsciousness,theoriginationofconsciousness,thecessationof consciousness,thepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationofconsciousness.He discernstheallureofconsciousness,thedrawbackofconsciousness,andthe escapefromconsciousness. Andwhatisform?Thefourgreatexistents[theearthproperty,theliquid property,thefireproperty,&thewindproperty]andtheformderivedfrom them:thisiscalledform.Fromtheoriginationofnutrimentcomestheorigination ofform.Fromthecessationofnutrimentcomesthecessationofform.Andjust thisnobleeightfoldpathisthepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationofform, i.e.,rightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,right effort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration.Thefactthatpleasure&happiness ariseindependenceonform:thatistheallureofform.Thefactthatformis inconstant,stressful,subjecttochange:thatisthedrawbackofform.The subduingofdesire&passionforform,theabandoningofdesire&passionfor form:thatistheescapefromform. Foranypriestsorcontemplativeswhobydirectlyknowingforminthis way,directlyknowingtheoriginationofforminthisway,directlyknowingthe cessationofforminthisway,directlyknowingthepathofpracticeleadingtothe cessationofforminthisway,directlyknowingtheallureofforminthisway, directlyknowingthedrawbackofforminthisway,directlyknowingtheescape fromforminthisway,arepracticingfordisenchantmentdispassioncessation withregardtoform,theyarepracticingrightly.Thosewhoarepracticingrightly arefirmlybasedinthisdoctrine&discipline.Andanypriestsorcontemplatives whobydirectlyknowingforminthisway,directlyknowingtheoriginationof forminthisway,directlyknowingthecessationofforminthisway,directly knowingthepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationofforminthisway,directly knowingtheallureofforminthisway,directlyknowingthedrawbackofform inthisway,directlyknowingtheescapefromforminthisway,arefrom disenchantment,dispassion,cessation,lackofclinging/sustenancewithregard toformreleased,theyarewellreleased.Thosewhoarewellreleasedarefully accomplished.Andwiththosewhoarefullyaccomplished,thereisnocyclefor thesakeofdescribingthem. Andwhatisfeeling?Thesesixbodiesoffeelingfeelingbornofeye contact,feelingbornofearcontact,feelingbornofnosecontact,feelingbornof

27 tonguecontact,feelingbornofbodycontact,feelingbornofintellectcontact:this iscalledfeeling.Fromtheoriginationofcontactcomestheoriginationoffeeling. Fromthecessationofcontactcomesthecessationoffeeling.Andjustthisnoble eightfoldpathisthepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationoffeeling....Thefact thatpleasure&happinessariseindependenceonfeeling:thatistheallureof feeling.Thefactthatfeelingisinconstant,stressful,subjecttochange:thatisthe drawbackoffeeling.Thesubduingofdesire&passionforfeeling,the abandoningofdesire&passionforfeeling:thatistheescapefromfeeling.... Andwhatisperception?Thesesixbodiesofperceptionperceptionof form,perceptionofsound,perceptionofsmell,perceptionoftaste,perceptionof tactilesensation,perceptionofideas:thisiscalledperception.Fromthe originationofcontactcomestheoriginationofperception.Fromthecessationof contactcomesthecessationofperception.Andjustthisnobleeightfoldpathis thepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationofperception....Thefactthat pleasure&happinessariseindependenceonperception:thatistheallureof perception.Thefactthatperceptionisinconstant,stressful,subjecttochange: thatisthedrawbackofperception.Thesubduingofdesire&passionfor perception,theabandoningofdesire&passionforperception:thatistheescape fromperception.... Andwhatarefabrications?Thesesixbodiesofintentionintentionwith regardtoform,intentionwithregardtosound,intentionwithregardtosmell, intentionwithregardtotaste,intentionwithregardtotactilesensation,intention withregardtoideas:thesearecalledfabrications.Fromtheoriginationofcontact comestheoriginationoffabrications.Fromthecessationofcontactcomesthe cessationoffabrications.Andjustthisnobleeightfoldpathisthepathofpractice leadingtothecessationoffabrications....Thefactthatpleasure&happiness ariseindependenceonfabrications:thatistheallureoffabrications.Thefactthat fabricationsareinconstant,stressful,subjecttochange:thatisthedrawbackof fabrications.Thesubduingofdesire&passionforfabrications,theabandoning ofdesire&passionforfabrications:thatistheescapefromfabrications.... Andwhatisconsciousness?Thesesixbodiesofconsciousness:eye consciousness,earconsciousness,noseconsciousness,tongueconsciousness, bodyconsciousness,intellectconsciousness.Thisiscalledconsciousness.From theoriginationofname&formcomestheoriginationofconsciousness.Fromthe cessationofname&formcomesthecessationofconsciousness.Andjustthis nobleeightfoldpathisthepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationof consciousness,i.e.,rightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,right

28 livelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration.Thefactthat pleasure&happinessariseindependenceonconsciousness:thatistheallureof consciousness.Thefactthatconsciousnessisinconstant,stressful,subjectto change:thatisthedrawbackofconsciousness.Thesubduingofdesire&passion forconsciousness,theabandoningofdesire&passionforconsciousness:thatis theescapefromconsciousness. Foranypriestsorcontemplativeswhobydirectlyknowingconsciousness inthisway,directlyknowingtheoriginationofconsciousnessinthisway, directlyknowingthecessationofconsciousnessinthisway,directlyknowingthe pathofpracticeleadingtothecessationofconsciousnessinthisway,directly knowingtheallureofconsciousnessinthisway,directlyknowingthedrawback ofconsciousnessinthisway,directlyknowingtheescapefromconsciousnessin thisway,arepracticingfordisenchantmentdispassioncessationwithregard toconsciousness,theyarepracticingrightly.Thosewhoarepracticingrightlyare firmlybasedinthisdoctrine&discipline.Andanypriestsorcontemplatives whobydirectlyknowingconsciousnessinthisway,directlyknowingthe originationofconsciousnessinthisway,directlyknowingthecessationof consciousnessinthisway,directlyknowingthepathofpracticeleadingtothe cessationofconsciousnessinthisway,directlyknowingtheallureof consciousnessinthisway,directlyknowingthedrawbackofconsciousnessin thisway,directlyknowingtheescapefromconsciousnessinthisway,arefrom disenchantment,dispassion,cessation,lackofclinging/sustenancewithregard toconsciousnessreleased,theyarewellreleased.Thosewhoarewellreleased arefullyaccomplished.Andwiththosewhoarefullyaccomplished,thereisno cycleforthesakeofdescribingthem. Thisishowamonkisskilledinsevenbases. Andhowdoesamonkhavethreemodesofinvestigation?Thereisthecase whereamonkinvestigatesintermsofproperties,investigatesintermsofsense spheres,investigatesintermsofdependentcoarising.Thisishowamonkhas threemodesofinvestigation. Amonkwhoisskilledinsevenbasesandhasthreemodesofinvestigation isfulfilledandfullyaccomplishedinthisdoctrine&disciplinetheultimate person.

TheNotSelfCharacteristic

29 AnattalakkhanaSutta(XXII.59) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearVaranasiin theGameRefugeatIsipatana.Thereheaddressedthegroupoffivemonks: Form,monks,isnotself.Ifformweretheself,thisformwouldnotlend itselftodisease.Itwouldbepossible[tosay]withregardtoform,Letmyform bethus.Letmyformnotbethus.Butpreciselybecauseformisnotself,this formlendsitselftodisease.Anditisnotpossible[tosay]withregardtoform, Letmyformbethus.Letmyformnotbethus. Feelingisnotself.... Perceptionisnotself.... Fabricationsarenotself.... Consciousnessisnotself.Ifconsciousnessweretheself,thisconsciousness wouldnotlenditselftodisease.Itwouldbepossible[tosay]withregardto consciousness,Letmyconsciousnessbethus.Letmyconsciousnessnotbe thus.Butpreciselybecauseconsciousnessisnotself,consciousnesslendsitself todisease.Anditisnotpossible[tosay]withregardtoconsciousness,Letmy consciousnessbethus.Letmyconsciousnessnotbethus. Whatdoyouthink,monksIsformconstantorinconstant?Inconstant, lord.Andisthatwhichisinconstanteasefulorstressful?Stressful,lord. Andisitfittingtoregardwhatisinconstant,stressful,subjecttochangeas: Thisismine.Thisismyself.ThisiswhatIam? No,lord. ...Isfeelingconstantorinconstant?Inconstant,lord..... ...Isperceptionconstantorinconstant?Inconstant,lord..... ...Arefabricationsconstantorinconstant?Inconstant,lord..... Whatdoyouthink,monksIsconsciousnessconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord.Andisthatwhichisinconstanteasefulorstressful? Stressful,lord.Andisitfittingtoregardwhatisinconstant,stressful, subjecttochangeas:Thisismine.Thisismyself.ThisiswhatIam? No,lord. Thus,monks,anyformwhatsoeverthatispast,future,orpresent;internal orexternal;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear:everyformistobe seenasitactuallyiswithrightdiscernmentas:Thisisnotmine.Thisisnotmy self.ThisisnotwhatIam. Anyfeelingwhatsoever.... Anyperceptionwhatsoever....

30 Anyfabricationswhatsoever.... Anyconsciousnesswhatsoeverthatispast,future,orpresent;internalor external;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear:everyconsciousness istobeseenasitactuallyiswithrightdiscernmentas:Thisisnotmine.Thisis notmyself.ThisisnotwhatIam. Seeingthus,theinstructeddiscipleofthenobleonesgrowsdisenchanted withform,disenchantedwithfeeling,disenchantedwithperception, disenchantedwithfabrications,disenchantedwithconsciousness.Disenchanted, hebecomesdispassionate.Throughdispassion,heisfullyreleased.Withfull release,thereistheknowledge,Fullyreleased.HediscernsthatBirthis ended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthis world. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,thegroupoffivemonks delightedintheBlessedOneswords.Andwhilethisexplanationwasbeing given,themindsofthegroupoffivemonks,throughnoclinging(notbeing sustained),werefullyreleasedfromfermentations. Seealso:SNXLIV.10

ChewedUp KhajjaniyaSutta(SNXXII.79) AtSavatthi.Monks,anypriestsorcontemplativeswhorecollecttheirmanifold pastlivesallrecollectthefiveclingingaggregates,oroneamongthem.Which five?Whenrecollecting,Iwasonewithsuchaforminthepast,oneis recollectingjustform.Orwhenrecollecting,Iwasonewithsuchafeelinginthe past,oneisrecollectingjustfeeling.Orwhenrecollecting,Iwasonewith suchaperceptioninthepast,oneisrecollectingjustperception.Orwhen recollecting,Iwasonewithsuchmentalfabricationsinthepast,oneis recollectingjustmentalfabrications.Orwhenrecollecting,Iwasonewithsuch aconsciousnessinthepast,oneisrecollectingjustconsciousness. Andwhydoyoucallitform(rupa)?Becauseitisafflicted(ruppati),thusitis calledform.Afflictedwithwhat?Withcold&heat&hunger&thirst,withthetouch offlies,mosquitoes,wind,sun,&reptiles.Becauseitisafflicted,itiscalledform.

