MN122: Mahāsuññatasutta - The Longer Discourse on Emptiness
- © Translated from the Pali by Bhante Sujato. (More copyright information)
1So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, near Kapilavatthu in the Banyan Tree Monastery.
Then the Buddha put on his outer robe in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Kapilavatthu for alms. He wandered for alms in Kapilavatthu. After the meal, on his return from alms-round, he went to the dwelling of Kāḷakhemaka the Sakyan for the day’s meditation.
Now at that time several resting places had been spread out at Kāḷakhemaka’s dwelling. The Buddha saw this, and wondered: “Several resting places have been spread out; are there several mendicants living here?”
2Now at that time Venerable Ānanda, together with several other mendicants, was making robes in Ghaṭa the Sakyan’s dwelling. Then in the late afternoon, the Buddha came out of retreat and went to Ghaṭa’s dwelling, where he sat on the seat spread out and said to Venerable Ānanda,
“Several resting places have been spread out at Kāḷakhemaka’s dwelling; are several mendicants living there?”
“Indeed there are, sir. It’s currently the time for making robes.”
3“Ānanda, a mendicant doesn’t shine who enjoys company and groups, who loves them and likes to enjoy them. It’s simply not possible that such a mendicant will get the pleasure of renunciation, the pleasure of seclusion, the pleasure of peace, the pleasure of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty. But you should expect that a mendicant who lives alone, withdrawn from the group, will get the pleasure of renunciation, the pleasure of seclusion, the pleasure of peace, the pleasure of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty. That is possible.
4Indeed, Ānanda, it is not possible that a mendicant who enjoys company will enter and remain in the freedom of heart — either that which is temporary and pleasant, or that which is irreversible and unshakable. But it is possible that a mendicant who lives alone, withdrawn from the group will enter and remain in the freedom of heart — either that which is temporary and pleasant, or that which is irreversible and unshakable.
5Ānanda, I do not see even a single sight which, with its decay and perishing, would not give rise to sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress in someone who has desire and lust for it.
6But the Realized One woke up to this meditation, namely to enter and remain in emptiness internally by not focusing on any signs. Now, suppose that while the Realized One is practicing this meditation, monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen, rulers and their ministers, founders of religious sects, and their disciples go to visit him. In that case, with a mind slanting, sloping, and inclining to seclusion, withdrawn, and loving renunciation, he invariably gives each of them a talk emphasizing the topic of dismissal.
Therefore, if a mendicant might wish: ‘May I enter and remain in emptiness internally!’ So they should still, settle, unify, and immerse their mind in samādhi internally.
7And how does a mendicant still, settle, unify, and immerse their mind in samādhi internally?
It’s when a mendicant, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption … second absorption … third absorption … fourth absorption. That’s how a mendicant stills, settles, unifies, and immerses their mind in samādhi internally.
They focus on emptiness internally, but their mind isn’t eager, confident, settled, and decided. In that case, they understand: ‘I am focusing on emptiness internally, but my mind isn’t eager, confident, settled, and decided.’ In this way they are aware of the situation.
They focus on emptiness externally … They focus on emptiness internally and externally … They focus on the imperturbable, but their mind isn’t eager, confident, settled, and decided. In that case, they understand: ‘I am focusing on the imperturbable internally, but my mind isn’t eager, confident, settled, and decided.’ In this way they are aware of the situation.
8Then that mendicant should still, settle, unify, and immerse their mind in samādhi internally using the same meditation subject as a basis of immersion that they used before. They focus on emptiness internally, and their mind is eager, confident, settled, and decided. In that case, they understand: ‘I am focusing on emptiness internally, and my mind is eager, confident, settled, and decided.’ In this way they are aware of the situation.
They focus on emptiness externally … They focus on emptiness internally and externally … They focus on the imperturbable, and their mind is eager, confident, settled, and decided. In that case, they understand: ‘I am focusing on the imperturbable, and my mind is eager, confident, settled, and decided.’ In this way they are aware of the situation.
