MN 70 · At Kīṭāgiri

MN 70 · At Kīṭāgiri

MN 70 · Kīṭāgirisutta

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Kāsis together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants:

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kāsīsu cārikaṁ carati mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:

“Mendicants, I abstain from eating at night. Doing so, I find that I’m healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably. You too should never eat at night. Doing so, you’ll find that you’re healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably.”

“ahaṁ kho, bhikkhave, aññatreva rattibhojanā bhuñjāmi. Aññatra kho panāhaṁ, bhikkhave, rattibhojanā bhuñjamāno appābādhatañca sañjānāmi appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañca. Etha, tumhepi, bhikkhave, aññatreva rattibhojanā bhuñjatha. Aññatra kho pana, bhikkhave, tumhepi rattibhojanā bhuñjamānā appābādhatañca sañjānissatha appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañcā”ti.

“Yes, sir,” they replied.

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.

Then the Buddha, traveling stage by stage in the land of the Kāsis, arrived at a town of the Kāsis named Kīṭāgiri, and stayed there.

Atha kho bhagavā kāsīsu anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena kīṭāgiri nāma kāsīnaṁ nigamo tadavasari. Tatra sudaṁ bhagavā kīṭāgirismiṁ viharati kāsīnaṁ nigame.

Now at that time the mendicants who followed Assaji and Punabbasuka were residing at Kīṭāgiri. Then several mendicants went up to them and said, “Reverends, the Buddha never eats at night, and neither does the mendicant Saṅgha. Doing so, they find that they’re healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably. You too should abstain from eating at night. Doing so, you’ll find that you’re healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably.”

Tena kho pana samayena assajipunabbasukā nāma bhikkhū kīṭāgirismiṁ āvāsikā honti. Atha kho sambahulā bhikkhū yena assajipunabbasukā bhikkhū tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā assajipunabbasuke bhikkhū etadavocuṁ: “bhagavā kho, āvuso, aññatreva rattibhojanā bhuñjati bhikkhusaṅgho ca. Aññatra kho panāvuso, rattibhojanā bhuñjamānā appābādhatañca sañjānanti appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañca. Etha, tumhepi, āvuso, aññatreva rattibhojanā bhuñjatha. Aññatra kho panāvuso, tumhepi rattibhojanā bhuñjamānā appābādhatañca sañjānissatha appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañcā”ti.

When they said this, the mendicants who followed Assaji and Punabbasuka said to them, “Reverends, we eat at dusk, at daybreak, and at the wrong time of day. Doing so, we find that we’re healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably. Why should we give up what is apparent in the present to chase after what takes effect over time? We shall eat at dusk, at daybreak, and at the wrong time of day.”

Evaṁ vutte, assajipunabbasukā bhikkhū te bhikkhū etadavocuṁ: “mayaṁ kho, āvuso, sāyañceva bhuñjāma pāto ca divā ca vikāle. Te mayaṁ sāyañceva bhuñjamānā pāto ca divā ca vikāle appābādhatañca sañjānāma appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañca. Te mayaṁ kiṁ sandiṭṭhikaṁ hitvā kālikaṁ anudhāvissāma? Sāyañceva mayaṁ bhuñjissāma pāto ca divā ca vikāle”ti.

Since those mendicants were unable to persuade the mendicants who were followers of Assaji and Punabbasuka, they approached the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened.

Yato kho te bhikkhū nāsakkhiṁsu assajipunabbasuke bhikkhū saññāpetuṁ, atha yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ: “idha mayaṁ, bhante, yena assajipunabbasukā bhikkhū tenupasaṅkamimha; upasaṅkamitvā assajipunabbasuke bhikkhū etadavocumha: ‘bhagavā kho, āvuso, aññatreva rattibhojanā bhuñjati bhikkhusaṅgho ca; aññatra kho panāvuso, rattibhojanā bhuñjamānā appābādhatañca sañjānanti appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañca. Etha, tumhepi, āvuso, aññatreva rattibhojanā bhuñjatha. Aññatra kho panāvuso, tumhepi rattibhojanā bhuñjamānā appābādhatañca sañjānissatha appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañcā’ti. Evaṁ vutte, bhante, assajipunabbasukā bhikkhū amhe etadavocuṁ: ‘mayaṁ kho, āvuso, sāyañceva bhuñjāma pāto ca divā ca vikāle. Te mayaṁ sāyañceva bhuñjamānā pāto ca divā ca vikāle appābādhatañca sañjānāma appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañca. Te mayaṁ kiṁ sandiṭṭhikaṁ hitvā kālikaṁ anudhāvissāma? Sāyañceva mayaṁ bhuñjissāma pāto ca divā ca vikāle’ti. Yato kho mayaṁ, bhante, nāsakkhimha assajipunabbasuke bhikkhū saññāpetuṁ, atha mayaṁ etamatthaṁ bhagavato ārocemā”ti.

