Beyond

Coping

AStudyGuideonAging,Illness,Death,&Separation

p r e p a r e d b y

ThanissaroBhikkhu

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Introduction

AnanthropologistoncequestionedanativeAlaskanshamanabouthistribe’sbeliefsystem.Afterputtingupwiththeanthropologist’squestionsforawhile,theshamanfinallytoldhim:“Look.Wedon’tbelieve.Wefear.”

Inasimilarway,Buddhismstarts,notwithabelief,butwithafearofverypresentdangers.AstheBuddhahimselfreported,hisinitialimpetusforleavinghomeandseekingawakeningwashiscomprehensionofthegreatdangersthatinevitablyfollowonbirth:aging,illness,death,andseparation.Theawakeninghesoughtwasonethatwouldleadhimtoahappinessnotsubjecttothesethings.Afterfindingthathappiness,andinattemptingtoshowothershowtofinditforthemselves,hefrequentlyreferredtothethemesofaging,illness,death,andseparationasusefulobjectsforcontemplation.Becauseofthis,histeachinghasoftenbeencalledpessimistic,butthisemphasisisactuallylikethatofadoctorfocusingonthesymptomsandcausesofdiseaseaspartofanefforttobringaboutacure.TheBuddhaisnotafraidtodwellonthesetopics,becausetheawakeningheteachesbringsaboutatotalreleasefromthem.

ThisstudyguideprovidesanintroductiontotheBuddha’steachingsonaging,illness,death,andseparation.Thepassagesincludedhere—alltakenfromthePaliCanon—arearrangedinfivesections.

(1)Thefirstsectionpresentsmedicalmetaphorsfortheteaching,showinghowtheBuddhawaslikeadoctorandhowhisteachingislikeacourseoftherapyofferingacureforthegreatdangersinlife.

(2)Thesecondsectiondiagnosestheproblemsofaging,illness,death,andseparation.ThissectiontouchesbrieflyontheBuddha’scentralteaching,thefournobletruths.Formoreinformationonthissubject,seeThePathtoFreedomandthestudyguide,TheFourNobleTruths.Seealsothearticles,TheWeightofMountains,FivePilesofBricks,andUntanglingthePresent.

(3)Thethirdsectioncontainspassagesthatuseaging,illness,

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death,andseparation,asremindersforheedfulnessanddiligenceinthepractice.Thecentralpassagehereisasetoffiverecollections,inwhichrecollectionofaging,illness,death,andseparationformsabackgroundforafifthrecollection:thepowerofone’sactionstoshapeone’sexperience.Inotherwords,thefirstfourrecollectionspresentthedangersoflife;thefifthindicatesthewayinwhichthosedangersmaybeovercome,throughdevelopingskillinone’sownthoughts,words,anddeeds.UsefularticlestoreadinconjunctionwiththissectionareAffirmingtheTruthsoftheHeart,Karma,TheRoadtoNirvanaisPavedwithSkillfulIntentions,FaithinAwakening,andThePracticeinaWord.

(4)Thefourthsectioncontainspassagesthatgivespecificadviceonhowtodealwithproblemsofaging,etc.TheBuddha’steachingsonkammaprovideanimportantunderpinningforhowproblemsofpainandillnessareapproachedinthissection.Giventhefactthattheexperienceofthepresentmomentisshapedbothbypastandbypresentintentions,itispossiblethat—ifanillnessistheresultofpresentintentions—achangeofmindcaneffectacureintheillness;butiftheillnessistheresultofpastintentions,achangeofmindmayhavenoeffectontheillnessbutcanatleastprotectthemindfrombeingadverselyaffectedbyit.ThussomeofthepassagesfocushowpracticingtheDhammacancureapersonofillness,whereasothersfocusonhowtheDhammacanensurethat,eventhoughapersonmaydiefromanillness,theillnesswillmakenoinroadsonthemind.AusefularticletoreadinconjunctionwiththissectionisEducatingCompassion.

(5)ThefifthsectiongivesexamplesofhowtheBuddhaandhisdisciplesskillfullynegotiatedtheproblemsofaging,illness,death,andseparation.

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TheBuddhaasDoctor,theDhammaasMedicine

§1.ThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:“Iamabrahman,responsivetorequests,open-handed,bearingmylastbody,anunsurpasseddoctor&surgeon.Youaremychildren,mysons,bornfrommymouth,bornoftheDhamma,createdbytheDhamma,heirstotheDhamma,notheirsinmaterialthings.

—Iti100

§2.“Bothformerly&now,itisonlystressthatIdescribe,andthecessationofstress.”

—SN22:86

§3.OncetheBlessedOnewasstayingatKosambiinthesimsapaforest.Then,pickingupafewsimsapaleaveswithhishand,heaskedthemonks,“Howdoyouconstruethis,monks:Whicharemorenumerous,thefewsimsapaleavesinmyhandorthoseoverheadinthesimsapaforest?”

‘TheleavesinthehandoftheBlessedOnearefewinnumber,lord.Thoseoverheadintheforestarefarmorenumerous.”

“Inthesameway,monks,thosethingsthatIhaveknownwithdirectknowledgebuthavenottaughtarefarmorenumerous[thanwhatIhavetaught].Andwhyhaven’tItaughtthem?Becausetheyarenotconnectedwiththegoal,donotrelatetotherudimentsoftheholylife,anddonotleadtodisenchantment,todispassion,tocessation,tocalm,todirectknowledge,toself-awakening,tounbinding.ThatiswhyIhavenottaughtthem.

“AndwhathaveItaught?‘Thisisstress...Thisistheoriginationofstress...Thisisthecessationofstress...Thisisthepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstress’:ThisiswhatIhavetaught.AndwhyhaveItaughtthesethings?Becausetheyareconnectedwiththegoal,relatetotherudimentsoftheholylife,andleadto

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disenchantment,todispassion,tocessation,tocalm,todirectknowledge,toself-awakening,tounbinding.ThisiswhyIhavetaughtthem.

“Thereforeyourdutyisthecontemplation,‘Thisisstress...Thisistheoriginationofstress...Thisisthecessationofstress.’Yourdutyisthecontemplation,‘Thisisthepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstress.’”

—SN56:31

§4.ThenthemonkswenttoVen.Sariputta.Onarrival,theyexchangedcourteousgreetingswithhim.Afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,theysattooneside.Astheyweresittingthere,theysaidtoVen.Sariputta,“FriendSariputta,wewanttogotothecountrysideoftheoutlyingdistrictsandtotakeupresidencethere.WehavealreadyinformedtheTeacher.”

“Friends,inforeignlandstherearewisenobles&brahmans,householders&contemplatives—forthepeopletherearewise&discriminating—whowillquestionamonk:‘Whatisyourteacher’sdoctrine?Whatdoesheteach?’Haveyoulistenedwelltotheteachings—graspedthemwell,attendedtothemwell,consideredthemwell,penetratedthemwellbymeansofdiscernment—sothatinansweringyouwillspeakinlinewithwhattheBlessedOnehassaid,willnotmisrepresenttheBlessedOnewithwhatisunfactual,willanswerinlinewiththeDhamma,andnoonewhosethinkingisinlinewiththeDhammawillhavegroundsforcriticizingyou?”

“WewouldcomefromalongwayawaytoheartheexplicationofthesewordsinVen.Sariputta’spresence.ItwouldbegoodifVen.Sariputtahimselfwouldenlightenusastotheirmeaning.”

“Theninthatcase,friends,listen&paycloseattention.Iwillspeak.”

“Asyousay,friend,”themonksresponded.Ven.Sariputtasaid:“Friends,inforeignlandstherearewise

nobles&brahmans,householders&contemplatives—forthepeopletherearewise&discriminating—whowillquestionamonk:‘Whatisyourteacher’sdoctrine?Whatdoesheteach?’Thusasked,youshouldanswer,‘Ourteacherteachesthesubduingofpassion&desire.’

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“Havingthusbeenanswered,theremaybewisenobles&brahmans,householders&contemplatives...whowillquestionyoufurther,‘Andyourteacherteachesthesubduingofpassion&desireforwhat?’Thusasked,youshouldanswer,‘Ourteacherteachesthesubduingofpassion&desireforform...forfeeling...forperception...forfabrications.Ourteacherteachesthesubduingofpassion&desireforconsciousness.’

“Havingthusbeenanswered,theremaybewisenobles&brahmans,householders&contemplatives...whowillquestionyoufurther,‘Andseeingwhatdangerdoesyourteacherteachthesubduingofpassion&desireforform...forfeeling...forperception...forfabrications?Seeingwhatdangerdoesyourteacherteachthesubduingofpassion&desireforconsciousness?’

Thusasked,youshouldanswer,‘Whenoneisnotfreefrompassion,desire,love,thirst,fever,&cravingforform,thenfromanychange&alterationinthatform,therearisessorrow,lamentation,pain,grief,&despair.Whenoneisnotfreefrompassion...forfeeling...forperception...forfabrications...Whenoneisnotfreefrompassion,desire,love,thirst,fever,&cravingforconsciousness,thenfromanychange&alterationinthatconsciousness,therearisesorrow,lamentation,pain,grief,&despair.Seeingthisdanger,ourteacherteachesthesubduingofpassion&desireforform...forfeeling...forperception...forfabrications.Seeingthisdangerourteacherteachesthesubduingofpassion&desireforconsciousness.’

“Havingthusbeenanswered,theremaybewisenobles&brahmans,householders&contemplatives...whowillquestionyoufurther,‘Andseeingwhatbenefitdoesyourteacherteachthesubduingofpassion&desireforform...forfeeling...forperception...forfabrications.Seeingwhatbenefitdoesyourteacherteachthesubduingofpassion&desireforconsciousness?’

Thusasked,youshouldanswer,‘Whenoneisfreefrompassion,desire,love,thirst,fever,&cravingforform,thenwithanychange&alterationinthatform,theredoesn’tariseanysorrow,lamentation,pain,grief,ordespair.Whenoneisfreefrompassion...forfeeling...forperception...forfabrications...Whenoneisfreefrompassion,desire,love,thirst,fever,&cravingforconsciousness,thenwithanychange&alterationinthatconsciousness,theredoesn’tariseanysorrow,lamentation,pain,grief,ordespair.Seeingthisbenefit,our

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teacherteachesthesubduingofpassion&desireforform...forfeeling...forperception...forfabrications.Seeingthisbenefitourteacherteachesthesubduingofpassion&desireforconsciousness.’

“Friends,ifonewhoentered&remainedinunskillfulmentalqualitiesweretohaveapleasantabidinginthehere&now—unthreatened,undespairing,unfeverish—andonthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,couldexpectagooddestination,thentheBlessedOnewouldnotadvocatetheabandoningofunskillfulmentalqualities.Butbecauseonewhoenters&remainsinunskillfulmentalqualitieshasastressfulabidinginthehere&now—threatened,despairing,&feverish—andonthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,canexpectabaddestination,thatiswhytheBlessedOneadvocatestheabandoningofunskillfulmentalqualities.

“Ifonewhoentered&remainedinskillfulmentalqualitiesweretohaveastressfulabidinginthehere&now—threatened,despairing,&feverish—andonthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,couldexpectabaddestination,thentheBlessedOnewouldnotadvocateenteringintoskillfulmentalqualities.Butbecauseonewhoenters&remainsinskillfulmentalqualitieshasapleasantabidinginthehere&now—unthreatened,undespairing,unfeverish—andonthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,canexpectagooddestination,thatiswhytheBlessedOneadvocatesenteringintoskillfulmentalqualities.”

—SN22:2

§5.“Monks,doctorsgiveapurgativeforwardingoffdiseasescausedbybile,diseasescausedbyphlegm,diseasescausedbytheinternalwindproperty.Thereisapurgingthere;Idon’tsaythatthere’snot,butitsometimessucceedsandsometimesfails.SoIwillteachyouthenoblepurgativethatalwayssucceedsandneverfails,apurgativewherebybeingssubjecttobirtharefreedfrombirth;beingssubjecttoagingarefreedfromaging;beingssubjecttodeatharefreedfromdeath;beingssubjecttosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress&despairarefreedfromsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress&despair.Listen&paycloseattention.Iwillspeak.”

“Asyousay,lord,”themonksresponded.TheBlessedOnesaid:“Now,whatisthenoblepurgativethat

alwayssucceedsandneverfails,apurgativewherebybeingssubject

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tobirtharefreedfrombirth;beingssubjecttoagingarefreedfromaging;beingssubjecttodeatharefreedfromdeath;beingssubjecttosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress&despairarefreedfromsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress&despair?

“Inonewhohasrightview,wrongviewispurgedaway,andthemanyevil,unskillfulmentalqualitiesthatcomeintoplayindependenceonwrongviewarepurgedawayaswell,whilethemanyskillfulmentalqualitiesthatdependonrightviewgototheculminationoftheirdevelopment.

“Inonewhohasrightresolve,wrongresolveispurgedaway....“Inonewhohasrightspeech,wrongspeechispurgedaway....“Inonewhohasrightaction,wrongactionispurgedaway....“Inonewhohasrightlivelihood,wronglivelihoodispurgedaway

....“Inonewhohasrighteffort,wrongeffortispurgedaway....“Inonewhohasrightmindfulness,wrongmindfulnessispurged

away....“Inonewhohasrightconcentration,wrongconcentrationis

purgedaway....“Inonewhohasrightknowledge,wrongknowledgeispurged

away....“Inonewhohasrightrelease,wrongreleaseispurgedaway,and

themanyevil,unskillfulmentalqualitiesthatcomeintoplayindependenceonwrongreleasearepurgedawayaswell,whilethemanyskillfulmentalqualitiesthatdependonrightreleasegototheculminationoftheirdevelopment.

“This,monks,isthenoblepurgativethatalwayssucceedsandneverfails,apurgativewherebybeingssubjecttobirtharefreedfrombirth;beingssubjecttoagingarefreedfromaging;beingssubjecttodeatharefreedfromdeath;beingssubjecttosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress&despairarefreedfromsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress&despair.”

—AN10:108

§6.“Therearethesethreetypesofsickpeopletobefoundexistingintheworld.Whichthree?

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“Thereisthecaseofthesickpersonwho—regardlessofwhetherhedoesordoesn’treceiveamenablefood,regardlessofwhetherhedoesordoesn’treceiveamenablemedicine,regardlessofwhetherhedoesordoesn’treceivepropernursing—willnotrecoverfromthatillness.Thereisthecaseofthesickpersonwho—regardlessofwhetherhedoesordoesn’treceiveamenablefood,regardlessofwhetherhedoesordoesn’treceiveamenablemedicine,regardlessofwhetherhedoesordoesn’treceivepropernursing—willrecoverfromthatillness.Thereisthecaseofthesickpersonwhowillrecoverfromthatillnessifhereceivesamenablefood,amenablemedicine,&propernursing,butnotifhedoesn’t.

“Now,itisbecauseofthesickpersonwhowillrecoverfromthatillnessifhereceivesamenablefood,amenablemedicine,&propernursing—butnotifhedoesn’t—thatfoodforthesickhasbeenallowed,medicineforthesickhasbeenallowed,nursingforthesickhasbeenallowed.Anditisbecausethereisthissortofsickpersonthattheothersortsofsickpersonsaretobenursedaswell[onthechancethattheymayactuallyturnouttoneedandbenefitfromsuchnursing].

“Thesearethethreetypesofsickpeopletobefoundexistingintheworld.

“Inthesameway,thesethreetypesofpeople,likethethreetypesofsickpeople,aretobefoundexistingintheworld.Whichthree?

“Thereisthecaseofthepersonwho—regardlessofwhetherhedoesordoesn’tgettoseetheTathagata,regardlessofwhetherhedoesordoesn’tgettoheartheDhamma&VinayaproclaimedbytheTathagata—willnotalightonthelawfulness,therightnessofskillfulmentalqualities.Thereisthecaseofthepersonwho—regardlessofwhetherhedoesordoesn’tgettoseetheTathagata,regardlessofwhetherhedoesordoesn’tgettoheartheDhamma&VinayaproclaimedbytheTathagata—willalightonthelawfulness,therightnessofskillfulmentalqualities.Thereisthecaseofthepersonwhowillalightonthelawfulness,therightnessofskillfulmentalqualitiesifhegetstoseetheTathagataandgetstoheartheDhamma&VinayaproclaimedbytheTathagata,butnotifhedoesn’t.

“Now,itisbecauseofthepersonwhowillalightonthelawfulness,therightnessofskillfulmentalqualitiesifhegetstoseetheTathagataandgetstoheartheDhamma&Vinayaproclaimedby

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theTathagata—butnotifhedoesn’t—thattheteachingoftheDhammahasbeenallowed.AnditisbecausethereisthissortofpersonthattheothersortsofpersonsaretobetaughttheDhammaaswell[onthechancethattheymayactuallyturnouttoneedandbenefitfromtheteaching].

“Thesearethethreetypesofpeople,likethethreetypesofsickpeople,tobefoundexistingintheworld.”

—AN3:22

§7.ThenatthatmomenttheBlessedOneexclaimed,

“Freedomfromdisease:theforemostgoodfortune.Unbinding:theforemostease.Theeightfold:theforemostofpaths

goingtotheDeathless,secure.’

Whenthiswassaid,MagandiyathewanderersaidtotheBlessedOne,“It’samazing,masterGotama.It’sastounding,howthis,too,iswell-statedbymasterGotama:‘Freedomfromdisease:theforemostgoodfortune.Unbinding:theforemostease.’Wehavealsoheardthissaidbyearlierwanderersinthelineageofourteachers:‘Freedomfromdisease:theforemostgoodfortune.Unbinding:theforemostease.’Thisagreeswiththat.”

“Butasforwhatyouhaveheardsaidbyearlierwanderersinthelineageofyourteachers,Magandiya—‘Freedomfromdisease:theforemostgoodfortune.Unbinding:theforemostease’—whichfreedomfromdiseaseisthat,whichunbinding?”

Whenthiswassaid,Magandiyathewandererrubbedhisownlimbswithhishand.“Thisisthatfreedomfromdisease,masterGotama,”hesaid.“Thisisthatunbinding.ForIamnowfreefromdisease,happy,andnothingafflictsme.”

“Magandiya,it’sjustasiftherewereamanblindfrombirthwhocouldn’tseeblackobjects...white...blue...yellow...red...orpinkobjects;whocouldn’tseeevenorunevenplaces,thestars,thesun,orthemoon.Hewouldhearamanwithgoodeyesightsaying,‘Howwonderful,goodsirs,isawhitecloth—beautiful,clean,&spotless.’

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Hewouldgoinsearchofsomethingwhite.Thenanothermanwouldfoolhimwithagrimy,oil-stainedrag:‘Here,mygoodman,isawhitecloth—beautiful,clean,&spotless.’Theblindmanwouldtakeitandputiton.Havingputiton,gratified,hewouldexclaimwordsofgratification,‘Howwonderful,goodsirs,isawhitecloth—beautiful,clean,&spotless.’Nowwhatdoyouthink,Magandiya?Whenthatmanblindfrombirthtookthegrimy,oil-stainedragandputiton;and,havingputiton,gratified,exclaimedwordsofgratification,‘Howwonderful,goodsirs,isawhitecloth—beautiful,clean,&spotless’:Didhedosoknowing&seeing,oroutoffaithinthemanwithgoodeyesight?”

“Ofcoursehediditnotknowing&notseeing,masterGotama,butoutoffaithinthemanwithgoodeyesight.”

“Inthesameway,Magandiya,thewanderersofothersectsareblind&eyeless.Withoutknowingfreedomfromdisease,withoutseeingunbinding,theystillspeakthisverse:

‘Freedomfromdisease:theforemostgoodfortune.Unbinding:theforemostease.’

Thisversewasstatedbyearlierworthyones,fullyself-awakened:

“Freedomfromdisease:theforemostgoodfortune.Unbinding:theforemostease.Theeightfold:theforemostofpaths

goingtotheDeathless,secure.’

“Butnowithasgraduallybecomeaverseofrun-of-the-millpeople.

“Thisbody,Magandiya,isadisease,acancer,anarrow,painful,anaffliction.Andyetyousay,withreferencetothisbody,whichisadisease,acancer,anarrow,painful,anaffliction:‘Thisisthatfreedomfromdisease,masterGotama.Thisisthatunbinding,’foryoudon’thavethenoblevisionwithwhichyouwouldknowfreedomfromdiseaseandseeunbinding.”

“IfhaveconfidenceinmasterGotamathatyoucanteachmetheDhammainsuchawaythatIwouldknowfreedomfromdisease,that

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Iwouldseeunbinding.”“Magandiya,it’sjustasiftherewereamanblindfrombirthwho

couldn’tseeblackobjects...white...blue...yellow...red...thesunorthemoon.Hisfriends,companions,&relativeswouldtakehimtoadoctor,andthedoctorwouldconcoctmedicineforhim,butinspiteofthemedicinehiseyesightwouldnotappearorgrowclear.Whatdoyouthink,Magandiya?Wouldthatdoctorhavenothingbuthisshareofweariness&disappointment?”

“Yes,masterGotama.”“Inthesameway,Magandiya,ifIweretoteachyoutheDhamma

—‘Thisisthatfreedomfromdisease;thisisthatunbinding’—andyouonyourpartdidnotknowfreedomfromdiseaseorseeunbinding,thatwouldbewearisomeforme;thatwouldbetroublesomeforme.”

“IfhaveconfidenceinmasterGotamathatyoucanteachmetheDhammainsuchawaythatIwouldknowfreedomfromdisease,thatIwouldseeunbinding.”

“Magandiya,it’sjustasiftherewereamanblindfrombirthwhocouldn’tseeblackobjects...white...blue...yellow...red...thesunorthemoon.Nowsupposethatacertainmanweretotakeagrimy,oil-stainedragandfoolhim,saying,‘Here,mygoodman,isawhitecloth—beautiful,clean,&spotless.’Theblindmanwouldtakeitandputiton.

“Thenhisfriends,companions,&relativeswouldtakehimtoadoctor,andthedoctorwouldconcoctmedicineforhim:purgesfromabove&purgesfrombelow,ointments&counter-ointmentsandtreatmentsthroughthenose.Andthankstothemedicinehiseyesightwouldappear&growclear.Thentogetherwiththearisingofhiseyesight,hewouldabandonwhateverpassion&delighthefeltforthatgrimy,oil-stainedrag.Andhewouldregardthatmanasanenemy&nofriendatall,andthinkthathedeservedtobekilled.‘Mygosh,howlonghaveIbeenfooled,cheated,&deceivedbythatman&hisoil-stainedrag!—“Here,mygoodman,isawhitecloth—beautiful,clean,&spotless.”’

“Inthesameway,Magandiya,ifIweretoteachyoutheDhamma—‘Thisisthatfreedomfromdisease;thisisthatunbinding’—andyouonyourpartweretoknowthatfreedomfromdiseaseandseethatunbinding,thentogetherwiththearisingofyoureyesightyouwould

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abandonwhateverpassion&delightyoufeltwithregardforthefiveclinging-aggregates.Anditwouldoccurtoyou,‘Mygosh,howlonghaveIbeenfooled,cheated,&deceivedbythismind!Forinclinging,itwasjustformthatIwasclingingto...itwasjustfeeling...justperception...justfabrications...justconsciousnessthatIwasclingingto.Withmyclingingasarequisitecondition,therearisesbecoming...birth...aging&death...sorrow,lamentation,pains,distresses,&despairs.Andthusistheoriginationofthisentiremassofstress.’”

“IfhaveconfidenceinmasterGotamathatyoucanteachmetheDhammainsuchawaythatImightriseupfromthisseatcuredofmyblindness.”

“Inthatcase,Magandiya,associatewithmenofintegrity.Whenyouassociatewithmenofintegrity,youwillhearthetrueDhamma.WhenyouhearthetrueDhamma,youwillpracticetheDhammainaccordancewiththeDhamma.WhenyoupracticetheDhammainaccordancewiththeDhamma,youwillknow&seeforyourself:‘Thesethingsarediseases,cancers,arrows.Andhereiswherediseases,cancers,&arrowsceasewithouttrace.Withthecessationofmyclingingcomesthecessationofbecoming.Withthecessationofbecomingcomesthecessationofbirth.Withthecessationofbirththenaging&death,sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairallcease.Suchisthecessationofthisentiremassofsuffering&stress.”

—MN75

§8.“Supposethatamanwerewoundedwithanarrowthicklysmearedwithpoison.Hisfriends&companions,kinsmen&relativeswouldprovidehimwithasurgeon.Thesurgeonwouldcutaroundtheopeningofthewoundwithaknifeandthenwouldprobeforthearrowwithaprobe.Hethenwouldpulloutthearrowandextractthepoison,leavingnoresiduebehind.Knowingthatnoresiduewasleftbehind,hewouldsay,‘Mygoodman,yourarrowhasbeenpulledout.Thepoisonhasbeenextracted,withnoresidueleftbehind,soitisnotenoughtodoyouharm.Eatsuitablefood.Don’teatunsuitablefood,orelsethewoundwillfester.Washthewoundfrequently,smearitwithanointmentfrequently,sothatblood&pusdon’tfilltheopeningofthewound.Don’twalkaroundinthewind&sun,orelsedust&dirtmaycontaminatetheopeningofthewound.Keeplooking

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afterthewound,mygoodman,andworkforitshealing.’“Thethoughtwouldoccurtotheman:‘Myarrowhasbeenpulled

out.Thepoisonhasbeenextractedwithnoresidueleftbehind,soitisnotenoughtodomeharm.’Hewouldeatsuitablefood,sothewoundwouldn’tfester.Hewouldwashthewoundandsmearitwithanointmentfrequently,soblood&puswouldn’tfilltheopeningofthewound.Hewouldnotwalkaroundinthewind&sun,sodust&dirtwouldn’tcontaminatetheopeningofthewound.Hewouldkeeplookingafterthewoundandwouldworkforitshealing.Now,bothbecauseofthesesuitableactionsofhisandbecauseoftherebeingnoresidueofthepoisonleftbehind,thewoundwouldheal.Withthehealingofthewoundanditsbeingcoveredwithskin,hewouldn’tincurdeathordeath-likesuffering.

“Inthesameway,there’sthepossiblecasewhereacertainmonkthinks,‘CravingissaidbytheContemplativetobeanarrow.Thepoisonofignorancespreadsitstoxinthroughdesire,passion,&illwill.Ihaveabandonedthearrow.Ihaveexpelledthepoisonofignorance.Iamrightlyintentonunbinding.’Becauseheisrightlyintentonunbinding,hewouldn’tpursuethosethingsthatareunsuitableforapersonrightlyintentonunbinding.Hewouldn’tpursueunsuitableforms&sightswiththeeye.Hewouldn’tpursueunsuitablesoundswiththeear...unsuitablearomaswiththenose...unsuitableflavorswiththetongue...unsuitabletactilesensationswiththebody.Hewouldn’tpursueunsuitableideaswiththeintellect.Whenhedoesn’tpursueunsuitableforms&sightswiththeeye...doesn’tpursueunsuitableideaswiththeintellect,lustdoesn’tinvadethemind.Withhismindnotinvadedbylust,hedoesn’tincurdeathordeath-likesuffering.

“Ihavegiventhissimiletoconveyameaning.Themeaningisthis:thewoundstandsforthesixinternalsensespheres;thepoison,forignorance;thearrow,forcraving;theprobe,formindfulness;theknife,fornoblediscernment;thesurgeon,fortheTathagata,worthy&rightlyself-awakened.”

—MN105

§9.Then,whenitwasevening,Ven.MalunkyaputtaarosefromseclusionandwenttotheBlessedOne.Onarrival,havingboweddown,hesattooneside.Ashewassittingtherehesaidtothe

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BlessedOne,“Lord,justnow,asIwasaloneinseclusion,thistrainofthoughtaroseinmyawareness:‘Thesepositionsthatareundisclosed,setaside,discardedbytheBlessedOne—‘Thecosmosiseternal,’‘Thecosmosisnoteternal,’‘Thecosmosisfinite,’‘Thecosmosisinfinite,’‘Thesoul&thebodyarethesame,’‘Thesoulisonethingandthebodyanother,’‘AfterdeathaTathagataexists,’‘AfterdeathaTathagatadoesnotexist,’‘AfterdeathaTathagatabothexists&doesnotexist,’‘AfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist’—Idon’tapprove,Idon’tacceptthattheBlessedOnehasnotdisclosedthemtome.I’llgoasktheBlessedOneaboutthismatter.Ifhedisclosestomethat“Thecosmosiseternal,”...orthat“AfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist,”thenIwilllivetheholylifeunderhim.Ifhedoesn’tdisclosetomethat“Thecosmosiseternal,”...orthat“AfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist,”thenIwillrenouncethetrainingandreturntothelowerlife.’

“Lord,iftheBlessedOneknowsthat‘Thecosmosiseternal,’thenmayhedisclosetomethat‘Thecosmosiseternal.’Ifheknowsthat‘Thecosmosisnoteternal,’thenmayhedisclosetomethat‘Thecosmosisnoteternal.’Butifhedoesn’tknoworseewhetherthecosmosiseternalornoteternal,then,inonewhoisunknowing&unseeing,thestraightforwardthingsistoadmit,‘Idon’tknow.Idon’tsee.’....Ifhedoesn’tknoworseewhetherafterdeathaTathagataexists...doesnotexist...bothexists&doesnotexist...neitherexistsnordoesnotexist,’then,inonewhoisunknowing&unseeing,thestraightforwardthingsistoadmit,‘Idon’tknow.Idon’tsee.’”

“Malunkyaputta,didIeversaytoyou,‘Come,Malunkyaputta,livetheholylifeunderme,andIwilldisclosetoyouthat‘Thecosmosiseternal,’or‘Thecosmosisnoteternal,’or‘Thecosmosisfinite,’or‘Thecosmosisinfinite,’or‘Thesoul&thebodyarethesame,’or‘Thesoulisonethingandthebodyanother,’or‘AfterdeathaTathagataexists,’or‘AfterdeathaTathagatadoesnotexist,’or‘AfterdeathaTathagatabothexists&doesnotexist,’or‘AfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist’?”

“No,lord.”“Anddidyoueversaytome,‘Lord,Iwilllivetheholylifeunder

theBlessedOneand[inreturn]hewilldisclosetomethat‘Thecosmosiseternal,’or‘Thecosmosisnoteternal,’or‘Thecosmosis

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finite,’or‘Thecosmosisinfinite,’or‘Thesoul&thebodyarethesame,’or‘Thesoulisonethingandthebodyanother,’or‘AfterdeathaTathagataexists,’or‘AfterdeathaTathagatadoesnotexist,’or‘AfterdeathaTathagatabothexists&doesnotexist,’or‘AfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist’?”

“No,lord.”“Thenthatbeingthecase,foolishman,whoareyoutobe

claiminggrievances/makingdemandsofanyone?“Malunkyaputta,ifanyoneweretosay,‘Iwon’tlivetheholylife

undertheBlessedOneaslongashedoesn’tdisclosetomethat“Thecosmosiseternal,”...orthat“AfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist,”’themanwoulddieandthosethingswouldstillremainundisclosedbytheTathagata.

“It’sjustasifamanwerewoundedwithanarrowthicklysmearedwithpoison.Hisfriends&companions,kinsmen&relativeswouldprovidehimwithasurgeon,andthemanwouldsay,‘Iwon’thavethisarrowremoveduntilIknowwhetherthemanwhowoundedmewasanoblewarrior,abrahman,amerchant,oraworker.’Hewouldsay,‘Iwon’thavethisarrowremoveduntilIknowthegivenname&clannameofthemanwhowoundedme...untilIknowwhetherhewastall,medium,orshort...untilIknowwhetherhewasdark,ruddy-brown,orgolden-colored...untilIknowhishomevillage,town,orcity...untilIknowwhetherthebowwithwhichIwaswoundedwasalongboworacrossbow...untilIknowwhetherthebowstringwithwhichIwaswoundedwasfiber,bamboothreads,sinew,hemp,orbark...untilIknowwhethertheshaftwithwhichIwaswoundedwaswildorcultivated...untilIknowwhetherthefeathersoftheshaftwithwhichIwaswoundedwerethoseofavulture,astork,ahawk,apeacock,oranotherbird...untilIknowwhethertheshaftwithwhichIwaswoundedwasboundwiththesinewofanox,awaterbuffalo,alangur,oramonkey.’Hewouldsay,‘Iwon’thavethisarrowremoveduntilIknowwhethertheshaftwithwhichIwaswoundedwasthatofacommonarrow,acurvedarrow,abarbed,acalf-toothed,oranoleanderarrow.’Themanwoulddieandthosethingswouldstillremainunknowntohim.

“Inthesameway,ifanyoneweretosay,‘Iwon’tlivetheholylifeundertheBlessedOneaslongashedoesn’tdisclosetomethat“Thecosmosiseternal,”...orthat“AfterdeathaTathagataneitherexists

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nordoesnotexist,”’themanwoulddieandthosethingswouldstillremainundisclosedbytheTathagata.

“Malunkyaputta,it’snotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,‘Thecosmosiseternal,’thereisthelivingoftheholylife.Andit’snotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,‘Thecosmosisnoteternal,’thereisthelivingoftheholylife.Whenthereistheview,‘Thecosmosiseternal,’andwhenthereistheview,‘Thecosmosisnoteternal,’thereisstillthebirth,thereistheaging,thereisthedeath,thereisthesorrow,lamentation,pain,despair,&distresswhosedestructionImakeknownrightinthehere&now.

“It’snotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,‘Thecosmosisfinite,’thereisthelivingoftheholylife.Andit’snotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,‘Thecosmosisinfinite,’thereisthelivingoftheholylife.Whenthereistheview,‘Thecosmosisfinite,’andwhenthereistheview,‘Thecosmosisinfinite,’thereisstillthebirth,thereistheaging,thereisthedeath,thereisthesorrow,lamentation,pain,despair,&distresswhosedestructionImakeknownrightinthehere&now.

“It’snotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,‘Thesoul&thebodyarethesame,’thereisthelivingoftheholylife.Andit’snotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,‘Thesoulisonethingandthebodyanother,’thereisthelivingoftheholylife.Whenthereistheview,‘Thesoul&thebodyarethesame,’andwhenthereistheview,‘Thesoulisonethingandthebodyanother,’thereisstillthebirth,thereistheaging,thereisthedeath,thereisthesorrow,lamentation,pain,despair,&distresswhosedestructionImakeknownrightinthehere&now.

“It’snotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,‘AfterdeathaTathagataexists,’thereisthelivingoftheholylife.Andit’snotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,‘AfterdeathaTathagatadoesnotexist,’thereisthelivingoftheholylife.Andit’snotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,‘AfterdeathaTathagatabothexists&doesnotexist,’thereisthelivingoftheholylife.Andit’snotthecasethatwhenthereistheview,‘AfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist’thereisthelivingoftheholylife.Whenthereistheview,‘AfterdeathaTathagataexists’...‘AfterdeathaTathagatadoesnotexist’...‘AfterdeathaTathagatabothexists&doesnotexist’...‘AfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist,’thereis

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stillthebirth,thereistheaging,thereisthedeath,thereisthesorrow,lamentation,pain,despair,&distresswhosedestructionImakeknownrightinthehere&now.

“So,Malunkyaputta,rememberwhatisundisclosedbymeasundisclosed,andwhatisdisclosedbymeasdisclosed.Andwhatisundisclosedbyme?‘Thecosmosiseternal,’isundisclosedbyme.‘Thecosmosisnoteternal,’isundisclosedbyme.‘Thecosmosisfinite’...‘Thecosmosisinfinite’...‘Thesoul&thebodyarethesame’...‘Thesoulisonethingandthebodyanother’...‘AfterdeathaTathagataexists’...‘AfterdeathaTathagatadoesnotexist’...‘AfterdeathaTathagatabothexists&doesnotexist’...‘AfterdeathaTathagataneitherexistsnordoesnotexist,’isundisclosedbyme.

“Andwhyaretheyundisclosedbyme?Becausetheyarenotconnectedwiththegoal,arenotfundamentaltotheholylife.Theydonotleadtodisenchantment,dispassion,cessation,calming,directknowledge,self-awakening,unbinding.That’swhytheyareundisclosedbyme.

“Andwhatisdisclosedbyme?‘Thisisstress,’isdisclosedbyme.‘Thisistheoriginationofstress,’isdisclosedbyme.‘Thisisthecessationofstress,’isdisclosedbyme.‘Thisisthepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstress,’isdisclosedbyme.Andwhyaretheydisclosedbyme?Becausetheyareconnectedwiththegoal,arefundamentaltotheholylife.Theyleadtodisenchantment,dispassion,cessation,calming,directknowledge,self-awakening,unbinding.That’swhytheyaredisclosedbyme.

“So,Malunkyaputta,rememberwhatisundisclosedbymeasundisclosed,andwhatisdisclosedbymeasdisclosed.”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,Ven.MalunkyaputtadelightedintheBlessedOne’swords.

—MN63

ForacomparisonwithancientIndianmedicaltheory:

FromtheCarakaSaṁhitā,9.19:“Thebestphysician,onefittotreataking,ishewhoseknowledgeisfourfold:thecause[hetu],symptom[liṅga],cure[praśamana],andnon-recurrence[apunarbhava]ofdiseases.”

