Majjhima Nikāya 128

The Middle-Length Suttas Collection 128

Upakkilesasutta

Corruptions

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosambiyaṁ viharati ghositārāme.

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Kosambī, in Ghosita’s Monastery.

Tena kho pana samayena kosambiyaṁ bhikkhū bhaṇḍanajātā kalahajātā vivādāpannā aññamaññaṁ mukhasattīhi vitudantā viharanti.

Now at that time the bhikkhus of Kosambī were arguing, quarreling, and disputing, continually wounding each other with barbed words.

Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “idha, bhante, kosambiyaṁ bhikkhū bhaṇḍanajātā kalahajātā vivādāpannā aññamaññaṁ mukhasattīhi vitudantā viharanti. Sādhu, bhante, bhagavā yena te bhikkhū tenupasaṅkamatu anukampaṁ upādāyā”ti. Adhivāsesi bhagavā tuṇhībhāvena.

Then a bhikkhu went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and told him what was happening, adding: “Please, sir go to those bhikkhus out of compassion.” The Buddha consented with silence.

Atha kho bhagavā yena te bhikkhū tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te bhikkhū etadavoca: “alaṁ, bhikkhave, mā bhaṇḍanaṁ, mā kalahaṁ, mā viggahaṁ, mā vivādan”ti.

Then the Buddha went up to those bhikkhus and said, “Enough, bhikkhus! Stop arguing, quarreling, and disputing.”

Evaṁ vutte, aññataro bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “āgametu, bhante. Bhagavā dhammassāmī; appossukko, bhante, bhagavā diṭṭhadhammasukhavihāraṁ anuyutto viharatu; mayametena bhaṇḍanena kalahena viggahena vivādena paññāyissāmā”ti.

When he said this, one of the bhikkhus said to the Buddha, “Wait, sir! Let the Buddha, the Lord of the Dhamma, remain passive, dwelling in blissful meditation in the present life. We will be known for this arguing, quarreling, and disputing.”

Dutiyampi kho bhagavā te bhikkhū etadavoca: “alaṁ, bhikkhave, mā bhaṇḍanaṁ, mā kalahaṁ, mā viggahaṁ, mā vivādan”ti. Dutiyampi kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “āgametu, bhante. Bhagavā dhammassāmī; appossukko, bhante, bhagavā diṭṭhadhammasukhavihāraṁ anuyutto viharatu; mayametena bhaṇḍanena kalahena viggahena vivādena paññāyissāmā”ti. Tatiyampi kho bhagavā te bhikkhū etadavoca: “alaṁ, bhikkhave, mā bhaṇḍanaṁ, mā kalahaṁ, mā viggahaṁ, mā vivādan”ti.

For a second time … and a third time the Buddha said to those bhikkhus, “Enough, bhikkhus! Stop arguing, quarreling, and disputing.”

Tatiyampi kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “āgametu, bhante. Bhagavā dhammassāmī; appossukko, bhante, bhagavā diṭṭhadhammasukhavihāraṁ anuyutto viharatu; mayametena bhaṇḍanena kalahena viggahena vivādena paññāyissāmā”ti.

For a third time that bhikkhu said to the Buddha, “Wait, sir! Let the Buddha, the Lord of the Dhamma, remain passive, dwelling in blissful meditation in the present life. We will be known for this arguing, quarreling, and disputing.”

Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya kosambiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Kosambiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto senāsanaṁ saṁsāmetvā pattacīvaramādāya ṭhitakova imā gāthā abhāsi:

Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Kosambī for alms. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he set his lodgings in order. Taking his bowl and robe, he recited these verses while standing right there:

“Puthusaddo samajano, na bālo koci maññatha; Saṅghasmiṁ bhijjamānasmiṁ, nāññaṁ bhiyyo amaññaruṁ.

“When many voices shout at once, no-one thinks that they’re a fool! While the Saṅgha’s being split, none thought another to be better.

Parimuṭṭhā paṇḍitābhāsā, vācāgocarabhāṇino; Yāvicchanti mukhāyāmaṁ, yena nītā na taṁ vidū.

