The Great Chapter · SN 12.66–12.69

SN 12.66 · Probing Within

SN 12.66 · Sammasasutta

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Kurus, near the Kuru town named Kammāsadamma. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!”

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kurūsu viharati kammāsadhammaṁ nāma kurūnaṁ nigamo. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “bhikkhavo”ti.

“Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:

“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:

“Mendicants, do you probe within?”

“sammasatha no tumhe, bhikkhave, antaraṁ sammasan”ti.

When he said this, one of the mendicants said to the Buddha, “Sir, I probe within.”

Evaṁ vutte, aññataro bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “ahaṁ kho, bhante, sammasāmi antaraṁ sammasan”ti.

“But mendicant, how do you probe within?” Then that mendicant answered, but the Buddha was not happy with the answer.

“Yathā kathaṁ pana tvaṁ, bhikkhu, sammasasi antaraṁ sammasan”ti? Atha kho so bhikkhu byākāsi. Yathā so bhikkhu byākāsi na so bhikkhu bhagavato cittaṁ ārādhesi.

When he had spoken, Venerable Ānanda said to the Buddha, “Now is the time, Blessed One! Now is the time, Holy One! Let the Buddha speak of probing within. The mendicants will listen and remember it.”

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā ānando bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “etassa, bhagavā, kālo; etassa, sugata, kālo; yaṁ bhagavā antaraṁ sammasaṁ bhāseyya. Bhagavato sutvā bhikkhū dhāressantī”ti.

“Well then, Ānanda, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

“Tenahānanda, suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

“Yes, sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:

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

“Take a mendicant who probes within: ‘The suffering that arises in the world starting with old age and death takes many and diverse forms. But what is the source of this suffering? When what exists do old age and death come to be? And when what does not exist do old age and death not come to be?’ While probing they know: ‘The suffering that arises in the world starting with old age and death takes many and diverse forms. The source of this suffering is attachment. When attachments exist old age and death come to be. And when attachments do not exist old age and death don’t come to be.’ They understand old age and death, their origin, their cessation, and the fitting practice for their cessation. And they practice in line with that path. This is called a mendicant who is practicing for the complete ending of suffering, for the cessation of old age and death.

“Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sammasamāno sammasati antaraṁ sammasaṁ: ‘yaṁ kho idaṁ anekavidhaṁ nānappakārakaṁ dukkhaṁ loke uppajjati jarāmaraṇaṁ. Idaṁ kho dukkhaṁ kiṁnidānaṁ kiṁsamudayaṁ kiṁjātikaṁ kiṁpabhavaṁ, kismiṁ sati jarāmaraṇaṁ hoti, kismiṁ asati jarāmaraṇaṁ na hotī’ti? So sammasamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘yaṁ kho idaṁ anekavidhaṁ nānappakārakaṁ dukkhaṁ loke uppajjati jarāmaraṇaṁ. Idaṁ kho dukkhaṁ upadhinidānaṁ upadhisamudayaṁ upadhijātikaṁ upadhipabhavaṁ, upadhismiṁ sati jarāmaraṇaṁ hoti, upadhismiṁ asati jarāmaraṇaṁ na hotī’ti. So jarāmaraṇañca pajānāti jarāmaraṇasamudayañca pajānāti jarāmaraṇanirodhañca pajānāti yā ca jarāmaraṇanirodhasāruppagāminī paṭipadā tañca pajānāti. Tathāpaṭipanno ca hoti anudhammacārī. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabbaso sammā dukkhakkhayāya paṭipanno jarāmaraṇanirodhāya.

They probe further within: ‘But what is the source of this attachment? When what exists does attachment come to be? And when what does not exist does attachment not come to be?’ While probing they know: ‘The source of this attachment is craving. When craving exists attachments come to be. And when craving doesn’t exist attachments don’t come to be.’ They understand attachments, their origin, their cessation, and the fitting practice for their cessation. And they practice in line with that path. This is called a mendicant who is practicing for the complete ending of suffering, for the cessation of attachments.

Athāparaṁ sammasamāno sammasati antaraṁ sammasaṁ: ‘upadhi panāyaṁ kiṁnidāno kiṁsamudayo kiṁjātiko kiṁpabhavo, kismiṁ sati upadhi hoti, kismiṁ asati upadhi na hotī’ti? So sammasamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘upadhi taṇhānidāno taṇhāsamudayo taṇhājātiko taṇhāpabhavo, taṇhāya sati upadhi hoti, taṇhāya asati upadhi na hotī’ti. So upadhiñca pajānāti upadhisamudayañca pajānāti upadhinirodhañca pajānāti yā ca upadhinirodhasāruppagāminī paṭipadā tañca pajānāti. Tathāpaṭipanno ca hoti anudhammacārī. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabbaso sammā dukkhakkhayāya paṭipanno upadhinirodhāya.

They probe further within: ‘But where does that craving arise and where does it settle?’ While probing they know: ‘That craving arises and settles on whatever in the world seems nice and pleasant. And what in the world seems nice and pleasant? The eye in the world seems nice and pleasant, and it is there that craving arises and settles. The ear … nose … tongue … body … mind in the world seems nice and pleasant, and it is there that craving arises and settles.’

Athāparaṁ sammasamāno sammasati antaraṁ sammasaṁ: ‘taṇhā panāyaṁ kattha uppajjamānā uppajjati, kattha nivisamānā nivisatī’ti? So sammasamāno evaṁ jānāti— yaṁ kho loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ etthesā taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati, ettha nivisamānā nivisati. Kiñca loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ? Cakkhuṁ loke piyarūpaṁ, sātarūpaṁ, etthesā taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati, ettha nivisamānā nivisati. Sotaṁ loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ …pe… ghānaṁ loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ … jivhā loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ … kāyo loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ … mano loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ, etthesā taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati ettha nivisamānā nivisati.