9While a mendicant is practicing such meditation, if their mind inclines to walking, they walk, thinking: ‘While I’m walking, bad, unskillful qualities of desire and aversion will not overwhelm me.’ In this way they are aware of the situation. While a mendicant is practicing such meditation, if their mind inclines to standing, they stand, thinking: ‘While I’m standing, bad, unskillful qualities of desire and aversion will not overwhelm me.’ In this way they are aware of the situation. While a mendicant is practicing such meditation, if their mind inclines to sitting, they sit, thinking: ‘While I’m sitting, bad, unskillful qualities of desire and aversion will not overwhelm me.’ In this way they are aware of the situation. While a mendicant is practicing such meditation, if their mind inclines to lying down, they lie down, thinking: ‘While I’m lying down, bad, unskillful qualities of desire and aversion will not overwhelm me.’ In this way they are aware of the situation.
10While a mendicant is practicing such meditation, if their mind inclines to talking, they think: ‘I will not engage in the kind of speech that is low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. Such speech doesn’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. Namely: talk about kings, bandits, and ministers; talk about armies, threats, and wars; talk about food, drink, clothes, and beds; talk about garlands and fragrances; talk about family, vehicles, villages, towns, cities, and countries; talk about women and heroes; street talk and well talk; talk about the departed; motley talk; tales of land and sea; and talk about being reborn in this or that state of existence.’ In this way they are aware of the situation.
‘But I will engage in speech about self-effacement that helps open the heart and leads solely to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. That is, talk about fewness of wishes, contentment, seclusion, aloofness, arousing energy, ethics, immersion, wisdom, freedom, and the knowledge and vision of freedom.’ In this way they are aware of the situation.
11While a mendicant is practicing such meditation, if their mind inclines to thinking, they think: ‘I will not think the kind of thought that is low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. Such thoughts don’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. That is, sensual, malicious, or cruel thoughts.’ In this way they are aware of the situation.
‘But I will think the kind of thought that is noble and emancipating, and brings one who practices it to the complete ending of suffering. That is, thoughts of renunciation, good will, and harmlessness.’ In this way they are aware of the situation.
12There are these five kinds of sensual stimulation. What five? Sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. Sounds known by the ear … Smells known by the nose … Tastes known by the tongue … Touches known by the body that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. These are the five kinds of sensual stimulation.
So you should regularly check your own mind: ‘Does my mind take an interest in any of these five kinds of sensual stimulation?’ Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows this: ‘My mind does take an interest.’ In that case, they understand: ‘I have not given up desire and greed for the five kinds of sensual stimulation.’ In this way they are aware of the situation. But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows this: ‘My mind does not take an interest.’ In that case, they understand: ‘I have given up desire and greed for the five kinds of sensual stimulation.’ In this way they are aware of the situation.
13A mendicant should meditate observing rise and fall in these five grasping aggregates: ‘Such is form, such is the origin of form, such is the ending of form. Such is feeling … Such is perception … Such are choices … Such is consciousness, such is the origin of consciousness, such is the ending of consciousness.’
As they do so, they give up the conceit ‘I am’ regarding the five grasping aggregates. In that case, they understand: ‘I have given up the conceit “I am” regarding the five grasping aggregates.’ In this way they are aware of the situation.
These principles are entirely skillful, with skillful outcomes; they are noble, transcendent, and inaccessible to the Wicked One.
What do you think, Ānanda? For what reason would a disciple value following the Teacher, even if sent away?”
“Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. He is our guide and our refuge. Sir, may the Buddha himself please clarify the meaning of this. The mendicants will listen and remember it.”
14“A disciple should not value following the Teacher for the sake of statements, songs, or discussions. Why is that? Because for a long time you have learned the teachings, remembering them, reciting them, mentally scrutinizing them, and understanding them with right view. But a disciple should value following the Teacher, even if asked to go away, for the sake of talk about self-effacement that helps open the heart and leads solely to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. That is, talk about fewness of wishes, contentment, seclusion, aloofness, arousing energy, ethics, immersion, wisdom, freedom, and the knowledge and vision of freedom.