So the Buddha addressed one of the monks, “Please, monk, in my name tell the mendicants who follow Assaji and Punabbasuka that the Teacher summons them.”

Atha kho bhagavā aññataraṁ bhikkhuṁ āmantesi: “ehi tvaṁ, bhikkhu, mama vacanena assajipunabbasuke bhikkhū āmantehi: ‘satthā āyasmante āmantetī’”ti.

“Yes, sir,” that monk replied. He went to those mendicants and said, “Venerables, the Teacher summons you.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho so bhikkhu bhagavato paṭissutvā yena assajipunabbasukā bhikkhū tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā assajipunabbasuke bhikkhū etadavoca: “satthā āyasmante āmantetī”ti.

“Yes, reverend,” those mendicants replied. They went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side.

“Evamāvuso”ti kho assajipunabbasukā bhikkhū tassa bhikkhuno paṭissutvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinne kho assajipunabbasuke bhikkhū bhagavā etadavoca:

The Buddha said to them, “Is it really true, mendicants, that several mendicants went to you and said: ‘Reverends, the Buddha never eats at night, and neither does the mendicant Saṅgha. Doing so, they find that they’re healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably. You too should never eat at night. Doing so, you’ll find that you’re healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably.’ When they said this, did you really say to them: ‘Reverends, we eat at dusk, at daybreak, and at the wrong time of day. Doing so, we find that we’re healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably. Why should we give up what is apparent in the present to chase after what takes effect over time? We shall eat at dusk, at daybreak, and at the wrong time of day.’”

“saccaṁ kira, bhikkhave, sambahulā bhikkhū tumhe upasaṅkamitvā etadavocuṁ: ‘bhagavā kho, āvuso, aññatreva rattibhojanā bhuñjati bhikkhusaṅgho ca. Aññatra kho panāvuso, rattibhojanā bhuñjamānā appābādhatañca sañjānanti appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañca. Etha, tumhepi, āvuso, aññatreva rattibhojanā bhuñjatha. Aññatra kho panāvuso, tumhepi rattibhojanā bhuñjamānā appābādhatañca sañjānissatha appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañcā’ti. Evaṁ vutte, kira, bhikkhave, tumhe te bhikkhū evaṁ avacuttha: ‘mayaṁ kho panāvuso, sāyañceva bhuñjāma pāto ca divā ca vikāle. Te mayaṁ sāyañceva bhuñjamānā pāto ca divā ca vikāle appābādhatañca sañjānāma appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañca. Te mayaṁ kiṁ sandiṭṭhikaṁ hitvā kālikaṁ anudhāvissāma? Sāyañceva mayaṁ bhuñjissāma pāto ca divā ca vikāle’”ti.

“Yes, sir.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”.

“Mendicants, have you ever known me to teach the Dhamma like this: no matter what this individual experiences—pleasurable, painful, or neutral—their unskillful qualities decline and their skillful qualities grow?”

“Kiṁ nu me tumhe, bhikkhave, evaṁ dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānātha yaṁ kiñcāyaṁ purisapuggalo paṭisaṁvedeti sukhaṁ vā dukkhaṁ vā adukkhamasukhaṁ vā tassa akusalā dhammā parihāyanti kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhantī”ti?

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“Haven’t you known me to teach the Dhamma like this: ‘When someone feels this kind of pleasant feeling, unskillful qualities grow and skillful qualities decline. But when someone feels that kind of pleasant feeling, unskillful qualities decline and skillful qualities grow. When someone feels this kind of painful feeling, unskillful qualities grow and skillful qualities decline. But when someone feels that kind of painful feeling, unskillful qualities decline and skillful qualities grow. When someone feels this kind of neutral feeling, unskillful qualities grow and skillful qualities decline. But when someone feels that kind of neutral feeling, unskillful qualities decline and skillful qualities grow’?”

