MN 66

Laṭukikopamasutta

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā aṅguttarāpesu viharati āpaṇaṁ nāma aṅguttarāpānaṁ nigamo.

The Simile of the Quail

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Aṅguttarāpans, near the town of theirs named Āpaṇa.

Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya āpaṇaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Āpaṇe piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto yenaññataro vanasaṇḍo tenupasaṅkami divāvihārāya. Taṁ vanasaṇḍaṁ ajjhogāhetvā aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.

Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Āpaṇa for alms. He wandered for alms in Āpaṇa. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to a certain forest grove for the day’s meditation. Having plunged deep into it, he sat at the root of a certain tree to meditate.

Āyasmāpi kho udāyī pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya āpaṇaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Āpaṇe piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto yena so vanasaṇḍo tenupasaṅkami divāvihārāya. Taṁ vanasaṇḍaṁ ajjhogāhetvā aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi. Atha kho āyasmato udāyissa rahogatassa paṭisallīnassa evaṁ cetaso parivitakko udapādi:

Venerable Udāyī also robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Āpaṇa for alms. He wandered for alms in Āpaṇa. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to that forest grove for the day’s meditation. Having plunged deep into it, he sat at the root of a certain tree to meditate. Then as Venerable Udāyī was in private retreat this thought came to his mind:

“bahūnaṁ vata no bhagavā dukkhadhammānaṁ apahattā, bahūnaṁ vata no bhagavā sukhadhammānaṁ upahattā; bahūnaṁ vata no bhagavā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ apahattā, bahūnaṁ vata no bhagavā kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ upahattā”ti.

“The Buddha has rid us of so many things that bring suffering and gifted us so many things that bring happiness! He has rid us of so many unskillful things and gifted us so many skillful things!”

Atha kho āyasmā udāyī sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā udāyī bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

Then in the late afternoon, Udāyī came out of retreat and went to the Buddha. He bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

“idha mayhaṁ, bhante, rahogatassa paṭisallīnassa evaṁ cetaso parivitakko udapādi: ‘bahūnaṁ vata no bhagavā dukkhadhammānaṁ apahattā, bahūnaṁ vata no bhagavā sukhadhammānaṁ upahattā; bahūnaṁ vata no bhagavā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ apahattā, bahūnaṁ vata no bhagavā kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ upahattā’ti. Mayañhi, bhante, pubbe sāyañceva bhuñjāma pāto ca divā ca vikāle. Ahu kho so, bhante, samayo yaṁ bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: ‘iṅgha tumhe, bhikkhave, etaṁ divāvikālabhojanaṁ pajahathā’ti. Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, ahudeva aññathattaṁ, ahudeva domanassaṁ: ‘yampi no saddhā gahapatikā divā vikāle paṇītaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ denti tassapi no bhagavā pahānamāha, tassapi no sugato paṭinissaggamāhā’ti. Te mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavati pemañca gāravañca hiriñca ottappañca sampassamānā evaṁ taṁ divāvikālabhojanaṁ pajahimhā. Te mayaṁ, bhante, sāyañceva bhuñjāma pāto ca. Ahu kho so, bhante, samayo yaṁ bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: ‘iṅgha tumhe, bhikkhave, etaṁ rattiṁvikālabhojanaṁ pajahathā’ti. Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, ahudeva aññathattaṁ ahudeva domanassaṁ: ‘yampi no imesaṁ dvinnaṁ bhattānaṁ paṇītasaṅkhātataraṁ tassapi no bhagavā pahānamāha, tassapi no sugato paṭinissaggamāhā’ti. Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhante, aññataro puriso divā sūpeyyaṁ labhitvā evamāha: ‘handa ca imaṁ nikkhipatha, sāyaṁ sabbeva samaggā bhuñjissāmā’ti. Yā kāci, bhante, saṅkhatiyo sabbā tā rattiṁ, appā divā. Te mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavati pemañca gāravañca hiriñca ottappañca sampassamānā evaṁ taṁ rattiṁvikālabhojanaṁ pajahimhā. Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhante, bhikkhū rattandhakāratimisāyaṁ piṇḍāya carantā candanikampi pavisanti, oligallepi papatanti, kaṇṭakāvāṭampi ārohanti, suttampi gāviṁ ārohanti, māṇavehipi samāgacchanti katakammehipi akatakammehipi, mātugāmopi te asaddhammena nimanteti. Bhūtapubbāhaṁ, bhante, rattandhakāratimisāyaṁ piṇḍāya carāmi. Addasā kho maṁ, bhante, aññatarā itthī vijjantarikāya bhājanaṁ dhovantī. Disvā maṁ bhītā vissaramakāsi: ‘abhumme pisāco vata man’ti. Evaṁ vutte, ahaṁ, bhante, taṁ itthiṁ etadavocaṁ: ‘nāhaṁ, bhagini, pisāco; bhikkhu piṇḍāya ṭhito’ti. ‘Bhikkhussa ātumārī, bhikkhussa mātumārī. Varaṁ te, bhikkhu, tiṇhena govikantanena kucchi parikanto, na tveva varaṁ yaṁ rattandhakāratimisāyaṁ kucchihetu piṇḍāya carasī’ti. Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, tadanussarato evaṁ hoti: ‘bahūnaṁ vata no bhagavā dukkhadhammānaṁ apahattā, bahūnaṁ vata no bhagavā sukhadhammānaṁ upahattā; bahūnaṁ vata no bhagavā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ apahattā, bahūnaṁ vata no bhagavā kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ upahattā’”ti.

