The Connected Discourses of the Buddha
Page 186
“Here, venerable sir, a bhikkhu whose taints are destroyed develops the faculty of faith, which leads to peace, leads to enlightenment. He develops the faculty of energy … the faculty of mindfulness … the faculty of concentration … the faculty of wisdom, which leads to peace, leads to enlightenment. This, venerable sir, is the unsurpassed security from bondage that a bhikkhu whose taints are destroyed considers as the benefit when he conducts himself in a way that shows supreme honour towards the Tathāgata and the Tathāgata’s teaching.”
“Good, good, Sāriputta! For that, Sāriputta, is the unsurpassed security from bondage that a bhikkhu whose taints are destroyed considers as the benefit when he conducts himself in a way that shows supreme honour towards the Tathāgata and the Tathāgata’s teaching.
“And what, Sāriputta, is the supreme honour with which a bhikkhu whose taints are destroyed conducts himself towards the Tathāgata and the Tathāgata’s teaching?”
“Here, venerable sir, a bhikkhu whose taints are destroyed dwells reverential and deferential towards the Teacher, the Dhamma, the Saṅgha, the training, and concentration.242 This, venerable sir, is that supreme honour with which a bhikkhu whose taints are destroyed conducts himself towards the Tathāgata and the Tathāgata’s teaching.” [235]
“Good, good, Sāriputta! For that, Sāriputta, is the supreme honour with which a bhikkhu whose taints are destroyed conducts himself towards the Tathāgata and the Tathāgata’s teaching.”
59 (9) Arising (1)
At Sāvatthī. “Bhikkhus, these five faculties, developed and cultivated, if unarisen do not arise apart from the appearance of a Tathāgata, an Arahant, a Perfectly Enlightened One. What five? The faculty of faith, the faculty of energy, the faculty of mindfulness, the faculty of concentration, the faculty of wisdom. These five faculties, developed and cultivated, if unarisen do not arise apart from the appearance of a Tathāgata, an Arahant, a Perfectly Enlightened One.”
60 (10) Arising (2)
At Sāvatthī. “Bhikkhus, these five faculties, developed and cultivated, if unarisen do not arise apart from the Discipline of a Fortunate One. What five? The faculty of faith, the faculty of energy, the faculty of mindfulness, the faculty of concentration, the faculty of wisdom. These five faculties, developed and cultivated, if unarisen do not arise apart from the Discipline of a Fortunate One.”
[236] VII. CONDUCIVE TO ENLIGHTENMENT
61 (1) Fetters
At Sāvatthī. “Bhikkhus, these five faculties, when developed and cultivated, lead to the abandoning of the fetters. What five? The faculty of faith … the faculty of wisdom. These five faculties….”
62 (2) Underlying Tendencies
“Bhikkhus, these five faculties, when developed and cultivated, lead to the uprooting of the underlying tendencies. What five? The faculty of faith … the faculty of wisdom. These five faculties….”
63 (3) Full Understanding
“Bhikkhus, these five faculties, when developed and cultivated, lead to the full understanding of the course. What five? The faculty of faith … the faculty of wisdom. These five faculties….”
64 (4) The Destruction of the Taints
“Bhikkhus, these five faculties, when developed and cultivated, lead to the destruction of the taints. What five? The faculty of faith … the faculty of wisdom.
“These five faculties, when developed and cultivated, lead to the abandoning of the fetters, to the uprooting of the underlying tendencies, to the full understanding of the course, to the destruction of the taints. What five? The faculty of faith … the faculty of wisdom…..”
65 (5) Two Fruits
“Bhikkhus, there are these five faculties. What five? The faculty of faith … the faculty of wisdom. These are the five faculties.
“When, bhikkhus, these five faculties have been developed and cultivated, one of two fruits may be expected: either final knowledge in this very life or, if there is a residue of clinging, the state of nonreturning.” [237]
66 (6) Seven Benefits
“Bhikkhus, there are these five faculties. What five? The faculty of faith … the faculty of wisdom. These are the five faculties.
“When, bhikkhus, these five faculties have been developed and cultivated, seven fruits and benefits may be expected. What are the seven fruits and benefits?