“Nanu me tumhe, bhikkhave, evaṁ dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānātha idhekaccassa yaṁ evarūpaṁ sukhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti kusalā dhammā parihāyanti, idha panekaccassa evarūpaṁ sukhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti, kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti, idhekaccassa evarūpaṁ dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti kusalā dhammā parihāyanti, idha panekaccassa evarūpaṁ dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti, idhekaccassa evarūpaṁ adukkhamasukhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti kusalā dhammā parihāyanti, idha panekaccassa evarūpaṁ adukkhamasukhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhantī”ti?

“Yes, sir.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”.

“Good, mendicants! Now, suppose I hadn’t known, seen, understood, realized, and experienced this with wisdom: ‘When someone feels this kind of pleasant feeling, unskillful qualities grow and skillful qualities decline.’ Not knowing this, would it be appropriate for me to say: ‘You should give up this kind of pleasant feeling’?”

“Sādhu, bhikkhave. Mayā cetaṁ, bhikkhave, aññātaṁ abhavissa adiṭṭhaṁ aviditaṁ asacchikataṁ aphassitaṁ paññāya: ‘idhekaccassa evarūpaṁ sukhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti kusalā dhammā parihāyantī’ti, evāhaṁ ajānanto ‘evarūpaṁ sukhaṁ vedanaṁ pajahathā’ti vadeyyaṁ; api nu me etaṁ, bhikkhave, patirūpaṁ abhavissā”ti?

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“But I have known, seen, understood, realized, and experienced this with wisdom: ‘When someone feels this kind of pleasant feeling, unskillful qualities grow and skillful qualities decline.’ Since this is so, that’s why I say: ‘You should give up this kind of pleasant feeling.’ Now, suppose I hadn’t known, seen, understood, realized, and experienced this with wisdom: ‘When someone feels that kind of pleasant feeling, unskillful qualities decline and skillful qualities grow.’ Not knowing this, would it be appropriate for me to say: ‘You should enter and remain in that kind of pleasant feeling’?”

“Yasmā ca kho etaṁ, bhikkhave, mayā ñātaṁ diṭṭhaṁ viditaṁ sacchikataṁ phassitaṁ paññāya: ‘idhekaccassa evarūpaṁ sukhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti kusalā dhammā parihāyantī’ti, tasmāhaṁ ‘evarūpaṁ sukhaṁ vedanaṁ pajahathā’ti vadāmi. Mayā cetaṁ, bhikkhave, aññātaṁ abhavissa adiṭṭhaṁ aviditaṁ asacchikataṁ aphassitaṁ paññāya: ‘idhekaccassa evarūpaṁ sukhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhantī’ti, evāhaṁ ajānanto ‘evarūpaṁ sukhaṁ vedanaṁ upasampajja viharathā’ti vadeyyaṁ; api nu me etaṁ, bhikkhave, patirūpaṁ abhavissā”ti?

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“But I have known, seen, understood, realized, and experienced this with wisdom: ‘When someone feels that kind of pleasant feeling, unskillful qualities decline and skillful qualities grow.’ Since this is so, that’s why I say: ‘You should enter and remain in that kind of pleasant feeling.’

“Yasmā ca kho etaṁ, bhikkhave, mayā ñātaṁ diṭṭhaṁ viditaṁ sacchikataṁ phassitaṁ paññāya: ‘idhekaccassa evarūpaṁ sukhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti, kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhantī’ti, tasmāhaṁ ‘evarūpaṁ sukhaṁ vedanaṁ upasampajja viharathā’ti vadāmi.

Now, suppose I hadn’t known, seen, understood, realized, and experienced this with wisdom: ‘When someone feels this kind of painful feeling, unskillful qualities grow and skillful qualities decline.’ Not knowing this, would it be appropriate for me to say: ‘You should give up this kind of painful feeling’?”

