AN 8.21 · With Ugga of Vesālī
AN 8.21 · Paṭhamauggasutta
At one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants: “Mendicants, you should remember the householder Ugga of Vesālī as someone who has eight amazing and incredible qualities.”
Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā vesāliyaṁ viharati mahāvane kūṭāgārasālāyaṁ. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “aṭṭhahi, bhikkhave, acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgataṁ uggaṁ gahapatiṁ vesālikaṁ dhārethā”ti.
That is what the Buddha said. When he had spoken, the Holy One rose from his seat and entered his dwelling.
Idamavoca bhagavā. Idaṁ vatvāna sugato uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ pāvisi.
Then a certain mendicant robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of the householder Ugga of Vesālī, where he sat down on the seat spread out. Then Ugga of Vesālī went up to that mendicant, bowed, and sat down to one side. The mendicant said to him:
Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena uggassa gahapatino vesālikassa nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi. Atha kho uggo gahapati vesāliko yena so bhikkhu tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ bhikkhuṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho uggaṁ gahapatiṁ vesālikaṁ so bhikkhu etadavoca:
“Householder, the Buddha declared that you have eight amazing and incredible qualities. What are the eight qualities that he spoke of?”
“Aṭṭhahi kho tvaṁ, gahapati, acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgato bhagavatā byākato. Katame te, gahapati, aṭṭha acchariyā abbhutā dhammā, yehi tvaṁ samannāgato bhagavatā byākato”ti?
“Sir, I don’t know what eight amazing and incredible qualities the Buddha was referring to. But these eight amazing and incredible qualities are found in me. Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”
“Na kho ahaṁ, bhante, jānāmi: ‘katamehi aṭṭhahi acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgato bhagavatā byākato’ti. Api ca, bhante, ye me aṭṭha acchariyā abbhutā dhammā saṁvijjanti,; taṁ suṇohi, sādhukaṁ manasi karohi, bhāsissāmī”ti.
“Yes, householder,” replied the mendicant. Ugga of Vesālī said this:
“Evaṁ, gahapatī”ti kho so bhikkhu uggassa gahapatino vesālikassa paccassosi. Uggo gahapati vesāliko etadavoca:
“Sir, when I first saw the Buddha off in the distance, my heart was inspired as soon as I saw him. This is the first incredible and amazing quality found in me.
“yadāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ paṭhamaṁ dūratova addasaṁ; saha dassaneneva me, bhante, bhagavato cittaṁ pasīdi. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, paṭhamo acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
With confident heart I paid homage to the Buddha. The Buddha taught me step by step, with a talk on giving, ethical conduct, and heaven. He revealed the drawbacks of sensual pleasures, so sordid and corrupt, and the benefit of renunciation. And when he knew that my mind was ready, pliable, rid of hindrances, elated, and confident he revealed the special teaching of the Buddhas: suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. Just as a clean cloth rid of stains would properly absorb dye, in that very seat the stainless, immaculate vision of the Dhamma arose in me: ‘Everything that is liable to arise is liable to cease.’ I saw, attained, understood, and fathomed the Dhamma. I went beyond doubt, got rid of indecision, and became self-assured and independent of others regarding the Teacher’s instructions. Right there I went for refuge to the Buddha, his teaching, and the Saṅgha. And I undertook the five training rules with chastity as the fifth. This is the second incredible and amazing quality found in me.
So kho ahaṁ, bhante, pasannacitto bhagavantaṁ payirupāsiṁ. Tassa me bhagavā anupubbiṁ kathaṁ kathesi, seyyathidaṁ— dānakathaṁ sīlakathaṁ saggakathaṁ; kāmānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ, nekkhamme ānisaṁsaṁ pakāsesi. Yadā maṁ bhagavā aññāsi kallacittaṁ muducittaṁ vinīvaraṇacittaṁ udaggacittaṁ pasannacittaṁ, atha yā buddhānaṁ sāmukkaṁsikā dhammadesanā taṁ pakāsesi— dukkhaṁ, samudayaṁ, nirodhaṁ, maggaṁ. Seyyathāpi nāma suddhaṁ vatthaṁ apagatakāḷakaṁ sammadeva rajanaṁ paṭiggaṇheyya; evamevaṁ kho me tasmiṁyeva āsane virajaṁ vītamalaṁ dhammacakkhuṁ udapādi: ‘yaṁ kiñci samudayadhammaṁ sabbaṁ taṁ nirodhadhamman’ti. So kho ahaṁ, bhante, diṭṭhadhammo pattadhammo viditadhammo pariyogāḷhadhammo tiṇṇavicikiccho vigatakathaṅkatho vesārajjappatto aparappaccayo satthusāsane tattheva buddhañca dhammañca saṅghañca saraṇaṁ agamāsiṁ, brahmacariyapañcamāni ca sikkhāpadāni samādiyiṁ. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, dutiyo acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
I had four teenage wives. And I went to them and said: ‘Sisters, I’ve undertaken the five training rules with chastity as fifth. If you wish, you may stay here, enjoy my wealth, and do good deeds. Or you can return to your own families. Or would you prefer if I gave you to another man?’ When I said this, my eldest wife said to me: ‘Master, please give me to a man named so-and-so.’ Then I summoned that man. Taking my wife with my left hand and a ceremonial vase with my right, I presented her to that man with the pouring of water. But I can’t recall getting upset while giving away my teenage wife. This is the third incredible and amazing quality found in me.
Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, catasso komāriyo pajāpatiyo ahesuṁ. Atha khvāhaṁ, bhante, yena tā pajāpatiyo tenupasaṅkamiṁ; upasaṅkamitvā tā pajāpatiyo etadavacaṁ: ‘mayā kho, bhaginiyo, brahmacariyapañcamāni sikkhāpadāni samādinnāni. Yā icchati sā idheva bhoge ca bhuñjatu puññāni ca karotu, sakāni vā ñātikulāni gacchatu. Hoti vā pana purisādhippāyo, kassa vo dammī’ti? Evaṁ vutte, sā, bhante, jeṭṭhā pajāpati maṁ etadavoca: ‘itthannāmassa maṁ, ayyaputta, purisassa dehī’ti. Atha kho ahaṁ, bhante, taṁ purisaṁ pakkosāpetvā vāmena hatthena pajāpatiṁ gahetvā dakkhiṇena hatthena bhiṅgāraṁ gahetvā tassa purisassa oṇojesiṁ. Komāriṁ kho panāhaṁ, bhante, dāraṁ pariccajanto nābhijānāmi cittassa aññathattaṁ. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, tatiyo acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
And though my family has wealth, it’s shared without reserve with ethical people of good character. This is the fourth incredible and amazing quality found in me.
Saṁvijjanti kho pana me, bhante, kule bhogā. Te ca kho appaṭivibhattā sīlavantehi kalyāṇadhammehi. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, catuttho acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
When I pay homage to a mendicant, I do so carefully, not carelessly. This is the fifth incredible and amazing quality found in me.
Yaṁ kho panāhaṁ, bhante, bhikkhuṁ payirupāsāmi; sakkaccaṁyeva payirupāsāmi, no asakkaccaṁ. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, pañcamo acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
If that venerable teaches me the Dhamma, I listen carefully, not carelessly. But if they don’t teach me the Dhamma, I teach them. This is the sixth incredible and amazing quality found in me.
So ce, bhante, me āyasmā dhammaṁ deseti; sakkaccaṁyeva suṇomi, no asakkaccaṁ. No ce me so āyasmā dhammaṁ deseti, ahamassa dhammaṁ desemi. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, chaṭṭho acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
It’s not unusual for deities to come to me and announce: ‘Householder, the Buddha’s teaching is well explained!’ When they say this I say to them: ‘The Buddha’s teaching is well explained, regardless of whether or not you deities say so!’ But I don’t recall getting too excited by the fact that the deities come to me, and I have a conversation with them. This is the seventh incredible and amazing quality found in me.
Anacchariyaṁ kho pana maṁ, bhante, devatā upasaṅkamitvā ārocenti: ‘svākkhāto, gahapati, bhagavatā dhammo’ti. Evaṁ vutte, ahaṁ, bhante, tā devatā evaṁ vadāmi: ‘vadeyyātha vā evaṁ kho tumhe devatā no vā vadeyyātha, atha kho svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo’ti. Na kho panāhaṁ, bhante, abhijānāmi tatonidānaṁ cittassa unnatiṁ: ‘maṁ vā devatā upasaṅkamanti, ahaṁ vā devatāhi saddhiṁ sallapāmī’ti. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, sattamo acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
Of the five lower fetters taught by the Buddha, I don’t see any that I haven’t given up. This is the eighth incredible and amazing quality found in me.
Yānimāni, bhante, bhagavatā desitāni pañcorambhāgiyāni saṁyojanāni, nāhaṁ tesaṁ kiñci attani appahīnaṁ samanupassāmi. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, aṭṭhamo acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
These eight amazing and incredible qualities are found in me. But I don’t know what eight amazing and incredible qualities the Buddha was referring to.”
Ime kho me, bhante, aṭṭha acchariyā abbhutā dhammā saṁvijjanti. Na ca kho ahaṁ jānāmi— katamehi cāhaṁ aṭṭhahi acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgato bhagavatā byākato”ti.
Then that mendicant, after taking almsfood in Ugga of Vesālī’s home, rose from his seat and left. Then after the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. He informed the Buddha of all he had discussed with the householder Ugga of Vesālī. The Buddha said:
Atha kho so bhikkhu uggassa gahapatino vesālikassa nivesane piṇḍapātaṁ gahetvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkāmi. Atha kho so bhikkhu pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so bhikkhu yāvatako ahosi uggena gahapatinā vesālikena saddhiṁ kathāsallāpo, taṁ sabbaṁ bhagavato ārocesi.
“Good, good, mendicant! When I declared that the householder Ugga of Vesālī was someone who has eight amazing and incredible qualities, I was referring to the same eight qualities that he rightly explained to you. You should remember the householder Ugga of Vesālī as someone who possesses these eight amazing and incredible qualities.”
“Sādhu sādhu, bhikkhu. Yathā taṁ uggo gahapati vesāliko sammā byākaramāno byākareyya, imeheva kho, bhikkhu, aṭṭhahi acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgato uggo gahapati vesāliko mayā byākato. Imehi ca pana, bhikkhu, aṭṭhahi acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgataṁ uggaṁ gahapatiṁ vesālikaṁ dhārehī”ti.
Paṭhamaṁ.
AN 8.22 · With Uggata of Elephant Village
AN 8.22 · Dutiyauggasutta
At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Vajjis at Elephant Village. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants: “Mendicants, you should remember the householder Uggata of Elephant Village as someone who has eight amazing and incredible qualities.”
Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā vajjīsu viharati hatthigāme. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “aṭṭhahi, bhikkhave, acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgataṁ uggaṁ gahapatiṁ hatthigāmakaṁ dhārethā”ti.
That is what the Buddha said. When he had spoken, the Holy One rose from his seat and entered his dwelling.
Idamavoca bhagavā. Idaṁ vatvāna sugato uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ pāvisi.
