Light/Dark

Majjhima Nikāya

MN146: Nandakovādasutta - Advice from Nandaka

1So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Then Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī together with around five hundred nuns approached the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him: “Sir, may the Buddha please advise and instruct the nuns. Please give the nuns a Dhamma talk.”

2Now at that time the senior monks were taking turns to advise the nuns. But Venerable Nandaka didn’t want to take his turn.

Then the Buddha said to Venerable Ānanda: “Ānanda, whose turn is it to advise the nuns today?”

“It’s Nandaka’s turn, sir, but he doesn’t want to do it.”


3Then the Buddha said to Nandaka: “Nandaka, please advise and instruct the nuns. Please, brahmin, give the nuns a Dhamma talk.”

“Yes, sir,” replied Nandaka. Then, in the morning, he robed up and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. He wandered for alms in Sāvatthī. After the meal, on his return from alms-round, he went to the Royal Monastery with a companion. Those nuns saw him coming off in the distance, so they spread out a seat and placed water for washing the feet. Nandaka sat down on the seat spread out, and washed his feet. Those nuns bowed, and sat down to one side.Nandaka said to them:

“Sisters, this talk shall be in the form of questions. When you understand, say so. When you don’t understand, say so. If anyone has a doubt or uncertainty, ask me about it: ‘Why, sir, does it say this? What does that mean?’”

“We’re already delighted and satisfied with Venerable Nandaka, since he invites us like this.”


4“What do you think, sisters? Is the eye permanent or impermanent?”

“Impermanent, sir.”

“But if it’s impermanent, is it suffering or happiness?”

“Suffering, sir.”

“But if it’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, is it fit to be regarded thus: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”

“No, sir.”


“What do you think, sisters? Is the ear … nose … tongue … body … mind permanent or impermanent?”


“Impermanent, sir.”

“But if it’s impermanent, is it suffering or happiness?”

“Suffering, sir.”

“But if it’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, is it fit to be regarded thus: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”

“No, sir. Why is that? Because we have already truly seen this with right wisdom: ‘So these six interior sense fields are impermanent.’”

“Good, good, sisters! That’s how it is for a noble disciple who truly sees with right wisdom.


5What do you think, sisters? Are sights permanent or impermanent?”

“Impermanent, sir.”

“But if they're impermanent, are they suffering or happiness?”

“Suffering, sir.”

“But if they're impermanent, suffering, and perishable, are they fit to be regarded thus: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”

“No, sir.”


“What do you think, sisters? Are sounds … smells … tastes … touches … thoughts permanent or impermanent?”


“Impermanent, sir.”

“But if they're impermanent, are they suffering or happiness?”

“Suffering, sir.”


“But if they're impermanent, suffering, and perishable, are they fit to be regarded thus: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”

“No, sir. Why is that? Because we have already truly seen this with right wisdom: ‘So these six exterior sense fields are impermanent.’”

“Good, good, sisters! That’s how it is for a noble disciple who truly sees with right wisdom.


6What do you think, sisters? Is eye consciousness … ear consciousness … nose consciousness … tongue consciousness … body consciousness … mind consciousness permanent or impermanent?”


“Impermanent, sir.”

“But if it’s impermanent, is it suffering or happiness?”

“Suffering, sir.”

“But if it’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, is it fit to be regarded thus: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”

“No, sir. Why is that? Because we have already truly seen this with right wisdom: ‘So these six classes of consciousness are impermanent.’”

“Good, good, sisters! That’s how it is for a noble disciple who truly sees with right wisdom.


7Suppose there was an oil lamp burning. The oil, wick, flame, and light were all impermanent and perishable. Now, suppose someone was to say: ‘While this oil lamp is burning, the oil, the wick, and the flame are all impermanent and perishable. But the light is permanent, lasting, eternal, and imperishable.’ Would they be speaking rightly?”

“No, sir. Why is that? Because that oil lamp’s oil, wick, and flame are all impermanent and perishable, let alone the light.”

“In the same way, suppose someone was to say: ‘These six interior sense fields are impermanent. But the feeling — whether pleasant, painful, or neutral — that I experience due to these six interior sense fields is permanent, lasting, eternal, and imperishable.’ Would they be speaking rightly?”