“Just now, sir, as I was in private retreat this thought came to mind: ‘The Buddha has rid us of so many things that bring suffering and gifted us so many things that bring happiness! He has rid us of so many unskillful things and gifted us so many skillful things!’ For we used to eat at dusk, at daybreak, and at the wrong time of day. But then there came a time when the Buddha addressed the mendicants, saying, ‘Please, mendicants, give up that meal at the wrong time of day.’ At that, sir, we became sad and upset, ‘But these faithful householders give us delicious fresh and cooked foods at the wrong time of day. And the Blessed One tells us to give it up! The Holy One tells us to let it go!’ But when we considered our fondness and respect for the Buddha, and our sense of conscience and prudence, we gave up that meal at the wrong time of day. Then we ate at dusk and daybreak. But then there came a time when the Buddha addressed the mendicants, saying, ‘Please, mendicants, give up that meal at the wrong time of night.’ At that, sir, we became sad and upset, ‘But that’s considered the more delicious of the two meals. And the Blessed One tells us to give it up! The Holy One tells us to let it go!’ Once it so happened that a certain person got some soup during the day. He said, ‘Come, let’s set this aside; we’ll enjoy it together this evening.’ Nearly all meals are prepared at night, only a few in the day. But when we considered our love and respect for the Buddha, and our sense of conscience and prudence, we gave up that meal at the wrong time of night. In the past, mendicants went wandering for alms in the dark of the night. They walked into a swamp, or fell into a sewer, or collided with a thorn bush, or collided with a sleeping cow, or encountered youths escaping a crime or on their way to commit one, or were invited by a lady to commit a lewd act. Once it so happened that I was wandering for alms in the dark of the night. A woman washing a pot saw me by a flash of lightning. Startled, she cried out, ‘Woe is me! It’s a damn goblin!’ When she said this, I said to her, ‘Sister, I am no goblin. I’m a mendicant waiting for alms.’ ‘Die, mendicant’s father! Die, mendicant’s mother! Better to have your belly sliced open with a sharp meat cleaver than to wander for alms in the dark of night for the sake of your belly!’ Recollecting that, I thought, ‘The Buddha has rid us of so many things that bring suffering and gifted us so many things that bring happiness! He has rid us of so many unskillful things and gifted us so many skillful things!’”

“Evameva panudāyi, idhekacce moghapurisā ‘idaṁ pajahathā’ti mayā vuccamānā te evamāhaṁsu: ‘kiṁ panimassa appamattakassa oramattakassa adhisallikhatevāyaṁ samaṇo’ti. Te tañceva nappajahanti, mayi ca appaccayaṁ upaṭṭhāpenti. Ye ca bhikkhū sikkhākāmā tesaṁ taṁ, udāyi, hoti balavaṁ bandhanaṁ, daḷhaṁ bandhanaṁ, thiraṁ bandhanaṁ, apūtikaṁ bandhanaṁ, thūlo, kaliṅgaro—