There were ascetics and brahmins of the past who saw the things that seem nice and pleasant in the world as permanent, as pleasurable, as self, as healthy, and as safe. Their craving grew. As their craving grew, their attachments grew. As their attachments grew, their suffering grew. And as their suffering grew, they were not freed from rebirth, old age, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. They were not freed from suffering, I say.

Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, atītamaddhānaṁ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā yaṁ loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ taṁ niccato addakkhuṁ sukhato addakkhuṁ attato addakkhuṁ ārogyato addakkhuṁ khemato addakkhuṁ. Te taṇhaṁ vaḍḍhesuṁ. Ye taṇhaṁ vaḍḍhesuṁ te upadhiṁ vaḍḍhesuṁ. Ye upadhiṁ vaḍḍhesuṁ te dukkhaṁ vaḍḍhesuṁ. Ye dukkhaṁ vaḍḍhesuṁ te na parimucciṁsu jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi, ‘na parimucciṁsu dukkhasmā’ti vadāmi.

There will be ascetics and brahmins in the future who will see the things that seem nice and pleasant in the world as permanent, as pleasurable, as self, as healthy, and as safe. Their craving will grow. As their craving grows, their attachments will grow. As their attachments grow, their suffering will grow. And as their suffering grows, they will not be freed from rebirth, old age, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. They will not be freed from suffering, I say.

Yepi hi keci, bhikkhave, anāgatamaddhānaṁ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā yaṁ loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ taṁ niccato dakkhissanti sukhato dakkhissanti attato dakkhissanti ārogyato dakkhissanti khemato dakkhissanti. Te taṇhaṁ vaḍḍhissanti. Ye taṇhaṁ vaḍḍhissanti te upadhiṁ vaḍḍhissanti. Ye upadhiṁ vaḍḍhissanti te dukkhaṁ vaḍḍhissanti. Ye dukkhaṁ vaḍḍhissanti te na parimuccissanti jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi, ‘na parimuccissanti dukkhasmā’ti vadāmi.

There are ascetics and brahmins in the present who see the things that seem nice and pleasant in the world as permanent, as pleasurable, as self, as healthy, and as safe. Their craving grows. As their craving grows, their attachments grow. As their attachments grow, their suffering grows. And as their suffering grows, they are not freed from rebirth, old age, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. They are not freed from suffering, I say.

Yepi hi keci, bhikkhave, etarahi samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā yaṁ loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ taṁ niccato passanti sukhato passanti attato passanti ārogyato passanti khemato passanti. Te taṇhaṁ vaḍḍhenti. Ye taṇhaṁ vaḍḍhenti te upadhiṁ vaḍḍhenti. Ye upadhiṁ vaḍḍhenti te dukkhaṁ vaḍḍhenti. Ye dukkhaṁ vaḍḍhenti te na parimuccanti jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi, ‘na parimuccanti dukkhasmā’ti vadāmi.

Suppose there was a bronze goblet of beverage that had a nice color, aroma, and flavor. But it was mixed with poison. Then along comes a man struggling in the oppressive heat, weary, thirsty, and parched. They’d say to him: ‘Here, my man, this bronze goblet of beverage has a nice color, aroma, and flavor. But it’s mixed with poison. Drink it if you like. If you drink it, the color, aroma, and flavor will be appetizing, but it will result in death or deadly pain.’ He wouldn’t put that beverage down. Hastily, without reflection, he’d drink it, resulting in death or deadly pain.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, āpānīyakaṁso vaṇṇasampanno gandhasampanno rasasampanno. So ca kho visena saṁsaṭṭho. Atha puriso āgaccheyya ghammābhitatto ghammapareto kilanto tasito pipāsito. Tamenaṁ evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘ayaṁ te, ambho purisa, āpānīyakaṁso vaṇṇasampanno gandhasampanno rasasampanno; so ca kho visena saṁsaṭṭho. Sace ākaṅkhasi piva. Pivato hi kho taṁ chādessati vaṇṇenapi gandhenapi rasenapi, pivitvā ca pana tatonidānaṁ maraṇaṁ vā nigacchasi maraṇamattaṁ vā dukkhan’ti. So taṁ āpānīyakaṁsaṁ sahasā appaṭisaṅkhā piveyya, nappaṭinissajjeyya. So tatonidānaṁ maraṇaṁ vā nigaccheyya maraṇamattaṁ vā dukkhaṁ.

In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins of the past … future … There are ascetics and brahmins in the present who see the things that seem nice and pleasant in the world as permanent, as pleasurable, as self, as healthy, and as safe. Their craving grows. As their craving grows, their attachments grow. As their attachments grow, their suffering grows. And as their suffering grows, they are not freed from rebirth, old age, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. They are not freed from suffering, I say.

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ye hi keci atītamaddhānaṁ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā yaṁ loke piyarūpaṁ …pe… anāgatamaddhānaṁ …pe… etarahi samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā yaṁ loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ taṁ niccato passanti sukhato passanti attato passanti ārogyato passanti khemato passanti, te taṇhaṁ vaḍḍhenti. Ye taṇhaṁ vaḍḍhenti te upadhiṁ vaḍḍhenti. Ye upadhiṁ vaḍḍhenti te dukkhaṁ vaḍḍhenti. Ye dukkhaṁ vaḍḍhenti te na parimuccanti jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi, ‘na parimuccanti dukkhasmā’ti vadāmi.

