AN 8.29 · Lost Opportunities
AN 8.29 · Akkhaṇasutta
“‘Now is the time! Now is the time!’ So says an unlearned ordinary person. But they don’t know whether it’s time or not. Mendicants, there are eight lost opportunities for spiritual practice. What eight?
“‘Khaṇakicco loko, khaṇakicco loko’ti, bhikkhave, assutavā puthujjano bhāsati, no ca kho so jānāti khaṇaṁ vā akkhaṇaṁ vā. Aṭṭhime, bhikkhave, akkhaṇā asamayā brahmacariyavāsāya. Katame aṭṭha?
Firstly, a Realized One has arisen in the world—perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed. He teaches the Dhamma leading to peace, extinguishment, awakening, as proclaimed by the Holy One. But an individual has been reborn in hell. This is the first lost opportunity for spiritual practice.
Idha, bhikkhave, tathāgato ca loke uppanno hoti arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā, dhammo ca desiyati opasamiko parinibbāniko sambodhagāmī sugatappavedito; ayañca puggalo nirayaṁ upapanno hoti. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamo akkhaṇo asamayo brahmacariyavāsāya.
Furthermore, a Realized One has arisen in the world … He teaches the Dhamma leading to peace, extinguishment, awakening, as proclaimed by the Holy One. But an individual has been reborn in the animal realm. This is the second lost opportunity …
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, tathāgato ca loke uppanno hoti …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā, dhammo ca desiyati opasamiko parinibbāniko sambodhagāmī sugatappavedito; ayañca puggalo tiracchānayoniṁ upapanno hoti …pe….
Furthermore, a Realized One has arisen in the world … But an individual has been reborn in the ghost realm. This is the third lost opportunity …
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave …pe… ayañca puggalo pettivisayaṁ upapanno hoti …pe….
Furthermore, a Realized One has arisen in the world … But an individual has been reborn in one of the long-lived orders of gods. This is the fourth lost opportunity …
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave …pe… ayañca puggalo aññataraṁ dīghāyukaṁ devanikāyaṁ upapanno hoti …pe….
Furthermore, a Realized One has arisen in the world … But an individual has been reborn in the borderlands, among uneducated foreigners, where monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen do not go. This is the fifth lost opportunity …
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave …pe… ayañca puggalo paccantimesu janapadesu paccājāto hoti, so ca hoti aviññātāresu milakkhesu, yattha natthi gati bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ upāsakānaṁ upāsikānaṁ …pe….
Furthermore, a Realized One has arisen in the world … And an individual is reborn in a central country. But they have wrong view and distorted perspective: ‘There’s no meaning in giving, sacrifice, or offerings. There’s no fruit or result of good and bad deeds. There’s no afterlife. There’s no such thing as mother and father, or beings that are reborn spontaneously. And there’s no ascetic or brahmin who is rightly comported and rightly practiced, and who describes the afterlife after realizing it with their own insight.’ This is the sixth lost opportunity …
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave …pe… ayañca puggalo majjhimesu janapadesu paccājāto hoti, so ca hoti micchādiṭṭhiko viparītadassano: ‘natthi dinnaṁ, natthi yiṭṭhaṁ, natthi hutaṁ, natthi sukatadukkaṭānaṁ kammānaṁ phalaṁ vipāko, natthi ayaṁ loko, natthi paro loko, natthi mātā, natthi pitā, natthi sattā opapātikā, natthi loke samaṇabrāhmaṇā sammaggatā sammā paṭipannā ye imañca lokaṁ parañca lokaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedentī’ti …pe….
Furthermore, a Realized One has arisen in the world … And an individual is reborn in a central country. But they’re witless, dull, idiotic, and unable to distinguish what is well said from what is poorly said. This is the seventh lost opportunity for spiritual practice.
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave …pe… ayañca puggalo majjhimesu janapadesu paccājāto hoti, so ca hoti duppañño jaḷo eḷamūgo appaṭibalo subhāsitadubbhāsitassa atthamaññātuṁ. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, sattamo akkhaṇo asamayo brahmacariyavāsāya.