“This is exactly what happens when some futile people are told by me to give something up. They say, ‘What, such a trivial, trifling thing as this? This ascetic is much too strict!’ They don’t give it up, and they nurse bitterness toward me; and for the mendicants eager to train, that becomes a strong, firm, stout bond, a tie that has not rotted, and a heavy yoke.

seyyathāpi, udāyi, laṭukikā sakuṇikā pūtilatāya bandhanena baddhā tattheva vadhaṁ vā bandhaṁ vā maraṇaṁ vā āgameti. Yo nu kho, udāyi, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘yena sā laṭukikā sakuṇikā pūtilatāya bandhanena baddhā tattheva vadhaṁ vā bandhaṁ vā maraṇaṁ vā āgameti, tañhi tassā abalaṁ bandhanaṁ, dubbalaṁ bandhanaṁ, pūtikaṁ bandhanaṁ, asārakaṁ bandhanan’ti; sammā nu kho so, udāyi, vadamāno vadeyyā”ti? “No hetaṁ, bhante. Yena sā, bhante, laṭukikā sakuṇikā pūtilatāya bandhanena baddhā tattheva vadhaṁ vā bandhaṁ vā maraṇaṁ vā āgameti, tañhi tassā balavaṁ bandhanaṁ, daḷhaṁ bandhanaṁ, thiraṁ bandhanaṁ apūtikaṁ bandhanaṁ, thūlo, kaliṅgaro”ti. “Evameva kho, udāyi, idhekacce moghapurisā ‘idaṁ pajahathā’ti mayā vuccamānā te evamāhaṁsu: ‘kiṁ panimassa appamattakassa oramattakassa adhisallikhatevāyaṁ samaṇo’ti? Te tañceva nappajahanti, mayi ca appaccayaṁ upaṭṭhāpenti. Ye ca bhikkhū sikkhākāmā tesaṁ taṁ, udāyi, hoti balavaṁ bandhanaṁ, daḷhaṁ bandhanaṁ, thiraṁ bandhanaṁ, apūtikaṁ bandhanaṁ, thūlo, kaliṅgaro.

Suppose a quail was tied with a vine, and was waiting there to be injured, caged, or killed. Would it be right to say that, for that quail, that vine is weak, feeble, rotten, and insubstantial?” “No, sir. For that quail, that vine is a strong, firm, stout bond, a tie that has not rotted, and a heavy yoke.” “In the same way, when some futile people are told by me to give something up, they say, ‘What, such a trivial, trifling thing as this? This ascetic is much too strict!’ They don’t give it up, and they nurse bitterness toward me; and for the mendicants eager to train, that becomes a strong, firm, stout bond, a tie that has not rotted, and a heavy yoke.

Idha panudāyi, ekacce kulaputtā ‘idaṁ pajahathā’ti mayā vuccamānā te evamāhaṁsu: ‘kiṁ panimassa appamattakassa oramattakassa pahātabbassa yassa no bhagavā pahānamāha, yassa no sugato paṭinissaggamāhā’ti? Te tañceva pajahanti, mayi ca na appaccayaṁ upaṭṭhāpenti. Ye ca bhikkhū sikkhākāmā te taṁ pahāya appossukkā pannalomā paradattavuttā migabhūtena cetasā viharanti. Tesaṁ taṁ, udāyi, hoti abalaṁ bandhanaṁ, dubbalaṁ bandhanaṁ, pūtikaṁ bandhanaṁ, asārakaṁ bandhanaṁ—

But when some gentlemen are told by me to give something up, they say, ‘What, we just have to give up such a trivial, trifling thing as this, when the Blessed One tells us to give it up, the Holy One tells us to let it go?’ They give it up, and they don’t nurse bitterness toward me; and when the mendicants eager to train have given that up, they live relaxed, unruffled, surviving on charity, their hearts free as a wild deer. For them, that bond is weak, feeble, rotten, and insubstantial.