“One attains final knowledge early in this very life. If one does not attain final knowledge early in this very life, then one attains final knowledge at the time of death. If one does not attain final knowledge early in this very life, or at the time of death, then with the utter destruction of the five lower fetters one becomes an attainer of Nibbāna within the interval … an attainer of Nibbāna upon landing … an attainer of Nibbāna without exertion … an attainer of Nibbāna with exertion … one bound upstream, heading towards the Akaniṭṭha realm.
“When, bhikkhus, these five faculties have been developed and cultivated, these seven fruits and benefits may be expected.”
67 (7) The Tree (1)
“Bhikkhus, just as, among the trees of Jambudīpa the rose-apple tree is declared to be their chief, so too, among the states conducive to enlightenment the faculty of wisdom is declared to be their chief, that is, for the attainment of enlightenment.
“And what, bhikkhus, are the states conducive to enlightenment? The faculty of faith, bhikkhus, is a state conducive to enlightenment; it leads to enlightenment…. The faculty of wisdom is a state conducive to enlightenment; it leads to enlightenment.
“Just as, bhikkhus, among the trees of Jambudīpa the rose-apple tree is declared to be their chief, so too, among the states conducive to enlightenment the faculty of wisdom is declared to be their chief, that is, for the attainment of enlightenment.” [238]
68 (8) The Tree (2)
“Bhikkhus, just as, among the trees of the Tāvatiṃsa devas the coral tree243 is declared to be their chief, so too, among the states conducive to enlightenment the faculty of wisdom is declared to be their chief, that is, for the attainment of enlightenment.
“And what, bhikkhus, are the states conducive to enlightenment? The faculty of faith … The faculty of wisdom … that is, for the attainment of enlightenment.”
69 (9) The Tree (3)
“Bhikkhus, just as, among the trees of the asuras the trumpet-flower tree244 is declared to be their chief, so too, among the states conducive to enlightenment the faculty of wisdom is declared to be their chief … (all as above) … that is, for the attainment of enlightenment.”
70 (10) The Tree (4)
“Bhikkhus, just as, among the trees of the supaṇṇas the silk-cotton tree is declared to be their chief, so too, among the states conducive to enlightenment the faculty of wisdom is declared to be their chief … (all as above) [239] … that is, for the attainment of enlightenment.”
VIII. GANGES REPETITION SERIES
71 (1)-82 (12) The River Ganges—Eastward, Etc.
“Bhikkhus, just as the river Ganges slants, slopes, and inclines towards the east, so too a bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the five spiritual faculties slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.
“And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu develop and cultivate the five spiritual faculties so that he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of faith, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release. He develops the faculty of energy … the faculty of mindfulness … the faculty of concentration … the faculty of wisdom, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.
“It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu develops and cultivates the five spiritual faculties so that he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.” [240]
(The remaining suttas of this vagga are to be similarly elaborated parallel to 45:92-102.)
Six about slanting to the east
And six about slanting to the ocean.
These two sixes make up twelve:
Thus the subchapter is r
ecited.
IX. DILIGENCE
83 (1)-92 (10) The Tathāgata, Etc.
(To be elaborated by way of the faculties parallel to 45:139-48.)
Tathāgata, footprint, roof peak,
Roots, heartwood, jasmine,
Monarch, the moon and sun,
Together with the cloth as tenth.
X. STRENUOUS DEEDS
93 (1)-104 (12) Strenuous, Etc.
(To be elaborated parallel to 45:149-60.)
Strenuous, seeds, and nāgas,
The tree, the pot, the spike,
The sky, and two on clouds,
The ship, guest house, and river.
XI. SEARCHES
105 (1)-114 (10) Searches, Etc.
(To be elaborated parallel to 45:161-70.)
Searches, discriminations, taints,
Kinds of existence, threefold suffering,
Barrenness, stains, and troubles,
Feelings, craving, and thirst.
[241] XII. FLOODS
115 (1)-123 (9) Floods, Etc.
(To be elaborated parallel to 45:171-79.)
124 (10) Higher Fetters
“Bhikkhus, there are these five higher fetters. What five? Lust for form, lust for the formless, conceit, restlessness, ignorance. These are the five higher fetters. The five spiritual faculties are to be developed for direct knowledge of these five higher fetters, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.
“What five? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of faith … the faculty of wisdom, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.