Furthermore, a Realized One has not arisen in the world … So he doesn’t teach the Dhamma leading to peace, extinguishment, awakening, as proclaimed by the Holy One. And an individual is reborn in a central country. And they’re wise, bright, clever, and able to distinguish what is well said from what is poorly said. This is the eighth lost opportunity for spiritual practice.
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, tathāgato ca loke anuppanno hoti arahaṁ sammāsambuddho …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā. Dhammo ca na desiyati opasamiko parinibbāniko sambodhagāmī sugatappavedito. Ayañca puggalo majjhimesu janapadesu paccājāto hoti, so ca hoti paññavā ajaḷo aneḷamūgo paṭibalo subhāsitadubbhāsitassa atthamaññātuṁ. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, aṭṭhamo akkhaṇo asamayo brahmacariyavāsāya.
There are these eight lost opportunities for spiritual practice.
Ime kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭha akkhaṇā asamayā brahmacariyavāsāya.
Mendicants, there is just one opportunity for spiritual practice. What is that one? It’s when a Realized One has arisen in the world, perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed. He teaches the Dhamma leading to peace, extinguishment, awakening, as proclaimed by the Holy One. And an individual is reborn in a central country. And they’re wise, bright, clever, and able to distinguish what is well said from what is poorly said. This is the one opportunity for spiritual practice.
Ekova kho, bhikkhave, khaṇo ca samayo ca brahmacariyavāsāya. Katamo eko? Idha, bhikkhave, tathāgato ca loke uppanno hoti arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā. Dhammo ca desiyati opasamiko parinibbāniko sambodhagāmī sugatappavedito. Ayañca puggalo majjhimesu janapadesu paccājāto hoti, so ca hoti paññavā ajaḷo aneḷamūgo paṭibalo subhāsitadubbhāsitassa atthamaññātuṁ. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, ekova khaṇo ca samayo ca brahmacariyavāsāyāti.
When you’ve gained the human state,and the true teaching has been so well proclaimed,those who don’t seize the momentare wasting their time.
Manussalābhaṁ laddhāna,saddhamme suppavedite;Ye khaṇaṁ nādhigacchanti,atināmenti te khaṇaṁ.
For many wrong times are spoken of,which obstruct the path.Only on rare occasionsdo Realized Ones arise.
Bahū hi akkhaṇā vuttā,maggassa antarāyikā;Kadāci karahaci loke,uppajjanti tathāgatā.
If you find yourself in their presence,so hard to find in the world,and if you’ve gained a human birth,and the teaching of the Dhamma;that’s enough to make an effort,for a personage who desires self-knowledge.
Tayidaṁ sammukhībhūtaṁ,yaṁ lokasmiṁ sudullabhaṁ;Manussapaṭilābho ca,saddhammassa ca desanā;Alaṁ vāyamituṁ tattha,attakāmena jantunā.
How is the true teaching to be understoodso that the moment doesn’t pass you by?For if you miss your momentyou’ll grieve when sent to hell.
Kathaṁ vijaññā saddhammaṁ,khaṇo ve mā upaccagā;Khaṇātītā hi socanti,nirayamhi samappitā.
If you fail to achievecertainty regarding the true teachingyou’ll regret it for a long time,like the merchant in the story of the past.
Idha ce naṁ virādheti,saddhammassa niyāmataṁ;Vāṇijova atītattho,cirattaṁ anutapissati.
A man shrouded by ignorance,a failure in the true teaching,will long undergotransmigration through birth and death.
Avijjānivuto poso,saddhammaṁ aparādhiko;Jātimaraṇasaṁsāraṁ,ciraṁ paccanubhossati.
