SCRIPTURA

The Buddha · Numbered Discourses: The Nines · 9 of 14

Similarity · AN 9.42–9.51

Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato

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AN 9.42 · Cramped

AN 9.42 · Sambādhasutta

At one time Venerable Ānanda was staying near Kosambī in Ghosita’s monastery. Then Venerable Udāyī went up to Venerable Ānanda and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to Ānanda, “Reverend, this was said by the godling Pañcālacaṇḍa:

Ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā ānando kosambiyaṁ viharati ghositārāme. Atha kho āyasmā udāyī yenāyasmā ānando tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā ānandena saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā udāyī āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etadavoca: “vuttamidaṁ, āvuso, pañcālacaṇḍena devaputtena:

‘The opening amid confinementwas discovered by the Buddha of vast intelligence,who awakened to absorption,the sage, the solitary boss bull.’

‘Sambādhe gataṁ okāsaṁ,Avidvā bhūrimedhaso;Yo jhānamabujjhi buddho,Paṭilīnanisabho munī’ti.

But what is confinement, and what is the opening amid confinement that the Buddha spoke of?”

Katamo, āvuso, sambādho, katamo sambādhe okāsādhigamo vutto bhagavatā”ti?

“Reverend, these five kinds of sensual stimulation are called ‘confinement’ by the Buddha. What five? Sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. Sounds known by the ear … Smells known by the nose … Tastes known by the tongue … Touches known by the body, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. These are the five kinds of sensual stimulation that are called ‘confinement’ by the Buddha.

“Pañcime, āvuso, kāmaguṇā sambādho vutto bhagavatā. Katame pañca? Cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā, sotaviññeyyā saddā …pe… ghānaviññeyyā gandhā … jivhāviññeyyā rasā … kāyaviññeyyā phoṭṭhabbā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā. Ime kho, āvuso, pañca kāmaguṇā sambādho vutto bhagavatā.

Now, take a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures … enters and remains in the first absorption. To this extent the Buddha spoke of an opening amid confinement in a qualified sense. But it is still confined. Confined by what? Whatever placing of the mind and keeping it connected has not ceased is the confinement there.

Idhāvuso, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, sambādhe okāsādhigamo vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena. Tatrāpatthi sambādho. Kiñca tattha sambādho? Yadeva tattha vitakkavicārā aniruddhā honti, ayamettha sambādho.

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled … enters and remains in the second absorption. To this extent the Buddha spoke of an opening amid confinement in a qualified sense. But it is still confined. Confined by what? Whatever rapture has not ceased is the confinement there.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, sambādhe okāsādhigamo vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena. Tatrāpatthi sambādho. Kiñca tattha sambādho? Yadeva tattha pīti aniruddhā hoti, ayamettha sambādho.

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, with the fading away of rapture … enters and remains in the third absorption. To this extent the Buddha spoke of creating an opening amid confinement in a qualified sense. But it is still confined. Confined by what? Whatever bliss with equanimity has not ceased is the confinement there.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā …pe… tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, sambādhe okāsādhigamo vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena. Tatrāpatthi sambādho. Kiñca tattha sambādho? Yadeva tattha upekkhāsukhaṁ aniruddhaṁ hoti, ayamettha sambādho.

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, giving up pleasure and pain … enters and remains in the fourth absorption. To this extent the Buddha spoke of an opening amid confinement in a qualified sense. But it is still confined. Confined by what? Whatever perception of form has not ceased is the confinement there.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sukhassa ca pahānā …pe… catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, sambādhe okāsādhigamo vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena. Tatrāpatthi sambādho. Kiñca tattha sambādho? Yadeva tattha rūpasaññā aniruddhā hoti, ayamettha sambādho.

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of impingement, not focusing on perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite’, enters and remains in the dimension of infinite space. To this extent the Buddha spoke of an opening amid confinement in a qualified sense. But it is still confined. Confined by what? Whatever perception of the dimension of infinite space has not ceased is the confinement there.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso rūpasaññānaṁ samatikkamā paṭighasaññānaṁ atthaṅgamā nānattasaññānaṁ amanasikārā ‘ananto ākāso’ti ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, sambādhe okāsādhigamo vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena. Tatrāpatthi sambādho. Kiñca tattha sambādho? Yadeva tattha ākāsānañcāyatanasaññā aniruddhā hoti, ayamettha sambādho.

Furthermore, a mendicant, going totally beyond the dimension of infinite space, aware that ‘consciousness is infinite’, enters and remains in the dimension of infinite consciousness. To this extent the Buddha spoke of an opening amid confinement in a qualified sense. But it is still confined. Confined by what? Whatever perception of the dimension of infinite consciousness has not ceased is the confinement there.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma ‘anantaṁ viññāṇan’ti viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, sambādhe okāsādhigamo vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena. Tatrāpatthi sambādho. Kiñca tattha sambādho? Yadeva tattha viññāṇañcāyatanasaññā aniruddhā hoti, ayamettha sambādho.

