Ignorance · SN 45.1–45.10

SN 45.1 · Ignorance

SN 45.1 · Avijjāsutta

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!”

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “bhikkhavo”ti.

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

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

“Mendicants, ignorance leads the attainment of unskillful qualities, with lack of conscience and prudence following along. An ignoramus, sunk in ignorance, produces wrong view. Wrong view produces wrong purpose. Wrong purpose produces wrong speech. Wrong speech produces wrong action. Wrong action produces wrong livelihood. Wrong livelihood produces wrong effort. Wrong effort produces wrong mindfulness. Wrong mindfulness produces wrong immersion.

“Avijjā, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā, anvadeva ahirikaṁ anottappaṁ. Avijjāgatassa, bhikkhave, aviddasuno micchādiṭṭhi pahoti; micchādiṭṭhissa micchāsaṅkappo pahoti; micchāsaṅkappassa micchāvācā pahoti; micchāvācassa micchākammanto pahoti; micchākammantassa micchāājīvo pahoti; micchāājīvassa micchāvāyāmo pahoti; micchāvāyāmassa micchāsati pahoti; micchāsatissa micchāsamādhi pahoti.

Knowledge leads the attainment of skillful qualities, with conscience and prudence following along. A knowing one, firm in knowledge, produces right view. Right view produces right purpose. Right purpose produces right speech. Right speech produces right action. Right action produces right livelihood. Right livelihood produces right effort. Right effort produces right mindfulness. Right mindfulness produces right immersion.”

Vijjā ca kho, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā, anvadeva hirottappaṁ. Vijjāgatassa, bhikkhave, viddasuno sammādiṭṭhi pahoti; sammādiṭṭhissa sammāsaṅkappo pahoti; sammāsaṅkappassa sammāvācā pahoti; sammāvācassa sammākammanto pahoti; sammākammantassa sammāājīvo pahoti; sammāājīvassa sammāvāyāmo pahoti; sammāvāyāmassa sammāsati pahoti; sammāsatissa sammāsamādhi pahotī”ti.

SN 45.2 · Half the Spiritual Life

SN 45.2 · Upaḍḍhasutta

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, where they have a town named Townsville. Then Venerable Ānanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakyesu viharati nagarakaṁ nāma sakyānaṁ nigamo. Atha kho āyasmā ānando yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā ānando bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Sir, good friends, companions, and associates are half the spiritual life.”

“upaḍḍhamidaṁ, bhante, brahmacariyaṁ, yadidaṁ—kalyāṇamittatā kalyāṇasahāyatā kalyāṇasampavaṅkatā”ti.

“Not so, Ānanda! Not so, Ānanda! Good friends, companions, and associates are the whole of the spiritual life. A mendicant with good friends, companions, and associates can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path.

“Mā hevaṁ, ānanda, mā hevaṁ, ānanda. Sakalamevidaṁ, ānanda, brahmacariyaṁ, yadidaṁ—kalyāṇamittatā kalyāṇasahāyatā kalyāṇasampavaṅkatā. Kalyāṇamittassetaṁ, ānanda, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁ kalyāṇasahāyassa kalyāṇasampavaṅkassa—ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bhāvessati, ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bahulīkarissati.

And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, which relies on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripens as letting go. They develop right purpose … right speech … right action … right livelihood … right effort … right mindfulness … right immersion, which relies on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripens as letting go. That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.

Kathañcānanda, bhikkhu kalyāṇamitto kalyāṇasahāyo kalyāṇasampavaṅko ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bhāveti, ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bahulīkaroti? Idhānanda, bhikkhu sammādiṭṭhiṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ; sammāsaṅkappaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe… sammāvācaṁ bhāveti …pe… sammākammantaṁ bhāveti …pe… sammāājīvaṁ bhāveti …pe… sammāvāyāmaṁ bhāveti …pe… sammāsatiṁ bhāveti …pe… sammāsamādhiṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Evaṁ kho, ānanda, bhikkhu kalyāṇamitto kalyāṇasahāyo kalyāṇasampavaṅko ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bhāveti, ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bahulīkaroti.

And here’s another way to understand how good friends are the whole of the spiritual life. For, by relying on me as a good friend, sentient beings who are liable to rebirth, old age, and death, to sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress are freed from all these things. This is another way to understand how good friends are the whole of the spiritual life.”