Dolts pretending to be astute, they talk, their words right out of bounds. They blab at will, their mouths agape, and no-one knows what leads them on.

Akkocchi maṁ avadhi maṁ, ajini maṁ ahāsi me; Ye ca taṁ upanayhanti, veraṁ tesaṁ na sammati.

“They abused me, they hit me! They beat me, they robbed me!” For those who bear such a grudge, hatred never ends.

Akkocchi maṁ avadhi maṁ, ajini maṁ ahāsi me; Ye ca taṁ nupanayhanti, veraṁ tesūpasammati.

“They abused me, they hit me! They beat me, they robbed me!” For those who bear no such grudge, hatred has an end.

Na hi verena verāni, sammantīdha kudācanaṁ; Averena ca sammanti, esa dhammo sanantano.

For never is hatred settled by hate, it’s only settled by love: this is an eternal truth.

Pare ca na vijānanti, mayamettha yamāmase; Ye ca tattha vijānanti, tato sammanti medhagā.

Others don’t understand that here we need to be restrained. But those who do understand this, being clever, settle their conflicts.

Aṭṭhicchinnā pāṇaharā, gavassadhanahārino; Raṭṭhaṁ vilumpamānānaṁ, tesampi hoti saṅgati; Kasmā tumhākaṁ no siyā.

Breakers of bones and takers of life, thieves of cattle, horses, wealth, those who plunder the nation: even they can come together, so why on earth can’t you?

Sace labhetha nipakaṁ sahāyaṁ, Saddhiṁ caraṁ sādhuvihāri dhīraṁ; Abhibhuyya sabbāni parissayāni, Careyya tenattamano satīmā.

If you find an alert companion, a wise and virtuous friend, then, overcoming all adversities, wander with them, joyful and mindful.

No ce labhetha nipakaṁ sahāyaṁ, Saddhiṁ caraṁ sādhuvihāri dhīraṁ; Rājāva raṭṭhaṁ vijitaṁ pahāya, Eko care mātaṅgaraññeva nāgo.

If you find no alert companion, no wise and virtuous friend, then, like a king who flees his conquered realm, wander alone like a tusker in the wilds.

Ekassa caritaṁ seyyo, Natthi bāle sahāyatā; Eko care na ca pāpāni kayirā, Appossukko mātaṅgaraññeva nāgo”ti.

It’s better to wander alone, there’s no fellowship with fools. Wander alone and do no wrong, at ease like a tusker in the wilds.”

Atha kho bhagavā ṭhitakova imā gāthā bhāsitvā yena bālakaloṇakāragāmo tenupasaṅkami. Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā bhagu bālakaloṇakāragāme viharati. Addasā kho āyasmā bhagu bhagavantaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ. Disvāna āsanaṁ paññapesi udakañca pādānaṁ dhovanaṁ. Nisīdi bhagavā paññatte āsane. Nisajja pāde pakkhālesi. Āyasmāpi kho bhagu bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.

After speaking these verses while standing, the Buddha went to the village of the child salt-miners, where Venerable Bhagu was staying at the time. Bhagu saw the Buddha coming off in the distance, so he spread out a seat and placed water for washing the feet. The Buddha sat on the seat spread out, and washed his feet. Bhagu bowed to the Buddha and sat down to one side.

Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ bhaguṁ bhagavā etadavoca: “kacci, bhikkhu, khamanīyaṁ, kacci yāpanīyaṁ, kacci piṇḍakena na kilamasī”ti?

The Buddha said to him, “I hope you’re keeping well, bhikkhu; I hope you’re all right. And I hope you’re having no trouble getting almsfood.”

“Khamanīyaṁ bhagavā, yāpanīyaṁ bhagavā, na cāhaṁ, bhante, piṇḍakena kilamāmī”ti.

“I’m keeping well, sir; I’m all right. And I’m having no trouble getting almsfood.”

Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ bhaguṁ dhammiyā kathāya sandassetvā samādapetvā samuttejetvā sampahaṁsetvā uṭṭhāyāsanā yena pācīnavaṁsadāyo tenupasaṅkami.

Then the Buddha educated, encouraged, fired up, and inspired Bhagu with a Dhamma talk, after which he got up from his seat and set out for the Eastern Bamboo Park.

Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā ca anuruddho āyasmā ca nandiyo āyasmā ca kimilo¹ pācīnavaṁsadāye viharanti. Addasā kho dāyapālo bhagavantaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ. Disvāna bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “mā, mahāsamaṇa, etaṁ dāyaṁ pāvisi. Santettha tayo kulaputtā attakāmarūpā viharanti. Mā tesaṁ aphāsumakāsī”ti.

Now at that time the venerables Anuruddha, Nandiya, and Kimbila were staying in the Eastern Bamboo Park. The park keeper saw the Buddha coming off in the distance and said to the Buddha, “Don’t come into this park, ascetic. There are three gentlemen who love themselves staying here. Don’t disturb them.”

Assosi kho āyasmā anuruddho dāyapālassa bhagavatā saddhiṁ mantayamānassa. Sutvāna dāyapālaṁ etadavoca: “mā, āvuso dāyapāla, bhagavantaṁ vāresi. Satthā no bhagavā anuppatto”ti.

Anuruddha heard the park keeper conversing with the Buddha, and said to him, “Don’t keep the Buddha out, good park keeper! Our Teacher, the Blessed One, has arrived.”

Atha kho āyasmā anuruddho yenāyasmā ca nandiyo yenāyasmā ca kimilo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantañca nandiyaṁ āyasmantañca kimilaṁ etadavoca: “abhikkamathāyasmanto, abhikkamathāyasmanto, satthā no bhagavā anuppatto”ti.

Then Anuruddha went to Nandiya and Kimbila, and said to them, “Come forth, venerables, come forth! Our Teacher, the Blessed One, has arrived!”

Atha kho āyasmā ca anuruddho āyasmā ca nandiyo āyasmā ca kimilo bhagavantaṁ paccuggantvā eko bhagavato pattacīvaraṁ paṭiggahesi, eko āsanaṁ paññapesi, eko pādodakaṁ upaṭṭhapesi. Nisīdi bhagavā paññatte āsane. Nisajja pāde pakkhālesi. Tepi kho āyasmanto bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.

Then Anuruddha, Nandiya, and Kimbila came out to greet the Buddha. One received his bowl and robe, one spread out a seat, and one set out water for washing his feet. The Buddha sat on the seat spread out and washed his feet. Those venerables bowed and sat down to one side.

Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ bhagavā etadavoca: “kacci vo, anuruddhā, khamanīyaṁ, kacci yāpanīyaṁ, kacci piṇḍakena na kilamathā”ti?

The Buddha said to Anuruddha, “I hope you’re keeping well, Anuruddha and friends; I hope you’re all right. And I hope you’re having no trouble getting almsfood.”

“Khamanīyaṁ bhagavā, yāpanīyaṁ bhagavā, na ca mayaṁ, bhante, piṇḍakena kilamāmā”ti.

“We’re keeping well, sir; we’re all right. And we’re having no trouble getting almsfood.”

“Kacci pana vo, anuruddhā, samaggā sammodamānā avivadamānā khīrodakībhūtā aññamaññaṁ piyacakkhūhi sampassantā viharathā”ti?

“I hope you’re living in harmony, appreciating each other, without quarreling, blending like milk and water, and regarding each other with kindly eyes?”

“Taggha mayaṁ, bhante, samaggā sammodamānā avivadamānā khīrodakībhūtā aññamaññaṁ piyacakkhūhi sampassantā viharāmā”ti.

“Indeed, sir, we live in harmony as you say.”

“Yathā kathaṁ pana tumhe, anuruddhā, samaggā sammodamānā avivadamānā khīrodakībhūtā aññamaññaṁ piyacakkhūhi sampassantā viharathā”ti?

“But how do you live this way?”