There were ascetics and brahmins of the past who saw the things that seem nice and pleasant in the world as impermanent, as suffering, as not-self, as diseased, and as dangerous. They gave up craving. Giving up craving, they gave up attachments. Giving up attachments, they gave up suffering. Giving up suffering, they were freed from rebirth, old age, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. They were freed from suffering, I say.

Ye ca kho keci, bhikkhave, atītamaddhānaṁ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā yaṁ loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ taṁ aniccato addakkhuṁ dukkhato addakkhuṁ anattato addakkhuṁ rogato addakkhuṁ bhayato addakkhuṁ, te taṇhaṁ pajahiṁsu. Ye taṇhaṁ pajahiṁsu te upadhiṁ pajahiṁsu. Ye upadhiṁ pajahiṁsu te dukkhaṁ pajahiṁsu. Ye dukkhaṁ pajahiṁsu te parimucciṁsu jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi, ‘parimucciṁsu dukkhasmā’ti vadāmi.

There will be ascetics and brahmins in the future who will see the things that seem nice and pleasant in the world as impermanent, as suffering, as not-self, as diseased, and as dangerous. They will give up craving. Giving up craving … they will be freed from suffering, I say.

Yepi hi keci, bhikkhave, anāgatamaddhānaṁ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā yaṁ loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ taṁ aniccato dakkhissanti dukkhato dakkhissanti anattato dakkhissanti rogato dakkhissanti bhayato dakkhissanti, te taṇhaṁ pajahissanti. Ye taṇhaṁ pajahissanti …pe… ‘parimuccissanti dukkhasmā’ti vadāmi.

There are ascetics and brahmins in the present who see the things that seem nice and pleasant in the world as impermanent, as suffering, as not-self, as diseased, and as dangerous. They give up craving. Giving up craving, they give up attachments. Giving up attachments, they give up suffering. Giving up suffering, they are freed from rebirth, old age, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. They are freed from suffering, I say.

Yepi hi keci, bhikkhave, etarahi samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā yaṁ loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ taṁ aniccato passanti dukkhato passanti anattato passanti rogato passanti bhayato passanti, te taṇhaṁ pajahanti. Ye taṇhaṁ pajahanti te upadhiṁ pajahanti. Ye upadhiṁ pajahanti te dukkhaṁ pajahanti. Ye dukkhaṁ pajahanti te parimuccanti jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi, ‘parimuccanti dukkhasmā’ti vadāmi.

Suppose there was a bronze goblet of beverage that had a nice color, aroma, and flavor. But it was mixed with poison. Then along comes a man struggling in the oppressive heat, weary, thirsty, and parched. They’d say to him: ‘Here, my man, this bronze goblet of beverage has a nice color, aroma, and flavor. But it’s mixed with poison. Drink it if you like. If you drink it, its nice color, aroma, and flavor will refresh you. But drinking it will result in death or deadly pain.’ Then that man might think: ‘I can allay my thirst with a fermented drink of beer, buttermilk, salt lassi, or salted infusion. But in any case, I shouldn’t drink that beverage, for it would be for my lasting harm and suffering.’ He’d put that beverage down. After appraisal, he wouldn’t drink it, and it wouldn’t result in death or deadly pain.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, āpānīyakaṁso vaṇṇasampanno gandhasampanno rasasampanno. So ca kho visena saṁsaṭṭho. Atha puriso āgaccheyya ghammābhitatto ghammapareto kilanto tasito pipāsito. Tamenaṁ evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘ayaṁ te, ambho purisa, āpānīyakaṁso vaṇṇasampanno gandhasampanno rasasampanno so ca kho visena saṁsaṭṭho. Sace ākaṅkhasi piva. Pivato hi kho taṁ chādessati vaṇṇenapi gandhenapi rasenapi; pivitvā ca pana tatonidānaṁ maraṇaṁ vā nigacchasi maraṇamattaṁ vā dukkhan’ti. Atha kho, bhikkhave, tassa purisassa evamassa: ‘sakkā kho me ayaṁ surāpipāsitā pānīyena vā vinetuṁ dadhimaṇḍakena vā vinetuṁ bhaṭṭhaloṇikāya vā vinetuṁ loṇasovīrakena vā vinetuṁ, na tvevāhaṁ taṁ piveyyaṁ, yaṁ mama assa dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāyā’ti. So taṁ āpānīyakaṁsaṁ paṭisaṅkhā na piveyya, paṭinissajjeyya. So tatonidānaṁ na maraṇaṁ vā nigaccheyya maraṇamattaṁ vā dukkhaṁ.

In the same way, there were ascetics and brahmins of the past who saw the things that seem nice and pleasant in the world as impermanent, as suffering, as not-self, as diseased, and as dangerous. They gave up craving. Giving up craving, they gave up attachments. Giving up attachments, they gave up suffering. Giving up suffering, they were freed from rebirth, old age, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. They were freed from suffering, I say.

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ye hi keci atītamaddhānaṁ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā yaṁ loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ taṁ aniccato addakkhuṁ dukkhato addakkhuṁ anattato addakkhuṁ rogato addakkhuṁ bhayato addakkhuṁ, te taṇhaṁ pajahiṁsu. Ye taṇhaṁ pajahiṁsu te upadhiṁ pajahiṁsu. Ye upadhiṁ pajahiṁsu te dukkhaṁ pajahiṁsu. Ye dukkhaṁ pajahiṁsu te parimucciṁsu jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi, ‘parimucciṁsu dukkhasmā’ti vadāmi.