Tadamināpetaṁ, ānanda, pariyāyena veditabbaṁ yathā sakalamevidaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, yadidaṁ—kalyāṇamittatā kalyāṇasahāyatā kalyāṇasampavaṅkatā. Mamañhi, ānanda, kalyāṇamittaṁ āgamma jātidhammā sattā jātiyā parimuccanti; jarādhammā sattā jarāya parimuccanti; maraṇadhammā sattā maraṇena parimuccanti; sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsadhammā sattā sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsehi parimuccanti. Iminā kho etaṁ, ānanda, pariyāyena veditabbaṁ yathā sakalamevidaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, yadidaṁ—kalyāṇamittatā kalyāṇasahāyatā kalyāṇasampavaṅkatā”ti.

SN 45.3 · Sāriputta

SN 45.3 · Sāriputtasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

Then Sāriputta went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Sir, good friends, companions, and associates are the whole of the spiritual life.”

“sakalamidaṁ, bhante, brahmacariyaṁ, yadidaṁ—kalyāṇamittatā kalyāṇasahāyatā kalyāṇasampavaṅkatā”ti.

“Good, good, Sāriputta! Good friends, companions, and associates are the whole of the spiritual life. A mendicant with good friends, companions, and associates can expect to develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path. And how does a mendicant with good friends develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path?

“Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta. Sakalamidaṁ, sāriputta, brahmacariyaṁ, yadidaṁ—kalyāṇamittatā kalyāṇasahāyatā kalyāṇasampavaṅkatā. Kalyāṇamittassetaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁ kalyāṇasahāyassa kalyāṇasampavaṅkassa—ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bhāvessati, ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bahulīkarissati. Kathañca, sāriputta, bhikkhu kalyāṇamitto kalyāṇasahāyo kalyāṇasampavaṅko ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bhāveti, ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bahulīkaroti?

It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant with good friends develops and cultivates the noble eightfold path.

Idha, sāriputta, bhikkhu sammādiṭṭhiṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ …pe… sammāsamādhiṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Evaṁ kho, sāriputta, bhikkhu kalyāṇamitto kalyāṇasahāyo kalyāṇasampavaṅko ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bhāveti, ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bahulīkaroti.

And here’s another way to understand how good friends are the whole of the spiritual life. For, by relying on me as a good friend, sentient beings who are liable to rebirth, old age, and death, to sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress are freed from all these things. This is another way to understand how good friends are the whole of the spiritual life.”

Tadamināpetaṁ, sāriputta, pariyāyena veditabbaṁ yathā sakalamidaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, yadidaṁ—kalyāṇamittatā kalyāṇasahāyatā kalyāṇasampavaṅkatā. Mamañhi, sāriputta, kalyāṇamittaṁ āgamma jātidhammā sattā jātiyā parimuccanti; jarādhammā sattā jarāya parimuccanti; maraṇadhammā sattā maraṇena parimuccanti; sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsadhammā sattā sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsehi parimuccanti. Iminā kho etaṁ, sāriputta, pariyāyena veditabbaṁ yathā sakalamidaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, yadidaṁ—kalyāṇamittatā kalyāṇasahāyatā kalyāṇasampavaṅkatā”ti.

SN 45.4 · Regarding the Brahmin Jānussoṇi

SN 45.4 · Jāṇussoṇibrāhmaṇasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

Then Venerable Ānanda robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. He saw the brahmin Jānussoṇi driving out of Sāvatthī in an all-white chariot drawn by mares. The yoked horses were pure white, as were the ornaments, chariot, upholstery, reins, goad, and canopy. And his turban, robes, sandals were white, as was the chowry fanning him.

Atha kho āyasmā ānando pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Addasā kho āyasmā ānando jāṇussoṇiṁ brāhmaṇaṁ sabbasetena vaḷavābhirathena sāvatthiyā niyyāyantaṁ. Setā sudaṁ assā yuttā honti setālaṅkārā, seto ratho, setaparivāro, setā rasmiyo, setā patodalaṭṭhi, setaṁ chattaṁ, setaṁ uṇhīsaṁ, setāni vatthāni, setā upāhanā, setāya sudaṁ vālabījaniyā bījīyati.

When people saw it they exclaimed, “Wow! That’s a divine vehicle! It’s a vehicle fit for divinity!”

Tamenaṁ jano disvā evamāha: “brahmaṁ vata, bho, yānaṁ. Brahmayānarūpaṁ vata, bho”ti.

Then Ānanda wandered for alms in Sāvatthī. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened, adding, “Sir, can you point out a divine vehicle in this teaching and training?”