“Idha mayhaṁ, bhante, evaṁ hoti: ‘lābhā vata me, suladdhaṁ vata me yohaṁ evarūpehi sabrahmacārīhi saddhiṁ viharāmī’ti. Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, imesu āyasmantesu mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca, mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca, mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca. Tassa, mayhaṁ, bhante, evaṁ hoti: ‘yannūnāhaṁ sakaṁ cittaṁ nikkhipitvā imesaṁyeva āyasmantānaṁ cittassa vasena vatteyyan’ti. So kho ahaṁ, bhante, sakaṁ cittaṁ nikkhipitvā imesaṁyeva āyasmantānaṁ cittassa vasena vattāmi. Nānā hi kho no, bhante, kāyā, ekañca pana maññe cittan”ti.

“In this case, sir, I think: ‘I’m fortunate, so very fortunate, to live together with spiritual companions such as these.’ I consistently treat these venerables with kindness by way of body, speech, and mind, both in public and in private. I think: ‘Why don’t I set aside my own ideas and just go along with these venerables’ ideas?’ And that’s what I do. Though we’re different in body, sir, we’re one in mind, it seems to me.”

Āyasmāpi kho nandiyo …pe… āyasmāpi kho kimilo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “mayhampi kho, bhante, evaṁ hoti: ‘lābhā vata me, suladdhaṁ vata me yohaṁ evarūpehi sabrahmacārīhi saddhiṁ viharāmī’ti. Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, imesu āyasmantesu mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca, mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca, mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca. Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, evaṁ hoti: ‘yannūnāhaṁ sakaṁ cittaṁ nikkhipitvā imesaṁyeva āyasmantānaṁ cittassa vasena vatteyyan’ti. So kho ahaṁ, bhante, sakaṁ cittaṁ nikkhipitvā imesaṁyeva āyasmantānaṁ cittassa vasena vattāmi. Nānā hi kho no, bhante, kāyā, ekañca pana maññe cittanti. Evaṁ kho mayaṁ, bhante, samaggā sammodamānā avivadamānā khīrodakībhūtā aññamaññaṁ piyacakkhūhi sampassantā viharāmā”ti.

And the venerables Nandiya and Kimbila spoke likewise, and they added: “That’s how we live in harmony, appreciating each other, without quarreling, blending like milk and water, and regarding each other with kindly eyes.”

“Sādhu sādhu, anuruddhā. Kacci pana vo, anuruddhā, appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharathā”ti?

“Good, good, Anuruddha and friends! But I hope you’re living diligently, keen, and resolute?”

“Taggha mayaṁ, bhante, appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharāmā”ti.

“Indeed, sir, we live diligently.”

“Yathā kathaṁ pana tumhe, anuruddhā, appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharathā”ti?

“But how do you live this way?”

“Idha, bhante, amhākaṁ yo paṭhamaṁ gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamati, so āsanāni paññapeti, pānīyaṁ paribhojanīyaṁ upaṭṭhāpeti, avakkārapātiṁ upaṭṭhāpeti. Yo pacchā gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamati—sace hoti bhuttāvaseso, sace ākaṅkhati, bhuñjati; no ce ākaṅkhati, appaharite vā chaḍḍeti apāṇake vā udake opilāpeti—so āsanāni paṭisāmeti, pānīyaṁ paribhojanīyaṁ paṭisāmeti, avakkārapātiṁ dhovitvā paṭisāmeti, bhattaggaṁ sammajjati. Yo passati pānīyaghaṭaṁ vā paribhojanīyaghaṭaṁ vā vaccaghaṭaṁ vā rittaṁ tucchaṁ so upaṭṭhāpeti. Sacassa hoti avisayhaṁ, hatthavikārena dutiyaṁ āmantetvā hatthavilaṅghakena upaṭṭhāpema, na tveva mayaṁ, bhante, tappaccayā vācaṁ bhindāma. Pañcāhikaṁ kho pana mayaṁ, bhante, sabbarattiṁ dhammiyā kathāya sannisīdāma. Evaṁ kho mayaṁ, bhante, appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharāmā”ti.