31 Andwhydoyoucallitfeeling?Becauseitfeels,thusitiscalledfeeling. Whatdoesitfeel?Itfeelspleasure,itfeelspain,itfeelsneitherpleasurenorpain. Becauseitfeels,itiscalledfeeling. Andwhydoyoucallitperception?Becauseitperceives,thusitiscalled perception.Whatdoesitperceive?Itperceivesblue,itperceivesyellow,itperceives red,itperceiveswhite.Becauseitperceives,itiscalledperception. Andwhydoyoucallthemfabrications?Becausetheyfabricatefabricated things,thustheyarecalledfabrications.Whatdotheyfabricateintoafabricated thing?Fromformness,theyfabricateformintoafabricatedthing.Fromfeelingness, theyfabricatefeelingintoafabricatedthing.Fromperceptionhood...Fromfabrication hood...Fromconsciousnesshood,theyfabricateconsciousnessintoafabricatedthing. Becausetheyfabricatefabricatedthings,theyarecalledfabrications. Andwhydoyoucallitconsciousness?Becauseitcognizes,thusitis calledconsciousness.Whatdoesitcognize?Itcognizeswhatissour,bitter, pungent,sweet,alkaline,nonalkaline,salty,&unsalty.Becauseitcognizes,itis calledconsciousness. Thusaninstructeddiscipleofthenobleonesreflectsinthisway:Iam nowbeingchewedupbyform.ButinthepastIwasalsochewedupbyformin thesamewayIamnowbeingchewedupbypresentform.AndifIdelightin futureform,theninthefutureIwillbechewedupbyforminthesamewayIam nowbeingchewedupbypresentform.Havingreflectedinthisway,he becomesindifferenttopastform,doesnotdelightinfutureform,andis practicingforthesakeofdisenchantment,dispassion,andcessationwithregard topresentform. [Hereflects:]Iamnowbeingchewedupbyfeelingperception fabricationsconsciousness.ButinthepastIwasalsochewedupby consciousnessinthesamewayIamnowbeingchewedupbypresent consciousness.AndifIdelightinfutureconsciousness,theninthefutureIwill bechewedupbyconsciousnessinthesamewayIamnowbeingchewedupby presentconsciousness.Havingreflectedinthisway,hebecomesindifferentto pastconsciousness,doesnotdelightinfutureconsciousness,andispracticingfor thesakeofdisenchantment,dispassion,andcessationwithregardtopresent consciousness. Whatdoyouthink,monksIsformconstantorinconstant?Inconstant, lord.Andisthatwhichisinconstanteasefulorstressful?Stressful,lord. Andisitfittingtoregardwhatisinconstant,stressful,subjecttochangeas: Thisismine.Thisismyself.ThisiswhatIam?
1

32 No,lord. ...Isfeelingconstantorinconstant?Inconstant,lord..... ...Isperceptionconstantorinconstant?Inconstant,lord..... ...Arefabricationsconstantorinconstant?Inconstant,lord..... Whatdoyouthink,monksIsconsciousnessconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord.Andisthatwhichisinconstanteasefulorstressful? Stressful,lord.Andisitfittingtoregardwhatisinconstant,stressful, subjecttochangeas:Thisismine.Thisismyself.ThisiswhatIam? No,lord. Thus,monks,anyformwhatsoeverthatispast,future,orpresent;internal orexternal;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear:everyformistobe seenasitactuallyiswithrightdiscernmentas:Thisisnotmine.Thisisnotmy self.ThisisnotwhatIam. Anyfeelingwhatsoever.... Anyperceptionwhatsoever.... Anyfabricationswhatsoever.... Anyconsciousnesswhatsoeverthatispast,future,orpresent;internalor external;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear:everyconsciousness istobeseenasitactuallyiswithrightdiscernmentas:Thisisnotmine.Thisis notmyself.ThisisnotwhatIam. This,monks,iscalledadiscipleofthenobleoneswhotearsdownanddoes notbuildup;whoabandonsanddoesnotcling;whodiscardsanddoesnotpull in;whoscattersanddoesnotpileup. Andwhatdoesheteardownandnotbuildup?Hetearsdownformand doesnotbuilditup.Hetearsdownfeelingperceptionfabrications consciousnessanddoesnotbuilditup. Andwhatdoesheabandonandnotclingto?Heabandonsformanddoes notclingtoit.Heabandonsfeelingperceptionfabricationsconsciousness anddoesnotclingtoit. Andwhatdoeshediscardandnotpullin?Hediscardsformanddoesnot pullitin.Hediscardsfeelingperceptionfabricationsconsciousnessand doesnotpullitin. Andwhatdoeshescatterandnotpileup?Hescattersformanddoesnot pileitup.Hescattersfeelingperceptionfabricationsconsciousnessand doesnotpileitup. Seeingthus,theinstructeddiscipleofthenobleonesgrowsdisenchanted withform,disenchantedwithfeeling,disenchantedwithperception,

33 disenchantedwithfabrications,disenchantedwithconsciousness.Disenchanted, hebecomesdispassionate.Throughdispassion,heisfullyreleased.Withfull release,thereistheknowledge,Fullyreleased.HediscernsthatBirthis ended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthis world. This,monks,iscalledadiscipleofthenobleoneswhoneitherbuildsupnor tearsdown,butwhostandshavingtorndown;whoneitherclingsnorabandons, butwhostandshavingabandoned;whoneitherpullsinnordiscards,butwho standshavingdiscarded;whoneitherpilesupnorscatters,butwhostands havingscattered. Andwhatisitthatheneitherbuildsupnortearsdown,butstandshaving tornitdown?Heneitherbuildsupnortearsdownform,butstandshavingtorn itdown.Heneitherbuildsupnortearsdownfeelingperceptionfabrications consciousness,butstandshavingtornitdown. Andwhatisitthatheneitherclingstonorabandons,butstandshaving abandonedit?Heneitherclingstonorabandonsform,butstandshaving abandonedit.Heneitherclingstonorabandonsfeelingperception fabricationsconsciousness,butstandshavingabandonedit. Andwhatisitthatheneitherpullsinnordiscards,butstandshaving discardedit?Heneitherpullsinnordiscardsform,butstandshaving discardedit.Heneitherpullsinnordiscardsfeelingperception fabricationsconsciousness,butstandshavingdiscardedit. Andwhatisitthatheneitherpilesupnorscatters,butstandshaving scatteredit?Heneitherpilesupnorscattersform,butstandshavingscatteredit. Heneitherpilesupnorscattersfeelingperceptionfabrications consciousness,butstandshavingscatteredit. Andtothemonkwhosemindisthusreleased,thedevas,togetherwith Indra,theBrahmas,&Pajapati,payhomageevenfromafar: Homagetoyou,Othoroughbredman. Homagetoyou,Osuperlativeman youofwhomwedontknowevenwhat dependentonwhich youreabsorbed.

34 NOTE:1.Thispassagesuggeststhattheintentionalprocessoffabricationis neededbeforethepotentialfortheexperienceofanaggregatecanbeturnedinto adiscernibleaggregate.Thisparallelstheteachingthatpresentkammaisneeded forpastkammatobeexperienced.SeeMN109,note2.

AtPalileyyaka PalileyyakaSutta(XXII.81) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearKosambi,at Ghositasmonastery.Thenintheearlymorning,havingputonhisrobesand carryinghisbowlandouterrobe,hewentintoKosambiforalms.Havinggone foralmsinKosambi,afterthemeal,returningfromhisalmsround,hesethis ownlodginginorderandwithoutcallinghisattendantorinformingthe communityofmonkssetoutwandering,alone&withoutacompanion. Then,notlongaftertheBlessedOnehadleft,acertainmonkwenttoVen. Anandaandonarrivalsaidtohim,Justnow,myfriendAnanda,theBlessed Onesethisownlodginginorderandwithoutcallinghisattendantorinforming thecommunityofmonkssetoutwandering,alone&withoutacompanion. WhenevertheBlessedOnesetshisownlodginginorderandwithout callinghisattendantorinformingthecommunityofmonkssetsoutwandering, alone&withoutacompanion,hewantstolivealone.Heisnottobefollowedby anyoneatsuchtimes. Then,afterwanderingbystages,theBlessedOnecametoPalileyyaka.There hestayedattherootoftheAuspiciousSalTree. ThenalargenumberofmonkswenttoVen.Anandaandonarrival exchangedcourteousgreetings.Afteranexchangeoffriendlycourtesies& greetingstheysattooneside.Astheyweresittingthere,theysaidtoVen. Ananda,IthasbeenalongtimesinceweheardaDhammatalkintheBlessed Onespresence.WewanttohearaDhammatalkintheBlessedOnes presence. ThenVen.AnandawentwiththosemonkstowheretheBlessedOnewas stayinginPalileyyaka,attherootoftheAuspiciousSalTree,andonarrival,after bowingdowntohim,satdowntooneside.Astheyweresittingthere,the BlessedOneinstructed,urged,roused,&encouragedthemwithatalkon Dhamma.

35 Now,onthatoccasionthistrainofthoughtappearedintheawarenessofone ofthemonks:NowIwonderknowinginwhatway,seeinginwhatway,does onewithoutdelayputanendtomentalfermentations? TheBlessedOne,perceivingwithhisawarenessthetrainofthoughtinthe monksawareness,saidtothemonks,Ihaveanalyzed&taughtyouthe Dhamma,monks.Ihaveanalyzed&taughtyouthefourframesofreference,the fourrightexertions,thefourbasesofpower,thefivefaculties,thefivestrengths, thesevenfactorsforawakening,&thenobleeightfoldpath.Andyet,even thoughIhaveanalyzed&taughtyoutheDhamma,stillthereappearsthistrain ofthoughtintheawarenessofoneofthemonks:NowIwonderknowingin whatway,seeinginwhatway,doesonewithoutdelayputanendtomental fermentations? Wellthenknowinginwhatway,seeinginwhatway,doesonewithout delayputanendtomentalfermentations?Thereisthecasewherean uninstructed,runofthemillpersonwhohasnoregardfornobleones,isnot wellversedordisciplinedintheirDhamma;whohasnoregardformenof integrity,isnotwellversedordisciplinedintheirDhammaassumesformtobe theself.Thatassumptionisafabrication.Nowwhatisthecause,whatisthe origination,whatisthebirth,whatisthecomingintoexistenceofthat fabrication?Toanuninstructed,runofthemillperson,touchedbythatwhichis feltbornofcontactwithignorance,cravingarises.Thatfabricationisbornofthat. Andthatfabricationisinconstant,fabricated,dependentlycoarisen.That craving...Thatfeeling...Thatcontact...Thatignoranceisinconstant,fabricated, dependentlycoarisen.Itisbyknowing&seeinginthiswaythatonewithout delayputsanendtomentalfermentations. Orhedoesntassumeformtobetheself,butheassumestheselfas possessingform...formasintheself...selfasinform...orfeelingtobethe self...theselfaspossessingfeeling...feelingasintheself...selfasinfeeling...or perceptiontobetheself...theselfaspossessingperception...perceptionasin theself...selfasinperception...orfabricationstobetheself...theselfas possessingfabrications...fabricationsasintheself...selfasinfabrications...or consciousnesstobetheself...theselfaspossessingconsciousness... consciousnessasintheself...selfasinconsciousness. Nowthatassumptionisafabrication.Whatisthecause,whatisthe origination,whatisthebirth,whatisthecomingintoexistenceofthat fabrication?Toanuninstructed,runofthemillperson,touchedbythefeeling bornofcontactwithignorance,cravingarises.Thatfabricationisbornofthat.

36 Andthatfabricationisinconstant,fabricated,dependentlycoarisen.That craving...Thatfeeling...Thatcontact...Thatignoranceisinconstant,fabricated, dependentlycoarisen.Itisbyknowing&seeinginthiswaythatonewithout delayputsanendtomentalfermentations. Orhedoesntassumeformtobetheself...buthemayhaveaviewsuchas this:Thisselfisthesameasthecosmos.ThisIwillbeafterdeath,constant, lasting,eternal,notsubjecttochange.Thiseternalistviewisafabrication.... Or...hemayhaveaviewsuchasthis:Iwouldnotbe,neitherwouldtherebe whatismine.Iwillnotbe,neitherwilltherebewhatismine.This annihilationistviewisafabrication....Or...hemaybedoubtful&uncertain, havingcometonoconclusionwithregardtothetrueDhamma.Thatdoubt, uncertainty,&comingtonoconclusionisafabrication. Whatisthecause,whatistheorigination,whatisthebirth,whatisthe comingintoexistenceofthatfabrication?Toanuninstructed,runofthemill person,touchedbywhatisfeltbornofcontactwithignorance,cravingarises. Thatfabricationisbornofthat.Andthatfabricationisinconstant,fabricated, dependentlycoarisen.Thatcraving...Thatfeeling...Thatcontact...That ignoranceisinconstant,fabricated,dependentlycoarisen.Itisbyknowing& seeinginthiswaythatonewithoutdelayputsanendtomentalfermentations.