Mayā cetaṁ, bhikkhave, aññātaṁ abhavissa adiṭṭhaṁ aviditaṁ asacchikataṁ aphassitaṁ paññāya: ‘idhekaccassa evarūpaṁ dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti kusalā dhammā parihāyantī’ti, evāhaṁ ajānanto ‘evarūpaṁ dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ pajahathā’ti vadeyyaṁ; api nu me etaṁ, bhikkhave, patirūpaṁ abhavissā”ti?

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“But I have known, seen, understood, realized, and experienced this with wisdom: ‘When someone feels this kind of painful feeling, unskillful qualities grow and skillful qualities decline.’ Since this is so, that’s why I say: ‘You should give up this kind of painful feeling.’ Now, suppose I hadn’t known, seen, understood, realized, and experienced this with wisdom: ‘When someone feels that kind of painful feeling, unskillful qualities decline and skillful qualities grow.’ Not knowing this, would it be appropriate for me to say: ‘You should enter and remain in that kind of painful feeling’?”

“Yasmā ca kho etaṁ, bhikkhave, mayā ñātaṁ diṭṭhaṁ viditaṁ sacchikataṁ phassitaṁ paññāya: ‘idhekaccassa evarūpaṁ dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti kusalā dhammā parihāyantī’ti, tasmāhaṁ ‘evarūpaṁ dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ pajahathā’ti vadāmi. Mayā cetaṁ, bhikkhave, aññātaṁ abhavissa adiṭṭhaṁ aviditaṁ asacchikataṁ aphassitaṁ paññāya: ‘idhekaccassa evarūpaṁ dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhantī’ti, evāhaṁ ajānanto ‘evarūpaṁ dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ upasampajja viharathā’ti vadeyyaṁ; api nu me etaṁ, bhikkhave, patirūpaṁ abhavissā”ti?

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“But I have known, seen, understood, realized, and experienced this with wisdom: ‘When someone feels that kind of painful feeling, unskillful qualities decline and skillful qualities grow.’ Since this is so, that’s why I say: ‘You should enter and remain in that kind of painful feeling.’

“Yasmā ca kho etaṁ, bhikkhave, mayā ñātaṁ diṭṭhaṁ viditaṁ sacchikataṁ phassitaṁ paññāya: ‘idhekaccassa evarūpaṁ dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhantī’ti, tasmāhaṁ ‘evarūpaṁ dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ upasampajja viharathā’ti vadāmi.

Now, suppose I hadn’t known, seen, understood, realized, and experienced this with wisdom: ‘When someone feels this kind of neutral feeling, unskillful qualities grow and skillful qualities decline.’ Not knowing this, would it be appropriate for me to say: ‘You should give up this kind of neutral feeling’?”

Mayā cetaṁ, bhikkhave, aññātaṁ abhavissa adiṭṭhaṁ aviditaṁ asacchikataṁ aphassitaṁ paññāya: ‘idhekaccassa evarūpaṁ adukkhamasukhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti kusalā dhammā parihāyantī’ti, evāhaṁ ajānanto ‘evarūpaṁ adukkhamasukhaṁ vedanaṁ pajahathā’ti vadeyyaṁ; api nu me etaṁ, bhikkhave, patirūpaṁ abhavissā”ti?

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“But I have known, seen, understood, realized, and experienced this with wisdom: ‘When someone feels this kind of neutral feeling, unskillful qualities grow and skillful qualities decline.’ Since this is so, that’s why I say: ‘You should give up this kind of neutral feeling.’ Now, suppose I hadn’t known, seen, understood, realized, and experienced this with wisdom: ‘When someone feels that kind of neutral feeling, unskillful qualities decline and skillful qualities grow.’ Not knowing this, would it be appropriate for me to say: ‘You should enter and remain in that kind of neutral feeling’?”

“Yasmā ca kho etaṁ, bhikkhave, mayā ñātaṁ diṭṭhaṁ viditaṁ sacchikataṁ phassitaṁ paññāya: ‘idhekaccassa evarūpaṁ adukkhamasukhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti kusalā dhammā parihāyantī’ti, tasmāhaṁ ‘evarūpaṁ adukkhamasukhaṁ vedanaṁ pajahathā’ti vadāmi. Mayā cetaṁ, bhikkhave, aññātaṁ abhavissa adiṭṭhaṁ aviditaṁ asacchikataṁ aphassitaṁ paññāya: ‘idhekaccassa evarūpaṁ adukkhamasukhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhantī’ti, evāhaṁ ajānanto ‘evarūpaṁ adukkhamasukhaṁ vedanaṁ upasampajja viharathā’ti vadeyyaṁ; api nu me etaṁ, bhikkhave, patirūpaṁ abhavissā”ti?