Those who’ve gained the human statewhen the true teaching has been so well proclaimed,and have completed what the Teacher taught—or will do so, or are doing so now—
Ye ca laddhā manussattaṁ,saddhamme suppavedite;Akaṁsu satthu vacanaṁ,karissanti karonti vā.
have realized the right time in the worldfor the supreme spiritual life.You should live guarded, ever mindful,not festering with defilements,
Khaṇaṁ paccaviduṁ loke,brahmacariyaṁ anuttaraṁ;Ye maggaṁ paṭipajjiṁsu,tathāgatappaveditaṁ.
among those restrained oneswho have practiced the pathproclaimed by the Realized One, the Clear-eyed One,and taught by the Kinsman of the Sun.
Ye saṁvarā cakkhumatā,desitādiccabandhunā;Tesu gutto sadā sato,vihare anavassuto.
Having cut off all underlying tendenciesthat follow those drifting in Māra’s dominion,they’re the ones in this world <j>who’ve truly crossed over,having reached the ending of defilements.”
Sabbe anusaye chetvā,māradheyyaparānuge;Te ve pāraṅgatā loke,ye pattā āsavakkhayan”ti.
Navamaṁ.
AN 8.30 · Anuruddha and the Great Thoughts
AN 8.30 · Anuruddhamahāvitakkasutta
At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Bhaggas at Crocodile’s Bellow, in the deer park at Bhesakaḷā’s Wood. And at that time Venerable Anuruddha was staying in the land of the Cetīs in the Park of the East-Raftered Hall. Then as Anuruddha was in private retreat this thought came to his mind:
Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā bhaggesu viharati suṁsumāragire bhesakaḷāvane migadāye. Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā anuruddho cetīsu viharati pācīnavaṁsadāye. Atha kho āyasmato anuruddhassa rahogatassa paṭisallīnassa evaṁ cetaso parivitakko udapādi:
“This teaching is for those of few wishes, not those of many wishes. It’s for the contented, not those who lack contentment. It’s for the secluded, not those who enjoy company. It’s for the energetic, not the lazy. It’s for the mindful, not the unmindful. It’s for those with immersion, not those without immersion. It’s for the wise, not the witless.”
“appicchassāyaṁ dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo mahicchassa; santuṭṭhassāyaṁ dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo asantuṭṭhassa; pavivittassāyaṁ dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo saṅgaṇikārāmassa; āraddhavīriyassāyaṁ dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo kusītassa; upaṭṭhitassatissāyaṁ dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo muṭṭhassatissa; samāhitassāyaṁ dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo asamāhitassa; paññavato ayaṁ dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo duppaññassā”ti.
Then the Buddha knew Anuruddha’s train of thought. As easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from the deer park at Bhesakaḷā’s Wood in the land of the Bhaggas and reappeared in front of Anuruddha in the Park of the East-Raftered Hall in the land of the Cetīs, and sat down on the seat spread out. Anuruddha bowed to the Buddha and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:
Atha kho bhagavā āyasmato anuruddhassa cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evamevaṁ—bhaggesu susumāragire bhesakaḷāvane migadāye antarahito cetīsu pācīnavaṁsadāye āyasmato anuruddhassa sammukhe pāturahosi. Nisīdi bhagavā paññatte āsane. Āyasmāpi kho anuruddho bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:
“Good, good, Anuruddha! It’s good that you reflect on these thoughts of a great man: ‘This teaching is for those of few wishes, not those of many wishes. It’s for the contented, not those who lack contentment. It’s for the secluded, not those who enjoy company. It’s for the energetic, not the lazy. It’s for the mindful, not the unmindful. It’s for those with immersion, not those without immersion. It’s for the wise, not the witless.’ Well then, Anuruddha, you should also reflect on the following eighth thought of a great man: ‘This teaching is for those who don’t enjoy proliferating and don’t like to proliferate, not for those who enjoy proliferating and like to proliferate.’
