AN 7.32 · Respect for Diligence
AN 7.32 · Appamādagāravasutta
Then, late at night, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him:
Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho sā devatā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
“Sir, these seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant. What seven? Respect for the Teacher, for the teaching, for the Saṅgha, for the training, for immersion, for diligence, and for hospitality. These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant.”
“Sattime, bhante, dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattanti. Katame satta? Satthugāravatā, dhammagāravatā, saṅghagāravatā, sikkhāgāravatā, samādhigāravatā, appamādagāravatā, paṭisanthāragāravatā. Ime kho, bhante, satta dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattantī”ti.
That is what that deity said, and the Teacher concurred. Then that deity, knowing that the Teacher concurred, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before vanishing right there.
Idamavoca sā devatā. Samanuñño satthā ahosi. Atha kho sā devatā “samanuñño me satthā”ti bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyi.
Then, when the night had passed, the Buddha told the mendicants all that had happened, adding:
Atha kho bhagavā tassā rattiyā accayena bhikkhū āmantesi: “imaṁ, bhikkhave, rattiṁ aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho, bhikkhave, sā devatā maṁ etadavoca: ‘sattime, bhante, dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattanti. Katame satta? Satthugāravatā, dhammagāravatā, saṅghagāravatā, sikkhāgāravatā, samādhigāravatā, appamādagāravatā, paṭisanthāragāravatā— ime kho, bhante, satta dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattantī’ti.
Idamavoca, bhikkhave, sā devatā. Idaṁ vatvā maṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyīti.
“Respect for the Teacher and the teaching,and keen respect for the Saṅgha;respect for immersion, being energetic,and keen respect for the training.
Satthugaru dhammagaru,saṅghe ca tibbagāravo;Samādhigaru ātāpī,sikkhāya tibbagāravo.
A mendicant who respects diligenceand hospitalitycan’t decline,and has drawn near to extinguishment.”
Appamādagaru bhikkhu,paṭisanthāragāravo;Abhabbo parihānāya,nibbānasseva santike”ti.
Paṭhamaṁ.
AN 7.33 · Respect for Conscience
AN 7.33 · Hirigāravasutta
“Mendicants, tonight, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, came to me, bowed, stood to one side, and said to me: ‘Sir, these seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant. What seven? Respect for the Teacher, for the teaching, for the Saṅgha, for the training, for immersion, for conscience, and for prudence. These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant.’
“Imaṁ, bhikkhave, rattiṁ aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho, bhikkhave, sā devatā maṁ etadavoca: ‘sattime, bhante, dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattanti. Katame satta? Satthugāravatā, dhammagāravatā, saṅghagāravatā, sikkhāgāravatā, samādhigāravatā, hirigāravatā, ottappagāravatā. Ime kho, bhante, satta dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattantī’ti.
That is what that deity said. Then he bowed and respectfully circled me, keeping me on his right side, before vanishing right there.
Idamavoca, bhikkhave, sā devatā. Idaṁ vatvā maṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyīti.
One respectful of the Teacher and the teaching,keenly respecting the Saṅgha;respecting immersion, being energetic,and keenly respecting the training;
Satthugaru dhammagaru,saṅghe ca tibbagāravo;Samādhigaru ātāpī,sikkhāya tibbagāravo.
endowed with conscience and prudence,reverential and respectful—it is impossible for them to decline;they have drawn near to extinguishment.”
Hiriottappasampanno,sappatisso sagāravo;Abhabbo parihānāya,nibbānasseva santike”ti.
Dutiyaṁ.
AN 7.34 · Easy to Admonish (1st)
AN 7.34 · Paṭhamasovacassatāsutta
“Mendicants, tonight a deity … said to me: ‘Sir, these seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant. What seven? Respect for the Teacher, for the teaching, for the Saṅgha, for the training, for immersion; being easy to admonish, and good friendship. These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant.’