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“But I have known, seen, understood, realized, and experienced this with wisdom: ‘When someone feels that kind of neutral feeling, unskillful qualities decline and skillful qualities grow.’ Since this is so, that’s why I say: ‘You should enter and remain in that kind of neutral feeling.’

“Yasmā ca kho etaṁ, bhikkhave, mayā ñātaṁ diṭṭhaṁ viditaṁ sacchikataṁ phassitaṁ paññāya: ‘idhekaccassa evarūpaṁ adukkhamasukhaṁ vedanaṁ vedayato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhantī’ti, tasmāhaṁ ‘evarūpaṁ adukkhamasukhaṁ vedanaṁ upasampajja viharathā’ti vadāmi.

Mendicants, I don’t say that all these mendicants still have work to do with diligence. Nor do I say that all these mendicants have no work to do with diligence. I say that mendicants don’t have work to do with diligence if they are perfected, with defilements ended, having completed the spiritual journey, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, achieved their heart’s goal, utterly ended the fetter of continued existence, and become rightly freed through enlightenment. Why is that? They’ve done their work with diligence. They’re incapable of being negligent.

Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, sabbesaṁyeva bhikkhūnaṁ ‘appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi; na panāhaṁ, bhikkhave, sabbesaṁyeva bhikkhūnaṁ ‘na appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi. Ye te, bhikkhave, bhikkhū arahanto khīṇāsavā vusitavanto katakaraṇīyā ohitabhārā anuppattasadatthā parikkhīṇabhavasaṁyojanā sammadaññāvimuttā, tathārūpānāhaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ ‘na appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Kataṁ tesaṁ appamādena. Abhabbā te pamajjituṁ.

I say that mendicants still have work to do with diligence if they are trainees, who haven’t achieved their heart’s desire, but live aspiring to the supreme sanctuary from the yoke. Why is that? Thinking: ‘Hopefully this venerable will frequent appropriate lodgings, associate with good friends, and control their faculties. Then they might realize the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life, and live having achieved with their own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.’ Seeing this fruit of diligence for those mendicants, I say that they still have work to do with diligence.

Ye ca kho te, bhikkhave, bhikkhū sekkhā appattamānasā anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ patthayamānā viharanti, tathārūpānāhaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ ‘appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Appeva nāmime āyasmanto anulomikāni senāsanāni paṭisevamānā kalyāṇamitte bhajamānā indriyāni samannānayamānā— yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyyunti. Imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, imesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ appamādaphalaṁ sampassamāno ‘appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi.

Mendicants, these seven individuals are found in the world. What seven? One freed both ways, one freed by wisdom, a direct witness, one attained to view, one freed by faith, a follower of teachings, and a follower by faith.

Sattime, bhikkhave, puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ. Katame satta? Ubhatobhāgavimutto, paññāvimutto, kāyasakkhi, diṭṭhippatto, saddhāvimutto, dhammānusārī, saddhānusārī.

And what individual is freed both ways? It’s an individual who has direct meditative experience of the peaceful liberations that are formless, transcending form. And, having seen with wisdom, their defilements have come to an end. This individual is called freed both ways. And I say that this mendicant has no work to do with diligence. Why is that? They’ve done their work with diligence. They’re incapable of being negligent.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, puggalo ubhatobhāgavimutto? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo ye te santā vimokkhā atikkamma rūpe āruppā te kāyena phusitvā viharati paññāya cassa disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā honti. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, puggalo ubhatobhāgavimutto imassa kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ‘na appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Kataṁ tassa appamādena. Abhabbo so pamajjituṁ.

And what individual is freed by wisdom? It’s an individual who does not have direct meditative experience of the peaceful liberations that are formless, transcending form. Nevertheless, having seen with wisdom, their defilements have come to an end. This individual is called freed by wisdom. I say that this mendicant has no work to do with diligence. Why is that? They’ve done their work with diligence. They’re incapable of being negligent.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, puggalo paññāvimutto? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo ye te santā vimokkhā atikkamma rūpe āruppā te na kāyena phusitvā viharati, paññāya cassa disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā honti. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, puggalo paññāvimutto. Imassapi kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ‘na appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Kataṁ tassa appamādena. Abhabbo so pamajjituṁ.