“Sādhu sādhu, anuruddha. Sādhu kho tvaṁ, anuruddha, yaṁ taṁ mahāpurisavitakkaṁ vitakkesi: ‘appicchassāyaṁ dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo mahicchassa; santuṭṭhassāyaṁ dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo asantuṭṭhassa; pavivittassāyaṁ dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo saṅgaṇikārāmassa; āraddhavīriyassāyaṁ dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo kusītassa; upaṭṭhitassatissāyaṁ dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo muṭṭhassatissa; samāhitassāyaṁ dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo asamāhitassa; paññavato ayaṁ dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo duppaññassā’ti. Tena hi tvaṁ, anuruddha, imampi aṭṭhamaṁ mahāpurisavitakkaṁ vitakkehi: ‘nippapañcārāmassāyaṁ dhammo nippapañcaratino, nāyaṁ dhammo papañcārāmassa papañcaratino’ti.
First you’ll reflect on these eight thoughts of a great man. Then as far as you want, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, you’ll enter and remain in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.
Yato kho tvaṁ, anuruddha, ime aṭṭha mahāpurisavitakke vitakkessasi, tato tvaṁ, anuruddha, yāvadeva ākaṅkhissasi, vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharissasi.
You’ll enter and remain in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.
Yato kho tvaṁ, anuruddha, ime aṭṭha mahāpurisavitakke vitakkessasi, tato tvaṁ, anuruddha, yāvadeva ākaṅkhissasi, vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharissasi.
You’ll enter and remain in the third absorption, where you’ll meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, experiencing for themselves the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’
Yato kho tvaṁ, anuruddha, ime aṭṭha mahāpurisavitakke vitakkessasi, tato tvaṁ, anuruddha, yāvadeva ākaṅkhissasi, pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca viharissasi sato ca sampajāno sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedissasi yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti: ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharissasi.
With the giving up of pleasure and pain and the disappearance of former happiness and sadness, you’ll enter and remain in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.
Yato kho tvaṁ, anuruddha, ime aṭṭha mahāpurisavitakke vitakkessasi, tato tvaṁ, anuruddha, yāvadeva ākaṅkhissasi, sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharissasi.
First you’ll reflect on these eight thoughts of a great man, and you’ll get the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when you want, without trouble or difficulty. Then as you live contented, your rag robe will seem to you like a chest full of garments of different colors seems to a householder or householder’s child. It will be for your enjoyment, relief, and comfort, and for alighting upon extinguishment.
Yato kho tvaṁ, anuruddha, ime ca aṭṭha mahāpurisavitakke vitakkessasi, imesañca catunnaṁ jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diṭṭhadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhī bhavissasi akicchalābhī akasiralābhī, tato tuyhaṁ, anuruddha, seyyathāpi nāma gahapatissa vā gahapatiputtassa vā nānārattānaṁ dussānaṁ dussakaraṇḍako pūro; evamevaṁ te paṁsukūlacīvaraṁ khāyissati santuṭṭhassa viharato ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya okkamanāya nibbānassa.
As you live contented, your scraps of almsfood will seem to you like boiled fine rice with the dark grains picked out, served with many soups and sauces seems to a householder or householder’s child. It will be for your enjoyment, relief, and comfort, and for alighting upon extinguishment.
Yato kho tvaṁ, anuruddha, ime ca aṭṭha mahāpurisavitakke vitakkessasi, imesañca catunnaṁ jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diṭṭhadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhī bhavissasi akicchalābhī akasiralābhī, tato tuyhaṁ, anuruddha, seyyathāpi nāma gahapatissa vā gahapatiputtassa vā sālīnaṁ odano vicitakāḷako anekasūpo anekabyañjano; evamevaṁ te piṇḍiyālopabhojanaṁ khāyissati santuṭṭhassa viharato ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya okkamanāya nibbānassa.
As you live contented, your lodging at the root of a tree will seem to you like a bungalow, plastered inside and out, draft-free, with door fastened and window shuttered seems to a householder or householder’s child. It will be for your enjoyment, relief, and comfort, and for alighting upon extinguishment.