“No, sir. Why is that? Because each kind of feeling arises dependent on the corresponding condition. When the corresponding condition ceases, the appropriate feeling ceases.”

“Good, good, sisters! That’s how it is for a noble disciple who truly sees with right wisdom.


8Suppose there was a large tree standing with heartwood. The roots, trunk, branches and leaves, and shadow were all impermanent and perishable. Now, suppose someone was to say: ‘There’s a large tree standing with heartwood. The roots, trunk, and branches and leaves are all impermanent and perishable. But the shadow is permanent, lasting, eternal, and imperishable.’ Would they be speaking rightly?”

“No, sir. Why is that? Because that large tree’s roots, trunk, and branches and leaves are all impermanent and perishable, let alone the shadow.”

“In the same way, suppose someone was to say: ‘These six exterior sense fields are impermanent. But the feeling — whether pleasant, painful, or neutral — that I experience due to these six exterior sense fields is permanent, lasting, eternal, and imperishable.’ Would they be speaking rightly?”

“No, sir. Why is that? Because each kind of feeling arises dependent on the corresponding condition. When the corresponding condition ceases, the appropriate feeling ceases.”

“Good, good, sisters! That’s how it is for a noble disciple who truly sees with right wisdom.


9Suppose a deft butcher or their apprentice was to kill a cow and carve it with a sharp meat cleaver. Without damaging the flesh inside or the hide outside, they’d cut, carve, sever, and slice through the connecting tendons, sinews, and ligaments, and then peel off the outer hide. Then they’d wrap that cow up in that very same hide and say: ‘This cow is joined to its hide just like before.’ Would they be speaking rightly?”

“No, sir. Why is that? Because even if they wrap that cow up in that very same hide and say: ‘This cow is joined to its hide just like before,’ still that cow is not joined to that hide.”


10“I’ve made up this simile to make a point. And this is the point. ‘The inner flesh’ is a term for the six interior sense fields. ‘The outer hide’ is a term for the six exterior sense fields. ‘The connecting tendons, sinews, and ligaments’ is a term for desire with relishing. ‘A sharp meat cleaver’ is a term for noble wisdom. And it is that noble wisdom which cuts, carves, severs, and slices the connecting corruption, fetter, and bond.

11Sisters, by developing and cultivating these seven awakening factors, a mendicant realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements. What seven? It’s when a mendicant develops the awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. It is by developing and cultivating these seven awakening factors that a mendicant realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements.”


12Then after giving this advice to the nuns, Nandaka dismissed them, saying: “Go, sisters, it is time.”


And then those nuns approved and agreed with what Nandaka had said. They got up from their seat, bowed, and respectfully circled him, keeping him on their right. Then they went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side. The Buddha said to them: “Go, nuns, it is time.”

Then those nuns bowed to the Buddha respectfully circled him, keeping him on their right, before departing.

Soon after those nuns had left, the Buddha addressed the mendicants: “Suppose, mendicants, it was the sabbath of the fourteenth day. You wouldn’t get lots of people wondering whether the moon is full or not, since it is obviously not full.

In the same way, those nuns were uplifted by Nandaka’s Dhamma teaching, but they still haven’t found what they’re looking for.”


13-22Then the Buddha said to Nandaka: “Well then, Nandaka, tomorrow you should give those nuns the same advice again.”


“Yes, sir,” Nandaka replied. And the next day he went to those nuns, and all unfolded just like the previous day.


Soon after those nuns had left, the Buddha addressed the mendicants: “Suppose, mendicants, it was the sabbath of the fifteenth day. You wouldn’t get lots of people wondering whether the moon is full or not, since it is obviously full. In the same way, those nuns were uplifted by Nandaka’s Dhamma teaching, and they found what they’re looking for. Even the last of these five hundred nuns is a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, bound for awakening.”


23That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the mendicants were happy with what the Buddha said.

1Evaṁ me sutaṁ — ​ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

Atha kho mahāpajāpatigotamī pañcamattehi bhikkhunisatehi saddhiṁ yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho mahāpajāpatigotamī bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: "ovadatu, bhante, bhagavā bhikkhuniyo; anusāsatu, bhante, bhagavā bhikkhuniyo; karotu, bhante, bhagavā bhikkhunīnaṁ dhammiṁ kathan"ti.