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TheDoctor’sDiagnosis

§10.OnoneoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthi,inJeta’sGrove,Anathapindika’smonastery.ThenRohitassa,thesonofadeva,inthefarextremeofthenight,hisextremeradiancelightinguptheentiretyofJeta’sGrove,wenttotheBlessedOne.Onarrival,havingboweddowntotheBlessedOne,hestoodtooneside.AshewasstandingtherehesaidtotheBlessedOne:“Isitpossible,lord,bytraveling,toknoworseeorreachafarendofthecosmoswhereonedoesn’ttakebirth,age,die,passawayorreappear?”

“Itellyou,friend,thatit’snotpossiblebytravelingtoknoworseeorreachafarendofthecosmoswhereonedoesn’ttakebirth,age,die,passaway,orreappear.”

“Itisamazing,lord,andastounding,howwellthathasbeensaidbytheBlessedOne:‘Itellyou,friend,thatit’snotpossiblebytravelingtoknoworseeorreachafarendofthecosmoswhereonedoesn’ttakebirth,age,die,passaway,orreappear.’OnceIwasaseernamedRohitassa,astudentofBhoja,apowerfulsky-walker.Myspeedwasasfastasthatofastrongarcher—well-trained,apracticedhand,apracticedsharp-shooter—shootingalightarrowacrosstheshadowofapalmtree.Mystridestretchedasfarastheeastseaisfromthewest.Tome,endowedwithsuchspeed,suchastride,therecamethedesire:‘Iwillgotravelingtotheendofthecosmos.’I—withaone-hundredyearlife,aone-hundredyearspan—spentonehundredyearstravelling—apartfromthetimespentoneating,drinking,chewing&tasting,urinating&defecating,andsleepingtofightoffweariness—butwithoutreachingtheendofthecosmosIdiedalongtheway.Soitisamazing,lord,andastounding,howwellthathasbeensaidbytheBlessedOne:‘Itellyou,friend,thatitisnotpossiblebytravelingtoknoworseeorreachafarendofthecosmoswhereonedoesn’ttakebirth,age,die,passaway,orreappear.’”

[Whenthiswassaid,theBlessedOneresponded:]“Itellyou,friend,thatitisnotpossiblebytravelingtoknoworseeorreachafarendofthecosmoswhereonedoesn’ttakebirth,age,die,passaway,

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orreappear.Butatthesametime,Itellyouthatthereisnomakinganendofsuffering&stresswithoutreachingtheendofthecosmos.Yetitisjustwithinthisfathom-longbody,withitsperception&intellect,thatIdeclarethatthereisthecosmos,theoriginationofthecosmos,thecessationofthecosmos,andthepathofpracticeleadingtothecessationofthecosmos.”

It’snottobereachedbytraveling,theendofthecosmos—

regardless.Andit’snotwithoutreaching

theendofthecosmosthatthereisreleasefromsuffering&stress.

So,truly,thewiseone,anexpertwithregardtothecosmos,aknoweroftheendofthecosmos,havingfulfilledtheholylife,

calmed,knowingthecosmos’end,

doesn’tlongforthiscosmosoranyother.

—AN4:45

§11.IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingatVaranasiintheGameRefugeatIsipatana.Thereheaddressedthegroupoffivemonks:

“Therearethesetwoextremesthatarenottobeindulgedinbyonewhohasgoneforth.Whichtwo?Thatwhichisdevotedtosensualpleasurewithreferencetosensualobjects:base,vulgar,common,ignoble,unprofitable;andthatwhichisdevotedtoself-affliction:painful,ignoble,unprofitable.Avoidingbothoftheseextremes,themiddlewayrealizedbytheTathagata—producingvision,producingknowledge—leadstocalm,todirectknowledge,toself-awakening,tounbinding.

“AndwhatisthemiddlewayrealizedbytheTathagatathat—producingvision,producingknowledge—leadstocalm,todirect

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knowledge,toself-awakening,tounbinding?Preciselythisnobleeightfoldpath:rightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration.ThisisthemiddlewayrealizedbytheTathagatathat—producingvision,producingknowledge—leadstocalm,todirectknowledge,toself-awakening,tounbinding.

“Nowthis,monks,isthenobletruthofstress:Birthisstressful,agingisstressful,deathisstressful;sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarestressful;associationwiththeunbelovedisstressful,separationfromthelovedisstressful,notgettingwhatiswantedisstressful.Inshort,thefiveclinging-aggregatesarestressful.

“Andthis,monks,isthenobletruthoftheoriginationofstress:thecravingthatmakesforfurtherbecoming—accompaniedbypassion&delight,relishingnowhere&nowthere—i.e.,cravingforsensualpleasure,cravingforbecoming,cravingfornon-becoming.

“Andthis,monks,isthenobletruthofthecessationofstress:theremainderlessfading&cessation,renunciation,relinquishment,release,&lettinggoofthatverycraving.

“Andthis,monks,isthenobletruthofthewayofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstress:preciselythisnobleeightfoldpath—rightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration.

“Visionarose,insightarose,discernmentarose,knowledgearose,illuminationarosewithinmewithregardtothingsneverheardbefore:‘Thisisthenobletruthofstress’...‘Thisnobletruthofstressistobecomprehended’...‘Thisnobletruthofstresshasbeencomprehended.’

“Visionarose,insightarose,discernmentarose,knowledgearose,illuminationarosewithinmewithregardtothingsneverheardbefore:‘Thisisthenobletruthoftheoriginationofstress’...‘Thisnobletruthoftheoriginationofstressistobeabandoned’...‘Thisnobletruthoftheoriginationofstresshasbeenabandoned.’

“Visionarose,insightarose,discernmentarose,knowledgearose,illuminationarosewithinmewithregardtothingsneverheardbefore:‘Thisisthenobletruthofthecessationofstress’...‘Thisnobletruthofthecessationofstressistobedirectlyexperienced’...‘Thisnobletruthofthecessationofstresshasbeendirectly

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experienced.’“Visionarose,insightarose,discernmentarose,knowledgearose,

illuminationarosewithinmewithregardtothingsneverheardbefore:‘Thisisthenobletruthofthewayofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstress’...‘Thisnobletruthofthewayofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstressistobedeveloped’...‘Thisnobletruthofthewayofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstresshasbeendeveloped.’

“And,monks,aslongasthis—mythree-round,twelvepermutationknowledge&visionconcerningthesefournobletruthsastheyhavecometobe—wasnotpure,Ididnotclaimtohavedirectlyawakenedtotherightself-awakeningunexcelledinthecosmoswithitsdeities,Maras,&Brahmas,withitscontemplatives&brahmans,itsroyalty&commonfolk.Butassoonasthis—mythree-round,twelvepermutationknowledge&visionconcerningthesefournobletruthsastheyhavecometobe—wastrulypure,thenIdidclaimtohavedirectlyawakenedtotherightself-awakeningunexcelledinthecosmoswithitsdeities,Maras&Brahmas,withitscontemplatives&brahmans,itsroyalty&commonfolk.Knowledge&visionaroseinme:‘Unprovokedismyrelease.Thisisthelastbirth.Thereisnownofurtherbecoming.’”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,thegroupoffivemonksdelightedathiswords.Andwhilethisexplanationwasbeinggiven,therearosetoVen.Kondaññathedustless,stainlessDhammaeye:Whateverissubjecttooriginationisallsubjecttocessation.

—SN56:11

§12.“Nowwhatisthenobletruthofstress?Birthisstress,agingisstress,deathisstressful;sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarestress;associationwiththeunbelovedisstress;separationfromthelovedisstress;notgettingwhatiswantedisstress.notgettingwhatiswantedisstress.Inshort,thefiveclinging-aggregatesarestressful.

“Andwhatisbirth?Whateverbirth,takingbirth,descent,coming-to-be,coming-forth,appearanceofaggregates,&acquisitionof[sense]spheresofthevariousbeingsinthisorthatgroupofbeings,thatiscalledbirth.

“Andwhatisaging?Whateveraging,decrepitude,brokenness,

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graying,wrinkling,declineoflife-force,weakeningofthefacultiesofthevariousbeingsinthisorthatgroupofbeings,thatiscalledaging.

“Andwhatisdeath?Whateverdeceasing,passingaway,breakingup,disappearance,dying,death,completionoftime,breakupoftheaggregates,castingoffofthebody,interruptioninthelifefacultyofthevariousbeingsinthisorthatgroupofbeings,thatiscalleddeath.

“Andwhatissorrow?Whateversorrow,sorrowing,sadness,inwardsorrow,inwardsadnessofanyonesufferingfrommisfortune,touchedbyapainfulthing,thatiscalledsorrow.

“Andwhatislamentation?Whatevercrying,grieving,lamenting,weeping,wailing,lamentationofanyonesufferingfrommisfortune,touchedbyapainfulthing,thatiscalledlamentation.

“Andwhatispain?Whateverisexperiencedasbodilypain,bodilydiscomfort,painordiscomfortbornofbodilycontact,thatiscalledpain.

“Andwhatisdistress?Whateverisexperiencedasmentalpain,mentaldiscomfort,painordiscomfortbornofmentalcontact,thatiscalleddistress.

“Andwhatisdespair?Whateverdespair,despondency,desperationofanyonesufferingfrommisfortune,touchedbyapainfulthing,thatiscalleddespair.

“Andwhatisthestressofassociationwiththeunbeloved?Thereisthecasewhereundesirable,unpleasing,unattractivesights,sounds,aromas,flavors,ortactilesensationsoccurtoone;oronehasconnection,contact,relationship,interactionwiththosewhowishoneill,whowishforone’sharm,whowishforone’sdiscomfort,whowishonenosecurityfromtheyoke.Thisiscalledthestressofassociationwiththeunbeloved.

“Andwhatisthestressofseparationfromtheloved?Thereisthecasewheredesirable,pleasing,attractivesights,sounds,aromas,flavors,ortactilesensationsdonotoccurtoone;oronehasnoconnection,nocontact,norelationship,nointeractionwiththosewhowishonewell,whowishforone’sbenefit,whowishforone’scomfort,whowishonesecurityfromtheyoke,norwithone’smother,father,brother,sister,friends,companions,orrelatives.Thisiscalledthestressofseparationfromtheloved.

“Andwhatisthestressofnotgettingwhatiswanted?Inbeings

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subjecttobirth,thewisharises,‘O,maywenotbesubjecttobirth,andmaybirthnotcometous.’Butthisisnotbeachievedbywishing.Thisisthestressofnotgettingwhatonewants.Inbeingssubjecttoaging...illness...death...sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despair,thewisharises,‘O,maywenotbesubjecttoaging...illness...death...sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despair,andmayaging...illness...death...sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairnotcometous.’Butthisisnotbeachievedbywishing.Thisisthestressofnotgettingwhatiswanted.

“Andwhatarethefiveclinging-aggregatesthat,inshort,arestress?Theformclinging-aggregate,thefeelingclinging-aggregate,theperceptionclinging-aggregate,thefabricationsclinging-aggregate,theconsciousnessclinging-aggregate:Thesearecalledthefiveclinging-aggregatesthat,inshort,arestress.

“Thisiscalledthenobletruthofstress.”—DN22

§13.TheBlessedOnesaid,“Monks,Iwillteachyouthefiveaggregates&thefiveclinging-aggregates.Listen&paycloseattention.Iwillspeak.”

“Asyousay,lord,”themonksresponded.TheBlessedOnesaid,“Nowwhat,monks,arethefive

aggregates?“Whateverformispast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;

blatantorsubtle,commonorsublime,farornear:Thatiscalledtheformaggregate.

“Whateverfeelingispast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantorsubtle,commonorsublime,farornear:Thatiscalledthefeelingaggregate.

“Whateverperceptionispast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantorsubtle,commonorsublime,farornear:Thatiscalledtheperceptionaggregate.

“Whatever(mental)fabricationsarepast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantorsubtle,commonorsublime,farornear:Thosearecalledthefabricationaggregate.

“Whateverconsciousnessispast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantorsubtle,commonorsublime,farornear:Thatis

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calledtheconsciousnessaggregate.

“Thesearecalledthefiveaggregates.“Andwhatarethefiveclinging-aggregates?“Whateverform—past,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;

blatantorsubtle,commonorsublime,farornear—isclingable,offerssustenance,andisaccompaniedwithmentalfermentation:Thatiscalledtheformclinging-aggregate.

“Whateverfeeling—past,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantorsubtle,commonorsublime,farornear—isclingable,offerssustenance,andisaccompaniedwithmentalfermentation:Thatiscalledthefeelingclinging-aggregate.

“Whateverperception—past,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantorsubtle,commonorsublime,farornear—isclingable,offerssustenance,andisaccompaniedwithmentalfermentation:Thatiscalledtheperceptionclinging-aggregate.

“Whatever(mental)fabrications—past,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantorsubtle,commonorsublime,farornear—areclingable,offersustenance,andareaccompaniedwithmentalfermentation:Thosearecalledthefabricationsclinging-aggregate.

“Whateverconsciousness—past,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantorsubtle,commonorsublime,farornear—isclingable,offerssustenance,andisaccompaniedwithmentalfermentation:Thatiscalledtheconsciousnessclinging-aggregate.

“Thesearecalledthefiveclinging-aggregates.”—SN22:48

§14.Ashewassittingthere,Ven.KotthitasaidtoVen.Sariputta,“Sariputtamyfriend,whichthingsshouldavirtuousmonkattendtoinanappropriateway?”

“Avirtuousmonk,Kotthitamyfriend,shouldattendinanappropriatewaytothefiveclinging-aggregatesasinconstant,stressful,adisease,acancer,anarrow,painful,anaffliction,alien,adissolution,anemptiness,not-self.Whichfive?Theformclinging-aggregate,thefeeling...perception...fabrications...consciousnessclinging-aggregate.Avirtuousmonkshouldattendinanappropriatewaytothesefiveclinging-aggregatesasinconstant,stressful,a

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disease,acancer,anarrow,painful,anaffliction,alien,adissolution,anemptiness,not-self.Foritispossiblethatavirtuousmonk,attendinginanappropriatewaytothesefiveclinging-aggregatesasinconstant...not-self,wouldrealizethefruitofstream-entry.”

“Thenwhichthingsshouldamonkwhohasattainedstream-entryattendtoinanappropriateway?”

“Amonkwhohasattainedstream-entryshouldattendinanappropriatewaytothesefiveclinging-aggregatesasinconstant,stressful,adisease,acancer,anarrow,painful,anaffliction,alien,adissolution,anemptiness,not-self.Foritispossiblethatamonkwhohasattainedstream-entry,attendinginanappropriatewaytothesefiveclinging-aggregatesasinconstant...not-self,wouldrealizethefruitofonce-returning.”

“Thenwhichthingsshouldamonkwhohasattainedonce-returningattendtoinanappropriateway?”

“Amonkwhohasattainedonce-returningshouldattendinanappropriatewaytothesefiveclinging-aggregatesasinconstant,stressful,adisease,acancer,anarrow,painful,anaffliction,alien,adissolution,anemptiness,not-self.Foritispossiblethatamonkwhohasattainedonce-returning,attendinginanappropriatewaytothesefiveclinging-aggregatesasinconstant...not-self,wouldrealizethefruitofnon-returning.”

“Thenwhichthingsshouldamonkwhohasattainednon-returningattendtoinanappropriateway?”

“Amonkwhohasattainednon-returningshouldattendinanappropriatewaytothesefiveclinging-aggregatesasinconstant,stressful,adisease,acancer,anarrow,painful,anaffliction,alien,adissolution,anemptiness,not-self.Foritispossiblethatamonkwhohasattainednon-returning,attendinginanappropriatewaytothesefiveclinging-aggregatesasinconstant...not-self,wouldrealizethefruitofarahantship.”

“Thenwhichthingsshouldanarahantattendtoinanappropriateway?”

“Anarahantshouldattendinanappropriatewaytothesefiveclinging-aggregatesasinconstant,stressful,adisease,acancer,anarrow,painful,anaffliction,alien,adissolution,anemptiness,not-self.Although,foranarahant,thereisnothingfurthertodo,and

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nothingtoaddtowhathasbeendone,stillthesethings—whendeveloped&pursued—leadbothtoapleasantabidinginthehere-&-nowandtomindfulness&alertness.”

—SN22:122

§15.“Supposetherewereahouseholderorhouseholder’sson—rich,wealthy,withmanypossessions—whowasthoroughlywell-guarded.Thentherecamealongacertainman,desiringwhatwasnothisbenefit,desiringwhatwasnothiswelfare,desiringhislossofsecurity,desiringtokillhim.Thethoughtwouldoccurtothisman:‘Itwouldnotbeeasytokillthispersonbyforce.WhatifIweretosneakinandthenkillhim?’

“Sohewouldgotothehouseholderorhouseholder’ssonandsay,‘Mayyoutakemeonasaservant,lord.’Withthat,thehouseholderorhouseholder’ssonwouldtakethemanonasaservant.

“Havingbeentakenonasaservant,themanwouldriseinthemorningbeforehismaster,gotobedintheeveningonlyafterhismaster,doingwhateverhismasterordered,alwaysactingtopleasehim,speakingpolitelytohim.Thenthehouseholderorhouseholder’ssonwouldcometoregardhimasafriend&companion,andwouldfallintohistrust.Whenthemanrealizes,‘Thishouseholderorhouseholder’ssontrustsme,’thenencounteringhiminasolitaryplace,hewouldkillhimwithasharpknife.

“Nowwhatdoyouthink,myfriendYamaka?Whenthatmanwenttothehouseholderorhouseholder’ssonandsaid,‘Mayyoutakemeonasaservant,lord’:wasn’theeventhenamurderer?Andyetalthoughhewasamurderer,thehouseholderorhouseholder’ssondidnotknowhimas‘mymurderer.’Andwhen,takenonasaservant,hewouldriseinthemorningbeforehismaster,gotobedintheeveningonlyafterhismaster,doingwhateverhismasterordered,alwaysactingtopleasehim,speakingpolitelytohim:wasn’theeventhenamurderer?Andyetalthoughhewasamurderer,thehouseholderorhouseholder’ssondidnotknowhimas‘mymurderer.’Andwhenheencounteredhiminasolitaryplaceandkilledhimwithasharpknife:wasn’theeventhenamurderer?Andyetalthoughhewasamurderer,thehouseholderorhouseholder’ssondidnotknowhimas‘mymurderer.’”

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“Yes,myfriend.”“Inthesameway,anuninstructed,run-of-the-millperson...

assumesformtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingform,orformasintheself,ortheselfasinform.

“Heassumesfeelingtobetheself....“Heassumesperceptiontobetheself....“Heassumesfabricationstobetheself....“Heassumesconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfas

possessingconsciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness.

“Hedoesn’tdiscerninconstantform,asithascometobe,as‘inconstantform.’Hedoesn’tdiscerninconstantfeeling,asithascometobe,as‘inconstantfeeling.’Hedoesn’tdiscerninconstantperception....Hedoesn’tdiscerninconstantfabrications....Hedoesn’tdiscerninconstantconsciousness,asithascometobe,as‘inconstantconsciousness.’

“Hedoesn’tdiscernstressfulform,asithascometobe,as‘stressfulform.’Hedoesn’tdiscernstressfulfeeling....Hedoesn’tdiscernstressfulperception....Hedoesn’tdiscernstressfulfabrications....Hedoesn’tdiscernstressfulconsciousness,asithascometobe,as‘stressfulconsciousness.’

“Hedoesn’tdiscernnot-selfform,asithascometobe,as‘not-selfform.’Hedoesn’tdiscernnot-selffeeling....Hedoesn’tdiscernnot-selfperception....Hedoesn’tdiscernnot-selffabrications....Hedoesn’tdiscernnot-selfconsciousness,asithascometobe,as‘not-selfconsciousness.’

“Hedoesn’tdiscernfabricatedform,asithascometobe,as‘fabricatedform.’Hedoesn’tdiscernfabricatedfeeling....Hedoesn’tdiscernfabricatedperception....Hedoesn’tdiscernfabricatedfabrications....Hedoesn’tdiscernfabricatedconsciousness,asithascometobe,as‘fabricatedconsciousness.’

“Hedoesn’tdiscernmurderousform,asithascometobe,as‘murderousform.’Hedoesn’tdiscernmurderousfeeling....Hedoesn’tdiscernmurderousperception....Hedoesn’tdiscernmurderousfabrications....Hedoesn’tdiscernmurderousconsciousness,asithascometobe,as‘murderousconsciousness.’

“Hegetsattachedtoform,clingstoform,&determinesittobe

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‘myself.’Hegetsattachedtofeeling....Hegetsattachedtoperception...Hegetsattachedtofabrications....Hegetsattachedtoconsciousness,clingstoconsciousness,&determinesittobe‘myself.’Thesefiveaggregatesofclinging—attachedto,clungto—leadtohislong-termloss&suffering.

“Now,thewell-instructed,nobledisciple...doesn’tassumeformtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingform,orformasintheself,ortheselfasinform.

“Hedoesn’tassumefeelingtobetheself....“Hedoesn’tassumeperceptiontobetheself....“Hedoesn’tassumefabricationstobetheself....“Hedoesn’tassumeconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfas

possessingconsciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness.

“Hediscernsinconstantform,asithascometobe,as‘inconstantform.’Hediscernsinconstantfeeling....Hediscernsinconstantperception....Hediscernsinconstantfabrications....Hediscernsinconstantconsciousness,asithascometobe,as‘inconstantconsciousness.’

“Hediscernsstressfulform,asithascometobe,as‘stressfulform.’Hediscernsstressfulfeeling....Hediscernsstressfulperception....Hediscernsstressfulfabrications....Hediscernsstressfulconsciousness,asithascometobe,as‘stressfulconsciousness.’

“Hediscernsnot-selfform,asithascometobe,as‘not-selfform.’Hediscernsnot-selffeeling....Hediscernsnot-selfperception....Hediscernsnot-selffabrications....Hediscernsnot-selfconsciousness,asithascometobe,as‘not-selfconsciousness.’

“Hediscernsfabricatedform,asithascometobe,as‘fabricatedform.’Hediscernsfabricatedfeeling....Hediscernsfabricatedperception....Hediscernsfabricatedfabrications....Hediscernsfabricatedconsciousness,asithascometobe,as‘fabricatedconsciousness.’

“Hediscernsmurderousform,asithascometobe,as‘murderousform.’Hediscernsmurderousfeeling....Hediscernsmurderousperception....Hediscernsmurderousfabrications....Hediscernsmurderousconsciousness,asithascometobe,as

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‘murderousconsciousness.’“Hedoesn’tgetattachedtoform,doesn’tclingtoform,doesn’t

determineittobe‘myself.’Hedoesn’tgetattachedtofeeling....Hedoesn’tgetattachedtoperception...Hedoesn’tgetattachedtofabrications...Hedoesn’tgetattachedtoconsciousness,doesn’tclingtoconsciousness,doesn’tdetermineittobe‘myself.’Thesefiveclinging-aggregates—notattachedto,notclungto—leadtohislong-termhappiness&well-being.”

“Evenso,myfriendSariputta,arethosewhohavepeoplelikeyouastheirfellowsintheholylife,teachingthem,admonishingthemoutofsympathy,desiringtheirwelfare.FornowthatIhaveheardthisexplanationoftheDhammafromyou,mymind—throughlackofclinging/sustenance—hasbeenreleasedfromfermentations.”

—SN22:85

§16.“Monks,supposetherewereariver,flowingdownfromthemountains,goingfar,itscurrentswift,carryingeverythingwithit,and—holdingontobothbanks—kasagrasses,kusagrasses,reeds,biranagrasses,&treesweregrowing.Thenamansweptawaybythecurrentwouldgrabholdofthekasagrasses,buttheywouldtearaway,andsofromthatcausehewouldcometodisaster.Hewouldgrabholdofthekusagrasses...thereeds...thebiranagrasses...thetrees,buttheywouldtearaway,andsofromthatcausehewouldcometodisaster.

“Inthesameway,thereisthecasewhereanuninstructed,run-of-the-millperson—whohasnoregardfornoblesones,isnotwell-versedordisciplinedintheirDhamma;whohasnoregardformenofintegrity,isnotwell-versedordisciplinedintheirDhamma—assumesformtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingform,orformasintheself,ortheselfasinform.Thatformtearsawayfromhim,andsofromthatcausehewouldcometodisaster.

“Heassumesfeelingtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingfeeling,orfeelingasintheself,ortheselfasinfeeling.Thatfeelingtearsawayfromhim,andsofromthatcausehewouldcometodisaster.

“Heassumesperceptiontobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingperception,orperceptionasintheself,ortheselfasinperception.

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Thatperceptiontearsawayfromhim,andsofromthatcausehewouldcometodisaster.

“Heassumesfabricationstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingfabrications,orfabricationsasintheself,ortheselfasinfabrications.Thosefabricationstearawayfromhim,andsofromthatcausehewouldcometodisaster.

“Heassumesconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingconsciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness.Thatconsciousnesstearsawayfromhim,andsofromthatcausehewouldcometodisaster.

“Now,monks,whatdoyouthink:Isformconstantorinconstant?”

“Inconstant,lord.”“Isfeelingconstantorinconstant?”“Inconstant,lord.”“Isperceptionconstantorinconstant?”“Inconstant,lord.”“Arefabricationsconstantorinconstant?”“Inconstant,lord.”“Isconsciousnessconstantorinconstant?”“Inconstant,lord.”“Thus,monks,whateverformispast,future,orpresent;internal

orexternal;blatantorsubtle,commonorsublime;farornear:allformistobeseenasithascometobewithrightdiscernment:‘Thisisnotmine.Thisisnotmyself.ThisisnotwhatIam.’

“Whateverfeeling....Whateverperception....Whateverfabrications....

“Whateverconsciousnessispast,future,orpresent;internalorexternal;blatantorsubtle,commonorsublime;farornear:allconsciousnessistobeseenasithascometobewithrightdiscernment:‘Thisisnotmine.Thisisnotmyself.ThisisnotwhatIam.’

“Seeingthus,thewell-instructednobledisciplegrowsdisenchantedwithform,disenchantedwithfeeling,disenchantedwithperception,disenchantedwithfabrications,disenchantedwithconsciousness.Disenchanted,hegrowsdispassionate.Through

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dispassion,heisreleased.Withrelease,thereistheknowledge,‘Released.’Hediscernsthat‘Birthisended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthisworld.’”

—SN22:93

§17.Then,earlyinthemorning,Calathenunputonherrobesand,takingherbowl&outerrobe,wentintoSavatthiforalms.WhenshehadgoneforalmsinSavatthiandhadreturnedfromheralmsround,afterhermealshewenttotheGroveoftheBlindtospendtheday.HavinggonedeepintotheGroveoftheBlind,shesatdownatthefootofatreefortheday’sabiding.

ThenMaratheEvilOne,wantingtoarousefear,horripilation,&terrorinher,wantingtomakeherfallfromsolitude,approachedher&said,“Whatisitthatyoudon’tapproveof,nun?”

“Idon’tapproveofbirth,myfriend.”

[Mara:]

“Whydon’tyouapproveofbirth?Onewhoisbornenjoyssensualpleasures.

Whooneartheverpersuadedyou:

‘Nun,don’tapproveofbirth’?”

[SisterCala:]

“Foronewhoisbornthere’sdeath.

Onewhoisbornseespain.

It’sabinding,aflogging,atorment.That’swhyoneshouldn’tapprove

ofbirth.

TheAwakenedOnetaughtmetheDhamma—theovercomingofbirth—fortheabandoningofallpain,

heestablishedmeinthetruth.

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Butbeingswhohavecometoform&thosewithashareintheformless,

iftheydon’tdiscerncessation,returntobecoming-again.”

ThenMaratheEvilOne—sad&dejectedatrealizing,“Calathenunknowsme”—vanishedrightthere.

—SN5:6

§18.Asacowherdwitharoddrivescowstothefield,soaging&deathdrivethelifeoflivingbeings.

—Dhp135

§19.Whatlaughter,whyjoy,whenconstantlyaflame?Envelopedindarkness,don’tyoulookforalamp?

Lookatthebeautifiedimage,aheapoffesteringwounds,shoredup:ill,buttheobject

ofmanyresolves,wherethereisnothing

lastingorsure.

Wornoutisthisbody,anestofdiseases,dissolving.Thisputridconglomerationisboundtobreakup,forlifeishemmedinwithdeath.

Onseeingthesebonesdiscarded

likegourdsinthefall,pigeon-gray:

whatdelight?

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Acitymadeofbones,plasteredoverwithflesh&blood,whosehiddentreasuresare:

pride&contempt,aging&death.

Evenroyalchariotswell-embellishedgetrundown,andsodoesthebodysuccumbtooldage.ButtheDhammaofthegooddoesn’tsuccumbtooldage:thegoodletthecivilizedknow.

Thisunlisteningmanmatureslikeanox.

Hismusclesdevelop,hisdiscernmentnot.

—Dhp146-152

§20.Whetherwalking,standing,sitting,orlyingdown,itflexes&stretches:

thisisthebody’smovement.Joinedtogetherwithtendons&bones,plasteredoverwithmuscle&skin,hiddenbycomplexion,

thebodyisn’tseenforwhatitis:

filledwithintestines,filledwithstomach,withthelumpoftheliver,bladder,lungs,heart,kidneys,spleen,mucus,sweat,saliva,fat,blood,synovialfluid,bile,&oil.Ontopofthat,inninestreams,

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filthisalwaysflowingfromit:fromtheeyes:eyesecretions,fromtheears:earsecretions,fromthenose:mucus,fromthemouth:nowvomit,

nowphlegm,nowbile.

fromthebody:beadsofsweat.Andontopofthat,itshollowheadisfilledwithbrains.

Thefool,besetbyignorance,thinksitbeautiful.Butwhenitliesdead,

swollen,livid,castawayinacharnelground,

evenrelativesdon’tcareforit.Dogsfeedonit,jackals,wolves,&worms.

Crows&vulturesfeedonit,alongwithanyotheranimalsthere.

HavingheardtheAwakenedOne’swords,thediscerningmonkcomprehends,forheseesit

forwhatitis:“Asthisis,soisthat.Asthat,sothis.”Within&without,heshouldletdesireforthebody

fadeaway.Withdesire&passionfadedaway,thediscerningmonkarriveshere:

atthedeathless,thecalm,theundyingstateofunbinding.

Thistwo-footed,filthy,evil-smelling,

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filled-with-various-carcasses,oozing-out-here-&-therebody:Whoeverwouldthink,onthebasisofabodylikethis,toexalthimselfordisparageanother:

Whatisthatifnotblindness?

—Sn.1:11

§21.Howshortthislife!Youdiethissideofacentury,butevenifyoulivepast,

youdieofoldage.

Peoplegrieveforwhattheyseeasmine,for

nothingpossessedisconstant,nothingisconstantlypossessed.[1]

Seeingthisseparationsimplyasitis,

oneshouldn’tfollowthehouseholdlife.Atdeathapersonabandonswhatheconstruesasmine.Realizingthis,thewiseshouldn’tinclinetobedevotedtomine.

Justasamandoesn’tsee,onawakening,

whathemetinadream,evensohedoesn’tsee,whentheyaredead

—theirtimedone—thosehehelddear.

Whentheyareseen&heard,peoplearecalledbythisnameorthat,

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butonlythenameremainstobepointedto

whentheyaredead.

Grief,lamentation,&selfishnessarenotletgobythosegreedyformine,

sosageslettinggoofpossessions,seeingtheSecure,

gowanderingforth.

Amonk,livingwithdrawn,enjoyingadwellingsecluded:

theysayit’scongenialforhimhewhowouldn’t,inanyrealm,

displayself.

Everywherethesage

independentholdsnothingdearorundear.

Inhimlamentation&selfishness,likewateronawhitelotus,

donotadhere.Asawaterbeadonalotusleaf,aswateronaredlily,

doesnotadhere,

sothesagedoesnotadhere

totheseen,theheard,orthesensed;

for,cleansed,hedoesn’tconstrueinconnection

withtheseen,theheard,orthesensed.

Innootherway

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doeshewishforpurity,forheneithertakesonpassionnorputsitaway.[2]

NOTES1.“Nothingpossessedisconstant,nothingisconstantly

possessed”—tworeadingsofthephrase,nahisantiniccapariggaha.2.Nd.I:Anarahanthasputpassiontotallyawayonceandforall,

andsohasnoneedtodoiteveragain.

—Sn4:6

§22.[Ven.Kappa:]

Fullofthemanyclansofimpurities,thegreatmanufacturerofexcrement,likeastagnantpool,

agreattumor,greatwound,

fullofblood&lymph,immersedinacesspool,tricklingliquids,thebodyisoozingfoulness—always.Boundtogetherwithsixtysinews,plasteredwithastuccoofmuscle,wrappedinajacketofskin,thisfoulbodyisofnoworthatall.Linkedtogetherwithachainofbones,stitchedtogetherwithtendon-threads,itproducesitsvariouspostures,frombeinghitcheduptogether.Headedsurelytodeath,inthepresenceoftheKingofMortality,themanwholearnstodiscarditrighthere,

goeswhereverhewants.

Coveredwithignorance,thebody’stieddownwithafour-foldtie,[1]

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sunkinthefloods,[2]caughtinthenetofobsessions,[3]conjoinedwithfivehindrances,[4]givenovertothought,accompaniedwiththerootofcraving,roofedwithdelusion’sroofing.

That’showthebodyfunctions,compelledbythecompulsionofkamma,

butitsattainmentendsinruin.

Itsmanybecomingsgotoruin.

Thesewhoholdtothisbodyasmine—blindfools,peoplerun-of-the-mill—fillthehorrificcemetery,takingonfurtherbecoming.Thosewhostayuninvolvedwiththisbody—astheywouldwithaserpent

smearedwithdung—disgorgingtherootofbecoming,[5]fromlackoffermentation,

withbetotallyunbound.

NOTES1.Thefour-foldtie:greed,illwill,attachmenttohabits&

practices,anddogmaticobsessionwithviews.2.Floods:passionforsensuality,becoming,views,and

ignorance.3.Obsessions:pride,ignorance,lust,aversion,uncertainty,

delusion,andcravingforbecoming.4.Hindrances:sensualdesire,illwill,sloth&torpor,restlessness

&anxiety,anduncertainty.5.Therootofbecoming:craving.

—Thag10:5

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§23.[SisterAmbapali:]

Blackwasmyhair—thecolorofbees—&curledatthetips;

withage,itlookedlikecoarsehemp.ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swords

doesn’tchange.

Fragrant,likeaperfumedbasketfilledwithflowers:mycoiffure.

Withageitsmelledmusty,likeanimalfur.

ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swordsdoesn’tchange.

Thick&lush,likeawell-tendedgrove,madesplendid,thetipselaboratewithcomb&pin.

Withage,itgrewthin&barehere&there.

ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swordsdoesn’tchange.

Adornedwithgold&delicatepins,itwassplendid,ornamentedwithbraids.

Now,withage,thatheadhasgonebald.

ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swordsdoesn’tchange.

Curved,asifwell-drawnbyanartist,mybrowswereoncesplendid.

Withage,theydroopdowninfolds.ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swords

doesn’tchange.

Radiant,brilliantlikejewels,myeyes:elongated,black—deepblack.

Withage,they’renolongersplendid.ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swords

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doesn’tchange.

Likeadelicatepeak,mynosewassplendidintheprimeofmyyouth.

Withage,it’slikealongpepper.ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swords

doesn’tchange.

Likebracelets—well-fashioned,well-finished—myearswereoncesplendid.

Withage,theydroopdowninfolds.ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swords

doesn’tchange.

Likeplaintainbudsintheircolor,myteethwereoncesplendid.

Withage,they’rebroken&yellowed.ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swords

doesn’tchange.

Likethatofacuckoointhedensejungle,flittingthroughdeepforestthickets:sweetwasthetoneofmyvoice.

Withage,itcrackshere&there.ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swords

doesn’tchange.

Smooth—likeaconchshellwell-polished—myneckwasoncesplendid.

Withage,it’sbrokendown,bent.ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swords

doesn’tchange.

Likeroundeddoor-bars—bothofthem—myarmswereoncesplendid.

Withage,they’relikedrieduppatalitrees.ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swords

doesn’tchange.

Adornedwithgold&delicaterings,myhandswereoncesplendid.

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Withage,they’relikeonions&tubers.ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swords

doesn’tchange.

Swelling,round,firm,&high,bothmybreastswereoncesplendid.

Inthedroughtofoldage,theydanglelikeemptyoldwaterbags.

ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swordsdoesn’tchange.

Likeasheetofgold,well-burnished,mybodywassplendid.

Nowit’scoveredwithveryfinewrinkles.ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swords

doesn’tchange.

Smoothintheirlines,likeanelephant’strunk,bothmythighswereoncesplendid.

Withage,they’relikeknottedbamboo.ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swords

doesn’tchange.

Adornedwithgold&delicateanklets,mycalveswereoncesplendid.

Withage,they’relikesesamesticks.ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swords

doesn’tchange.