Yato kho tvaṁ, anuruddha, ime ca aṭṭha mahāpurisavitakke vitakkessasi, imesañca catunnaṁ jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diṭṭhadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhī bhavissasi akicchalābhī akasiralābhī, tato tuyhaṁ, anuruddha, seyyathāpi nāma gahapatissa vā gahapatiputtassa vā kūṭāgāraṁ ullittāvalittaṁ nivātaṁ phusitaggaḷaṁ pihitavātapānaṁ; evamevaṁ te rukkhamūlasenāsanaṁ khāyissati santuṭṭhassa viharato ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya okkamanāya nibbānassa.
As you live contented, your grass mat for lodging will seem to you like a couch spread with woolen covers—shag-piled, pure white, or embroidered with flowers—and spread with a fine deer hide, with a canopy above and red pillows at both ends seems to a householder or householder’s child. It will be for your enjoyment, relief, and comfort, and for alighting upon extinguishment.
Yato kho tvaṁ, anuruddha, ime ca aṭṭha mahāpurisavitakke vitakkessasi, imesañca catunnaṁ jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diṭṭhadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhī bhavissasi akicchalābhī akasiralābhī, tato tuyhaṁ, anuruddha, seyyathāpi nāma gahapatissa vā gahapatiputtassa vā pallaṅko gonakatthato paṭikatthato paṭalikatthato kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇo sauttaracchado ubhatolohitakūpadhāno; evamevaṁ te tiṇasanthārakasayanāsanaṁ khāyissati santuṭṭhassa viharato ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya okkamanāya nibbānassa.
As you live contented your rancid urine as medicine will seem to you like various medicines—ghee, butter, oil, honey, and molasses—seem to a householder or householder’s child. It will be for your enjoyment, relief, and comfort, and for alighting upon extinguishment. Well then, Anuruddha, for the next rainy season residence you should stay right here in the land of the Cetīs in the Park of the East-Raftered Hall.”
Yato kho tvaṁ, anuruddha, ime ca aṭṭha mahāpurisavitakke vitakkessasi, imesañca catunnaṁ jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diṭṭhadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhī bhavissasi akicchalābhī akasiralābhī, tato tuyhaṁ, anuruddha, seyyathāpi nāma gahapatissa vā gahapatiputtassa vā nānābhesajjāni, seyyathidaṁ—sappi navanītaṁ telaṁ madhu phāṇitaṁ; evamevaṁ te pūtimuttabhesajjaṁ khāyissati santuṭṭhassa viharato ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya okkamanāya nibbānassa. Tena hi tvaṁ, anuruddha, āyatikampi vassāvāsaṁ idheva cetīsu pācīnavaṁsadāye vihareyyāsī”ti.
“Yes, sir,” Anuruddha replied.
“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho āyasmā anuruddho bhagavato paccassosi.
After advising Anuruddha like this, the Buddha—as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, vanished from the Park of the East-Raftered Hall in the land of the Cetīs and reappeared in the deer park at Bhesakaḷā’s Wood in the land of the Bhaggas at Crocodile’s Bellow. He sat down on the seat spread out and addressed the mendicants: “Mendicants, I will teach you the eight thoughts of a great man. Listen …
Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ iminā ovādena ovaditvā—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evamevaṁ—cetīsu pācīnavaṁsadāye antarahito bhaggesu susumāragire bhesakaḷāvane migadāye pāturahosīti. Nisīdi bhagavā paññatte āsane. Nisajja kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “aṭṭha kho, bhikkhave, mahāpurisavitakke desessāmi, taṁ suṇātha …pe…
And what are the eight thoughts of a great man? This teaching is for those of few wishes, not those of many wishes. It’s for the contented, not those who lack contentment. It’s for the secluded, not those who enjoy company. It’s for the energetic, not the lazy. It’s for the mindful, not the unmindful. It’s for those with immersion, not those without immersion. It’s for the wise, not the witless. It’s for those who don’t enjoy proliferating and don’t like to proliferate, not for those who enjoy proliferating and like to proliferate.
katame ca, bhikkhave, aṭṭha mahāpurisavitakkā? Appicchassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo mahicchassa; santuṭṭhassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo asantuṭṭhassa; pavivittassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo saṅgaṇikārāmassa; āraddhavīriyassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo kusītassa; upaṭṭhitassatissāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo muṭṭhassatissa; samāhitassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo asamāhitassa; paññavato ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo duppaññassa; nippapañcārāmassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo nippapañcaratino, nāyaṁ dhammo papañcārāmassa papañcaratino.