And what individual is a direct witness? It’s an individual who has direct meditative experience of the peaceful liberations that are formless, transcending form. And, having seen with wisdom, some of their defilements have come to an end. This individual is called a direct witness. I say that this mendicant still has work to do with diligence. Why is that? Thinking: ‘Hopefully this venerable will frequent appropriate lodgings, associate with good friends, and control their faculties. Then they might realize the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life, and live having achieved with their own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.’ Seeing this fruit of diligence for this mendicant, I say that they still have work to do with diligence.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, puggalo kāyasakkhi? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo ye te santā vimokkhā atikkamma rūpe āruppā te kāyena phusitvā viharati, paññāya cassa disvā ekacce āsavā parikkhīṇā honti. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, puggalo kāyasakkhi. Imassa kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ‘appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Appeva nāma ayamāyasmā anulomikāni senāsanāni paṭisevamāno kalyāṇamitte bhajamāno indriyāni samannānayamāno— yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyyāti. Imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, imassa bhikkhuno appamādaphalaṁ sampassamāno ‘appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi.

And what individual is attained to view? It’s an individual who doesn’t have direct meditative experience of the peaceful liberations that are formless, transcending form. Nevertheless, having seen with wisdom, some of their defilements have come to an end. And they have clearly seen and clearly contemplated with wisdom the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One. This individual is called attained to view. I say that this mendicant also still has work to do with diligence. Why is that? Thinking: ‘Hopefully this venerable will frequent appropriate lodgings, associate with good friends, and control their faculties. Then they might realize the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life, and live having achieved with their own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.’ Seeing this fruit of diligence for this mendicant, I say that they still have work to do with diligence.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, puggalo diṭṭhippatto? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo ye te santā vimokkhā atikkamma rūpe āruppā te na kāyena phusitvā viharati, paññāya cassa disvā ekacce āsavā parikkhīṇā honti, tathāgatappaveditā cassa dhammā paññāya vodiṭṭhā honti vocaritā. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, puggalo diṭṭhippatto. Imassapi kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ‘appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Appeva nāma ayamāyasmā anulomikāni senāsanāni paṭisevamāno kalyāṇamitte bhajamāno indriyāni samannānayamāno— yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyyāti. Imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, imassa bhikkhuno appamādaphalaṁ sampassamāno ‘appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi.

And what individual is freed by faith? It’s an individual who doesn’t have direct meditative experience of the peaceful liberations that are formless, transcending form. Nevertheless, having seen with wisdom, some of their defilements have come to an end. And their faith is settled, rooted, and planted in the Realized One. This individual is called freed by faith. I say that this mendicant also still has work to do with diligence. Why is that? Thinking: ‘Hopefully this venerable will frequent appropriate lodgings, associate with good friends, and control their faculties. Then they might realize the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life, and live having achieved with their own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.’ Seeing this fruit of diligence for this mendicant, I say that they still have work to do with diligence.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, puggalo saddhāvimutto. Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo ye te santā vimokkhā atikkamma rūpe āruppā te na kāyena phusitvā viharati, paññāya cassa disvā ekacce āsavā parikkhīṇā honti, tathāgate cassa saddhā niviṭṭhā hoti mūlajātā patiṭṭhitā. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, puggalo saddhāvimutto. Imassapi kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ‘appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Appeva nāma ayamāyasmā anulomikāni senāsanāni paṭisevamāno kalyāṇamitte bhajamāno indriyāni samannānayamāno— yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyyāti. Imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, imassa bhikkhuno appamādaphalaṁ sampassamāno ‘appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi.