There will be ascetics and brahmins in the future … There are ascetics and brahmins in the present who see the things that seem nice and pleasant in the world as impermanent, as suffering, as not-self, as diseased, and as dangerous. They give up craving. Giving up craving, they give up attachments. Giving up attachments, they give up suffering. Giving up suffering, they are freed from rebirth, old age, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. They are freed from suffering, I say.”

Yepi hi keci, bhikkhave, anāgatamaddhānaṁ …pe… etarahi samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā yaṁ loke piyarūpaṁ sātarūpaṁ taṁ aniccato passanti dukkhato passanti anattato passanti rogato passanti bhayato passanti, te taṇhaṁ pajahanti. Ye taṇhaṁ pajahanti te upadhiṁ pajahanti. Ye upadhiṁ pajahanti te dukkhaṁ pajahanti. Ye dukkhaṁ pajahanti te parimuccanti jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi, ‘parimuccanti dukkhasmā’ti vadāmī”ti.

SN 12.67 · Sheaves of Reeds

SN 12.67 · Naḷakalāpīsutta

At one time Venerable Sāriputta and Venerable Mahākoṭṭhita were staying near Varanasi in the deer park at Isipatana.

Ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā ca sāriputto āyasmā ca mahākoṭṭhiko bārāṇasiyaṁ viharanti isipatane migadāye.

Then in the late afternoon, Venerable Mahākoṭṭhita came out of retreat, went to Venerable Sāriputta, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to Sāriputta:

Atha kho āyasmā mahākoṭṭhiko sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā sāriputtena saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā mahākoṭṭhiko āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavoca:

“Well, Reverend Sāriputta, are old age and death made by oneself? Or by another? Or by both oneself and another? Or do they arise anomalously, not made by oneself or another?”

“kiṁ nu kho, āvuso sāriputta, sayaṅkataṁ jarāmaraṇaṁ, paraṅkataṁ jarāmaraṇaṁ, sayaṅkatañca paraṅkatañca jarāmaraṇaṁ, udāhu asayaṅkāraṁ aparaṅkāraṁ adhiccasamuppannaṁ jarāmaraṇan”ti?

“No, Reverend Koṭṭhita, old age and death are not made by oneself, nor by another, nor by both oneself and another, nor do they arise anomalously, not made by oneself or another. Rather, rebirth is a requirement for old age and death.”

“Na kho, āvuso koṭṭhika, sayaṅkataṁ jarāmaraṇaṁ, na paraṅkataṁ jarāmaraṇaṁ, na sayaṅkatañca paraṅkatañca jarāmaraṇaṁ, nāpi asayaṅkāraṁ aparaṅkāraṁ adhiccasamuppannaṁ jarāmaraṇaṁ. Api ca jātipaccayā jarāmaraṇan”ti.

“Well, Reverend Sāriputta, is rebirth made by oneself? Or by another? Or by both oneself and another? Or does it arise anomalously, not made by oneself or another?”

“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso sāriputta, sayaṅkatā jāti, paraṅkatā jāti, sayaṅkatā ca paraṅkatā ca jāti, udāhu asayaṅkārā aparaṅkārā adhiccasamuppannā jātī”ti?

“No, Reverend Koṭṭhita, rebirth is not made by oneself, nor by another, nor by both oneself and another, nor does it arise anomalously, not made by oneself or another. Rather, continued existence is a requirement for rebirth.”

“Na kho, āvuso koṭṭhika, sayaṅkatā jāti, na paraṅkatā jāti, na sayaṅkatā ca paraṅkatā ca jāti, nāpi asayaṅkārā aparaṅkārā adhiccasamuppannā jāti. Api ca bhavapaccayā jātī”ti.

“Well, Reverend Sāriputta, is continued existence made by oneself? …” … “Is grasping made by oneself? …” … “Is craving made by oneself? …” … “Is feeling made by oneself? …” … “Is contact made by oneself? …” … “Are the six sense fields made by oneself? …” … “Well, Reverend Sāriputta, are name and form made by oneself? Or by another? Or by both oneself and another? Or do they arise anomalously, not made by oneself or another?”

“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso sāriputta, sayaṅkato bhavo …pe… sayaṅkataṁ upādānaṁ … sayaṅkatā taṇhā … sayaṅkatā vedanā … sayaṅkato phasso … sayaṅkataṁ saḷāyatanaṁ … sayaṅkataṁ nāmarūpaṁ, paraṅkataṁ nāmarūpaṁ, sayaṅkatañca paraṅkatañca nāmarūpaṁ, udāhu asayaṅkāraṁ aparaṅkāraṁ adhiccasamuppannaṁ nāmarūpan”ti?

“No, Reverend Koṭṭhita, name and form are not made by oneself, nor by another, nor by both oneself and another, nor do they arise anomalously, not made by oneself or another. Rather, consciousness is a requirement for name and form.”

“Na kho, āvuso koṭṭhika, sayaṅkataṁ nāmarūpaṁ, na paraṅkataṁ nāmarūpaṁ, na sayaṅkatañca paraṅkatañca nāmarūpaṁ, nāpi asayaṅkāraṁ aparaṅkāraṁ, adhiccasamuppannaṁ nāmarūpaṁ. Api ca viññāṇapaccayā nāmarūpan”ti.

“Well, Reverend Sāriputta, is consciousness made by oneself? Or by another? Or by both oneself and another? Or does it arise anomalously, not made by oneself or another?”