Furthermore, a mendicant, going totally beyond the dimension of infinite consciousness, aware that ‘there is nothing at all’, enters and remains in the dimension of nothingness. To this extent the Buddha spoke of an opening amid confinement in a qualified sense. But it is still confined. Confined by what? Whatever perception of the dimension of nothingness has not ceased is the confinement there.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma ‘natthi kiñcī’ti ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, sambādhe okāsādhigamo vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena. Tatrāpatthi sambādho. Kiñca tattha sambādho? Yadeva tattha ākiñcaññāyatanasaññā aniruddhā hoti, ayamettha sambādho.

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of nothingness, enters and remains in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception. To this extent the Buddha spoke of an opening amid confinement in a qualified sense. But it is still confined. Confined by what? Whatever perception of neither perception nor non-perception has not ceased is the confinement there.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, sambādhe okāsādhigamo vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena. Tatrāpatthi sambādho. Kiñca tattha sambādho? Yadeva tattha nevasaññānāsaññāyatanasaññā aniruddhā hoti, ayamettha sambādho.

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, their defilements come to an end. To this extent the Buddha spoke of an opening amid confinement in a definitive sense.”

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati, paññāya cassa disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā honti. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, sambādhe okāsādhigamo vutto bhagavatā nippariyāyenā”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

AN 9.43 · A Direct Witness

AN 9.43 · Kāyasakkhīsutta

“Reverend, they speak of the ‘direct witness’. What is the direct witness that the Buddha spoke of?”

“‘Kāyasakkhī, kāyasakkhī’ti, āvuso, vuccati. Kittāvatā nu kho, āvuso, kāyasakkhī vutto bhagavatā”ti?

“First, take a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures … enters and remains in the first absorption. They meditate directly experiencing that dimension in every way. To this extent the Buddha spoke of the direct witness in a qualified sense.

Idhāvuso, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Yathā yathā ca tadāyatanaṁ tathā tathā naṁ kāyena phusitvā viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, kāyasakkhī vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena.

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, enters and remains in the second absorption … third absorption … fourth absorption. They meditate directly experiencing that dimension in every way. To this extent the Buddha spoke of the direct witness in a qualified sense.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ … tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ … catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Yathā yathā ca tadāyatanaṁ tathā tathā naṁ kāyena phusitvā viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, kāyasakkhī vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena.

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of impingement, not focusing on perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite’, enters and remains in the dimension of infinite space. They meditate directly experiencing that dimension in every way. To this extent the Buddha spoke of the direct witness in a qualified sense. Furthermore, take a mendicant who enters and remains in the dimension of infinite consciousness … the dimension of nothingness … the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception …

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso rūpasaññānaṁ samatikkamā paṭighasaññānaṁ atthaṅgamā nānattasaññānaṁ amanasikārā ‘ananto ākāso’ti ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati. Yathā yathā ca tadāyatanaṁ tathā tathā naṁ kāyena phusitvā viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, kāyasakkhī vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena …pe….

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, their defilements come to an end. They meditate directly experiencing that dimension in every way. To this extent the Buddha spoke of the direct witness in a definitive sense.”

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati, paññāya cassa disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā honti. Yathā yathā ca tadāyatanaṁ tathā tathā naṁ kāyena phusitvā viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, kāyasakkhī vutto bhagavatā nippariyāyenā”ti.

Dutiyaṁ.

AN 9.44 · Freed by Wisdom

AN 9.44 · Paññāvimuttasutta

“Reverend, they speak of one ‘freed by wisdom’. What is the one freed by wisdom that the Buddha spoke of?”

“‘Paññāvimutto, paññāvimutto’ti, āvuso, vuccati. Kittāvatā nu kho, āvuso, paññāvimutto vutto bhagavatā”ti?

“First, take a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures … enters and remains in the first absorption. And they understand that with wisdom. To this extent the Buddha spoke of the one freed by wisdom in a qualified sense. …

“Idhāvuso, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati, paññāya ca naṁ pajānāti. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, paññāvimutto vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena …pe….

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, their defilements come to an end. And they understand that with wisdom. To this extent the Buddha spoke of the one freed by wisdom in a definitive sense.”

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati, paññāya cassa disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā honti, paññāya ca naṁ pajānāti. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, paññāvimutto vutto bhagavatā nippariyāyenā”ti.

Tatiyaṁ.

AN 9.45 · Freed Both Ways

AN 9.45 · Ubhatobhāgavimuttasutta

“Reverend, they speak of one ‘freed both ways’. What is the one freed both ways that the Buddha spoke of?”

“‘Ubhatobhāgavimutto, ubhatobhāgavimutto’ti, āvuso, vuccati. Kittāvatā nu kho, āvuso, ubhatobhāgavimutto vutto bhagavatā”ti?