2Tena kho pana samayena therā bhikkhū bhikkhuniyo ovadanti pariyāyena. Āyasmā nandako na icchati bhikkhuniyo ovadituṁ pariyāyena.

Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ āmantesi: "kassa nu kho, ānanda, ajja pariyāyo bhikkhuniyo ovadituṁ pariyāyenā"ti? "Sabbeheva, bhante, kato pariyāyo bhikkhuniyo ovadituṁ pariyāyena.

Ayaṁ, bhante, āyasmā nandako na icchati bhikkhuniyo ovadituṁ pariyāyenā"ti.


3Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ āmantesi: "ovada, nandaka, bhikkhuniyo; anusāsa, nandaka, bhikkhuniyo; karohi tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhikkhunīnaṁ dhammiṁ kathan"ti.

"Evaṁ, bhante"ti kho āyasmā nandako bhagavato paṭissutvā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto attadutiyo yena rājakārāmo tenupasaṅkami. Addasaṁsu kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ. Disvāna āsanaṁ paññāpesuṁ, udakañca pādānaṁ upaṭṭhapesuṁ. Nisīdi kho āyasmā nandako paññatte āsane. Nisajja pāde pakkhālesi. Tāpi kho bhikkhuniyo āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmā nandako etadavoca:

"paṭipucchakathā kho, bhaginiyo, bhavissati. Tattha ājānantīhi: ‘ājānāmā’ tissa vacanīyaṁ, na ājānantīhi: ‘Na ājānāmā’ tissa vacanīyaṁ. Yassā vā panassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā ahameva tattha paṭipucchitabbo: ‘idaṁ, bhante, kathaṁ; imassa kvattho’"ti?

"Ettakenapi mayaṁ, bhante, ayyassa nandakassa attamanā abhiraddhā yaṁ no ayyo nandako pavāretī"ti.


4"Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, cakkhu niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?

"Aniccaṁ, bhante".

"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti?

"Dukkhaṁ, bhante".

"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti?

"No hetaṁ, bhante".


"Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, sotaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?

"Aniccaṁ, bhante … pe … ghānaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?

"Aniccaṁ, bhante" … "jivhā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti?

"Aniccā, bhante" … "kāyo nicco vā anicco vā"ti?

"Anicco, bhante" … "mano nicco vā anicco vā"ti?


"Anicco, bhante".

"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti?

"Dukkhaṁ, bhante".

"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti?

"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ: ‘itipime cha ajjhattikā āyatanā aniccā’"ti.

"Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.


5Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, rūpā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti?

"Aniccā, bhante".

"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti?

"Dukkhaṁ, bhante".

"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti?

"No hetaṁ, bhante".


"Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, saddā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti?

"Aniccā, bhante … pe … gandhā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti?

"Aniccā, bhante" … "rasā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti?

"Aniccā, bhante" … "phoṭṭhabbā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti?

"Aniccā, bhante" … "dhammā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti?


"Aniccā, bhante".

"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti?

"Dukkhaṁ, bhante".


"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti?

"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ: ‘itipime cha bāhirā āyatanā aniccā’"ti.

"Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.


6Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, cakkhuviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?

"Aniccaṁ, bhante".

"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti?

"Dukkhaṁ, bhante".

"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti?

"No hetaṁ, bhante".

"Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, sotaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?

"Aniccaṁ, bhante … pe … ghānaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?

"Aniccaṁ, bhante" … "jivhāviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?

"Aniccaṁ, bhante" … "kāyaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?

"Aniccaṁ, bhante" … "manoviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?


"Aniccaṁ, bhante".

"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vāti"?

"Dukkhaṁ, bhante".

"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti?

"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ: ‘itipime cha viññāṇakāyā aniccā’"ti.

"Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.


7Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, ābhāpi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā. Yo nu kho, bhaginiyo, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘amussa telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā; yā ca khvāssa ābhā sā niccā dhuvā sassatā avipariṇāmadhammā’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti?

"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Amussa hi, bhante, telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā; pagevassa ābhā aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā"ti.