Atha kho āyasmā ānando sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā ānando bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “Idhāhaṁ, bhante, pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ. Addasaṁ khvāhaṁ, bhante, jāṇussoṇiṁ brāhmaṇaṁ sabbasetena vaḷavābhirathena sāvatthiyā niyyāyantaṁ. Setā sudaṁ assā yuttā honti setālaṅkārā, seto ratho, setaparivāro, setā rasmiyo, setā patodalaṭṭhi, setaṁ chattaṁ, setaṁ uṇhīsaṁ, setāni vatthāni, setā upāhanā, setāya sudaṁ vālabījaniyā bījīyati. Tamenaṁ jano disvā evamāha: ‘brahmaṁ vata, bho, yānaṁ. Brahmayānarūpaṁ vata, bho’ti. Sakkā nu kho, bhante, imasmiṁ dhammavinaye brahmayānaṁ paññāpetun”ti?

“I can, Ānanda,” said the Buddha.

“Sakkā, ānandā”ti bhagavā avoca:

“These are all terms for the noble eightfold path: ‘divine vehicle’, or else ‘vehicle of truth’, or else ‘supreme victory in battle’.

“imasseva kho etaṁ, ānanda, ariyassa aṭṭhaṅgikassa maggassa adhivacanaṁ: ‘brahmayānaṁ’ itipi, ‘dhammayānaṁ’ itipi, ‘anuttaro saṅgāmavijayo’ itipīti.

When right view is developed and cultivated it culminates with the removal of greed, hate, and delusion. When right purpose … right speech … right action … right livelihood … right effort … right mindfulness … right immersion is developed and cultivated it culminates with the removal of greed, hate, and delusion.

Sammādiṭṭhi, ānanda, bhāvitā bahulīkatā rāgavinayapariyosānā hoti, dosavinayapariyosānā hoti, mohavinayapariyosānā hoti. Sammāsaṅkappo, ānanda, bhāvito bahulīkato rāgavinayapariyosāno hoti, dosavinayapariyosāno hoti, mohavinayapariyosāno hoti. Sammāvācā, ānanda, bhāvitā bahulīkatā rāgavinayapariyosānā hoti, dosa …pe… mohavinayapariyosānā hoti. Sammākammanto, ānanda, bhāvito bahulīkato rāgavinayapariyosāno hoti, dosa …pe… mohavinayapariyosāno hoti. Sammāājīvo, ānanda, bhāvito bahulīkato rāgavinayapariyosāno hoti, dosa …pe… mohavinayapariyosāno hoti. Sammāvāyāmo, ānanda, bhāvito bahulīkato rāgavinayapariyosāno hoti, dosa …pe… mohavinayapariyosāno hoti. Sammāsati, ānanda, bhāvitā bahulīkatā rāgavinayapariyosānā hoti, dosa …pe… mohavinayapariyosānā hoti. Sammāsamādhi, ānanda, bhāvito bahulīkato rāgavinayapariyosāno hoti, dosa …pe… mohavinayapariyosāno hoti.

This is a way to understand how these are all terms for the noble eightfold path: ‘divine vehicle’, or else ‘vehicle of truth’, or else ‘supreme victory in battle’.”

Iminā kho etaṁ, ānanda, pariyāyena veditabbaṁ yathā imassevetaṁ ariyassa aṭṭhaṅgikassa maggassa adhivacanaṁ: ‘brahmayānaṁ’ itipi, ‘dhammayānaṁ’ itipi, ‘anuttaro saṅgāmavijayo’ itipī”ti.

That is what the Buddha said.

Idamavoca bhagavā.

Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

Idaṁ vatvāna sugato athāparaṁ etadavoca satthā:

“Of which the qualities of faith and wisdomare always yoked to the shaft;conscience its draft-pole, mind its strap,mindfulness its careful driver;

“Yassa saddhā ca paññā ca,Dhammā yuttā sadā dhuraṁ;Hirī īsā mano yottaṁ,Sati ārakkhasārathi.

the chariot equipped with ethics,its axle absorption, energy its wheel;equanimity and immersion its draft-pole,desirelessness its upholstery;

Ratho sīlaparikkhāro,jhānakkho cakkavīriyo;Upekkhā dhurasamādhi,anicchā parivāraṇaṁ.

of which good will, harmlessness,and seclusion are its weaponry;endurance, its shield and armor:to sanctuary from the yoke it rolls—

Abyāpādo avihiṁsā,viveko yassa āvudhaṁ;Titikkhā cammasannāho,yogakkhemāya vattati.

this, originating in oneself,is the supreme divine vehicle.The attentive leave the world in it,sure of winning the victory.”