“First, take a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures … enters and remains in the first absorption. They meditate directly experiencing that dimension in every way. And they understand that with wisdom. To this extent the Buddha spoke of the one freed both ways in a qualified sense. …

“Idhāvuso, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Yathā yathā ca tadāyatanaṁ tathā tathā naṁ kāyena phusitvā viharati, paññāya ca naṁ pajānāti. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, ubhatobhāgavimutto vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena …pe….

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, their defilements come to an end. They meditate directly experiencing that dimension in every way. And they understand that with wisdom. To this extent the Buddha spoke of the one freed both ways in a definitive sense.”

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati, paññāya cassa disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā honti. Yathā yathā ca tadāyatanaṁ tathā tathā naṁ kāyena phusitvā viharati, paññāya ca naṁ pajānāti. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, ubhatobhāgavimutto vutto bhagavatā nippariyāyenā”ti.

Catutthaṁ.

AN 9.46 · In the Present Life

AN 9.46 · Sandiṭṭhikadhammasutta

“Reverend, they speak of ‘a teaching apparent in the present life’. In what way did the Buddha speak of a teaching apparent in the present life?”

“‘Sandiṭṭhiko dhammo, sandiṭṭhiko dhammo’ti, āvuso, vuccati. Kittāvatā nu kho, āvuso, sandiṭṭhiko dhammo vutto bhagavatā”ti?

“First, take a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures … enters and remains in the first absorption. To this extent the Buddha spoke of the teaching apparent in the present life in a qualified sense. …

“Idhāvuso, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, sandiṭṭhiko dhammo vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena …pe….

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, their defilements come to an end. To this extent the Buddha spoke of the teaching apparent in the present life in a definitive sense.”

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati, paññāya cassa disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā honti. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, sandiṭṭhiko dhammo vutto bhagavatā nippariyāyenā”ti.

Pañcamaṁ.

AN 9.47 · Extinguishment is Apparent in the Present Life

AN 9.47 · Sandiṭṭhikanibbānasutta

“Reverend, they say that ‘extinguishment is apparent in the present life’. In what way did the Buddha say extinguishment is apparent in the present life?”

“‘Sandiṭṭhikaṁ nibbānaṁ, sandiṭṭhikaṁ nibbānan’ti, āvuso, vuccati. Kittāvatā nu kho, āvuso, sandiṭṭhikaṁ nibbānaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā”ti?

“First, take a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures … enters and remains in the first absorption. To this extent the Buddha said that extinguishment is apparent in the present life in a qualified sense. …

“Idhāvuso, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, sandiṭṭhikaṁ nibbānaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā pariyāyena …pe….

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, their defilements come to an end. To this extent the Buddha said that extinguishment is apparent in the present life in a definitive sense.”

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati, paññāya cassa disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā honti. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, sandiṭṭhikaṁ nibbānaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā nippariyāyenā”ti.

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

AN 9.48 · Extinguishment

AN 9.48 · Nibbānasutta

“Reverend, they speak of ‘extinguishment’. …”

“‘Nibbānaṁ, nibbānan’ti, āvuso, vuccati …pe….

Sattamaṁ.

AN 9.49 · Full Extinguishment

AN 9.49 · Parinibbānasutta

“Reverend, they speak of ‘full extinguishment’. …”

“‘Parinibbānaṁ, parinibbānan’ti …pe….

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

AN 9.50 · Extinguishment in a Certain Respect

AN 9.50 · Tadaṅganibbānasutta

“Reverend, they speak of ‘extinguishment in a certain respect’. …”

“‘Tadaṅganibbānaṁ, tadaṅganibbānan’ti, āvuso, vuccati …pe….

Navamaṁ.

AN 9.51 · Extinguishment in This Life

AN 9.51 · Diṭṭhadhammanibbānasutta

“Reverend, they speak of ‘extinguishment in this life’. In what way did the Buddha speak of extinguishment in this life?”

“‘Diṭṭhadhammanibbānaṁ diṭṭhadhammanibbānan’ti, āvuso, vuccati. Kittāvatā nu kho, āvuso, diṭṭhadhammanibbānaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā”ti?

“First, take a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures … enters and remains in the first absorption. To this extent the Buddha spoke of extinguishment in this life in a qualified sense. …

“Idhāvuso, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, diṭṭhadhammanibbānaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā pariyāyena …pe….

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, their defilements come to an end. To this extent the Buddha spoke of extinguishment in this life in a definitive sense.”

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati, paññāya cassa disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā honti. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, diṭṭhadhammanibbānaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā nippariyāyenā”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Sāmaññavaggo pañcamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Sambādho kāyasakkhī paññā,Ubhatobhāgo sandiṭṭhikā dve;Nibbānaṁ parinibbānaṁ,Tadaṅgadiṭṭhadhammikena cāti.

Paṭhamo paṇṇāsako samatto.