"Evameva kho, bhaginiyo, yo nu kho evaṁ vadeyya: ‘cha khome ajjhattikā āyatanā aniccā; yañca kho cha ajjhattike āyatane paṭicca paṭisaṁvedeti sukhaṁ vā dukkhaṁ vā adukkhamasukhaṁ vā taṁ niccaṁ dhuvaṁ sassataṁ avipariṇāmadhamman’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti?

"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Tajjaṁ tajjaṁ, bhante, paccayaṁ paṭicca tajjā tajjā vedanā uppajjanti. Tajjassa tajjassa paccayassa nirodhā tajjā tajjā vedanā nirujjhantī"ti.

"Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.


8Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, chāyāpi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā. Yo nu kho, bhaginiyo, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘amussa mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, yā ca khvāssa chāyā sā niccā dhuvā sassatā avipariṇāmadhammā’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti?

"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Amussa hi, bhante, mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ; pagevassa chāyā aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā"ti.

"Evameva kho, bhaginiyo, yo nu kho evaṁ vadeyya: ‘cha khome bāhirā āyatanā aniccā. Yañca kho cha bāhire āyatane paṭicca paṭisaṁvedeti sukhaṁ vā dukkhaṁ vā adukkhamasukhaṁ vā taṁ niccaṁ dhuvaṁ sassataṁ avipariṇāmadhamman’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti?

"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Tajjaṁ tajjaṁ, bhante, paccayaṁ paṭicca tajjā tajjā vedanā uppajjanti. Tajjassa tajjassa paccayassa nirodhā tajjā tajjā vedanā nirujjhantī"ti.

"Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.


9Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā tiṇhena govikantanena gāviṁ saṅkanteyya anupahacca antaraṁ maṁsakāyaṁ anupahacca bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ. Yaṁ yadeva tattha antarā vilimaṁsaṁ antarā nhāru antarā bandhanaṁ taṁ tadeva tiṇhena govikantanena sañchindeyya saṅkanteyya sampakanteyya samparikanteyya. Sañchinditvā saṅkantitvā sampakantitvā samparikantitvā vidhunitvā bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ teneva cammena taṁ gāviṁ paṭicchādetvā evaṁ vadeyya: ‘tathevāyaṁ gāvī saṁyuttā imināva cammenā’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti?

"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Amu hi, bhante, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā tiṇhena govikantanena gāviṁ saṅkanteyya anupahacca antaraṁ maṁsakāyaṁ anupahacca bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ. Yaṁ yadeva tattha antarā vilimaṁsaṁ antarā nhāru antarā bandhanaṁ taṁ tadeva tiṇhena govikantanena sañchindeyya saṅkanteyya sampakanteyya samparikanteyya. Sañchinditvā saṅkantitvā sampakantitvā samparikantitvā vidhunitvā bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ teneva cammena taṁ gāviṁ paṭicchādetvā kiñcāpi so evaṁ vadeyya: ‘tathevāyaṁ gāvī saṁyuttā imināva cammenā’ti; atha kho sā gāvī visaṁyuttā teneva cammenā"ti.


10"Upamā kho me ayaṁ, bhaginiyo, katā atthassa viññāpanāya. Ayamevettha attho; ‘antarā maṁsakāyo’ti kho, bhaginiyo, channetaṁ ajjhattikānaṁ āyatanānaṁ adhivacanaṁ; ‘bāhiro cammakāyo’ti kho, bhaginiyo, channetaṁ bāhirānaṁ āyatanānaṁ adhivacanaṁ; ‘antarā vilimaṁsaṁ, antarā nhāru, antarā bandhanan’ti kho, bhaginiyo, nandīrāgassetaṁ adhivacanaṁ; ‘tiṇhaṁ govikantanan’ti kho, bhaginiyo, ariyāyetaṁ paññāya adhivacanaṁ; yāyaṁ ariyā paññā antarā kilesaṁ antarā saṁyojanaṁ antarā bandhanaṁ sañchindati saṅkantati sampakantati samparikantati.

11Satta kho panime, bhaginiyo, bojjhaṅgā, yesaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati. Katame satta? Idha, bhaginiyo, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ, dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … pe … vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … pītisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … passaddhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … samādhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Ime kho, bhaginiyo, satta bojjhaṅgā, yesaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharatī"ti.