Etadattani sambhūtaṁ,brahmayānaṁ anuttaraṁ;Niyyanti dhīrā lokamhā,aññadatthu jayaṁ jayan”ti.

SN 45.5 · What’s the Goal?

SN 45.5 · Kimatthiyasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

Then several mendicants went up to the Buddha … and said to him:

Atha kho sambahulā bhikkhū yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu …pe… ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:

“Sir, sometimes wanderers of other religions ask us: ‘Reverends, what’s the goal of leading the spiritual life under the ascetic Gotama?’ We answer them like this: ‘The goal of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is to completely understand suffering.’

“Idha no, bhante, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā amhe evaṁ pucchanti: ‘kimatthiyaṁ, āvuso, samaṇe gotame brahmacariyaṁ vussatī’ti? Evaṁ puṭṭhā mayaṁ, bhante, tesaṁ aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ evaṁ byākaroma: ‘dukkhassa kho, āvuso, pariññatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī’ti.

Answering this way, we trust that we repeat what the Buddha has said, and don’t misrepresent him with an untruth. We trust our explanation is in line with the teaching, and that there are no legitimate grounds for rebuttal or criticism.”

Kacci mayaṁ, bhante, evaṁ puṭṭhā evaṁ byākaramānā vuttavādino ceva bhagavato homa, na ca bhagavantaṁ abhūtena abbhācikkhāma, dhammassa cānudhammaṁ byākaroma, na ca koci sahadhammiko vādānuvādo gārayhaṁ ṭhānaṁ āgacchatī”ti?

“Indeed, in answering this way you repeat what I’ve said, and don’t misrepresent me with an untruth. Your explanation is in line with the teaching, and there are no legitimate grounds for rebuttal or criticism. For the goal of leading the spiritual life under me is to completely understand suffering.

“Taggha tumhe, bhikkhave, evaṁ puṭṭhā evaṁ byākaramānā vuttavādino ceva me hotha, na ca maṁ abhūtena abbhācikkhatha, dhammassa cānudhammaṁ byākarotha, na ca koci sahadhammiko vādānuvādo gārayhaṁ ṭhānaṁ āgacchati. Dukkhassa hi pariññatthaṁ mayi brahmacariyaṁ vussati.

If wanderers of other religions were to ask you: ‘Is there a path and a practice for completely understanding that suffering?’ You should answer them like this: ‘There is.’

Sace vo, bhikkhave, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘atthi panāvuso, maggo, atthi paṭipadā etassa dukkhassa pariññāyā’ti, evaṁ puṭṭhā tumhe, bhikkhave, tesaṁ aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ evaṁ byākareyyātha: ‘atthi kho, āvuso, maggo, atthi paṭipadā etassa dukkhassa pariññāyā’ti.

And what is that path? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is the path and the practice for completely understanding suffering. When questioned by wanderers of other religions, that’s how you should answer them.”

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, maggo, katamā paṭipadā etassa dukkhassa pariññāyāti? Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo, seyyathidaṁ— sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, maggo, ayaṁ paṭipadā etassa dukkhassa pariññāyāti. Evaṁ puṭṭhā tumhe, bhikkhave, tesaṁ aññatitthiyānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ evaṁ byākareyyāthā”ti.

SN 45.6 · A Mendicant (1st)

SN 45.6 · Paṭhamaaññatarabhikkhusutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha … and asked him, “Sir, they speak of this thing called the ‘spiritual path’. What is the spiritual path? And what is the culmination of the spiritual path?”

Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami …pe… ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “‘brahmacariyaṁ, brahmacariyan’ti, bhante, vuccati. Katamaṁ nu kho, bhante, brahmacariyaṁ, katamaṁ brahmacariyapariyosānan”ti?

“Mendicant, the spiritual path is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. The ending of greed, hate, and delusion. This is the culmination of the spiritual path.”

“Ayameva kho, bhikkhu, ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo brahmacariyaṁ, seyyathidaṁ— sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi. Yo kho, bhikkhu, rāgakkhayo dosakkhayo mohakkhayo— idaṁ brahmacariyapariyosānan”ti.

SN 45.7 · A Mendicant (2nd)

SN 45.7 · Dutiyaaññatarabhikkhusutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha … and said to him:

Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami …pe… ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Sir, they speak of ‘the removal of greed, hate, and delusion’. What is this a term for?”