“Imaṁ, bhikkhave, rattiṁ aññatarā devatā …pe… maṁ etadavoca: ‘sattime, bhante, dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattanti. Katame satta? Satthugāravatā, dhammagāravatā, saṅghagāravatā, sikkhāgāravatā, samādhigāravatā, sovacassatā, kalyāṇamittatā. Ime kho, bhante, satta dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattantī’ti.
That is what that deity said. Then he bowed and respectfully circled me, keeping me on his right side, before vanishing right there.
Idamavoca, bhikkhave, sā devatā. Idaṁ vatvā maṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyīti.
Respect for the Teacher and the teaching,and keen respect for the Saṅgha;respecting immersion, being energetic,and keen respect for the training.
Satthugaru dhammagaru,saṅghe ca tibbagāravo;Samādhigaru ātāpī,sikkhāya tibbagāravo.
One with good friends, easy to admonish,reverential and respectful,can’t decline,and has drawn near to extinguishment.”
Kalyāṇamitto suvaco,sappatisso sagāravo;Abhabbo parihānāya,nibbānasseva santike”ti.
Tatiyaṁ.
AN 7.35 · Easy to Admonish (2nd)
AN 7.35 · Dutiyasovacassatāsutta
“Mendicants, tonight a deity … said to me: ‘Sir, these seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant. What seven? Respect for the Teacher, for the teaching, for the Saṅgha, for the training, for immersion; being easy to admonish, and good friendship. These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant.’
“Imaṁ, bhikkhave, rattiṁ aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā …pe… ‘sattime, bhante, dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattanti. Katame satta? Satthugāravatā, dhammagāravatā, saṅghagāravatā, sikkhāgāravatā, samādhigāravatā, sovacassatā, kalyāṇamittatā. Ime kho, bhante, satta dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattantī’ti.
That is what that deity said. Then he bowed and respectfully circled me, keeping me on his right side, before vanishing right there.”
Idamavoca, bhikkhave, sā devatā. Idaṁ vatvā maṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyī”ti.
When he said this, Venerable Sāriputta said to the Buddha:
Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā sāriputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
“Sir, this is how I understand the detailed meaning of the Buddha’s brief statement.
“imassa kho ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa evaṁ vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāmi.
It’s when a mendicant personally respects the Teacher and praises such respect. And they encourage other mendicants who lack such respect to respect the Teacher. And they praise other mendicants who respect the Teacher at the right time, truthfully and correctly.
Idha, bhante, bhikkhu attanā ca satthugāravo hoti, satthugāravatāya ca vaṇṇavādī. Ye caññe bhikkhū na satthugāravā te ca satthugāravatāya samādapeti. Ye caññe bhikkhū satthugāravā tesañca vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇati bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ kālena.
They personally respect the teaching …
Attanā ca dhammagāravo hoti …pe…
They personally respect the Saṅgha …
saṅghagāravo hoti …
They personally respect the training …
sikkhāgāravo hoti …
They personally respect immersion …
samādhigāravo hoti …
They are personally easy to admonish …
suvaco hoti …
They personally have good friends, and praise such friendship. And they encourage other mendicants who lack good friends to develop good friendship. And they praise other mendicants who have good friends at the right time, truthfully and correctly.
kalyāṇamitto hoti, kalyāṇamittatāya ca vaṇṇavādī. Ye caññe bhikkhū na kalyāṇamittā te ca kalyāṇamittatāya samādapeti. Ye caññe bhikkhū kalyāṇamittā tesañca vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇati bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ kālenāti.
That’s how I understand the detailed meaning of the Buddha’s brief statement.”
Imassa kho ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa evaṁ vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāmī”ti.
“Good, good, Sāriputta! It’s good that you understand the detailed meaning of what I’ve said in brief like this.
“Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta. Sādhu kho tvaṁ, sāriputta, imassa mayā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa evaṁ vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāsi.
It’s when a mendicant personally respects the Teacher … And they encourage other mendicants who lack such respect to respect the Teacher. And they praise other mendicants who respect the Teacher at the right time, truthfully and correctly.