12Atha kho āyasmā nandako tā bhikkhuniyo iminā ovādena ovaditvā uyyojesi: "gacchatha, bhaginiyo; kālo"ti.


Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmato nandakassa bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavā etadavoca: "gacchatha, bhikkhuniyo; kālo"ti.

Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkamiṁsu.

Atha kho bhagavā acirapakkantīsu tāsu bhikkhunīsu bhikkhū āmantesi: "Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, tadahuposathe cātuddase na hoti bahuno janassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā: ‘ūno nu kho cando, puṇṇo nu kho cando’ti, atha kho ūno cando tveva hoti.

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, tā bhikkhuniyo nandakassa dhammadesanāya attamanā honti no ca kho paripuṇṇasaṅkappā"ti.


13Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ āmantesi: "Tena hi tvaṁ, nandaka, svepi tā bhikkhuniyo tenevovādena ovadeyyāsī"ti.


"Evaṁ, bhante"ti kho āyasmā nandako bhagavato paccassosi. Atha kho āyasmā nandako tassā rattiyā accayena pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto attadutiyo yena rājakārāmo tenupasaṅkami. Addasaṁsu kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ. Disvāna āsanaṁ paññāpesuṁ, udakañca pādānaṁ upaṭṭhapesuṁ. Nisīdi kho āyasmā nandako paññatte āsane. Nisajja pāde pakkhālesi. Tāpi kho bhikkhuniyo āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmā nandako etadavoca: "paṭipucchakathā kho, bhaginiyo, bhavissati. Tattha ājānantīhi ‘ājānāmā’ tissa vacanīyaṁ, na ājānantīhi ‘Na ājānāmā’ tissa vacanīyaṁ. Yassā vā panassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā, ahameva tattha paṭipucchitabbo: ‘idaṁ, bhante, kathaṁ; imassa kvattho’"ti. "Ettakenapi mayaṁ, bhante, ayyassa nandakassa attamanā abhiraddhā yaṁ no ayyo nandako pavāretī"ti.

14"Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, cakkhu niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti? "Dukkhaṁ, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, sotaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante … pe … ghānaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante … jivhā … kāyo … mano nicco vā anicco vā"ti? "Anicco, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti? "Dukkhaṁ, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ: ‘itipime cha ajjhattikā āyatanā aniccā’"ti. "Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.

15Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, rūpā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti? "Aniccā, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti? "Dukkhaṁ, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, saddā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti? "Aniccā, bhante … pe … gandhā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti? "Aniccā, bhante … rasā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti? "Aniccā, bhante … phoṭṭhabbā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti? "Aniccā, bhante … dhammā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti? "Aniccā, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti? "Dukkhaṁ, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ: ‘itipime cha bāhirā āyatanā aniccā’"ti. "Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.

16Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, cakkhuviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante … pe … sotaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante … ghānaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante … jivhāviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante … kāyaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante … manoviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti? "Dukkhaṁ, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ: ‘itipime cha viññāṇakāyā aniccā’"ti. "Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.

17Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, ābhāpi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā. Yo nu kho, bhaginiyo, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘amussa telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā; yā ca khvāssa ābhā sā niccā dhuvā sassatā avipariṇāmadhammā’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Amussa hi, bhante, telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā; pagevassa ābhā aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā"ti. "Evameva kho, bhaginiyo, yo nu kho evaṁ vadeyya: ‘cha khome ajjhattikā āyatanā aniccā. Yañca kho cha ajjhattike āyatane paṭicca paṭisaṁvedeti sukhaṁ vā dukkhaṁ vā adukkhamasukhaṁ vā taṁ niccaṁ dhuvaṁ sassataṁ avipariṇāmadhamman’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Tajjaṁ tajjaṁ, bhante, paccayaṁ paṭicca tajjā tajjā vedanā uppajjanti. Tajjassa tajjassa paccayassa nirodhā tajjā tajjā vedanā nirujjhantī"ti. "Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.

18Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, chāyāpi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā. Yo nu kho, bhaginiyo, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘amussa mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ; yā ca khvāssa chāyā sā niccā dhuvā sassatā avipariṇāmadhammā’ti; sammā nu kho so bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Amussa hi, bhante, mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ; pagevassa chāyā aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā"ti. "Evameva kho, bhaginiyo, yo nu kho evaṁ vadeyya: ‘cha khome bāhirā āyatanā aniccā. Yañca kho bāhire āyatane paṭicca paṭisaṁvedeti sukhaṁ vā dukkhaṁ vā adukkhamasukhaṁ vā taṁ niccaṁ dhuvaṁ sassataṁ avipariṇāmadhamman’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Tajjaṁ tajjaṁ, bhante, paccayaṁ paṭicca tajjā tajjā vedanā uppajjanti. Tajjassa tajjassa paccayassa nirodhā tajjā tajjā vedanā nirujjhantī"ti. "Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.

19Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā tiṇhena govikantanena gāviṁ saṅkanteyya anupahacca antaraṁ maṁsakāyaṁ anupahacca bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ. Yaṁ yadeva tattha antarā vilimaṁsaṁ antarā nhāru antarā bandhanaṁ taṁ tadeva tiṇhena govikantanena sañchindeyya saṅkanteyya sampakanteyya samparikanteyya. Sañchinditvā saṅkantitvā sampakantitvā samparikantitvā vidhunitvā bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ teneva cammena taṁ gāviṁ paṭicchādetvā evaṁ vadeyya: ‘tathevāyaṁ gāvī saṁyuttā imināva cammenā’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Amu hi, bhante, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā tiṇhena govikantanena gāviṁ saṅkanteyya anupahacca antaraṁ maṁsakāyaṁ anupahacca bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ. Yaṁ yadeva tattha antarā vilimaṁsaṁ antarā nhāru antarā bandhanaṁ taṁ tadeva tiṇhena govikantanena sañchindeyya saṅkanteyya sampakanteyya samparikanteyya. Sañchinditvā saṅkantitvā sampakantitvā samparikantitvā vidhunitvā bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ teneva cammena taṁ gāviṁ paṭicchādetvā kiñcāpi so evaṁ vadeyya: ‘tathevāyaṁ gāvī saṁyuttā imināva cammenā’ti; atha kho sā gāvī visaṁyuttā teneva cammenā"ti.

20"Upamā kho me ayaṁ, bhaginiyo, katā atthassa viññāpanāya ayamevettha attho. ‘Antarā maṁsakāyo’ti kho, bhaginiyo, channetaṁ ajjhattikānaṁ āyatanānaṁ adhivacanaṁ; ‘bāhiro cammakāyo’ti kho, bhaginiyo, channetaṁ bāhirānaṁ āyatanānaṁ adhivacanaṁ; ‘antarā vilimaṁsaṁ antarā nhāru antarā bandhanan’ti kho, bhaginiyo, nandīrāgassetaṁ adhivacanaṁ; ‘tiṇhaṁ govikantanan’ti kho, bhaginiyo, ariyāyetaṁ paññāya adhivacanaṁ; yāyaṁ ariyā paññā antarā kilesaṁ antarā saṁyojanaṁ antarā bandhanaṁ sañchindati saṅkantati sampakantati samparikantati.

21Satta kho panime, bhaginiyo, bojjhaṅgā, yesaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati. Katame satta? Idha, bhaginiyo, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … pe … vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … pītisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … passaddhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … samādhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Ime kho, bhaginiyo, satta bojjhaṅgā yesaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharatī"ti.

22Atha kho āyasmā nandako tā bhikkhuniyo iminā ovādena ovaditvā uyyojesi: "gacchatha, bhaginiyo; kālo"ti. Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmato nandakassa bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavā etadavoca: "gacchatha, bhikkhuniyo; kālo"ti.

Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkamiṁsu.


Atha kho bhagavā acirapakkantīsu tāsu bhikkhunīsu bhikkhū āmantesi: "Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, tadahuposathe pannarase na hoti bahuno janassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā: ‘ūno nu kho cando, puṇṇo nu kho cando’ti, atha kho puṇṇo cando tveva hoti; evameva kho, bhikkhave, tā bhikkhuniyo nandakassa dhammadesanāya attamanā ceva paripuṇṇasaṅkappā ca. Tāsaṁ, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ bhikkhunisatānaṁ yā pacchimikā bhikkhunī sotāpannā avinipātadhammā niyatā sambodhiparāyanā"ti.


23Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

Nandakovādasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ catutthaṁ.