AN 4.254 · Insight
AN 4.254 · Abhiññāsutta
“Mendicants, there are these four things. What four? There are things that should be completely understood by direct knowledge. There are things that should be given up by direct knowledge. There are things that should be developed by direct knowledge. There are things that should be realized by direct knowledge.
“Cattārome, bhikkhave, dhammā. Katame cattāro? Atthi, bhikkhave, dhammā abhiññā pariññeyyā; atthi, bhikkhave, dhammā abhiññā pahātabbā; atthi, bhikkhave, dhammā abhiññā bhāvetabbā; atthi, bhikkhave, dhammā abhiññā sacchikātabbā.
And what are the things that should be completely understood by direct knowledge? The five grasping aggregates. These are called the things that should be completely understood by direct knowledge.
Katame ca, bhikkhave, dhammā abhiññā pariññeyyā? Pañcupādānakkhandhā— ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, dhammā abhiññā pariññeyyā.
And what are the things that should be given up by direct knowledge? Ignorance and craving for continued existence. These are called the things that should be given up by direct knowledge.
Katame ca, bhikkhave, dhammā abhiññā pahātabbā? Avijjā ca bhavataṇhā ca— ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, dhammā abhiññā pahātabbā.
And what are the things that should be developed by direct knowledge? Serenity and discernment. These are called the things that should be developed by direct knowledge.
Katame ca, bhikkhave, dhammā abhiññā bhāvetabbā? Samatho ca vipassanā ca— ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, dhammā abhiññā bhāvetabbā.
And what are the things that should be realized by direct knowledge? Knowledge and freedom. These are called the things that should be realized by direct knowledge.
Katame ca, bhikkhave, dhammā abhiññā sacchikātabbā? Vijjā ca vimutti ca— ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, dhammā abhiññā sacchikātabbā.
These are the four things.”
Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro dhammā”ti.
Paṭhamaṁ.
AN 4.255 · Searches
AN 4.255 · Pariyesanāsutta
“Mendicants, there are these four ignoble searches. What four? Someone liable to old age searches only for what grows old. Someone liable to sickness searches only for what gets sick. Someone liable to death searches only for what dies. Someone liable to become corrupted searches only for what is defiled. These are the four ignoble searches.
“Catasso imā, bhikkhave, anariyapariyesanā. Katamā catasso? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco attanā jarādhammo samāno jarādhammaṁyeva pariyesati; attanā byādhidhammo samāno byādhidhammaṁyeva pariyesati; attanā maraṇadhammo samāno maraṇadhammaṁyeva pariyesati; attanā saṅkilesadhammo samāno saṅkilesadhammaṁyeva pariyesati. Imā kho, bhikkhave, catasso anariyapariyesanā.
There are these four noble searches. What four? Someone who is liable to grow old, knowing the drawback in what grows old, searches for that which is free of old age, the supreme sanctuary from the yoke, extinguishment. Someone who is liable to get sick, knowing the drawback in what gets sick, searches for that which is free of sickness, the supreme sanctuary from the yoke, extinguishment. Someone who is liable to die, knowing the drawback in what dies, searches for that which is free of death, the supreme sanctuary from the yoke, extinguishment. Someone liable to become corrupted, knowing the drawback in what is defiled, searches for the undefiled supreme sanctuary from the yoke, extinguishment. These are the four noble searches.”
Catasso imā, bhikkhave, ariyapariyesanā. Katamā catasso? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco attanā jarādhammo samāno jarādhamme ādīnavaṁ viditvā ajaraṁ anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ nibbānaṁ pariyesati; attanā byādhidhammo samāno byādhidhamme ādīnavaṁ viditvā abyādhiṁ anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ nibbānaṁ pariyesati; attanā maraṇadhammo samāno maraṇadhamme ādīnavaṁ viditvā amataṁ anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ nibbānaṁ pariyesati; attanā saṅkilesadhammo samāno saṅkilesadhamme ādīnavaṁ viditvā asaṅkiliṭṭhaṁ anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ nibbānaṁ pariyesati. Imā kho, bhikkhave, catasso ariyapariyesanā”ti.
Dutiyaṁ.
AN 4.256 · Ways of Being Inclusive
AN 4.256 · Saṅgahavatthusutta
“Mendicants, there are these four ways of being inclusive. What four? Giving, kindly words, taking care, and equality. These are the four ways of being inclusive.”
“Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, saṅgahavatthūni. Katamāni cattāri? Dānaṁ, peyyavajjaṁ, atthacariyā, samānattatā— Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri saṅgahavatthūnī”ti.
Tatiyaṁ.
AN 4.257 · With Māluṅkyaputta
AN 4.257 · Mālukyaputtasutta
Then Venerable Māluṅkyaputta went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:
Atha kho āyasmā mālukyaputto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā mālukyaputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
“Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.”
“Sādhu me, bhante, bhagavā saṅkhittena dhammaṁ desetu, yamahaṁ bhagavato dhammaṁ sutvā eko vūpakaṭṭho appamatto ātāpī pahitatto vihareyyan”ti.
“Well now, Māluṅkyaputta, what are we to say to the young monks, when even an old man like you, elderly and senior, asks the Realized One for brief advice?”
“Ettha idāni, mālukyaputta, kiṁ dahare bhikkhū vakkhāma; yatra hi nāma tvaṁ jiṇṇo vuddho mahallako tathāgatassa saṅkhittena ovādaṁ yācasī”ti.
“Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief! May the Holy One teach me the Dhamma in brief! Hopefully I can understand the meaning of what the Buddha says! Hopefully I can be an heir of the Buddha’s teaching!”
“Desetu me, bhante, bhagavā saṅkhittena dhammaṁ; desetu sugato saṅkhittena dhammaṁ. Appeva nāmāhaṁ bhagavato bhāsitassa atthaṁ ājāneyyaṁ; appeva nāmāhaṁ bhagavato bhāsitassa dāyādo assan”ti.
“Māluṅkyaputta, there are four things that give rise to craving in a mendicant. What four? For the sake of robes, almsfood, lodgings, or rebirth in this or that state. These are the four things that give rise to craving in a mendicant. That craving is given up by a mendicant, cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future. Then they’re called a mendicant who has cut off craving, cast off the fetters, and by rightly comprehending conceit has made an end of suffering.”
“Cattārome, mālukyaputta, taṇhuppādā yattha bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati. Katame cattāro? Cīvarahetu vā, mālukyaputta, bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati. Piṇḍapātahetu vā, mālukyaputta, bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati. Senāsanahetu vā, mālukyaputta, bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati. Itibhavābhavahetu vā, mālukyaputta, bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati. Ime kho, mālukyaputta, cattāro taṇhuppādā yattha bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati. Yato kho, mālukyaputta, bhikkhuno taṇhā pahīnā hoti ucchinnamūlā tālāvatthukatā anabhāvaṅkatā āyatiṁ anuppādadhammā, ayaṁ vuccati, mālukyaputta, ‘bhikkhu acchecchi taṇhaṁ, vivattayi saṁyojanaṁ, sammā mānābhisamayā antamakāsi dukkhassā’”ti.
When Māluṅkyaputta had been given this advice by the Buddha, he rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving. Then Māluṅkyaputta, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.
Atha kho āyasmā mālukyaputto bhagavatā iminā ovādena ovadito uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkāmi. Atha kho āyasmā mālukyaputto eko vūpakaṭṭho appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto nacirasseva—yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihāsi.
He understood: “Rebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.” And Venerable Māluṅkyaputta became one of the perfected.
“Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā”ti abbhaññāsi. Aññataro ca panāyasmā mālukyaputto arahataṁ ahosīti.
Catutthaṁ.
AN 4.258 · Families
AN 4.258 · Kulasutta
“Mendicants, when families don’t stay wealthy for long, it’s always for one or more of these four reasons. What four? They don’t look for what’s lost; they don’t repair old things; they eat and drink too much; or they put an unethical woman or man in charge. When families don’t stay wealthy for long, it’s always for one or more of these four reasons.
“Yāni kānici, bhikkhave, kulāni bhogesu mahattaṁ pattāni na ciraṭṭhitikāni bhavanti, sabbāni tāni catūhi ṭhānehi, etesaṁ vā aññatarena. Katamehi catūhi? Naṭṭhaṁ na gavesanti, jiṇṇaṁ na paṭisaṅkharonti, aparimitapānabhojanā honti, dussīlaṁ itthiṁ vā purisaṁ vā ādhipacce ṭhapenti. Yāni kānici, bhikkhave, kulāni bhogesu mahattaṁ pattāni na ciraṭṭhitikāni bhavanti, sabbāni tāni imehi catūhi ṭhānehi, etesaṁ vā aññatarena.