Idha, sāriputta, bhikkhu attanā ca satthugāravo hoti, satthugāravatāya ca vaṇṇavādī. Ye caññe bhikkhū na satthugāravā te ca satthugāravatāya samādapeti. Ye caññe bhikkhū satthugāravā tesañca vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇati bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ kālena.
They personally respect the teaching …
Attanā ca dhammagāravo hoti …pe…
They personally respect the Saṅgha …
saṅghagāravo hoti …
They personally respect the training …
sikkhāgāravo hoti …
They personally respect immersion …
samādhigāravo hoti …
They are personally easy to admonish …
suvaco hoti …
They personally have good friends, and praise such friendship. And they encourage other mendicants who lack good friends to develop good friendship. And they praise other mendicants who have good friends at the right time, truthfully and correctly.
kalyāṇamitto hoti, kalyāṇamittatāya ca vaṇṇavādī. Ye caññe bhikkhū na kalyāṇamittā te ca kalyāṇamittatāya samādapeti. Ye caññe bhikkhū kalyāṇamittā tesañca vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇati bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ kālenāti.
This is how to see the detailed meaning of what I said in brief.”
Imassa kho, sāriputta, mayā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa evaṁ vitthārena attho daṭṭhabbo”ti.
Catutthaṁ.
AN 7.36 · A Friend (1st)
AN 7.36 · Paṭhamamittasutta
“Mendicants, you should associate with a friend who has seven factors. What seven? They give what is hard to give. They do what is hard to do. They endure what is hard to endure. They reveal their secrets to you. They keep your secrets. They don’t abandon you in times of trouble. They don’t look down on you in times of loss. You should associate with a friend who has these seven factors.
“Sattahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato mitto sevitabbo. Katamehi sattahi? Duddadaṁ dadāti, dukkaraṁ karoti, dukkhamaṁ khamati, guyhamassa āvi karoti, guyhamassa pariguhati, āpadāsu na jahati, khīṇena nātimaññati. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, sattahi aṅgehi samannāgato mitto sevitabboti.
A friend gives what is hard to give,and does what’s hard to do.They put up with your harsh words,and with things hard to endure.
Duddadaṁ dadāti mitto,dukkarañcāpi kubbati;Athopissa duruttāni,khamati dukkhamāni ca.
They tell you their secrets,and keep your secrets for you.They don’t abandon you in times of trouble,or look down on you in times of loss.
Guyhañca tassa akkhāti,guyhassa parigūhati;Āpadāsu na jahāti,khīṇena nātimaññati.
The individual in whomthese things are found is your friend.If you want to have a friend,you should keep company with that sort.”
Yamhi etāni ṭhānāni,saṁvijjantīdha puggale;So mitto mittakāmena,bhajitabbo tathāvidho”ti.
Pañcamaṁ.
AN 7.37 · A Friend (2nd)
AN 7.37 · Dutiyamittasutta
“Mendicants, when a friend has seven qualities you should associate with, accompany, and attend them, even if they drive you away. What seven? They’re liked, agreeable, respected, and admired. They admonish you and they accept admonishment. They speak on deep matters. And they don’t urge you to do bad things. When a friend has these seven qualities you should associate with, accompany, and attend them, even if they drive you away.
“Sattahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu mitto sevitabbo bhajitabbo payirupāsitabbo api panujjamānenapi. Katamehi sattahi? Piyo ca hoti manāpo ca garu ca bhāvanīyo ca vattā ca vacanakkhamo ca gambhīrañca kathaṁ kattā hoti, no ca aṭṭhāne niyojeti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, sattahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu mitto sevitabbo bhajitabbo payirupāsitabbo api panujjamānenapīti.
They’re liked, respected, and admired,an admonisher who accepts admonishment,speaks on deep matters,and doesn’t urge you to do bad.
Piyo garu bhāvanīyo,vattā ca vacanakkhamo;Gambhīrañca kathaṁ kattā,no caṭṭhāne niyojako.
The individual in whomthese things are found is your friend.If you want to have a friend,benevolent and sympathetic,then even if they chase you away,you should keep company with that sort.”