Then a certain mendicant robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of the householder Uggata of Elephant Village, where he sat down on the seat spread out. Then Uggata of Elephant Village went up to that mendicant, bowed, and sat down to one side. The mendicant said to him:
Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena uggassa gahapatino hatthigāmakassa nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi. Atha kho uggo gahapati hatthigāmako yena so bhikkhu tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ bhikkhuṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho uggaṁ gahapatiṁ hatthigāmakaṁ so bhikkhu etadavoca:
“Householder, the Buddha declared that you have eight amazing and incredible qualities. What are the eight qualities that he spoke of?”
“aṭṭhahi kho tvaṁ, gahapati, acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgato bhagavatā byākato. Katame te, gahapati, aṭṭha acchariyā abbhutā dhammā, yehi tvaṁ samannāgato bhagavatā byākato”ti?
“Sir, I don’t know what eight amazing and incredible qualities the Buddha was referring to. But these eight amazing and incredible qualities are found in me. Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”
“Na kho ahaṁ, bhante, jānāmi: ‘katamehi aṭṭhahi acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgato bhagavatā byākato’ti. Api ca, bhante, ye me aṭṭha acchariyā abbhutā dhammā saṁvijjanti, taṁ suṇāhi, sādhukaṁ manasi karohi; bhāsissāmī”ti.
“Yes, householder,” replied the mendicant. Uggata of Elephant Village said this:
“Evaṁ, gahapatī”ti kho so bhikkhu uggassa gahapatino hatthigāmakassa paccassosi. Uggo gahapati hatthigāmako etadavoca:
“Sir, when I first saw the Buddha off in the distance I was partying in the Dragon’s Park. My heart was inspired as soon as I saw him, and I sobered up. This is the first incredible and amazing quality found in me.
“yadāhaṁ, bhante, nāgavane paricaranto bhagavantaṁ paṭhamaṁ dūratova addasaṁ; saha dassaneneva me, bhante, bhagavato cittaṁ pasīdi, surāmado ca pahīyi. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, paṭhamo acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
With confident heart I paid homage to the Buddha. The Buddha taught me step by step, with a talk on giving, ethical conduct, and heaven. He revealed the drawbacks of sensual pleasures, so sordid and corrupt, and the benefit of renunciation. And when he knew that my mind was ready, pliable, rid of hindrances, elated, and confident he revealed the special teaching of the Buddhas: suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. Just as a clean cloth rid of stains would properly absorb dye, in that very seat the stainless, immaculate vision of the Dhamma arose in me: ‘Everything that is liable to arise is liable to cease.’ I saw, attained, understood, and fathomed the Dhamma. I went beyond doubt, got rid of indecision, and became self-assured and independent of others regarding the Teacher’s instructions. Right there I went for refuge to the Buddha, his teaching, and the Saṅgha. And I undertook the five training rules with chastity as the fifth. This is the second incredible and amazing quality found in me.
So kho ahaṁ, bhante, pasannacitto bhagavantaṁ payirupāsiṁ. Tassa me bhagavā anupubbiṁ kathaṁ kathesi, seyyathidaṁ— dānakathaṁ sīlakathaṁ saggakathaṁ; kāmānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ, nekkhamme ānisaṁsaṁ pakāsesi. Yadā maṁ bhagavā aññāsi kallacittaṁ muducittaṁ vinīvaraṇacittaṁ udaggacittaṁ pasannacittaṁ, atha yā buddhānaṁ sāmukkaṁsikā dhammadesanā taṁ pakāsesi— dukkhaṁ, samudayaṁ, nirodhaṁ, maggaṁ. Seyyathāpi nāma suddhaṁ vatthaṁ apagatakāḷakaṁ sammadeva rajanaṁ paṭiggaṇheyya; evamevaṁ kho me tasmiṁyeva āsane virajaṁ vītamalaṁ dhammacakkhuṁ udapādi: ‘yaṁ kiñci samudayadhammaṁ sabbaṁ taṁ nirodhadhamman’ti. So kho ahaṁ, bhante, diṭṭhadhammo pattadhammo viditadhammo pariyogāḷhadhammo tiṇṇavicikiccho vigatakathaṅkatho vesārajjappatto aparappaccayo satthusāsane tattheva buddhañca dhammañca saṅghañca saraṇaṁ agamāsiṁ, brahmacariyapañcamāni ca sikkhāpadāni samādiyiṁ. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, dutiyo acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
I had four teenage wives. And I went to them and said: ‘Sisters, I’ve undertaken the five training rules with chastity as fifth. If you wish, you may stay here, enjoy my wealth, and do good deeds. Or you can return to your own families. Or would you prefer if I gave you to another man?’ When I said this, my eldest wife said to me: ‘Master, please give me to the man named so-and-so.’ Then I summoned that man. Taking my wife with my left hand and a ceremonial vase with my right, I presented her to that man with the pouring of water. But I can’t recall getting upset while giving away my teenage wife. This is the third incredible and amazing quality found in me.
Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, catasso komāriyo pajāpatiyo ahesuṁ. Atha khvāhaṁ, bhante, yena tā pajāpatiyo tenupasaṅkamiṁ; upasaṅkamitvā tā pajāpatiyo etadavacaṁ: ‘mayā kho, bhaginiyo, brahmacariyapañcamāni sikkhāpadāni samādinnāni. Yā icchati sā idheva bhoge ca bhuñjatu puññāni ca karotu, sakāni vā ñātikulāni gacchatu. Hoti vā pana purisādhippāyo, kassa vo dammī’ti? Evaṁ vutte, sā, bhante, jeṭṭhā pajāpati maṁ etadavoca: ‘itthannāmassa maṁ, ayyaputta, purisassa dehī’ti. Atha kho ahaṁ, bhante, taṁ purisaṁ pakkosāpetvā vāmena hatthena pajāpatiṁ gahetvā dakkhiṇena hatthena bhiṅgāraṁ gahetvā tassa purisassa oṇojesiṁ. Komāriṁ kho panāhaṁ, bhante, dāraṁ pariccajanto nābhijānāmi cittassa aññathattaṁ. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, tatiyo acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
And though my family has wealth, it’s shared without reserve with ethical people of good character. This is the fourth incredible and amazing quality found in me.