ToYamaka YamakaSutta(XXII.85) IhaveheardthatononeoccasionVen.SariputtawasstayingnearSavatthiat JetasGrove,Anathapindikasmonastery.Now,atthattimethisevil suppositionhadarisentoVen.Yamaka:AsIunderstandtheTeaching explainedbytheBlessedOne,amonkwithnomore(mental)fermentations,on thebreakupofthebody,isannihilated,perishes,&doesnotexistafterdeath. Alargenumberofmonksheard,Theysaythatthisevilsuppositionhasarisen toVen.Yamaka:AsIunderstandtheTeachingexplainedbytheBlessedOne,a monkwithnomorefermentations,onthebreakupofthebody,isannihilated, perishes,&doesnotexistafterdeath.SotheywenttoVen.Yamakaandon arrivalexchangedcourteousgreetings.Afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings& courtesies,theysattooneside.Astheyweresittingthere,theysaidtoVen. Yamaka,Isittrue,friendYamaka,thatthisevilsuppositionhasarisentoyou:

37 AsIunderstandtheTeachingexplainedbytheBlessedOne,amonkwithno morefermentations,onthebreakupofthebody,isannihilated,perishes,&does notexistafterdeath. Yes,friends.AsIunderstandtheTeachingexplainedbytheBlessedOne,a monkwithnomorefermentations,onthebreakupofthebody,isannihilated, perishes,&doesnotexistafterdeath. Dontsaythat,friendYamaka.DontmisrepresenttheBlessedOne.Its notgoodtomisrepresenttheBlessedOne,fortheBlessedOnewouldnotsay, Amonkwithnomorefermentations,onthebreakupofthebody,is annihilated,perishes,&doesnotexistafterdeath. ButeventhoughVen.Yamakawasthusrebukedbythosemonks,hefrom stubbornness&attachmentmaintainedhisadherencetothatevilsupposition: AsIunderstandtheTeachingexplainedbytheBlessedOne,amonkwithno morefermentations,onthebreakupofthebody,isannihilated,perishes,&does notexistafterdeath. WhenthosemonkscouldnotpryVen.Yamakaloosefromhisevil supposition,theygotupfromtheirseatsandwenttoVen.Sariputta.Onarrival theysaidtohim:FriendSariputta,thisevilsuppositionhasarisentoVen. Yamaka:AsIunderstandtheTeachingexplainedbytheBlessedOne,amonk withnomorefermentations,onthebreakupofthebody,isannihilated, perishes,&doesnotexistafterdeath.ItwouldbegoodifyouwouldgotoVen. Yamakaoutofsympathyforhissake. Ven.Sariputtaconsentedbyremainingsilent. ThenintheeveningVen.Sariputtalefthisseclusion,wenttoVen.Yamaka, andonarrivalexchangedcourteousgreetings.Afteranexchangeoffriendly greetings&courtesies,hesattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtoVen. Yamaka,Isittrue,myfriendYamaka,thatthisevilsuppositionhasarisento you:AsIunderstandtheTeachingexplainedbytheBlessedOne,amonkwith nomorefermentations,onthebreakupofthebody,isannihilated,perishes,& doesnotexistafterdeath. Yes,myfriendSariputta.AsIunderstandtheTeachingexplainedbythe BlessedOne,amonkwithnomorefermentations,onthebreakupofthebody,is annihilated,perishes,&doesnotexistafterdeath. Howdoyouconstruethis,myfriendYamaka:Isformconstantor inconstant? Inconstant,myfriend. Andisthatwhichisinconstanteasefulorstressful?

38 Stressful,myfriend. Andisitpropertoregardwhatisinconstant,stressful,subjecttochangeas: Thisismine.Thisismyself.ThisiswhatIam? No,myfriend. Isfeelingconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,myfriend.... Isperceptionconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,myfriend.... Arefabricationsconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,myfriend.... Isconsciousnessconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,myfriend. Andisthatwhichisinconstanteasefulorstressful? Stressful,myfriend. Andisitpropertoregardwhatisinconstant,stressful,subjecttochangeas: Thisismine.Thisismyself.ThisiswhatIam? No,myfriend. Howdoyouconstruethis:DoyouregardformastheTathagata? No,myfriend. DoyouregardfeelingastheTathagata? No,myfriend. DoyouregardperceptionastheTathagata? No,myfriend. DoyouregardfabricationsastheTathagata? No,myfriend. DoyouregardconsciousnessastheTathagata? No,myfriend. Howdoyouconstruethis:DoyouregardtheTathagataasbeingin form?....Elsewherethanform?....Infeeling?....Elsewherethanfeeling?....In perception?....Elsewherethanperception?....Infabrications?....Elsewherethan fabrications?....Inconsciousness?....Elsewherethanconsciousness? No,myfriend. Howdoyouconstruethis:DoyouregardtheTathagataasformfeeling perceptionfabricationsconsciousness? No,myfriend. DoyouregardtheTathagataasthatwhichiswithoutform,withoutfeeling, withoutperception,withoutfabrications,withoutconsciousness?

39 No,myfriend. Andso,myfriendYamakawhenyoucantpindowntheTathagataasa truthorrealityeveninthepresentlifeisitproperforyoutodeclare,AsI understandtheTeachingexplainedbytheBlessedOne,amonkwithnomore fermentations,onthebreakupofthebody,isannihilated,perishes,&doesnot existafterdeath? Previously,myfriendSariputta,Ididfoolishlyholdthatevilsupposition. Butnow,havingheardyourexplanationoftheDhamma,Ihaveabandonedthat evilsupposition,andhavebrokenthroughtotheDhamma. Then,friendYamaka,howwouldyouanswerifyouarethusasked:A monk,aworthyone,withnomorementalfermentations:whatisheonthe breakupofthebody,afterdeath? Thusasked,Iwouldanswer,Formisinconstant...Feeling...Perception... Fabrications...Consciousnessisinconstant.Thatwhichisinconstantisstressful. Thatwhichisstressfulhasceasedandgonetoitsend. Verygood,myfriendYamaka.Verygood.InthatcaseIwillgiveyouan analogyforthesakeofmakingyourunderstandingofthispointevengreater. Supposetherewereahouseholderorhouseholderssonrich,wealthy,with manypossessionswhowasthoroughlywellguarded.Thensupposetherecame alongacertainman,desiringwhatwasnothisbenefit,desiringwhatwasnothis welfare,desiringhislossofsecurity,desiringtokillhim.Thethoughtwould occurtothisman:Itwouldnotbeeasytokillthispersonbyforce.WhatifI weretosneakinandthenkillhim? Sohewouldgotothehouseholderorhouseholderssonandsay,May youtakemeonasaservant,lord.Withthat,thehouseholderorhouseholders sonwouldtakethemanonasaservant. Havingbeentakenonasaservant,themanwouldriseinthemorning beforehismaster,gotobedintheeveningonlyafterhismaster,doingwhatever hismasterordered,alwaysactingtopleasehim,speakingpolitelytohim.Then thehouseholderorhouseholderssonwouldcometoregardhimasafriend& companion,andwouldfallintohistrust.Whenthemanrealizes,This householderorhouseholderssontrustsme,thenencounteringhimina solitaryplace,hewouldkillhimwithasharpknife. Nowwhatdoyouthink,myfriendYamaka?Whenthatmanwenttothe householderorhouseholderssonandsaid,Mayyoutakemeonasaservant, lord:wasntheeventhenamurderer?Andyetalthoughhewasamurderer, thehouseholderorhouseholderssondidnotknowhimasmymurderer.

40 Andwhen,takenonasaservant,hewouldriseinthemorningbeforehismaster, gotobedintheeveningonlyafterhismaster,doingwhateverhismaster ordered,alwaysactingtopleasehim,speakingpolitelytohim:wasntheeven thenamurderer?Andyetalthoughhewasamurderer,thehouseholderor householderssondidnotknowhimasmymurderer.Andwhenhe encounteredhiminasolitaryplaceandkilledhimwithasharpknife:wasnthe eventhenamurderer?Andyetalthoughhewasamurderer,thehouseholderor householderssondidnotknowhimasmymurderer. Yes,myfriend. Inthesameway,anuninstructed,runofthemillpersonwhohasno regardfornobleones,isnotwellversedordisciplinedintheirDhamma;who hasnoregardformenofintegrity,isnotwellversedordisciplinedintheir Dhammaassumesformtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingform,orformas intheself,ortheselfasinform. Heassumesfeelingtobetheself.... Heassumesperceptiontobetheself.... Heassumes(mental)fabricationstobetheself.... Heassumesconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessing consciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness. Hedoesnotdiscerninconstantform,asitactuallyispresent,asinconstant form.Hedoesnotdiscerninconstantfeeling,asitactuallyispresent,as inconstantfeeling.Hedoesnotdiscerninconstantperception....Hedoesnot discerninconstantfabrications....Hedoesnotdiscerninconstantconsciousness, asitactuallyispresent,asinconstantconsciousness. Hedoesnotdiscernstressfulform,asitactuallyispresent,asstressful form.Hedoesnotdiscernstressfulfeeling....Hedoesnotdiscernstressful perception....Hedoesnotdiscernstressfulfabrications....Hedoesnotdiscern stressfulconsciousness,asitactuallyispresent,asstressfulconsciousness. Hedoesnotdiscernnotselfform,asitactuallyispresent,asnotself form.Hedoesnotdiscernnotselffeeling....Hedoesnotdiscernnotself perception....Hedoesnotdiscernnotselffabrications....Hedoesnotdiscern notselfconsciousness,asitactuallyispresent,asnotselfconsciousness. Hedoesnotdiscernfabricatedform,asitactuallyispresent,asfabricated form.Hedoesnotdiscernfabricatedfeeling....Hedoesnotdiscernfabricated perception....Hedoesnotdiscernfabricatedfabrications....Hedoesnotdiscern fabricatedconsciousness,asitactuallyispresent,asfabricatedconsciousness.

41 Hedoesnotdiscernmurderousform,asitactuallyispresent,as murderousform.Hedoesnotdiscernmurderousfeeling....Hedoesnot discernmurderousperception....Hedoesnotdiscernmurderousfabrications.... Hedoesnotdiscernmurderousconsciousness,asitactuallyispresent,as murderousconsciousness. Hegetsattachedtoform,clingstoform,&determinesittobemyself. Hegetsattachedtofeeling....Hegetsattachedtoperception...Hegetsattached tofabrications...Hegetsattachedtoconsciousness,clingstoconsciousness,& determinesittobemyself.Thesefiveclingingaggregatesattachedto,clung toleadtohislongtermloss&suffering. Now,thewellinstructeddiscipleofthenobleoneswhohasregardfor nobleones,iswellversed&disciplinedintheirDhamma;whohasregardfor menofintegrity,iswellversed&disciplinedintheirDhammadoesnotassume formtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingform,orformasintheself,ortheself asinform. Hedoesnotassumefeelingtobetheself.... Hedoesnotassumeperceptiontobetheself.... Hedoesnotassumefabricationstobetheself.... Hedoesnotassumeconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessing consciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness. Hediscernsinconstantform,asitactuallyispresent,asinconstantform. Hediscernsinconstantfeeling....Hediscernsinconstantperception....He discernsinconstantfabrications....Hediscernsinconstantconsciousness,asit actuallyispresent,asinconstantconsciousness. Hediscernsstressfulform,asitactuallyispresent,asstressfulform.He discernsstressfulfeeling....Hediscernsstressfulperception....Hediscerns stressfulfabrications....Hediscernsstressfulconsciousness,asitactuallyis present,asstressfulconsciousness. Hediscernsnotselfform,asitactuallyispresent,asnotselfform.He discernsnotselffeeling....Hediscernsnotselfperception....Hediscernsnot selffabrications....Hediscernsnotselfconsciousness,asitactuallyispresent,as notselfconsciousness. Hediscernsfabricatedform,asitactuallyispresent,asfabricatedform. Hediscernsfabricatedfeeling....Hediscernsfabricatedperception....He discernsfabricatedfabrications....Hediscernsfabricatedconsciousness,asit actuallyispresent,asfabricatedconsciousness.