“These five spiritual faculties are to be developed for direct knowledge of these five higher fetters, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.”
Floods, bonds, kinds of clinging,
Knots, and underlying tendencies,
Cords of sensual pleasure, hindrances,
Aggregates, fetters lower and higher.
XIII. GANGES REPETITION SERIES
(Removal of Lust Version)
125 (1)-136 (12) The River Ganges—Eastward, Etc.
“Bhikkhus, just as the river Ganges slants, slopes, and inclines towards the east, so too a bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the five spiritual faculties slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.
“And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu develop and cultivate the five spiritual faculties so that he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of faith … the faculty of wisdom, which has as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion.
“It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu develops and cultivates the five spiritual faculties so that he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.” [242]
XIV. DILIGENCE
(Removal of Lust Version)
137 (1)-146 (10) The Tathāgata, Etc.
XV. STRENUOUS DEEDS
(Removal of Lust Version)
147 (1)-158 (12) Strenuous, Etc.
XVI. SEARCHES
(Removal of Lust Version)
159 (1)-168 (10) Searches, Etc.
XVII. FLOODS
(Removal of Lust Version)
169 (1)-177 (9) Floods, Etc. 178 (10) Higher Fetters
“Bhikkhus, there are these five higher fetters. What five? Lust for form, lust for the formless, conceit, restlessness, ignorance. These are the five higher fetters. The five spiritual faculties are to be developed for direct knowledge of these five higher fetters, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.
“What five? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu develops the faculty of faith … [243] … the faculty of wisdom, which has as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion.
“These five spiritual faculties are to be developed for direct knowledge of these five higher fetters, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.”
Floods, bonds, kinds of clinging,
Knots, and underlying tendencies,
Cords of sensual pleasure, hindrances,
Aggregates, fetters lower and higher.
(All to be elaborated by way of the five faculties having as their final goal the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion.)
[244]
Chapter V
49 Sammappadhānasaṃyutta
Connected Discourses on
the Right Strivings
I. GANGES REPETITION SERIES
1 (1)-12 (12) The River Ganges—Eastward, Etc.
At Sāvatthī. There the Blessed One said this: “Bhikkhus, there are these four right strivings. What four? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu generates desire for the nonarising of unarisen evil unwholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. He generates desire for the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. He generates desire for the arising of unarisen wholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. He generates desire for the maintenance of arisen wholesome states, for their nondecay, increase, expansion, and fulfilment by development; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. These are the four right strivings.245
“Bhikkhus, just as the river Ganges slants, slopes, and inclines towards the east, so too a bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the four right strivings slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.
“And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu develop and cultivate the four right strivings so that he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna? [245] Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu generates desire for the nonarising of unarisen evil unwholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. He generates desire for the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome states…. He generates desire for the arising of unarisen wholesome states…. He generates desire for the maintenance of arisen wholesome states, for their nondecay, increase, expansion, and fulfilment by development; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. These are the four right strivings.
“It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu develops and cultivates the four right strivings so that he slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.”
(The remaining suttas of this vagga are to be similarly elaborated parallel to 45:92-102.)
Six about slanting to the east
And six about slanting to the ocean.
These two sixes make up twelve:
Thus the subchapter is recited.
II. DILIGENCE
13 (1)-22 (10) The Tathāgata, Etc.
(To be elaborated by way of the four right strivings parallel to 45:139-48.)
Tathāgata, footprint, roof peak,
Roots, heartwood, jasmine,
Monarch, the moon and sun,
Together with the cloth as tenth.
[246] III. STRENUOUS DEEDS
23 (1)-34 (12) Strenuous, Etc.
“Bhikkhus, just as whatever strenuous deeds are done, are all done based upon the earth, established upon the earth, so too, based upon virtue, established upon virtue, a bhikkhu develops and cultivates the four right strivings.
“And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu, based upon virtue, established upon virtue, develop and cultivate the four right strivings? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu generates desire for the nonarising of unarisen evil unwholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. He generates desire for the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome states…. He generates desire for the arising of unarisen wholesome states…. He generates desire for the maintenance of arisen wholesome states, for their nondecay, increase, expansion, and fulfilment by development; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. These are the four right strivings.