‘This teaching is for those of few wishes, not those of many wishes.’ That’s what I said, but why did I say it? A mendicant with few wishes doesn’t wish: ‘May they know me as having few wishes!’ When contented, they don’t wish: ‘May they know me as contented!’ When secluded, they don’t wish: ‘May they know me as secluded!’ When energetic, they don’t wish: ‘May they know me as energetic!’ When mindful, they don’t wish: ‘May they know me as mindful!’ When immersed, they don’t wish: ‘May they know me as immersed!’ When wise, they don’t wish: ‘May they know me as wise!’ When not enjoying proliferation, they don’t wish: ‘May they know me as one who doesn’t enjoy proliferating!’ ‘This teaching is for those of few wishes, not those of many wishes.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.
‘Appicchassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo mahicchassā’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ. Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu appiccho samāno ‘appicchoti maṁ jāneyyun’ti na icchati, santuṭṭho samāno ‘santuṭṭhoti maṁ jāneyyun’ti na icchati, pavivitto samāno ‘pavivittoti maṁ jāneyyun’ti na icchati, āraddhavīriyo samāno ‘āraddhavīriyoti maṁ jāneyyun’ti na icchati, upaṭṭhitassati samāno ‘upaṭṭhitassatīti maṁ jāneyyun’ti na icchati, samāhito samāno ‘samāhitoti maṁ jāneyyun’ti na icchati, paññavā samāno ‘paññavāti maṁ jāneyyun’ti na icchati, nippapañcārāmo samāno ‘nippapañcārāmoti maṁ jāneyyun’ti na icchati. ‘Appicchassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo mahicchassā’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.
‘This teaching is for the contented, not those who lack contentment.’ That’s what I said, but why did I say it? It’s for a mendicant who’s content with any kind of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. ‘This teaching is for the contented, not those who lack contentment.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.
‘Santuṭṭhassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo asantuṭṭhassā’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ, kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu santuṭṭho hoti itarītaracīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhārena. ‘Santuṭṭhassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo asantuṭṭhassā’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.
‘This teaching is for the secluded, not those who enjoy company.’ That’s what I said, but why did I say it? It’s for a mendicant who lives secluded. But monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen, rulers and their chief ministers, monastics of other religions and their disciples go to visit them. With a mind slanting, sloping, and inclining to seclusion, withdrawn, and loving renunciation, that mendicant invariably gives a talk concerned only with sending them away. ‘This teaching is for the secluded, not those who enjoy company.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.
‘Pavivittassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo saṅgaṇikārāmassā’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ, kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pavivittassa viharato bhavanti upasaṅkamitāro bhikkhū bhikkhuniyo upāsakā upāsikāyo rājāno rājamahāmattā titthiyā titthiyasāvakā. Tatra bhikkhu vivekaninnena cittena vivekapoṇena vivekapabbhārena vivekaṭṭhena nekkhammābhiratena aññadatthu uyyojanikapaṭisaṁyuttaṁyeva kathaṁ kattā hoti. ‘Pavivittassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo saṅgaṇikārāmassā’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.
‘This teaching is for the energetic, not the lazy.’ That’s what I said, but why did I say it? It’s for a mendicant who lives with energy roused up for giving up unskillful qualities and embracing skillful qualities. They’re strong, staunchly vigorous, not slacking off when it comes to developing skillful qualities. ‘This teaching is for the energetic, not the lazy.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.