42 Hediscernsmurderousform,asitactuallyispresent,asmurderous form.Hediscernsmurderousfeeling....Hediscernsmurderousperception.... Hediscernsmurderousfabrications....Hediscernsmurderousconsciousness,as itactuallyispresent,asmurderousconsciousness. Hedoesnotgetattachedtoform,doesnotclingtoform,doesnot determineittobemyself.Hedoesnotgetattachedtofeeling....Hedoesnot getattachedtoperception...Hedoesnotgetattachedtofabrications...Hedoes notgetattachedtoconsciousness,doesnotclingtoconsciousness,doesnot determineittobemyself.Thesefiveclingingaggregatesnotattachedto, notclungtoleadtohislongtermhappiness&wellbeing. Evenso,myfriendSariputta,arethosewhohavepeoplelikeyouastheir fellowsintheholylife,teachingthem,admonishingthemoutofsympathy, desiringtheirwelfare.FornowthatIhaveheardthisexplanationoftheDhamma fromyou,mymindthroughlackofclinging/sustenancehasbeenreleased fromfermentations. Seealso:MN72

ToAnuradha AnuradhaSutta(XXII.86) IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearVesali,inthe GreatWood,attheHalloftheGabledPavilion.AtthattimeVen.Anuradhawas stayingnotfarfromtheBlessedOneinawildernesshut. ThenalargenumberofwanderingsectarianswenttoVen.Anuradhaandon arrivalexchangedcourteousgreetingswithhim.Afteranexchangeoffriendly greetings&courtesies,theysattooneside.Astheyweresittingthere,theysaid toVen.Anuradha,FriendAnuradha,theTathagatathesuprememan,the superlativeman,attainerofthesuperlativeattainmentbeingdescribed,is describedwith[oneof]thesefourpositions:TheTathagataexistsafterdeath, doesnotexistafterdeath,bothdoes&doesnotexistafterdeath,neitherexists nordoesnotexistafterdeath. Whenthiswassaid,Ven.Anuradhasaidtothewanderingsectarians, Friends,theTathagatathesuprememan,thesuperlativeman,attainerofthe superlativeattainmentbeingdescribed,isdescribedotherwisethanwiththese

43 fourpositions:TheTathagataexistsafterdeath,doesnotexistafterdeath,both does&doesnotexistafterdeath,neitherexistsnordoesnotexistafterdeath. Whenthiswassaid,thewanderingsectarianssaidtoVen.Anuradha,This monkiseitheranewcomer,notlonggoneforth,orelseanelderwhoisfoolish& inexperienced.Sothewanderingsectarians,addressingVen.Anuradhaasthey wouldanewcomerorafool,gotupfromtheirseatsandleft. Thennotlongafterthewanderingsectarianshadleft,thisthoughtoccurred toVen.Anuradha:IfIamquestionedagainbythosewanderingsectarians, howwillIanswerinsuchawaythatwillIspeakinlinewithwhattheBlessed Onehassaid,willnotmisrepresenttheBlessedOnewithwhatisunfactual,will answerinlinewiththeDhamma,sothatnoonewhosethinkingisinlinewith theDhammawillhavegroundsforcriticizingme? ThenVen.AnuradhawenttotheBlessedOneandonarrival,havingbowed downtotheBlessedOne,sattooneside.Ashewassittingtherehesaidtothe BlessedOne:JustnowIwasstayingnotfarfromtheBlessedOneina wildernesshut.Thenalargenumberofwanderingsectarianscameand....said tome,FriendAnuradha,theTathagatathesuprememan,thesuperlative man,attainerofthesuperlativeattainmentbeingdescribed,isdescribedwith [oneof]thesefourpositions:TheTathagataexistsafterdeath,doesnotexistafter death,bothdoes&doesnotexistafterdeath,neitherexistsnordoesnotexist afterdeath. Whenthiswassaid,Isaidtothem,Friends,theTathagatathesupreme man,thesuperlativeman,attainerofthesuperlativeattainmentbeing described,isdescribedotherwisethanwiththesefourpositions:TheTathagata existsafterdeath,doesnotexistafterdeath,bothdoes&doesnotexistafter death,neitherexistsnordoesnotexistafterdeath. Whenthiswassaid,thewanderingsectarianssaidtome,Thismonkis eitheranewcomer,notlonggoneforth,orelseanelderwhoisfoolish& inexperienced.So,addressingmeastheywouldanewcomerorafool,theygot upfromtheirseatsandleft. Thennotlongafterthewanderingsectarianshadleft,thisthoughtoccurred tome:IfIamquestionedagainbythosewanderingsectarians,howwillI answerinsuchawaythatwillIspeakinlinewithwhattheBlessedOnehas said,willnotmisrepresenttheBlessedOnewithwhatisunfactual,willanswer inlinewiththeDhamma,andnoonewhosethinkingisinlinewiththeDhamma willhavegroundsforcriticizingme? Howdoyouconstruethis,Anuradha:Isformconstantorinconstant?

44 Inconstant,lord. Andisthatwhichisinconstanteasefulorstressful? Stressful,lord. Andisitpropertoregardwhatisinconstant,stressful,subjecttochangeas: Thisismine.Thisismyself.ThisiswhatIam? No,lord. Isfeelingconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord.... Isperceptionconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord.... Arefabricationsconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord.... Isconsciousnessconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord. Andisthatwhichisinconstanteasefulorstressful? Stressful,lord. Andisitpropertoregardwhatisinconstant,stressful,subjecttochangeas: Thisismine.Thisismyself.ThisiswhatIam? No,lord. Howdoyouconstruethis,Anuradha:Doyouregardformasthe Tathagata? No,lord. DoyouregardfeelingastheTathagata? No,lord. DoyouregardperceptionastheTathagata? No,lord. DoyouregardfabricationsastheTathagata? No,lord. DoyouregardconsciousnessastheTathagata? No,lord. Howdoyouconstruethis,Anuradha:DoyouregardtheTathagataasbeing inform?....Elsewherethanform?....Infeeling?....Elsewherethanfeeling?....In perception?....Elsewherethanperception?....Infabrications?....Elsewherethan fabrications?....Inconsciousness?....Elsewherethanconsciousness? No,lord. Howdoyouconstruethis:DoyouregardtheTathagataasformfeeling perceptionfabricationsconsciousness?

45 No,lord. DoyouregardtheTathagataasthatwhichiswithoutform,withoutfeeling, withoutperception,withoutfabrications,withoutconsciousness? No,lord. Andso,AnuradhawhenyoucantpindowntheTathagataasatruthor realityeveninthepresentlifeisitproperforyoutodeclare,Friends,the Tathagatathesuprememan,thesuperlativeman,attainerofthesuperlative attainmentbeingdescribed,isdescribedotherwisethanwiththesefour positions:TheTathagataexistsafterdeath,doesnotexistafterdeath,bothdoes &doesnotexistafterdeath,neitherexistsnordoesnotexistafterdeath? No,lord. Verygood,Anuradha.Verygood.Bothformerly&now,itisonlystress thatIdescribe,andthecessationofstress. Seealso:MN72

AboutKhemaka KhemakaSutta(SNXXII.89) OnoneoccasionmanyeldermonkswerestayingatKosambiinGhositasPark. AndatthattimeVen.KhemakawasstayingattheJujubeTreePark,diseased,in pain,severelyill.Theninthelateafternoontheeldermonkslefttheirseclusion andaddressedVen.Dasaka,[saying,]Come,friendDasaka.Gotothemonk Khemakaandonarrivalsaytohim,Theelders,friendKhemaka,saytoyou, Wehopeyouaregettingbetter,friend.Wehopeyouarecomfortable.Wehope thatyourpainsarelesseningandnotincreasing.Wehopethattherearesignsof theirlessening,andnotoftheirincreasing. Replying,Asyousay,friends,totheeldermonks,Ven.Dasakawentto Ven.Khemakaandonarrivalsaidtohim:Theelders,friendKhemaka,sayto you,Wehopeyouaregettingbetter,friend.Wehopeyouarecomfortable.We hopethatyourpainsarelesseningandnotincreasing.Wehopethatthereare signsoftheirlessening,andnotoftheirincreasing. Iamnotgettingbetter,myfriend.Iamnotcomfortable.Myextremepains areincreasing,notlessening.Therearesignsoftheirincreasing,andnotoftheir lessening.

46 ThenVen.Dasakawenttotheeldermonksand,onarrival,saidtothem, ThemonkKhemakahassaidtome,Iamnotgettingbetter,myfriend.Iam notcomfortable.Myextremepainsareincreasing,notlessening.Therearesigns oftheirincreasing,andnotoftheirlessening. Come,friendDasaka.GotothemonkKhemakaandonarrivalsaytohim, Theelders,friendKhemaka,saytoyou,Concerningthesefiveclinging aggregatesdescribedbytheBlessedOnei.e.,formasaclingingaggregate, feelingasaclingingaggregate,perceptionasaclingingaggregate,fabrications asaclingingaggregate,consciousnessasaclingingaggregate:Doyouassume anythingwithregardtothesefiveclingingaggregatestobeselforbelongingto self? Replying,Asyousay,friends,totheeldermonks,Ven.Dasakawentto Ven.Khemakaandonarrivalsaidtohim,Theelders,friendKhemaka,sayto you,ConcerningthesefiveclingingaggregatesdescribedbytheBlessed Onei.e.,formasaclingingaggregate,feelingasaclingingaggregate, perceptionasaclingingaggregate,fabricationsasaclingingaggregate, consciousnessasaclingingaggregate:Doyouassumeanythingwithregardto thesefiveclingingaggregatestobeselforbelongingtoself? Friend,concerningthesefiveclingingaggregatesdescribedbytheBlessed Onei.e.,formasaclingingaggregatefeelingperceptionfabrications consciousnessasaclingingaggregate:Withregardtothesefiveclinging aggregates,thereisnothingIassumetobeselforbelongingtoself. ThenVen.Dasakawenttotheeldermonksand,onarrival,saidtothem, ThemonkKhemakahassaidtome,Friend,concerningthesefiveclinging aggregatesdescribedbytheBlessedOnei.e.,formasaclingingaggregate feelingperceptionfabricationsconsciousnessasaclingingaggregate:With regardtothesefiveclingingaggregates,thereisnothingIassumetobeselfor belongingtoself. Come,friendDasaka.GotothemonkKhemakaandonarrivalsaytohim, Theelders,friendKhemaka,saytoyou,Concerningthesefiveclinging aggregatesdescribedbytheBlessedOnei.e.,formasaclingingaggregate feelingperceptionfabricationsconsciousnessasaclingingaggregate:If, withregardtothesefiveclingingaggregates,Ven.Khemakaassumesnothingto beselforbelongingtoself,thenVen.Khemakaisanarahant,devoidof fermentations. Replying,Asyousay,friends,totheeldermonks,Ven.Dasakawentto Ven.Khemakaandonarrivalsaidtohim,Theelders,friendKhemaka,sayto

47 you,ConcerningthesefiveclingingaggregatesdescribedbytheBlessed Onei.e.,formasaclingingaggregatefeelingperceptionfabrications consciousnessasaclingingaggregate:If,withregardtothesefiveclinging aggregates,Ven.Khemakaassumesnothingtobeselforbelongingtoself,then Ven.Khemakaisanarahant,devoidoffermentations. Friend,concerningthesefiveclingingaggregatesdescribedbytheBlessed Onei.e.,formasaclingingaggregatefeelingperceptionfabrications consciousnessasaclingingaggregate:Withregardtothesefiveclinging aggregates,thereisnothingIassumetobeselforbelongingtoself,andyetIam notanarahant.Withregardtothesefiveclingingaggregates,Iamhasnot beenovercome,althoughIdontassumethatIamthis. ThenVen.Dasakawenttotheeldermonksand,onarrival,saidtothem, ThemonkKhemakahassaidtome,Friend,concerningthesefiveclinging aggregatesdescribedbytheBlessedOnei.e.,formasaclingingaggregate feelingperceptionfabricationsconsciousnessasaclingingaggregate:With regardtothesefiveclingingaggregates,thereisnothingIassumetobeselfor belongingtoself,andyetIamnotanarahant.Withregardtothesefiveclinging aggregates,Iamhasnotbeenovercome,althoughIdontassumethatIam this. Come,friendDasaka.GotothemonkKhemakaandonarrivalsaytohim, Theelders,friendKhemaka,saytoyou,FriendKhemaka,thisIamof whichyouspeak:whatdoyousayIam?Doyousay,Iamform,ordo yousay,Iamsomethingotherthanform?Doyousay,Iamfeeling perceptionfabricationsconsciousness,ordoyousay,Iamsomething otherthanconsciousness?ThisIamofwhichyouspeak:whatdoyousay Iam? Replying,Asyousay,friends,totheeldermonks,Ven.Dasakawentto Ven.Khemakaandonarrivalsaidtohim,Theelders,friendKhemaka,sayto you,FriendKhemaka,thisIamofwhichyouspeak:whatdoyousayI am?Doyousay,Iamform,ordoyousay,Iamsomethingotherthan form?Doyousay,Iamfeelingperceptionfabricationsconsciousness, ordoyousay,Iamsomethingotherthanconsciousness?ThisIamof whichyouspeak:whatdoyousayIam? Enough,friendDasaka.Whatisaccomplishedbythisrunningback&forth? Fetchmemystaff.Iwillgototheeldermonksmyself. ThenVen.Khemaka,leaningonhisstaff,wenttotheeldermonksand,on arrival,exchangedcourteousgreetingswiththem.Afteranexchangeoffriendly