“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso sāriputta, sayaṅkataṁ viññāṇaṁ, paraṅkataṁ viññāṇaṁ, sayaṅkatañca paraṅkatañca viññāṇaṁ, udāhu asayaṅkāraṁ aparaṅkāraṁ adhiccasamuppannaṁ viññāṇan”ti?

“No, Reverend Koṭṭhita, consciousness is not made by oneself, nor by another, nor by both oneself and another, nor does it arise anomalously, not made by oneself or another. Rather, name and form are requirements for consciousness.”

“Na kho, āvuso koṭṭhika, sayaṅkataṁ viññāṇaṁ, na paraṅkataṁ viññāṇaṁ, na sayaṅkatañca paraṅkatañca viññāṇaṁ, nāpi asayaṅkāraṁ aparaṅkāraṁ adhiccasamuppannaṁ viññāṇaṁ. Api ca nāmarūpapaccayā viññāṇan”ti.

“Just now I understood you to say: ‘No, Reverend Koṭṭhita, name and form are not made by oneself, nor by another, nor by both oneself and another, nor do they arise anomalously, not made by oneself or another. Rather, consciousness is a requirement for name and form.’

“Idāneva kho mayaṁ āyasmato sāriputtassa bhāsitaṁ evaṁ ājānāma: ‘na khvāvuso koṭṭhika, sayaṅkataṁ nāmarūpaṁ, na paraṅkataṁ nāmarūpaṁ, na sayaṅkatañca paraṅkatañca nāmarūpaṁ, nāpi asayaṅkāraṁ aparaṅkāraṁ adhiccasamuppannaṁ nāmarūpaṁ. Api ca viññāṇapaccayā nāmarūpan’ti.

But I also understood you to say: ‘No, Reverend Koṭṭhita, consciousness is not made by oneself, nor by another, nor by both oneself and another, nor does it arise anomalously, not made by oneself or another. Rather, name and form are requirements for consciousness.’

Idāneva ca pana mayaṁ āyasmato sāriputtassa bhāsitaṁ evaṁ ājānāma: ‘na khvāvuso koṭṭhika, sayaṅkataṁ viññāṇaṁ, na paraṅkataṁ viññāṇaṁ, na sayaṅkatañca paraṅkatañca viññāṇaṁ, nāpi asayaṅkāraṁ aparaṅkāraṁ adhiccasamuppannaṁ viññāṇaṁ. Api ca nāmarūpapaccayā viññāṇan’ti.

How then should we see the meaning of this statement?”

Yathā kathaṁ panāvuso sāriputta, imassa bhāsitassa attho daṭṭhabbo”ti?

“Well then, reverend, I shall give you a simile. For by means of a simile some sensible people understand the meaning of what is said. Suppose there were two sheaves of reeds leaning up against each other.

“Tenahāvuso, upamaṁ te karissāmi. Upamāyapidhekacce viññū purisā bhāsitassa atthaṁ jānanti. Seyyathāpi, āvuso, dve naḷakalāpiyo aññamaññaṁ nissāya tiṭṭheyyuṁ.

In the same way, name and form are requirements for consciousness. Consciousness is a requirement for name and form. Name and form are requirements for the six sense fields. The six sense fields are requirements for contact. … That is how this entire mass of suffering originates. If the first of those sheaves of reeds were to be pulled away, the other would collapse. And if the other were to be pulled away, the first would collapse.

Evameva kho, āvuso, nāmarūpapaccayā viññāṇaṁ; viññāṇapaccayā nāmarūpaṁ; nāmarūpapaccayā saḷāyatanaṁ; saḷāyatanapaccayā phasso …pe… evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa samudayo hoti. Tāsañce, āvuso, naḷakalāpīnaṁ ekaṁ ākaḍḍheyya, ekā papateyya; aparañce ākaḍḍheyya, aparā papateyya.

In the same way, when name and form cease, consciousness ceases. When consciousness ceases, name and form cease. When name and form cease, the six sense fields cease. When the six sense fields cease, contact ceases. … That is how this entire mass of suffering ceases.”

Evameva kho, āvuso, nāmarūpanirodhā viññāṇanirodho; viññāṇanirodhā nāmarūpanirodho; nāmarūpanirodhā saḷāyatananirodho; saḷāyatananirodhā phassanirodho …pe… evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa nirodho hotī”ti.

“It’s incredible, Reverend Sāriputta, it’s amazing! How well spoken this was by Venerable Sāriputta! And we can express our agreement with Venerable Sāriputta’s statement on these thirty-six grounds.

“Acchariyaṁ, āvuso sāriputta; abbhutaṁ, āvuso sāriputta. Yāvasubhāsitañcidaṁ āyasmatā sāriputtena. Idañca pana mayaṁ āyasmato sāriputtassa bhāsitaṁ imehi chattiṁsāya vatthūhi anumodāma:

If a mendicant teaches Dhamma for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding old age and death, they’re qualified to be called ‘a mendicant who speaks on Dhamma’. If they practice for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding old age and death, they’re qualified to be called ‘a mendicant who practices in line with the teaching’. If they’re freed by not grasping by disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding old age and death, they’re qualified to be called ‘a mendicant who has attained extinguishment in this very life’. If a mendicant teaches Dhamma for disillusionment regarding rebirth … continued existence … grasping … craving … feeling … contact … the six sense fields … name and form … consciousness … choices … If a mendicant teaches Dhamma for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding ignorance, they’re qualified to be called ‘a mendicant who speaks on Dhamma’. If they practice for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding ignorance, they’re qualified to be called ‘a mendicant who practices in line with the teaching’. If they’re freed by not grasping by disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding ignorance, they’re qualified to be called ‘a mendicant who has attained extinguishment in this very life’.”