When families do stay wealthy for long, it’s always for one or more of these four reasons. What four? They look for what’s lost; they repair old things; they eat and drink in moderation; and they put an ethical woman or man in charge. When families do stay wealthy for long, it’s always for one or more of these four reasons.”
Yāni kānici, bhikkhave, kulāni bhogesu mahattaṁ pattāni ciraṭṭhitikāni bhavanti, sabbāni tāni catūhi ṭhānehi, etesaṁ vā aññatarena. Katamehi catūhi? Naṭṭhaṁ gavesanti, jiṇṇaṁ paṭisaṅkharonti, parimitapānabhojanā honti, sīlavantaṁ itthiṁ vā purisaṁ vā ādhipacce ṭhapenti. Yāni kānici, bhikkhave, kulāni bhogesu mahattaṁ pattāni ciraṭṭhitikāni bhavanti, sabbāni tāni imehi catūhi ṭhānehi, etesaṁ vā aññatarenā”ti.
Pañcamaṁ.
AN 4.259 · A Thoroughbred (1st)
AN 4.259 · Paṭhamaājānīyasutta
“Mendicants, a fine royal thoroughbred with four factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and reckoned a factor of kingship. What four? It’s when a fine royal thoroughbred is beautiful, strong, fast, and well-proportioned. A fine royal thoroughbred with these four factors is worthy of a king. …
“Catūhi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato rañño bhadro assājānīyo rājāraho hoti rājabhoggo, rañño aṅganteva saṅkhaṁ gacchati. Katamehi catūhi? Idha, bhikkhave, rañño bhadro assājānīyo vaṇṇasampanno ca hoti balasampanno ca javasampanno ca ārohapariṇāhasampanno ca. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi aṅgehi samannāgato rañño bhadro assājānīyo rājāraho hoti rājabhoggo, rañño aṅganteva saṅkhaṁ gacchati.
In the same way, a mendicant with four qualities is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of veneration with cupped palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world. What four? It’s when a mendicant is beautiful, strong, fast, and well proportioned.
Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu āhuneyyo hoti …pe… anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa. Katamehi catūhi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vaṇṇasampanno ca hoti balasampanno ca javasampanno ca ārohapariṇāhasampanno ca.
And how is a mendicant beautiful? It’s when a mendicant is ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and resorting for alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken. That’s how a mendicant is beautiful.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vaṇṇasampanno hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sīlavā hoti …pe… samādāya sikkhati sikkhāpadesu. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vaṇṇasampanno hoti.
And how is a mendicant strong? It’s when a mendicant lives with energy roused up for giving up unskillful qualities and embracing skillful qualities. They are strong, staunchly vigorous, not slacking off when it comes to developing skillful qualities. That’s how a mendicant is strong.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu balasampanno hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu āraddhavīriyo viharati akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya, kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ upasampadāya, thāmavā daḷhaparakkamo anikkhittadhuro kusalesu dhammesu. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu balasampanno hoti.
And how is a mendicant fast? It’s when they truly understand: ‘This is suffering’ … ‘This is the origin of suffering’ … ‘This is the cessation of suffering’ … ‘This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering’. That’s how a mendicant is fast.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu javasampanno hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu javasampanno hoti.
And how is a mendicant well proportioned? It’s when a mendicant receives robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. That’s how a mendicant is well proportioned.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ārohapariṇāhasampanno hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu lābhī hoti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ārohapariṇāhasampanno hoti.
A mendicant with these four qualities … is the supreme field of merit for the world.”
Imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu āhuneyyo hoti …pe… anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassā”ti.
Chaṭṭhaṁ.
AN 4.260 · A Thoroughbred (2nd)
AN 4.260 · Dutiyaājānīyasutta
“Mendicants, a fine royal thoroughbred with four factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and reckoned a factor of kingship. What four? It’s when a fine royal thoroughbred is beautiful, strong, fast, and well-proportioned. A fine royal thoroughbred with these four factors is worthy of a king. …
“Catūhi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato rañño bhadro assājānīyo rājāraho hoti rājabhoggo, rañño aṅganteva saṅkhaṁ gacchati. Katamehi catūhi? Idha, bhikkhave, rañño bhadro assājānīyo vaṇṇasampanno ca hoti, balasampanno ca, javasampanno ca, ārohapariṇāhasampanno ca. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi aṅgehi samannāgato rañño bhadro assājānīyo rājāraho hoti rājabhoggo, rañño aṅganteva saṅkhaṁ gacchati.