seyyathāpi, udāyi, rañño nāgo īsādanto urūḷhavā abhijāto saṅgāmāvacaro daḷhehi varattehi bandhanehi baddho īsakaṁyeva kāyaṁ sannāmetvā tāni bandhanāni saṁchinditvā sampadāletvā yena kāmaṁ pakkamati. Yo nu kho, udāyi, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘yehi so rañño nāgo īsādanto urūḷhavā abhijāto saṅgāmāvacaro daḷhehi varattehi bandhanehi baddho īsakaṁyeva kāyaṁ sannāmetvā tāni bandhanāni saṁchinditvā sampadāletvā yena kāmaṁ pakkamati, tañhi tassa balavaṁ bandhanaṁ, daḷhaṁ bandhanaṁ, thiraṁ bandhanaṁ, apūtikaṁ bandhanaṁ, thūlo, kaliṅgaro’ti; sammā nu kho so, udāyi, vadamāno vadeyyā”ti? “No hetaṁ, bhante. Yehi so, bhante, rañño nāgo īsādanto urūḷhavā abhijāto saṅgāmāvacaro daḷhehi varattehi bandhanehi baddho īsakaṁyeva kāyaṁ sannāmetvā tāni bandhanāni saṁchinditvā sampadāletvā yena kāmaṁ pakkamati, tañhi tassa abalaṁ bandhanaṁ …pe… asārakaṁ bandhanan”ti. “Evameva kho, udāyi, idhekacce kulaputtā ‘idaṁ pajahathā’ti mayā vuccamānā te evamāhaṁsu: ‘kiṁ panimassa appamattakassa oramattakassa pahātabbassa yassa no bhagavā pahānamāha, yassa no sugato paṭinissaggamāhā’ti? Te tañceva pajahanti, mayi ca na appaccayaṁ upaṭṭhāpenti. Ye ca bhikkhū sikkhākāmā te taṁ pahāya appossukkā pannalomā paradattavuttā migabhūtena cetasā viharanti. Tesaṁ taṁ, udāyi, hoti abalaṁ bandhanaṁ, dubbalaṁ bandhanaṁ, pūtikaṁ bandhanaṁ, asārakaṁ bandhanaṁ.

Suppose there was a royal bull elephant with tusks like draft-poles, able to draw a heavy load, pedigree and battle-hardened. And it was bound with a strong harness. But just by twisting its body a little, it would break apart its bonds and go wherever it wants. Would it be right to say that, for that bull elephant, that strong harness is a strong, firm, stout bond, a tie that has not rotted, and a heavy yoke?” “No, sir. For that bull elephant, that strong harness is weak, feeble, rotten, and insubstantial.” “In the same way, when some gentlemen are told by me to give something up, they say, ‘What, we just have to give up such a trivial, trifling thing as this, when the Blessed One tells us to give it up, the Holy One tells us to let it go?’ They give it up, and they don’t nurse bitterness toward me; and when the mendicants eager to train have given that up, they live relaxed, unruffled, surviving on charity, their hearts free as a wild deer. For them, that bond is weak, feeble, rotten, and insubstantial.