‘Jarāmaraṇassa ce, āvuso, bhikkhu nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya dhammaṁ deseti, dhammakathiko bhikkhūti alaṁvacanāya. Jarāmaraṇassa ce, āvuso, bhikkhu nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti, dhammānudhammappaṭipanno bhikkhūti alaṁvacanāya. Jarāmaraṇassa ce, āvuso, bhikkhu nibbidā virāgā nirodhā anupādā vimutto hoti, diṭṭhadhammanibbānappatto bhikkhūti alaṁvacanāya. Jātiyā ce … bhavassa ce … upādānassa ce … taṇhāya ce … vedanāya ce … phassassa ce … saḷāyatanassa ce … nāmarūpassa ce … viññāṇassa ce … saṅkhārānañce … avijjāya ce, āvuso, bhikkhu nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya dhammaṁ deseti, dhammakathiko bhikkhūti alaṁvacanāya. Avijjāya ce, āvuso, bhikkhu nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti, dhammānudhammappaṭipanno bhikkhūti alaṁvacanāya. Avijjāya ce, āvuso, bhikkhu nibbidā virāgā nirodhā anupādā vimutto hoti, diṭṭhadhammanibbānappatto bhikkhūti alaṁvacanāyā’”ti.

SN 12.68 · At Kosambī

SN 12.68 · Kosambisutta

At one time the venerables Musīla, Saviṭṭha, Nārada, and Ānanda were staying near Kosambī in Ghosita’s monastery. Then Venerable Saviṭṭha said to Venerable Musīla:

Ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā ca musilo āyasmā ca paviṭṭho āyasmā ca nārado āyasmā ca ānando kosambiyaṁ viharanti ghositārāme. Atha kho āyasmā paviṭṭho āyasmantaṁ musilaṁ etadavoca:

“Reverend Musīla, apart from faith, endorsement, oral transmission, reasoned train of thought, or acceptance of a view after deliberation, do you personally know that rebirth is a requirement for old age and death?”

“aññatreva, āvuso musila, saddhāya aññatra ruciyā aññatra anussavā aññatra ākāraparivitakkā aññatra diṭṭhinijjhānakkhantiyā atthāyasmato musilassa paccattameva ñāṇaṁ: ‘jātipaccayā jarāmaraṇan’”ti?

“Reverend Saviṭṭha, apart from faith, endorsement, oral transmission, reasoned train of thought, or acceptance of a view after deliberation, I know and see that rebirth is a requirement for old age and death.”

“Aññatreva, āvuso paviṭṭha, saddhāya aññatra ruciyā aññatra anussavā aññatra ākāraparivitakkā aññatra diṭṭhinijjhānakkhantiyā ahametaṁ jānāmi ahametaṁ passāmi: ‘jātipaccayā jarāmaraṇan’”ti.

“Reverend Musīla, apart from faith, endorsement, oral transmission, reasoned train of thought, or acceptance of a view after deliberateation, do you personally know that continued existence is a requirement for rebirth … grasping is a requirement for continued existence … craving is a requirement for grasping … feeling is a requirement for craving … contact is a requirement for feeling … the six sense fields are requirements for contact … name and form are requirements for the six sense fields … consciousness is a requirement for name and form … choices are a requirement for consciousness … ignorance is a requirement for choices?”

“Aññatreva, āvuso musila, saddhāya aññatra ruciyā aññatra anussavā aññatra ākāraparivitakkā aññatra diṭṭhinijjhānakkhantiyā atthāyasmato musilassa paccattameva ñāṇaṁ: ‘bhavapaccayā jātīti …pe… upādānapaccayā bhavoti … taṇhāpaccayā upādānanti … vedanāpaccayā taṇhāti … phassapaccayā vedanāti … saḷāyatanapaccayā phassoti … nāmarūpapaccayā saḷāyatananti … viññāṇapaccayā nāmarūpanti … saṅkhārapaccayā viññāṇanti … avijjāpaccayā saṅkhārā’”ti?

“Reverend Saviṭṭha, apart from faith, endorsement, oral transmission, reasoned train of thought, or acceptance of a view after deliberation, I know and see that ignorance is a requirement for choices.”

“Aññatreva, āvuso paviṭṭha, saddhāya aññatra ruciyā aññatra anussavā aññatra ākāraparivitakkā aññatra diṭṭhinijjhānakkhantiyā ahametaṁ jānāmi ahametaṁ passāmi: ‘avijjāpaccayā saṅkhārā’”ti.

“Reverend Musīla, apart from faith, endorsement, oral transmission, reasoned train of thought, or acceptance of a view after deliberation, do you personally know that when rebirth ceases, old age and death cease?”

“Aññatreva, āvuso musila, saddhāya aññatra ruciyā aññatra anussavā aññatra ākāraparivitakkā aññatra diṭṭhinijjhānakkhantiyā atthāyasmato musilassa paccattameva ñāṇaṁ: ‘jātinirodhā jarāmaraṇanirodho’”ti?

“Reverend Saviṭṭha, apart from faith, endorsement, oral transmission, reasoned train of thought, or acceptance of a view after deliberation, I know and see that when rebirth ceases, old age and death cease.”