48 greetings&courtesies,hesattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,theelder monkssaidtohim,FriendKhemaka,thisIamofwhichyouspeak:whatdo yousayIam?Doyousay,Iamform,ordoyousay,Iamsomething otherthanform?Doyousay,Iamfeelingperceptionfabrications consciousness,ordoyousay,Iamsomethingotherthanconsciousness? ThisIamofwhichyouspeak:whatdoyousayIam? Friends,itsnotthatIsayIamform,nordoIsayIamsomething otherthanform.ItsnotthatIsay,Iamfeelingperceptionfabrications consciousness,nordoIsay,Iamsomethingotherthanconsciousness.With regardtothesefiveclingingaggregates,Iamhasnotbeenovercome, althoughIdontassumethatIamthis. Itsjustlikethescentofablue,red,orwhitelotus:Ifsomeoneweretocall itthescentofapetalorthescentofthecolororthescentofafilament,wouldhe bespeakingcorrectly? No,friend. Thenhowwouldhedescribeitifheweredescribingitcorrectly? Asthescentoftheflower:Thatshowhewoulddescribeitifhewere describingitcorrectly. Inthesameway,friends,itsnotthatIsayIamform,nordoIsayI amotherthanform.ItsnotthatIsay,Iamfeelingperception fabricationsconsciousness,nordoIsay,Iamsomethingotherthan consciousness.Withregardtothesefiveclingingaggregates,Iamhasnot beenovercome,althoughIdontassumethatIamthis. Friends,eventhoughanobledisciplehasabandonedthefivelowerfetters, hestillhaswithregardtothefiveclingingaggregatesalingeringresidualI amconceit,anIamdesire,anIamobsession.Butatalatertimehe keepsfocusingonthephenomenaofarising&passingawaywithregardtothe fiveclingingaggregates:Suchisform,suchitsorigin,suchitsdisappearance. Suchisfeeling....Suchisperception....Sucharefabrications....Suchis consciousness,suchitsorigin,suchitsdisappearance.Ashekeepsfocusingon thearising&passingawayofthesefiveclingingaggregates,thelingering residualIamconceit,Iamdesire,Iamobsessionisfullyobliterated. Justlikeacloth,dirty&stained:Itsownersgiveitovertoawasherman, whoscrubsitwithsaltearthorlyeorcowdungandthenrinsesitinclearwater. Noweventhoughtheclothisclean&spotless,itstillhasalingeringresidual scentofsaltearthorlyeorcowdung.Thewashermangivesittotheowners,the

49 ownersputitawayinascentinfusedwickerhamper,anditslingeringresidual scentofsaltearth,lye,orcowdungisfullyobliterated. Inthesameway,friends,eventhoughanobledisciplehasabandonedthe fivelowerfetters,hestillhaswithregardtothefiveclingingaggregatesa lingeringresidualIamconceit,anIamdesire,anIamobsession.But atalatertimehekeepsfocusingonthephenomenaofarising&passingaway withregardtothefiveclingingaggregates:Suchisform,suchitsorigin,such itsdisappearance.Suchisfeeling....Suchisperception....Suchare fabrications....Suchisconsciousness,suchitsorigin,suchitsdisappearance.As hekeepsfocusingonthearising&passingawayofthesefiveclinging aggregates,thelingeringresidualIamconceit,Iamdesire,Iam obsessionisfullyobliterated. Whenthiswassaid,theeldermonkssaidtoVen.Khemaka,Wedidnt crossexamineVen.Khemakawiththepurposeoftroublinghim,justthat[we thought]Ven.KhemakaiscapableofdeclaringtheBlessedOnesmessage, teachingit,describingit,settingitforth,revealingit,explainingit,makingit plainjustashehasinfactdeclaredit,taughtit,describedit,setitforth, revealedit,explainedit,madeitplain. ThatiswhatVen.Khemakasaid.Gratified,theeldermonksdelightedinhis words.Andwhilethisexplanationwasbeinggiven,themindsofsixtysome monks,throughnoclinging,werefullyreleasedfromfermentationsaswas Ven.Khemakas.

ToChanna ChannaSutta(SNXXII.90) PassagesintheVinayashowthatVen.Channaapparently,PrinceSiddhatthas horsemanonthenightofhisGreatRenunciationwasproudandobdurate.After becomingamonk,hewasunwillingtoacceptinstructionfromanyoftheothermonks. (SeetheoriginstoriestoSanghadisesa12andPacittiya12.)DN16tellsofhowthe Buddha,onthenightofhisparinibbana,imposedthebrahmapunishmentonhim:he wastobelefttohisownwayswithoutanyonetoteachorcorrecthim.Accordingto Cv.XI,newsofthispunishmentsoshockedVen.Channathathefainted.Hethenwent offintoseclusionandpracticeddiligentlytothepointofattainingarahantship.AsVen.

50 Anandalatertoldhim,hisattainmentnullifiedthepunishment.Thissuttatellsa differentversionofChannaschangeofheart. OnoneoccasionmanyeldermonkswerestayingwerestayingnearVaranasiin theDeerParkatIsipatana.TheninthelateafternoonVen.Channalefthis seclusionand,takinghiskey,wentfromdwellingtodwelling,sayingtothe eldermonks,Maythevenerableeldersexhortme,maythevenerableelders teachme,maythevenerableeldersgivemeaDhammatalksothatImightsee theDhamma. Whenthiswassaid,theeldermonkssaidtoVen.Channa,Form,friend Channa,isinconstant.Feelingisinconstant.Perceptionisinconstant. Fabricationsareinconstant.Consciousnessisinconstant.Formisnotself.Feeling isnotself.Perceptionisnotself.Fabricationsarenotself.Consciousnessisnot self.Allfabricationsareinconstant.Allphenomenaarenotself. ThenthethoughtoccurredtoVen.Channa,I,too,thinkthatformis inconstant,feelingisinconstant,perceptionisinconstant,fabricationsare inconstant,consciousnessisinconstant;formisnotself,feelingisnotself, perceptionisnotself,fabricationsarenotself,consciousnessisnotself;all fabricationsareinconstant;allphenomenaarenotself.Butstillmyminddoes notleapup,growconfident,steadfast,&released(alternatereading:firm)inthe resolutionofallfabrications,therelinquishingofallacquisitions,theendingof craving,dispassion,cessation,Unbinding.Instead,agitation&clingingarise,and myintellectpullsback,thinking,Butwho,then,ismyself?Butthisthought doesntoccurtoonewhoseestheDhamma.Sowhomightteachmethe DhammasothatImightseetheDhamma? ThenthethoughtoccurredtoVen.Channa,ThisVen.Anandaisstayingat KosambiinGhositasPark.HehasbeenpraisedbytheTeacherandisesteemed byhisknowledgeablefellowsintheholylife.Heiscapableofteachingmethe DhammasothatImightseetheDhamma,andIhavesuddentrustinhim.Why dontIgotoVen.Ananda? So,settinghislodgingsinorderandcarryinghisrobes&bowl,Ven.Channa wenttoKosambitowhereVen.AnandawasstayinginGhositasPark.On arrival,heexchangedcourteousgreetingswiththemVen.AnandaAfteran exchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,hesattooneside.Ashewassitting there,he[toldVen.Anandawhathadhappenedandadded],MayVen.Ananda exhortme,mayVen.Anandateachme,mayVen.AnandagivemeaDhamma talksothatImightseetheDhamma.

51 Eventhismuchmakesmefeelgratified&satisfiedwithVen.Channa,that heopensup&breaksdownhisstubbornness.Solendear,friendChanna.You arecapableofunderstandingtheDhamma. Thenasuddengreatrapture&joywelledupinVen.Channaatthethought, SoIamcapableofunderstandingtheDhamma! FacetofacewiththeBlessedOnehaveIheardthis,friendChanna.Faceto facewithhimhaveIlearnedtheexhortationhegavetothebhikkhu Kaccayanagotta[SNXII.15]:By&large,Kaccayana,thisworldissupportedby (takesasitsobject)apolarity,thatofexistence&nonexistence.Butwhenone seestheoriginationoftheworldasitactuallyiswithrightdiscernment,non existencewithreferencetotheworlddoesnotoccurtoone.Whenoneseesthe cessationoftheworldasitactuallyiswithrightdiscernment,existencewith referencetotheworlddoesnotoccurtoone. By&large,Kaccayana,thisworldisinbondagetoattachments,clingings (sustenances),&biases.Butonesuchasthisdoesnotgetinvolvedwithorcling totheseattachments,clingings,fixationsofawareness,biases,orobsessions;nor isheresolvedonmyself.Hehasnouncertaintyordoubtthat,whenthereis arising,onlystressisarising;andthatwhenthereispassingaway,onlystressis passingaway.Inthis,onesknowledgeisindependentofothers.Itistothis extent,Kaccayana,thatthereisrightview. Everythingexists:Thatisoneextreme.Everythingdoesntexist: Thatisasecondextreme.Avoidingthesetwoextremes,theTathagatateachesthe Dhammaviathemiddle:Fromignoranceasarequisiteconditioncome fabrications. Fromfabricationsasarequisiteconditioncomesconsciousness. Fromconsciousnessasarequisiteconditioncomesname&form. Fromname&formasarequisiteconditioncomethesixsensemedia. Fromthesixsensemediaasarequisiteconditioncomescontact. Fromcontactasarequisiteconditioncomesfeeling. Fromfeelingasarequisiteconditioncomescraving. Fromcravingasarequisiteconditioncomesclinging/sustenance. Fromclinging/sustenanceasarequisiteconditioncomesbecoming. Frombecomingasarequisiteconditioncomesbirth. Frombirthasarequisitecondition,thenaging&death,sorrow,lamentation, pain,distress,&despaircomeintoplay.Suchistheoriginationofthisentire massofstress&suffering.

52 Nowfromtheremainderlessfading&cessationofthatveryignorance comesthecessationoffabrications.Fromthecessationoffabricationscomesthe cessationofconsciousness.Fromthecessationofconsciousnesscomesthe cessationofname&form.Fromthecessationofname&formcomesthe cessationofthesixsensemedia.Fromthecessationofthesixsensemediacomes thecessationofcontact.Fromthecessationofcontactcomesthecessationof feeling.Fromthecessationoffeelingcomesthecessationofcraving.Fromthe cessationofcravingcomesthecessationofclinging/sustenance.Fromthe cessationofclinging/sustenancecomesthecessationofbecoming.Fromthe cessationofbecomingcomesthecessationofbirth.Fromthecessationofbirth, thenaging&death,sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairallcease.Such isthecessationofthisentiremassofstress&suffering. Thatshowitis,friendAnanda,forthosewhohasfriendsintheholylife likeVen.Anandasympathetic,helpful,exhorting,&teaching.Justnow,forme, listeningtoVen.AnandasDhammateaching,hastheDhammabeen penetrated.