Seyyathāpi, udāyi, puriso daliddo assako anāḷhiyo; tassassa ekaṁ agārakaṁ oluggaviluggaṁ kākātidāyiṁ naparamarūpaṁ, ekā khaṭopikā oluggaviluggā naparamarūpā, ekissā kumbhiyā dhaññasamavāpakaṁ naparamarūpaṁ, ekā jāyikā naparamarūpā. So ārāmagataṁ bhikkhuṁ passeyya sudhotahatthapādaṁ manuññaṁ bhojanaṁ bhuttāviṁ sītāya chāyāya nisinnaṁ adhicitte yuttaṁ. Tassa evamassa: ‘sukhaṁ vata bho sāmaññaṁ, ārogyaṁ vata bho sāmaññaṁ. So vatassaṁ yohaṁ kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyan’ti. So na sakkuṇeyya ekaṁ agārakaṁ oluggaviluggaṁ kākātidāyiṁ naparamarūpaṁ pahāya, ekaṁ khaṭopikaṁ oluggaviluggaṁ naparamarūpaṁ pahāya, ekissā kumbhiyā dhaññasamavāpakaṁ naparamarūpaṁ pahāya, ekaṁ jāyikaṁ naparamarūpaṁ pahāya kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ. Yo nu kho, udāyi, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘yehi so puriso bandhanehi baddho na sakkoti ekaṁ agārakaṁ oluggaviluggaṁ kākātidāyiṁ naparamarūpaṁ pahāya, ekaṁ khaṭopikaṁ oluggaviluggaṁ naparamarūpaṁ pahāya, ekissā kumbhiyā dhaññasamavāpakaṁ naparamarūpaṁ pahāya, ekaṁ jāyikaṁ naparamarūpaṁ pahāya kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ; tañhi tassa abalaṁ bandhanaṁ, dubbalaṁ bandhanaṁ, pūtikaṁ bandhanaṁ, asārakaṁ bandhanan’ti; sammā nu kho so, udāyi, vadamāno vadeyyā”ti? “No hetaṁ, bhante. Yehi so, bhante, puriso bandhanehi baddho, na sakkoti ekaṁ agārakaṁ oluggaviluggaṁ kākātidāyiṁ naparamarūpaṁ pahāya, ekaṁ khaṭopikaṁ oluggaviluggaṁ naparamarūpaṁ pahāya, ekissā kumbhiyā dhaññasamavāpakaṁ naparamarūpaṁ pahāya, ekaṁ jāyikaṁ naparamarūpaṁ pahāya kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ; tañhi tassa balavaṁ bandhanaṁ, daḷhaṁ bandhanaṁ, thiraṁ bandhanaṁ, apūtikaṁ bandhanaṁ, thūlo, kaliṅgaro”ti. “Evameva kho, udāyi, idhekacce moghapurisā ‘idaṁ pajahathā’ti mayā vuccamānā te evamāhaṁsu: ‘kiṁ panimassa appamattakassa oramattakassa adhisallikhatevāyaṁ samaṇo’ti? Te tañceva nappajahanti, mayi ca appaccayaṁ upaṭṭhāpenti. Ye ca bhikkhū sikkhākāmā tesaṁ taṁ, udāyi, hoti balavaṁ bandhanaṁ, daḷhaṁ bandhanaṁ, thiraṁ bandhanaṁ, apūtikaṁ bandhanaṁ, thūlo, kaliṅgaro.

Suppose there was a poor man, with few possessions and little wealth. He had a single broken-down hovel open to the crows, not the best sort; a single broken-down couch, not the best sort; a single pot for storing grain, not the best sort; and a single wifey, not the best sort. He’d see a mendicant sitting in meditation in the cool shade, their hands and feet well washed after eating a satisfying meal. He’d think, ‘The ascetic life is so very pleasant! The ascetic life is so very healthy! If only I could shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.’ But he’s not able to give up his broken-down hovel, his broken-down couch, his pot for storing grain, or his wifey—none of which are the best sort—in order to go forth. Would it be right to say that, for that man, those bonds are weak, feeble, rotten, and insubstantial?” “No, sir. For that man, they are a strong, firm, stout bond, a tie that has not rotted, and a heavy yoke.” “In the same way, when some futile people are told by me to give something up, they say, ‘What, such a trivial, trifling thing as this? This ascetic is much too strict!’ They don’t give it up, and they nurse bitterness toward me; and for the mendicants eager to train, that becomes a strong, firm, stout bond, a tie that has not rotted, and a heavy yoke.