15This being so, Ānanda, there is a peril for the teacher, a peril for the student, and a peril for a spiritual practitioner.
16And how is there a peril for the teacher? It’s when some teacher frequents a secluded lodging — a wilderness, the root of a tree, a hill, a ravine, a mountain cave, a charnel ground, a forest, the open air, a heap of straw. While meditating withdrawn, they’re visited by a stream of brahmins and householders of the city and country. When this happens, they enjoy infatuation, fall into greed, and return to indulgence. This teacher is said to be imperiled by the teacher’s peril. They’re ruined by bad, unskillful qualities that are corrupted, leading to future lives, hurtful, resulting in suffering and future rebirth, old age, and death. That’s how there is a peril for the teacher.
17And how is there a peril for the student? It’s when the student of a teacher, emulating their teacher’s fostering of seclusion, frequents a secluded lodging — a wilderness, the root of a tree, a hill, a ravine, a mountain cave, a charnel ground, a forest, the open air, a heap of straw. While meditating withdrawn, they’re visited by a stream of brahmins and householders of the city and country. When this happens, they enjoy infatuation, fall into greed, and return to indulgence. This student is said to be imperiled by the student’s peril. They’re ruined by bad, unskillful qualities that are corrupted, leading to future lives, hurtful, resulting in suffering and future rebirth, old age, and death. That’s how there is a peril for the student.
18And how is there a peril for a spiritual practitioner? It’s when a Realized One arises in the world, perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those who wish to train, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed. He frequents a secluded lodging — a wilderness, the root of a tree, a hill, a ravine, a mountain cave, a charnel ground, a forest, the open air, a heap of straw. While meditating withdrawn, he’s visited by a stream of brahmins and householders of the city and country. When this happens, he doesn’t enjoy infatuation, fall into greed, and return to indulgence. But a disciple of this teacher, emulating their teacher’s fostering of seclusion, frequents a secluded lodging — a wilderness, the root of a tree, a hill, a ravine, a mountain cave, a charnel ground, a forest, the open air, a heap of straw. While meditating withdrawn, they’re visited by a stream of brahmins and householders of the city and country. When this happens, they enjoy infatuation, fall into greed, and return to indulgence. This spiritual practitioner is said to be imperiled by the spiritual practitioner’s peril. They’re ruined by bad, unskillful qualities that are corrupted, leading to future lives, hurtful, resulting in suffering and future rebirth, old age, and death. That’s how there is a peril for the spiritual practitioner.
19And in this context, Ānanda, as compared to the peril of the teacher or the student, the peril of the spiritual practitioner has more painful, bitter results, and even leads to the underworld.
20So, Ānanda, treat me as a friend, not as an enemy. That will be for your lasting welfare and happiness.
21And how do disciples treat their Teacher as an enemy, not a friend? It’s when the Teacher teaches the Dhamma out of kindness and compassion: ‘This is for your welfare. This is for your happiness.’ But their disciples don’t want to listen. They don’t pay attention or apply their minds to understand. They proceed having turned away from the Teacher’s instruction. That’s how the disciples treat their Teacher as an enemy, not a friend.
22And how do disciples treat their Teacher as a friend, not an enemy? It’s when the Teacher teaches the Dhamma out of kindness and compassion: ‘This is for your welfare. This is for your happiness.’ And their disciples want to listen. They pay attention and apply their minds to understand. They don’t proceed having turned away from the Teacher’s instruction. That’s how the disciples treat their Teacher as a friend, not an enemy.
23So, Ānanda, treat me as a friend, not as an enemy. That will be for your lasting welfare and happiness.
I shall not mollycoddle you like a potter with their damp, unfired pots. I shall speak, pushing you again and again, pressing you again and again. The core will stand the test.”
24That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, Venerable Ānanda was happy with what the Buddha said.
1Evaṁ me sutaṁ — ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ nigrodhārāme.
Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya kapilavatthuṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Kapilavatthusmiṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto yena kāḷakhemakassa sakkassa vihāro tenupasaṅkami divāvihārāya.
Tena kho pana samayena kāḷakhemakassa sakkassa vihāre sambahulāni senāsanāni paññattāni honti. Addasā kho bhagavā kāḷakhemakassa sakkassa vihāre sambahulāni senāsanāni paññattāni. Disvāna bhagavato etadahosi: "sambahulāni kho kāḷakhemakassa sakkassa vihāre senāsanāni paññattāni. Sambahulā nu kho idha bhikkhū viharantī"ti.
2Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā ānando sambahulehi bhikkhūhi saddhiṁ ghaṭāya sakkassa vihāre cīvarakammaṁ karoti. Atha kho bhagavā sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yena ghaṭāya sakkassa vihāro tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi. Nisajja kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ āmantesi:
"sambahulāni kho, ānanda, kāḷakhemakassa sakkassa vihāre senāsanāni paññattāni. Sambahulā nu kho ettha bhikkhū viharantī"ti? =
"Sambahulāni, bhante, kāḷakhemakassa sakkassa vihāre senāsanāni paññattāni. Sambahulā bhikkhū ettha viharanti. Cīvarakārasamayo no, bhante, vattatī"ti.
3"Na kho, ānanda, bhikkhu sobhati saṅgaṇikārāmo saṅgaṇikarato saṅgaṇikārāmataṁ anuyutto gaṇārāmo gaṇarato gaṇasammudito. So vatānanda, bhikkhu saṅgaṇikārāmo saṅgaṇikarato saṅgaṇikārāmataṁ anuyutto gaṇārāmo gaṇarato gaṇasammudito yaṁ taṁ nekkhammasukhaṁ pavivekasukhaṁ upasamasukhaṁ sambodhisukhaṁ tassa sukhassa nikāmalābhī bhavissati akicchalābhī akasiralābhīti — netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. Yo ca kho so, ānanda, bhikkhu eko gaṇasmā vūpakaṭṭho viharati tassetaṁ bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁ yaṁ taṁ nekkhammasukhaṁ pavivekasukhaṁ upasamasukhaṁ sambodhisukhaṁ tassa sukhassa nikāmalābhī bhavissati akicchalābhī akasiralābhīti — ṭhānametaṁ vijjati.
4So vatānanda, bhikkhu saṅgaṇikārāmo saṅgaṇikarato saṅgaṇikārāmataṁ anuyutto gaṇārāmo gaṇarato gaṇasammudito sāmāyikaṁ vā kantaṁ cetovimuttiṁ upasampajja viharissati asāmāyikaṁ vā akuppanti — netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. Yo ca kho so, ānanda, bhikkhu eko gaṇasmā vūpakaṭṭho viharati tassetaṁ bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁ sāmāyikaṁ vā kantaṁ cetovimuttiṁ upasampajja viharissati asāmāyikaṁ vā akuppanti — ṭhānametaṁ vijjati.
5Nāhaṁ, ānanda, ekaṁ rūpampi samanupassāmi yattha rattassa yathābhiratassa rūpassa vipariṇāmaññathābhāvā na uppajjeyyuṁ sokaparidevadukkhadomanassūpāyāsā.
6Ayaṁ kho panānanda, vihāro tathāgatena abhisambuddho yadidaṁ — sabbanimittānaṁ amanasikārā ajjhattaṁ suññataṁ upasampajja viharituṁ. Tatra ce, ānanda, tathāgataṁ iminā vihārena viharantaṁ bhavanti upasaṅkamitāro bhikkhū bhikkhuniyo upāsakā upāsikāyo rājāno rājamahāmattā titthiyā titthiyasāvakā. Tatrānanda, tathāgato vivekaninneneva cittena vivekapoṇena vivekapabbhārena vūpakaṭṭhena nekkhammābhiratena byantībhūtena sabbaso āsavaṭṭhānīyehi dhammehi aññadatthu uyyojanikapaṭisaṁyuttaṁyeva kathaṁ kattā hoti.