“‘Rāgavinayo dosavinayo mohavinayo’ti, bhante, vuccati. Kissa nu kho etaṁ, bhante, adhivacanaṁ: ‘rāgavinayo dosavinayo mohavinayo’”ti?

“Mendicant, the removal of greed, hate, and delusion is a term for an element of extinguishment. It’s used to speak of the ending of defilements.”

“Nibbānadhātuyā kho etaṁ, bhikkhu, adhivacanaṁ: ‘rāgavinayo dosavinayo mohavinayo’ti. Āsavānaṁ khayo tena vuccatī”ti.

When he said this, the mendicant said to the Buddha:

Evaṁ vutte, so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Sir, they speak of ‘freedom from death’. What is freedom from death? And what is the path that leads to freedom from death?”

“‘amataṁ, amatan’ti, bhante, vuccati. Katamaṁ nu kho, bhante, amataṁ, katamo amatagāmimaggo”ti?

“The ending of greed, hate, and delusion. This is called freedom from death. The path that leads to freedom from death is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.”

“Yo kho, bhikkhu, rāgakkhayo dosakkhayo mohakkhayo— idaṁ vuccati amataṁ. Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo amatagāmimaggo, seyyathidaṁ— sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhī”ti.

SN 45.8 · Analysis

SN 45.8 · Vibhaṅgasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

“Mendicants, I will teach and analyze for you the noble eightfold path. Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

“Ariyaṁ vo, bhikkhave, aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ desessāmi vibhajissāmi. Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

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

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

“And what is the noble eightfold path? It is right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.

“Katamo ca, bhikkhave, ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo? Seyyathidaṁ—sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi.

And what is right view? Knowing about suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering. This is called right view.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, sammādiṭṭhi? Yaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dukkhe ñāṇaṁ, dukkhasamudaye ñāṇaṁ, dukkhanirodhe ñāṇaṁ, dukkhanirodhagāminiyā paṭipadāya ñāṇaṁ— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sammādiṭṭhi.

And what is right purpose? The purpose of renunciation, good will, and harmlessness. This is called right purpose.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, sammāsaṅkappo? Yo kho, bhikkhave, nekkhammasaṅkappo, abyāpādasaṅkappo, avihiṁsāsaṅkappo— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sammāsaṅkappo.

And what is right speech? Refraining from speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. This is called right speech.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, sammāvācā? Yā kho, bhikkhave, musāvādā veramaṇī, pisuṇāya vācāya veramaṇī, pharusāya vācāya veramaṇī, samphappalāpā veramaṇī— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sammāvācā.

And what is right action? Refraining from killing living creatures, stealing, and unchastity. This is called right action.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, sammākammanto? Yā kho, bhikkhave, pāṇātipātā veramaṇī, adinnādānā veramaṇī, abrahmacariyā veramaṇī— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sammākammanto.

And what is right livelihood? It’s when a noble disciple gives up wrong livelihood and earns a living by right livelihood. This is called right livelihood.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, sammāājīvo? Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako micchāājīvaṁ pahāya sammāājīvena jīvitaṁ kappeti— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sammāājīvo.

And what is right effort? It’s when a mendicant generates enthusiasm, tries, makes an effort, exerts the mind, and strives so that bad, unskillful qualities don’t arise. They generate enthusiasm, try, make an effort, exert the mind, and strive so that bad, unskillful qualities that have arisen are given up. They generate enthusiasm, try, make an effort, exert the mind, and strive so that skillful qualities arise. They generate enthusiasm, try, make an effort, exert the mind, and strive so that skillful qualities that have arisen remain, are not lost, but increase, mature, and are fully developed. This is called right effort.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, sammāvāyāmo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu anuppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ anuppādāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati, uppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya chandaṁ janeti …pe… anuppannānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ uppādāya chandaṁ janeti …pe… uppannānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ ṭhitiyā asammosāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya bhāvanāya pāripūriyā chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sammāvāyāmo.

And what is right mindfulness? It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of feelings—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of the mind—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. This is called right mindfulness.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, sammāsati? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ; vedanāsu vedanānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ; citte cittānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ; dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sammāsati.

And what is right immersion? It’s when a mendicant, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected. As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, they 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. And with the fading away of rapture, they enter and remain in the third absorption, where they meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, experiencing for themselves the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’ With the giving up of pleasure and pain and the disappearance of former happiness and sadness, they enter and remain in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness. This is called right immersion.”