Yamhi etāni ṭhānāni,saṁvijjantīdha puggale;So mitto mittakāmena,atthakāmānukampato;Api nāsiyamānena,bhajitabbo tathāvidho”ti.
Chaṭṭhaṁ.
AN 7.38 · Textual Analysis (1st)
AN 7.38 · Paṭhamapaṭisambhidāsutta
“Mendicants, a mendicant with seven qualities will soon realize the four kinds of textual analysis and live having achieved them with their own insight. What seven?
“Sattahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu nacirasseva catasso paṭisambhidā sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyya. Katamehi sattahi?
It’s when a mendicant truly understands: ‘This is mental sluggishness’.
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ‘idaṁ me cetaso līnattan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti;
They truly understand internally constricted mind as ‘internally constricted mind’.
ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘ajjhattaṁ me saṅkhittaṁ cittan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti;
They truly understand externally scattered mind as ‘externally scattered mind’.
bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘bahiddhā me vikkhittaṁ cittan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti;
They know feelings as they arise, as they remain, and as they go away.
tassa viditā vedanā uppajjanti, viditā upaṭṭhahanti, viditā abbhatthaṁ gacchanti;
They know perceptions as they arise, as they remain, and as they go away.
viditā saññā uppajjanti, viditā upaṭṭhahanti, viditā abbhatthaṁ gacchanti;
They know thoughts as they arise, as they remain, and as they go away.
viditā vitakkā uppajjanti, viditā upaṭṭhahanti, viditā abbhatthaṁ gacchanti;
The patterns of qualities—suitable or unsuitable, inferior or superior, or those with a portion of dark or bright—are properly grasped, focused on, borne in mind, and penetrated with wisdom.
sappāyāsappāyesu kho panassa dhammesu hīnappaṇītesu kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgesu nimittaṁ suggahitaṁ hoti sumanasikataṁ sūpadhāritaṁ suppaṭividdhaṁ paññāya.
A mendicant with these seven qualities will soon realize the four kinds of textual analysis and live having achieved them with their own insight.”
Imehi kho, bhikkhave, sattahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu nacirasseva catasso paṭisambhidā sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyyā”ti.
Sattamaṁ.
AN 7.39 · Textual Analysis (2nd)
AN 7.39 · Dutiyapaṭisambhidāsutta
“Mendicants, having seven qualities, Sāriputta realized the four kinds of textual analysis and lives having achieved them with his own insight. What seven?
“Sattahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato sāriputto catasso paṭisambhidā sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati. Katamehi sattahi?
It’s when Sāriputta truly understood: ‘This is mental sluggishness’.
Idha, bhikkhave, sāriputto ‘idaṁ me cetaso līnattan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti;
He truly understood internally constricted mind as ‘internally constricted mind’.
ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘ajjhattaṁ me saṅkhittaṁ cittan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti;
He truly understood externally scattered mind as ‘externally scattered mind’.
bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘bahiddhā me vikkhittaṁ cittan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti;
He knew feelings, perceptions, and thoughts as they arose, as they remained, and as they went away.
tassa viditā vedanā uppajjanti, viditā upaṭṭhahanti, viditā abbhatthaṁ gacchanti; viditā saññā …pe… vitakkā uppajjanti, viditā upaṭṭhahanti, viditā abbhatthaṁ gacchanti;
The patterns of qualities—suitable or unsuitable, inferior or superior, or those with a portion of dark or bright—were properly grasped, focused on, borne in mind, and penetrated with wisdom.
sappāyāsappāyesu kho panassa dhammesu hīnappaṇītesu kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgesu nimittaṁ suggahitaṁ sumanasikataṁ sūpadhāritaṁ suppaṭividdhaṁ paññāya.
Having these seven qualities, Sāriputta realized the four kinds of textual analysis and lives having achieved them with his own insight.”
Imehi kho, bhikkhave, sattahi dhammehi samannāgato sāriputto catasso paṭisambhidā sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharatī”ti.
Aṭṭhamaṁ.