“Aññatreva, āvuso paviṭṭha, saddhāya aññatra ruciyā aññatra anussavā aññatra ākāraparivitakkā aññatra diṭṭhinijjhānakkhantiyā ahametaṁ jānāmi ahametaṁ passāmi: ‘jātinirodhā jarāmaraṇanirodho’”ti.

“Reverend Musīla, apart from faith, endorsement, oral transmission, reasoned train of thought, or acceptance of a view after deliberation, do you personally know that when continued existence ceases, rebirth ceases … when grasping ceases, continued existence ceases … when craving ceases, grasping ceases … when feeling ceases, craving ceases … when contact ceases, feeling ceases … when the six sense fields cease, contact ceases … when name and form cease, the six sense fields cease … when consciousness ceases name and form cease … when choices cease consciousness ceases … when ignorance ceases, choices cease?”

“Aññatreva, āvuso musila, saddhāya aññatra ruciyā aññatra anussavā aññatra ākāraparivitakkā aññatra diṭṭhinijjhānakkhantiyā atthāyasmato musilassa paccattameva ñāṇaṁ: ‘bhavanirodhā jātinirodhoti …pe… upādānanirodhā bhavanirodhoti … taṇhānirodhā upādānanirodhoti … vedanānirodhā taṇhānirodhoti … phassanirodhā vedanānirodhoti … saḷāyatananirodhā phassanirodhoti … nāmarūpanirodhā saḷāyatananirodhoti … viññāṇanirodhā nāmarūpanirodhoti … saṅkhāranirodhā viññāṇanirodhoti … avijjānirodhā saṅkhāranirodho’”ti?

“Reverend Saviṭṭha, apart from faith, endorsement, oral transmission, reasoned train of thought, or acceptance of a view after deliberation, I know and see that when ignorance ceases, choices cease.”

“Aññatreva, āvuso paviṭṭha, saddhāya aññatra ruciyā aññatra anussavā aññatra ākāraparivitakkā aññatra diṭṭhinijjhānakkhantiyā ahametaṁ jānāmi ahametaṁ passāmi: ‘avijjānirodhā saṅkhāranirodho’”ti.

“Reverend Musīla, apart from faith, endorsement, oral transmission, reasoned train of thought, or acceptance of a view after deliberation, do you personally know that the cessation of continued existence is extinguishment?”

“Aññatreva, āvuso musila, saddhāya aññatra ruciyā aññatra anussavā aññatra ākāraparivitakkā aññatra diṭṭhinijjhānakkhantiyā atthāyasmato musilassa paccattameva ñāṇaṁ: ‘bhavanirodho nibbānan’”ti?

“Reverend Saviṭṭha, apart from faith, endorsement, oral transmission, reasoned train of thought, or acceptance of a view after deliberation, I know and see that the cessation of continued existence is extinguishment.”

“Aññatreva, āvuso paviṭṭha, saddhāya aññatra ruciyā aññatra anussavā aññatra ākāraparivitakkā aññatra diṭṭhinijjhānakkhantiyā ahametaṁ jānāmi ahametaṁ passāmi: ‘bhavanirodho nibbānan’”ti.

“Then Venerable Musīla is a perfected one, with defilements ended.” When he said this, Musīla kept silent.

“Tenahāyasmā musilo arahaṁ khīṇāsavo”ti? Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā musilo tuṇhī ahosi.

Then Venerable Nārada said to Venerable Saviṭṭha, “Reverend Saviṭṭha, please let me answer these questions. Ask me and I will answer them for you.”

Atha kho āyasmā nārado āyasmantaṁ paviṭṭhaṁ etadavoca: “sādhāvuso paviṭṭha, ahaṁ etaṁ pañhaṁ labheyyaṁ. Maṁ etaṁ pañhaṁ puccha. Ahaṁ te etaṁ pañhaṁ byākarissāmī”ti.

“By all means, Venerable Nārada, try these questions. I’ll ask you and you can answer them for me.”

“Labhatāyasmā nārado etaṁ pañhaṁ. Pucchāmahaṁ āyasmantaṁ nāradaṁ etaṁ pañhaṁ. Byākarotu ca me āyasmā nārado etaṁ pañhaṁ.

(Saviṭṭha repeats exactly the same series of questions, and Nārada answers just as Musīla did.)

Aññatreva, āvuso nārada, saddhāya aññatra ruciyā aññatra anussavā aññatra ākāraparivitakkā aññatra diṭṭhinijjhānakkhantiyā atthāyasmato nāradassa paccattameva ñāṇaṁ: ‘jātipaccayā jarāmaraṇan’”ti? “Aññatreva, āvuso paviṭṭha, saddhāya aññatra ruciyā aññatra anussavā aññatra ākāraparivitakkā aññatra diṭṭhinijjhānakkhantiyā ahametaṁ jānāmi ahametaṁ passāmi: ‘jātipaccayā jarāmaraṇan’”ti.

“Reverend Nārada, apart from faith, endorsement, oral transmission, reasoned train of thought, or acceptance of a view after deliberation, do you personally know that the cessation of continued existence is extinguishment?”

“Aññatreva, āvuso nārada, saddhāya aññatra ruciyā aññatra anussavā aññatra ākāraparivitakkā aññatra diṭṭhinijjhānakkhantiyā atthāyasmato nāradassa paccattameva ñāṇaṁ: ‘bhavanirodho nibbānan’”ti?

“Reverend Saviṭṭha, apart from faith, endorsement, oral transmission, reasoned train of thought, or acceptance of a view after deliberation, I know and see that the cessation of continued existence is extinguishment.”