Tasmātihānanda, bhikkhu cepi ākaṅkheyya: ‘ajjhattaṁ suññataṁ upasampajja vihareyyan’ti, tenānanda, bhikkhunā ajjhattameva cittaṁ saṇṭhapetabbaṁ sannisādetabbaṁ ekodi kātabbaṁ samādahātabbaṁ.
7Kathañcānanda, bhikkhu ajjhattameva cittaṁ saṇṭhapeti sannisādeti ekodiṁ karoti samādahati?
Idhānanda, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi … pe … paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati … pe … dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ … tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ … catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Evaṁ kho, ānanda, bhikkhu ajjhattameva cittaṁ saṇṭhapeti sannisādeti ekodiṁ karoti samādahati.
So ajjhattaṁ suññataṁ manasi karoti. Tassa ajjhattaṁ suññataṁ manasikaroto suññatāya cittaṁ na pakkhandati nappasīdati na santiṭṭhati na vimuccati. Evaṁ santametaṁ, ānanda, bhikkhu evaṁ pajānāti: ‘ajjhattaṁ suññataṁ kho me manasikaroto ajjhattaṁ suññatāya cittaṁ na pakkhandati nappasīdati na santiṭṭhati na vimuccatī’ti. Itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.
So bahiddhā suññataṁ manasi karoti … pe … so ajjhattabahiddhā suññataṁ manasi karoti … pe … so āneñjaṁ manasi karoti. Tassa āneñjaṁ manasikaroto āneñjāya cittaṁ na pakkhandati nappasīdati na santiṭṭhati na vimuccati. Evaṁ santametaṁ, ānanda, bhikkhu evaṁ pajānāti: ‘āneñjaṁ kho me manasikaroto āneñjāya cittaṁ na pakkhandati nappasīdati na santiṭṭhati na vimuccatī’ti. Itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.
8Tenānanda, bhikkhunā tasmiṁyeva purimasmiṁ samādhinimitte ajjhattameva cittaṁ saṇṭhapetabbaṁ sannisādetabbaṁ ekodi kātabbaṁ samādahātabbaṁ. So ajjhattaṁ suññataṁ manasi karoti. Tassa ajjhattaṁ suññataṁ manasikaroto ajjhattaṁ suññatāya cittaṁ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati vimuccati. Evaṁ santametaṁ, ānanda, bhikkhu evaṁ pajānāti: ‘ajjhattaṁ suññataṁ kho me manasikaroto ajjhattaṁ suññatāya cittaṁ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati vimuccatī’ti. Itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.
So bahiddhā suññataṁ manasi karoti … pe … so ajjhattabahiddhā suññataṁ manasi karoti … pe … so āneñjaṁ manasi karoti. Tassa āneñjaṁ manasikaroto āneñjāya cittaṁ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati vimuccati. Evaṁ santametaṁ, ānanda, bhikkhu evaṁ pajānāti: ‘āneñjaṁ kho me manasikaroto āneñjāya cittaṁ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati vimuccatī’ti. Itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.
9Tassa ce, ānanda, bhikkhuno iminā vihārena viharato caṅkamāya cittaṁ namati, so caṅkamati: ‘evaṁ maṁ caṅkamantaṁ nābhijjhādomanassā pāpakā akusalā dhammā anvāssavissantī’ti. Itiha tattha sampajāno hoti. Tassa ce, ānanda, bhikkhuno iminā vihārena viharato ṭhānāya cittaṁ namati, so tiṭṭhati: ‘evaṁ maṁ ṭhitaṁ nābhijjhādomanassā pāpakā akusalā dhammā anvāssavissantī’ti. Itiha tattha sampajāno hoti. Tassa ce, ānanda, bhikkhuno iminā vihārena viharato nisajjāya cittaṁ namati, so nisīdati: ‘evaṁ maṁ nisinnaṁ nābhijjhādomanassā pāpakā akusalā dhammā anvāssavissantī’ti. Itiha tattha sampajāno hoti. Tassa ce, ānanda, bhikkhuno iminā vihārena viharato sayanāya cittaṁ namati, so sayati: ‘evaṁ maṁ sayantaṁ nābhijjhādomanassā pāpakā akusalā dhammā anvāssavissantī’ti. Itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.