And what individual is a follower of teachings? It’s an individual who doesn’t have direct meditative experience of the peaceful liberations that are formless, transcending form. And having seen with wisdom, their defilements have not come to an end. And they accept the teachings proclaimed by the Realized One after deliberating them with a degree of wisdom. And they have the following qualities: the faculties of faith, energy, mindfulness, immersion, and wisdom. This individual is called a follower of teachings. I say that this mendicant also still has work to do with diligence. Why is that? Thinking: ‘Hopefully this venerable will frequent appropriate lodgings, associate with good friends, and control their faculties. Then they might realize the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life, and live having achieved with their own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.’ Seeing this fruit of diligence for this mendicant, I say that they still have work to do with diligence.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, puggalo dhammānusārī? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo ye te santā vimokkhā atikkamma rūpe āruppā te na kāyena phusitvā viharati, paññāya cassa disvā ekacce āsavā parikkhīṇā honti, tathāgatappaveditā cassa dhammā paññāya mattaso nijjhānaṁ khamanti, api cassa ime dhammā honti, seyyathidaṁ— saddhindriyaṁ, vīriyindriyaṁ, satindriyaṁ, samādhindriyaṁ, paññindriyaṁ. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, puggalo dhammānusārī. Imassapi kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ‘appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Appeva nāma ayamāyasmā anulomikāni senāsanāni paṭisevamāno kalyāṇamitte bhajamāno indriyāni samannānayamāno— yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyyāti. Imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, imassa bhikkhuno appamādaphalaṁ sampassamāno ‘appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi.

And what individual is a follower by faith? It’s an individual who doesn’t have direct meditative experience of the peaceful liberations that are formless, transcending form. And having seen with wisdom, their defilements have not come to an end. And they have a degree of faith and fondness for the Realized One. And they have the following qualities: the faculties of faith, energy, mindfulness, immersion, and wisdom. This individual is called a follower by faith. I say that this mendicant also still has work to do with diligence. Why is that? Thinking: ‘Hopefully this venerable will frequent appropriate lodgings, associate with good friends, and control their faculties. Then they might realize the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life, and live having achieved with their own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.’ Seeing this fruit of diligence for this mendicant, I say that they still have work to do with diligence.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, puggalo saddhānusārī? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo ye te santā vimokkhā atikkamma rūpe āruppā te na kāyena phusitvā viharati, paññāya cassa disvā ekacce āsavā parikkhīṇā honti, tathāgate cassa saddhāmattaṁ hoti pemamattaṁ, api cassa ime dhammā honti, seyyathidaṁ— saddhindriyaṁ, vīriyindriyaṁ, satindriyaṁ, samādhindriyaṁ, paññindriyaṁ. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, puggalo saddhānusārī. Imassapi kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ‘appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Appeva nāma ayamāyasmā anulomikāni senāsanāni paṭisevamāno kalyāṇamitte bhajamāno indriyāni samannānayamāno— yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyyāti. Imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, imassa bhikkhuno appamādaphalaṁ sampassamāno ‘appamādena karaṇīyan’ti vadāmi.

Mendicants, I don’t say that enlightenment is achieved right away. Rather, enlightenment is achieved by gradual training, progress, and practice.

Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, ādikeneva aññārādhanaṁ vadāmi; api ca, bhikkhave, anupubbasikkhā anupubbakiriyā anupubbapaṭipadā aññārādhanā hoti.

And how is enlightenment achieved by gradual training, progress, and practice? It’s when someone in whom faith has arisen approaches a teacher. They pay homage, actively listen, hear the teachings, remember the teachings, examine their meaning, and accept them after deliberation. Then enthusiasm springs up; they make an attempt, weigh up, and strive. Striving, they directly realize the ultimate truth, and see it with penetrating wisdom.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, anupubbasikkhā anupubbakiriyā anupubbapaṭipadā aññārādhanā hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, saddhājāto upasaṅkamati, upasaṅkamanto payirupāsati, payirupāsanto sotaṁ odahati, ohitasoto dhammaṁ suṇāti, sutvā dhammaṁ dhāreti, dhatānaṁ dhammānaṁ atthaṁ upaparikkhati, atthaṁ upaparikkhato dhammā nijjhānaṁ khamanti, dhammanijjhānakkhantiyā sati chando jāyati, chandajāto ussahati, ussāhetvā tuleti, tulayitvā padahati, pahitatto samāno kāyena ceva paramasaccaṁ sacchikaroti, paññāya ca naṁ ativijjha passati.

Mendicants, there has not been that faith, that approaching, that paying homage, that listening, that hearing the teachings, that remembering the teachings, that examining their meaning, that acceptance after deliberation, that enthusiasm, that making an attempt, that weighing up, or that striving. You’re on a bad path, mendicants! You’re practicing the wrong way! How far these futile men have strayed from this teaching and training!