Asiftheywerestuffedwithsoftcotton,bothmyfeetwereoncesplendid.

Withage,they’reshriveled&cracked.ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swords

doesn’tchange.

Suchwasthisphysicalheap.Now:decrepit,thehomeofpains,manypains.

Ahousewithitsplasterallfallenoff.ThetruthoftheTruth-speaker’swords

doesn’tchange.

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—Thig13:1

§24.IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthiintheEasternMonastery,thepalaceofMigara’smother.NowonthatoccasiontheBlessedOne,onemergingfromseclusioninthelateafternoon,satwarminghisbackinthewesternsun.ThenVen.AnandawenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntotheBlessedOne,massagedtheBlessedOne’slimbswithhishandandsaid,“It’samazing,lord.It’sastounding,howtheBlessedOne’scomplexionisnolongersoclear&bright;hislimbsareflabby&wrinkled;hisback,bentforward;there’sadiscerniblechangeinhisfaculties—thefacultyoftheeye,thefacultyoftheear,thefacultyofthenose,thefacultyofthetongue,thefacultyofthebody.”

“That’sthewayitis,Ananda.Whenyoung,oneissubjecttoaging;whenhealthy,subjecttoillness;whenalive,subjecttodeath.Thecomplexionisnolongersoclear&bright;thelimbsareflabby&wrinkled;theback,bentforward;there’sadiscerniblechangeinthefaculties—thefacultyoftheeye,thefacultyoftheear,thefacultyofthenose,thefacultyofthetongue,thefacultyofthebody.”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWell-gone,theTeacher,saidfurther:

“Ispitonyou,oldage—oldagethatmakesforugliness.Thebodilyimage,socharming,

istrampledbyoldage.Eventhosewholivetoahundredareheaded—all—toanendindeath,

whichsparesnoone,whichtramplesall.”

—SN48:41

§25.[Ven.Kimbila:]

Asifsentbyacurse,itdropsonus—

aging.Thebodyseemsother,

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thoughit’sstillthesameone.I’mstillhere&haveneverbeenabsentfromit,butIremembermyownasifsomebodyelse’s.

—Thag1:118

Death

§26.Notupintheair,norinthemiddleofthesea,norgoingintoacleftinthemountains

—nowhereonearth—isaspottobefoundwhereyoucouldstay&notsuccumb

todeath.

—Dhp128

§27.Janussonin:“Iholdthatthereisnoonewho,subjecttodeath,isnotafraidorinterrorofdeath.”

TheBuddha:“Therearethosewho,subjecttodeath,areafraidandinterrorofdeath.Andtherearethosewho,subjecttodeath,arenotafraidorinterrorofdeath.”

“Andwhoisthepersonwho,subjecttodeath,isafraidandinterrorofdeath?Thereisthecaseofthepersonwhohasnotabandonedpassion,desire,fondness,thirst,fever,andcravingforsensuality.Whenhecomesdownwithaseriousdisease,thethoughtoccurstohim,“O,thosebelovedsensualpleasureswillbetakenfromme,andIwillbetakenfromthem!”Hegrievesandistormented,weeps,beatshisbreast,andgrowsdelirious....

“Furthermore,thereisthecaseofthepersonwhohasnotabandonedpassion,desire,fondness,thirst,fever,andcravingforthebody.Whenheistouchedbyaseriousdisease,thethoughtoccurstohim,“O,mybelovedbodywillbetakenfromme,andIwillbetakenfrommybody!”Hegrievesandistormented,weeps,beatshisbreast,

46

andgrowsdelirious....“Furthermore,thereisthecaseofthepersonwhohasnotdone

whatisgood,hasnotdonewhatisskillful,hasnotgivenprotectiontothoseinfear,andinsteadhasdonewhatisevil,savage,andcruel.Whenhecomesdownwithaseriousdisease,thethoughtoccurstohim,“...AfterdeathIamheadedforthedestinationofthosewhohavedonewhatisevil,savage,andcruel.”Hegrievesandistormented,weeps,beatshisbreast,andgrowsdelirious....

“Furthermore,thereisthecaseofthepersonindoubtandperplexity,whohasnotarrivedatcertaintywithregardtotheTrueDhamma.Whenhecomesdownwithaseriousdisease,thethoughtoccurstohim,“HowdoubtfulandperplexedIam!IhavenotarrivedatanycertaintywithregardtotheTrueDhamma!”Hegrievesandistormented,weeps,beatshisbreast,andgrowsdelirious.Thisisanotherpersonwho,subjecttodeath,isafraidandinterrorofdeath.

“Andwhoisthepersonwho,subjecttodeath,isnotafraidorinterrorofdeath?Thereisthecaseofthepersonwhohasabandonedpassion,desire,fondness,thirst,fever,andcravingforsensuality...whohasabandonedpassion,desire,fondness,thirst,fever,andcravingforthebody...whohasdonewhatisgood,whatisskillful,hasgivenprotectiontothoseinfear,andhasnotdonewhatisevil,savage,orcruel...whohasnodoubtorperplexity,whohasarrivedatcertaintywithregardtotheTrueDhamma.Whenhecomesdownwithaseriousdisease...hedoesnotgrieve,isnottormented,doesnotweeporbeathisbreastorgrowdelirious.Thisisanotherpersonwho,subjecttodeath,isnotafraidorinterrorofdeath.”

—AN4:184

Separation

§28.“Gainarisesforanuninstructedrun-of-the-millperson.Hedoesn’treflect,‘Gainhasarisenforme.Itisinconstant,stressful,&subjecttochange.’Hedoesn’tdiscernitasithascometobe.

“Lossarises....Statusarises....Disgracearises....Censurearises....Praisearises....Pleasurearises....

“Painarises.Hedoesn’treflect,‘Painhasarisenforme.Itis

47

inconstant,stressful,&subjecttochange.’Hedoesn’tdiscernitasithascometobe.

“Hismindremainsconsumedwiththegain.Hismindremainsconsumedwiththeloss...withthestatus...thedisgrace...thecensure...thepraise...thepleasure.Hismindremainsconsumedwiththepain.

“Hewelcomesthearisengainandrebelsagainstthearisenloss.Hewelcomesthearisenstatusandrebelsagainstthearisendisgrace.Hewelcomesthearisenpraiseandrebelsagainstthearisencensure.Hewelcomesthearisenpleasureandrebelsagainstthearisenpain.Asheisthusengagedinwelcoming&rebelling,heisnotreleasedfrombirth,aging,ordeath;fromsorrows,lamentations,pains,distresses,ordespairs.Heisnotreleased,Itellyou,fromsuffering&stress.

“Now,gainarisesforawell-instructednobledisciple.Hereflects,‘Gainhasarisenforme.Itisinconstant,stressful,&subjecttochange.’Hediscernsitasithascometobe.

“Lossarises....Statusarises....Disgracearises....Censurearises....Praisearises....Pleasurearises....

“Painarises.Hereflects,‘Painhasarisenforme.Itisinconstant,stressful,&subjecttochange.’Hediscernsitasithascometobe.

“Hisminddoesn’tremainconsumedwiththegain.Hisminddoesn’tremainconsumedwiththeloss...withthestatus...thedisgrace...thecensure...thepraise...thepleasure.Hisminddoesn’tremainconsumedwiththepain.

“Hedoesn’twelcomethearisengain,orrebelagainstthearisenloss.Hedoesn’twelcomethearisenstatus,orrebelagainstthearisendisgrace.Hedoesn’twelcomethearisenpraise,orrebelagainstthearisencensure.Hedoesn’twelcomethearisenpleasure,orrebelagainstthearisenpain.Ashethusabandonswelcoming&rebelling,heisreleasedfrombirth,aging,&death;fromsorrows,lamentations,pains,distresses,&despairs.Heisreleased,Itellyou,fromsuffering&stress.

“Thisisthedifference,thisthedistinction,thisthedistinguishingfactorbetweenthewell-instructednoblediscipleandtheuninstructedrun-of-the-millperson.”

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Gain/loss,status/disgrace,censure/praise,pleasure/pain:Theseconditionsamonghumanbeingsare

inconstant,impermanent,subjecttochange.

Knowingthis,thewiseperson,mindful,pondersthesechangingconditions.Desirablethingsdon’tcharmthemind,undesirableonesbringnoresistance.

Hiswelcoming&rebelling

arescattered,gonetotheirend,donotexist.

Knowingthedustless,sorrowlessstate,he

discernsrightly,hasgone,beyondbecoming,totheFurtherShore.

—AN8:6

§29.“‘It’sthroughadversitythataperson’sendurancemaybeknown,andthenonlyafteralongperiod,notashortperiod;byonewhoisattentive,notbyonewhoisinattentive;byonewhoisdiscerning,notbyonewhoisnotdiscerning’:Thusitwassaid.Andinreferencetowhatwasitsaid?

“Thereisthecasewhereaperson,sufferinglossofrelatives,lossofwealth,orlossthroughdisease,doesn’treflect:‘That’showitiswhenlivingtogetherintheworld.That’showitiswhengainingapersonalidentity(atta-bhava,literally“self-state”).Whenthereislivingintheworld,whenthereisthegainingofapersonalidentity,theseeightworldlyconditionsspinaftertheworld,andtheworldspinsaftertheseeightworldlyconditions:gain,loss,status,disgrace,

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censure,praise,pleasure,&pain.’Sufferinglossofrelatives,lossofwealth,orlossthroughdisease,hesorrows,grieves,&laments,beatshisbreast,becomesdistraught.Andthenthereisthecasewhereaperson,sufferinglossofrelatives,lossofwealth,orlossthroughdisease,reflects:‘That’showitiswhenlivingtogetherintheworld.That’showitiswhengainingapersonalidentity.Whenthereislivingintheworld,whenthereisthegainingofapersonalidentity,theseeightworldlyconditionsspinaftertheworld,andtheworldspinsaftertheseeightworldlyconditions:gain,loss,status,disgrace,censure,praise,pleasure,&pain.’Sufferinglossofrelatives,lossofwealth,orlossthroughdisease,hedoesn’tsorrow,grieve,orlament,doesn’tbeathisbreastorbecomedistraught.

“‘It’sthroughadversitythataperson’sendurancemaybeknown,andthenonlyafteralongperiod,notashortperiod;byonewhoisattentive,notbyonewhoisinattentive;byonewhoisdiscerning,notbyonewhoisnotdiscerning’:Thusitwassaid.Andinreferencetothiswasitsaid.

—AN4:192

§30.Nowatthattimethedearandbelovedonlysonofacertainlayfollowerhaddied.Soalargenumberoflayfollowers—theirclotheswet,theirhairwet—wenttotheBlessedOneinthemiddleofthedayand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AstheyweresittingtheretheBlessedOnesaidtothem:“Whyhaveyoucomehere—yourclotheswet,yourhairwet—inthemiddleoftheday?”

Whenthiswassaid,thelayfollowersaidtotheBlessedOne,“Mydearandbelovedonlysonhasdied.Thisiswhywehavecomehere—ourclotheswet,ourhairwet—inthemiddleoftheday.”

Then,onrealizingthesignificanceofthat,theBlessedOneonthatoccasionexclaimed:

Tieddownbytheallureofwhatseemsdear,heavenlybeings,mostpeople,wornoutwithmisery,fallundertheswayoftheKingofDeath.Butthosewho,day&night,heedfullyabandonwhatseemsdear,

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digupmiserybytheroot—

Death’sbaitsohardtoovercome.

—Ud2:7

§31.IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthiatJeta’sGrove,Anathapindika’smonastery.Nowatthattimeacertainhouseholder’sdear&belovedlittleson,hisonlychild,haddied.Becauseofhisdeath,thefatherhadnodesiretoworkortoeat.Hekeptgoingtothecemeteryandcryingout,“Wherehaveyougone,myonlylittlechild?Wherehaveyougone,myonlylittlechild?”

ThenhewenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AshewassittingtheretheBlessedOnesaidtohim,“Householder,yourfacultiesarenotthoseofonewhoissteadyinhisownmind.Thereisanaberrationinyourfaculties.”

“Lord,howcouldtherenotbeanaberrationinmyfaculties?Mydear&belovedlittleson,myonlychild,hasdied.Becauseofhisdeath,Ihavenodesiretoworkortoeat.Ikeepgoingtothecemeteryandcryingout,‘Wherehaveyougone,myonlylittlechild?Wherehaveyougone,myonlylittlechild?’”

“That’sthewayitis,householder.That’sthewayitis—forsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.”

“Butlord,whowouldeverthinkthatsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear?Happiness&joyarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.”Sothehouseholder,notdelightingintheBlessedOne’swords,rejectingtheBlessedOne’swords,gotupfromhisseatandleft.

NowatthattimealargenumberofgamblerswereplayingdicenotfarfromtheBlessedOne.Sothehouseholderwenttothemand,onarrival,saidtothem,“Justnow,venerablesirs,IwenttoGotamathecontemplativeand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AsIwassittingthere,Gotamathecontemplativesaidtome,

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‘Householder,yourfacultiesarenotthoseofonewhoissteadyinhisownmind.Thereisanaberrationinyourfaculties.’

“Whenthiswassaid,Isaidtohim,‘Lord,howcouldtherenotbeanaberrationinmyfaculties?Mydear&belovedlittleson,myonlychild,hasdied.Becauseofhisdeath,Ihavenodesiretoworkortoeat.Ikeepgoingtothecemeteryandcryingout,“Wherehaveyougone,myonlylittlechild?Wherehaveyougone,myonlylittlechild?”’

“‘That’sthewayitis,householder.That’sthewayitis—forsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.’

“‘But,lord,whowouldeverthinkthatsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear?Happiness&joyarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.’So,notdelightinginthewordsofGotamathecontemplative,rejectingthem,Igotupfrommyseatandleft.”

“That’sthewayitis,householder[saidthegamblers].That’sthewayitis.Happiness&joyarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.”

Sothehouseholderleft,thinking,“Iagreewiththegamblers.”Eventually,wordofthisconversationmadeitswayintotheking’s

innerchambers.ThenKingPasenadiKosalaaddressedQueenMallika,“Mallika,yourcontemplative,Gotama,hassaidthis:‘Sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.’”

“IfthatwassaidbytheBlessedOne,greatking,thenthat’sthewayitis.”

“NomatterwhatGotamathecontemplativesays,Mallikaendorsesit:‘IfthatwassaidbytheBlessedOne,greatking,thenthat’sthewayitis.’Justas,nomatterwhathisteachersays,apupilendorsesit:‘That’sthewayitis,teacher.That’sthewayis.’Inthesameway,nomatterwhatGotamathecontemplativesays,Mallikaendorsesit:‘IfthatwassaidbytheBlessedOne,greatking,thenthat’sthewayitis.’Goaway,Mallika!Outofmysight!”

ThenQueenMallikacalledforthebrahmanNalijangha:“Come,brahman.GototheBlessedOneand,onarrival,showingreverencewithyourheadtohisfeetinmyname,askwhetherheisfreefrom

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illness&affliction,iscarefree,strong,&livingincomfort,saying:‘QueenMallika,lord,showsreverencewithherheadtoyourfeetandaskswhetheryouarefreefromillness&affliction,arecarefree,strong,&livingincomfort.’Andthensay:‘Lord,didtheBlessedOnesaythatsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear?’WhatevertheBlessedOnesays,rememberitwellandtellittome.ForTathagatasdonotspeakwhatisuntrue.”

“Yes,madam,”thebrahmanNalijangharespondedtoQueenMallika.GoingtotheBlessedOne,onarrivalheexchangedcourteousgreetingswiththeBlessedOne.Afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,hesattooneside.AshewassittingtherehesaidtotheBlessedOne:“MasterGotama,QueenMallikashowsreverencewithherheadtoyourfeetandaskswhetheryouarefreefromillness&affliction,arecarefree,strong,&livingincomfort.Andshesaysfurther:‘Lord,didtheBlessedOnesaythatsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear?’”

“That’sthewayitis,brahman.That’sthewayitis.Sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.Andit’sthroughthissequenceofeventsthatitmaybeunderstoodhowsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.

“OnceinthissameSavatthitherewasawomanwhosemotherdied.Owingtohermother’sdeathshewentmad,outofhermind,andwanderingfromstreettostreet,crossroadstocrossroads,wouldsay,‘Haveyouseenmymother?Haveyouseenmymother?’It’sthroughthissequenceofeventsthatitmaybeunderstoodhowsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.

“OnceinthissameSavatthitherewasawomanwhosefatherdied...whosebrotherdied...whosesisterdied...whosesondied...whosedaughterdied...whosehusbanddied.Owingtohisdeathshewentmad,outofhermind,andwanderingfromstreettostreet,crossroadstocrossroads,wouldsay,‘Haveyouseenmyhusband?Haveyouseenmyhusband?’It’sthroughthissequenceofeventsthatitmaybeunderstoodhowsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&

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despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.

“OnceinthissameSavatthitherewasamanwhosemotherdied.Owingtoherdeathhewentmad,outofhismind,andwanderingfromstreettostreet,crossroadstocrossroads,wouldsay,‘Haveyouseenmymother?Haveyouseenmymother?’It’sthroughthissequenceofeventsthatitmaybeunderstoodhowsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.

“OnceinthissameSavatthitherewasamanwhosefatherdied...whosebrotherdied...whosesisterdied...whosesondied...whosedaughterdied...whosewifedied.Owingtoherdeathhewentmad,outofhismind,andwanderingfromstreettostreet,crossroadstocrossroads,wouldsay,‘Haveyouseenmywife?Haveyouseenmywife?’It’sthroughthissequenceofeventsthatitmaybeunderstoodhowsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.

“OnceinthissameSavatthitherewasawifewhowenttoherrelatives’home.Herrelatives,havingseparatedherfromherhusband,wantedtogivehertoanotheragainstherwill.Soshesaidtoherhusband,‘Theserelativesofmine,havingseparatedus,wanttogivemetoanotheragainstmywill,’whereuponhecutherintwoandslashedhimselfopen,thinking,‘Deadwewillbetogether.’It’sthroughthissequenceofeventsthatitmaybeunderstoodhowsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.”

ThenthebrahmanNalijangha,delightingin&approvingoftheBlessedOne’swords,gotupfromhisseatandwenttoQueenMallika.Onarrival,hetoldherallthathadbeensaidinhisconversationwiththeBlessedOne.

ThenQueenMallikawenttoKingPasenadiKosalaandonarrivalsaidtohim,“Whatdoyouthink,greatking?IsPrincessVajirideartoyou?”

“Yes,Mallika,PrincessVajiriisdeartome.”“Andwhatdoyouthink?Wouldsorrow,lamentation,pain,

distress,&despairariseinyoufromanychange&aberrationinPrincessVajiri?”

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“Mallika,anychange&aberrationinPrincessVajiriwouldmeananaberrationofmyverylife.Howcouldsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairnotariseinme?”

“Greatking,itwasinconnectionwiththisthattheBlessedOne—theOnewhoknows,theOnewhosees,worthy,&rightlyself-awakened—said,‘Sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.’

“Nowwhatdoyouthink,greatking?IsthenobleQueenVasabhadeartoyou?....Is[yourson]GeneralVidudabhadeartoyou?....AmIdeartoyou?”

“Yes,Mallika,youaredeartome.”“Andwhatdoyouthink?Wouldsorrow,lamentation,pain,

distress,&despairariseinyoufromanychange&aberrationinme?”“Mallika,anychange&aberrationinyouwouldmeanan

aberrationofmyverylife.Howcouldsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairnotariseinme?”

“Greatking,itwasinconnectionwiththisthattheBlessedOne—theOnewhoknows,theOnewhosees,worthy,&rightlyself-awakened—said,‘Sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.’

“Nowwhatdoyouthink,greatking?Are[yoursubjects]theKasis&Kosalansdeartoyou?”

“Yes,Mallika,theKasis&Kosalansaredeartome.ItisthroughthemightoftheKasis&KosalansthatweuseKasisandalwoodandweargarlands,scents,&ointments.”

“Andwhatdoyouthink?Wouldsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairariseinyoufromanychange&aberrationintheKasis&Kosalans?”

“Mallika,anychange&aberrationintheKasis&Kosalanswouldmeananaberrationofmyverylife.Howcouldsorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairnotariseinme?”

“Greatking,itwasinconnectionwiththisthattheBlessedOne—theOnewhoknows,theOnewhosees,worthy,&rightlyself-awakened—said,‘Sorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairarebornfromonewhoisdear,comespringingfromonewhoisdear.’”

“It’samazing,Mallika.It’sastounding:howdeeplytheBlessed

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Onesees,havingpiercedthrough,asitwere,withdiscernment.Come,Mallika,givemetheablutionwater.”ThenKingPasenadiKosala,risingfromhisseatandarranginghisupperrobeoveroneshoulder,paidhomageinthedirectionoftheBlessedOnewithhishandspalm-to-palminfrontofhisheart,andexclaimedthreetimes:

“HomagetotheBlessedOne,worthy&rightlyself-awakened!HomagetotheBlessedOne,worthy&rightlyself-awakened!HomagetotheBlessedOne,worthy&rightlyself-awakened!”

—MN87

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Heedfulness

§32.Heedfulness:thepathtotheDeathless;heedlessness:thepathtodeath.Theheedfuldonotdie;theheedlessareasif

alreadydead.

—Dhp21

§33.“Justasthefootprintsofallleggedanimalsareencompassedbythefootprintoftheelephant,andtheelephant’sfootprintisreckonedtheirchiefintermsofsize;inthesameway,allskillfulqualitiesarerootedinheedfulness,liegatheredinheedfulness,andheedfulnessisreckonedtheirchief....

“Justasallthelightoftheconstellationsdoesn’tequalonesixteenthofthelightofthemoon,andthelightofthemoonisreckonedtheirchief;inthesameway,allskillfulqualitiesarerootedinheedfulness,liegatheredinheedfulness,andheedfulnessisreckonedtheirchief.”

—AN10:15

§34.“Andwhatisheedfulness?Thereisthecasewhereamonkguardshismindagainstto(mental)fermentationsand(mental)qualitiesaccompaniedbyfermentations.Whenhismindisguardedagainstfermentationsandqualitiesaccompaniedbyfermentations,thefacultyofconvictiongoestotheculminationofitsdevelopment.Thefacultyofpersistence...mindfulness...concentration...discernmentgoestotheculminationofitsdevelopment.”

—SN48:56

§35.“Therearethesefivefactsthatoneshouldreflectonoften,whetheroneisawomanoraman,layorordained.Whichfive?

“‘Iamsubjecttoaging,havenotgonebeyondaging.’Thisisthefirstfactthatoneshouldreflectonoften….

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“‘Iamsubjecttoillness,havenotgonebeyondillness’....“‘Iamsubjecttodeath,havenotgonebeyonddeath’....“‘Iwillgrowdifferent,separatefromallthatisdear&appealing

tome’....“‘Iamtheownerofmyactions[kamma],heirtomyactions,born

ofmyactions,relatedthroughmyactions,andhavemyactionsasmyarbitrator.WhateverIdo,forgoodorforevil,tothatwillIfallheir’....

“Thesearethefivefactsthatoneshouldreflectonoften,whetheroneisawomanoraman,layorordained.

“Now,basedonwhatlineofreasoningshouldoneoftenreflect...that‘Iamsubjecttoaging,havenotgonebeyondaging’?Therearebeingswhoareintoxicatedwitha[typical]youth’sintoxicationwithyouth.Becauseofthatintoxicationwithyouth,theyconductthemselvesinabadwayinbody...inspeech...andinmind.Butwhentheyoftenreflectonthatfact,thatyouth’sintoxicationwithyouthwilleitherbeentirelyabandonedorgrowweaker....

“Now,basedonwhatlineofreasoningshouldoneoftenreflect...that‘Iamsubjecttoillness,havenotgonebeyondillness’?Therearebeingswhoareintoxicatedwitha[typical]healthyperson’sintoxicationwithhealth.Becauseofthatintoxicationwithhealth,theyconductthemselvesinabadwayinbody...inspeech...andinmind.Butwhentheyoftenreflectonthatfact,thathealthyperson’sintoxicationwithhealthwilleitherbeentirelyabandonedorgrowweaker....

“Now,basedonwhatlineofreasoningshouldoneoftenreflect...that‘Iamsubjecttodeath,havenotgonebeyonddeath’?Therearebeingswhoareintoxicatedwitha[typical]livingperson’sintoxicationwithlife.Becauseofthatintoxicationwithlife,theyconductthemselvesinabadwayinbody...inspeech...andinmind.Butwhentheyoftenreflectonthatfact,thatlivingperson’sintoxicationwithlifewilleitherbeentirelyabandonedorgrowweaker....

“Now,basedonwhatlineofreasoningshouldoneoftenreflect...that‘Iwillgrowdifferent,separatefromallthatisdear&appealingtome’?Therearebeingswhofeeldesire&passionforthethingstheyfinddear&appealing.Becauseofthatpassion,theyconductthemselvesinabadwayinbody...inspeech...andinmind.But

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whentheyoftenreflectonthatfact,thatdesire&passionforthethingstheyfinddear&appealingwilleitherbeentirelyabandonedorgrowweaker....

“Now,basedonwhatlineofreasoningshouldoneoftenreflect...that‘Iamtheownerofmyactions,heirtomyactions,bornofmyactions,relatedthroughmyactions,andhavemyactionsasmyarbitrator.WhateverIdo,forgoodorforevil,tothatwillIfallheir’?Therearebeingswhoconductthemselvesinabadwayinbody...inspeech...andinmind.Butwhentheyoftenreflectonthatfact,thatbadconductinbody,speech,&mindwilleitherbeentirelyabandonedorgrowweaker....

“Now,adiscipleofthenobleonesconsidersthis:’Iamnottheonlyonesubjecttoaging,whohasnotgonebeyondaging.Totheextentthattherearebeings—past&future,passingaway&re-arising—allbeingsaresubjecttoaging,havenotgonebeyondaging.’Whenhe/sheoftenreflectsonthis,the[factorsofthe]pathtakebirth.He/shestickswiththatpath,developsit,cultivatesit.Ashe/shestickswiththatpath,developsit,&cultivatesit,thefettersareabandoned,theobsessionsdestroyed.

“Further,adiscipleofthenobleonesconsidersthis:‘Iamnottheonlyonesubjecttoillness,whohasnotgonebeyondillness’....‘Iamnottheonlyonesubjecttodeath,whohasnotgonebeyonddeath‘....‘Iamnottheonlyonewhowillgrowdifferent,separatefromallthatisdear&appealingtome’....

“Further,adiscipleofthenobleonesconsidersthis:“Iamnottheonlyonewhoisownerofmyactions,heirtomyactions,bornofmyactions,relatedthroughmyactions,whohasmyactionsasmyarbitrator;who—whateverIdo,forgoodorforevil,tothatwillIfallheir.Totheextentthattherearebeings—past&future,passingaway&re-arising—allbeingsareowneroftheiractions,heirtotheiractions,bornoftheiractions,relatedthroughtheiractions,andhavetheiractionsastheirarbitrator.Whatevertheydo,forgoodorforevil,tothatwilltheyfallheir.’Whenhe/sheoftenreflectsonthis,the[factorsofthe]pathtakebirth.He/shestickswiththatpath,developsit,cultivatesit.Ashe/shestickswiththatpath,developsit,&cultivatesit,thefettersareabandoned,theobsessionsdestroyed.”

“Subjecttobirth,subjecttoaging,

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subjecttodeath,run-of-the-millpeoplearerepelledbythosewhosufferfromthattowhichtheyaresubject.AndifIweretoberepelledbybeingssubjecttothesethings,itwouldnotbefittingforme,

livingastheydo.”

AsImaintainedthisattitude—knowingtheDhammawithoutacquisitions—Iovercameallintoxicationwithhealth,youth,&life

asonewhoseesrenunciationassecurity.

Forme,energyarose,unbindingwasclearlyseen.There’snownowayIcouldpartakeofsensualpleasures.Havingfollowedtheholylife,

Iwillnotreturn.”

—AN5:57

§36.“Monks,Ilivedinrefinement,utmostrefinement,totalrefinement.Myfatherevenhadlotuspondsmadeinourpalace:onewherered-lotusesbloomed,onewherewhitelotusesbloomed,onewherebluelotusesbloomed,allformysake.IusednosandalwoodthatwasnotfromVaranasi.MyturbanwasfromVaranasi,asweremytunic,mylowergarments,&myoutercloak.Awhitesunshadewasheldovermeday&nighttoprotectmefromcold,heat,dust,dirt,&dew.

“Ihadthreepalaces:oneforthecoldseason,oneforthehotseason,onefortherainyseason.DuringthefourmonthsoftherainyseasonIwasentertainedintherainy-seasonpalacebyminstrelswithoutasinglemanamongthem,andIdidnotoncecomedownfromthepalace.Whereastheservants,workers,&retainersinother

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people’shomesarefedmealsoflentilsoup&brokenrice,inmyfather’shometheservants,workers,&retainerswerefedwheat,rice,andmeat.

“EventhoughIwasendowedwithsuchfortune,suchtotalrefinement,thethoughtoccurredtome:‘Whenanuntaught,run-of-the-millperson,himselfsubjecttoaging,notbeyondaging,seesanotherwhoisaged,heishorrified,humiliated,&disgusted,oblivioustohimselfthathetooissubjecttoaging,notbeyondaging.IfI—whoamsubjecttoaging,notbeyondaging—weretobehorrified,humiliated,&disgustedonseeinganotherpersonwhoisaged,thatwouldnotbefittingforme.’AsInoticedthis,the[typical]youngperson’sintoxicationwithyouthentirelydroppedaway.

“EventhoughIwasendowedwithsuchfortune,suchtotalrefinement,thethoughtoccurredtome:‘Whenanuntaught,run-of-the-millperson,himselfsubjecttoillness,notbeyondillness,seesanotherwhoisill,heishorrified,humiliated,&disgusted,oblivioustohimselfthathetooissubjecttoillness,notbeyondillness.AndifI—whoamsubjecttoillness,notbeyondillness—weretobehorrified,humiliated,&disgustedonseeinganotherpersonwhoisill,thatwouldnotbefittingforme.’AsInoticedthis,thehealthyperson’sintoxicationwithhealthentirelydroppedaway.

“EventhoughIwasendowedwithsuchfortune,suchtotalrefinement,thethoughtoccurredtome:‘Whenanuntaught,run-of-the-millperson,himselfsubjecttodeath,notbeyonddeath,seesanotherwhoisdead,heishorrified,humiliated,&disgusted,oblivioustohimselfthathetooissubjecttodeath,notbeyonddeath.AndifI—whoamsubjecttodeath,notbeyonddeath—weretobehorrified,humiliated,&disgustedonseeinganotherpersonwhoisdead,thatwouldnotbefittingforme.’AsInoticedthis,thelivingperson’sintoxicationwithlifeentirelydroppedaway.

“Monks,therearethesethreeformsofintoxication.Whichthree?Intoxicationwithyouth,intoxicationwithhealth,intoxicationwithlife.

“Drunkwiththeintoxicationofyouth,anuninstructed,run-of-the-millpersonengagesinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconduct.Havingengagedinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconduct,he—onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath—reappearsintheplaneofdeprivation,thebad

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destination,thelowerrealms,inhell.“Drunkwiththeintoxicationofhealth,anuninstructed,run-of-

the-millpersonengagesinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconduct.Havingengagedinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconduct,he—onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath—reappearsintheplaneofdeprivation,thebaddestination,thelowerrealms,inhell.

“Drunkwiththeintoxicationoflife,anuninstructed,run-of-the-millpersonengagesinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconduct.Havingengagedinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconduct,he—onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath—reappearsintheplaneofdeprivation,thebaddestination,thelowerrealms,inhell.

“Drunkwiththeintoxicationofyouth,amonkleavesthetrainingandreturnstothelowerlife.Drunkwiththeintoxicationofhealth,amonkleavesthetrainingandreturnstothelowerlife.Drunkwiththeintoxicationoflife,amonkleavesthetrainingandreturnstothelowerlife.”

Subjecttobirth,subjecttoaging,subjecttodeath,

run-of-the-millpeoplearerepelledbythosewhosufferfromthattowhichtheyaresubject.AndifIweretoberepelledbybeingssubjecttothesethings,itwouldnotbefittingforme,

livingastheydo.’

AsImaintainedthisattitude—knowingtheDhammawithoutacquisitions—Iovercameallintoxicationwithhealth,youth,&life

asonewhoseesrenunciationasrest.

Forme,energyarose,unbindingwasclearlyseen.

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There’snownowayIcouldpartakeofsensualpleasures.Havingfollowedtheholylife,

Iwillnotreturn.

—AN3:39

§37.[Ven.Ratthapala:]

Iseeintheworldpeoplewithwealth

who,fromdelusion,don’tmakeagiftofthetreasurethey’vegained.

Greedy,theystashitaway,hopingforevenmoresensualpleasures.

Akingwho,byforce,hasconqueredtheworldandrulesovertheearthtotheedgeofthesea,dissatisfiedwiththeocean’snearshore,

longsfortheocean’sfarshoreaswell.

Kings&others—plentyofpeople—

gotodeathwithcravingunabated.Unsated

theyleavethebodybehind,havingnothadenoughoftheworld’ssensualpleasures.

One’srelativesweep&pullouttheirhair.‘Ohwoe,ourlovedoneisdead,’theycry.Carryinghimoff,wrappedinapieceofcloth,theyplacehim

onapyre,

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thensethimonfire.

Soheburns,pokedwithsticks,injustonepieceofcloth,leavingallhispossessionsbehind.Theyarenotsheltersforonewhohasdied—

notrelatives,friends,orcompanions.

Hisheirstakeoverhiswealth,whilethebeinggoeson,inlinewithhiskamma.Nowealthatallfollowsthedeadone—

notchildren,wives,dominion,orriches.

Longlifecan’tbegottenwithwealth,noragingwardedoffwithtreasure.Thewisesaythislifeisnexttonothing—

impermanent,subjecttochange.

Therich&thepoortouchthetouchofDeath.Thefoolish&wisearetouchedbyit,too.Butwhilefoolslieasifslainbytheirfolly,thewisedon’ttremblewhentouchedbythetouch.

Thusthediscernmentbywhichoneattainstomastery,isbetterthanwealth—forthosewhohaven’treachedmasterygofromexistencetoexistence,

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outofdelusion,doingbaddeeds.

Onegoestoawomb&tothenextworld,fallingintothewanderingon

—onethingafteranother—

whilethoseofweakdiscernment,trustinginone,

alsogotoawomb&tothenextworld.

Justasanevilthiefcaughtatthebreak-in

isdestroyedbyhisownact,

soevilpeople—afterdying,inthenextworld—

aredestroyedbytheirownacts.

Sensualpleasures—variegated,enticing,sweet—

invariouswaysdisturbthemind.Seeingthedrawbacksinsensualobjects:that’swhy,Oking,Iwentforth.

Justlikefruits,peoplefall—young&old—

atthebreak-upofthebody.Knowingthis,Oking,

Iwentforth.Thecontemplativelifeisbetter

forsure.

—MN82

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§38.[SisterMittakali:]

Goingforththroughconvictionfromhomeintohomelessness,Iwanderedthisplace&that,greedyfortribute&gains.Missingoutontheforemostgoal,Ipursuedalowlyone.UndertheswayofdefilementsIsurrenderedthegoalofthecontemplativelife.Then,sittinginmydwelling,Isuddenlycametomysenses:

I’mfollowingamiserablepath.I’mundertheswayof

craving.Nexttonothing,mylife,

crushedbyaging&illness.Beforethebodybreaksapart,Ihavenotime

forheedlessness.

Afterwatching,asithadcometobe,therising&fallingofaggregates,Istoodupwithmindreleased,theAwakenedOne’sbidding

done.

—Thig5:6

Aging

§39.KingKoravya:“MasterRatthapala,yousay,‘Theworldissweptaway.Itdoesnotendure.’Howisthemeaningofthisstatementtobeunderstood?”

Ven.Ratthapala:“Whatdoyouthink,greatking?Whenyouweretwentyortwenty-fiveyearsofage—anexpertelephantrider,an

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experthorseman,anexpertcharioteer,anexpertarcher,anexpertswordsman—wereyoustronginarm&stronginthigh,fit,&seasonedinwarfare?”

KingKoravya:“Yes,MasterRatthapala,whenIwastwentyortwenty-fiveyearsold...Iwasstronginarm&stronginthigh,fit,&seasonedinwarfare.ItwasasifIhadsupernormalpower.Idonotseeanyonewhowasmyequalinstrength.”

Ven.Ratthapala:“Andwhatdoyouthink,greatking?Areyouevennowasstronginarm&stronginthigh,asfit,&asseasonedinwarfare?”

KingKoravya:“Notatall,MasterRatthapala.I’mnowafeebleoldman,aged,advancedinyears,havingcometothelaststageoflife,80yearsold.Sometimes,thinking,‘Iwillplacemyfoothere,’Iplaceitsomewhereelse.”

Ven.Ratthapala:“Itwasinconnectionwiththis,greatking,thattheBlessedOnewhoknows&sees,worthy&rightlyself-awakened,said:‘Theworldissweptaway.Itdoesnotendure.’Havingknown&seen&heardthis,Iwentforthfromthehomelifeintohomelessness.”