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, sammāsamādhi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca viharati sato ca sampajāno, sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedeti, yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti: ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sammāsamādhī”ti.

SN 45.9 · A Spike

SN 45.9 · Sūkasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

“Mendicants, suppose a spike of rice or barley was pointing the wrong way. If you trod on it with hand or foot, it is impossible for it to break the skin and produce blood. Why is that? Because the spike is pointing the wrong way.

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, sālisūkaṁ vā yavasūkaṁ vā micchāpaṇihitaṁ hatthena vā pādena vā akkantaṁ hatthaṁ vā pādaṁ vā bhindissati, lohitaṁ vā uppādessatīti—netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. Taṁ kissa hetu? Micchāpaṇihitattā, bhikkhave, sūkassa.

In the same way, a mendicant whose view and development of the path is pointing the wrong way cannot break ignorance, produce knowledge, and realize extinguishment. Why is that? Because their view is pointing the wrong way.

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, so vata bhikkhu micchāpaṇihitāya diṭṭhiyā micchāpaṇihitāya maggabhāvanāya avijjaṁ bhindissati, vijjaṁ uppādessati, nibbānaṁ sacchikarissatīti—netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. Taṁ kissa hetu? Micchāpaṇihitattā, bhikkhave, diṭṭhiyā.

Suppose a spike of rice or barley was pointing the right way. If you trod on it with hand or foot, it’s possible it may break the skin and produce blood. Why is that? Because the spike is pointing the right way.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, sālisūkaṁ vā yavasūkaṁ vā sammāpaṇihitaṁ hatthena vā pādena vā akkantaṁ hatthaṁ vā pādaṁ vā bhindissati, lohitaṁ vā uppādessatīti—ṭhānametaṁ vijjati. Taṁ kissa hetu? Sammāpaṇihitattā, bhikkhave, sūkassa.

In the same way, a mendicant whose view and development of the path is pointing the right way may well break ignorance, produce knowledge, and realize extinguishment. Why is that? Because their view is pointing the right way.

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, so vata bhikkhu sammāpaṇihitāya diṭṭhiyā sammāpaṇihitāya maggabhāvanāya avijjaṁ bhindissati, vijjaṁ uppādessati, nibbānaṁ sacchikarissatīti—ṭhānametaṁ vijjati. Taṁ kissa hetu? Sammāpaṇihitattā, bhikkhave, diṭṭhiyā.

And how does a mendicant whose view and development of the path is pointing the right way break ignorance, give rise to knowledge, and realize extinguishment? It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant whose view and development of the path is pointing the right way breaks ignorance, gives rise to knowledge, and realizes extinguishment.”

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sammāpaṇihitāya diṭṭhiyā sammāpaṇihitāya maggabhāvanāya avijjaṁ bhindati, vijjaṁ uppādeti, nibbānaṁ sacchikarotīti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sammādiṭṭhiṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ …pe… sammāsamādhiṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sammāpaṇihitāya diṭṭhiyā sammāpaṇihitāya maggabhāvanāya avijjaṁ bhindati, vijjaṁ uppādeti, nibbānaṁ sacchikarotī”ti.

SN 45.10 · With Nandiya

SN 45.10 · Nandiyasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

Then the wanderer Nandiya went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and said to the Buddha:

Atha kho nandiyo paribbājako yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho nandiyo paribbājako bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Worthy Gotama, how many things, when developed and cultivated, have extinguishment as their target, destination, and culmination?”

“kati nu kho, bho gotama, dhammā bhāvitā bahulīkatā nibbānaṅgamā honti nibbānaparāyanā nibbānapariyosānā”ti?

“These eight things, when developed and cultivated, have extinguishment as their target, destination, and culmination. What eight? They are: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. These eight things, when developed and cultivated, have extinguishment as their target, destination, and culmination.”

“Aṭṭhime kho, nandiya, dhammā bhāvitā bahulīkatā nibbānaṅgamā honti nibbānaparāyanā nibbānapariyosānā. Katame aṭṭha? Seyyathidaṁ—sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi. Ime kho, nandiya, aṭṭha dhammā bhāvitā bahulīkatā nibbānaṅgamā honti nibbānaparāyanā nibbānapariyosānā”ti.

When he said this, the wanderer Nandiya said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

Evaṁ vutte, nandiyo paribbājako bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama, abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe… upāsakaṁ maṁ bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.