10Tassa ce, ānanda, bhikkhuno iminā vihārena viharato kathāya cittaṁ namati, so: ‘yāyaṁ kathā hīnā gammā pothujjanikā anariyā anatthasaṁhitā na nibbidāya na virāgāya na nirodhāya na upasamāya na abhiññāya na sambodhāya na nibbānāya saṁvattati, seyyathidaṁ — rājakathā corakathā mahāmattakathā senākathā bhayakathā yuddhakathā annakathā pānakathā vatthakathā sayanakathā mālākathā gandhakathā ñātikathā yānakathā gāmakathā nigamakathā nagarakathā janapadakathā itthikathā surākathā visikhākathā kumbhaṭṭhānakathā pubbapetakathā nānattakathā lokakkhāyikā samuddakkhāyikā itibhavābhavakathā iti vā iti — evarūpiṁ kathaṁ na kathessāmī’ti. Itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.
Yā ca kho ayaṁ, ānanda, kathā abhisallekhikā cetovinīvaraṇasappāyā ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati, seyyathidaṁ — appicchakathā santuṭṭhikathā pavivekakathā asaṁsaggakathā vīriyārambhakathā sīlakathā samādhikathā paññākathā vimuttikathā vimuttiñāṇadassanakathā iti: ‘evarūpiṁ kathaṁ kathessāmī’ti. Itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.
11Tassa ce, ānanda, bhikkhuno iminā vihārena viharato vitakkāya cittaṁ namati, so: ‘ye te vitakkā hīnā gammā pothujjanikā anariyā anatthasaṁhitā na nibbidāya na virāgāya na nirodhāya na upasamāya na abhiññāya na sambodhāya na nibbānāya saṁvattanti, seyyathidaṁ — kāmavitakko byāpādavitakko vihiṁsāvitakko iti evarūpe vitakke na vitakkessāmī’ti. Itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.
Ye ca kho ime, ānanda, vitakkā ariyā niyyānikā niyyanti takkarassa sammādukkhakkhayāya, seyyathidaṁ — nekkhammavitakko abyāpādavitakko avihiṁsāvitakko iti: ‘evarūpe vitakke vitakkessāmī’ti. Itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.
12Pañca kho ime, ānanda, kāmaguṇā. Katame pañca? Cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā, sotaviññeyyā saddā … ghānaviññeyyā gandhā … jivhāviññeyyā rasā … kāyaviññeyyā phoṭṭhabbā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā — ime kho, ānanda, pañca kāmaguṇā.
Yattha bhikkhunā abhikkhaṇaṁ sakaṁ cittaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘atthi nu kho me imesu pañcasu kāmaguṇesu aññatarasmiṁ vā aññatarasmiṁ vā āyatane uppajjati cetaso samudācāro’ti? Sace, ānanda, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ pajānāti: ‘atthi kho me imesu pañcasu kāmaguṇesu aññatarasmiṁ vā aññatarasmiṁ vā āyatane uppajjati cetaso samudācāro’ti, evaṁ santametaṁ, ānanda, bhikkhu evaṁ pajānāti: ‘yo kho imesu pañcasu kāmaguṇesu chandarāgo so me nappahīno’ti. Itiha tattha sampajāno hoti. Sace panānanda, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ pajānāti: ‘Natthi kho me imesu pañcasu kāmaguṇesu aññatarasmiṁ vā aññatarasmiṁ vā āyatane uppajjati cetaso samudācāro’ti, evaṁ santametaṁ, ānanda, bhikkhu evaṁ pajānāti: ‘yo kho imesu pañcasu kāmaguṇesu chandarāgo so me pahīno’ti. Itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.