“In this case, sir, whoever returns first from almsround prepares the seats, and puts out the drinking water and the rubbish bin. If there’s anything left over, whoever returns last eats it if they like. Otherwise they throw it out where there is little that grows, or drop it into water that has no living creatures. Then they put away the seats, drinking water, and rubbish bin, and sweep the refectory. If someone sees that the pot of water for washing, drinking, or the toilet is empty they set it up. If he can’t do it, he summons another with a wave of the hand, and they set it up by lifting it with their hands. But we don’t break into speech for that reason. And every five days we sit together for the whole night and discuss the teachings. That’s how we live diligently, keen, and resolute.”

“Sādhu sādhu, anuruddhā. Atthi pana vo, anuruddhā, evaṁ appamattānaṁ ātāpīnaṁ pahitattānaṁ viharataṁ uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro”ti?

“Good, good, Anuruddha and friends! But as you live diligently like this, have you achieved any superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones, a meditation at ease?”

“Idha mayaṁ, bhante, appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharantā obhāsañceva sañjānāma dassanañca rūpānaṁ. So kho pana no obhāso nacirasseva antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ; tañca nimittaṁ nappaṭivijjhāmā”ti.

“Well, sir, while meditating diligent, keen, and resolute, we perceive both light and vision of forms. But before long the light and the vision of forms vanish. We haven’t worked out the reason for that.”

“Taṁ kho pana vo, anuruddhā, nimittaṁ paṭivijjhitabbaṁ. Ahampi sudaṁ, anuruddhā, pubbeva sambodhā anabhisambuddho bodhisattova samāno obhāsañceva sañjānāmi dassanañca rūpānaṁ. So kho pana me obhāso nacirasseva antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘ko nu kho hetu ko paccayo yena me obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānan’ti? Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘vicikicchā kho me udapādi, vicikicchādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissatī’ti.

“Well, you should work out the reason for that. Before my awakening—when I was still unawakened but intent on awakening—I too perceived both light and vision of forms. But before long my light and vision of forms vanished. It occurred to me: ‘What’s the cause, what’s the reason why my light and vision of forms vanish?’ It occurred to me: ‘Doubt arose in me, and because of that my immersion fell away. When immersion falls away, the light and vision of forms vanish. I’ll make sure that doubt will not arise in me again.’

So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā, appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto obhāsañceva sañjānāmi dassanañca rūpānaṁ. So kho pana me obhāso nacirasseva antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘ko nu kho hetu ko paccayo yena me obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānan’ti? Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘amanasikāro kho me udapādi, amanasikārādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro’ti.

While meditating diligent, keen, and resolute, I perceived both light and vision of forms. But before long my light and vision of forms vanished. It occurred to me: ‘What’s the cause, what’s the reason why my light and vision of forms vanish?’ It occurred to me: ‘Loss of focus arose in me, and because of that my immersion fell away. When immersion falls away, the light and vision of forms vanish. I’ll make sure that neither doubt nor loss of focus will arise in me again.’

So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā …pe… tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘thinamiddhaṁ kho me udapādi, thinamiddhādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhan’ti.

While meditating … ‘Dullness and drowsiness arose in me … I’ll make sure that neither doubt nor loss of focus nor dullness and drowsiness will arise in me again.’

So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā …pe… tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘chambhitattaṁ kho me udapādi, chambhitattādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Seyyathāpi, anuruddhā, puriso addhānamaggappaṭipanno, tassa ubhatopasse vaṭṭakā² uppateyyuṁ, tassa tatonidānaṁ chambhitattaṁ uppajjeyya; evameva kho me, anuruddhā, chambhitattaṁ udapādi, chambhitattādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattan’ti.

While meditating … ‘Terror arose in me, and because of that my immersion fell away. When immersion falls away, the light and vision of forms vanish. Suppose a person was traveling along a road, and killers were to spring out at them from both sides. They’d feel terrified because of that. In the same way, terror arose in me … I’ll make sure that neither doubt nor loss of focus nor dullness and drowsiness nor terror will arise in me again.’