TheRiver NadiSutta(XXII.93) AtSavatthi.TheretheBlessedOnesaid,Monks,supposetherewereariver, flowingdownfromthemountains,goingfar,itscurrentswift,carrying everythingwithit,andholdingontobothbankskasagrasses,kusagrasses, reeds,biranagrasses,&treesweregrowing.Thenamansweptawaybythe currentwouldgrabholdofthekasagrasses,buttheywouldtearaway,andso fromthatcausehewouldcometodisaster.Hewouldgrabholdofthekusa grasses...thereeds...thebiranagrasses...thetrees,buttheywouldtearaway, andsofromthatcausehewouldcometodisaster. Inthesameway,thereisthecasewhereanuninstructed,runofthemill personwhohasnoregardfornobleones,isnotwellversedordisciplinedin theirDhamma;whohasnoregardformenofintegrity,isnotwellversedor disciplinedintheirDhammaassumesformtobetheself,ortheselfas possessingform,orformasintheself,ortheselfasinform.Thatformtears awayfromhim,andsofromthatcausehewouldcometodisaster.

53 Heassumesfeelingtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingfeeling,orfeeling asintheself,ortheselfasinfeeling.Thatfeelingtearsawayfromhim,andso fromthatcausehewouldcometodisaster. Heassumesperceptiontobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingperception,or perceptionasintheself,ortheselfasinperception.Thatperceptiontearsaway fromhim,andsofromthatcausehewouldcometodisaster. Heassumes(mental)fabricationstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessing fabrications,orfabricationsasintheself,ortheselfasinfabrications.Those fabricationstearawayfromhim,andsofromthatcausehewouldcometo disaster. Heassumesconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessing consciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness.That consciousnesstearsawayfromhim,andsofromthatcausehewouldcometo disaster. Now,monks,whatdoyouthink:Isformconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord. Isfeelingconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord. Isperceptionconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord. Arefabricationsconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord. Isconsciousnessconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord. Thus,monks,whateverformispast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal; blatantorsubtle,commonorsublime;farornear:allformistobeseenasit actuallyiswithrightdiscernment:Thisisnotmine.Thisisnotmyself.Thisis notwhatIam. Whateverfeeling....Whateverperception....Whateverfabrications.... Whateverconsciousnessispast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal; blatantorsubtle,commonorsublime;farornear:allconsciousnessistobeseen asitactuallyiswithrightdiscernment:Thisisnotmine.Thisisnotmyself. ThisisnotwhatIam. Seeingthus,thewellinstructeddiscipleofthenobleonesgrows disenchantedwithform,disenchantedwithfeeling,disenchantedwith perception,disenchantedwithfabrications,disenchantedwithconsciousness. Disenchanted,hegrowsdispassionate.Throughdispassion,heisreleased.With

54 release,thereistheknowledge,Released.HediscernsthatBirthisended, theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthisworld.

Foam PhenaSutta(XXII.95) OnoneoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingamongtheAyojjhansonthebanks oftheGangesRiver.Thereheaddressedthemonks:Monks,supposethata largegloboffoamwerefloatingdownthisGangesRiver,andamanwithgood eyesightweretoseeit,observeit,&appropriatelyexamineit.Tohimseeingit, observingit,&appropriatelyexaminingititwouldappearempty,void, withoutsubstance:forwhatsubstancewouldtherebeinagloboffoam?Inthe sameway,amonksees,observes,&appropriatelyexaminesanyformthatis past,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantorsubtle;commonor sublime;farornear.Tohimseeingit,observingit,&appropriatelyexamining ititwouldappearempty,void,withoutsubstance:forwhatsubstancewould therebeinform? Nowsupposethatintheautumnwhenitsraininginfat,heavydropsa waterbubbleweretoappear&disappearonthewater,andamanwithgood eyesightweretoseeit,observeit,&appropriatelyexamineit.Tohimseeingit, observingit,&appropriatelyexaminingititwouldappearempty,void, withoutsubstance:forwhatsubstancewouldtherebeinawaterbubble?Inthe sameway,amonksees,observes,&appropriatelyexaminesanyfeelingthatis past,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantorsubtle;commonor sublime;farornear.Tohimseeingit,observingit,&appropriatelyexamining ititwouldappearempty,void,withoutsubstance:forwhatsubstancewould therebeinfeeling? Nowsupposethatinthelastmonthofthehotseasonamiragewere shimmering,andamanwithgoodeyesightweretoseeit,observeit,& appropriatelyexamineit.Tohimseeingit,observingit,&appropriately examiningititwouldappearempty,void,withoutsubstance:forwhat substancewouldtherebeinamirage?Inthesameway,amonksees,observes,& appropriatelyexaminesanyperceptionthatispast,future,orpresent;internalor external;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear.Tohimseeingit,

55 observingit,&appropriatelyexaminingititwouldappearempty,void, withoutsubstance:forwhatsubstancewouldtherebeinperception? Nowsupposethatamandesiringheartwood,inquestofheartwood, seekingheartwood,weretogointoaforestcarryingasharpax.Therehewould seealargebananatree:straight,young,ofenormousheight.Hewouldcutitat therootand,havingcutitattheroot,wouldchopoffthetop.Havingchopped offthetop,hewouldpeelawaytheouterskin.Peelingawaytheouterskin,he wouldntevenfindsapwood,tosaynothingofheartwood.Thenamanwith goodeyesightwouldseeit,observeit,&appropriatelyexamineit.To himseeingit,observingit,&appropriatelyexaminingititwouldappear empty,void,withoutsubstance:forwhatsubstancewouldtherebeinabanana tree?Inthesameway,amonksees,observes,&appropriatelyexaminesany fabricationsthatarepast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantor subtle;commonorsublime;farornear.Tohimseeingthem,observingthem,& appropriatelyexaminingthemtheywouldappearempty,void,without substance:forwhatsubstancewouldtherebeinfabrications? Nowsupposethatamagicianormagiciansapprenticeweretodisplaya magictrickatamajorintersection,andamanwithgoodeyesightweretoseeit, observeit,&appropriatelyexamineit.Tohimseeingit,observingit,& appropriatelyexaminingititwouldappearempty,void,withoutsubstance:for whatsubstancewouldtherebeinamagictrick?Inthesameway,amonksees, observes,&appropriatelyexaminesanyconsciousnessthatispast,future,or present;internalorexternal;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear. Tohimseeingit,observingit,&appropriatelyexaminingititwouldappear empty,void,withoutsubstance:forwhatsubstancewouldtherebein consciousness? Seeingthus,thewellinstructeddiscipleofthenobleonesgrows disenchantedwithform,disenchantedwithfeeling,disenchantedwith perception,disenchantedwithfabrications,disenchantedwithconsciousness. Disenchanted,hegrowsdispassionate.Throughdispassion,hesreleased.With releasetherestheknowledge,Released.HediscernsthatBirthisended, theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthisworld. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWellGone,the Teacher,saidfurther: Formislikeagloboffoam; feeling,abubble;

56 perception,amirage; fabrications,abananatree; consciousness,amagictrick thishasbeentaught bytheKinsmanoftheSun. Howeveryouobservethem, appropriatelyexaminethem, theyreempty,void towhoeverseesthem appropriately. Beginningwiththebody astaughtbytheOne withprofounddiscernment: whenabandonedbythreethings life,warmth,&consciousness formisrejected,castaside. Whenbereftofthese itliesthrownaway, senseless, amealforothers. Thatsthewayitgoes: itsamagictrick, anidiotsbabbling. Itssaidtobe amurderer. Nosubstancehere isfound.
1

Thusamonk,persistencearoused, shouldviewtheaggregates byday&bynight, mindful, alert; shoulddiscardallfetters; shouldmakehimself hisownrefuge; shouldliveasif

57 hisheadwereonfire inhopesofthestate withnofallingaway. NOTE:1.SeeSNXXII.85.

TheTipoftheFingernail NakhasikhaSutta(SNXXII.97) AtSavatthi.Sittingtooneside,amonksaidtotheBlessedOne,Lord,isthere anyformthatisconstant,lasting,eternal,notsubjecttochange,thatwillstayjust asitisforeternity?IsthereanyfeelinganyperceptionArethereany fabricationsIsthereanyconsciousnessthatisconstant,lasting,eternal,not subjecttochange,thatwillstayjustasitisforeternity? No,monk,thereisnoformnofeelingnoperceptionthereareno fabricationsthereisnoconsciousnessthatisconstant,lasting,eternal,not subjecttochange,thatwillstayjustasitisforeternity. ThentheBlessedOne,pickingupatinybitofdustwiththetipofhis fingernail,saidtothemonk,Thereisnteventhismuchformthatisconstant, lasting,eternal,notsubjecttochange,thatwillstayjustasitisforeternity.If therewereeventhismuchformthatwasconstant,lasting,eternal,notsubjectto change,thatwouldstayjustasitisforeternity,thenthislivingoftheholylifefor therightendingofsuffering&stresswouldnotbediscerned.Butbecausethere isnteventhismuchformthatisconstant,lasting,eternal,notsubjecttochange, thatwillstayjustasitisforeternity,thislivingoftheholylifefortheright endingofsuffering&stressisdiscerned. Thereisnteventhismuchfeeling. Thereisnteventhismuchperception. Therearenteventhismanyfabrications. Thereisnteventhismuchconsciousnessthatisconstant,lasting,eternal, notsubjecttochange,thatwillstayjustasitisforeternity.Iftherewereeventhis muchconsciousnessthatwasconstant,lasting,eternal,notsubjecttochange,that wouldstayjustasitisforeternity,thenthislivingoftheholylifefortheright endingofsuffering&stresswouldnotbediscerned.Butbecausethereisnt eventhismuchconsciousnessthatisconstant,lasting,eternal,notsubjectto
1

58 change,thatwillstayjustasitisforeternity,thislivingoftheholylifeforthe rightendingofsuffering&stressisdiscerned. Whatdoyouthink,monkIsformconstantorinconstant?Inconstant, lord.Andisthatwhichisinconstanteasefulorstressful?Stressful,lord. Andisitfittingtoregardwhatisinconstant,stressful,subjecttochangeas: Thisismine.Thisismyself.ThisiswhatIam? No,lord. ...Isfeelingconstantorinconstant?Inconstant,lord..... ...Isperceptionconstantorinconstant?Inconstant,lord..... ...Arefabricationsconstantorinconstant?Inconstant,lord..... Whatdoyouthink,monkIsconsciousnessconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord.Andisthatwhichisinconstanteasefulorstressful? Stressful,lord.Andisitfittingtoregardwhatisinconstant,stressful, subjecttochangeas:Thisismine.Thisismyself.ThisiswhatIam? No,lord. Thus,monk,anyformwhatsoeverthatispast,future,orpresent;internalor external;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear:everyformistobe seenasitactuallyiswithrightdiscernmentas:Thisisnotmine.Thisisnotmy self.ThisisnotwhatIam. Anyfeelingwhatsoever.... Anyperceptionwhatsoever.... Anyfabricationswhatsoever.... Anyconsciousnesswhatsoeverthatispast,future,orpresent;internalor external;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear:everyconsciousness istobeseenasitactuallyiswithrightdiscernmentas:Thisisnotmine.Thisis notmyself.ThisisnotwhatIam. Seeingthus,theinstructeddiscipleofthenobleonesgrowsdisenchanted withform,disenchantedwithfeeling,disenchantedwithperception, disenchantedwithfabrications,disenchantedwithconsciousness.Disenchanted, hebecomesdispassionate.Throughdispassion,heisfullyreleased.Withfull release,thereistheknowledge,Fullyreleased.HediscernsthatBirthis ended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthis world. NOTE:1.SeeMN109,note1.