Saṁvijjanti kho pana me, bhante, kule bhogā. Te ca kho appaṭivibhattā sīlavantehi kalyāṇadhammehi. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, catuttho acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
When I pay homage to a mendicant, I do so carefully, not carelessly. If that venerable teaches me the Dhamma, I listen carefully, not carelessly. But if they don’t teach me the Dhamma, I teach them. This is the fifth incredible and amazing quality found in me.
Yaṁ kho panāhaṁ, bhante, bhikkhuṁ payirupāsāmi; sakkaccaṁyeva payirupāsāmi, no asakkaccaṁ. So ce me āyasmā dhammaṁ deseti; sakkaccaṁyeva suṇomi, no asakkaccaṁ. No ce me so āyasmā dhammaṁ deseti, ahamassa dhammaṁ desemi. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, pañcamo acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
It’s not unusual for deities to come to me when the Saṅgha has been invited and announce: ‘Householder, that mendicant is freed both ways. That one is freed by wisdom. That one is a direct witness. That one is attained to view. That one is freed by faith. That one is a follower of teachings. That one is a follower by faith. That one is ethical, of good character. That one is unethical, of bad character.’ But while I’m serving the Saṅgha I don’t recall thinking: ‘Let me give this one just a little, and that one a lot.’ Rather, I give impartially. This is the sixth incredible and amazing quality found in me.
Anacchariyaṁ kho pana, bhante, saṅghe nimantite devatā upasaṅkamitvā ārocenti: ‘asuko, gahapati, bhikkhu ubhatobhāgavimutto asuko paññāvimutto asuko kāyasakkhī asuko diṭṭhippatto asuko saddhāvimutto asuko dhammānusārī asuko saddhānusārī asuko sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo asuko dussīlo pāpadhammo’ti. Saṅghaṁ kho panāhaṁ, bhante, parivisanto nābhijānāmi evaṁ cittaṁ uppādento: ‘imassa vā thokaṁ demi imassa vā bahukan’ti. Atha khvāhaṁ, bhante, samacittova demi. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, chaṭṭho acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
It’s not unusual for deities to come to me and announce: ‘Householder, the Buddha’s teaching is well explained!’ When they say this I say to them: ‘The Buddha’s teaching is well explained, regardless of whether or not you deities say so!’ But I don’t recall getting too excited by the fact that the deities come to me, and I have a conversation with them. This is the seventh incredible and amazing quality found in me.
Anacchariyaṁ kho pana maṁ, bhante, devatā upasaṅkamitvā ārocenti: ‘svākkhāto, gahapati, bhagavatā dhammo’ti. Evaṁ vutte, ahaṁ, bhante, tā devatā evaṁ vademi: ‘vadeyyātha vā evaṁ kho tumhe devatā no vā vadeyyātha, atha kho svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo’ti. Na kho panāhaṁ, bhante, abhijānāmi tatonidānaṁ cittassa unnatiṁ: ‘maṁ tā devatā upasaṅkamanti, ahaṁ vā devatāhi saddhiṁ sallapāmī’ti. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, sattamo acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
If I pass away before the Buddha, it would be no wonder if the Buddha declares of me: ‘The householder Uggata of Elephant Village is bound by no fetter that might return him to this world.’ This is the eighth incredible and amazing quality found in me.
Sace kho panāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavato paṭhamataraṁ kālaṁ kareyyaṁ, anacchariyaṁ kho panetaṁ yaṁ maṁ bhagavā evaṁ byākareyya: ‘natthi taṁ saṁyojanaṁ yena saṁyutto uggo gahapati hatthigāmako puna imaṁ lokaṁ āgaccheyyā’ti. Ayaṁ kho me, bhante, aṭṭhamo acchariyo abbhuto dhammo saṁvijjati.
These eight amazing and incredible qualities are found in me. But I don’t know what eight amazing and incredible qualities the Buddha was referring to.”
Ime kho me, bhante, aṭṭha acchariyā abbhutā dhammā saṁvijjanti. Na ca kho ahaṁ jānāmi: ‘katamehi cāhaṁ aṭṭhahi acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgato bhagavatā byākato’”ti.
Then that mendicant, after taking almsfood in Uggata of Elephant Village’s home, rose from his seat and left. Then after the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. He informed the Buddha of all he had discussed with the householder Uggata of Elephant Village. The Buddha said:
Atha kho so bhikkhu uggassa gahapatino hatthigāmakassa nivesane piṇḍapātaṁ gahetvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkāmi. Atha kho so bhikkhu pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so bhikkhu yāvatako ahosi uggena gahapatinā hatthigāmakena saddhiṁ kathāsallāpo, taṁ sabbaṁ bhagavato ārocesi.
“Good, good, mendicant! When I declared that the householder Uggata of Elephant Village was someone who has eight amazing and incredible qualities, I was referring to the same eight qualities that he rightly explained to you. You should remember the householder Uggata of Elephant Village as someone who has these eight amazing and incredible qualities.”
“Sādhu sādhu, bhikkhu. Yathā taṁ uggo gahapati hatthigāmako sammā byākaramāno byākareyya, imeheva kho, bhikkhu, aṭṭhahi acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgato uggo gahapati hatthigāmako mayā byākato. Imehi ca pana, bhikkhu, aṭṭhahi acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgataṁ uggaṁ gahapatiṁ hatthigāmakaṁ dhārehī”ti.
Dutiyaṁ.