13Pañca kho ime, ānanda, upādānakkhandhā yattha bhikkhunā udayabbayānupassinā vihātabbaṁ: ‘iti rūpaṁ iti rūpassa samudayo iti rūpassa atthaṅgamo, iti vedanā … iti saññā … iti saṅkhārā … iti viññāṇaṁ iti viññāṇassa samudayo iti viññāṇassa atthaṅgamo’ti.
Tassa imesu pañcasu upādānakkhandhesu udayabbayānupassino viharato yo pañcasu upādānakkhandhesu asmimāno so pahīyati. Evaṁ santametaṁ, ānanda, bhikkhu evaṁ pajānāti: ‘yo kho imesu pañcasu upādānakkhandhesu asmimāno so me pahīno’ti. Itiha tattha sampajāno hoti.
Ime kho te, ānanda, dhammā ekantakusalā kusalāyātikā ariyā lokuttarā anavakkantā pāpimatā.
Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, ānanda, kaṁ atthavasaṁ sampassamāno arahati sāvako satthāraṁ anubandhituṁ api paṇujjamāno"ti?
"Bhagavaṁmūlakā no, bhante, dhammā bhagavaṁnettikā bhagavaṁpaṭisaraṇā. Sādhu vata, bhante, bhagavantaṁyeva paṭibhātu etassa bhāsitassa attho. Bhagavato sutvā bhikkhū dhāressantī"ti.
14"Na kho, ānanda, arahati sāvako satthāraṁ anubandhituṁ, yadidaṁ suttaṁ geyyaṁ veyyākaraṇaṁ tassa hetu. Taṁ kissa hetu? Dīgharattassa hi te, ānanda, dhammā sutā dhātā vacasā paricitā manasānupekkhitā diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā. Yā ca kho ayaṁ, ānanda, kathā abhisallekhikā cetovinīvaraṇasappāyā ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati, seyyathidaṁ — appicchakathā santuṭṭhikathā pavivekakathā asaṁsaggakathā vīriyārambhakathā sīlakathā samādhikathā paññākathā vimuttikathā vimuttiñāṇadassanakathā — evarūpiyā kho, ānanda, kathāya hetu arahati sāvako satthāraṁ anubandhituṁ api paṇujjamāno.
15Evaṁ sante kho, ānanda, ācariyūpaddavo hoti, evaṁ sante antevāsūpaddavo hoti, evaṁ sante brahmacārūpaddavo hoti.
16Kathañcānanda, ācariyūpaddavo hoti? Idhānanda, ekacco satthā vivittaṁ senāsanaṁ bhajati araññaṁ rukkhamūlaṁ pabbataṁ kandaraṁ giriguhaṁ susānaṁ vanapatthaṁ abbhokāsaṁ palālapuñjaṁ. Tassa tathāvūpakaṭṭhassa viharato anvāvattanti brāhmaṇagahapatikā negamā ceva jānapadā ca. So anvāvattantesu brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca mucchaṁ nikāmayati, gedhaṁ āpajjati, āvattati bāhullāya. Ayaṁ vuccatānanda, upaddavo ācariyo. Ācariyūpaddavena avadhiṁsu naṁ pāpakā akusalā dhammā saṁkilesikā ponobbhavikā sadarā dukkhavipākā āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇiyā. Evaṁ kho, ānanda, ācariyūpaddavo hoti.
17Kathañcānanda, antevāsūpaddavo hoti? Tasseva kho panānanda, satthu sāvako tassa satthu vivekamanubrūhayamāno vivittaṁ senāsanaṁ bhajati araññaṁ rukkhamūlaṁ pabbataṁ kandaraṁ giriguhaṁ susānaṁ vanapatthaṁ abbhokāsaṁ palālapuñjaṁ. Tassa tathāvūpakaṭṭhassa viharato anvāvattanti brāhmaṇagahapatikā negamā ceva jānapadā ca. So anvāvattantesu brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca mucchaṁ nikāmayati, gedhaṁ āpajjati, āvattati bāhullāya. Ayaṁ vuccatānanda, upaddavo antevāsī. Antevāsūpaddavena avadhiṁsu naṁ pāpakā akusalā dhammā saṅkilesikā ponobbhavikā sadarā dukkhavipākā āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇiyā. Evaṁ kho, ānanda, antevāsūpaddavo hoti.