Seyyathāpi, udāyi, gahapati vā gahapatiputto vā aḍḍho mahaddhano mahābhogo, nekānaṁ nikkhagaṇānaṁ cayo, nekānaṁ dhaññagaṇānaṁ cayo, nekānaṁ khettagaṇānaṁ cayo, nekānaṁ vatthugaṇānaṁ cayo, nekānaṁ bhariyagaṇānaṁ cayo, nekānaṁ dāsagaṇānaṁ cayo, nekānaṁ dāsigaṇānaṁ cayo; so ārāmagataṁ bhikkhuṁ passeyya sudhotahatthapādaṁ manuññaṁ bhojanaṁ bhuttāviṁ sītāya chāyāya nisinnaṁ adhicitte yuttaṁ. Tassa evamassa: ‘sukhaṁ vata bho sāmaññaṁ, ārogyaṁ vata bho sāmaññaṁ. So vatassaṁ yohaṁ kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyan’ti. So sakkuṇeyya nekāni nikkhagaṇāni pahāya, nekāni dhaññagaṇāni pahāya, nekāni khettagaṇāni pahāya, nekāni vatthugaṇāni pahāya, nekāni bhariyagaṇāni pahāya, nekāni dāsagaṇāni pahāya, nekāni dāsigaṇāni pahāya kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ. Yo nu kho, udāyi, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘yehi so gahapati vā gahapatiputto vā bandhanehi baddho, sakkoti nekāni nikkhagaṇāni pahāya, nekāni dhaññagaṇāni pahāya, nekāni khettagaṇāni pahāya, nekāni vatthugaṇāni pahāya, nekāni bhariyagaṇāni pahāya, nekāni dāsagaṇāni pahāya, nekāni dāsigaṇāni pahāya kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ, tañhi tassa balavaṁ bandhanaṁ, daḷhaṁ bandhanaṁ, thiraṁ bandhanaṁ, apūtikaṁ bandhanaṁ, thūlo, kaliṅgaro’ti; sammā nu kho so, udāyi, vadamāno vadeyyā”ti? “No hetaṁ, bhante. Yehi so, bhante, gahapati vā gahapatiputto vā bandhanehi baddho, sakkoti nekāni nikkhagaṇāni pahāya, nekāni dhaññagaṇāni pahāya, nekāni khettagaṇāni pahāya, nekāni vatthugaṇāni pahāya, nekāni bhariyagaṇāni pahāya, nekāni dāsagaṇāni pahāya, nekāni dāsigaṇāni pahāya kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ; tañhi tassa abalaṁ bandhanaṁ, dubbalaṁ bandhanaṁ, pūtikaṁ bandhanaṁ, asārakaṁ bandhanan”ti. “Evameva kho, udāyi, idhekacce kulaputtā ‘idaṁ pajahathā’ti mayā vuccamānā te evamāhaṁsu: ‘kiṁ panimassa appamattakassa oramattakassa pahātabbassa yassa no bhagavā pahānamāha, yassa no sugato paṭinissaggamāhā’ti? Te tañceva pajahanti, mayi ca na appaccayaṁ upaṭṭhāpenti. Ye ca bhikkhū sikkhākāmā te taṁ pahāya appossukkā pannalomā paradattavuttā migabhūtena cetasā viharanti. Tesaṁ taṁ, udāyi, hoti abalaṁ bandhanaṁ, dubbalaṁ bandhanaṁ, pūtikaṁ bandhanaṁ, asārakaṁ bandhanaṁ.

Suppose there was a rich householder or householder’s child, affluent, and wealthy. He had a vast amount of gold ingots, grain, fields, lands, wives, and male and female bondservants. He’d see a mendicant sitting in meditation in the cool shade, their hands and feet well washed after eating a satisfying meal. He’d think, ‘The ascetic life is so very pleasant! The ascetic life is so very healthy! If only I could shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.’ And he is able to give up his vast amount of gold ingots, grain, fields, lands, wives, and male and female bondservants in order to go forth. Would it be right to say that, for that householder, they are a strong, firm, stout bond, a tie that has not rotted, and a heavy yoke?” “No, sir. For that householder, those bonds are weak, feeble, rotten, and insubstantial.” “In the same way, when some gentlemen are told by me to give something up, they say, ‘What, we just have to give up such a trivial, trifling thing as this, when the Blessed One tells us to give it up, the Holy One tells us to let it go?’ They give it up, and they don’t nurse bitterness toward me; and when the mendicants eager to train have given that up, they live relaxed, unruffled, surviving on charity, their hearts free as a wild deer. For them, that bond is weak, feeble, rotten, and insubstantial.

Cattārome, udāyi, puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ. Katame cattāro?

Udāyī, these four individuals are found in the world. What four?

Idhudāyi, ekacco puggalo upadhipahānāya paṭipanno hoti upadhipaṭinissaggāya. Tamenaṁ upadhipahānāya paṭipannaṁ upadhipaṭinissaggāya upadhipaṭisaṁyuttā sarasaṅkappā samudācaranti. So te adhivāseti, nappajahati, na vinodeti, na byantīkaroti, na anabhāvaṁ gameti. Imaṁ kho ahaṁ, udāyi, puggalaṁ ‘saṁyutto’ti vadāmi no ‘visaṁyutto’. Taṁ kissa hetu? Indriyavemattatā hi me, udāyi, imasmiṁ puggale viditā.

Take a certain individual practicing to give up and let go of attachments. As they do so, memories and thoughts connected with attachments beset them. They tolerate them and don’t give them up, dispel them, eliminate them, and obliterate them. I call this individual ‘fettered’, not ‘detached’. Why is that? Because I understand the disparity of faculties as it applies to this individual.