So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā …pe… tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘uppilaṁ³ kho me udapādi, uppilādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Seyyathāpi, anuruddhā, puriso ekaṁ nidhimukhaṁ gavesanto sakideva pañcanidhimukhāni adhigaccheyya, tassa tatonidānaṁ uppilaṁ uppajjeyya; evameva kho me, anuruddhā, uppilaṁ udapādi, uppilādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattaṁ, na uppilan’ti.

While meditating … ‘Excitement arose in me, and because of that my immersion fell away. When immersion falls away, the light and vision of forms vanish. Suppose a person was looking for an entrance to a hidden treasure. And all at once they’d come across five entrances! They’d feel excited because of that. In the same way, excitement arose in me … I’ll make sure that neither doubt nor loss of focus nor dullness and drowsiness nor terror nor excitement will arise in me again.’

So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā …pe… tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘duṭṭhullaṁ kho me udapādi, duṭṭhullādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattaṁ, na uppilaṁ, na duṭṭhullan’ti.

While meditating … ‘Discomfort arose in me … I’ll make sure that neither doubt nor loss of focus nor dullness and drowsiness nor terror nor excitement nor discomfort will arise in me again.’

So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā …pe… tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘accāraddhavīriyaṁ kho me udapādi, accāraddhavīriyādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Seyyathāpi, anuruddhā, puriso ubhohi hatthehi vaṭṭakaṁ gāḷhaṁ gaṇheyya, so tattheva patameyya; evameva kho me, anuruddhā, accāraddhavīriyaṁ udapādi, accāraddhavīriyādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattaṁ, na uppilaṁ, na duṭṭhullaṁ, na accāraddhavīriyan’ti.

While meditating … ‘Excessive energy arose in me, and because of that my immersion fell away. When immersion falls away, the light and vision of forms vanish. Suppose a person was to grip a quail too tightly in their hands—it would die right there. I’ll make sure that neither doubt nor loss of focus nor dullness and drowsiness nor terror nor excitement nor discomfort nor excessive energy will arise in me again.’

So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā …pe… tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘atilīnavīriyaṁ kho me udapādi, atilīnavīriyādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Seyyathāpi, anuruddhā, puriso vaṭṭakaṁ sithilaṁ gaṇheyya, so tassa hatthato uppateyya; evameva kho me, anuruddhā, atilīnavīriyaṁ udapādi, atilīnavīriyādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattaṁ, na uppilaṁ, na duṭṭhullaṁ, na accāraddhavīriyaṁ, na atilīnavīriyan’ti.

While meditating … ‘Overly lax energy arose in me, and because of that my immersion fell away. When immersion falls away, the light and vision of forms vanish. Suppose a person was to grip a quail too loosely—it would fly out of their hands. I’ll make sure that neither doubt nor loss of focus nor dullness and drowsiness nor terror nor excitement nor discomfort nor excessive energy nor overly lax energy will arise in me again.’

So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā …pe… tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘abhijappā kho me udapādi, abhijappādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattaṁ, na uppilaṁ, na duṭṭhullaṁ, na accāraddhavīriyaṁ, na atilīnavīriyaṁ, na abhijappā’ti.

While meditating … ‘Longing arose in me … I’ll make sure that neither doubt nor loss of focus nor dullness and drowsiness nor terror nor excitement nor discomfort nor excessive energy nor overly lax energy nor longing will arise in me again.’

So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā …pe… tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘nānattasaññā kho me udapādi, nānattasaññādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattaṁ, na uppilaṁ, na duṭṭhullaṁ, na accāraddhavīriyaṁ, na atilīnavīriyaṁ, na abhijappā, na nānattasaññā’ti.

While meditating … ‘Perceptions of diversity arose in me … I’ll make sure that neither doubt nor loss of focus nor dullness and drowsiness nor terror nor excitement nor discomfort nor excessive energy nor overly lax energy nor longing nor perception of diversity will arise in me again.’