In the same way, a mendicant with four qualities is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of veneration with cupped palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world. What four? It’s when a mendicant is beautiful, strong, fast, and well proportioned.
Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu āhuneyyo hoti …pe… anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa. Katamehi catūhi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vaṇṇasampanno ca hoti, balasampanno ca, javasampanno ca, ārohapariṇāhasampanno ca.
And how is a mendicant beautiful? It’s when a mendicant is ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and resorting for alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken. That’s how a mendicant is beautiful.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vaṇṇasampanno hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sīlavā hoti …pe… samādāya sikkhati sikkhāpadesu. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vaṇṇasampanno hoti.
And how is a mendicant strong? It’s when a mendicant lives with energy roused up for giving up unskillful qualities and embracing skillful qualities. They are strong, staunchly vigorous, not slacking off when it comes to developing skillful qualities. That’s how a mendicant is strong.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu balasampanno hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu āraddhavīriyo viharati akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya, kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ upasampadāya, thāmavā daḷhaparakkamo anikkhittadhuro kusalesu dhammesu. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu balasampanno hoti.
And how is a mendicant fast? It’s when a mendicant realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. And they live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements. That’s how a mendicant is fast.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu javasampanno hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā …pe… sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu javasampanno hoti.
And how is a mendicant well proportioned? It’s when a mendicant receives robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. That’s how a mendicant is well proportioned.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ārohapariṇāhasampanno hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu lābhī hoti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ārohapariṇāhasampanno hoti.
A mendicant with these four qualities … is the supreme field of merit for the world.”
Imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu āhuneyyo hoti …pe… anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassā”ti.
Sattamaṁ.
AN 4.261 · Powers
AN 4.261 · Balasutta
“Mendicants, there are these four powers. What four? The powers of energy, mindfulness, immersion, and wisdom. These are the four powers.”
“Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, balāni. Katamāni cattāri? Vīriyabalaṁ, satibalaṁ, samādhibalaṁ, paññābalaṁ— Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri balānī”ti.
Aṭṭhamaṁ.
AN 4.262 · Wilderness
AN 4.262 · Araññasutta
“Mendicants, when a mendicant has four qualities they’re not ready to frequent remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest. What four? They have sensual, malicious, and cruel thoughts; or they’re witless, dull, and idiotic. When a mendicant possesses these four qualities they’re not ready to frequent remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest.
“Catūhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu nālaṁ araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni paṭisevituṁ. Katamehi catūhi? Kāmavitakkena, byāpādavitakkena, vihiṁsāvitakkena, duppañño hoti jaḷo elamūgo— imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu nālaṁ araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni paṭisevituṁ.
When a mendicant has four qualities they’re ready to frequent remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest. What four? They have thoughts of renunciation, good will, and harmlessness; and they’re wise, bright, and clever. When a mendicant possesses these four qualities they’re ready to frequent remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest.”
Catūhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni paṭisevituṁ. Katamehi catūhi? Nekkhammavitakkena, abyāpādavitakkena, avihiṁsāvitakkena, paññavā hoti ajaḷo anelamūgo— imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni paṭisevitun”ti.
Navamaṁ.
AN 4.263 · Deeds
AN 4.263 · Kammasutta
“When a foolish, incompetent untrue person has four qualities they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much wickedness. What four? Blameworthy deeds by way of body, speech, and mind, and blameworthy view. When a foolish, incompetent untrue person possesses these four qualities they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much wickedness.
“Catūhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavati. Katamehi catūhi? Sāvajjena kāyakammena, sāvajjena vacīkammena, sāvajjena manokammena, sāvajjāya diṭṭhiyā— imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavati.
When an astute, competent true person has four qualities they keep themselves healthy and whole. They don’t deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much merit. What four? Blameless deeds by way of body, speech, and mind, and blameless view. When an astute, competent true person possesses these four qualities they keep themselves healthy and whole. They don’t deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much merit.”
Catūhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavati. Katamehi catūhi? Anavajjena kāyakammena, anavajjena vacīkammena, anavajjena manokammena, anavajjāya diṭṭhiyā— imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavatī”ti.
Dasamaṁ.
Abhiññāvaggo chaṭṭho.
Tassuddānaṁ
Abhiññā pariyesanā,saṅgahaṁ mālukyaputto;Kulaṁ dve ca ājānīyā,balaṁ araññakammunāti.