“Aññatreva, āvuso paviṭṭha, saddhāya aññatra ruciyā aññatra anussavā aññatra ākāraparivitakkā aññatra diṭṭhinijjhānakkhantiyā ahametaṁ jānāmi ahametaṁ passāmi: ‘bhavanirodho nibbānan’”ti.

“Then Venerable Nārada is a perfected one, with defilements ended.”

“Tenahāyasmā nārado arahaṁ khīṇāsavo”ti?

“I have truly seen clearly with right wisdom that the cessation of continued existence is extinguishment. Yet I am not a perfected one. Suppose there was a well on a desert road that had neither rope nor bucket. Then along comes a person struggling in the oppressive heat, weary, thirsty, and parched. They’d know that there was water, but they couldn’t physically touch it.

“‘Bhavanirodho nibbānan’ti kho me, āvuso, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ, na camhi arahaṁ khīṇāsavo. Seyyathāpi, āvuso, kantāramagge udapāno, tatra nevassa rajju na udakavārako. Atha puriso āgaccheyya ghammābhitatto ghammapareto kilanto tasito pipāsito, so taṁ udapānaṁ olokeyya. Tassa ‘udakan’ti hi kho ñāṇaṁ assa, na ca kāyena phusitvā vihareyya.

In the same way, I have truly seen clearly with right wisdom that the cessation of continued existence is extinguishment. Yet I am not a perfected one.”

Evameva kho, āvuso, ‘bhavanirodho nibbānan’ti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ, na camhi arahaṁ khīṇāsavo”ti.

When he said this, Venerable Ānanda said to Venerable Saviṭṭha, “Reverend Saviṭṭha, what do you have to say to Venerable Nārada when he speaks like this?”

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā ānando āyasmantaṁ paviṭṭhaṁ etadavoca: “evaṁvādī tvaṁ, āvuso paviṭṭha, āyasmantaṁ nāradaṁ kiṁ vadesī”ti?

“Reverend Ānanda, I have nothing to say to Venerable Nārada when he speaks like this, except what is good and wholesome.”

“Evaṁvādāhaṁ, āvuso ānanda, āyasmantaṁ nāradaṁ na kiñci vadāmi aññatra kalyāṇā aññatra kusalā”ti.

SN 12.69 · Surge

SN 12.69 · Upayantisutta

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tatra kho …pe…

“Mendicants, when the ocean surges it makes the rivers surge. When the rivers surge they make the streams surge. When the streams surge they make the lakes surge. When the lakes surge they make the ponds surge.

“mahāsamuddo, bhikkhave, upayanto mahānadiyo upayāpeti, mahānadiyo upayantiyo kunnadiyo upayāpenti, kunnadiyo upayantiyo mahāsobbhe upayāpenti, mahāsobbhā upayantā kusobbhe upayāpenti.

In the same way, when ignorance surges it makes choices surge. When choices surge they make consciousness surge. When consciousness surges it makes name and form surge. When name and form surge they make the six sense fields surge. When the six sense fields surge they make contact surge. When contact surges it makes feeling surge. When feeling surges it makes craving surge. When craving surges it makes grasping surge. When grasping surges it makes continued existence surge. When continued existence surges it makes rebirth surge. When rebirth surges it makes old age and death surge.

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, avijjā upayantī saṅkhāre upayāpeti, saṅkhārā upayantā viññāṇaṁ upayāpenti, viññāṇaṁ upayantaṁ nāmarūpaṁ upayāpeti, nāmarūpaṁ upayantaṁ saḷāyatanaṁ upayāpeti, saḷāyatanaṁ upayantaṁ phassaṁ upayāpeti, phasso upayanto vedanaṁ upayāpeti, vedanā upayantī taṇhaṁ upayāpeti, taṇhā upayantī upādānaṁ upayāpeti, upādānaṁ upayantaṁ bhavaṁ upayāpeti, bhavo upayanto jātiṁ upayāpeti, jāti upayantī jarāmaraṇaṁ upayāpeti.

When the ocean recedes it makes the rivers recede. When the rivers recede they make the streams recede. When the streams recede they make the lakes recede. When the lakes recede they make the ponds recede.

Mahāsamuddo, bhikkhave, apayanto mahānadiyo apayāpeti, mahānadiyo apayantiyo kunnadiyo apayāpenti, kunnadiyo apayantiyo mahāsobbhe apayāpenti, mahāsobbhā apayantā kusobbhe apayāpenti.

In the same way, when ignorance recedes it makes choices recede. When choices recede they make consciousness recede. When consciousness recedes it makes name and form recede. When name and form recede they make the six sense fields recede. When the six sense fields recede they make contact recede. When contact recedes it makes feeling recede. When feeling recedes it makes craving recede. When craving recedes it makes grasping recede. When grasping recedes it makes continued existence recede. When continued existence recedes it makes rebirth recede. When rebirth recedes it makes old age and death recede.”

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, avijjā apayantī saṅkhāre apayāpeti, saṅkhārā apayantā viññāṇaṁ apayāpenti, viññāṇaṁ apayantaṁ nāmarūpaṁ apayāpeti, nāmarūpaṁ apayantaṁ saḷāyatanaṁ apayāpeti, saḷāyatanaṁ apayantaṁ phassaṁ apayāpeti, phasso apayanto vedanaṁ apayāpeti, vedanā apayantī taṇhaṁ apayāpeti, taṇhā apayantī upādānaṁ apayāpeti, upādānaṁ apayantaṁ bhavaṁ apayāpeti, bhavo apayanto jātiṁ apayāpeti, jāti apayantī jarāmaraṇaṁ apayāpetī”ti.