So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā, appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto obhāsañceva sañjānāmi dassanañca rūpānaṁ. So kho pana me obhāso nacirasseva antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Tassa mayhaṁ anuruddhā etadahosi: ‘ko nu kho hetu ko paccayo yena me obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānan’ti. Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘atinijjhāyitattaṁ kho me rūpānaṁ udapādi, atinijjhāyitattādhikaraṇañca pana me rūpānaṁ samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattaṁ, na uppilaṁ, na duṭṭhullaṁ, na accāraddhavīriyaṁ, na atilīnavīriyaṁ, na abhijappā, na nānattasaññā, na atinijjhāyitattaṁ rūpānan’ti.

While meditating diligent, keen, and resolute, I perceived both light and vision of forms. But before long my light and vision of forms vanished. It occurred to me: ‘What’s the cause, what’s the reason why my light and vision of forms vanish?’ It occurred to me: ‘Excessive concentration on forms arose in me, and because of that my immersion fell away. When immersion falls away, the light and vision of forms vanish. I’ll make sure that neither doubt nor loss of focus nor dullness and drowsiness nor terror nor excitement nor discomfort nor excessive energy nor overly lax energy nor longing nor perception of diversity nor excessive concentration on forms will arise in me again.’

So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā, ‘vicikicchā cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā vicikicchaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘amanasikāro cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā amanasikāraṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘chambhitattaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā chambhitattaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘uppilaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā uppilaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘duṭṭhullaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā duṭṭhullaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘accāraddhavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā accāraddhavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘atilīnavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā atilīnavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘abhijappā cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā abhijappaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘nānattasaññā cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā nānattasaññaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘atinijjhāyitattaṁ rūpānaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā atinijjhāyitattaṁ rūpānaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ.

When I understood that doubt is a corruption of the mind, I gave it up. When I understood that loss of focus, dullness and drowsiness, terror, excitement, discomfort, excessive energy, overly lax energy, longing, perception of diversity, and excessive concentration on forms are corruptions of the mind, I gave them up.

So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā, appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto obhāsañhi kho sañjānāmi, na ca rūpāni passāmi; rūpāni hi kho passāmi, na ca obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi: ‘kevalampi rattiṁ, kevalampi divaṁ, kevalampi rattindivaṁ’. Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘ko nu kho hetu ko paccayo yvāhaṁ obhāsañhi kho sañjānāmi na ca rūpāni passāmi; rūpāni hi kho passāmi na ca obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi—kevalampi rattiṁ, kevalampi divaṁ, kevalampi rattindivan’ti. Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘yasmiñhi kho ahaṁ samaye rūpanimittaṁ amanasikaritvā obhāsanimittaṁ manasi karomi, obhāsañhi kho tasmiṁ samaye sañjānāmi, na ca rūpāni passāmi. Yasmiṁ panāhaṁ samaye obhāsanimittaṁ amanasikaritvā rūpanimittaṁ manasi karomi, rūpāni hi kho tasmiṁ samaye passāmi na ca obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi—kevalampi rattiṁ, kevalampi divaṁ, kevalampi rattindivan’ti.

While meditating diligent, keen, and resolute, I perceived light but did not see forms, or I saw forms, but did not see light. And this went on for a whole night, a whole day, even a whole night and day. I thought: ‘What is the cause, what is the reason for this?’ It occurred to me: ‘When I don’t focus on the foundation of the forms, but focus on the foundation of the light, then I perceive light and do not see forms. But when I don’t focus on the foundation of the light, but focus on the foundation of the forms, then I see forms and do not perceive light. And this goes on for a whole night, a whole day, even a whole night and day.’