18Kathañcānanda, brahmacārūpaddavo hoti? Idhānanda, tathāgato loke uppajjati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā. So vivittaṁ senāsanaṁ bhajati araññaṁ rukkhamūlaṁ pabbataṁ kandaraṁ giriguhaṁ susānaṁ vanapatthaṁ abbhokāsaṁ palālapuñjaṁ. Tassa tathāvūpakaṭṭhassa viharato anvāvattanti brāhmaṇagahapatikā negamā ceva jānapadā ca. So anvāvattantesu brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca na mucchaṁ nikāmayati, na gedhaṁ āpajjati, na āvattati bāhullāya. Tasseva kho panānanda, satthu sāvako tassa satthu vivekamanubrūhayamāno vivittaṁ senāsanaṁ bhajati araññaṁ rukkhamūlaṁ pabbataṁ kandaraṁ giriguhaṁ susānaṁ vanapatthaṁ abbhokāsaṁ palālapuñjaṁ. Tassa tathāvūpakaṭṭhassa viharato anvāvattanti brāhmaṇagahapatikā negamā ceva jānapadā ca. So anvāvattantesu brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamesu ceva jānapadesu ca mucchaṁ nikāmayati, gedhaṁ āpajjati, āvattati bāhullāya. Ayaṁ vuccatānanda, upaddavo brahmacārī. Brahmacārūpaddavena avadhiṁsu naṁ pāpakā akusalā dhammā saṅkilesikā ponobbhavikā sadarā dukkhavipākā āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇiyā. Evaṁ kho, ānanda, brahmacārūpaddavo hoti.
19Tatrānanda, yo cevāyaṁ ācariyūpaddavo, yo ca antevāsūpaddavo ayaṁ tehi brahmacārūpaddavo dukkhavipākataro ceva kaṭukavipākataro ca, api ca vinipātāya saṁvattati.
20Tasmātiha maṁ, ānanda, mittavatāya samudācaratha, mā sapattavatāya. Taṁ vo bhavissati dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya.
21Kathañcānanda, satthāraṁ sāvakā sapattavatāya samudācaranti, no mittavatāya? Idhānanda, satthā sāvakānaṁ dhammaṁ deseti anukampako hitesī anukampaṁ upādāya: ‘idaṁ vo hitāya, idaṁ vo sukhāyā’ti. Tassa sāvakā na sussūsanti, na sotaṁ odahanti, na aññā cittaṁ upaṭṭhapenti, vokkamma ca satthusāsanā vattanti. Evaṁ kho, ānanda, satthāraṁ sāvakā sapattavatāya samudācaranti, no mittavatāya.
22Kathañcānanda, satthāraṁ sāvakā mittavatāya samudācaranti, no sapattavatāya? Idhānanda, satthā sāvakānaṁ dhammaṁ deseti anukampako hitesī anukampaṁ upādāya: ‘idaṁ vo hitāya, idaṁ vo sukhāyā’ti. Tassa sāvakā sussūsanti, sotaṁ odahanti, aññā cittaṁ upaṭṭhapenti, na ca vokkamma satthusāsanā vattanti. Evaṁ kho, ānanda, satthāraṁ sāvakā mittavatāya samudācaranti, no sapattavatāya.
23Tasmātiha maṁ, ānanda, mittavatāya samudācaratha, mā sapattavatāya. Taṁ vo bhavissati dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya.
Na vo ahaṁ, ānanda, tathā parakkamissāmi yathā kumbhakāro āmake āmakamatte. Niggayha niggayhāhaṁ, ānanda, vakkhāmi; pavayha pavayha, ānanda, vakkhāmi. Yo sāro so ṭhassatī"ti.
24Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamano āyasmā ānando bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandīti.
Mahāsuññatasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ dutiyaṁ.