59 TheLeash(1) GaddulaSutta(XXII.99) AtSavatthi.TheretheBlessedOnesaid:Monks,fromaninconceivable beginningcomestransmigration.Abeginningpointisnotevident,although beingshinderedbyignoranceandfetteredbycravingaretransmigrating& wanderingon. Therecomesatimewhenthegreatoceanevaporates,driesup,&doesnot exist.Butforbeingsaslongastheyarehinderedbyignorance,fetteredby craving,transmigrating&wanderingonIdontsaythatthereisanendof suffering&stress. TherecomesatimewhenSineru,kingofmountains,isconsumedwith flame,isdestroyed,&doesnotexist.Butforbeingsaslongastheyarehindered byignorance,fetteredbycraving,transmigrating&wanderingonIdontsay thatthereisanendofsuffering&stress. Therecomesatimewhenthegreatearthisconsumedwithflame,is destroyed,&doesnotexist.Butforbeingsaslongastheyarehinderedby ignorance,fetteredbycraving,transmigrating&wanderingonIdontsaythat thereisanendofsuffering&stress. Justasadog,tiedbyaleashtoapostorstake,keepsrunningaroundand circlingaroundthatverypostorstake;inthesameway,anuninstructed,runof themillpersonwhohasnoregardfornobleones,isnotwellversedor disciplinedintheirDhamma;whohasnoregardforpeopleofintegrity,isnot wellversedordisciplinedintheirDhammaassumesformtobetheself,orthe selfaspossessingform,orformasintheself,ortheselfasinform. Heassumesfeelingtobetheself.... Heassumesperceptiontobetheself.... Heassumes(mental)fabricationstobetheself.... Heassumesconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessing consciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness. Hekeepsrunningaroundandcirclingaroundthatveryform...thatvery feeling...thatveryperception...thoseveryfabrications...thatvery consciousness.Heisnotsetloosefromform,notsetloosefromfeeling...from perception...fromfabrications...notsetloosefromconsciousness.Heisnotset loosefrombirth,aging,&death;fromsorrows,lamentations,pains,distresses,& despairs.Heisnotsetloose,Itellyou,fromsuffering&stress.

60 Butawellinstructeddiscipleofthenobleoneswhohasregardfornoble ones,iswellversed&disciplinedintheirDhamma;whohasregardforpeopleof integrity,iswellversed&disciplinedintheirDhammadoesntassumeform tobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingform,orformasintheself,ortheselfasin form. Hedoesntassumefeelingtobetheself.... Hedoesntassumeperceptiontobetheself.... Hedoesntassumefabricationstobetheself.... Hedoesntassumeconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessing consciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness. Hedoesntrunaroundorcirclearoundthatveryform...thatvery feeling...thatveryperception...thoseveryfabrications...thatvery consciousness.Heissetloosefromform,setloosefromfeeling...from perception...fromfabrications...setloosefromconsciousness.Heissetloose frombirth,aging,&death;fromsorrows,lamentations,pains,distresses,& despairs.Heissetloose,Itellyou,fromsuffering&stress. TheLeash(2) GaddulaSutta(XXII.100) AtSavatthi.TheretheBlessedOnesaid:Monks,fromaninconceivable beginningcomestransmigration.Abeginningpointisnotevident,although beingshinderedbyignoranceandfetteredbycravingaretransmigrating& wanderingon. Itsjustaswhenadogistiedbyaleashtoapostorstake:Ifitwalks,it walksrightaroundthatpostorstake.Ifitstands,itstandsrightnexttothatpost orstake.Ifitsits,itsitsrightnexttothatpostorstake.Ifitliesdown,itliesdown rightnexttothatpostorstake. Inthesameway,anuninstructedrunofthemillpersonregardsformas: Thisismine,thisismyself,thisiswhatIam.Heregardsfeeling...perception ...fabrications...consciousnessas:Thisismine,thisismyself,thisiswhatI am.Ifhewalks,hewalksrightaroundthesefiveclingingaggregates.Ifhe stands,hestandsrightnexttothesefiveclingingaggregates.Ifhesits,hesits rightnexttothesefiveclingingaggregates.Ifheliesdown,heliesdownright nexttothesefiveclingingaggregates.Thusoneshouldreflectononesmind

61 witheverymoment:Foralongtimehasthismindbeendefiledbypassion, aversion,&delusion.Fromthedefilementofthemindarebeingsdefiled.From thepurificationofthemindarebeingspurified. Monks,haveyoueverseenamovingpictureshow? Yes,lord. Thatmovingpictureshowwascreatedbythemind.Andthismindiseven morevariegatedthanamovingpictureshow.Thusoneshouldreflectonones mindwitheverymoment:Foralongtimehasthismindbeendefiledby passion,aversion,&delusion.Fromthedefilementofthemindarebeings defiled.Fromthepurificationofthemindarebeingspurified. Monks,Icanimaginenoonegroupofbeingsmorevariegatedthanthatof commonanimals.Commonanimalsarecreatedbymind.Andthemindiseven morevariegatedthancommonanimals.Thusoneshouldreflectononesmind witheverymoment:Foralongtimehasthismindbeendefiledbypassion, aversion,&delusion.Fromthedefilementofthemindarebeingsdefiled.From thepurificationofthemindarebeingspurified. Itsjustaswhentherebeingdye,lac,yelloworpiment,indigo,or crimsonadyerorpainterwouldpaintthepictureofawomanoraman, completeinallitsparts,onawellpolishedpanelorwall,oronapieceofcloth; inthesameway,anuninstructed,runofthemillperson,whencreating,creates nothingbutform...feeling...perception...fabrications...consciousness. Nowwhatdoyouthink,monksIsformconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord.Andisthatwhichisinconstanteasefulorstressful? Stressful,lord.Andisitfittingtoregardwhatisinconstant,stressful, subjecttochangeas:Thisismine.Thisismyself.ThisiswhatIam? No,lord. ...Isfeelingconstantorinconstant?Inconstant,lord..... ...Isperceptionconstantorinconstant?Inconstant,lord..... ...Arefabricationsconstantorinconstant?Inconstant,lord..... Whatdoyouthink,monksIsconsciousnessconstantorinconstant? Inconstant,lord.Andisthatwhichisinconstanteasefulorstressful? Stressful,lord.Andisitfittingtoregardwhatisinconstant,stressful, subjecttochangeas:Thisismine.Thisismyself.ThisiswhatIam? No,lord. Thus,monks,anyformwhatsoeverthatispast,future,orpresent;internal orexternal;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear:everyformistobe
1

62 seenasitactuallyiswithrightdiscernmentas:Thisisnotmine.Thisisnotmy self.ThisisnotwhatIam. Anyfeelingwhatsoever.... Anyperceptionwhatsoever.... Anyfabricationswhatsoever.... Anyconsciousnesswhatsoeverthatispast,future,orpresent;internalor external;blatantorsubtle;commonorsublime;farornear:everyconsciousness istobeseenasitactuallyiswithrightdiscernmentas:Thisisnotmine.Thisis notmyself.ThisisnotwhatIam. Seeingthus,thewellinstructeddiscipleofthenobleonesgrows disenchantedwiththebody,disenchantedwithfeeling,disenchantedwith perception,disenchantedwithfabrications,disenchantedwithconsciousness. Disenchanted,hebecomesdispassionate.Throughdispassion,heisfully released.Withfullrelease,thereistheknowledge,Fullyreleased.Hediscerns thatBirthisended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurther forthisworld. NOTE:1.Amovingpictureshowwasanancientformofentertainmentin Asia,inwhichsemitransparentpictureswereplacedinfrontofalanterntocast imagesonwallsorclothscreensinordertoillustrateataletoldbyaprofessional storyteller.Descendantsofthisformofentertainmentincludetheshadow puppettheaterofEastandSoutheastAsia.

TheShip NavaSutta(XXII.101) AtSavatthi.TheretheBlessedOnesaid,Itellyou,monks:Itisforonewho knows&seesthatthereistheendingoffermentations.Foronewhoknows& seeswhatistheretheendingoffermentations?Suchisform,suchits origination,suchitspassingaway.Suchisfeeling....Suchisperception....Such arefabrications....Suchisconsciousness,suchitsorigination,suchitspassing away.Itisforonewhoknows&seesinthiswaythatthereistheendingof fermentations. Eventhoughthiswishmayoccurtoamonkwhodwellswithoutdevoting himselftodevelopmentOthatmymindmightbereleasedfrom

63 fermentationsthroughlackofclinging!stillhismindisnotreleasedfrom fermentationsthroughlackofclinging.Whyisthat?Fromlackofdeveloping,it shouldbesaid.Lackofdevelopingwhat?Thefourframesofreference,thefour rightexertions,thefourbasesofpower,thefivefaculties,thefivestrengths,the sevenfactorsforawakening,thenobleeightfoldpath. Supposeahenhaseight,ten,ortwelveeggs:Ifshedoesntcoverthem rightly,warmthemrightly,orincubatethemrightly,theneventhoughthiswish mayoccurtoherOthatmychicksmightbreakthroughtheeggshellswith theirspikedclawsorbeaksandhatchoutsafely!stillitisnotpossiblethatthe chickswillbreakthroughtheeggshellswiththeirspikedclawsorbeaksand hatchoutsafely.Whyisthat?Becausethehenhasnotcoveredthemrightly, warmedthemrightly,orincubatedthemrightly.Inthesameway,eventhough thiswishmayoccurtoamonkwhodwellswithoutdevotinghimselfto developmentOthatmymindmightbereleasedfromfermentationsthrough lackofclinging!stillhismindisnotreleasedfromfermentationsthroughlack ofclinging.Whyisthat?Fromlackofdeveloping,itshouldbesaid.Lackof developingwhat?Thefourframesofreference,thefourrightexertions,thefour basesofpower,thefivefaculties,thefivestrengths,thesevenfactorsfor awakening,thenobleeightfoldpath. Eventhoughthiswishmaynotoccurtoamonkwhodwellsdevoting himselftodevelopmentOthatmymindmightbereleasedfrom fermentationsthroughlackofclinging!stillhismindisreleasedfrom fermentationsthroughlackofclinging.Whyisthat?Fromdeveloping,itshould besaid.Developingwhat?Thefourframesofreference,thefourrightexertions, thefourbasesofpower,thefivefaculties,thefivestrengths,thesevenfactorsfor awakening,thenobleeightfoldpath. Supposeahenhaseight,ten,ortwelveeggsthatshecoversrightly,warms rightly,&incubatesrightly:EventhoughthiswishmaynotoccurtoherO thatmychicksmightbreakthroughtheeggshellswiththeirspikedclawsor beaksandhatchoutsafely!stillitispossiblethatthechickswillbreak throughtheeggshellswiththeirspikedclawsorbeaksandhatchoutsafely. Whyisthat?Becausethehenhascoveredthem,warmedthem,&incubated themrightly.Inthesameway,eventhoughthiswishmaynotoccurtoamonk whodwellsdevotinghimselftodevelopmentOthatmymindmightbe releasedfromfermentationsthroughlackofclinging!stillhismindisreleased fromfermentationsthroughlackofclinging.Whyisthat?Fromdeveloping,it shouldbesaid.Developingwhat?Thefourframesofreference,thefourright

64 exertions,thefourbasesofpower,thefivefaculties,thefivestrengths,theseven factorsforawakening,thenobleeightfoldpath. Justaswhenacarpenterorcarpentersapprenticeseesthemarksofhis fingersorthumbonthehandleofhisadzebutdoesnotknow,Todaymyadze handleworedownthismuch,oryesterdayitworedownthatmuch,ortheday beforeyesterdayitworedownthismuch,stillheknowsitiswornthrough whenitiswornthrough.Inthesameway,whenamonkdwellsdevotinghimself todevelopment,hedoesnotknow,Todaymyfermentationsworedownthis much,oryesterdaytheyworedownthatmuch,orthedaybeforeyesterdaythey woredownthismuch,stillheknowstheyarewornthroughwhentheyare wornthrough. Justaswhenanoceangoingship,riggedwithmasts&stays,aftersix monthsonthewater,isleftonshoreforthewinter:Itsstays,weatheredbythe heat&wind,moistenedbythecloudsoftherainyseason,easilywither&rot away.Inthesameway,whenamonkdwellsdevotinghimselftodevelopment, hisfetterseasilywither&rotaway.