So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā, appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto parittañceva obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi, parittāni ca rūpāni passāmi; appamāṇañceva obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi, appamāṇāni ca rūpāni passāmi: ‘kevalampi rattiṁ, kevalampi divaṁ, kevalampi rattindivaṁ’. Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘ko nu kho hetu ko paccayo yvāhaṁ parittañceva obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi, parittāni ca rūpāni passāmi; appamāṇañceva obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi, appamāṇāni ca rūpāni passāmi—kevalampi rattiṁ, kevalampi divaṁ, kevalampi rattindivan’ti. Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘yasmiṁ kho me samaye paritto samādhi hoti, parittaṁ me tasmiṁ samaye cakkhu hoti. Sohaṁ parittena cakkhunā parittañceva obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi, parittāni ca rūpāni passāmi. Yasmiṁ pana me samaye appamāṇo samādhi hoti, appamāṇaṁ me tasmiṁ samaye cakkhu hoti. Sohaṁ appamāṇena cakkhunā appamāṇañceva obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi, appamāṇāni ca rūpāni passāmi—kevalampi rattiṁ, kevalampi divaṁ, kevalampi rattindivan’ti.

While meditating diligent, keen, and resolute, I perceived limited light and saw limited forms, or I perceived limitless light and saw limitless forms. And this went on for a whole night, a whole day, even a whole night and day. I thought: ‘What is the cause, what is the reason for this?’ It occurred to me: ‘When my immersion is limited, then my vision is limited, and with limited vision I perceive limited light and see limited forms. But when my immersion is limitless, then my vision is limitless, and with limitless vision I perceive limitless light and see limitless forms. And this goes on for a whole night, a whole day, even a whole night and day.’

Yato kho me, anuruddhā, ‘vicikicchā cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā vicikicchā cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘amanasikāro cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā amanasikāro cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘chambhitattaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā chambhitattaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘uppilaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā uppilaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘duṭṭhullaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā duṭṭhullaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘accāraddhavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā accāraddhavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘atilīnavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā atilīnavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘abhijappā cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā abhijappā cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘nānattasaññā cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā nānattasaññā cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘atinijjhāyitattaṁ rūpānaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti—iti viditvā atinijjhāyitattaṁ rūpānaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi.

After understanding that doubt, loss of focus, dullness and drowsiness, terror, excitement, discomfort, excessive energy, overly lax energy, longing, perception of diversity, and excessive concentration on forms are corruptions of the mind, I had given them up.

Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘ye kho me cittassa upakkilesā te me pahīnā. Handa dānāhaṁ tividhena samādhiṁ bhāvemī’ti. So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā, savitakkampi savicāraṁ samādhiṁ bhāvesiṁ, avitakkampi vicāramattaṁ samādhiṁ bhāvesiṁ, avitakkampi avicāraṁ samādhiṁ bhāvesiṁ, sappītikampi samādhiṁ bhāvesiṁ, nippītikampi samādhiṁ bhāvesiṁ, sātasahagatampi samādhiṁ bhāvesiṁ, upekkhāsahagatampi samādhiṁ bhāvesiṁ.

I thought: ‘I’ve given up my mental corruptions. Now let me develop immersion in three ways.’ I developed immersion while placing the mind and keeping it connected; without placing the mind, but just keeping it connected; without placing the mind or keeping it connected; with rapture; without rapture; with pleasure; with equanimity.

Yato kho me, anuruddhā, savitakkopi savicāro samādhi bhāvito ahosi, avitakkopi vicāramatto samādhi bhāvito ahosi, avitakkopi avicāro samādhi bhāvito ahosi, sappītikopi samādhi bhāvito ahosi, nippītikopi samādhi bhāvito ahosi, sātasahagatopi samādhi bhāvito ahosi, upekkhāsahagatopi samādhi bhāvito ahosi. Ñāṇañca pana me dassanaṁ udapādi, akuppā me cetovimutti. Ayamantimā jāti, natthi dāni punabbhavo”ti.

When I had developed immersion in these ways, the knowledge and vision arose in me: ‘My freedom is unshakable; this is my last rebirth; now there are no more future lives.’”

Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamano āyasmā anuruddho bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandīti.

That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, Venerable Anuruddha was happy with what the Buddha said.

Upakkilesasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.