The Related Suttas Collection 22.64

7. The Perfected Ones

Conceiving

At Sāvatthī.

Then a bhikkhu went up to the Buddha … and asked him, “Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.”

“When you conceive, bhikkhu, you’re bound by Māra. Not conceiving, you’re free from the Wicked One.”

“Understood, Blessed One! Understood, Holy One!”

“But how do you see the detailed meaning of my brief statement?”

“Sir, when you conceive form you’re bound by Māra. Not conceiving, you’re free from the Wicked One. When you conceive feeling … perception … choices … consciousness, you’re bound by Māra. Not conceiving, you’re free from the Wicked One.

That’s how I understand the detailed meaning of the Buddha’s brief statement.”

“Good, good, bhikkhu! It’s good that you understand the detailed meaning of what I’ve said in brief like this.

When you conceive form you’re bound by Māra. Not conceiving, you’re free from the Wicked One. When you conceive feeling … perception … choices … consciousness, you’re bound by Māra. Not conceiving, you’re free from the Wicked One.

This is how to understand the detailed meaning of what I said in brief.” …

And that bhikkhu became one of the perfected.