—MN82

§40.“Thereisthecasewhereamonkremindshimselfofthis:‘AtpresentIamyoung,black-haired,endowedwiththeblessingsofyouthinthefirststageoflife.Thetimewillcome,though,whenthisbodyisbesetbyoldage.Whenoneisovercomewitholdage&decay,itisnoteasytopayattentiontotheBuddha’steachings.Itisnoteasytoresideinisolatedforestorwildernessdwellings.Beforethisunwelcome,disagreeable,displeasingthinghappens,letmefirstmakeaneffortfortheattainingoftheas-yet-unattained,thereachingoftheas-yet-unreached,therealizationoftheas-yet-unrealized,sothat—endowedwiththatDhamma—Iwillliveinpeaceevenwhenold.’”

—AN5:78

Illness

§41.KingKoravya:“Now,inthisroyalcourtthereareelephant

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troops&cavalry&chariottroops&infantrythatwillservetodefendusfromdangers.Andyetyousay,‘Theworldiswithoutshelter,withoutprotector.’Howisthemeaningofthisstatementtobeunderstood?”

Ven.Ratthapala:“Whatdoyouthink,greatking?Doyouhaveanyrecurringillness?”

KingKoravya:“Yes,MasterRatthapala,Ihavearecurringwind-illness.Sometimesmyfriends&advisors,relatives&blood-kinsmen,standaroundmesaying,‘ThistimeKingKoravyawilldie.ThistimeKingKoravyawilldie.’”

Ven.Ratthapala:“Andwhatdoyouthink,greatking?Canyousaytoyourfriends&advisors,relatives&blood-kinsmen,‘Myfriends&advisors,relatives&blood-kinsmenarecommanded:Allofyouwhoarepresent,shareoutthispainsothatImayfeellesspain’?Ordoyouhavetofeelthatpainallalone?”

KingKoravya:“Oh,no,MasterRatthapala,Ican’tsaytomyfriends&advisors,relatives&blood-kinsmen,‘Allofyouwhoarepresent,shareoutthispainsothatImayfeellesspain.’Ihavetofeelthatpainallalone.”

Ven.Ratthapala:“Itwasinconnectionwiththis,greatking,thattheBlessedOnewhoknows&sees,worthy&rightlyself-awakened,said:‘Theworldiswithoutshelter,withoutprotector.’Havingknown&seen&heardthis,Iwentforthfromthehomelifeintohomelessness.”

—MN82

§42.“Furthermore,themonkremindshimselfofthis:‘AtpresentIamfreefromillness&discomfort,endowedwithgooddigestion:nottoocold,nottoohot,ofmediumstrength&tolerance.Thetimewillcome,though,whenthisbodyisbesetwithillness.Whenoneisovercomewithillness,itisnoteasytopayattentiontotheBuddha’steachings.Itisnoteasytoresideinisolatedforestorwildernessdwellings.Beforethisunwelcome,disagreeable,displeasingthinghappens,letmefirstmakeaneffortfortheattainingoftheas-yet-unattained,thereachingoftheas-yet-unreached,therealizationoftheas-yet-unrealized,sothat—endowedwiththatDhamma—Iwillliveinpeaceevenwhenill.’”

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—AN5:78

§43.“Thereisthecasewhereamonkcomesdownwithaslightillness.Thethoughtoccurstohim:‘Ihavecomedownwithaslightillness.There’saneedtoliedown.’Soheliesdown.Hedoesn’tmakeaneffortfortheattainingoftheas-yet-unattained,thereachingoftheas-yet-unreached,therealizationoftheas-yet-unrealized.Thisistheseventhgroundsforlaziness.

“Thenthereisthecasewhereamonkhasrecoveredfromhisillness,notlongafterhisrecovery.Thethoughtoccurstohim:‘Ihaverecoveredfrommyillness.It’snotlongaftermyrecovery.Thisbodyofmineisweak&unsuitableforwork.Whydon’tIliedown?’Soheliesdown.Hedoesn’tmakeaneffortfortheattainingoftheas-yet-unattained,thereachingoftheas-yet-unreached,therealizationoftheas-yet-unrealized.Thisistheeighthgroundsforlaziness....

“Thenthereisthecasewhereamonkcomesdownwithaslightillness.Thethoughtoccurstohim:‘Ihavecomedownwithaslightillness.Now,there’sthepossibilitythatitcouldgetworse.Whydon’tImakeaneffortbeforehandfortheattainingoftheas-yet-unattained,thereachingoftheas-yet-unreached,therealizationoftheas-yet-unrealized?’Sohemakesaneffortfortheattainingoftheas-yet-unattained,thereachingoftheas-yet-unreached,therealizationoftheas-yet-unrealized.Thisistheseventhgroundsforthearousalofenergy.

“Thenthereisthecasewhereamonkhasrecoveredfromhisillness,notlongafterhisrecovery.Thethoughtoccurstohim:‘Ihaverecoveredfrommyillness.It’snotlongaftermyrecovery.Now,there’sthepossibilitythattheillnesscouldcomeback.Whydon’tImakeaneffortbeforehandfortheattainingoftheas-yet-unattained,thereachingoftheas-yet-unreached,therealizationoftheas-yet-unrealized?’Sohemakesaneffortfortheattainingoftheas-yet-unattained,thereachingoftheas-yet-unreached,therealizationoftheas-yet-unrealized.Thisistheeighthgroundsforthearousalofenergy.

—AN8:80

§44.[SisterDhamma:]

Wanderingforalms—

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weak,leaningonastaff,withtremblinglimbs—Ifelldownrightthereontheground.Seeingthedrawbacksofthebody,mymindwasthen

setfree.

—Thig1:17

Death

§45.KingKoravya:“Now,inthisroyalcourtthereisagreatdealofgold&silverstashedawayunderground&inatticvaults.Andyetyousay,‘Theworldiswithoutownership.Onehastopasson,leavingeverythingbehind.’Howisthemeaningofthisstatementtobeunderstood?”

Ven.Ratthapala:“Whatdoyouthink,greatking?Asyounowenjoyyourselfendowed&repletewiththepleasuresofthefivesenses,canyousay,‘EvenintheafterlifeIwillenjoymyselfinthesameway,endowed&repletewiththeverysamepleasuresofthefivesenses’?Orwillthiswealthfalltoothers,whileyoupassoninaccordancewithyourkamma?”

KingKoravya:“Oh,no,MasterRatthapala,Ican’tsay,‘EvenintheafterlifeIwillenjoymyselfinthesameway,endowed&repletewiththeverysamepleasuresofthefivesenses.’Thiswealthwillfalltoothers,whileIpassoninaccordancewithmykamma.”

Ven.Ratthapala:“Itwasinconnectionwiththis,greatking,thattheBlessedOnewhoknows&sees,worthy&rightlyself-awakened,said:‘Theworldiswithoutownership.Onehastopasson,leavingeverythingbehind.’Havingknown&seen&heardthis,Iwentforthfromthehomelifeintohomelessness.”

—MN82

§46.ThenKingPasenadiofKosalaapproachedtheBlessedOneinthemiddleofthedayand,onarrival,havingboweddown,satdowntooneside.Ashewassittingthere,theBlessedOnesaidtohim:“Wellnow,greatking,whereareyoucomingfrominthemiddle

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oftheday?”“Justnow,lord,Iwasengagedinthesortofroyalaffairstypical

ofhead-anointednoble-warriorkingsintoxicatedwiththeintoxicationofsovereignty,obsessedbygreedforsensualpleasures,whohaveattainedstablecontrolintheircountry,andwhorulehavingconqueredagreatsphereofterritoryonearth.”

“Whatdoyouthink,greatking?Supposeaman,trustworthy&reliable,weretocometoyoufromtheeastandonarrivalwouldsay:‘Ifitpleaseyourmajesty,youshouldknowthatIcomefromtheeast.ThereIsawagreatmountain,ashighastheclouds,comingthisway,crushingalllivingbeings[initspath].Dowhateveryouthinkshouldbedone.’Thenasecondmanweretocometoyoufromthewest…Thenathirdmanweretocometoyoufromthenorth…Thenafourthmanweretocometoyoufromthesouthandonarrivalwouldsay:‘Ifitpleaseyourmajesty,youshouldknowthatIcomefromthesouth.ThereIsawagreatmountain,ashighastheclouds,comingthisway,crushingalllivingbeings.Dowhateveryouthinkshouldbedone.’If,greatking,suchagreatperilshouldarise,suchaterribledestructionofhumanlife—thehumanstatebeingsohardtoobtain—whatshouldbedone?”

“If,lord,suchagreatperilshouldarise,suchaterribledestructionofhumanlife—thehumanstatebeingsohardtoobtain—whatelseshouldbedonebutDhamma-conduct,rightconduct,skillfuldeeds,meritoriousdeeds?”

“Iinformyou,greatking,Iannouncetoyou,greatking:aging&deatharerollinginonyou.Whenaging&deatharerollinginonyou,whatshouldbedone?”

“Asaging&deatharerollinginonme,lord,whatelseshouldbedonebutDhamma-conduct,rightconduct,skillfuldeeds,meritoriousdeeds?

“Thereare,lord,elephantbattles[foughtby]head-anointednoble-warriorkingsintoxicatedwiththeintoxicationofsovereignty,obsessedbygreedforsensualpleasures,whohaveattainedstablecontrolintheircountry,andwhorulehavingconqueredagreatsphereofterritoryonearth;butthereisnouseforthoseelephantbattles,noscopeforthem,whenaging&deatharerollingin.Therearecavalrybattles…chariotbattles…infantrybattles…butthereis

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nouseforthoseinfantrybattles,noscopeforthem,whenaging&deatharerollingin.Inthisroyalcourttherearecounselorswho,whentheenemiesarrive,arecapableofdividingthembytheirwits;butthereisnouseforthosebattlesofwits,noscopeforthem,whenaging&deatharerollingin.Inthisroyalcourtthereisabundantbullion&goldstoredinvaults&depositories,andwithsuchwealthwearecapableofbuyingoffenemieswhentheycome;butthereisnouseforthosebattlesofwealth,noscopeforthem,whenaging&deatharerollingin.Asaging&deatharerollinginonme,lord,whatelseshouldbedonebutDhamma-conduct,rightconduct,skillfuldeeds,meritoriousdeeds?”

“Soitis,greatking!Soitis,greatking!Asaging&deatharerollinginonyou,whatelseshouldbedonebutDhamma-conduct,rightconduct,skillfuldeeds,meritoriousdeeds?”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWell-Gone,theTeacher,furthersaidthis:

“Likemassiveboulders,mountainspressingagainstthesky,movinginfromallsides,crushingthefourdirections,

soaginganddeathcomerollingoverlivingbeings:noblewarriors,brahmans,merchants,workers,outcastes,scavengers.

Theysparenothing.Theytrampleeverything.

Hereelephanttroopscanholdnoground,norcanchariotsorinfantry,norcanabattleofwitsorwealthwinout.

Soawiseperson,seeinghisowngood,steadfast,securesconfidenceintheBuddha,Dhamma,&Sangha.

OnewhopracticestheDhammainthought,word,&deed,

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receivespraisehereonearthandafterdeathrejoicesinheaven.”

—SN3:25

§47.‘HereI’llstayfortherains.Here,forthesummer&winter.’Soimaginesthefool,unawareofobstructions.Thatdrunk-on-his-sons-&-cattleman,alltangledupinthemind:deathsweepshimaway—

asagreatflood,avillageasleep.

Therearenosons

togiveshelter,nofather,nofamily

foroneseizedbytheEnder,noshelteramongkin.Realizing

thisforceofreasoning,thewiseman,restrainedbyvirtue,shouldmakethepathpure

—rightaway—thatgoesallthewaytounbinding.

—Dhp286-289

§48.“Therearethesefourtypesofexcellentthoroughbredhorsestobefoundexistingintheworld.Whichfour?Thereisthecasewhereanexcellentthoroughbredhorse,onseeingtheshadowofthegoad-stick,isstirred&agitated,[thinking,]‘Iwonderwhattaskthetrainerwillhavemedotoday?WhatshouldIdoinresponse?’Someexcellentthoroughbredhorsesarelikethis.Andthisisthefirsttypeofexcellentthoroughbredhorsetobefoundexistingintheworld.

“Thenagainthereisthecasewhereanexcellentthoroughbredhorseisnotstirred&agitatedonseeingtheshadowofthegoad-stick,

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butwhenhishairispricked[withthegoadstick]heisstirred&agitated,[thinking,]‘Iwonderwhattaskthetrainerwillhavemedotoday?WhatshouldIdoinresponse?’Someexcellentthoroughbredhorsesarelikethis.Andthisisthesecondtypeofexcellentthoroughbredhorsetobefoundexistingintheworld.

“Thenagainthereisthecasewhereanexcellentthoroughbredhorseisnotstirred&agitatedonseeingtheshadowofthegoad-stick,orwhenhishairispricked,butwhenhishideispricked[withthegoadstick]heisstirred&agitated,[thinking,]‘Iwonderwhattaskthetrainerwillhavemedotoday?WhatshouldIdoinresponse?’Someexcellentthoroughbredhorsesarelikethis.Andthisisthethirdtypeofexcellentthoroughbredhorsetobefoundexistingintheworld.

“Thenagainthereisthecasewhereanexcellentthoroughbredhorseisnotstirred&agitatedonseeingtheshadowofthegoad-stick,orwhenhishairispricked,orwhenhishideispricked,butwhenhisboneispricked[withthegoadstick]heisstirred&agitated,[thinking,]‘Iwonderwhattaskthetrainerwillhavemedotoday?WhatshouldIdoinresponse?’Someexcellentthoroughbredhorsesarelikethis.Andthisisthefourthtypeofexcellentthoroughbredhorsetobefoundexistingintheworld.

“Thesearethefourtypesofexcellentthoroughbredhorsetobefoundexistingintheworld.

“Now,therearethesefourtypesofexcellentthoroughbredpersonstobefoundexistingintheworld.Whichfour?

“Thereisthecasewhereacertainexcellentthoroughbredpersonhears,‘Inthattownorvillageoverthereamanorwomanisinpainorhasdied.’Heisstirred&agitatedbythat.Stirred,hebecomesappropriatelyresolute.Resolute,hebothrealizeswithhisbodythehighesttruthand,havingpenetrateditwithdiscernment,sees.Thistypeofexcellentthoroughbredperson,Itellyou,isliketheexcellentthoroughbredhorsewho,onseeingtheshadowofthegoad-stick,isstirred&agitated.Someexcellentthoroughbredpeoplearelikethis.Andthisisthefirsttypeofexcellentthoroughbredpersontobefoundexistingintheworld.

“Thenagainthereisthecasewhereacertainexcellentthoroughbredpersondoesnothear,‘Inthattownorvillageoverthere

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amanorwomanisinpainorhasdied.’Buthehimselfseesamanorwomaninpainordead.Heisstirred&agitatedbythat.Stirred,hebecomesappropriatelyresolute.Resolute,hebothrealizeswithhisbodythehighesttruthand,havingpenetrateditwithdiscernment,sees.Thistypeofexcellentthoroughbredperson,Itellyou,isliketheexcellentthoroughbredhorsewho,whenitscoatisprickedwiththegoad-stick,isstirred&agitated.Someexcellentthoroughbredpeoplearelikethis.Andthisisthesecondtypeofexcellentthoroughbredpersontobefoundexistingintheworld.

“Thenagainthereisthecasewhereacertainexcellentthoroughbredpersondoesnothear,‘Inthattownorvillageoverthereamanorwomanisinpainorhasdied.’Andhehimselfdoesnotseeamanorwomaninpainordead.Butheseesoneofhisonebloodrelativesinpainordead.Heisstirred&agitatedbythat.Stirred,hebecomesappropriatelyresolute.Resolute,hebothrealizeswithhisbodythehighesttruthand,havingpenetrateditwithdiscernment,sees.Thistypeofexcellentthoroughbredperson,Itellyou,isliketheexcellentthoroughbredhorsewho,whenitshideisprickedwiththegoad-stick,isstirred&agitated.Someexcellentthoroughbredpeoplearelikethis.Andthisisthethirdtypeofexcellentthoroughbredpersontobefoundexistingintheworld.

“Thenagainthereisthecasewhereacertainexcellentthoroughbredpersondoesnothear,‘Inthattownorvillageoverthereamanorwomanisinpainorhasdied.’Andhehimselfdoesnotseeamanorwomaninpainordead,nordoesheseeoneofhisonebloodrelativesinpainordead.Buthehimselfistouchedbybodilyfeelingsthatarepainful,fierce,sharp,wracking,repellent,disagreeable,life-threatening.Heisstirred&agitatedbythat.Stirred,hebecomesappropriatelyresolute.Resolute,hebothrealizeswithhisbodythehighesttruthand,havingpenetrateditwithdiscernment,sees.Thistypeofexcellentthoroughbredperson,Itellyou,isliketheexcellentthoroughbredhorsewho,whenitsboneisprickedwiththegoad-stick,isstirred&agitated.Someexcellentthoroughbredpeoplearelikethis.Andthisisthefourthtypeofexcellentthoroughbredpersontobefoundexistingintheworld.

“Thesearethefourtypesofexcellentthoroughbredpersonstobefoundexistingintheworld.”

—AN4:113

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§49.“Monks,mindfulnessofdeath—whendeveloped&pursued—isofgreatfruit&greatbenefit.ItgainsafootingintheDeathless,hastheDeathlessasitsfinalend.Andhowismindfulnessofdeathdeveloped&pursuedsothatitisofgreatfruit&greatbenefit,gainsafootingintheDeathless,andhastheDeathlessasitsfinalend?

“Thereisthecasewhereamonk,asdaydepartsandnightreturns,reflects:‘Manyarethe[possible]causesofmydeath.Asnakemightbiteme,ascorpionmightstingme,acentipedemightbiteme.Thatwouldbehowmydeathwouldcomeabout.Thatwouldbeanobstructionforme.Stumbling,Imightfall;myfood,digested,mighttroubleme;mybilemightbeprovoked,myphlegm...piercingwindforces[inthebody]mightbeprovoked.Thatwouldbehowmydeathwouldcomeabout.Thatwouldbeanobstructionforme.’Thenthemonkshouldinvestigate:‘Arethereanyevil,unskillfulmentalqualitiesunabandonedbymethatwouldbeanobstructionformewereItodieinthenight?’If,onreflecting,herealizesthatthereareevil,unskillfulmentalqualitiesunabandonedbyhimthatwouldbeanobstructionforhimwerehetodieinthenight,thenheshouldputforthextradesire,effort,diligence,endeavor,relentlessness,mindfulness,&alertnessfortheabandoningofthoseverysameevil,unskillfulqualities.Justaswhenapersonwhoseturbanorheadwasonfirewouldputforthextradesire,effort,diligence,endeavor,relentlessness,mindfulness,&alertnesstoputoutthefireonhisturbanorhead,inthesamewaythemonkshouldputforthextradesire,effort,diligence,endeavor,relentlessness,mindfulness,&alertnessfortheabandoningofthoseverysameevil,unskillfulqualities.Butif,onreflecting,herealizesthattherearenoevil,unskillfulmentalqualitiesunabandonedbyhimthatwouldbeanobstructionforhimwerehetodieinthenight,thenforthatveryreasonheshoulddwellinjoy&rapture,traininghimselfday&nightinskillfulqualities.

“Further,thereisthecasewhereamonk,asnightdepartsanddayreturns,reflects:‘Manyarethe[possible]causesofmydeath.Asnakemightbiteme,ascorpionmightstingme,acentipedemightbiteme.Thatwouldbehowmydeathwouldcomeabout.Thatwouldbeanobstructionforme.Stumbling,Imightfall;myfood,digested,mighttroubleme;mybilemightbeprovoked,myphlegm...piercingwindforces[inthebody]mightbeprovoked.Thatwouldbehowmy

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deathwouldcomeabout.Thatwouldbeanobstructionforme.’Thenthemonkshouldinvestigate:‘Arethereanyevil,unskillfulmentalqualitiesunabandonedbymethatwouldbeanobstructionformewereItodieduringtheday?’If,onreflecting,herealizesthatthereareevil,unskillfulmentalqualitiesunabandonedbyhimthatwouldbeanobstructionforhimwerehetodieduringtheday,thenheshouldputforthextradesire,effort,diligence,endeavor,relentlessness,mindfulness,&alertnessfortheabandoningofthoseverysameevil,unskillfulqualities.Justaswhenapersonwhoseturbanorheadwasonfirewouldputforthextradesire,effort,diligence,endeavor,relentlessness,mindfulness,&alertnesstoputoutthefireonhisturbanorhead,inthesamewaythemonkshouldputforthextradesire,effort,diligence,endeavor,relentlessness,mindfulness,&alertnessfortheabandoningofthoseverysameevil,unskillfulqualities.Butif,onreflecting,herealizesthattherearenoevil,unskillfulmentalqualitiesunabandonedbyhimthatwouldbeanobstructionforhimwerehetodieduringtheday,thenforthatveryreasonheshoulddwellinjoy&rapture,traininghimselfday&nightinskillfulqualities.

“This,monks,ishowmindfulnessofdeathisdeveloped&pursuedsothatitisofgreatfruit&greatbenefit,gainsafootingintheDeathless,andhastheDeathlessasitsfinalend.”

—AN6:20

§50.“Monks,mindfulnessofdeath,whendeveloped&pursued,isofgreatfruit&greatbenefit.ItgainsafootingintheDeathless,hastheDeathlessasitsfinalend.Thereforeyoushoulddevelopmindfulnessofdeath.”

Whenthiswassaid,acertainmonkaddressedtheBlessedOne,“Ialreadydevelopmindfulnessofdeath.”

“Andhowdoyoudevelopmindfulnessofdeath?”“Ithink,‘O,thatImightliveforaday&night,thatImight

attendtotheBlessedOne’sinstructions.Iwouldhaveaccomplishedagreatdeal.’ThisishowIdevelopmindfulnessofdeath.”

ThenanothermonkaddressedtheBlessedOne,“I,too,alreadydevelopmindfulnessofdeath.”

“Andhowdoyoudevelopmindfulnessofdeath?”

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“Ithink,‘O,thatImightliveforaday,thatImightattendtotheBlessedOne’sinstructions.Iwouldhaveaccomplishedagreatdeal.’ThisishowIdevelopmindfulnessofdeath.”

ThenanothermonkaddressedtheBlessedOne,“I,too,developmindfulnessofdeath....“Ithink,‘O,thatImightlivefortheintervalthatittakestoeatameal,thatImightattendtotheBlessedOne’sinstructions.Iwouldhaveaccomplishedagreatdeal’....

ThenanothermonkaddressedtheBlessedOne,“I,too,developmindfulnessofdeath....“Ithink,‘O,thatImightlivefortheintervalthatittakestoswallowhavingchewedupfourmorselsoffood,thatImightattendtotheBlessedOne’sinstructions.Iwouldhaveaccomplishedagreatdeal’....

ThenanothermonkaddressedtheBlessedOne,“I,too,developmindfulnessofdeath....“Ithink,‘O,thatImightlivefortheintervalthatittakestoswallowhavingcheweduponemorseloffood,thatImightattendtotheBlessedOne’sinstructions.Iwouldhaveaccomplishedagreatdeal’....

ThenanothermonkaddressedtheBlessedOne,“I,too,developmindfulnessofdeath....“Ithink,‘O,thatImightlivefortheintervalthatittakestobreatheoutafterbreathingin,ortobreatheinafterbreathingout,thatImightattendtotheBlessedOne’sinstructions.Iwouldhaveaccomplishedagreatdeal.’ThisishowIdevelopmindfulnessofdeath.”

Whenthiswassaid,theBlessedOneaddressedthemonks.“Whoeverdevelopsmindfulnessofdeath,thinking,‘O,thatImightliveforaday&night...foraday...fortheintervalthatittakestoeatameal...fortheintervalthatittakestoswallowhavingchewedupfourmorselsoffood,thatImightattendtotheBlessedOne’sinstructions.Iwouldhaveaccomplishedagreatdeal’—theyaresaidtobedwellingheedlessly.Theydevelopmindfulnessofdeathslowlyforthesakeofendingthefermentations.

“Butwhoeverdevelopsmindfulnessofdeath,thinking,‘O,thatImightlivefortheintervalthatittakestoswallowhavingcheweduponemorseloffood...fortheintervalthatittakestobreatheoutafterbreathingin,ortobreatheinafterbreathingout,thatImightattendtotheBlessedOne’sinstructions.Iwouldhaveaccomplishedagreatdeal’—theyaresaidtobedwellingheedfully.Theydevelop

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mindfulnessofdeathacutelyforthesakeofendingthefermentations.

“Thereforeyoushouldtrainyourselves:‘Wewilldwellheedfully.Wewilldevelopmindfulnessofdeathacutelyforthesakeofendingthefermentations.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourselves.”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,themonksdelightedintheBlessedOne’swords.

—AN6:19

§51.“Asifheweretoseeacorpsecastawayinacharnelground—oneday,twodays,threedaysdead—bloated,livid,&festering,themonkappliesittothisverybody,‘Thisbody,too:Suchisitsnature,suchisitsfuture,suchitsunavoidablefate’...

“Oragain,asifheweretoseeacorpsecastawayinacharnelground,pickedatbycrows,vultures,&hawks,bydogs,hyenas,&variousothercreatures...askeletonsmearedwithflesh&blood,connectedwithtendons...afleshlessskeletonsmearedwithblood,connectedwithtendons...askeletonwithoutfleshorblood,connectedwithtendons...bonesdetachedfromtheirtendons,scatteredinalldirections—hereahandbone,thereafootbone,hereashinbone,thereathighbone,hereahipbone,thereabackbone,herearib,thereachestbone,hereashoulderbone,thereaneckbone,hereajawbone,thereatooth,hereaskull...theboneswhitened,somewhatlikethecolorofshells...piledup,morethanayearold...decomposedintoapowder:Heappliesittothisverybody,‘Thisbody,too:Suchisitsnature,suchisitsfuture,suchitsunavoidablefate.’

“Inthiswayheremainsfocusedinternallyonthebodyin&ofitself,orexternallyonthebodyin&ofitself,orbothinternally&externallyonthebodyin&ofitself.Orheremainsfocusedonthephenomenonoforiginationwithregardtothebody,onthephenomenonofpassingawaywithregardtothebody,oronthephenomenonoforigination&passingawaywithregardtothebody.Orhismindfulnessthat‘Thereisabody’ismaintainedtotheextentofknowledge&remembrance.Andheremainsindependent,unsustainedby(notclingingto)anythingintheworld.Thisishowamonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself.

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—DN22

§52.[Ven.Mahakala:]

Thisswarthywoman[preparingacorpseforcremation]

—crow-like,enormous—breakingathigh&thentheother

thigh,breakinganarm&thentheother

arm,crackingopenthehead,

likeapotofcurds,shesitswiththemheapedupbesideher.

Whoever,unknowing,makesacquisitions

—thefool—returnsover&overtosuffering&stress.So,discerning,don’tmakeacquisitions.

MayIneverliewithmyheadcrackedopen

again.

—Thag1:16

§53.[SisterNanda:]

“Sick,putrid,unclean:look,Nanda,atthisphysicalheap.Throughcontemplationofthefoul,developyourmind,makeitone,well-centered.

Asthis[yourbody],sothat.Asthat,sothis.

Itgivesoffafoulstench,thedelightoffools.”Consideringitthus,

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untiring,bothday&night,I,withmyowndiscernment

dissectingit,saw.

AndasI,heedful,examineditaptly,

thisbody—asithadcometobe—wasseeninside&out.

ThenwasIdisenchantedwiththebody&dispassionatewithin:

Heedful,detached,calmedwasI.

Unbound.

—Thig5:4

§54.IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayinginSavatthi,atJeta’sGrove,Anathapindika’smonastery.Thereheaddressedthemonks:“Monks!”

“Yes,lord,”themonksreplied.TheBlessedOnesaid:“Monks,Iwillteachyouthesummary&

expositionofonewhohashadanauspiciousday.Listen&paycloseattention.Iwillspeak.”

“Asyousay,lord,”themonksreplied.TheBlessedOnesaid:

Youshouldn’tchaseafterthepast,orplaceexpectationsonthefuture.Whatispast

isleftbehind.Thefuture

isasyetunreached.Whateverqualityispresentyouclearlyseerightthere,

rightthere.

Nottakenin,unshaken,

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that’showyoudeveloptheheart.

Ardentlydoingyourdutytoday,for—whoknows?—tomorrow

deathmaycome.ThereisnobargainingwithDeath&hismightyhorde.

Whoeverlivesthusardently,relentlesslybothday&night,

hastrulyhadanauspiciousday:SosaysthePeacefulSage.

“Andhow,monks,doesonechaseafterthepast?Onegetscarriedawaywiththedelightof‘InthepastIhadsuchaform(body)’...‘InthepastIhadsuchafeeling’...‘InthepastIhadsuchaperception’...‘InthepastIhadsuchathought-fabrication”...‘InthepastIhadsuchaconsciousness.’Thisiscalledchasingafterthepast.

“Andhowdoesonenotchaseafterthepast?Onedoesn’tgetcarriedawaywiththedelightof‘InthepastIhadsuchaform’...‘InthepastIhadsuchafeeling’...‘InthepastIhadsuchaperception’...‘InthepastIhadsuchathought-fabrication”...‘InthepastIhadsuchaconsciousness.’Thisiscallednotchasingafterthepast.

“Andhowdoesoneplaceexpectationsonthefuture?Onegetscarriedawaywiththedelightof‘InthefutureImighthavesuchaform’...‘InthefutureImighthavesuchafeeling’...‘InthefutureImighthavesuchaperception’...‘InthefutureImighthavesuchathought-fabrication”...‘InthefutureImighthavesuchaconsciousness.’Thisiscalledplacingexpectationsonthefuture.

“Andhowdoesonenotplaceexpectationsonthefuture?Onedoesn’tgetcarriedawaywiththedelightof‘InthefutureImighthavesuchaform’...‘InthefutureImighthavesuchafeeling’...‘InthefutureImighthavesuchaperception’...‘InthefutureImighthavesuchathought-fabrication”...‘InthefutureImighthavesuchaconsciousness.’

“Thisiscallednotplacingexpectationsonthefuture.“Andhowisonetakeninwithregardtopresentqualities?There

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isthecasewhereanuninstructedrun-of-the-millpersonwhohasnotseenthenobleones,isnotversedintheteachingsofthenobleones,isnottrainedintheteachingsofthenobleones,assumesformtoself,orselfaspossessingform,orformasinself,orselfasinform.

“He/sheassumesfeelingtobeself...perceptionasself...thought-fabricationsasself....

“He/sheassumesconsciousnesstobeself,orselfaspossessingconsciousness,orconsciousnessasinself,orselfasinconsciousness.Thisiscalledbeingtakeninwithregardtopresentqualities.

“Andhowisonenottakeninwithregardtopresentqualities?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleoneswhohasseenthenobleones,isversedintheteachingsofthenobleones,iswell-trainedintheteachingsofthenobleones,doesn’tassumeformtobeself,orselfaspossessingform,orformasinself,orselfasinform.

“He/shedoesn’tassumefeelingtobeself...perceptiontobeself...thought-fabricationstobeself....

“He/shedoesn’tassumeconsciousnesstobeself,orselfaspossessingconsciousness,orconsciousnessasinself,orselfasinconsciousness.

“Thisiscallednotbeingtakeninwithregardtopresentqualities.

Youshouldn’tchaseafterthepast,orplaceexpectationsonthefuture.Whatispast

isleftbehind.Thefuture

isasyetunreached.Whateverqualityispresentyouclearlyseerightthere,

rightthere.

Nottakenin,unshaken,that’showyoudeveloptheheart.

Ardentlydoingyourdutytoday,for—whoknows?—tomorrow

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deathmaycome.ThereisnobargainingwithDeath&hismightyhorde.

Whoeverlivesthusardently,relentlesslybothday&night,

hastrulyhadanauspiciousday:SosaysthePeacefulSage.

—MN131

Separation

§55.“Fromaninconceivablebeginningcomestransmigration.Abeginningpointisnotevident,thoughbeingshinderedbyignoranceandfetteredbycravingaretransmigrating&wanderingon.Abeingwhohasnotbeenyourmotheratonetimeinthepastisnoteasytofind....Abeingwhohasnotbeenyourfather....yourbrother....yoursister....yourson....yourdaughteratonetimeinthepastisnoteasytofind.

“Whyisthat?Fromaninconceivablebeginningcomestransmigration.Abeginningpointisnotevident,thoughbeingshinderedbyignoranceandfetteredbycravingaretransmigrating&wanderingon.Longhaveyouthusexperiencedstress,experiencedpain,experiencedloss,swellingthecemeteries—enoughtobecomedisenchantedwithallfabrications,enoughtobecomedispassionate,enoughtobereleased.”

—SN15:14-19

§56.“Whichisgreater,thetearsyouhaveshedwhiletransmigrating&wanderingthislong,longtime—crying&weepingfrombeingjoinedwithwhatisdispleasing,beingseparatedfromwhatispleasing—orthewaterinthefourgreatoceans?”

“AsweunderstandtheDhammataughttousbytheBlessedOne,thisisthegreater:thetearswehaveshedwhiletransmigrating&wanderingthislong,longtime—crying&weepingfrombeingjoined

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withwhatisdispleasing,beingseparatedfromwhatispleasing—notthewaterinthefourgreatoceans.”

“Excellent,monks.Excellent.ItisexcellentthatyouthusunderstandtheDhammataughtbyme.

“Thisisthegreater:thetearsyouhaveshedwhiletransmigrating&wanderingthislong,longtime—crying&weepingfrombeingjoinedwithwhatisdispleasing,beingseparatedfromwhatispleasing—notthewaterinthefourgreatoceans.

“Longhaveyou(repeatedly)experiencedthedeathofamother.Thetearsyouhaveshedoverthedeathofamotherwhiletransmigrating&wanderingthislong,longtime—crying&weepingfrombeingjoinedwithwhatisdispleasing,beingseparatedfromwhatispleasing—aregreaterthanthewaterinthefourgreatoceans.

“Longhaveyou(repeatedly)experiencedthedeathofafather...thedeathofabrother...thedeathofasister...thedeathofason...thedeathofadaughter...losswithregardtorelatives...losswithregardtowealth...losswithregardtodisease.Thetearsyouhaveshedoverlosswithregardtodiseasewhiletransmigrating&wanderingthislong,longtime—crying&weepingfrombeingjoinedwithwhatisdispleasing,beingseparatedfromwhatispleasing—aregreaterthanthewaterinthefourgreatoceans.

“Whyisthat?Fromaninconceivablebeginningcomestransmigration.Abeginningpointisnotevident,thoughbeingshinderedbyignoranceandfetteredbycravingaretransmigrating&wanderingon.Longhaveyouthusexperiencedstress,experiencedpain,experiencedloss,swellingthecemeteries—enoughtobecomedisenchantedwithallfabricatedthings,enoughtobecomedispassionate,enoughtobereleased.”

—SN15:3

Kamma

§57.Thesefourtypesofkammahavebeenunderstood,realized,&madeknownbyme.Whichfour?Thereiskammathatisdarkwithdarkresult;kammathatiswhitewithwhiteresult;kammathatisdark&whitewithdark&whiteresult;andkammathatisneither

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darknorwhitewithneitherdarknorwhiteresult,leadingtotheendingofkamma.

Andwhatiskammathatisdarkwithdarkresult?Thereisthecasewhereacertainpersonfabricatesaninjuriousbodilyfabrication...aninjuriousverbalfabrication...aninjuriousmentalfabrication....Herearisesinaninjuriousworldwhereheistouchedbyinjuriouscontacts....Heexperiencesfeelingsthatareexclusivelypainful,likethoseofthebeingsinhell.Thisiscalledkammathatisdarkwithdarkresult.

Andwhatiskammathatiswhitewithwhiteresult?Thereisthecasewhereacertainpersonfabricatesanuninjuriousbodilyfabrication...anuninjuriousverbalfabrication...anuninjuriousmentalfabrication....Herearisesinanuninjuriousworldwhereheistouchedbyuninjuriouscontacts....Heexperiencesfeelingsthatareexclusivelypleasant,likethoseoftheEver-radiantDevas.Thisiscalledkammathatiswhitewithwhiteresult.

Andwhatiskammathatisdark&whitewithdark&whiteresult?Thereisthecasewhereacertainpersonfabricatesabodilyfabricationthatisinjurious&uninjurious...averbalfabricationthatisinjurious&uninjurious...amentalfabricationthatisinjurious&uninjurious....Herearisesinaninjurious&uninjuriousworldwhereheistouchedbyinjurious&uninjuriouscontacts....Heexperiencesinjurious&uninjuriousfeelings,pleasuremingledwithpain,likethoseofhumanbeings,somedevas,andsomebeingsinthelowerrealms.Thisiscalledkammathatisdark&whitewithdark&whiteresult.