AN 8.23 · With Hatthaka (1st)
AN 8.23 · Paṭhamahatthakasutta
At one time the Buddha was staying near Āḷavī, at Āḷavī’s premier shrine. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants:
Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā āḷaviyaṁ viharati aggāḷave cetiye. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:
“Mendicants, you should remember the householder Hatthaka of Āḷavī as someone who has seven amazing and incredible qualities. What seven? He’s faithful, ethical, conscientious, prudent, learned, generous, and wise. You should remember the householder Hatthaka of Āḷavī as someone who possesses these seven amazing and incredible qualities.”
“sattahi, bhikkhave, acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgataṁ hatthakaṁ āḷavakaṁ dhāretha. Katamehi sattahi? Saddho hi, bhikkhave, hatthako āḷavako; sīlavā, bhikkhave, hatthako āḷavako; hirīmā, bhikkhave, hatthako āḷavako; ottappī, bhikkhave, hatthako āḷavako; bahussuto, bhikkhave, hatthako āḷavako; cāgavā, bhikkhave, hatthako āḷavako; paññavā, bhikkhave, hatthako āḷavako— imehi kho, bhikkhave, sattahi acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgataṁ hatthakaṁ āḷavakaṁ dhārethā”ti.
That is what the Buddha said. When he had spoken, the Holy One rose from his seat and entered his dwelling.
Idamavoca bhagavā. Idaṁ vatvāna sugato uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ pāvisi.
Then a certain mendicant robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of the householder Hatthaka of Āḷavī, where he sat down on the seat spread out. Then Hatthaka went up to that mendicant, bowed, and sat down to one side. The mendicant said to Hatthaka:
Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena hatthakassa āḷavakassa nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi. Atha kho hatthako āḷavako yena so bhikkhu tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ bhikkhuṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho hatthakaṁ āḷavakaṁ so bhikkhu etadavoca:
“Respectable sir, the Buddha declared that you have seven amazing and incredible qualities. What seven? He said that you’re faithful, ethical, conscientious, prudent, learned, generous, and wise. The Buddha declared that you possess these seven amazing and incredible qualities.”
“Sattahi kho tvaṁ, āvuso, acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgato bhagavatā byākato. Katamehi sattahi? ‘Saddho, bhikkhave, hatthako āḷavako; sīlavā …pe… hirīmā … ottappī … bahussuto … cāgavā … paññavā, bhikkhave, hatthako āḷavako’ti. Imehi kho tvaṁ, āvuso, sattahi acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgato bhagavatā byākato”ti.
“But sir, I trust that no white-clothed lay people were present?”
“Kaccittha, bhante, na koci gihī ahosi odātavasano”ti?
“No, there weren’t any white-clothed lay people present.”
“Na hettha, āvuso, koci gihī ahosi odātavasano”ti.
“That’s good, sir.”
“Sādhu, bhante, yadettha na koci gihī ahosi odātavasano”ti.
Then that mendicant, after taking almsfood in Hatthaka of Āḷavī’s home, rose from his seat and left. Then after the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him of what he had discussed with the householder Hatthaka. The Buddha said:
Atha kho so bhikkhu hatthakassa āḷavakassa nivesane piṇḍapātaṁ gahetvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkāmi. Atha kho so bhikkhu pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
“Idhāhaṁ, bhante, pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena hatthakassa āḷavakassa nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkamiṁ; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdiṁ. Atha kho, bhante, hatthako āḷavako yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, hatthakaṁ āḷavakaṁ etadavacaṁ: ‘sattahi kho tvaṁ, āvuso, acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgato bhagavatā byākato. Katamehi sattahi? Saddho, bhikkhave, hatthako āḷavako; sīlavā …pe… hirīmā … ottappī … bahussuto … cāgavā … paññavā, bhikkhave, hatthako āḷavakoti. Imehi kho tvaṁ, āvuso, sattahi acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgato bhagavatā byākato’ti.
Evaṁ vutte, bhante, hatthako maṁ etadavoca: ‘kaccittha, bhante, na koci gihī ahosi odātavasano’ti? ‘Na hettha, āvuso, koci gihī ahosi odātavasano’ti. ‘Sādhu, bhante, yadettha na koci gihī ahosi odātavasano’”ti.
“Good, good, mendicant! That gentleman has few wishes. He doesn’t want his own good qualities to be made known to others. Well then, mendicant, you should remember the householder Hatthaka of Āḷavī as someone who has this eighth amazing and incredible quality, that is, fewness of wishes.”
“Sādhu sādhu, bhikkhu. Appiccho so, bhikkhu, kulaputto. Santeyeva attani kusaladhamme na icchati parehi ñāyamāne. Tena hi tvaṁ, bhikkhu, imināpi aṭṭhamena acchariyena abbhutena dhammena samannāgataṁ hatthakaṁ āḷavakaṁ dhārehi, yadidaṁ appicchatāyā”ti.
Tatiyaṁ.
AN 8.24 · With Hatthaka (2nd)
AN 8.24 · Dutiyahatthakasutta
At one time the Buddha was staying near Āḷavī, at Āḷavī’s premier shrine. Then the householder Hatthaka of Āḷavī, escorted by around five hundred lay followers, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to Hatthaka:
Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā āḷaviyaṁ viharati aggāḷave cetiye. Atha kho hatthako āḷavako pañcamattehi upāsakasatehi parivuto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho hatthakaṁ āḷavakaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:
“Hatthaka, you have a large congregation. How do you bring together such a large congregation?”
“mahatī kho tyāyaṁ, hatthaka, parisā. Kathaṁ pana tvaṁ, hatthaka, imaṁ mahatiṁ parisaṁ saṅgaṇhāsī”ti?