AN 7.40 · Mastery of the Mind (1st)
AN 7.40 · Paṭhamavasasutta
“Mendicants, a mendicant with seven qualities masters their mind and is not mastered by it. What seven? It’s when a mendicant is skilled at immersion, skilled in entering immersion, skilled in remaining in immersion, skilled in emerging from immersion, skilled in positivity for immersion, skilled in the territory of immersion, and skilled in projecting the mind purified by immersion. A mendicant with these seven qualities masters their mind and is not mastered by it.”
“Sattahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu cittaṁ vase vatteti, no ca bhikkhu cittassa vasena vattati. Katamehi sattahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu samādhikusalo hoti, samādhissa samāpattikusalo hoti, samādhissa ṭhitikusalo hoti, samādhissa vuṭṭhānakusalo hoti, samādhissa kalyāṇakusalo hoti, samādhissa gocarakusalo hoti, samādhissa abhinīhārakusalo hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, sattahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu cittaṁ vase vatteti, no ca bhikkhu cittassa vasena vattatī”ti.
Navamaṁ.
AN 7.41 · Mastery of the Mind (2nd)
AN 7.41 · Dutiyavasasutta
“Mendicants, having seven qualities Sāriputta has mastered his mind and is not mastered by it. What seven? Sāriputta is skilled at immersion, skilled in entering immersion, skilled in remaining in immersion, skilled in emerging from immersion, skilled in positivity for immersion, skilled in the territory of immersion, and skilled in projecting the mind purified by immersion. Having these seven qualities Sāriputta has mastered his mind and is not mastered by it.”
“Sattahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato sāriputto cittaṁ vase vatteti, no ca sāriputto cittassa vasena vattati. Katamehi sattahi? Idha, bhikkhave, sāriputto samādhikusalo hoti, samādhissa samāpattikusalo, samādhissa ṭhitikusalo, samādhissa vuṭṭhānakusalo, samādhissa kalyāṇakusalo, samādhissa gocarakusalo, samādhissa abhinīhārakusalo hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, sattahi dhammehi samannāgato sāriputto cittaṁ vase vatteti, no ca sāriputto cittassa vasena vattatī”ti.
Dasamaṁ.
AN 7.42 · Graduation (1st)
AN 7.42 · Paṭhamaniddasasutta
Then Venerable Sāriputta robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. Then it occurred to him, “It’s too early to wander for alms in Sāvatthī. Why don’t I visit the monastery for the wanderers of other religions?”
Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Atha kho āyasmato sāriputtassa etadahosi: “atippago kho tāva sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya carituṁ. Yannūnāhaṁ yena aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ ārāmo tenupasaṅkameyyan”ti.
Then he went to the monastery for the wanderers of other religions and exchanged greetings with the wanderers there. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side.
Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto yena aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ ārāmo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā tehi aññatitthiyehi paribbājakehi saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.
Now at that time while those wanderers of other religions were sitting together this discussion came up among them, “Reverends, anyone who lives the full and pure spiritual life for twelve years is qualified to be called a ‘graduate mendicant’.”
Tena kho pana samayena tesaṁ aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ sannisinnānaṁ sannipatitānaṁ ayamantarākathā udapādi: “yo hi koci, āvuso, dvādasavassāni paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carati, ‘niddaso bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti.
Sāriputta neither approved nor rejected that statement of the wanderers of other religions. He rose from his seat, thinking, “I will learn the meaning of this statement from the Buddha himself.”
Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto tesaṁ aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ bhāsitaṁ neva abhinandi nappaṭikkosi. Anabhinanditvā appaṭikkositvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkāmi: “bhagavato santike etassa bhāsitassa atthaṁ ājānissāmī”ti.
Then Sāriputta wandered for alms in Sāvatthī. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened, adding:
Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
“Sir, in this teaching and training can we describe a mendicant as a ‘graduate’ solely because they have completed a certain number of years?”