Andwhatiskammathatisneitherdarknorwhitewithneitherdarknorwhiteresult,leadingtotheendingofkamma?Theintentionrighttheretoabandonthiskammathatisblackwithblackresult,theintentionrighttheretoabandonthiskammathatiswhitewithwhiteresult,theintentionrighttheretoabandonthiskammathatisblack&whitewithblack&whiteresult.Thisiscalledkammathatisneitherdarknorwhitewithneitherdarknorwhiteresult,leadingtotheendingofkamma.

—AN4:232

[AN4:234repeatsmostoftheabove,definingblack

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kammawithblackresultwiththefollowingexample:“Thereisthecaseofacertainpersonwhokillslivingbeings,stealswhatisnotgiven,engagesinillicitsex,tellslies,anddrinksfermented&distilledliquorsthatarethebasisforheedlessness,”andwhitekammawithwhiteresultwiththefollowingexample:“Thereisthecaseofacertainpersonwhoabstainsfromkillinglivingbeings,abstainsfromstealingwhatisnotgiven,abstainsfromengaginginillicitsex,abstainsfromtellinglies,andabstainsfromdrinkingfermented&distilledliquorsthatarethebasisforheedlessness.”]

§58.Andwhatiskammathatisneitherblacknorwhitewithneitherblacknorwhiteresult,leadingtotheendingofkamma?Rightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration.

—AN4:237

[Thediscourseimmediatelyfollowingthisisidenticaltothisexceptthatitreplacestheabovefactorsofthenobleeightfoldpathwiththefollowingsevenfactorsforawakening:mindfulnessasafactorforawakening,analysisofqualities...persistence...rapture...serenity...concentration...equanimityasafactorforawakening.]

§59.IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearRajagaha,attheBambooGrove,theSquirrels’FeedingGround.

AtthattimeVen.RahulawasstayingattheMangoStone.ThentheBlessedOne,arisingfromhisseclusioninthelateafternoon,wenttowhereVen.RahulawasstayingattheMangoStone.Ven.Rahulasawhimcomingfromafarand,onseeinghim,setoutaseat&waterforwashingthefeet.TheBlessedOnesatdownontheseatsetoutand,havingsatdown,washedhisfeet.Ven.Rahula,bowingdowntotheBlessedOne,satdowntooneside.

ThentheBlessedOne,havingleftalittlebitoftheremainingwaterinthewaterdipper,saidtoVen.Rahula,“Rahula,doyouseethislittlebitofremainingwaterleftinthewaterdipper?”

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“Yessir.”“That’showlittleofacontemplativethereisinanyonewhofeels

noshameattellingadeliberatelie.”Havingtossedawaythelittlebitofremainingwater,theBlessed

OnesaidtoVen.Rahula,“Rahula,doyouseehowthislittlebitofremainingwateristossedaway?”

“Yes,sir.”“Whateverthereisofacontemplativeinanyonewhofeelsno

shameattellingadeliberatelieistossedawayjustlikethat.”Havingturnedthewaterdipperupsidedown,theBlessedOne

saidtoVen.Rahula,“Rahula,doyouseehowthiswaterdipperisturnedupsidedown?”

“Yes,sir.”“Whateverthereisofacontemplativeinanyonewhofeelsno

shameattellingadeliberatelieisturnedupsidedownjustlikethat.”Havingturnedthewaterdipperright-sideup,theBlessedOne

saidtoVen.Rahula,“Rahula,doyouseehowempty&hollowthiswaterdipperis?”

“Yes,sir.”“Whateverthereisofacontemplativeinanyonewhofeelsno

shameattellingadeliberatelieisempty&hollowjustlikethat.“Rahula,it’slikearoyalelephant:immense,pedigreed,

accustomedtobattles,itstuskslikechariotpoles.Havinggoneintobattle,itusesitsforefeet&hindfeet,itsforequarters&hindquarters,itshead&ears&tusks&tail,butwillsimplyholdbackitstrunk.Theelephanttrainernoticesthatandthinks,‘Thisroyalelephanthasnotgivenupitslifetotheking.’Butwhentheroyalelephant...havinggoneintobattle,usesitsforefeet&hindfeet,itsforequarters&hindquarters,itshead&ears&tusks&tail&histrunk,thetrainernoticesthatandthinks,‘Thisroyalelephanthasgivenupitslifetotheking.Thereisnothingitwillnotdo.’

“Thesameholdstruewithanyonewhofeelsnoshameintellingadeliberatelie:Thereisnoevil,Itellyou,hewillnotdo.Thus,Rahula,youshouldtrainyourself,‘Iwillnottelladeliberatelieeveninjest.’

“Whatdoyouthink,Rahula?Whatisamirrorfor?”“Forreflection,sir.”

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“Inthesameway,Rahula,bodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactionsaretobedonewithrepeatedreflection.

“Wheneveryouwanttodoabodilyaction,youshouldreflectonit:‘ThisbodilyactionIwanttodo—woulditleadtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth?Isitanunskillfulbodilyaction,withpainfulconsequences,painfulresults?’If,onreflection,youknowthatitwouldleadtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwouldbeanunskillfulbodilyactionwithpainfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenanybodilyactionofthatsortisabsolutelyunfitforyoutodo.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitwouldnotcauseaffliction...itwouldbeaskillfulbodilyactionwithhappyconsequences,happyresults,thenanybodilyactionofthatsortisfitforyoutodo.

“Whileyouaredoingabodilyaction,youshouldreflectonit:‘ThisbodilyactionIamdoing—isitleadingtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth?Isitanunskillfulbodilyaction,withpainfulconsequences,painfulresults?’If,onreflection,youknowthatitisleadingtoself-affliction,toafflictionofothers,orboth...youshouldgiveitup.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitisnot...youmaycontinuewithit.

“Havingdoneabodilyaction,youshouldreflectonit....If,onreflection,youknowthatitledtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwasanunskillfulbodilyactionwithpainfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenyoushouldconfessit,revealit,layitopentotheTeacherortoaknowledgeablecompanionintheholylife.Havingconfessedit...youshouldexerciserestraintinthefuture.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitdidnotleadtoaffliction...itwasaskillfulbodilyactionwithhappyconsequences,happyresults,thenyoushouldstaymentallyrefreshed&joyful,trainingday&nightinskillfulmentalqualities.

[Similarlywithverbalactions.]“Wheneveryouwanttodoamentalaction,youshouldreflecton

it:‘ThismentalactionIwanttodo—woulditleadtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth?Isitanunskillfulmentalaction,withpainfulconsequences,painfulresults?’If,onreflection,youknowthatitwouldleadtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwouldbeanunskillfulmentalactionwithpainfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenanymentalactionofthatsortis

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absolutelyunfitforyoutodo.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitwouldnotcauseaffliction...itwouldbeaskillfulmentalactionwithhappyconsequences,happyresults,thenanymentalactionofthatsortisfitforyoutodo.

“Whileyouaredoingamentalaction,youshouldreflectonit:‘ThismentalactionIamdoing—isitleadingtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth?Isitanunskillfulmentalaction,withpainfulconsequences,painfulresults?’If,onreflection,youknowthatitisleadingtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth...youshouldgiveitup.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitisnot...youmaycontinuewithit.

“Havingdoneamentalaction,youshouldreflectonit....If,onreflection,youknowthatitledtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwasanunskillfulmentalactionwithpainfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenyoushouldfeeldistressed,ashamed,&disgustedwithit.Feelingdistressed...youshouldexerciserestraintinthefuture.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitdidnotleadtoaffliction...itwasaskillfulmentalactionwithhappyconsequences,happyresults,thenyoushouldstaymentallyrefreshed&joyful,trainingday&nightinskillfulmentalqualities.

“Rahula,allthosecontemplatives&brahmansinthecourseofthepastwhopurifiedtheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactions,diditthroughrepeatedreflectionontheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactionsinjustthisway.

“Allthosecontemplatives&brahmansinthecourseofthefuturewhowillpurifytheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactions,willdoitthroughrepeatedreflectionontheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactionsinjustthisway.

“Allthosecontemplatives&brahmansatpresentwhopurifytheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactions,doitthroughrepeatedreflectionontheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactionsinjustthisway.

“Thus,Rahula,youshouldtrainyourself:‘Iwillpurifymybodilyactionsthroughrepeatedreflection.Iwillpurifymyverbalactionsthroughrepeatedreflection.Iwillpurifymymentalactionsthroughrepeatedreflection.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourself.”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,Ven.Rahula

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delightedintheBlessedOne’swords.—MN61

DarkKamma,WhiteKamma

§60.Thenacertaindevata,inthefarextremeofthenight,herextremeradiancelightinguptheentiretyofJeta’sGrove,wenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,stoodtooneside.Asshewasstandingthere,sherecitedtheseversesintheBlessedOne’spresence:

Whenahouseisonfire,thevesselsalvagedistheonethatwillbeofuse,nottheonelefttheretoburn.

Sowhentheworldisonfirewithaging&death,oneshouldsalvage[one’swealth]bygiving:what’sgiveniswellsalvaged.

What’sgivenbearsfruitaspleasure.Whatisn’tgivendoesnot:thievestakeitaway,orkings;itgetsburntbyfireorlost.

Thenintheendoneleavesthebodytogetherwithone’spossessions.Knowingthis,theintelligentmanenjoyspossessions&gives.Havingenjoyed&giveninlinewithhismeans,uncensuredhegoestotheheavenlystate.

—SN1:41

§61.Ashewassittingtooneside,KingPasenadiofKosalasaidto

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theBlessedOne:“Justnow,lord,whileIwasaloneinseclusion,thistrainofthoughtaroseinmyawareness:‘Whoaredeartothemselves,andwhoarenotdeartothemselves?’Thenitoccurredtome:‘Thosewhoengageinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconductarenotdeartothemselves.Eventhoughtheymaysay,“Wearedeartoourselves,”stilltheyaren’tdeartothemselves.Whyisthat?Oftheirownaccord,theyacttowardthemselvesasanenemywouldacttowardanenemy;thustheyaren’tdeartothemselves.Butthosewhoengageingoodbodilyconduct,goodverbalconduct,&goodmentalconductaredeartothemselves.Eventhoughtheymaysay,“Wearen’tdeartoourselves,”stilltheyaredeartothemselves.Whyisthat?Oftheirownaccord,theyacttowardthemselvesasadearonewouldacttowardadearone;thustheyaredeartothemselves.’”

“That’sthewayitis,greatking!That’sthewayitis!Thosewhoengageinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconductarenotdeartothemselves.Eventhoughtheymaysay,‘Wearedeartoourselves,’stilltheyaren’tdeartothemselves.Whyisthat?Oftheirownaccord,theyacttowardthemselvesasanenemywouldacttowardanenemy;thustheyaren’tdeartothemselves.Butthosewhoengageingoodbodilyconduct,goodverbalconduct,&goodmentalconductaredeartothemselves.Eventhoughtheymaysay,‘Wearen’tdeartoourselves,’stilltheyaredeartothemselves.Whyisthat?Oftheirownaccord,theyacttowardthemselvesasadearonewouldacttowardadearone;thustheyaredeartothemselves.”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWell-Gone,theTeacher,saidfurther:

“Ifyouholdyourselfdearthendon’tfetteryourself

withevil,forhappinessisn’teasilygained

byonewhocommitsawrong-doing.

WhenseizedbytheEnd-makerasyouabandonthehumanstate,

what’strulyyourown?

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Whatdoyoutakealongwhenyougo?Whatfollowsbehindyou

likeashadowthatneverleaves?

Boththemerit&evilthatyouasamortalperformhere:

that’swhat’strulyyourown,

whatyoutakealongwhenyougo;that’s

whatfollowsbehindyoulikeashadowthatneverleaves.

Sodowhatisadmirable,asanaccumulation

forthefuturelife.Deedsofmeritarethesupportforbeings

whentheyariseintheotherworld.”

—SN3:4

§62.“Monks,therearetheseeightbonanzasofmerit,bonanzasofskillfulness,nourishmentsofhappiness,celestial,resultinginhappiness,leadingtoheaven,leadingtowhatisdesirable,pleasurable,&appealing,towelfare&happiness.Whicheight?

“ThereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleoneshasgonetotheBuddhaforrefuge.Thisisthefirstbonanzaofmerit….

“Furthermore,thediscipleofthenobleoneshasgonetotheDhammaforrefuge.Thisisthesecondbonanzaofmerit....

“Furthermore,thediscipleofthenobleoneshasgonetotheSanghaforrefuge.Thisisthethirdbonanzaofmerit....

“Now,therearethesefivegifts,fivegreatgifts—original,long-standing,traditional,ancient,unadulterated,unadulteratedfromthebeginning—thatarenotopentosuspicion,willneverbeopentosuspicion,andareunfaultedbyknowledgeablebrahmans&

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contemplatives.Whichfive?“Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleones,abandoning

thetakingoflife,abstainsfromtakinglife.Indoingso,hegivesfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings.Ingivingfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings,hegainsashareinlimitlessfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,andfreedomfromoppression.Thisisthefirstgift,thefirstgreatgift—original,long-standing,traditional,ancient,unadulterated,unadulteratedfromthebeginning—thatisnotopentosuspicion,willneverbeopentosuspicion,andisunfaultedbyknowledgeablebrahmans&contemplatives.Andthisisthefourthbonanzaofmerit....

“Furthermore,abandoningtakingwhatisnotgiven(stealing),thediscipleofthenobleonesabstainsfromtakingwhatisnotgiven.Indoingso,hegivesfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings.Ingivingfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings,hegainsashareinlimitlessfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,andfreedomfromoppression.Thisisthesecondgift,thesecondgreatgift...andthisisthefifthbonanzaofmerit....

“Furthermore,abandoningillicitsex,thediscipleofthenobleonesabstainsfromillicitsex.Indoingso,hegivesfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings.Ingivingfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings,hegainsashareinlimitlessfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,andfreedomfromoppression.Thisisthethirdgift,thethirdgreatgift...andthisisthesixthbonanzaofmerit....

“Furthermore,abandoninglying,thediscipleofthenobleonesabstainsfromlying.Indoingso,hegivesfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings.Ingivingfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings,hegainsashareinlimitlessfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,andfreedomfromoppression.Thisisthefourthgift,thefourthgreatgift...andthisistheseventhbonanzaofmerit....

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“Furthermore,abandoningtheuseofintoxicants,thediscipleofthenobleonesabstainsfromtakingintoxicants.Indoingso,hegivesfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings.Ingivingfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings,hegainsashareinlimitlessfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,andfreedomfromoppression.Thisisthefifthgift,thefifthgreatgift—original,long-standing,traditional,ancient,unadulterated,unadulteratedfromthebeginning—thatisnotopentosuspicion,willneverbeopentosuspicion,andisunfaultedbyknowledgeablecontemplatives&brahmans.Andthisistheeighthbonanzaofmerit,bonanzaofskillfulness,nourishmentofhappiness,celestial,resultinginhappiness,leadingtoheaven,leadingtowhatisdesirable,pleasurable,&appealing;towelfare&tohappiness.”

—AN8:39

§63.“Thetakingoflife—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryghosts.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromthetakingoflifeisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstoashortlifespan.

“Stealing—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryghosts.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromstealingisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstothelossofone’swealth.

“Illicitsexualbehavior—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryghosts.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromillicitsexualbehavioristhat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstorivalry&revenge.

“Tellingfalsehoods—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryghosts.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromtellingfalsehoodsisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstobeingfalselyaccused.

“Malicioustale-bearing—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued

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—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryghosts.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfrommalicioustale-bearingisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstothebreakingofone’sfriendships.

“Harshspeech—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryghosts.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromharshspeechisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstounappealingsounds.

“Frivolouschattering—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryghosts.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromfrivolouschatteringisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstowordsthataren’tworthtakingtoheart.

“Thedrinkingoffermented&distilledliquors—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryghosts.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromdrinkingfermented&distilledliquorsisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstomentalderangement.”

—AN8:40

§64.Ashewassittingtooneside,KingPasenadiofKosalasaidtotheBlessedOne:“Justnow,lord,whileIwasaloneinseclusion,thistrainofthoughtaroseinmyawareness:‘Fewarethosepeopleintheworldwho,whenacquiringlavishwealth,don’tbecomeintoxicated&heedless,don’tbecomegreedyforsensualpleasures,anddon’tmistreatotherbeings.Manymorearethosewho,whenacquiringlavishwealth,becomeintoxicated&heedless,becomegreedyforsensualpleasures,andmistreatotherbeings.’”

“That’sthewayitis,greatking!That’sthewayitis!Fewarethosepeopleintheworldwho,whenacquiringlavishwealth,don’tbecomeintoxicated&heedless,don’tbecomegreedyforsensualpleasures,anddon’tmistreatotherbeings.Manymorearethosewho,whenacquiringlavishwealth,becomeintoxicated&heedless,becomegreedyforsensualpleasures,andmistreatotherbeings.”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOne

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Well-Gone,theTeacher,saidfurther:

“Impassionedwithsensualpossessions,greedy,dazedbysensualpleasures,theydon’tawakentothefact

thatthey’vegonetoofar—likedeerintotraplaidout.

Afterwardsit’sbitterforthem:evilforthem

theresult.”

—SN3:6

§65.Ashewassittingtooneside,KingPasenadiofKosalasaidtotheBlessedOne:“Justnow,lord,asIwassittinginjudgment,Isawthatevenaffluentnobles,affluentbrahmans,&affluenthouseholders—rich,withgreatwealth&property,withvastamountsofgold&silver,vastamountsofvaluables&commodities,vastamountsofwealth&grain—telldeliberatelieswithsensualityasthecause,sensualityasthereason,simplyforthesakeofsensuality.Then,thethoughtoccurredtome:‘I’vehadenoughofthisjudging!Letsomeotherfinefellowbeknownforhisjudgments!’”

“That’sthewayitis,greatking!That’sthewayitis!Evenaffluentnobles,affluentbrahmans,&affluenthouseholders…telldeliberatelies…simplyforthesakeofsensuality.Thatwillleadtotheirlong-termharm&pain.”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWell-Gone,theTeacher,saidfurther:

“Impassionedwithsensualpossessions,greedy,dazedbysensualpleasures,theydon’tawakentothefact

thatthey’vegonetoofar—likefishintoatrapsetout.

Afterwardsit’sbitterforthem:evilforthem

theresult.”

—SN3:7

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§66.Ashewassittingtooneside,KingPasenadiofKosalasaidtotheBlessedOne:“Isthere,lord,anyonequalitythatkeepsbothkindsofbenefitssecure—thoseinthepresentlifeandthoseinthefuturelife?”

“Thereisonequality,greatking,thatkeepsbothkindsofbenefitssecure—thosepertainingtothepresentlifeandthosetothefuturelife.”

“Butwhat,venerablesir,isthatonequality...?”“Heedfulness,greatking.Justasthefootprintsofalllivingbeings

withlegscanbeencompassedbythefootprintoftheelephant,andtheelephant’sfootprintisdeclaredtobesupremeamongthemintermsofitsgreatsize;inthesameway,heedfulnessistheonequalitythatkeepsbothkindsofbenefitssecure—thoseinthepresentlifeandthoseinthefuturelife.”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWell-Gone,theTeacher,saidfurther:

“Foronewhodesireslonglife,health,beauty,heaven,&noblebirth,—lavishdelights,oneafteranother—

thewisepraiseheedfulnessinperformingofdeedsofmerit.

Thewiseperson,heedful,achievesbothbenefits:thoseinthehere-&-nowandthoseinthelifetocome.Bybreakingthroughtohisbenefit,

he’scalledenlightened,wise.”

—SN3:17

§67.“Therearethesefourqualitiesthatleadtoalayperson’shappinessandwell-beinginlivestocome.Whichfour?Beingconsummateinconviction,beingconsummateinvirtue,beingconsummateingenerosity,beingconsummateindiscernment.

“Andwhatdoesitmeantobeconsummateinconviction?There

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isthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleoneshasconviction,isconvincedoftheTathagata’sawakening:‘Indeed,theBlessedOneisworthyandrightlyself-awakened,consummateinknowledgeandconduct,well-gone,anexpertwithregardtotheworld,unexcelledasatrainerforthosepeoplefittobetamed,theTeacherofdivineandhumanbeings,awakened,blessed.’Thisiscalledbeingconsummateinconviction.

“Andwhatdoesitmeantobeconsummateinvirtue?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleonesabstainsfromtakinglife,abstainsfromstealing,abstainsfromillicitsexualconduct,abstainsfromlying,abstainsfromtakingintoxicantsthatcauseheedlessness.Thisiscalledbeingconsummateinvirtue.

“Andwhatdoesitmeantobeconsummateingenerosity?Thereisthecaseofadiscipleofthenobleones,hisawarenesscleansedofthestainofmiserliness,livingathome,freelygenerous,openhanded,delightinginbeingmagnanimous,responsivetorequests,delightinginthedistributionofalms.Thisiscalledbeingconsummateingenerosity.

“Andwhatdoesitmeantobeconsummateindiscernment?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleonesisdiscerning,endowedwithdiscernmentofarisingandpassingaway—noble,penetrating,leadingtotherightendingofstress.Thisiscalledbeingconsummateindiscernment.

“These,TigerPaw,arethefourqualitiesthatleadtoalayperson’shappinessandwell-beinginlivestocome.

—AN8:54

§68.ThenUgga,theking’schiefminister,approachedtheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddown,satdowntooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtotheBlessedOne:“It’samazing,lord,&astounding,howprosperousMigaraRohaneyyais,howgreathistreasures,howgreathisresources!”

[TheBuddha:]“Butwhatishisproperty,Ugga?Whatarehisgreattreasures&greatresources?”

“Onehundredthousandpiecesofgold,lord,tosaynothingofhissilver.”

“Thatistreasure,Ugga.Idon’tsaythatit’snot.Andthat

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treasureisopentofire,floods,kings,thieves,&hatefulheirs.Buttheseseventreasuresarenotopentofire,flood,kings,thieves,orhatefulheirs.Whichseven?Thetreasureofconviction,thetreasureofvirtue,thetreasureofshame,thetreasureofcompunction,thetreasureoflistening,thetreasureofgenerosity,thetreasureofdiscernment.These,Ugga,aretheseventreasuresthatarenotopentofire,flood,kings,thieves,orhatefulheirs.

—AN7:7

§69.“Therearetheseseventreasures.Whichseven?Thetreasureofconviction,thetreasureofvirtue,thetreasureofshame,thetreasureofcompunction,thetreasureoflistening,thetreasureofgenerosity,thetreasureofdiscernment.

“Andwhatisthetreasureofconviction?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleoneshasconviction,isconvincedoftheTathagata’sawakening:‘Indeed,theBlessedOneisworthyandrightlyself-awakened,consummateinknowledge&conduct,well-gone,anexpertwithregardtotheworld,unexcelledasatrainerforthosepeoplefittobetamed,theTeacherofdivine&humanbeings,awakened,blessed.’Thisiscalledthetreasureofconviction.

“Andwhatisthetreasureofvirtue?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleonesabstainsfromtakinglife,abstainsfromstealing,abstainsfromillicitsexualconduct,abstainsfromlying,abstainsfromtakingintoxicantsthatcauseheedlessness.This,monks,iscalledthetreasureofvirtue.

“Andwhatisthetreasureofshame?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleonesfeelsshameat[thethoughtofengagingin]bodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,mentalmisconduct.Thisiscalledthetreasureofshame.

“Andwhatisthetreasureofcompunction?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleonesfeelsconcernfor[thesufferingthatresultsfrom]bodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,mentalmisconduct.Thisiscalledthetreasureofcompunction.

“Andwhatisthetreasureoflistening?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleoneshasheardmuch,hasretainedwhathe/shehasheard,hasstoredwhathe/shehasheard.Whateverteachingsareadmirableinthebeginning,admirableinthemiddle,admirablein

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theend,that—intheirmeaningandexpression—proclaimtheholylifethatisentirelycompleteandpure:thosehe/shehaslistenedtooften,retained,discussed,accumulated,examinedwithhis/hermind,andwell-penetratedintermsofhis/herviews.Thisiscalledthetreasureoflistening.

“Andwhatisthetreasureofgenerosity?Thereisthecaseofadiscipleofthenobleones,hisawarenesscleansedofthestainofstinginess,livingathome,freelygenerous,openhanded,delightinginbeingmagnanimous,responsivetorequests,delightinginthedistributionofalms.Thisiscalledthetreasureofgenerosity.

“Andwhatisthetreasureofdiscernment?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleonesisdiscerning,endowedwithdiscernmentofarising&passingaway—noble,penetrating,leadingtotherightendingofstress.Thisiscalledthetreasureofdiscernment.

“These,monks,aretheseventreasures.

“Thetreasureofconviction,thetreasureofvirtue,thetreasureofshame&compunction,thetreasureoflistening,generosity,&discernmentastheseventhtreasure:Whoever,manorwoman,hasthesetreasuresissaidnottobepoor,hasnotlivedinvain.Soconviction&virtue,faith&Dhamma-visionshouldbecultivatedbythewise,rememberingtheBuddhas’instruction.“

—AN7:6

KammaNeitherDarknorWhite

§70.[Uttarathedeva’sson:]“Lifeissweptalong,next-to-nothingitsspan.Foronesweptonbyaging

nosheltersexist.

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Perceivingthisdangerindeath,oneshoulddodeedsofmerit

thatbringaboutbliss.”

[TheBuddha:]

“Lifeissweptalong,next-to-nothingitsspan.Foronesweptonbyaging

nosheltersexist.Perceivingthisdangerindeath,oneshoulddroptheworld’sbait

andlookforpeace.”

—SN2:19

§71.“Nowwhat,monks,isthenobleeightfoldpath?Rightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration.

“Andwhatisrightview?Knowledgeintermsofstress,knowledgeintermsoftheoriginationofstress,knowledgeintermsofthecessationofstress,knowledgeintermsofthewayofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstress:Thisiscalledrightview.

“Andwhatisrightresolve?Beingresolvedonrenunciation,onfreedomfromillwill,onharmlessness:Thisiscalledrightresolve.

“Andwhatisrightspeech?Abstainingfromlying,abstainingfromdivisivespeech,abstainingfromabusivespeech,abstainingfromidlechatter:Thisiscalledrightspeech.

“Andwhatisrightaction?Abstainingfromtakinglife,abstainingfromstealing,abstainingfromsexualintercourse[DN22definesthislastsubfactorasabstainingfromillicitsex]:Thisiscalledrightaction.

“Andwhatisrightlivelihood?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleones,havingabandoneddishonestlivelihood,keepshislifegoingwithrightlivelihood:Thisiscalledrightlivelihood.

“Andwhatisrighteffort?[i]Thereisthecasewhereamonkgeneratesdesire,endeavors,activatespersistence,upholds&exertshisintentforthesakeofthenon-arisingofevil,unskillfulqualitiesthathavenotyetarisen.[ii]Hegeneratesdesire,endeavors,activates

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persistence,upholds&exertshisintentforthesakeoftheabandoningofevil,unskillfulqualitiesthathavearisen.[iii]Hegeneratesdesire,endeavors,activatespersistence,upholds&exertshisintentforthesakeofthearisingofskillfulqualitiesthathavenotyetarisen.[iv]Hegeneratesdesire,endeavors,activatespersistence,upholds&exertshisintentforthemaintenance,non-confusion,increase,plenitude,development,&culminationofskillfulqualitiesthathavearisen:Thisiscalledrighteffort.

“Andwhatisrightmindfulness?[i]Thereisthecasewhereamonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—subduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.[ii]Heremainsfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—subduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.[iii]Heremainsfocusedonthemindin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—subduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.[iv]Heremainsfocusedonmentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—subduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Thisiscalledrightmindfulness.

“Andwhatisrightconcentration?[i]Thereisthecasewhereamonk—quitesecludedfromsensuality,secludedfromunskillfulqualities—enters&remainsinthefirstjhana:rapture&pleasurebornofseclusion,accompaniedbydirectedthought&evaluation.[ii]Withthestillingofdirectedthoughts&evaluations,heenters&remainsinthesecondjhana:rapture&pleasurebornofconcentration,unificationofawarenessfreefromdirectedthought&evaluation—internalassurance.[iii]Withthefadingofrapture,heremainsequanimous,mindful,&alert,andsensespleasurewiththebody.Heenters&remainsinthethirdjhana,ofwhichthenobleonesdeclare,‘Equanimous&mindful,hehasapleasantabiding.’[iv]Withtheabandoningofpleasure&pain—aswiththeearlierdisappearanceofelation&distress—heenters&remainsinthefourthjhana:purityofequanimity&mindfulness,neitherpleasurenorpain.Thisiscalledrightconcentration.”

—SN45:8

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Advice

Aging

§72.Thentwobrahmans—feebleoldmen,aged,advancedinyears,havingcometothelaststageoflife,120yearsold—wenttotheBlessedOne.Onarrival,theyexchangedcourteousgreetingswithhimand,afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,sattooneside.Astheyweresittingthere,theysaidtohim:“MasterGotama,wearebrahmans—feebleoldmen,aged,advancedinyears,havingcometothelaststageoflife,120yearsold.Andwehavedonenoadmirabledeeds,noskillfuldeeds,nodeedsthatallayourfears.Teachus,MasterGotama.Instructus,MasterGotama,forourlong-termbenefit&happiness.”

“Indeed,brahmans,youarefeebleoldmen,aged,advancedinyears,havingcometothelaststageoflife,120yearsold.Andyouhavedonenoadmirabledeeds,noskillfuldeeds,nodeedsthatallayyourfears.Thisworldissweptawaybyaging,byillness,bydeath.Withtheworldthussweptawaybyaging,illness,&death,anyrestraintofbody,speech,&intellectpracticedherewillbeone’sshelter,cave,island,&refugeafterdeathintheworldbeyond.”

It’ssweptalong:life,itsnext-to-nothingspan.Foronesweptonbyaging

nosheltersexist.Keepingsightofthisdangerindeath,

domeritoriousdeedsthatbringbliss.

Whoeverhereisrestrainedinbody,speech,&awareness,whomakesmeritwhilehe’salive:thatwillbeforhisblissafterdeath.

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—AN3:51

§73.Thentwobrahmans—feebleoldmen,aged,advancedinyears,havingcometothelaststageoflife,120yearsold—wenttotheBlessedOne.Onarrival,theyexchangedcourteousgreetingswithhimand,afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,sattooneside.Astheyweresittingthere,theysaidtohim:“MasterGotama,wearebrahmans—feebleoldmen,aged,advancedinyears,havingcometothelaststageoflife,120yearsold.Andwehavedonenoadmirabledeeds,noskillfuldeeds,nodeedsthatallayourfears.Teachus,MasterGotama.Instructus,MasterGotama,forourlong-termbenefit&happiness.”

“Indeed,brahmans,youarefeebleoldmen,aged,advancedinyears,havingcometothelaststageoflife,120yearsold.Andyouhavedonenoadmirabledeeds,noskillfuldeeds,nodeedsthatallayyourfears.Thisworldisonfirewithaging,illness,&death.Withtheworldthusonfirewithaging,illness,&death,anyrestraintofbody,speech,&intellectpracticedherewillbeone’sshelter,cave,island,&refugeafterdeathintheworldbeyond.”

Whenahouseisonfire,thevesselsalvagedistheonethatwillbeofuse,

nottheonelefttheretoburn.

Sowhentheworldisonfirewithaging&death,oneshouldsalvage[one’swealth]bygiving:

what’sgiveniswellsalvaged.Whoeverhereisrestrained

inbody,speech,&awareness;whomakesmeritwhilehe’salive:

thatwillbeforhisblissafterdeath.

—AN3:52

§74.ThenNakula’sfatherthehouseholder…wenttoVen.Sariputtaandonarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,Ven.Sariputtasaidtohim,“Yourfaculties

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areclear&calm,householder,yourcomplexionpure.HaveyouhadtheopportunitytodayoflisteningtoaDhammatalkinthepresenceoftheBlessedOne?”

“Howcoulditbeotherwise,venerablesir?IhavejustnowbeensprinkledbytheBlessedOnewiththedeathlessambrosiaofaDhammatalk.”

“AndhowwereyousprinkledbytheBlessedOnewiththedeathlessambrosiaofaDhammatalk?”

“JustnowIwenttotheBlessedOneandonarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AsIwassittingthereIsaidtohim,‘Lord,Iamadecrepitoldman,aged,advancedinyears,havingcometothelaststageoflife.Iamafflictedinbody&ailingwitheverymoment.AnditisonlyrarelythatIgettoseetheBlessedOne&themonkswhonourishtheheart.MaytheBlessedOneteachme,maytheBlessedOneinstructme,formylong-termbenefit&happiness.’

“Whenthiswassaid,theBlessedOnesaidtome,‘Soitis,householder.Soitis.Thebodyisafflicted,weak,&encumbered.Forwho,lookingafterthisbody,wouldclaimevenamomentoftruehealth,exceptthroughsheerfoolishness?Soyoushouldtrainyourself:“EventhoughImaybeafflictedinbody,mymindwillbeunafflicted.”Thatishowyoushouldtrainyourself.’That’showIwassprinkledbytheBlessedOnewiththedeathlessambrosiaofaDhammatalk.”

“Butwhydidn’titoccurtoyoutoquestiontheBlessedOnefurther:‘Inwhatwayisoneafflictedinbody&afflictedinmind?Andinwhatwayisoneafflictedinbodybutunafflictedinmind?’

“IwouldcomefromalongwayawaytoheartheexplicationofthesewordsinVen.Sariputta’spresence.ItwouldbegoodifVen.Sariputtahimselfwouldenlightenmeastotheirmeaning.”

“Theninthatcase,householder,listen&paycloseattention.Iwillspeak.”

“Asyousay,venerablesir,”Nakula’sfatherthehouseholderresponded.

Ven.Sariputtasaid:“Now,howisoneafflictedinbody&afflictedinmind?

“Thereisthecasewhereanuninstructed,run-of-the-millperson—whohasnoregardfornobleones,isnotwell-versedordisciplined

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intheirDhamma;whohasnoregardformenofintegrity,isnotwell-versedordisciplinedintheirDhamma—assumesformtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingform,orformasintheself,ortheselfasinform.Heisobsessedwiththeideathat‘Iamform’or‘Formismine.’Asheisobsessedwiththeseideas,hisformchanges&alters,andhefallsintosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairoveritschange&alteration.

“Heassumesfeelingtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingfeeling,orfeelingasintheself,ortheselfasinfeeling.Heisobsessedwiththeideathat‘Iamfeeling’or‘Feelingismine.’Asheisobsessedwiththeseideas,hisfeelingchanges&alters,andhefallsintosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairoveritschange&alteration.

“Heassumesperceptiontobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingperception,orperceptionasintheself,ortheselfasinperception.Heisobsessedwiththeideathat‘Iamperception’or‘Perceptionismine.’Asheisobsessedwiththeseideas,hisperceptionchanges&alters,andhefallsintosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairoveritschange&alteration.

“Heassumesfabricationstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingfabrications,orfabricationsasintheself,ortheselfasinfabrications.Heisobsessedwiththeideathat‘Iamfabrications’or‘Fabricationsaremine.’Asheisobsessedwiththeseideas,hisfabricationschange&alter,andhefallsintosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairovertheirchange&alteration.

“Heassumesconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingconsciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness.Heisobsessedwiththeideathat‘Iamconsciousness’or‘Consciousnessismine.’Asheisobsessedwiththeseideas,hisconsciousnesschanges&alters,andhefallsintosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despairoveritschange&alteration.

“This,householder,ishowoneisafflictedinbodyandafflictedinmind.

“Andhowisoneafflictedinbodybutunafflictedinmind?Thereisthecasewhereawell-instructeddiscipleofthenobleones—whohasregardfornobleones,iswell-versed&disciplinedintheir

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Dhamma;whohasregardformenofintegrity,iswell-versed&disciplinedintheirDhamma—doesn’tassumeformtobetheself,ortheselfaspossessingform,orformasintheself,ortheselfasinform.Heisnotobsessedwiththeideathat‘Iamform’or‘Formismine.’Asheisnotobsessedwiththeseideas,hisformchanges&alters,buthedoesn’tfallintosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,ordespairoveritschange&alteration.

“Hedoesn’tassumefeelingtobetheself....“Hedoesn’tassumeperceptiontobetheself....“Hedoesn’tassumefabricationstobetheself....“Hedoesn’tassumeconsciousnesstobetheself,ortheselfas

possessingconsciousness,orconsciousnessasintheself,ortheselfasinconsciousness.Heisnotobsessedwiththeideathat‘Iamconsciousness’or‘Consciousnessismine.’Asheisnotobsessedwiththeseideas,hisconsciousnesschanges&alters,buthedoesn’tfallintosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,ordespairoveritschange&alteration.

“This,householder,ishowoneisafflictedinbodybutunafflictedinmind.”

ThatiswhatVen.Sariputtasaid.Gratified,Nakula’sfatherthehouseholderdelightedinVen.Sariputta’swords.

—SN22:1

§75.[Pingiya:]

I’mold&weak,mycomplexiondull.I’veblurryeyesandtroublehearing,butmayInotperishdeluded,

confused!TeachmetheDhammasothatImayknowtheabandoninghere

ofbirth&aging.