“Sir, I bring together such a large congregation by using the four ways of being inclusive as taught by the Buddha. When I know that they can be included by a gift, I include them by giving a gift. When I know that they can be included by kindly words, I include them by kindly words. When I know that they can be included by taking care of them, I include them by caring for them. When I know that they can be included by equality, I include them by treating them equally. But also, worthy sir, my family is wealthy. They wouldn’t think that a poor person was worth listening to in the same way.”
“Yānimāni, bhante, bhagavatā desitāni cattāri saṅgahavatthūni, tehāhaṁ imaṁ mahatiṁ parisaṁ saṅgaṇhāmi. Ahaṁ, bhante, yaṁ jānāmi: ‘ayaṁ dānena saṅgahetabbo’ti, taṁ dānena saṅgaṇhāmi; yaṁ jānāmi: ‘ayaṁ peyyavajjena saṅgahetabbo’ti, taṁ peyyavajjena saṅgaṇhāmi; yaṁ jānāmi: ‘ayaṁ atthacariyāya saṅgahetabbo’ti, taṁ atthacariyāya saṅgaṇhāmi; yaṁ jānāmi: ‘ayaṁ samānattatāya saṅgahetabbo’ti, taṁ samānattatāya saṅgaṇhāmi. Saṁvijjanti kho pana me, bhante, kule bhogā. Daliddassa kho no tathā sotabbaṁ maññantī”ti.
“Good, good, Hatthaka! This is the right way to bring together a large congregation. Whether in the past, future, or present, all those who have brought together a large congregation have done so by using these four ways of being inclusive.”
“Sādhu sādhu, hatthaka. Yoni kho tyāyaṁ, hatthaka, mahatiṁ parisaṁ saṅgahetuṁ. Ye hi keci, hatthaka, atītamaddhānaṁ mahatiṁ parisaṁ saṅgahesuṁ, sabbe te imeheva catūhi saṅgahavatthūhi mahatiṁ parisaṁ saṅgahesuṁ. Yepi hi keci, hatthaka, anāgatamaddhānaṁ mahatiṁ parisaṁ saṅgaṇhissanti, sabbe te imeheva catūhi saṅgahavatthūhi mahatiṁ parisaṁ saṅgaṇhissanti. Yepi hi keci, hatthaka, etarahi mahatiṁ parisaṁ saṅgaṇhanti, sabbe te imeheva catūhi saṅgahavatthūhi mahatiṁ parisaṁ saṅgaṇhantī”ti.
Then the Buddha educated, encouraged, fired up, and inspired Hatthaka of Āḷavī with a Dhamma talk, after which he got up from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving. Then, not long after Hatthaka had left, the Buddha addressed the mendicants: “Mendicants, you should remember the householder Hatthaka of Āḷavī as someone who has eight amazing and incredible qualities. What eight? He’s faithful, ethical, conscientious, prudent, learned, generous, wise, and has few wishes. You should remember the householder Hatthaka of Āḷavī as someone who possesses these eight amazing and incredible qualities.”
Atha kho hatthako āḷavako bhagavatā dhammiyā kathāya sandassito samādapito samuttejito sampahaṁsito uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkāmi. Atha kho bhagavā acirapakkante hatthake āḷavake bhikkhū āmantesi: “aṭṭhahi, bhikkhave, acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgataṁ hatthakaṁ āḷavakaṁ dhāretha. Katamehi aṭṭhahi? Saddho, bhikkhave, hatthako āḷavako; sīlavā, bhikkhave …pe… hirīmā … ottappī … bahussuto … cāgavā … paññavā, bhikkhave, hatthako āḷavako; appiccho, bhikkhave, hatthako āḷavako. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭhahi acchariyehi abbhutehi dhammehi samannāgataṁ hatthakaṁ āḷavakaṁ dhārethā”ti.
Catutthaṁ.
AN 8.25 · With Mahānāma
AN 8.25 · Mahānāmasutta
At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, near Kapilavatthu in the Banyan Tree Monastery. Then Mahānāma the Sakyan went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:
Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ nigrodhārāme. Atha kho mahānāmo sakko yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho mahānāmo sakko bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
“Sir, how is a lay follower defined?”
“kittāvatā nu kho, bhante, upāsako hotī”ti?
“Mahānāma, when you’ve gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha, you’re considered to be a lay follower.”
“Yato kho, mahānāma, buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gato hoti, dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gato hoti, saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gato hoti; ettāvatā kho, mahānāma, upāsako hotī”ti.
“But how is an ethical lay follower defined?”
“Kittāvatā pana, bhante, upāsako sīlavā hotī”ti?
“When a lay follower doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor, they’re considered to be an ethical lay follower.”
“Yato kho, mahānāma, upāsako pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti, adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti, kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato hoti, musāvādā paṭivirato hoti, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato hoti; ettāvatā kho, mahānāma, upāsako sīlavā hotī”ti.
“But how do we define a lay follower who is practicing to benefit themselves, not others?”
“Kittāvatā pana, bhante, upāsako attahitāya paṭipanno hoti, no parahitāyā”ti?
“A lay follower is accomplished in faith, but doesn’t encourage others to do the same. They’re accomplished in ethical conduct, but don’t encourage others to do the same. They’re accomplished in generosity, but don’t encourage others to do the same. They like to see the mendicants, but don’t encourage others to do the same. They like to hear the true teaching, but don’t encourage others to do the same. They readily memorize the teachings they’ve heard, but don’t encourage others to do the same. They examine the meaning of the teachings they’ve memorized, but don’t encourage others to do the same. Understanding the meaning and the teaching, they practice in line with the teaching, but they don’t encourage others to do the same. That’s how we define a lay follower who is practicing to benefit themselves, not others.”