“Idhāhaṁ, bhante, pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ. Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, etadahosi: ‘atippago kho tāva sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya carituṁ. Yannūnāhaṁ yena aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ ārāmo tenupasaṅkameyyan’ti. Atha khvāhaṁ, bhante, yena aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ ārāmo tenupasaṅkamiṁ; upasaṅkamitvā tehi aññatitthiyehi paribbājakehi saddhiṁ sammodiṁ. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁ. Tena kho pana, bhante, samayena tesaṁ aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ sannisinnānaṁ sannipatitānaṁ ayamantarākathā udapādi: ‘yo hi koci, āvuso, dvādasavassāni paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carati, niddaso bhikkhūti alaṁvacanāyā’ti. Atha khvāhaṁ, bhante, tesaṁ aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ bhāsitaṁ neva abhinandiṁ nappaṭikkosiṁ. Anabhinanditvā appaṭikkositvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkamiṁ: ‘bhagavato santike etassa atthaṁ ājānissāmī’ti. Sakkā nu kho, bhante, imasmiṁ dhammavinaye kevalaṁ vassagaṇanamattena niddaso bhikkhu paññāpetun”ti?
“No, Sāriputta, we cannot. I make known these seven qualifications for graduation after realizing them with my own insight.
“Na kho, sāriputta, sakkā imasmiṁ dhammavinaye kevalaṁ vassagaṇanamattena niddaso bhikkhu paññāpetuṁ. Satta kho imāni, sāriputta, niddasavatthūni mayā sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā paveditāni.
What seven? It’s when a mendicant has a keen enthusiasm to undertake the training … to examine the teachings … to get rid of desires … for retreat … to rouse up energy … for mindfulness and alertness … to penetrate theoretically. And they don’t lose these desires in the future. These are the seven qualifications for graduation that I make known after realizing them with my own insight. A mendicant who has these seven qualifications for graduation is qualified to be called a ‘graduate mendicant’. This is so whether they have lived the full and pure spiritual life for twelve years, twenty-four years, thirty-six years, or forty-eight years.”
Katamāni satta? Idha, sāriputta, bhikkhu sikkhāsamādāne tibbacchando hoti āyatiñca sikkhāsamādāne avigatapemo, dhammanisantiyā tibbacchando hoti āyatiñca dhammanisantiyā avigatapemo, icchāvinaye tibbacchando hoti āyatiñca icchāvinaye avigatapemo, paṭisallāne tibbacchando hoti āyatiñca paṭisallāne avigatapemo, vīriyārambhe tibbacchando hoti āyatiñca vīriyārambhe avigatapemo, satinepakke tibbacchando hoti āyatiñca satinepakke avigatapemo, diṭṭhipaṭivedhe tibbacchando hoti āyatiñca diṭṭhipaṭivedhe avigatapemo. Imāni kho, sāriputta, satta niddasavatthūni mayā sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā paveditāni. Imehi kho, sāriputta, sattahi niddasavatthūhi samannāgato bhikkhu dvādasa cepi vassāni paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carati, ‘niddaso bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāya; catubbīsati cepi vassāni paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carati, ‘niddaso bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāya; chattiṁsati cepi vassāni paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carati, ‘niddaso bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāya, aṭṭhacattārīsañcepi vassāni paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carati, ‘niddaso bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti.
Ekādasamaṁ.
AN 7.43 · Graduation (2nd)
AN 7.43 · Dutiyaniddasasutta
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Kosambī in Ghosita’s monastery.
Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosambiyaṁ viharati ghositārāme.
Then Venerable Ānanda robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Kosambī for alms. Then it occurred to him, “It’s too early to wander for alms in Kosambī. Why don’t I visit the monastery for the wanderers of other religions?”
Atha kho āyasmā ānando pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya kosambiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Atha kho āyasmato ānandassa etadahosi: “atippago kho tāva kosambiyaṁ piṇḍāya carituṁ. Yannūnāhaṁ yena aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ ārāmo tenupasaṅkameyyan”ti.
Then he went to the monastery for the wanderers of other religions and exchanged greetings with the wanderers there. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side.