[TheBuddha:]

Seeingpeoplesuffering

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onaccountoftheirbodies—heedlesspeopleareoppressedonaccountoftheirbodies—

thenheedful,Pingiya,letgoofthebody

forthesakeofnofurtherbecoming.

[Pingiya:]

Inthefourcardinaldirections,thefourintermediate,above&below

—thetendirections—thereisnothingintheworld

unseen,unheard,unsensed,uncognizedbyyou.

TeachmetheDhammasothatImayknowtheabandoninghere

ofbirth&aging.

[TheBuddha:]

Seeingpeople,victimsofcraving—aflame,overwhelmedwithaging—

thenheedful,Pingiya,letgoofcraving

forthesakeofnofurtherbecoming.

—Sn5:16

Illness

§76.“Asickpersonendowedwithfivequalitiesiseasytotendto:Hedoeswhatisamenabletohiscure;heknowstheproperamountinthingsamenabletohiscure;hetakeshismedicine;hetellshissymptoms,astheyhavecometobe,tothenursedesiringhiswelfare,sayingthattheyareworsewhentheyareworse,improvingwhentheyareimproving,orremainingthesamewhentheyareremainingthe

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same;andheisthetypewhocanendurebodilyfeelingsthatarepainful,fierce,sharp,wracking,repellent,disagreeable,life-threatening.Asickpersonendowedwiththesefivequalitiesiseasytotendto.

“Anurseendowedwithfivequalitiesisnotfittotendtothesick:Heisnotcompetentatmixingmedicine;hedoesn’tknowwhatisamenableorunamenabletothepatient’scure,bringingtothepatientthingsthatareunamenableandtakingawaythingsthatareamenable;heismotivatedbymaterialgain,notbythoughtsofgoodwill;hegetsdisgustedatcleaningupexcrement,urine,saliva,orvomit;andheisnotcompetentatinstructing,urging,rousing,&encouragingthesickpersonattheproperoccasionswithatalkonDhamma.Anurseendowedwiththesefivequalitiesisnotfittotendtothesick.

“Anurseendowedwithfivequalitiesisfittotendtothesick:Heiscompetentatmixingmedicine;heknowswhatisamenableorunamenabletothepatient’scure,takingawaythingsthatareunamenableandbringingthingsthatareamenable;heismotivatedbythoughtsofgoodwill,notbymaterialgain;hedoesn’tgetdisgustedatcleaningupexcrement,urine,saliva,orvomit;andheiscompetentatinstructing,urging,rousing,&encouragingthesickpersonattheproperoccasionswithatalkonDhamma.Anurseendowedwiththesefivequalitiesisfittotendtothesick.”

—Mv.VIII.26

§77.“Monks,whenanuninstructedrun-of-the-millpersonmakesthestatement,‘Thereisabottomlesschasmintheocean,’heistalkingaboutsomethingthatdoesn’texist,thatcan’tbefound.Theword‘bottomlesschasm’isactuallyadesignationforpainfulbodilyfeeling.

“Whenanuninstructedrun-of-the-millpersonistouchedbyapainfulbodilyfeeling,hesorrows,grieves,&laments,beatshisbreast,becomesdistraught.Thisiscalledanuninstructedrun-of-the-millpersonwhohasnotrisenupoutofthebottomlesschasm,whohasnotgainedafoothold.

“Whenanwell-instructeddiscipleofthenobleonesistouchedbyapainfulbodilyfeeling,hedoesn’tsorrow,grieve,orlament,doesn’tbeathisbreastorbecomedistraught.Thisiscalledawell-instructed

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discipleofthenobleoneswhohasrisenupoutofthebottomlesschasm,whosefootholdisgained.”

Whoevercan’tendurethemoncethey’vearisen—

painfulbodilyfeelingsthatcouldkilllivingbeings—

whotremblesattheirtouch,whocries&wails,aweaklingwithnoresilience:

hehasn’trisenupoutofthebottomlesschasmorevengainedafoothold.

Whoeverenduresthemoncethey’vearisen—

painfulbodilyfeelingsthatcouldkilllivingbeings—

whodoesn’ttrembleattheirtouch:he’srisenupoutofthebottomlesschasm,hisfootholdisgained.

—SN36:4

§78.“Monks,anuninstructedrun-of-the-millpersonfeelsfeelingsofpleasure,feelingsofpain,feelingsofneither-pleasure-nor-pain.Awell-instructeddiscipleofthenobleonesalsofeelsfeelingsofpleasure,feelingsofpain,feelingsofneither-pleasure-nor-pain.Sowhatdifference,whatdistinction,whatdistinguishingfactoristherebetweenthewell-instructeddiscipleofthenobleonesandtheuninstructedrun-of-the-millperson?”

“Forus,lord,theteachingshavetheBlessedOneastheirroot,theirguide,&theirrefuge.ItwouldbegoodiftheBlessedOnehimselfwouldexplicatethemeaningofthisstatement.HavinghearditfromtheBlessedOne,themonkswillrememberit.”

“Inthatcase,monks,listen&paycloseattention.Iwillspeak.”“Asyousay,lord,”themonksresponded.

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TheBlessedOnesaid,“Whentouchedwithafeelingofpain,theuninstructedrun-of-the-millpersonsorrows,grieves,&laments,beatshisbreast,becomesdistraught.Sohefeelstwopains,physical&mental.Justasiftheyweretoshootamanwithanarrowand,rightafterward,weretoshoothimwithanotherone,sothathewouldfeelthepainsoftwoarrows;inthesameway,whentouchedwithafeelingofpain,theuninstructedrun-of-the-millpersonsorrows,grieves,&laments,beatshisbreast,becomesdistraught.Sohefeelstwopains,physical&mental.

“Asheistouchedbythatpainfulfeeling,heisresistant.Anyresistance-obsessiontowardthatpainfulfeelingcomesintoplay.Touchedbythatpainfulfeeling,hedelightsinsensualpleasure.Whyisthat?Becausetheuninstructedrun-of-the-millpersondoesn’tdiscernanyescapefrompainfulfeelingasidefromsensualpleasure.Asheisdelightinginsensualpleasure,anypassion-obsessiontowardthatfeelingofpleasurecomesintoplay.Hedoesn’tdiscern,asithascometobe,theorigination,passingaway,allure,drawback,orescapefromthatfeeling.Ashedoesn’tdiscerntheorigination,passingaway,allure,drawback,orescapefromthatfeeling,thenanyignorance-obsessiontowardafeelingofneither-pleasure-nor-paincomesintoplay.

“Sensingafeelingofpleasure,hesensesitasthoughjoinedwithit.Sensingafeelingofpain,hesensesitasthoughjoinedwithit.Sensingafeelingofneither-pleasure-nor-pain,hesensesitasthoughjoinedwithit.Thisiscalledanuninstructedrun-of-the-millpersonjoinedwithbirth,aging,&death;withsorrows,lamentations,pains,distresses,&despairs.Heisjoined,Itellyou,withsuffering&stress.

“Now,thewell-instructeddiscipleofthenobleones,whentouchedwithafeelingofpain,doesn’tsorrow,grieve,orlament,doesn’tbeathisbreastorbecomedistraught.Sohefeelsonepain:physical,butnotmental.Justasiftheyweretoshootamanwithanarrowand,rightafterward,didnotshoothimwithanotherone,sothathewouldfeelthepainofonlyonearrow;inthesameway,whentouchedwithafeelingofpain,thewell-instructeddiscipleofthenobleonesdoesn’tsorrow,grieve,orlament,doesn’tbeathisbreastorbecomedistraught.Hefeelsonepain:physical,butnotmental.

“Asheistouchedbythatpainfulfeeling,heisnotresistant.Noresistance-obsessiontowardthatpainfulfeelingcomesintoplay.

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Touchedbythatpainfulfeeling,hedoesn’tdelightinsensualpleasure.Whyisthat?Becausethewell-instructeddiscipleofthenobleonesdiscernsanescapefrompainfulfeelingasidefromsensualpleasure.Asheisnotdelightinginsensualpleasure,nopassion-obsessiontowardthatfeelingofpleasurecomesintoplay.Hediscerns,asithascometobe,theorigination,passingaway,allure,drawback,andescapefromthatfeeling.Ashediscernstheorigination,passingaway,allure,drawback,andescapefromthatfeeling,noignorance-obsessiontowardafeelingofneither-pleasure-nor-paincomesintoplay.

“Sensingafeelingofpleasure,hesensesitdisjoinedfromit.Sensingafeelingofpain,hesensesitdisjoinedfromit.Sensingafeelingofneither-pleasure-nor-pain,hesensesitdisjoinedfromit.Thisiscalledawell-instructeddiscipleofthenobleonesdisjoinedfrombirth,aging,&death;fromsorrows,lamentations,pains,distresses,&despairs.Heisdisjoined,Itellyou,fromsuffering&stress.

“Thisisthedifference,thisthedistinction,thisthedistinguishingfactorbetweenthewell-instructeddiscipleofthenobleonesandtheuninstructedrun-of-the-millperson.”

Thediscerningperson,learned,doesn’tsensea(mental)feelingofpleasureorpain:Thisisthedifferenceinskillfulnessbetweenthesage&thepersonrun-of-the-mill.ForalearnedpersonwhohasfathomedtheDhamma,clearlyseeingthisworld&thenext,

desirablethingsdon’tcharmthemind,undesirableonesbringnoresistance.

Hisacceptance&rejection

arescattered,gonetotheirend,

donotexist.Knowingthedustless,sorrowlessstate,he

discernsrightly,

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hasgone,beyondbecoming,totheFurtherShore.

—SN36:6

§79.AtthattimeVen.MahaKassapawasstayinginthePepperTreeCave,diseased,inpain,severelyill.ThentheBlessedOne,inthelateafternoon,lefthisseclusionandwenttowhereVen.MahaKassapawasstaying.Onarrival,hesatdownonapreparedseatandsaidtoVen.MahaKassapa,“Ihopeyouaregettingbetter,Kassapa.Ihopeyouarecomfortable.Ihopethatyourpainsarelesseningandnotincreasing.Ihopethattherearesignsoftheirlessening,andnotoftheirincreasing.”

“Iamnotgettingbetter,lord.Iamnotcomfortable.Myextremepainsareincreasing,notlessening.Therearesignsoftheirincreasing,andnotoftheirlessening.”

“Kassapa,thesesevenfactorsforawakeningrightlytaughtbyme,whendevelopedandpursued,leadtodirectknowledge,toself-awakening,tounbinding.Whichseven?

“Mindfulnessasafactorforawakeningrightlytaughtbyme,whendevelopedandpursued,leadstodirectknowledge,toself-awakening,tounbinding.

“Analysisofqualitiesasafactorforawakening,rightlytaughtbyme,whendevelopedandpursued,leadstodirectknowledge,toself-awakening,tounbinding.

“Persistenceasafactorforawakening....“Raptureasafactorforawakening....“Serenityasafactorforawakening....“Concentrationasafactorforawakening....“Equanimityasafactorforawakeningrightlytaughtbyme,

whendevelopedandpursued,leadstodirectknowledge,toself-awakening,tounbinding.

“Kassapa,thesearethesevenfactorsforawakeningrightlytaughtbymethat—whendevelopedandpursued—leadtodirectknowledge,toself-awakening,tounbinding.”

“Theyareindeedfactorsofawakening,OBlessedOne.Theyareindeedfactorsofawakening,OOneWell-Gone.”

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ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,Ven.MahaKassapadelightedintheBlessedOne’swords.AndVen.MahaKassaparecoveredfromhisdisease.ThatwashowVen.MahaKassapa’sdiseasewasabandoned.

—SN46:14

§80.IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthi,inJeta’sGrove,Anathapindika’smonastery.AndonthatoccasionVen.Girimanandawasdiseased,inpain,severelyill.ThenVen.AnandawenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AshewassittingtherehesaidtotheBlessedOne,“Lord,Ven.Girimanandaisdiseased,inpain,severelyill.ItwouldbegoodiftheBlessedOnewouldvisitVen.Girimananda,outofsympathyforhim.”

“Ananda,ifyougotothemonkGirimanandaandtellhimtenperceptions,it’spossiblethatwhenhehearsthetenperceptionshisdiseasemaybeallayed.Whichten?Theperceptionofinconstancy,theperceptionofnon-self,theperceptionofunattractiveness,theperceptionofdrawbacks,theperceptionofabandoning,theperceptionofdispassion,theperceptionofcessation,theperceptionofdistasteforeveryworld,theperceptionoftheundesirabilityofallfabrications,mindfulnessofin-&-outbreathing.

[1]“Andwhatistheperceptionofinconstancy?Thereisthecasewhereamonk—havinggonetothewilderness,totheshadeofatree,ortoanemptybuilding—reflectsthus:‘Formisinconstant,feelingisinconstant,perceptionisinconstant,fabricationsareinconstant,consciousnessisinconstant.’Thusheremainsfocusedoninconstancywithregardtothefiveclinging-aggregates.This,Ananda,iscalledtheperceptionofinconstancy.

[2]“Andwhatistheperceptionofnot-self?Thereisthecasewhereamonk—havinggonetothewilderness,totheshadeofatree,ortoanemptybuilding—reflectsthus:‘Theeyeisnot-self,formsarenot-self;theearisnot-self,soundsarenot-self;thenoseisnot-self,aromasarenot-self;thetongueisnot-self,flavorsarenot-self;thebodyisnot-self,flavorsarenot-self;theintellectisnot-self,ideasarenot-self.’Thusheremainsfocusedonnot-selfnesswithregardtothesixinner&outersensespheres.Thisiscalledtheperceptionofnot-self.

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[3]“Andwhatistheperceptionofunattractiveness?Thereisthecasewhereamonkpondersthisverybody—fromthesolesofthefeetonup,fromthecrownoftheheadondown,surroundedbyskin,filledwithallsortsofuncleanthings:‘Thereisinthisbody:hairofthehead,hairofthebody,nails,teeth,skin,muscle,tendons,bones,bonemarrow,spleen,heart,liver,membranes,kidneys,lungs,largeintestines,smallintestines,gorge,feces,gall,phlegm,lymph,blood,sweat,fat,tears,oil,saliva,mucus,oilinthejoints,urine.’Thusheremainsfocusedonunattractivenesswithregardtothisverybody.Thisiscalledtheperceptionofunattractiveness.

[4]“Andwhatistheperceptionofdrawbacks?Thereisthecasewhereamonk—havinggonetothewilderness,tothefootofatree,ortoanemptydwelling—reflectsthus:‘Thisbodywasmanypains,manydrawbacks.Inthisbodymanykindsofdiseasearise,suchas:seeing-diseases,hearing-diseases,nose-diseases,tongue-diseases,body-diseases,head-diseases,ear-diseases,mouth-diseases,teeth-diseases,cough,asthma,catarrh,fever,aging,stomach-ache,fainting,dysentery,grippe,cholera,leprosy,boils,ringworm,tuberculosis,epilepsy,skin-disease,itch,scab,psoriasis,scabies,jaundice,diabetes,hemorrhoids,fistulas,ulcers;diseasesarisingfrombile,fromphlegm,fromthewind-property,fromcombinationsofbodilyhumors,fromchangesintheweather,fromunevencareofthebody,fromviolence,fromtheresultofkamma;cold,heat,hunger,thirst,defecation,urination.’Thusheremainsfocusedondrawbackswithregardtothisbody.Thisiscalledtheperceptionofdrawbacks.

[5]“Andwhatistheperceptionofabandoning?Thereisthecasewhereamonkdoesn’ttolerateanarisenthoughtofsensuality.Heabandonsit,destroys,itdispelsit,&wipesitoutofexistence.Hedoesn’ttolerateanarisenthoughtofill-will.Heabandonsit,destroys,itdispelsit,&wipesitoutofexistence.Hedoesn’ttolerateanarisenthoughtofharmfulness.Heabandonsit,destroys,itdispelsit,&wipesitoutofexistence.Hedoesn’ttoleratearisenevil,unskillfulmentalqualities.Heabandonsthem,destroysthem,dispelsthem,&wipesthemoutofexistence.Thisiscalledtheperceptionofabandoning.

[6]“Andwhatistheperceptionofdispassion?Thereisthecasewhereamonk—havinggonetothewilderness,totheshadeofatree,ortoanemptybuilding—reflectsthus:‘Thisispeace,thisisexquisite

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—thepacificationofallfabrications,therelinquishingofallacquisitions,theendingofcraving,dispassion,unbinding.’Thisiscalledtheperceptionofdispassion.

[7]“Andwhatistheperceptionofcessation?Thereisthecasewhereamonk—havinggonetothewilderness,totheshadeofatree,ortoanemptybuilding—reflectsthus:‘Thisispeace,thisisexquisite—thepacificationofallfabrications,therelinquishingofallacquisitions,theendingofcraving,cessation,unbinding.’Thisiscalledtheperceptionofcessation.

[8]“Andwhatistheperceptionofdistasteforeveryworld?Thereisthecasewhereamonkabandoninganyattachments,clingings,fixationsofawareness,biases,orobsessionswithregardtoanyworld,refrainsfromthemanddoesnotgetinvolved.Thisiscalledtheperceptionofdistasteforeveryworld.

[9]“Andwhatistheperceptionoftheundesirabilityofallfabrications?Thereisthecasewhereamonkfeelshorrified,humiliated,&disgustedwithallfabrications.Thisiscalledtheperceptionoftheundesirabilityofallfabrications.

[10]“Andwhatismindfulnessofin-&-outbreathing?Thereisthecasewhereamonk—havinggonetothewilderness,totheshadeofatree,ortoanemptybuilding—sitsdownfoldinghislegscrosswise,holdinghisbodyerect,andsettingmindfulnesstothefore.Alwaysmindful,hebreathesin;mindfulhebreathesout.

“[i]Breathinginlong,hediscernsthatheisbreathinginlong;orbreathingoutlong,hediscernsthatheisbreathingoutlong.[ii]Orbreathinginshort,hediscernsthatheisbreathinginshort;orbreathingoutshort,hediscernsthatheisbreathingoutshort.[iii]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitivetotheentirebody,andtobreatheoutsensitivetotheentirebody.[iv]Hetrainshimselftobreatheincalmingbodilyfabrication[thein-&-outbreath],andtobreatheoutcalmingbodilyfabrication.

“[v]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitivetorapture,andtobreatheoutsensitivetorapture.[vi]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitivetopleasure,andtobreatheoutsensitivetopleasure.[vii]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitivetomentalfabrication[feeling&perception],andtobreatheoutsensitivetomentalfabrication.[viii]Hetrainshimselftobreatheincalmingmentalfabrication,andto

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breatheoutcalmingmentalfabrication.“[ix]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsensitivetothemind,andto

breatheoutsensitivetothemind.[x]Hetrainshimselftobreatheingladdeningthemind,andtobreatheoutgladdeningthemind.[xi]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinsteadyingthemind,andtobreatheoutsteadyingthemind.[xii]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinreleasingthemind,andtobreatheoutreleasingthemind.

“[xiii]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinfocusingoninconstancy,andtobreatheoutfocusingoninconstancy.[xiv]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinfocusingondispassion[literally,fading],andtobreatheoutfocusingondispassion.[xv]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinfocusingoncessation,andtobreatheoutfocusingoncessation.[xvi]Hetrainshimselftobreatheinfocusingonrelinquishment,andtobreatheoutfocusingonrelinquishment.

“This,Ananda,iscalledmindfulnessofin-&-outbreathing.“Now,Ananda,ifyougotothemonkGirimanandaandtellhim

thesetenperceptions,it’spossiblethatwhenhehearsthesetenperceptionshisdiseasemaybeallayed.”

ThenVen.Ananda,havinglearnedthesetenperceptionsintheBlessedOne’spresence,wenttoVen.Girimanandaandtoldthemtohim.AsVen.Girimanandaheardthesetenperceptions,hisdiseasewasallayed.AndVen.Girimanandarecoveredfromhisdisease.ThatwashowVen.Girimananda’sdiseasewasabandoned.

—AN10:60

§81.IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearVesali,intheGreatForest,attheGabledPavilion.Then,inthelateafternoon,helefthisseclusionandwenttothesickward,wherehesawamonkwhowasweak&sickly.Seeinghim,hesatdownonapreparedseat.Ashewassittingthere,headdressedthemonks:“Whenthesefivethingsdon’tleaveamonkwhoisweak&sickly,itcanbeexpectedofhimthat,beforelong,hewill—withtheendingofthefermentations—hewillenter&remaininthefermentation-freereleaseofawareness&releaseofdiscernment,havingrealized&directlyknownthemforhimselfinthehere&now.Whichfive?

“Thereisthecasewhereamonk[1]remainsfocusedon

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unattractivenesswithregardtothebody,[2]ispercipientoffoulnesswithregardtofood,[3]ispercipientofdistastewithregardtoeveryworld,[4]ispercipientoftheundesirabilityofallfabrications,and[5]hastheperceptionofdeathwellestablishedwithinhimself.

“Whenthesefivethingsdon’tleaveamonkwhoisweak&sickly,itcanbeexpectedofhimthat,beforelong,hewill—withtheendingofthefermentations—hewillenter&remaininthefermentation-freereleaseofawareness&releaseofdiscernment,havingrealized&directlyknownthemforhimselfinthehere&now.”

—AN5:121

Death

§82.Atthattime,Nakula’sfatherthehouseholderwasdiseased,inpain,severelyill.ThenNakula’smothersaidtohim:“Don’tbeworriedasyoudie,householder.Deathispainfulforonewhoisworried.TheBlessedOnehascriticizedbeingworriedatthetimeofdeath.

“Nowitmaybethatyouarethinking,‘Nakula’smotherwillnotbeabletosupportthechildrenormaintainthehouseholdafterI’mgone,’butyoushouldn’tseethingsinthatway.Iamskilledatspinningcotton,atcardingmattedwool.Icansupportthechildrenandmaintainthehouseholdafteryouaregone.Sodon’tbeworriedasyoudie,householder.Deathispainfulforonewhoisworried.TheBlessedOnehascriticizedbeingworriedatthetimeofdeath.

“Nowitmaybethatyouarethinking,‘Nakula’smotherwilltakeanotherhusbandafterI’mgone,’butyoushouldn’tseethingsinthatway.YouknowaswellasIhowmyfidelity[lit.,“householder-celibacy”]hasbeenconstantforthepastsixteenyears.Sodon’tbeworriedasyoudie,householder.Deathispainfulforonewhoisworried.TheBlessedOnehascriticizeddeathwhenoneisworried.

“Nowitmaybethatyouarethinking,‘Nakula’smotherwillhavenodesiretogoseetheBlessedOne,togoseethecommunityofmonks,afterI’mgone,’butyoushouldn’tseethingsinthatway.IwillhaveanevengreaterdesiretogoseetheBlessedOne,togoseethecommunityofmonks,afteryouaregone.Sodon’tbeworriedas

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youdie,householder.Deathispainfulforonewhoisworried.TheBlessedOnehascriticizedbeingworriedatthetimeofdeath.

“Nowitmaybethatyouarethinking,‘Nakula’smotherwillnotactfullyinaccordancewiththepreceptsafterI’mgone,’butyoushouldn’tseethingsinthatway.TotheextentthattheBlessedOnehaswhite-cladhouseholderfemalediscipleswhoactfullyinaccordancewiththeprecepts,Iamoneofthem.Ifanyonedoubtsordeniesthis,lethimgoasktheBlessedOne,theworthyone,therightlyself-awakenedonewhoisstayingamongtheBhaggusintheDeerParkatBhesakalaGrove,nearCrocodileHill.Sodon’tbeworriedasyoudie,householder.Deathispainfulforonewhoisworried.TheBlessedOnehascriticizedbeingworriedatthetimeofdeath.

“Nowitmaybethatyouarethinking,‘Nakula’smotherwillnotattaininnertranquilityofawarenessafterI’mgone,’butyoushouldn’tseethingsinthatway.TotheextentthattheBlessedOnehaswhite-cladhouseholderfemalediscipleswhoattaininnertranquilityofawareness,Iamoneofthem.Ifanyonedoubtsordeniesthis,lethimgoasktheBlessedOne,theworthyone,therightlyself-awakenedonewhoisstayingamongtheBhaggusintheDeerParkatBhesakalaGrove,nearCrocodileHill.Sodon’tbeworriedasyoudie,householder.Deathispainfulforonewhoisworried.TheBlessedOnehascriticizedbeingworriedatthetimeofdeath.

“Nowitmaybethatyouarethinking,‘Nakula’smotherwillnotreachfirmgroundinthisDhamma&Vinaya,willnotattainafirmfoothold,willnotattainconsolation,overcomeherdoubts,dispelherperplexity,reachfearlessnessorgainindependencefromotherswithregardtotheTeacher’smessage[astandarddescriptionofonewhohasgainedthefirststageofawakening],’butyoushouldn’tseethingsinthatway.TotheextentthattheBlessedOnehaswhite-cladhouseholderfemalediscipleswhoreachfirmgroundinthisDhamma&Vinaya,attainafirmfoothold,attainconsolation,overcometheirdoubts,dispeltheirperplexity,reachfearlessness,&gainindependencefromotherswithregardtotheTeacher’smessage,Iamoneofthem.Ifanyonedoubtsordeniesthis,lethimgoasktheBlessedOne,theworthyone,therightlyself-awakenedonewhoisstayingamongtheBhaggusintheDeerParkatBhesakalaGrove,

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nearCrocodileHill.Sodon’tbeworriedasyoudie,householder.Deathispainfulforonewhoisworried.TheBlessedOnehascriticizedbeingworriedatthetimeofdeath.”

WhileNakula’sfatherthehouseholderwasbeingexhortedbyNakula’smotherwiththisexhortation,hisdiseasewasimmediatelyallayed.Andherecoveredfromhisdisease.ThatwashowNakula’sfather’sdiseasewasabandoned.

Then,soonafterNakula’sfatherthehouseholderhadrecoveredfrombeingsick,notlongafterhisrecoveryfromhisillness,hewentleaningonasticktotheBlessedOne.Onarrival,havingboweddowntotheBlessedOne,hesattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,theBlessedOnesaidtohim,“Itisyourgain,yourgreatgain,householder,thatyouhaveNakula’smother—sympathetic&wishingforyourwelfare—asyourcounselor&instructor.TotheextentthatIhavewhite-cladhouseholderfemalediscipleswhoactfullyinaccordancewiththeprecepts,sheisoneofthem.TotheextentthatIhavewhite-cladhouseholderfemalediscipleswhoattaininnertranquilityofawareness,sheisoneofthem.TotheextentthatIhavewhite-cladhouseholderfemalediscipleswhoreachfirmgroundinthisDhamma&Vinaya,attainafirmfoothold,attainconsolation,overcometheirdoubts,dispeltheirperplexity,reachfearlessness,&gainindependencefromotherswithregardtotheTeacher’smessage,sheisoneofthem.It’syourgain,yourgreatgain,householder,thatyouhaveNakula’smother—sympathetic&wishingforyourwelfare—asyourcounselor&instructor.”

—AN6:16

§83.“Mahanama,adiscerninglayfollowerwhoisdiseased,inpain,severelyillshouldbereassuredbyanotherdiscerninglayfollowerwithfourreassurances:‘Bereassured,friend,thatyouareendowedwithverifiedconfidenceintheAwakenedOne…verifiedconfidenceintheDhamma…verifiedconfidenceintheSangha…virtuesthatareappealingtothenobleones:untorn,unbroken,unspotted,unsplattered,liberating,praisedbythewise,untarnished,leadingtoconcentration.’

“Mahanama,whenadiscerninglayfollowerwhoisdiseased,inpain,severelyillhasbeenreassuredbyanotherdiscerninglayfollowerwiththesefourreassurances,heshouldbeasked:‘Friend,

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areyouconcernedforyourmother&father?’Ifheshouldsay,‘Iam…,’heshouldbetold,‘You,mydearfriend,aresubjecttodeath.Ifyoufeelconcernforyourmother&father,you’restillgoingtodie.Ifyoudon’tfeelconcernforyourmother&father,you’restillgoingtodie.Itwouldbegoodifyouabandonedconcernforyourmother&father.’

“Ifheshouldsay,“Myconcernformymother&fatherhasbeenabandoned,’heshouldbeasked,‘Friend,areyouconcernedforyourwife&children?’Ifheshouldsay,‘Iam…,’heshouldbetold,‘You,mydearfriend,aresubjecttodeath.Ifyoufeelconcernforyourwife&children,you’restillgoingtodie.Ifyoudon’tfeelconcernforyourwife&children,you’restillgoingtodie.Itwouldbegoodifyouabandonedconcernforyourwife&children.’

“Ifheshouldsay,“Myconcernformywife&childrenhasbeenabandoned,’heshouldbeasked,‘Friend,areyouconcernedforthefivestringsofhumansensuality?’Ifheshouldsay,‘Iam…,’heshouldbetold,‘Friend,divinesensualpleasuresaremoresplendid&morerefinedthanhumansensualpleasures.Itwouldbegoodif,havingraisedyourmindabovehumansensualpleasures,yousetitontheDevasoftheFourGreatKings.’

“Ifheshouldsay,‘MymindisraisedabovehumansensualpleasuresandissetontheDevasoftheFourGreatKings,’heshouldbetold,‘Friend,theDevasoftheThirty-threearemoresplendid&morerefinedthantheDevasoftheFourGreatKings.Itwouldbegoodif,havingraisedyourmindabovetheDevasoftheFourGreatKings,yousetitontheDevasoftheThirty-three.’

“Ifheshouldsay,‘MymindisraisedabovetheDevasoftheFourGreatKingsandissetontheDevasoftheThirty-three,’heshouldbetold,‘Friend,theDevasoftheHoursaremoresplendid&morerefinedthantheDevasoftheThirty-three…theContentedDevasaremoresplendid&morerefinedthantheDevasoftheHours…theDevasDelightinginCreationaremoresplendid&morerefinedthantheContentedDevas…theDevasWieldingPowerovertheCreationsofOthersaremoresplendid&morerefinedthantheDevasDelightinginCreation…theBrahmāworldismoresplendidandmorerefinedthantheDevasWieldingPowerovertheCreationsofOthers.Itwouldbegoodif,havingraisedyourmindabovetheDevasWieldingPowerovertheCreationsofOthers,yousetitonthe

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Brahmaworld.’“Ifheshouldsay,‘MymindisraisedabovetheDevasWielding

PowerovertheCreationsofOthersandissetontheBrahmaworld,’heshouldbetold,‘Friend,eventheBrahmaworldisinconstant,impermanent,includedinidentity.Itwouldbegoodif,havingraisedyourmindabovetheBrahmaworld,youbroughtittothecessationofidentity.’

“Ifheshouldsay,‘MymindisraisedabovetheBrahmaworldsandisbroughttothecessationofidentity,’then,Itellyou,Mahanama,thereisnodifference—intermsofrelease—betweenthereleaseofthatlayfollowerwhosemindisreleasedandthereleaseofamonkwhosemindisreleased.”

—SN55:54

§84.IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearVesali,intheGreatForest,attheGabledPavilion.Then,inthelateafternoon,helefthisseclusionandwenttothesickward.Onarrivalhesatdownonapreparedseat.Ashewassittingthere,headdressedthemonks:“Amonkshouldapproachthetimeofdeathmindful&alert.Thisisourinstructiontoyouall.

“Andhowisamonkmindful?Thereisthecasewhereamonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—subduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Heremainsfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves…mindin&ofitself…mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—subduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Thisishowamonkismindful.

“Andhowisamonkalert?Whengoingforward&returning,hemakeshimselffullyalert;whenlookingtoward&lookingaway...whenbending&extendinghislimbs...whencarryinghisoutercloak,hisupperrobe&hisbowl...wheneating,drinking,chewing,&savoring...whenurinating&defecating...whenwalking,standing,sitting,fallingasleep,wakingup,talking,&remainingsilent,hemakeshimselffullyalert.Thisishowamonkisalert.

“Soamonkshouldapproachthetimeofdeathmindful&alert.Thisisourinstructiontoyouall.

“Asamonkisdwellingthusmindful&alert—heedful,ardent,&

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resolute—afeelingofpleasurearisesinhim.Hediscernsthat‘Afeelingofpleasurehasariseninme.Itisdependentonarequisitecondition,notindependent.Dependentonwhat?Dependentonthisbody.Now,thisbodyisinconstant,fabricated,dependentlyco-arisen.Beingdependentonabodythatisinconstant,fabricated,&dependentlyco-arisen,howcanthisfeelingofpleasurethathasarisenbeconstant?’Heremainsfocusedoninconstancywithregardtothebody&tothefeelingofpleasure.Heremainsfocusedondissolution...dispassion...cessation...relinquishmentwithregardtothebody&tothefeelingofpleasure.Asheremainsfocusedoninconstancy...dissolution...dispassion...cessation...relinquishmentwithregardtothebody&tothefeelingofpleasure,heabandonsanypassion-obsessionwithregardtothebody&thefeelingofpleasure.

“Asheisdwellingthusmindful&alert—heedful,ardent,&resolute—afeelingofpainarisesinhim.Hediscernsthat‘Afeelingofpainhasariseninme.Itisdependentonarequisitecondition,notindependent.Dependentonwhat?Dependentonthisbody.Now,thisbodyisinconstant,fabricated,dependentlyco-arisen.Beingdependentonabodythatisinconstant,fabricated,&dependentlyco-arisen,howcanthisfeelingofpainthathasarisenbeconstant?’Heremainsfocusedoninconstancywithregardtothebody&tothefeelingofpain.Heremainsfocusedondissolution...dispassion...cessation...relinquishmentwithregardtothebody&tothefeelingofpain.Asheremainsfocusedoninconstancy...dissolution...dispassion...cessation...relinquishmentwithregardtothebody&tothefeelingofpain,heabandonsanyresistance-obsessionwithregardtothebody&thefeelingofpain.

“Asheisdwellingthusmindful&alert—heedful,ardent,&resolute—afeelingofneither-pleasure-nor-painarisesinhim.Hediscernsthat‘Afeelingofneither-pleasure-nor-painhasariseninme.Itisdependentonarequisitecondition,notindependent.Dependentonwhat?Dependentonthisbody.Now,thisbodyisinconstant,fabricated,dependentlyco-arisen.Beingdependentonabodythatisinconstant,fabricated,&dependentlyco-arisen,howcanthisfeelingofneither-pleasure-nor-painthathasarisenbeconstant?’Heremainsfocusedoninconstancywithregardtothebody&tothefeelingofneither-pleasure-nor-pain.Heremainsfocusedon

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dissolution...dispassion...cessation...relinquishmentwithregardtothebody&tothefeelingofneither-pleasure-nor-pain.Asheremainsfocusedoninconstancy...dissolution...dispassion...cessation...relinquishmentwithregardtothebody&tothefeelingofneither-pleasure-nor-pain,heabandonsanyignorance-obsessionwithregardtothebody&thefeelingofneither-pleasure-nor-pain.

“Sensingafeelingofpleasure,hediscernsthatitisinconstant,notgraspedat,notrelished.Sensingafeelingofpain....Sensingafeelingofneither-pleasure-nor-pain,hediscernsthatitisinconstant,notgraspedat,notrelished.Sensingafeelingofpleasure,hesensesitdisjoinedfromit.Sensingafeelingofpain....Sensingafeelingofneither-pleasure-nor-pain,hesensesitdisjoinedfromit.Whensensingafeelinglimitedtothebody,hediscernsthat‘Iamsensingafeelinglimitedtothebody.’Whensensingafeelinglimitedtolife,hediscernsthat‘Iamsensingafeelinglimitedtolife.’Hediscernsthat‘Withthebreak-upofthebody,aftertheterminationoflife,allthatisexperienced,notbeingrelished,willgrowcoldrighthere.’

“Justasanoillampburnsindependenceonoil&wick;andfromtheterminationoftheoil&wick—andfromnotbeingprovidedanyothersustenance—itgoesoutunnourished;inthesameway,whensensingafeelinglimitedtothebody,hediscernsthat‘Iamsensingafeelinglimitedtothebody.’Whensensingafeelinglimitedtolife,hediscernsthat‘Iamsensingafeelinglimitedtolife.’Hediscernsthat‘Withthebreak-upofthebody,aftertheterminationoflife,allthatissensed,notbeingrelished,willgrowcoldrighthere.’”

—SN36:7

§85.Then,earlyinthemorning,Upacalathenunputonherrobesand,takingherbowl&outerrobe,wentintoSavatthiforalms.WhenshehadgoneforalmsinSavatthiandhadreturnedfromheralmsround,afterhermealshewenttotheGroveoftheBlindtospendtheday.HavinggonedeepintotheGroveoftheBlind,shesatdownatthefootofatreefortheday’sabiding.

ThenMaratheEvilOne,wantingtoarousefear,horripilation,&terrorinher,wantingtomakeherfallfromsolitude,approachedher&said,“Wheredoyouwanttoreappear[bereborn],nun?”

“Idon’twanttoreappearanywhere,myfriend.”

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[Mara:]

“ThedevasoftheThirty-three,theHours,theContented,thosewhodelightincreation,&thoseincontrol:

directyourmindthereanditwillenjoy

delight.”