“Yato kho, mahānāma, upāsako attanāva saddhāsampanno hoti, no paraṁ saddhāsampadāya samādapeti; attanāva sīlasampanno hoti, no paraṁ sīlasampadāya samādapeti; attanāva cāgasampanno hoti, no paraṁ cāgasampadāya samādapeti; attanāva bhikkhūnaṁ dassanakāmo hoti, no paraṁ bhikkhūnaṁ dassane samādapeti; attanāva saddhammaṁ sotukāmo hoti, no paraṁ saddhammassavane samādapeti; attanāva sutānaṁ dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti, no paraṁ dhammadhāraṇāya samādapeti; attanāva sutānaṁ dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti, no paraṁ atthūpaparikkhāya samādapeti; attanāva atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno hoti, no paraṁ dhammānudhammappaṭipattiyā samādapeti. Ettāvatā kho, mahānāma, upāsako attahitāya paṭipanno hoti, no parahitāyā”ti.
“But how do we define a lay follower who is practicing to benefit both themselves and others?”
“Kittāvatā pana, bhante, upāsako attahitāya ca paṭipanno hoti parahitāya cā”ti?
“A lay follower is accomplished in faith and encourages others to do the same. They’re accomplished in ethical conduct and encourage others to do the same. They’re accomplished in generosity and encourage others to do the same. They like to see the mendicants and encourage others to do the same. They like to hear the true teaching and encourage others to do the same. They readily memorize the teachings they’ve heard and encourage others to do the same. They examine the meaning of the teachings they’ve memorized and encourage others to do the same. Understanding the meaning and the teaching, they practice in line with the teaching and they encourage others to do the same. That’s how we define a lay follower who is practicing to benefit both themselves and others.”
“Yato kho, mahānāma, upāsako attanā ca saddhāsampanno hoti, parañca saddhāsampadāya samādapeti; attanā ca sīlasampanno hoti, parañca sīlasampadāya samādapeti; attanā ca cāgasampanno hoti, parañca cāgasampadāya samādapeti; attanā ca bhikkhūnaṁ dassanakāmo hoti, parañca bhikkhūnaṁ dassane samādapeti; attanā ca saddhammaṁ sotukāmo hoti, parañca saddhammassavane samādapeti; attanā ca sutānaṁ dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti, parañca dhammadhāraṇāya samādapeti; attanā ca sutānaṁ dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti, parañca atthūpaparikkhāya samādapeti, attanā ca atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno hoti, parañca dhammānudhammappaṭipattiyā samādapeti. Ettāvatā kho, mahānāma, upāsako attahitāya ca paṭipanno hoti parahitāya cā”ti.
Pañcamaṁ.
AN 8.26 · With Jīvaka
AN 8.26 · Jīvakasutta
At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in Jīvaka’s Mango Grove. Then Jīvaka Komārabhacca went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, how is a lay follower defined?”
Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati jīvakambavane. Atha kho jīvako komārabhacco yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho jīvako komārabhacco bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “kittāvatā nu kho, bhante, upāsako hotī”ti?
“Jīvaka, when you’ve gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha, you’re considered to be a lay follower.”
“Yato kho, jīvaka, buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gato hoti, dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gato hoti, saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gato hoti; ettāvatā kho, jīvaka, upāsako hotī”ti.
“But how is an ethical lay follower defined?”
“Kittāvatā pana, bhante, upāsako sīlavā hotī”ti?
“When a lay follower doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor, they’re considered to be an ethical lay follower.”
“Yato kho, jīvaka, upāsako pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato hoti; ettāvatā kho, jīvaka, upāsako sīlavā hotī”ti.
“But how do we define a lay follower who is practicing to benefit themselves, not others?”
“Kittāvatā pana, bhante, upāsako attahitāya paṭipanno hoti, no parahitāyā”ti?
“A lay follower is accomplished in faith, but doesn’t encourage others to do the same. They’re accomplished in ethical conduct … they’re accomplished in generosity … they like to see the mendicants … they like to hear the true teaching … they memorize the teachings … they examine the meaning … Understanding the meaning and the teaching, they practice in line with the teaching, but they don’t encourage others to do the same. That’s how we define a lay follower who is practicing to benefit themselves, not others.”
“Yato kho, jīvaka, upāsako attanāva saddhāsampanno hoti, no paraṁ saddhāsampadāya samādapeti …pe… attanāva atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno hoti, no paraṁ dhammānudhammappaṭipattiyā samādapeti. Ettāvatā kho, jīvaka, upāsako attahitāya paṭipanno hoti, no parahitāyā”ti.
“But how do we define a lay follower who is practicing to benefit both themselves and others?”
“Kittāvatā pana, bhante, upāsako attahitāya ca paṭipanno hoti parahitāya cā”ti?
“A lay follower is accomplished in faith and encourages others to do the same. They’re accomplished in ethical conduct and encourage others to do the same. They’re accomplished in generosity and encourage others to do the same. They like to see the mendicants and encourage others to do the same. They like to hear the true teaching and encourage others to do the same. They readily memorize the teachings they’ve heard and encourage others to do the same. They examine the meaning of the teachings they’ve memorized and encourage others to do the same. Understanding the meaning and the teaching, they practice in line with the teaching and they encourage others to do the same. That’s how we define a lay follower who is practicing to benefit both themselves and others.”
“Yato kho, jīvaka, upāsako attanā ca saddhāsampanno hoti, parañca saddhāsampadāya samādapeti; attanā ca sīlasampanno hoti, parañca sīlasampadāya samādapeti; attanā ca cāgasampanno hoti, parañca cāgasampadāya samādapeti; attanā ca bhikkhūnaṁ dassanakāmo hoti, parañca bhikkhūnaṁ dassane samādapeti; attanā ca saddhammaṁ sotukāmo hoti, parañca saddhammassavane samādapeti; attanā ca sutānaṁ dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti, parañca dhammadhāraṇāya samādapeti; attanā ca sutānaṁ dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti, parañca atthūpaparikkhāya samādapeti; attanā ca atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno hoti, parañca dhammānudhammappaṭipattiyā samādapeti. Ettāvatā kho, jīvaka, upāsako attahitāya ca paṭipanno hoti parahitāya cā”ti.