Sāpi nāma, bhikkhave, saddhā nāhosi; tampi nāma, bhikkhave, upasaṅkamanaṁ nāhosi; sāpi nāma, bhikkhave, payirupāsanā nāhosi; tampi nāma, bhikkhave, sotāvadhānaṁ nāhosi; tampi nāma, bhikkhave, dhammassavanaṁ nāhosi; sāpi nāma, bhikkhave, dhammadhāraṇā nāhosi; sāpi nāma, bhikkhave, atthūpaparikkhā nāhosi; sāpi nāma, bhikkhave, dhammanijjhānakkhanti nāhosi; sopi nāma, bhikkhave, chando nāhosi; sopi nāma, bhikkhave, ussāho nāhosi; sāpi nāma, bhikkhave, tulanā nāhosi; tampi nāma, bhikkhave, padhānaṁ nāhosi. Vippaṭipannāttha, bhikkhave, micchāpaṭipannāttha, bhikkhave. Kīva dūrevime, bhikkhave, moghapurisā apakkantā imamhā dhammavinayā.

There is an exposition in four statements, which a sensible person would quickly understand when it is recited. I shall recite it for you, mendicants. Try to understand it.”

Atthi, bhikkhave, catuppadaṁ veyyākaraṇaṁ yassuddiṭṭhassa viññū puriso nacirasseva paññāyatthaṁ ājāneyya. Uddisissāmi vo, bhikkhave, ājānissatha me tan”ti?

“Sir, who are we next to those who understand the teaching?”

“Ke ca mayaṁ, bhante, ke ca dhammassa aññātāro”ti?

“Even with a teacher who values things of the flesh, is an heir in things of the flesh, who lives caught up in things of the flesh, you wouldn’t get into such haggling: ‘If we get this, we’ll do that. If we don’t get this, we won’t do it.’ What then of the Realized One, who lives utterly detached from things of the flesh?

“Yopi so, bhikkhave, satthā āmisagaru āmisadāyādo āmisehi saṁsaṭṭho viharati tassa pāyaṁ evarūpī paṇopaṇaviyā na upeti: ‘evañca no assa atha naṁ kareyyāma, na ca no evamassa na naṁ kareyyāmā’ti, kiṁ pana, bhikkhave, yaṁ tathāgato sabbaso āmisehi visaṁsaṭṭho viharati.

For a faithful disciple who is practicing to fathom the Teacher’s instructions, this is in line with the teaching: ‘The Buddha is my Teacher, I am his disciple. The Buddha knows, I do not know.’ For a faithful disciple who is practicing to fathom the Teacher’s instructions, the Teacher’s instructions are nourishing and nutritious. For a faithful disciple who is practicing to fathom the Teacher’s instructions, this is in line with the teaching: ‘Gladly, let only skin, sinews, and bones remain! Let the flesh and blood waste away in my body! I will not relax my energy until I have achieved what is possible by human strength, energy, and vigor.’ For a faithful disciple who is practicing to fathom the Teacher’s instructions, one of two results can be expected: enlightenment in this very life, or if there’s residue left behind, non-return.”

Saddhassa, bhikkhave, sāvakassa satthusāsane pariyogāhiya vattato ayamanudhammo hoti: ‘satthā bhagavā, sāvakohamasmi; jānāti bhagavā, nāhaṁ jānāmī’ti. Saddhassa, bhikkhave, sāvakassa satthusāsane pariyogāhiya vattato ruḷhanīyaṁ satthusāsanaṁ hoti ojavantaṁ. Saddhassa, bhikkhave, sāvakassa satthusāsane pariyogāhiya vattato ayamanudhammo hoti: ‘kāmaṁ taco ca nhāru ca aṭṭhi ca avasissatu, sarīre upassussatu maṁsalohitaṁ, yaṁ taṁ purisathāmena purisavīriyena purisaparakkamena pattabbaṁ na taṁ apāpuṇitvā vīriyassa saṇṭhānaṁ bhavissatī’ti. Saddhassa, bhikkhave, sāvakassa satthusāsane pariyogāhiya vattato dvinnaṁ phalānaṁ aññataraṁ phalaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ— diṭṭheva dhamme aññā, sati vā upādisese anāgāmitā”ti.

That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.

Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.