[SisterUpacala:]

“ThedevasoftheThirty-three,theHours,theContented,thosewhodelightincreation,&thoseincontrol:

theyareboundwiththebondsofsensuality;theycomeagainunderMara’ssway.

Thewholeworldisburning.Thewholeworldisaflame.Thewholeworldisblazing.Thewholeworldisprovoked.TheUnprovoked,Unblazing—thatpeoplerun-of-the-mill

don’tpartake,whereMara’sneverbeen—

that’swheremyhearttrulydelights.”

ThenMaratheEvilOne—sad&dejectedatrealizing,“Upacalathenunknowsme”—vanishedrightthere.

—SN5:7

§86.ThenVen.Sariputta…wenttotheresidenceofthehouseholderAnathapindikawithVen.Anandaashiscompanion.Onarrival,hesatdownonapreparedseatandsaidtothehouseholderAnathapindika:“Ihopeyouaregettingbetter,householder.Ihopeyouarecomfortable.Ihopethatyourpainsarelesseningandnot

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increasing.Ihopethattherearesignsoftheirlessening,andnotoftheirincreasing.”

[Anathapindika:]“Iamnotgettingbetter,venerablesir.Iamnotcomfortable.Myextremepainsareincreasing,notlessening.Therearesignsoftheirincreasing,andnotoftheirlessening.Extremeforcesslicethroughmyhead,justasifastrongmanwereslicingmyheadopenwithasharpsword....Extremepainshaveariseninmyhead,justasifastrongmanweretighteningaturbanmadeoftoughleatherstrapsaroundmyhead....Extremeforcescarveupmystomachcavity,justasifabutcherorhisapprenticeweretocarveupthestomachcavityofanox....Thereisanextremeburninginmybody,justasiftwostrongmen,grabbingaweakermanbythearms,weretoroastandbroilhimoverapitofhotembers.Iamnotgettingbetter,venerablesir.Iamnotcomfortable.Myextremepainsareincreasing,notlessening.Therearesignsoftheirincreasing,andnotoftheirlessening.”

[Ven.Sariputta:]“Then,householder,youshouldtrainyourselfinthisway:‘Iwon’tclingtotheeye;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentontheeye.’Thusyoushouldtrainyourself.‘Iwon’tclingtotheear...nose...tongue...body;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentonthebody’...‘Iwon’tclingtotheintellect;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentontheintellect’...

“‘Iwon’tclingtoforms...sounds...smells...tastes...tactilesensations;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentontactilesensations’...‘Iwon’tclingtoideas;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentonideas’...

“‘Iwon’tclingtoeye-consciousness...ear-consciousness...nose-consciousness...tongue-consciousness...body-consciousness;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentonbody-consciousness’...‘Iwon’tclingtointellect-consciousness;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentonintellect-consciousness’...

“‘Iwon’tclingtocontactattheeye...contactattheear...contactatthenose...contactatthetongue...contactatthebody;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentoncontactatthebody’...‘Iwon’tclingtocontactattheintellect;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentoncontactattheintellect’...

“‘Iwon’tclingtofeelingbornofcontactattheeye...feelingborn

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ofcontactattheear...feelingbornofcontactatthenose...feelingbornofcontactatthetongue...feelingbornofcontactatthebody;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentonfeelingbornofcontactatthebody’...‘Iwon’tclingtofeelingbornofcontactattheintellect;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentonfeelingbornofcontactattheintellect’...

“‘Iwon’tclingtotheearthproperty...liquidproperty...fireproperty...windproperty...spaceproperty;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentonthespaceproperty’...‘Iwon’tclingtotheconsciousnessproperty;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentontheconsciousnessproperty’...

“‘Iwon’tclingtoform...feeling...perception...thought-fabrications;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentonthought-fabrications’...‘Iwon’tclingtoconsciousness;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentonconsciousness’...

“‘Iwon’tclingtothedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspace...thedimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness...thedimensionofnothingness;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentonthedimensionofnothingness’...‘Iwon’tclingtothedimensionofneitherperceptionnornon-perception;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentonthedimensionofneitherperceptionnornon-perception’...

“‘Iwon’tclingtothisworld;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentonthisworld...Iwon’tclingtotheworldbeyond;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentontheworldbeyond’...

“‘Iwon’tclingtowhatisseen,heard,sensed,cognized,attained,soughtafter,ponderedbytheintellect;myconsciousnesswillnotbedependentonthat.’Thusyoushouldtrainyourself.”

Whenthiswassaid,thehouseholderAnathapindikaweptandshedtears.Ven.Anandasaidtohim,“Areyousinking,householder?Areyoufoundering?”

“No,venerablesir.I’mnotsinking,noramIfoundering.It’sjustthatforalongtimeIhaveattendedtotheTeacher,andtothemonkswhoinspiremyheart,butneverbeforehaveIheardthissortoftalkontheDhamma.”

“ThissortoftalkontheDhamma,householder,isnotgiventolaypeoplecladinwhite.ThissortoftalkontheDhammaisgivento

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thosegoneforth.”“Inthatcase,Ven.Sariputta,pleaseletthissortoftalkonthe

Dhammabegiventolaypeoplecladinwhite.Thereareclansmenwithlittledustintheireyeswhoarewastingawaythroughnothearing[this]Dhamma.Therewillbethosewhowillunderstandit.”

ThenVen.SariputtaandVen.Ananda,havinggiventhisinstructiontothehouseholderAnathapindika,gotupfromtheirseatsandleft.Then,notlongaftertheyleft,thehouseholderAnathapindikadiedandreappearedintheTusita[Contented]heaven.

—MN143

§87.Mogharaja:

Howdoesoneviewtheworldsoasnottobeseen

byDeath’sking?

TheBuddha:

Viewtheworld,Mogharaja,asempty—

alwaysmindfultohaveremovedanyview

aboutself.Thiswayoneisabove&beyonddeath.

Thisishowoneviewstheworldsoasnottobeseen

byDeath’sking.

—Sn5:15

Separation

§88.[Note:ThisdiscoursegivestheBuddha’srecommendationsforhowtodealwithgrief.Thepassagediscussingeulogies,chants,etc.,isareferencetofuneralcustomsdesignedtochannelthefeelingsofthebereavedinaproductivedirection.AstheBuddhanotes,aslongastheseseemtobeservingapurpose,engageinthem.Oncetheynolongerseemtobeservingapurpose,andonefindsthatoneis

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indulgingingrief,oneshouldreturntotheimportantdutiesofone’slife.]

OncetheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthiinJeta’sGrove,Anathapindika’smonastery.ThenKingPasenadiofKosalawenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddown,sattooneside.Now,atthattimeQueenMallikadied.Thenacertainmanwenttothekingandwhisperedinhisear:“Yourmajesty,QueenMallikahasdied.”Whenthiswassaid,KingPasenadiofKosalasattheremiserable,sickatheart,hisshouldersdrooping,hisfacedown,brooding,atalossforwords.ThentheBlessedOnesawthekingsittingtheremiserable,sickatheart...atalossforwords,andsosaidtohim,“Therearethesefivethings,greatking,thatcannotbegottenbyacontemplative,abrahman,adeva,aMara,aBrahma,oranyoneatallintheworld.Whichfive?

“‘Maywhatissubjecttoagingnotage.’Thisissomethingthatcannotbegottenbyacontemplative,abrahman,adeva,aMara,aBrahma,oranyoneatallintheworld.

“‘Maywhatissubjecttoillnessnotgrowill.’Thisissomethingthatcannotbegottenbyacontemplative,abrahman,adeva,aMara,aBrahma,oranyoneatallintheworld.

“‘Maywhatissubjecttodeathnotdie.’Thisissomethingthatcannotbegottenbyacontemplative,abrahman,adeva,aMara,aBrahma,oranyoneatallintheworld.

“‘Maywhatissubjecttoendingnotend.’Thisissomethingthatcannotbegottenbyacontemplative,abrahman,adeva,aMara,aBrahma,oranyoneatallintheworld.

“‘Maywhatissubjecttodestructionnotbedestroyed.’Thisissomethingthatcannotbegottenbyacontemplative,abrahman,adeva,aMara,aBrahma,oranyoneatallintheworld.

“Now,ithappenstoanuninstructedrun-of-the-millpersonthatsomethingthatissubjecttoagingages.Withtheagingofwhatissubjecttoaging,hedoesn’treflect:‘Itdoesn’thappenonlytomethatwhatissubjecttoagingwillage.Totheextentthattherearebeings—past&future,passingaway&re-arising—ithappenstoallofthemthatwhatissubjecttoagingwillage.Andif,withtheagingofwhatissubjecttoaging,Iweretosorrow,grieve,lament,beatmybreast,&becomedistraught,foodwouldnotagreewithme,mybodywould

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becomeunattractive,myaffairswouldgountended,myenemieswouldbegratifiedandmyfriendsunhappy.’So,withtheagingofwhatissubjecttoaging,hesorrows,grieves,laments,beatshisbreast,&becomesdistraught.Thisiscalledanuninstructedrun-of-the-millpersonpiercedbythepoisonedarrowofsorrow,tormentinghimself.

“Furthermore,ithappenstoanuninstructedrun-of-the-millpersonthatsomethingthatissubjecttoillnessgrowsill...thatsomethingsubjecttodeathdies...thatsomethingsubjecttoendingends...thatsomethingsubjecttodestructionisdestroyed.Withthedestructionofwhatissubjecttodestruction,hedoesn’treflect:‘Itdoesn’thappenonlytomethatwhatissubjecttodestructionwillbedestroyed.Totheextentthattherearebeings—past&future,passingaway&re-arising—ithappenstoallofthemthatwhatissubjecttodestructionwillbedestroyed.Andif,withthedestructionofwhatissubjecttodestruction,Iweretosorrow,grieve,lament,beatmybreast,&becomedistraught,foodwouldnotagreewithme,mybodywouldbecomeunattractive,myaffairswouldgountended,myenemieswouldbegratifiedandmyfriendsunhappy.’So,withthedestructionofwhatissubjecttodestruction,hesorrows,grieves,laments,beatshisbreast,&becomesdistraught.Thisiscalledanuninstructedrun-of-the-millpersonpiercedbythepoisonedarrowofsorrow,tormentinghimself.

“Now,ithappenstoaninstructeddiscipleofthenobleonesthatsomethingthatissubjecttoagingages.Withtheagingofwhatissubjecttoaging,hereflects:‘Itdoesn’thappenonlytomethatwhatissubjecttoagingwillage.Totheextentthattherearebeings—past&future,passingaway&re-arising—ithappenstoallofthemthatwhatissubjecttoagingwillage.Andif,withtheagingofwhatissubjecttoaging,Iweretosorrow,grieve,lament,beatmybreast,&becomedistraught,foodwouldnotagreewithme,mybodywouldbecomeunattractive,myaffairswouldgountended,myenemieswouldbegratifiedandmyfriendsunhappy.’So,withtheagingofwhatissubjecttoaging,hedoesn’tsorrow,grieve,orlament,doesn’tbeathisbreastorbecomedistraught.Thisiscalledaninstructeddiscipleofthenobleoneswhohaspulledoutthepoisonedarrowofsorrowpiercedwithwhichtheuninstructedrun-of-the-millpersontormentshimself.Sorrowless,arrowless,thediscipleofthenoble

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onesistotallyunboundrightwithinhimself.“Furthermore,ithappenstoaninstructeddiscipleofthenoble

onesthatsomethingthatissubjecttoillnessgrowsill...thatsomethingsubjecttodeathdies...thatsomethingsubjecttoendingends...thatsomethingsubjecttodestructionisdestroyed.Withthedestructionofwhatissubjecttodestruction,hereflects:‘Itdoesn’thappenonlytomethatwhatissubjecttodestructionwillbedestroyed.Totheextentthattherearebeings—past&future,passingaway&re-arising—ithappenstoallofthemthatwhatissubjecttodestructionwillbedestroyed.Andif,withthedestructionofwhatissubjecttodestruction,Iweretosorrow,grieve,lament,beatmybreast,&becomedistraught,foodwouldnotagreewithme,mybodywouldbecomeunattractive,myaffairswouldgountended,myenemieswouldbegratifiedandmyfriendsunhappy.’So,withthedestructionofwhatissubjecttodestruction,hedoesn’tsorrow,grieve,orlament,doesn’tbeathisbreastorbecomedistraught.Thisiscalledaninstructeddiscipleofthenobleoneswhohaspulledoutthepoisonedarrowofsorrowpiercedwithwhichtheuninstructedrun-of-the-millpersontormentshimself.Sorrowless,arrowless,thediscipleofthenobleonesistotallyunboundrightwithinhimself.

“Thesearethefivethings,greatking,thatcannotbegottenbyacontemplative,abrahman,adeva,aMara,aBrahma,oranyoneatallintheworld.”

Notbysorrowing,notbylamenting,isanyaimaccomplishedhere,

notevenabit.Knowingyoutobesorrowing&inpain,

yourenemiesaregratified.Butwhenasagewithasensefordeterminingwhatishisaimdoesn’twaverinthefaceofmisfortune,

hisenemiesarepained,seeinghisfaceunchanged,asofold.Where&howeveranaimisaccomplishedthrough

eulogies,chants,goodsayings,

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donations,&familycustoms,followthemdiligentlythere&thatway.Butifyoudiscernthatyourownaimorthatofothersisnotgainedinthisway,acquiesce[tothenatureofthings]unsorrowing,withthethought:‘WhatimportantworkamIdoingnow?’

—AN5:49

§89.[SisterUbbiri:]

“‘Jiva,mydaughter,’youcryinthewoods.Cometoyoursenses,Ubbiri.

84,000allnamedJiva

havebeenburnedinthatcharnelground.Forwhichofthemdoyougrieve?”Pullingout

—completelyout—thearrowsohardtosee,embeddedinmyheart,heexpelledfromme

—overcomewithgrief—thegriefovermydaughter.

Today—witharrowremoved,withouthunger,entirely

unbound—totheBuddha,Dhamma,&SanghaIgo,

forrefugetotheSage.

—Thig3:5

§90.[PañcasataPatacara:]

“Youdon’tknowthepath

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ofhiscomingorgoing,thatbeingwhohascome

fromwhere?—theoneyoulamentas‘myson.’Butwhenyouknow

thepathofhiscomingorgoing,youdon’tgrieveafterhim,forthatisthenature

ofbeings.Unasked,hecamefromthere.Withoutpermission,hewentfromhere—comingfromwhere?havingstayedafewdays.Andcomingonewayfromhere,hegoesyetanother

fromthere.Dyinginthehumanform,hewillgowanderingon.Ashecame,sohehasgone—

sowhatistheretolament?”

Pullingout—completelyout—

thearrowsohardtosee,embeddedinmyheart,heexpelledfromme

—overcomewithgrief—thegriefovermyson.

Today—witharrowremoved,withouthunger,entirely

unbound—totheBuddha,Dhamma,&SanghaIgo,

forrefugeto

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theSage.

—Thig6:1

§91.NowatthattimeadearandbelovedgrandsonofVisakha,Migara’smother,haddied.SoVisakha,Migara’smother—herclotheswet,herhairwet—wenttotheBlessedOneinthemiddleofthedayand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AsshewassittingtheretheBlessedOnesaidtoher:“Whyhaveyoucomehere,Visakha—yourclotheswet,yourhairwet—inthemiddleoftheday?”

Whenthiswassaid,shesaidtotheBlessedOne,“Mydearandbelovedgrandsonhasdied.ThisiswhyIhavecomehere—myclotheswet,myhairwet—inthemiddleoftheday.”

“Visakha,wouldyouliketohaveasmanychildrenandgrandchildrenastherearepeopleinSavatthi?”

“Yes,lord,IwouldliketohaveasmanychildrenandgrandchildrenastherearepeopleinSavatthi.”

“ButhowmanypeopleinSavatthidieinthecourseofaday?”“SometimestenpeopledieinSavatthiinthecourseofaday,

sometimesnine...eight...seven...six...five...four...three...two...SometimesonepersondiesinSavatthiinthecourseofaday.Savatthiisneverfreefrompeopledying.”

“Sowhatdoyouthink,Visakha:Wouldyoueverbefreefromwetclothesandwethair?”

“No,lord.EnoughofmyhavingasmanychildrenandgrandchildrenastherearepeopleinSavatthi.”

“Visakha,thosewhohaveahundreddearoneshaveahundredsufferings.Thosewhohaveninetydearoneshaveninetysufferings.Thosewhohaveeighty...seventy...sixty...fifty...forty...thirty...twenty...ten...nine...eight...seven...six...five...four...three...two...Thosewhohaveonedearonehaveonesuffering.Forthosewithnodearones,therearenosufferings.Theyarefreefromsorrow,freefromstain,freefromlamentation,Itellyou.”

Then,onrealizingthesignificanceofthat,theBlessedOneonthatoccasionexclaimed:

Thesorrows,lamentations,

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themanykindsofsufferingintheworld,existdependentonsomethingdear.

Theydon’texistwhenthere’snothingdear.

Andthusblissful&sorrowlessarethoseforwhomnothingintheworldisanywheredear.Soonewhoaspirestobestainless&sorrowlessshouldn’tmakeanythingdearintheworld

anywhere.

—Ud8:8

§92.OnoneoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthiinJeta’sGrove,Anathapindika’smonastery.NowatthattimeVen.SariputtawasstayingamongtheMagadhansinNalakavillage—diseased,inpain,severelyill.Cundathenovicewashisattendant.Then,becauseofthatillness,Ven.Sariputtaattainedtotalunbinding.

SoCundathenovice,takingVen.Sariputta’sbowl&robes,wenttoVen.AnandainJeta’sGrove,Anathapindika’smonastery,nearSavatthi,andonarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AshewassittingtherehesaidtoVen.Ananda:“Venerablesir,Ven.Sariputtahasattainedtotalunbinding.Herearehisbowl&robes.”

“Cunda,myfriend,thereiswarranthereforseeingtheBlessedOne.Come,let’sgototheBlessedOneandreportthismattertohim.”

“Yes,venerablesir,”Cundathenovicereplied.SoVen.Ananda&CundathenovicewenttotheBlessedOne

and,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.Astheyweresittingthere,Ven.Anandasaidtohim,“Lord,justnowCundathenovicesaidtome,‘Venerablesir,Ven.Sariputtahasattainedtotalunbinding.Herearehisbowl&robes.’Itwasasifmybodyweredrugged,Ilostmybearings,thingsweren’tcleartome,onhearingthatVen.Sariputtahadattainedtotalunbinding.”

“But,Ananda,whenheattainedtotalunbinding,didSariputta

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taketheaggregateofvirtuealongwithhim?Didhetaketheaggregateofconcentration...discernment...release...theaggregateofknowledge&visionofreleasealongwithhim?”

“No,lord,whenheattainedtotalunbinding,Ven.Sariputtadidn’ttaketheaggregateofvirtue...concentration...discernment...release...theaggregateofknowledge&visionofreleasealongwithhim.It’sjustthathewasmyinstructor&counselor,onewhoexhorted,urged,roused,&encouragedme.HewastirelessinteachingtheDhamma,ahelptohiscompanionsintheholylife.WemissthenourishmentofhisDhamma,thewealthofhisDhamma,hishelpintheDhamma.”

“But,Ananda,haven’tIalreadytaughtyouthestateofgrowingdifferentwithregardtoallthingsdear&appealing,thestateofbecomingseparate,thestateofbecomingotherwise?Whatelseistheretoexpect?It’simpossiblethatonecouldforbidanythingborn,existent,fabricated,&subjecttodisintegrationfromdisintegrating.

“Justasifthelargestlimbweretofalloffofagreattreecomposedofheartwood,standingfirm;inthesameway,Sariputtahasattainedtotalunbindingfromthisgreatcommunityofmonkscomposedofheartwood,standingfirm.Whatelseistheretoexpect?It’simpossiblethatonecouldforbidanythingborn,existent,fabricated,&subjecttodisintegrationfromdisintegrating.

“Therefore,Ananda,eachofyoushouldremainwithyourselfasanisland,yourselfasyourrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge.RemainwiththeDhammaasanisland,theDhammaasyourrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge.Andhowdoesamonkremainwithhisselfasanisland,hisselfashisrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge?HowdoesheremainwiththeDhammaasanisland,theDhammaashisrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge?Thereisthecasewhereamonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—subduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Heremainsfocusedonfeelings...mind...mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—subduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Thisishowamonkremainswithhisselfasanisland,hisselfashisrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge,withtheDhammaasanisland,theDhammaashisrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge.Forthosewho—noworafterIamgone—remainwiththeirselfasanisland,theirselfastheirrefuge,

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withoutanythingelseasarefuge,withtheDhammaasanisland,theDhammaastheirrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge,theywillbethehighestofthemonkswhodesiretraining.”

—SN47:13

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TeachingbyExample

Aging

§93.[SisterSona:]

TenchildrenIborefromthisphysicalheap.Thenweakfromthat,aged,Iwenttoanun.ShetaughtmetheDhamma:

aggregates,sensespheres,&elements.HearingtheDhamma,Icutoffmyhairandordained.Havingpurifiedthedivineeyewhilestillaprobationer,Iknowmypreviouslives,whereIlivedinthepast.Idevelopthetheme-lessmeditation,well-focusedsingleness.Igaintheliberationofimmediacy—fromlackofclinging,unbound.Thefiveaggregates,comprehended,standlikeatreewithitsrootcutthrough.

Ispitonoldage.Thereisnownofurtherbecoming.

—Thig5:8

§94.ThenVen.MahaKassapawenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AshewassittingtheretheBlessedOnesaidtohim,“Youarenowold,Kassapa.Yourrobesmadeofcast-offhempragsareheavyforyou.Sowearrobesdonatedbyhouseholders,eatinvitationalmeals,andliveclosebyme.”

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“Lord,foralongtimeIhavelivedinthewildernessandhaveextolledlivinginthewilderness.Ihavebeenanalms-goerandhaveextolledbeinganalms-goer.Ihaveworncastoffragsandhaveextolledwearingcastoffrags.Ihavewornonlyonesetofthetriplerobeandhaveextolledwearingonlyonesetofthetriplerobe.Ihavebeenmodestandhaveextolledbeingmodest.Ihavebeencontentandhaveextolledbeingcontent.Ihavebeenreclusiveandhaveextolledbeingreclusive.Ihavebeenunentangledandhaveextolledbeingunentangled.Ihavekeptmypersistencearousedandhaveextolledhavingpersistencearoused.”

“But,Kassapa,whatcompellingreasondoyouseethatyouforalongtimehavelivedinthewildernessandhaveextolledlivinginthewilderness...thatyouhavekeptyourpersistencearousedandhaveextolledhavingpersistencearoused?”

“Lord,IseetwocompellingreasonsthatforalongtimeIhavelivedinthewildernessandhaveextolledlivinginthewilderness...thatIhavekeptmypersistencearousedandhaveextolledhavingpersistencearoused:seeingapleasantabidingformyselfinthehere&now,andfeelingsympathyforlatergenerations:‘Perhapslatergenerationswilltakeitasanexample:“ItseemsthatthedisciplesoftheAwakenedOneandthosewhoawakenedafterhimlivedforalongtimeinthewildernessandextolledlivinginthewilderness;werealms-goersandextolledbeingalms-goers;worecastoffragsandextolledwearingcastoffrags;woreonlyonesetofthetriplerobeandextolledwearingonlyonesetofthetriplerobe;weremodestandextolledbeingmodest;werecontentandextolledbeingcontent;werereclusiveandextolledbeingreclusive;wereunentangledandextolledbeingunentangled;kepttheirpersistencearousedandextolledhavingpersistencearoused.”’”

“Good,Kassapa.Verygood.Itseemsthatyouareonewhopracticesforthehappinessofmany,outofcompassionfortheworld,forthewelfare,benefit,&happinessofbeingshuman&divine.Socontinuewearingyourrobesofcastoffhempcloth,goforalms,andliveinthewilderness.”

—SN16:5

§95.Then,whentheBlessedOnehadenteredtheRainsRetreat,therearoseasevereillnesswithinhim.Sharp&deadlywerethe

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pains,butheborethemmindfully,alert,&unperturbed.Thethoughtoccurredtohim,“Itwouldnotbeproperformetoentertotalunbindingwithoutaddressingmyattendants&withouttakingleaveofthecommunityofmonks.Whydon’tI,suppressingthisillnesswithpersistence,remainresolvedonthefabricationoflife?”Sohesuppressedtheillnesswithpersistence&remainedresolvedonthefabricationoflife.Hisillnessabated.

Thenherecoveredfromtheillness.Soonafterhisrecoveryhecameoutofhisdwelling&satdownintheshadeofthebuilding,onaseatpreparedforhim.ThenVen.Anandaapproachedhimand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AshewassittingtherehesaidtotheBlessedOne,“WhatahappysighttoseetheBlessedOneincomfort!WhatahappysighttoseetheBlessedOneatease!BecauseoftheBlessedOne’ssicknessmyownbodyfeltasifitweredrugged.Ilostmybearings.Thingswereuncleartome.YetIstilltookameasureofcomfortinthethoughtthattheBlessedOnewouldnotentertotalunbindingaslongashehadn’tgivenatleastsomepronouncementconcerningthecommunityofmonks.”

“Whatmoredoesthecommunityofmonkswantfromme,Ananda?IhavetaughttheDhammawithoutaninneroranouterversion.TheTathagatahasnoclosedfistwithregardtoteachings.Whoeverhasthethought,‘Iwillrulethecommunityofmonks,’or‘Thecommunityofmonksisdedicatedtome,’heshouldgivesomepronouncementconcerningthecommunityofmonks.ButtheTathagatahasnosuchthoughts.Sowhyshouldhegivesomepronouncementconcerningthecommunityofmonks?

“Iamoldnow,Ananda,&aged.Myyearshaveturnedeighty.Justasanoldcartiskeptgoingwiththehelpofbamboostrips,itseemstomeasiftheTathagata’sbodyiskeptgoingwiththehelpofbamboostrips.TheonlytimetheTathagata’sbodyfeelsateaseiswhen,notattendingtoanythemeatall,andwiththecessationofcertainfeelings,heenters&remainsinthetheme-lessconcentrationofawareness.Thereforeeachofyoushouldremainwithyourselfasanisland,yourselfasyourrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge.RemainwiththeDhammaasanisland,theDhammaasyourrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge.

“Andhowdoesamonkremainwithhisselfasanisland,hisselfashisrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge?Howdoesheremain

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withtheDhammaasanisland,theDhammaashisrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge?Thereisthecasewhereamonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—subduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Heremainsfocusedonfeelings...mind...mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—subduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Thisishowamonkremainswithhisselfasanisland,hisselfashisrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge,withtheDhammaasanisland,theDhammaashisrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge.Forthosewho—noworafterIamgone—remainwiththeirselfasanisland...theDhammaastheirrefuge,withoutanythingelseasarefuge,theywillbethehighestofthemonkswhodesiretraining.”

—DN16

Illness

§96.[Ven.Cakkhupala:]

I’mblind,myeyesaredestroyed.I’vestumbledonawildernesstrack.

EvenifImustcrawl,

I’llgoon,butnotwithanevilcompanion.

—Thag1:95

§97.IhaveheardthatononeoccasionVen.AnuruddhawasstayingnearSavatthiintheDarkForest—diseased,inpain,severelyill.ThenalargenumberofmonkswenttoVen.Anuruddhaandonarrivalsaidtohim,“What(mental)dwellingareyoudwellinginsothatthepainsthathaveariseninthebodydonotinvadeorremaininthemind?”

“WhenIdwellwithmymindwell-establishedinthefourframesofreference,thepainsthathaveariseninthebodydonotinvadeor

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remaininthemind.Whichfour?ThereisthecasewhereIremainfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—subduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Iremainfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves...mindin&ofitself...mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—subduinggreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.WhenIdwellwithmymindwell-establishedinthesefourframesofreference,thepainsthathaveariseninthebodydonotinvadeorremaininthemind.”

—SN52:10

§98.[Note:CullavaggaVIItellsofhowDevadatta,theBuddha’scousin,triedunsuccessfullyinvariouswaystowrestleadershipoftheSanghafromtheBuddha.InCvVII.3.9,hetriestokilltheBuddhabyhurlingarockdownamountainside.Therockisdivertedandshattered,butasplinteroftherockpiercestheBuddha’sfoot,drawingblood.AccordingtotheCommentary,thefollowingtwopassagesdescribetheBuddha’sreactiontothisattemptonhislife.]

IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearRajagahaattheMaddakucchiDeerReserve.Nowatthattimehisfoothadbeenpiercedbyastonesliver.Excruciatingwerethebodilyfeelingsthatdevelopedwithinhim—painful,fierce,sharp,wracking,repellent,disagreeable—butheenduredthemmindful,alert,&unperturbed.Havinghadhisouterrobefoldedinfourandlaidout,helaydownonhisrightsideinthelion’sposture,withonefootplacedontopoftheother,mindful&alert.

Then700devatasfromtheSatullaparetinue,inthefarextremeofthenight,theirextremeradiancelightinguptheentiretyofMaddakucchi,wenttotheBlessedOne.Onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,theystoodtooneside.

Asshewasstandingthere,oneofthedevatasexclaimedintheBlessedOne’spresence:“WhatanagaisGotamathecontemplative!Andlikeanaga,whenbodilyfeelingshavearisen—painful,fierce,sharp,wracking,repellent,disagreeable—heenduresthemmindful,alert,&unperturbed!”

ThenanotherdevataexclaimedintheBlessedOne’spresence:“WhatalionisGotamathecontemplative!Andlikealion,whenbodilyfeelingshavearisen—painful,fierce,sharp,wracking,

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repellent,disagreeable—heenduresthemmindful,alert,&unperturbed!”

ThenanotherdevataexclaimedintheBlessedOne’spresence:“WhatathoroughbredisGotamathecontemplative!Andlikeathoroughbred,whenbodilyfeelingshavearisen—painful,fierce,sharp,wracking,repellent,disagreeable—heenduresthemmindful,alert,&unperturbed!”

ThenanotherdevataexclaimedintheBlessedOne’spresence:“WhatachiefbulloftheherdisGotamathecontemplative!Andlikeachiefbulloftheherd,whenbodilyfeelingshavearisen—painful,fierce,sharp,wracking,repellent,disagreeable—heenduresthemmindful,alert,&unperturbed!”

ThenanotherdevataexclaimedintheBlessedOne’spresence:“Whatastrongburden-carrierisGotamathecontemplative!Andlikeastrongburden-carrier,whenbodilyfeelingshavearisen—painful,fierce,sharp,wracking,repellent,disagreeable—heenduresthemmindful,alert,&unperturbed!”

ThenanotherdevataexclaimedintheBlessedOne’spresence:“WhatatamedoneisGotamathecontemplative!Andlikeatamedone,whenbodilyfeelingshavearisen—painful,fierce,sharp,wracking,repellent,disagreeable—heenduresthemmindful,alert,&unperturbed!”

ThenanotherdevataexclaimedintheBlessedOne’spresence:“Seeaconcentrationwell-developed,amindwell-released—neitherpresseddownnorforcedback,norwithmentalfabricationkeptblockedorsuppressed.Whoeverwouldthinkthatsuchanagaofaman,lionofaman,thoroughbredofaman,chiefbullofaman,strongburden-carrierofaman,suchatamedmanshouldbeviolated:Whatelseisthatifnotblindness?”

Five-VedaBrahmans,livingausterelyfor100years:

Theirmindsarenotrightlyreleased.

Lowlybynature,they’venotgonebeyond.

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Overpoweredbycraving,boundupinprecepts&practices,performingwretchedausteritiesfor100years:

Theirmindsarenotrightlyreleased.

Lowlybynature,they’venotgonebeyond.

Foronefondofconceit,there’snotaming;foroneuncentered,nosagacity.

Thoughaloneinthewilderness,ifonelivesheedlessly,onewon’tcrossover,beyondMara’ssway.Buthavingabandonedconceit,well-centeredwithin,withrightawareness

everywherefullyreleased,

aloneinthewilderness,heedfullyliving,onewillcrossover,beyondMara’ssway.

—SN1:38

§99.IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearRajagahaattheMaddakucchiDeerReserve.Nowatthattimehisfoothadbeenpiercedbyastonesliver.Excruciatingwerethebodilyfeelingsthatdevelopedwithinhim—painful,fierce,sharp,wracking,repellent,disagreeable—butheenduredthemmindful,alert,&unperturbed.Havinghadhisouterrobefoldedinfourandlaidout,helaydownonhisrightsideinthelion’sposture,withonefootplacedontopoftheother,mindful&alert.

ThenMaratheEvilOnewenttotheBlessedOneandrecitedthisverseinhispresence:

“Areyoulyingtheremoping,

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orisitdrunkonpoetry?Areyourgoalssoveryfew?Allaloneinasecludedlodging,whatisthisdreamer,thissleepy-face?”

[TheBuddha:]

“Iliehere,notmoping,nordrunkonpoetry.

Goal-attainedamI,mysorrowallgone.

Allaloneinasecludedlodging,Iliedownwithcompassion

forallbeings.Eventhosepiercedinthechestwithanarrow,theirheartsthrobbinginshort,shortbeats:Eventheywiththeirarrowsareabletosleep.

Sowhyshouldn’tIsleepwithmyarrowremoved?

I’mnotawakewithworry,norafraidtosleep.Days&nightsdon’toppressme.Iseenothreatofdeclinefromanywhereverintheworld.That’swhyIsleep

withcompassionforallbeings.”

ThenMaratheEvilOne—sad&dejectedatrealizing,“TheBlessedOneknowsme;theOneWell-Goneknowsme”—vanishedrightthere.

—SN4:13

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Death

§100.OnthatoccasionCittathehouseholderwasdiseased,inpain,severelyill.Thenalargenumberofgardendevas,forestdevas,treedevas,anddevasinhabitingherbs,grasses,&forestgiantsassembledandsaidtohim:“Makeawish,householder:‘Inthefuture,mayIbecomeaking,awheel-turningmonarch!’”

Whenthiswassaid,Cittathehouseholdersaidtothegardendevas,forestdevas,treedevas,anddevasinhabitingherbs,grasses,&forestgiants:“Eventhatisinconstant;eventhatisimpermanent;onemustabandoneventhatwhenonepasseson.”

Whenthiswassaid,Cittathehouseholder’sfriends&companions,relativesandkinsmen,saidtohim:“Steadyyourmindfulness,master.Don’tramble.”

“WhatdidIsaythatyousaytome:‘Steadyyourmindfulness,master.Don’tramble’?”

“Yousaid:‘Eventhatisinconstant;eventhatisimpermanent;onemustabandoneventhatwhenonepasseson.’”

“Thatwasbecausegardendevas,forestdevas,treedevas,anddevasinhabitingherbs,grasses,&forestgiantshaveassembledandsaidtome:‘Makeawish,householder:“Inthefuture,mayIbecomeaking,awheel-turningmonarch!”’AndIsaidtothem:‘Eventhatisinconstant;eventhatisimpermanent;onemustabandoneventhatwhenonepasseson.’”

“Butwhatcompellingreasondothosegardendevas,forestdevas,treedevas,anddevasinhabitingherbs,grasses,&forestgiantssee,master,thattheysaytoyou,‘Makeawish,householder:“Inthefuture,mayIbecomeaking,awheel-turningmonarch!”’?”

“Itoccurstothem:‘ThisCittathehouseholderisvirtuous,ofadmirablecharacter.Ifheshouldwish:“Inthefuture,mayIbecomeaking,awheel-turningmonarch!”—then,asheisvirtuous,thiswishofhiswouldsucceedbecauseofthepurityofhisvirtue.Arighteousone,hewillwieldrighteouspower.’Seeingthiscompellingreason,theyassembledandsaid:‘Makeawish,householder:“Inthefuture,mayIbecomeaking,awheel-turningmonarch!”’AndIsaidtothem:‘Eventhatisinconstant;eventhatisimpermanent;onemustabandoneventhatwhenonepasseson.’”

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“Then,master,instructus,too.”“Thenyoushouldtrainyourselves:‘Wewillbeendowedwith

verifiedconfidenceintheBuddha:“Indeed,theBlessedOne[theBuddha]isworthy&rightlyself-awakened,consummateinknowledge&conduct,well-gone,anexpertwithregardtothecosmos,unexcelledasatrainerforthosepeoplefittobetamed,theTeacherofdivine&humanbeings,awakened,blessed.”

“‘WewillbeendowedwithverifiedconfidenceintheDhamma:“TheDhammaiswell-expoundedbytheBlessedOne,tobeseenhere&now,timeless,invitingverification,pertinent,toberealizedbythewiseforthemselves.”

“‘WewillbepossessedofverifiedconfidenceintheSangha:“TheSanghaoftheBlessedOne’sdiscipleswhohavepracticedwell...whohavepracticedstraight-forwardly...whohavepracticedmethodically...whohavepracticedmasterfully—inotherwords,thefourtypesofnoblediscipleswhentakenaspairs,theeightwhentakenasindividualtypes—theyaretheSanghaoftheBlessedOne’sdisciples:worthyofgifts,worthyofhospitality,worthyofofferings,worthyofrespect,theincomparablefieldofmeritfortheworld.”