Chaṭṭhaṁ.
AN 8.27 · Powers (1st)
AN 8.27 · Paṭhamabalasutta
“Mendicants, there are these eight powers. What eight? Crying is the power of babies. Anger is the power of ladies. Weapons are the power of bandits. Authority is the power of rulers. Complaining is the power of fools. Reason is the power of the astute. Reflection is the power of the learned. Patience is the power of ascetics and brahmins. These are the eight powers.”
“Aṭṭhimāni, bhikkhave, balāni. Katamāni aṭṭha? Ruṇṇabalā, bhikkhave, dārakā, kodhabalā mātugāmā, āvudhabalā corā, issariyabalā rājāno, ujjhattibalā bālā, nijjhattibalā paṇḍitā, paṭisaṅkhānabalā bahussutā, khantibalā samaṇabrāhmaṇā— imāni kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭha balānī”ti.
Sattamaṁ.
AN 8.28 · Powers (2nd)
AN 8.28 · Dutiyabalasutta
Then Venerable Sāriputta went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:
Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:
“Sāriputta, how many powers does a mendicant who has ended the defilements have that qualify them to claim: ‘My defilements have ended’?”
“kati nu kho, sāriputta, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno balāni, yehi balehi samannāgato khīṇāsavo bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayaṁ paṭijānāti: ‘khīṇā me āsavā’”ti?
“Sir, a mendicant who has ended the defilements has eight powers that qualify them to claim: ‘My defilements have ended.’
“Aṭṭha, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno balāni, yehi balehi samannāgato khīṇāsavo bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayaṁ paṭijānāti: ‘khīṇā me āsavā’ti.
What eight? Firstly, a mendicant with defilements ended has clearly seen with right wisdom all conditions as truly impermanent. This is a power that a mendicant who has ended the defilements relies on to claim: ‘My defilements have ended.’
Katamāni aṭṭha? Idha, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno aniccato sabbe saṅkhārā yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhā honti. Yampi, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno aniccato sabbe saṅkhārā yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhā honti, idampi, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno balaṁ hoti, yaṁ balaṁ āgamma khīṇāsavo bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayaṁ paṭijānāti: ‘khīṇā me āsavā’ti.
Furthermore, a mendicant with defilements ended has clearly seen with right wisdom that sensual pleasures are truly like a pit of glowing coals. This is a power that a mendicant who has ended the defilements relies on to claim: ‘My defilements have ended.’
Puna caparaṁ, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno aṅgārakāsūpamā kāmā yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhā honti. Yampi, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno aṅgārakāsūpamā kāmā yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhā honti, idampi, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno balaṁ hoti, yaṁ balaṁ āgamma khīṇāsavo bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayaṁ paṭijānāti: ‘khīṇā me āsavā’ti.
Furthermore, the mind of a mendicant with defilements ended slants, slopes, and inclines to seclusion. They’re withdrawn, loving renunciation, and have totally eliminated defiling influences. This is a power that a mendicant who has ended the defilements relies on to claim: ‘My defilements have ended.’
Puna caparaṁ, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno vivekaninnaṁ cittaṁ hoti vivekapoṇaṁ vivekapabbhāraṁ vivekaṭṭhaṁ nekkhammābhirataṁ byantibhūtaṁ sabbaso āsavaṭṭhāniyehi dhammehi. Yampi, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno vivekaninnaṁ cittaṁ hoti vivekapoṇaṁ vivekapabbhāraṁ vivekaṭṭhaṁ nekkhammābhirataṁ byantibhūtaṁ sabbaso āsavaṭṭhāniyehi dhammehi, idampi, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno balaṁ hoti, yaṁ balaṁ āgamma khīṇāsavo bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayaṁ paṭijānāti: ‘khīṇā me āsavā’ti.
Furthermore, a mendicant with defilements ended has well developed the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. This is a power that a mendicant who has ended the defilements relies on to claim: ‘My defilements have ended.’
Puna caparaṁ, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno cattāro satipaṭṭhānā bhāvitā honti subhāvitā. Yampi, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno cattāro satipaṭṭhānā bhāvitā honti subhāvitā, idampi, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno balaṁ hoti, yaṁ balaṁ āgamma khīṇāsavo bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayaṁ paṭijānāti: ‘khīṇā me āsavā’ti.
Furthermore, a mendicant with defilements ended has well developed the four bases of psychic power … the five faculties … the seven awakening factors … the noble eightfold path. This is a power that a mendicant who has ended the defilements relies on to claim: ‘My defilements have ended.’
Puna caparaṁ, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno cattāro iddhipādā bhāvitā honti subhāvitā …pe… pañcindriyāni bhāvitāni honti subhāvitāni …pe… satta bojjhaṅgā bhāvitā honti subhāvitā …pe… ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo bhāvito hoti subhāvito. Yampi, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo bhāvito hoti subhāvito, idampi, bhante, khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno balaṁ hoti, yaṁ balaṁ āgamma khīṇāsavo bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayaṁ paṭijānāti: ‘khīṇā me āsavā’ti.
A mendicant who has ended the defilements possesses these eight powers that qualify them to claim: ‘My defilements have ended.’”
Imāni kho, bhante, aṭṭha khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno balāni, yehi balehi samannāgato khīṇāsavo bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayaṁ paṭijānāti: ‘khīṇā me āsavā’”ti.
Aṭṭhamaṁ.