Clinging UpadanaSutta(XXII.121) AtSavatthi.TheretheBlessedOnesaid,Monks,Iwillteachyouclingable phenomena&clinging.Listen&paycloseattention.Iwillspeak. Asyousay,lord,themonksresponded. TheBlessedOnesaid,Andwhat,monks,areclingablephenomena?Whatis clinging? Formisaclingablephenomenon.Anydesireorpassionrelatedtoit,is clingingrelatedtoit. Feelingisaclingablephenomenon.Anydesireorpassionrelatedtoit,is clingingrelatedtoit. Perceptionisaclingablephenomenon.Anydesireorpassionrelatedtoit,is clingingrelatedtoit. Fabricationsareclingablephenomena.Anydesireorpassionrelatedto them,isclingingrelatedtothem. Consciousnessisaclingablephenomenon.Anydesireorpassionrelatedto it,isclingingrelatedtoit.

65 Thesearecalledclingablephenomena.Thisisclinging.

Virtuous SilavantSutta(XXII.122) OnoneoccasionVen.Sariputta&Ven.MahaKotthitawerestayingnear VaranasiintheDeerParkatIsipatana.ThenVen.MahaKotthita,emergingfrom seclusioninthelateafternoon,wenttoVen.Sariputtaand,onarrival,exchanged courteousgreetingswithhim.Afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings& courtesies,hesattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtoVen.Sariputta, Sariputtamyfriend,whichthingsshouldavirtuousmonkattendtoinan appropriateway? Avirtuousmonk,Kotthitamyfriend,shouldattendinanappropriateway tothefiveclingingaggregatesasinconstant,stressful,adisease,acancer,an arrow,painful,anaffliction,alien,adissolution,anemptiness,notself.Which five?Formasaclingingaggregate,feeling...perception...fabrications... consciousnessasaclingingaggregate.Avirtuousmonkshouldattendinan appropriatewaytothesefiveclingingaggregatesasinconstant,stressful,a disease,acancer,anarrow,painful,anaffliction,alien,adissolution,an emptiness,notself.Foritispossiblethatavirtuousmonk,attendinginan appropriatewaytothesefiveclingingaggregatesasinconstant...notself,would realizethefruitofstreamentry. Thenwhichthingsshouldamonkwhohasattainedstreamentryattendto inanappropriateway? Amonkwhohasattainedstreamentryshouldattendinanappropriate waytothesefiveclingingaggregatesasinconstant,stressful,adisease,acancer, anarrow,painful,anaffliction,alien,adissolution,anemptiness,notself.Forit ispossiblethatamonkwhohasattainedstreamentry,attendinginan appropriatewaytothesefiveclingingaggregatesasinconstant...notself,would realizethefruitofoncereturning. Thenwhichthingsshouldamonkwhohasattainedoncereturningattend toinanappropriateway? Amonkwhohasattainedoncereturningshouldattendinanappropriate waytothesefiveclingingaggregatesasinconstant,stressful,adisease,acancer, anarrow,painful,anaffliction,alien,adissolution,anemptiness,notself.Forit

66 ispossiblethatamonkwhohasattainedoncereturning,attendinginan appropriatewaytothesefiveclingingaggregatesasinconstant...notself,would realizethefruitofnonreturning. Thenwhichthingsshouldamonkwhohasattainednonreturningattendto inanappropriateway? Amonkwhohasattainednonreturningshouldattendinanappropriate waytothesefiveclingingaggregatesasinconstant,stressful,adisease,acancer, anarrow,painful,anaffliction,alien,adissolution,anemptiness,notself.Forit ispossiblethatamonkwhohasattainednonreturning,attendinginan appropriatewaytothesefiveclingingaggregatesasinconstant...notself,would realizethefruitofarahantship. Thenwhichthingsshouldanarahantattendtoinanappropriateway? Anarahantshouldattendinanappropriatewaytothesefiveclinging aggregatesasinconstant,stressful,adisease,acancer,anarrow,painful,an affliction,alien,adissolution,anemptiness,notself.Although,foranarahant, thereisnothingfurthertodo,andnothingtoaddtowhathasbeendone,still thesethingswhendeveloped&pursuedleadbothtoapleasantabidinginthe here&nowandtomindfulness&alertness.

ABeing SattaSutta(XXIII.2) Anumberofdiscourses(amongthem,SNXXXV.191;ANVI.63)makethepoint thatthemindisfettered,notbythingslikethefiveaggregatesortheobjectsofthesix senses,butbytheactofpassion&delightforthem.Therearetwowaystotrytocut throughthisfetter.Oneistofocusonthedrawbacksofpassion&delightinandof themselves,seeingclearlythestress&sufferingtheyengenderinthemind.Theotheris toanalyzetheobjectsofpassion&delightinsuchawaythattheynolongerseemworthy ofinterest.Thissecondapproachistheonerecommendedinthisdiscourse:whenthe Buddhatalksofsmashing,scattering,&demolishingform(etc.)andmakingitunfit forplay,heisreferringtothepracticeofanalyzingformminutelyintoitscomponent partsuntilitnolongerseemsafitobjectforpassion&delight.Whenallfiveaggregates canbetreatedinthisway,themindisleftwithnoconditionedobjecttoserveasafocal pointforitspassion,andsoisreleasedattheveryleasttothestageofawakening callednonreturn.

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IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthiat JetasGrove,Anathapindikasmonastery.ThenVen.Radhawenttothe BlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohimsattooneside.Ashe wassittingtherehesaidtotheBlessedOne:Abeing,lord.Abeing,its said.Towhatextentisonesaidtobeabeing? Anydesire,passion,delight,orcravingforform,Radha:whenoneis caughtup(satta)there,tiedup(visatta)there,oneissaidtobeabeing(satta). Anydesire,passion,delight,orcravingforfeeling...perception... fabrications... Anydesire,passion,delight,orcravingforconsciousness,Radha:whenone iscaughtupthere,tiedupthere,oneissaidtobeabeing. Justaswhenboysorgirlsareplayingwithlittlesandcastles(lit:dirt houses):aslongastheyarenotfreefrompassion,desire,love,thirst,fever,& cravingforthoselittlesandcastles,thatshowlongtheyhavefunwiththose sandcastles,enjoythem,treasurethem,feelpossessiveofthem.Butwhenthey becomefreefrompassion,desire,love,thirst,fever,&cravingforthoselittle sandcastles,thentheysmashthem,scatterthem,demolishthemwiththeir handsorfeetandmakethemunfitforplay. Inthesameway,Radha,youtooshouldsmash,scatter,&demolishform, andmakeitunfitforplay.Practicefortheendingofcravingforform. Youshouldsmash,scatter,&demolishfeeling,andmakeitunfitforplay. Practicefortheendingofcravingforfeeling. Youshouldsmash,scatter,&demolishperception,andmakeitunfitfor play.Practicefortheendingofcravingforperception. Youshouldsmash,scatter,&demolishfabrications,andmakethemunfit forplay.Practicefortheendingofcravingforfabrications. Youshouldsmash,scatter,&demolishconsciousnessandmakeitunfitfor play.Practicefortheendingofcravingforconsciousnessbecausetheendingof craving,Radha,isUnbinding. Seealso:SNXXXV.205

TheEye CakkhuSutta(XXVII.1)

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AtSavatthi.Monks,anydesire&passionwithregardtotheeyeisadefilement ofthemind.Anydesire&passionwithregardtotheear...thenose...thetongue ...thebody...theintellectisadefilementofthemind.When,withregardtothese sixbases,thedefilementsofawarenessareabandoned,thenthemindisinclined torenunciation.Themindfosteredbyrenunciationfeelsmalleableforthedirect knowingofthosequalitiesworthrealizing. Forms RupaSutta(XXVII.2) AtSavatthi.Monks,anydesire&passionwithregardtoformsisadefilement ofthemind.Anydesire&passionwithregardtosounds...aromas...flavors... tactilesensations...ideasisadefilementofthemind.When,withregardtothese sixbases,thedefilementsofawarenessareabandoned,thenthemindisinclined torenunciation.Themindfosteredbyrenunciationfeelsmalleableforthedirect knowingofthosequalitiesworthrealizing. Consciousness VianaSutta(XXVII.3) AtSavatthi.Monks,anydesire&passionwithregardtoeyeconsciousnessisa defilementofthemind.Anydesire&passionwithregardtoearconsciousness... noseconsciousness...tongueconsciousness...bodyconsciousness...intellect consciousnessisadefilementofthemind.When,withregardtothesesixbases, thedefilementsofawarenessareabandoned,thenthemindisinclinedto renunciation.Themindfosteredbyrenunciationfeelsmalleableforthedirect knowingofthosequalitiesworthrealizing. Contact PhassaSutta(XXVII.4) AtSavatthi.Monks,anydesire&passionwithregardtocontactattheeyeisa defilementofthemind.Anydesire&passionwithregardtocontactattheear...

69 contactatthenose...contactatthetongue...contactatthebody...contactatthe intellectisadefilementofthemind.When,withregardtothesesixbases,the defilementsofawarenessareabandoned,thenthemindisinclinedto renunciation.Themindfosteredbyrenunciationfeelsmalleableforthedirect knowingofthosequalitiesworthrealizing. Feeling VedanaSutta(XXVII.5) AtSavatthi.Monks,anydesire&passionwithregardtofeelingbornofcontact attheeyeisadefilementofthemind.Anydesire&passionwithregardto feelingbornofcontactattheear...feelingbornofcontactatthenose...feeling bornofcontactatthetongue...feelingbornofcontactatthebody...feelingborn ofcontactattheintellectisadefilementofthemind.When,withregardtothese sixbases,thedefilementsofawarenessareabandoned,thenthemindisinclined torenunciation.Themindfosteredbyrenunciationfeelsmalleableforthedirect knowingofthosequalitiesworthrealizing. Perception SaaSutta(XXVII.6) AtSavatthi.Monks,anydesire&passionwithregardtoperception(naming, labeling)offormsisadefilementofthemind.Anydesire&passionwithregard toperceptionofsounds...perceptionofaromas...perceptionofflavors... perceptionoftactilesensations...perceptionofideasisadefilementofthemind. When,withregardtothesesixbases,thedefilementsofawarenessare abandoned,thenthemindisinclinedtorenunciation.Themindfosteredby renunciationfeelsmalleableforthedirectknowingofthosequalitiesworth realizing. Intention CetanaSutta(XXVII.7)

70 AtSavatthi.Monks,anydesire&passionwithregardtointentionsinvolving formsisadefilementofthemind.Anydesire&passionwithregardtointentions involvingsounds...intentionsinvolvingaromas...intentionsinvolvingflavors... intentionsinvolvingtactilesensations...intentionsinvolvingideasisa defilementofthemind.When,withregardtothesesixbases,thedefilementsof awarenessareabandoned,thenthemindisinclinedtorenunciation.Themind fosteredbyrenunciationfeelsmalleableforthedirectknowingofthosequalities worthrealizing. Craving TanhaSutta(XXVII.8) AtSavatthi.Monks,anydesire&passionwithregardtocravingforformsisa defilementofthemind.Anydesire&passionwithregardtocravingfor sounds...cravingforaromas...cravingforflavors...cravingfortactile sensations...cravingforideasisadefilementofthemind.When,withregardto thesesixbases,thedefilementsofawarenessareabandoned,thenthemindis inclinedtorenunciation.Themindfosteredbyrenunciationfeelsmalleablefor thedirectknowingofthosequalitiesworthrealizing. Properties DhatuSutta(XXVII.9) AtSavatthi.Monks,anydesire&passionwithregardtotheearthpropertyisa defilementofthemind.Anydesire&passionwithregardtotheliquid property...thefireproperty...thewindproperty...thespaceproperty...the consciousnesspropertyisadefilementofthemind.When,withregardtothese sixbases,thedefilementsofawarenessareabandoned,thenthemindisinclined torenunciation.Themindfosteredbyrenunciationfeelsmalleableforthedirect knowingofthosequalitiesworthrealizing. Aggregates KhandhaSutta(XXVII.10)

71 AtSavatthi.Monks,anydesire&passionwithregardtoformisadefilementof themind.Anydesire&passionwithregardtofeeling...perception... fabrications...consciousnessisadefilementofthemind.When,withregardto thesefivebases,thedefilementsofawarenessareabandoned,thenthemindis inclinedtorenunciation.Themindfosteredbyrenunciationfeelsmalleablefor thedirectknowingofthosequalitiesworthrealizing.