“‘Whatevertheremaybeinourfamilythatcanbegivenaway,allthatwillbesharedunstintinglywithvirtuousoneswhoareofadmirablecharacter.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourselves.”

Then,havingenjoinedhisfriends&colleagues,hisrelatives&kinsmen,toplaceconfidenceintheBuddha,Dhamma,&Sangha;havingexhortedthemtoundertakegenerosity,Cittathehouseholderpassedaway.

—SN41:10

§101.[Abanditchief:]

“Thosewhoforthesakeofsacrificeforthesakeofwealth

wehavekilledinthepast,againsttheirwillhavetrembled&babbledfromfear.

Butyou—

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youshownofear;yourcomplexionbrightens.

Whydon’tyoulamentinthefaceofwhatisgreatlytobefeared?”

[Ven.Adhimutta:]

“Therearenopainfulmentalstates,chieftain,inonewithoutlonging.Inonewhosefettersareended,allfearsareovercome.Withtheendingof(craving)theguidetobecoming,whenphenomenaareseen

astheyhavecometobe,thenjustasinthelayingdownofaburden,thereisnofearindeath.Ihavelivedwelltheholylife,well-developedthepath.Deathholdsnofearforme.It’sliketheendofadisease.Ihavelivedwelltheholylife,well-developedthepath.Ihaveseenstatesofbecomingasdevoidofallure,likepoisonspitoutafterit’sdrunk.Onegonetothefarshorewithoutclingingwithoutfermentationhistaskcompleted,welcomestheendingoflife,asiffreedfromaplaceofexecution.HavingattainedthesupremeRightness,unconcernedwithalltheworld,asifreleasedfromaburninghouse,

hedoesnotsorrowatdeath.Whateveriscompounded,whereverastateofbecomingisobtained,allthathasnooneincharge:

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sosaystheGreatSeer.Whoeverdiscernsthis,astaughtbytheAwakenedOne,wouldnomoregraspholdofanystateofbecomingthanhewouldahotironball.Ihaveno“Iwas,”

no“Iwillbe.”Processeswillsimplygooutofexistence.

What’stolamentthereinthat?Foronewhosees,asithascometobe,thepurearisingofphenomena,thepureserialityofprocesses,

there’snofear.Whenseeingtheworldwithdiscernmentasonaparwithgrass&twigs,findingno“mine-ness,”thinking,“Thereisnothingofmine,”

hefeelsnosorrow.Iamdissatisfiedwiththiscarcass,unconcernedwithbecoming.Thisbodywillbreakupandtherewillnotbeanother.

Doasyoulikewiththiscarcass.FromthatIwillfeelneitherhatrednorlove.”

Hearingtheseastounding,hair-raisingwords,theyoungmenthrewdowntheirweapons

andsaid:“Whathaveyoudone,sir,orwhohaveyoutakenasmentor?Becauseofwhoseteachingsisthislackofsorrowacquired?”

[Ven.Adhimutta:]

“Theall-knowing,all-seeingconqueror:

Heismymentor.Greatlycompassionateteacher,

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alltheworld’shealer,thisdoctrineishis,unexcelled,leadingtoending.Becauseofhisteachingsisthislackofsorrowacquired.”Thebandits,hearingthegoodwordsoftheseer,threwdowntheirswords&theirweapons.Somerelinquishedtheirlifeofcrime,somechosethegoingforth.Havinggoneforthintheteachingsoftheonewell-gone,developingthepowers&factorsofawakening,

wise,happy,exultantinmind,theirfacultiesripened,

theytoucheduncompoundedunbinding.

—Thag16:1

§102.OnceVen.SariputtaandVen.UpasenawerestayingnearRajagahaintheCoolForest,atSnakeshoodGrotto.ThenitsohappenedthatasnakefellonVen.Upasena’sbody[andbithim].ThenVen.Upasenasaidtothemonks,“Quick,friends,liftthisbodyofmineontoacouchandcarryitoutsidebeforeitisscatteredlikeafistfulofchaff!”

Whenthiswassaid,Ven.SariputtasaidtoVen.Upasena,“Butwedon’tseeanyalterationinyourbodyorchangeinyourfaculties.”

ThenVen.Upasenasaid,“Quick,friends,liftthisbodyofmineontoacouchandcarryitoutsidebeforeitisscatteredlikeafistfulofchaff!FriendSariputta,inanyonewhohadthethought,‘Iamtheeye’or‘Theeyeismine,’‘Iamtheear’or‘Theearismine,’‘Iamthenose’or‘Thenoseismine,’‘Iamthetongue’or‘Thetongueismine,’‘Iamthebodyor‘Thebodyismine,’‘Iamtheintellect’or‘Theintellectismine’:inhimtherewouldbeanalterationinhisbodyorachangeinhisfaculties.Butasforme,thethoughtdoesnotoccurtomethat‘Iamtheeye’or‘Theeyeismine,’....‘Iamthetongue’or‘Thetongueismine,’....‘Iamtheintellect’or‘Theintellectismine.’Sowhatalterationshouldtherebeinmybody,whatchangeshouldtherebe

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inmyfaculties?”Now,Ven.Upasena’sI-making,my-making,&tendenciesto

conceitshadalreadybeenwellrootedoutforalongtime,whichiswhythethoughtdidnotoccurtohimthat“Iamtheeye”or“Theeyeismine,”....“Iamthetongue”or“Thetongueismine,”....“Iamtheintellect”or“Theintellectismine.”

ThenthemonksliftedVen.Upasena’sbodyonacouchandcarrieditoutside.AndVen.Upasena’sbodywasscatteredrighttherelikeafistfulofchaff.

—SN35:69

§103.Ven.Revata’sFarewellSinceIwentforthfromhomeintohomelessness,Ihaven’tknownanignoble,aversiveresolve.“Maythesebeings

bedestroyed,beslaughtered,fallintopain”—

I’venotknownthisresolveinthislong,longtime.ButIhaveknowngoodwill,

unlimited,fullydeveloped,nurturedstepafterstep,

astaughtbytheOneAwake:

toall,afriend;toall,acomrade;forallbeings,sympathetic.

AndIdevelopamindofgoodwill,delightinginnon-malevolence—always.Unvanquished,unshaken,Igladdenthemind.Idevelopthesublimeabiding,

notfrequentedbythelowly.

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Attainingno-thinking,thediscipleoftheRightlySelf-awakenedOneisendowedwithnoblesilence

straightaway.

Asamountainofrockisunmoving,firmlyestablished,

soamonk,withtheendingofdelusion,likeamountain,doesn’tquake.

Toapersonwithoutblemish,constantlyinsearchofwhat’spure,ahair-tipofevilseemsastormcloud.

Asafrontierfortressisguardedwithin&without,

youshouldsafeguardyourselves.Don’tletthemoment

passyouby.

Idon’tdelightindeath,don’tdelightinliving.Iawaitmytimelikeaworkerhiswage.Idon’tdelightindeath,don’tdelightinliving.Iawaitmytimemindful,alert.TheTeacherhasbeenservedbyme;theAwakenedOne’sbidding,

done;theheavyload,laiddown;theguidetobecoming,uprooted.AndthegoalforwhichIwentforthfromhomelifeintohomelessnessI’vereached:

theend

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ofallfetters.

Attaincompletionthroughheedfulness:thatismymessage.

Sothen,I’mabouttobeunbound.I’mreleased

everywhere.

—Thag14:1

§104.IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthiinJeta’sGrove,Anathapindika’smonastery.ThenVen.DabbaMallaputtawenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AshewassittingtherehesaidtotheBlessedOne:“Nowisthetimeformytotalunbinding,OOne-Well-Gone!”

“Thendo,Dabba,whatyouthinkitisnowtimetodo.”ThenVen.DabbaMallaputta,risingfromhisseat,boweddownto

theBlessedOneand,circlinghimontheright,roseupintotheairandsatcross-leggedinthesky,inspace.Enteringthefirepropertyandemergingfromit,hewastotallyunbound.Now,whenDabbaMallaputtaroseupintotheairand,sittingcross-leggedinthesky,inspace,enteredthefirepropertyandthenemergedfromitandwastotallyunbound,hisbodyburnedandwasconsumedsothatneitherashesnorsootcouldbediscerned.Justaswhengheeoroilisburnedandconsumed,neitherashesnorsootcanbediscerned,inthesameway,whenDabbaMallaputtaroseupintotheairand,sittingcross-leggedinthesky,inspace,enteredthefirepropertyandthenemergedfromitandwastotallyunbound,hisbodyburnedandwasconsumedsothatneitherashesnorsootcouldbediscerned.

Then,onrealizingthesignificanceofthat,theBlessedOneonthatoccasionexclaimed:

Thebodybrokeup,perceptionceased,feelingswentcold

—all—fabricationswerestilled,

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consciousnesshascometoanend.

—Ud8:9

§105.IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearSavatthiinJeta’sGrove,Anathapindika’smonastery.Thereheaddressedthemonks,“Monks!”

“Yes,lord,”themonksreplied.TheBlessedOnesaid,“WhenDabbaMallaputtaroseupintothe

airand,sittingcross-leggedinthesky,inspace,enteredthefirepropertyandthenemergedfromitandwastotallyunbound,hisbodyburnedandwasconsumedsothatneitherashesnorsootcouldbediscerned.Justaswhengheeoroilisburnedandconsumed,neitherashesnorsootcanbediscerned,inthesameway,whenDabbaMallaputtaroseupintotheairand,sittingcross-leggedinthesky,inspace,enteredthefirepropertyandthenemergedfromitandwastotallyunbound,hisbodyburnedandwasconsumedsothatneitherashesnorsootcouldbediscerned.”

Then,onrealizingthesignificanceofthat,theBlessedOneonthatoccasionexclaimed:

Justasthedestinationofaglowingfirestruckwitha[blacksmith’s]ironhammer,graduallygrowingcalm,

isn’tknown:Evenso,there’snodestinationtodescribe

forthoserightlyreleased—havingcrossedovertheflood

ofsensuality’sbond—forthosewhohaveattained

unwaveringbliss.

—Ud8:10

§106.ThentheBlessedOnewentwithalargenumberofmonkstotheBlackRockontheslopeofIsigili.FromafarhesawVen.Vakkalilyingdeadonacouch.Nowatthattimeasmokiness,adarknesswasmovingtotheeast,movedtothewest,movedtothe

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north,thesouth,above,below,movedtotheintermediatedirections.TheBlessedOnesaid,“Monks,doyouseethatsmokiness,thatdarkness...?”

“Yes,Lord.”“ThatisMara,theEvilOne.Heissearchingforthe

consciousnessofVakkalitheclansman:‘WhereistheconsciousnessofVakkalitheclansmanestablished?’But,monks,it’sthroughunestablishedconsciousnessthatVakkalitheclansmanhasattainedtotalunbinding.”

—SN22:87

Separation

§107.Ven.Sariputtasaid,“Friends,justnowasIwaswithdrawninseclusion,thistrainofthoughtarosetomyawareness:‘Isthereanythingintheworldwithwhosechangeoralterationtherewouldarisewithinmesorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despair?’Thenthethoughtoccurredtome:‘Thereisnothingintheworldwithwhosechangeoralterationtherewouldarisewithinmesorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,&despair.’”

Whenthiswassaid,Ven.AnandasaidtoVen.Sariputta,“Sariputtamyfriend,eveniftherewerechange&alterationintheTeacherwouldtherearisewithinyounosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,ordespair?”

“Eveniftherewerechange&alterationintheTeacher,myfriend,therewouldarisewithinmenosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,ordespair.Still,Iwouldhavethisthought:‘Whatagreatbeing,ofgreatmight,ofgreatprowess,hasdisappeared!ForiftheBlessedOneweretoremainforalongtime,thatwouldbeforthebenefitofmanypeople,forthehappinessofmanypeople,outofsympathyfortheworld;forthewelfare,benefit,&happinessofhuman&divinebeings.’”

“Surely,”[saidVen.Ananda,]“it’sbecauseVen.Sariputta’sI-making&mine-makingandconceit-obsessionshavelongbeenwelluprootedthateveniftherewerechange&alterationintheTeacher,therewouldarisewithinhimnosorrow,lamentation,pain,distress,

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ordespair.”—SN21:2

TheBuddha ’sLastDays

§108.Then[afterrelinquishingthewilltocontinuefabricatinghislifeprocesses]theBlessedOnewenttotheaudiencehallandonarrivalsatdownontheseatpreparedforhim.Whenhewasseated,headdressedthemonks:“ThequalitiesIhavepointedout,havingknownthemdirectly:Youshouldgraspthemthoroughly,cultivatethem,developthem,&pursuethemsothatthisholylifemaylongendure&remainsteadfastforthebenefit,welfare,&happinessofthemultitude,outofsympathyfortheworld,forthebenefit,welfare,&happinessofhuman&divinebeings.Andwhatarethosequalities?Thefourestablishingsofmindfulness,thefourrightexertions,thefourbasesofsuccess,thefivefaculties,thefivestrengths,thesevenfactorsforawakening,thenobleeightfoldpath.ThesearethequalitiesIhavepointedout,havingknownthemdirectly,thatyoushouldgraspthoroughly,cultivate,develop,&pursue...forthebenefit,welfare,&happinessofhuman&divinebeings.”ThentheBlessedOneaddressedthemonks,“Iexhortyou,monks:Allfabricationsaresubjecttodecay.Bringaboutcompletionbymeansofheedfulness.ItwillnotbelongbeforetheTathagata’stotalunbinding.Hewillattaintotalunbindinginthreemonth’stime.”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Then...hesaidfurther:

Young&oldwise&foolishrich&poor:

allendupdying.Asapotter’sclayvessels

large&smallfired&unfired

allendupbroken,sotoolifeheadstodeath.

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ThentheTeachersaidfurther:

Ripemyage,littletheliferemainingtome.Leavingyou,Iwillgo,havingmadearefuge

formyself.Beheedful,monks,

mindful,virtuous.Withyourresolveswell-concentrated,

lookafteryourminds.Hewho,inthis

Dhamma&Vinaya,remainsheedful,leavingtheround

ofbirth,willmakeanend

ofstress.

***

ThentheBlessedOnewithalargecommunityofmonkswenttothefarshoreoftheHiraññavatiRiverandheadedforUpavattana,theMallans’sal-grovenearKusinara.Onarrival,hesaidtoVen.Ananda,“Ananda,pleaseprepareabedformebetweenthetwinsal-trees,withitsheadtothenorth.Iamtired,andwillliedown.”

Responding,“Asyousay,lord,”Ven.Anandapreparedabedbetweenthetwinsal-trees,withitsheadtothenorth.ThentheBlessedOnelaydownonhisrightsideinthelion’ssleepingposture,withonefootontopoftheother,mindful&alert.

Nowatthattimethetwinsal-treeswereinfullbloom,eventhoughitwasnotthetimeforflowering.Theyshowered,strewed,&sprinkledontheTathagata’sbodyinhomagetohim.Heavenlycoral-treeblossomsfellfromthesky,showering,strewing,&sprinklingtheTathagata’sbodyinhomagetohim.Heavenlysandalwoodpowderfellfromthesky,showering,strewing,&sprinklingtheTathagata’sbodyinhomagetohim.Heavenlymusicwasplayinginthesky,inhomagetotheTathagata.Heavenlysongsweresunginthesky,inhomagetotheTathagata.

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ThentheBlessedOnesaidtoVen.Ananda,“Ananda,thetwinsal-treesareinfullbloom,eventhoughit’snotthefloweringseason.Theyshower,strew,&sprinkleontheTathagata’sbodyinhomagetohim.Heavenlycoral-treeblossomsarefallingfromthesky....Heavenlysandalwoodpowderisfallingfromthesky....Heavenlymusicisplayinginthesky....Heavenlysongsaresunginthesky,inhomagetotheTathagata.ButitisnottothisextentthataTathagataisworshipped,honored,respected,venerated,orpaidhomageto.Rather,themonk,nun,malelayfollower,orfemalelayfollowerwhokeepspracticingtheDhammainaccordancewiththeDhamma,whokeepspracticingmasterfully,wholivesinaccordancewiththeDhamma:thatisthepersonwhoworships,honors,respects,venerates,&payshomagetotheTathagatawiththehighesthomage.Soyoushouldtrainyourselves:‘WewillkeeppracticingtheDhammainaccordancewiththeDhamma,wewillkeeppracticingmasterfully,wewillliveinaccordancewiththeDhamma.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourselves”….

ThenVen.Ananda,goingintoa[nearby]building,stoodleaningagainstthedoorjamb,weeping:“HereIam,stillintraining,withworklefttodo,andthetotalunbindingofmyteacherisabouttooccur—theteacherwhohashadsuchsympathyforme!”

ThentheBlessedOnesaidtothemonks,“Monks,whereisAnanda?”

“Lord,Ven.Ananda,havinggoneintothatbuilding,standsleaningagainstthedoorjamb,weeping:‘HereIam,stillintraining,withworklefttodo,andthetotalunbindingofmyteacherisabouttooccur—theteacherwhohashadsuchsympathyforme!’”

ThentheBlessedOnetoldacertainmonk,“Come,monk.Inmyname,callAnanda,saying,‘TheTeachercallsyou,myfriend.’”

Responding,“Asyousay,lord,”totheBlessedOne,themonkwenttoVen.Anandaandonarrivalsaid,“TheTeachercallsyou,myfriend.”

Responding,“Asyousay,friend,”tothemonk,Ven.AnandawenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,theBlessedOnesaidtohim,“Enough,Ananda.Don’tgrieve.Don’tlament.Haven’tIalreadytaughtyouthestateofgrowingdifferentwithregardtoallthingsdear

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&appealing,thestateofbecomingseparate,thestateofbecomingotherwise?Whatelseistheretoexpect?It’simpossiblethatonecouldforbidanythingborn,existent,fabricated,&subjecttodisintegrationfromdisintegrating.

“Foralongtime,Ananda,youhaveattendedtotheTathagatawithphysicalactsofgoodwill—helpful,happy,whole-hearted,withoutlimit;withverbalactsofgoodwill...withmentalactsofgoodwill—helpful,happy,whole-hearted,withoutlimit.Youareonewhohasmademerit.Commityourselftoexertion,andsoonyouwillbewithoutfermentations.”

ThentheBlessedOneaddressedthemonks,“Monks,thoseBlessedOneswho,inthepast,wereworthyones,rightlyself-awakened,hadforemostattendants,justasIhavehadAnanda.ThoseBlessedOneswho,inthefuture,willbeworthyones,rightlyself-awakened,willhaveforemostattendants,justasIhavehadAnanda.Anandaiswise.Heknows,‘ThisisthetimetoapproachtoseetheTathagata.Thisisthetimeformonks,thisthetimefornuns,thisthetimeformalelay-followers,thisthetimeforfemalelay-followers,thisthetimeforkings&theirministers,thisthetimeforsectarians,thisthetimeforthefollowersofsectarians.’

“Therearethesefouramazing&astoundingqualitiesinAnanda.IfagroupofmonksapproachestoseeAnanda,theyaregratifiedatthesightofhim.IfhespeaksDhammatothem,theyaregratifiedwithwhathesays.Beforetheyaresated,hefallssilent.IfagroupofnunsapproachestoseeAnanda...IfagroupofmalelayfollowersapproachestoseeAnanda...IfagroupoffemalelayfollowersapproachestoseeAnanda,theyaregratifiedatthesightofhim.IfhespeaksDhammatothem,theyaregratifiedwithwhathesays.Beforetheyaresated,hefallssilent.Thesearethefouramazing&astoundingqualitiesinAnanda.Therearethesefouramazing&astoundingqualitiesinawheel-turningmonarch.Ifagroupofnoblewarriorsapproachestoseehim...Ifagroupofbrahmansapproachestoseehim...Ifagroupofhouseholdersapproachestoseehim...Ifagroupofcontemplativesapproachestoseehim,theyaregratifiedatthesightofhim.Ifhespeakstothem,theyaregratifiedwithwhathesays.Beforetheyaresated,hefallssilent.Inthesameway,monks,therearethesefouramazing&astoundingqualitiesinAnanda.Ifagroupofmonks...agroupofnuns...agroupofmalelayfollowers...

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agroupoffemalelayfollowersapproachestoseeAnanda,theyaregratifiedatthesightofhim.IfhespeaksDhammatothem,theyaregratifiedwithwhathesays.Beforetheyaresated,hefallssilent.Thesearethefouramazing&astoundingqualitiesinAnanda”….

NowatthattimeSubhaddathewandererwasstayinginKusinara.Heheard,“Tonight,inthelastwatchofthenight,thetotalunbindingofGotamathecontemplativewilltakeplace.”Thenthethoughtoccurredtohim:“Ihaveheardtheelderwanderers,teachersofteachers,sayingthatonlyonceinalong,longtimedoTathagatas—worthyones,rightlyself-awakened—appearintheworld.Tonight,inthelastwatchofthenight,thetotalunbindingofGotamathecontemplativewilloccur.Nowthereisadoubtthathasariseninme,butIhavefaiththathecouldteachmetheDhammainsuchawaythatImightabandonthatdoubt.”

SohewenttoUpavattana,theMallans’sal-groveand,onarrival,saidtoVen.Ananda,“Ihaveheardtheelderwanderers,teachersofteachers,sayingthatonlyonceinalong,longtimedoTathagatas—worthyones,rightlyself-awakened—appearintheworld.Tonight,inthelastwatchofthenight,thetotalunbindingofGotamathecontemplativewilloccur.Nowthereisadoubtthathasariseninme,butIhavefaiththathecouldteachmetheDhammainsuchawaythatImightabandonthatdoubt.Itwouldbegood,Ven.Ananda,ifyouwouldletmeseehim.”

Whenthiswassaid,Ven.Anandasaidtohim,“Enough,friendSubhadda.Don’tbothertheBlessedOne.TheBlessedOneistired.”

Forasecondtime...Forathirdtime,SubhaddatheWanderersaidtoVen.Ananda,“...Itwouldbegood,Ven.Ananda,ifyouwouldletmeseehim.”

Forathirdtime,Ven.Anandasaidtohim,“Enough,friendSubhadda.Don’tbothertheBlessedOne.TheBlessedOneistired.”

Now,theBlessedOneheardtheexchangebetweenVen.Ananda&Subhaddathewanderer,andsohesaidtoVen.Ananda,“Enough,Ananda.Don’tstandinhisway.LethimseetheTathagata.Whateverheasksmewillallbeforthesakeofknowledge,andnottobebothersome.AndwhateverIanswerwhenasked,hewillquicklyunderstand.”

SoVen.AnandasaidtoSubhaddathewanderer,“Goahead,

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friendSubhadda.TheBlessedOnegivesyouhisleave.”ThenSubhaddawenttotheBlessedOneandexchanged

courteousgreetingswithhim.Afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,hesattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtotheBlessedOne,“Venerablesir,thesecontemplatives&brahmans,eachwithhisgroup,eachwithhiscommunity,eachtheteacherofhisgroup,anhonoredleader,well-regardedbypeopleatlarge—i.e.,PuranaKassapa,MakkhaliGosala,AjitaKesakambalin,PakudhaKaccayana,SañjayaBelatthitaputta,&theNiganthaNataputta:Dotheyallhavedirectknowledgeastheythemselvesclaim,ordotheyallnothavedirectknowledge,ordosomeofthemhavedirectknowledgeandsomeofthemnot?”

“Enough,Subhadda.Putthisquestionaside.IwillteachyoutheDhamma.Listen,andpaycloseattention.Iwillspeak.”

“Yes,lord,”Subhaddaanswered,andtheBlessedOnesaid,“InanyDhamma&Vinayawherethenobleeightfoldpathisnotfound,nocontemplativeofthefirst...second...third...fourthorder[stream-winner,once-returner,non-returner,orarahant]isfound.ButinanyDhamma&Vinayawherethenobleeightfoldpathisfound,contemplativesofthefirst...second...third...fourthorderarefound.ThenobleeightfoldpathisfoundinthisDhamma&Vinaya,andrightheretherearecontemplativesofthefirst...second...third...fourthorder.Otherteachingsareemptyofknowledgeablecontemplatives.Andifthemonksdwellrightly,thisworldwillnotbeemptyofarahants.

Atagetwenty-nineIwentforth,seekingwhatmightbeskillful,andsincemygoingforth

morethanfiftyyearshavepast.OutsideoftherealmofmethodicalDhamma,

thereisnocontemplative.

Andnocontemplativeofthesecond...third...fourthorder.Otherteachingsareemptyofknowledgeablecontemplatives.Andifthemonksdwellrightly,thisworldwillnotbeemptyofarahants.”

ThenSubhaddathewanderersaid,“Magnificent,lord!

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Magnificent!Justasifheweretoplaceuprightwhathadbeenoverturned,weretorevealwhathadbeenhidden,weretopointoutthewaytoonewhowaslost,orwerecarryalampintothedarksothatthosewitheyesmightseeforms,inthesamewaytheBlessedOnehas—throughmanylinesofreasoning—madetheDhammaclear.IgototheBlessedOneforrefuge,totheDhamma,andtothecommunityofmonks.LetmeobtainthegoingforthintheBlessedOne’spresence,letmeobtainacceptance[intotheCommunity].”

“Anyone,Subhadda,whohaspreviouslybelongedtoanothersectandwhodesiresthegoingforth&acceptanceintothisDhamma&Vinaya,mustfirstundergoprobationforfourmonths.If,attheendoffourmonths,themonksfeelsomoved,theygivehimthegoingforth&accepthimintothemonk’sstate.ButIknowdistinctionsamongindividualsinthismatter.”

“Lord,ifthatisso,Iamwillingtoundergoprobationforfouryears.If,attheendoffouryears,themonksfeelsomoved,letthemgivemethegoingforth&acceptmeintothemonk’sstate.”

ThentheBlessedOnesaidtoVen.Ananda,“Verywellthen,Ananda,giveSubhaddathegoingforth.”

“Yes,lord,”Anandaanswered.ThenSubhaddasaidtoVen.Ananda,“It’sagainforyou,

Ananda,agreatgain,thatyouhavebeenanointedhereintheTeacher’spresencewiththepupil’sanointing.”

ThenSubhaddathewandererreceivedthegoingforthintheBlessedOne’spresence,hereceivedtheacceptance.Andnotlongafterhisacceptance—dwellingalone,secluded,heedful,ardent,&resolute—heinnolongtimeentered&remainedinthesupremegoaloftheholylife,forwhichclansmenrightlygoforthfromhomeintohomelessness,knowing&realizingitforhimselfinthehere&now.Heknew:“Birthisended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthesakeofthisworld.”AndthusVen.Subhaddabecameanotheroneofthearahants,thelastoftheBlessedOne’sface-to-facedisciples.

ThentheBlessedOnesaidtoVen.Ananda,“Now,ifitoccurstoanyofyou—‘Theteachinghaslostitsarbitrator;wearewithoutaTeacher’—donotviewitinthatway.WhateverDhamma&VinayaI

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havepointedout&formulatedforyou,thatwillbeyouTeacherwhenIamgone”….

ThentheBlessedOneaddressedthemonks,“IfevenasinglemonkhasanydoubtorperplexityconcerningtheBuddha,Dhamma,orSangha,thepathorthepractice,ask.Don’tlaterregretthat‘TheTeacherwasface-to-facewithus,butwedidn’tbringourselvestocross-questionhiminhispresence.’”

Whenthiswassaid,themonksweresilent.Asecondtime…athirdtime,theBlessedOnesaid,“Ifevenone

ofthemonkshasanydoubtorperplexityconcerningtheBuddha,Dhamma,orSangha,thepathorthepractice,ask.Don’tlaterregretthat‘TheTeacherwasface-to-facewithus,butwedidn’tbringourselvestocross-questionhiminhispresence.’”

Athirdtime,themonksweresilent.ThentheBlessedOneaddressedthemonks,“Now,ifit’soutof

respectfortheTeacherthatyoudon’task,letafriendinformafriend.”

Whenthiswassaid,themonksweresilent.ThenVen.AnandasaidtotheBlessedOne,“It’samazing,lord.

It’sastounding.I’mconfidentthat,inthiscommunityofmonks,thereisnotevenasinglemonkwhohasanydoubtorperplexityconcerningtheBuddha,Dhamma,orSangha,thepathorthepractice.”

“You,Ananda,speakoutofconfidence,whilethereisknowledgeintheTathagatathat,inthiscommunityofmonks,thereisnotevenasinglemonkwhohasanydoubtorperplexityconcerningtheBuddha,Dhamma,orSangha,thepathorthepractice.Ofthese500monks,themostbackwardisastream-winner,notdestinedfortheplanesofdeprivation,headedtoself-awakeningforsure.”

ThentheBlessedOneaddressedthemonks,“Now,then,monks,Iexhortyou:Allfabricationsaresubjecttodecay.Bringaboutcompletionbymeansofheedfulness.”ThoseweretheTathagata’slastwords.

ThentheBlessedOneenteredthefirstjhana.Emergingfromthatheenteredthesecondjhana.Emergingfromthat,heenteredthethird...thefourthjhana...thedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspace...thedimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness...thedimensionofnothingness...thedimensionofneitherperceptionnornon-

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perception.Emergingfromthat,heenteredthecessationofperception&feeling.

ThenVen.AnandasaidtoVen.Anuruddha,“Ven.Anuruddha,theBlessedOneistotallyunbound.”

“No,friendAnanda.TheBlessedOneisn’ttotallyunbound.Hehasenteredthecessationofperception&feeling.”

ThentheBlessedOne,emergingfromthecessationofperception&feeling,enteredthedimensionofneitherperceptionnornon-perception.Emergingfromthat,heenteredthedimensionofnothingness...thedimensionoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness...thedimensionoftheinfinitudeofspace...thefourthjhana...thethird...thesecond...thefirstjhana.Emergingfromthefirstjhanaheenteredthesecond...thethird...thefourthjhana.Emergingfromthefourthjhana,heimmediatelywastotallyunbound.

WhentheBlessedOnewastotallyunbound,simultaneouslywiththetotalunbinding,therewasagreatearthquake,awesome&hair-raising,andthedrumsofthedevassounded.

WhentheBlessedOnewastotallyunbound,simultaneouslywiththetotalunbinding,SahampatiBrahmautteredthisverse:

Allbeings—all—intheworld,willcastoffthebodilyheap

intheworldwhereaTeacherlikethiswithoutpeerintheworldtheTathagata,withstrengthattained,theRightlySelf-AwakenedOne,

hasbeentotallyunbound.

WhentheBlessedOnewastotallyunbound,simultaneouslywiththetotalunbinding,Sakka,rulerofthedevas,utteredthisverse:

Howinconstantarefabrications!Theirnature:toarise&passaway.Theydisbandastheyarearising.

Theirtotalstillingisbliss.

WhentheBlessedOnewastotallyunbound,simultaneouslywith

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thetotalunbinding,Ven.Anuruddhautteredthisverse:

Hehadnoin-&-outbreathing,theonewhowasSuch,thefirm-mindedone,

imperturbable&bentonpeace:thesagecompletinghisspan.

Withheartunbowedheenduredthepain.

Likeaflame’sunbindingwastheliberation

ofawareness.

WhentheBlessedOnewastotallyunbound,simultaneouslywiththetotalunbinding,Ven.Anandautteredthisverse:

Itwasawe-inspiring.Itwashair-raisingwhen,displayingtheforemost

accomplishmentinallthings,theRightlySelf-AwakenedOnewastotallyunbound.

WhentheBlessedOnewastotallyunbound,simultaneouslywiththetotalunbinding,someofthemonkspresentwhowerenotwithoutpassionwept,upliftingtheirarms.Asiftheirfeetwerecutoutfromunderthem,theyfelldownandrolledback&forth,crying,“AlltoosoonistheBlessedOnetotallyunbound!AlltoosoonistheOneWell-gonetotallyunbound!Alltoosoon,theOnewithEyeshasdisappearedfromtheworld!”Butthosemonkswhowerefreefrompassionacquiesced,mindful&alert:“Fabricationsareinconstant.Whatelseistheretoexpect?”

ThenVen.Anuruddhaaddressedthemonks,“Enough,friends.Don’tgrieve.Don’tlament.Hasn’ttheBlessedOnealreadytaughtthestateofgrowingdifferentwithregardtoallthingsdear&appealing,thestateofbecomingseparate,thestateofbecomingotherwise?Whatelseistheretoexpect?It’simpossiblethatonecouldforbidanythingborn,existent,fabricated,&subjecttodisintegrationfromdisintegrating.Thedevatas,friends,arecomplaining.”

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[Ven.Ananda:]“But,Ven.Anuruddha,whatisthestateofthedevatastheBlessedOneisreferringto?”

“FriendAnanda,therearedevataswhoperceivespacetobeearth.Tearingattheirhair,theyareweeping.Upliftingtheirarms,theyareweeping.Asiftheirfeetwerecutoutfromunderthem,theyfalldownandrollback&forth,crying,‘AlltoosoonistheBlessedOnetotallyunbound!AlltoosoonistheOneWell-gonetotallyunbound!Alltoosoon,theOnewithEyeshasdisappearedfromtheworld!’Thentherearedevataswhoperceiveearthtobeearth.Tearingattheirhair,theyareweeping.Upliftingtheirarms,theyareweeping.Asiftheirfeetwerecutoutfromunderthem,theyfalldownandrollback&forth,crying,‘AlltoosoonistheBlessedOnetotallyunbound!AlltoosoonistheOneWell-gonetotallyunbound!Alltoosoon,theOnewithEyeshasdisappearedfromtheworld!’Butthosedevataswhoarefreefrompassionacquiesce,mindful&alert:‘Fabricationsareinconstant.Whatelseistheretoexpect?’”

ThenVen.Anuruddha&Ven.AnandaspenttheremainderofthenightinDhammatalk.

—DN16

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Glossary

Arahant:A“worthyone”or“pureone”;apersonwhosemindisfreeofdefilementandisthusnotsubjecttofurtherrebirth.AtitlefortheBuddhaandhishighestlevelofnobledisciples.

Āsava:Fermentation;effluent.Fourqualities—sensuality,views,becoming,andignorance—that“flowout”ofthemindandcreatethefloodoftheroundofdeathandrebirth.

Brāhman:Ingeneralusage,thisdenotesamemberofthepriestlycasteofIndia.InitsspecificallyBuddhistusage,itdenotesanarahant.

Brahmā:Inhabitantoftheheavensofformorformlessness.

Deva(devatā):Literally,“shiningone.”Aninhabitantofheavenlyorterrestriallevelsofbeingenjoyingpleasureshigherthanthoseofhumanbeings.

Dhamma:(1)Event;action;(2)aphenomenoninandofitself;(3)mentalquality;(4)doctrine,teaching;(5)nibbāna(althoughsomepassagesintheCanondescribenibbānaastheabandoningofalldhammas).Sanskritform:Dharma.

Jhāna:Mentalabsorption.Astateofstrongconcentrationfocusedonasinglesensationormentalnotion.Thistermisderivedfromtheverbjhāyati,whichmeanstoburnwithastill,steadyflame.Sanskritform:Dhyāna.

Kamma:Intentionalact.Sanskritform:Karma.

Māra:Deathandtemptationpersonified.

Nāga:(1)Amagicalserpent;(2)agreatelephant;(3)ahumanbeingofadmirablenobilityandstrength.

Nibbāna:Literally,the“unbinding”ofthemindfrompassion,aversion,anddelusion,andfromtheentireroundofdeathandrebirth.Asthistermalsodenotestheextinguishingofafire,it

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carriesconnotationsofstilling,cooling,andpeace.“Totalnibbāna”insomecontextsdenotestheexperienceofawakening;inothers,thefinalpassingawayofanarahant.Sanskritform:Nirvāṇa.

Saṅgha:Community.Ontheconventionallevel,thistermdenotesthecommunitiesofBuddhistmonksandnuns.Ontheideallevel,itdenotesthosefollowersoftheBuddha,layorordained,whohaveattainedatleastthefirststageofawakening.

Tathāgata:Literally,onewhohas“becomeauthentic(tatha-āgata)”or“trulygone(tathā-gata),”anepithetusedinancientIndiaforapersonwhohasattainedthehighestreligiousgoal.InBuddhism,itusuallydenotestheBuddha,althoughoccasionallyitalsodenotesanyofhisarahantdisciples.

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Abbreviations

AN AṅguttaraNikāya

Cv Cullvagga

Dhp Dhammapada

DN DīghaNikāya

Iti Itivuttaka

MN MajjhimaNikāya

Mv Mahāvagga

SN SaṁyuttaNikāya

Sn SuttaNipāta

Thag Theragāthā

Thig Therīgāthā

Ud Udāna

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TableofContents

Titlepage 2Copyright 3Introduction 4TheBuddhaasDoctor,theDhammaasMedicine 6TheDoctor’sDiagnosis 21Death 46Separation 47

Heedfulness 57Aging 66Illness 67Death 70Separation 84Kamma 85DarkKamma,WhiteKamma 91KammaNeitherDarknorWhite 101

Advice 104Aging 104Illness 109Death 119Separation 129

TeachingbyExample 139Aging 139Illness 142Death 147Separation 156TheBuddha’sLastDays 157

Glossary 168Abbreviations 170

171