‘Āraddhavīriyassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo kusītassā’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ, kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu āraddhavīriyo viharati akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ upasampadāya thāmavā daḷhaparakkamo anikkhittadhuro kusalesu dhammesu. ‘Āraddhavīriyassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo kusītassā’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.
‘This teaching is for the mindful, not the unmindful.’ That’s what I said, but why did I say it? It’s for a mendicant who’s mindful. They have utmost mindfulness and alertness, and can remember and recall what was said and done long ago. ‘This teaching is for the mindful, not the unmindful.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.
‘Upaṭṭhitassatissāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo muṭṭhassatissā’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ. Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satimā hoti paramena satinepakkena samannāgato, cirakatampi cirabhāsitampi saritā anussaritā. ‘Upaṭṭhitassatissāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo, muṭṭhassatissā’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.
‘This teaching is for those with immersion, not those without immersion.’ That’s what I said, but why did I say it? It’s for a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption … second absorption … third absorption … fourth absorption. ‘This teaching is for those with immersion, not those without immersion.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.
‘Samāhitassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo asamāhitassā’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ. Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. ‘Samāhitassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo asamāhitassā’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.
‘This teaching is for the wise, not the witless.’ That’s what I said, but why did I say it? It’s for a mendicant who’s wise. They have the wisdom of arising and passing away which is noble, penetrative, and leads to the complete ending of suffering. ‘This teaching is for the wise, not the witless.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.
‘Paññavato ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo duppaññassā’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ. Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paññavā hoti udayatthagāminiyā paññāya samannāgato ariyāya nibbedhikāya sammā dukkhakkhayagāminiyā. ‘Paññavato ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nāyaṁ dhammo duppaññassā’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.
‘This teaching is for those who don’t enjoy proliferating and don’t like to proliferate, not for those who enjoy proliferating and like to proliferate.’ That’s what I said, but why did I say it? It’s for a mendicant whose mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided regarding the cessation of proliferation. ‘This teaching is for those who don’t enjoy proliferating and don’t like to proliferate, not for those who enjoy proliferating and like to proliferate.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.”
‘Nippapañcārāmassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo nippapañcaratino, nāyaṁ dhammo papañcārāmassa papañcaratino’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ. Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno papañcanirodhe cittaṁ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati vimuccati. ‘Nippapañcārāmassāyaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammo, nippapañcaratino, nāyaṁ dhammo papañcārāmassa papañcaratino’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ idametaṁ paṭicca vuttan”ti.
Then Anuruddha stayed the next rainy season residence right there in the land of the Cetīs in the Park of the East-Raftered Hall. And Anuruddha, 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 anuruddho āyatikampi vassāvāsaṁ tattheva cetīsu pācīnavaṁsadāye vihāsi. Atha kho āyasmā anuruddho 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 Anuruddha became one of the perfected. And on the occasion of attaining perfection he recited these verses:
“Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā”ti abbhaññāsi. Aññataro ca panāyasmā anuruddho arahataṁ ahosīti. Atha kho āyasmā anuruddho arahattappatto tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imā gāthāyo abhāsi:
“Knowing my thoughts,the supreme Teacher in the worldcame to me in a mind-made body,using his psychic power.
“Mama saṅkappamaññāya,satthā loke anuttaro;Manomayena kāyena,iddhiyā upasaṅkami.
He taught me morethan I had thought of.The Buddha who loves non-proliferationtaught me non-proliferation.
Yathā me ahu saṅkappo,tato uttari desayi;Nippapañcarato buddho,nippapañcaṁ adesayi.
Understanding that teaching,I happily did his bidding.I’ve attained the three knowledges,and have fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.”
Tassāhaṁ dhammamaññāya,vihāsiṁ sāsane rato;Tisso vijjā anuppattā,kataṁ buddhassa sāsanan”ti.
Dasamaṁ.
Gahapativaggo tatiyo.
Tassuddānaṁ
Dve uggā dve ca hatthakā,mahānāmena jīvako;Dve balā akkhaṇā vuttā,anuruddhena te dasāti.