Atha kho āyasmā ānando yena aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ ārāmo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā tehi aññatitthiyehi paribbājakehi saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.
Now at that time while those wanderers of other religions were sitting together this discussion came up among them, “Reverends, anyone who lives the full and pure spiritual life for twelve years is qualified to be called a ‘graduate mendicant’.”
Tena kho pana samayena tesaṁ aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ sannisinnānaṁ sannipatitānaṁ ayamantarākathā udapādi: “yo hi koci, āvuso, dvādasavassāni paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carati, ‘niddaso bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti.
Ānanda neither approved nor rejected that statement of the wanderers of other religions. He rose from his seat, thinking, “I will learn the meaning of this statement from the Buddha himself.”
Atha kho āyasmā ānando tesaṁ aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ bhāsitaṁ neva abhinandi nappaṭikkosi. Anabhinanditvā appaṭikkositvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkāmi: “bhagavato santike etassa bhāsitassa atthaṁ ājānissāmī”ti.
Then Ānanda wandered for alms in Kosambī. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened, adding:
Atha kho āyasmā ānando kosambiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā ānando bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
“Idhāhaṁ, bhante, pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya kosambiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ. Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, etadahosi: ‘atippago kho tāva kosambiyaṁ piṇḍāya carituṁ. Yannūnāhaṁ yena aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ ārāmo tenupasaṅkameyyan’ti …pe… tehi saddhiṁ sammodiṁ. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁ.
“Sir, in this teaching and training can we describe a mendicant as a ‘graduate’ solely because they have completed a certain number of years?”
Tena kho pana, bhante, samayena tesaṁ aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ sannisinnānaṁ sannipatitānaṁ ayamantarākathā udapādi: ‘yo hi koci, āvuso, dvādasavassāni paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carati, niddaso bhikkhūti alaṁvacanāyā’ti. Atha khvāhaṁ, bhante, tesaṁ aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ bhāsitaṁ neva abhinandiṁ nappaṭikkosiṁ. Anabhinanditvā, appaṭikkositvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkamiṁ: ‘bhagavato santike etassa bhāsitassa atthaṁ ājānissāmī’ti. Sakkā nu kho, bhante, imasmiṁ dhammavinaye kevalaṁ vassagaṇanamattena niddaso bhikkhu paññāpetun”ti?
“No, Ānanda, we cannot. These are the seven qualifications for graduation that I make known after realizing them with my own insight.
“Na kho, ānanda, sakkā imasmiṁ dhammavinaye kevalaṁ vassagaṇanamattena niddaso bhikkhu paññāpetuṁ. Satta kho imāni, ānanda, niddasavatthūni mayā sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā paveditāni.
What seven? It’s when someone is faithful, conscientious, prudent, learned, energetic, mindful, and wise. These are the seven qualifications for graduation that I make known after realizing them with my own insight. A mendicant who possesses these seven qualifications for graduation is qualified to be called a ‘graduate mendicant’. This is so whether they have lived the full and pure spiritual life for twelve years, twenty-four years, thirty-six years, or forty-eight years.”
Katamāni satta? Idhānanda, bhikkhu, saddho hoti, hirīmā hoti, ottappī hoti, bahussuto hoti, āraddhavīriyo hoti, satimā hoti, paññavā hoti. Imāni kho, ānanda, satta niddasavatthūni mayā sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā paveditāni. Imehi kho, ānanda, sattahi niddasavatthūhi samannāgato bhikkhu dvādasa cepi vassāni paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carati, ‘niddaso bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāya; catubbīsati cepi vassāni paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carati, ‘niddaso bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāya; chattiṁsati cepi vassāni paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carati, ‘niddaso bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāya, aṭṭhacattārīsañcepi vassāni paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carati, ‘niddaso bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti.
Dvādasamaṁ.
Devatāvaggo catuttho.
Tassuddānaṁ
Appamādo hirī ceva,dve suvacā duve mittā;Dve paṭisambhidā dve vasā,duve niddasavatthunāti.