Idha panudāyi, ekacco puggalo upadhipahānāya paṭipanno hoti upadhipaṭinissaggāya. Tamenaṁ upadhipahānāya paṭipannaṁ upadhipaṭinissaggāya upadhipaṭisaṁyuttā sarasaṅkappā samudācaranti. So te nādhivāseti, pajahati, vinodeti, byantīkaroti, anabhāvaṁ gameti. Imampi kho ahaṁ, udāyi, puggalaṁ ‘saṁyutto’ti vadāmi no ‘visaṁyutto’. Taṁ kissa hetu? Indriyavemattatā hi me, udāyi, imasmiṁ puggale viditā.

Take another individual practicing to give up and let go of attachments. As they do so, memories and thoughts connected with attachments beset them. They don’t tolerate them, but give them up, dispel them, eliminate them, and obliterate them. I also call this individual ‘fettered’, not ‘detached’. Why is that? Because I understand the disparity of faculties as it applies to this individual.

Idha panudāyi, ekacco puggalo upadhipahānāya paṭipanno hoti upadhipaṭinissaggāya. Tamenaṁ upadhipahānāya paṭipannaṁ upadhipaṭinissaggāya kadāci karahaci satisammosā upadhipaṭisaṁyuttā sarasaṅkappā samudācaranti; dandho, udāyi, satuppādo. Atha kho naṁ khippameva pajahati, vinodeti, byantīkaroti, anabhāvaṁ gameti. Seyyathāpi, udāyi, puriso divasaṁsantatte ayokaṭāhe dve vā tīṇi vā udakaphusitāni nipāteyya; dandho, udāyi, udakaphusitānaṁ nipāto. Atha kho naṁ khippameva parikkhayaṁ pariyādānaṁ gaccheyya. Evameva kho, udāyi, idhekacco puggalo upadhipahānāya paṭipanno hoti upadhipaṭinissaggāya. Tamenaṁ upadhipahānāya paṭipannaṁ upadhipaṭinissaggāya kadāci karahaci satisammosā upadhipaṭisaṁyuttā sarasaṅkappā samudācaranti; dandho, udāyi, satuppādo. Atha kho naṁ khippameva pajahati, vinodeti, byantīkaroti, anabhāvaṁ gameti. Imampi kho ahaṁ, udāyi, puggalaṁ ‘saṁyutto’ti vadāmi no ‘visaṁyutto’. Taṁ kissa hetu? Indriyavemattatā hi me, udāyi, imasmiṁ puggale viditā.

Take another individual practicing to give up and let go of attachments. As they do so, memories and thoughts connected with attachments beset them every so often, due to the loss of mindfulness. Slowly mindfulness arises, then they quickly give up, dispel, eliminate, and obliterate those thoughts. Suppose there was an iron cauldron that had been heated all day, and a person let two or three drops of water fall onto it. Slowly the drops fall, but then they quickly dry up and evaporate. In the same way, take an individual practicing to give up and let go of attachments. As they do so, memories and thoughts connected with attachments beset them every so often, due to the loss of mindfulness. Slowly mindfulness arises, but then they quickly give up, dispel, eliminate, and obliterate those thoughts. I also call this individual ‘fettered’, not ‘detached’. Why is that? Because I understand the disparity of faculties as it applies to this individual.

Idha panudāyi, ekacco puggalo ‘upadhi dukkhassa mūlan’ti— iti viditvā nirupadhi hoti, upadhisaṅkhaye vimutto. Imaṁ kho ahaṁ, udāyi, puggalaṁ ‘visaṁyutto’ti vadāmi no ‘saṁyutto’ti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Indriyavemattatā hi me, udāyi, imasmiṁ puggale viditā. Ime kho, udāyi, cattāro puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ.

Take another individual who, understanding that attachment is the root of suffering, is freed with the ending of attachments. I call this individual ‘detached’, not ‘fettered’. Why is that? Because I understand the disparity of faculties as it applies to this individual. These are the four individuals found in the world.

Pañca kho ime, udāyi, kāmaguṇā. Katame pañca? Cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā, sotaviññeyyā saddā …pe… ghānaviññeyyā gandhā … jivhāviññeyyā rasā … kāyaviññeyyā phoṭṭhabbā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā. Ime kho, udāyi, pañca kāmaguṇā.

Udāyī, these are the five kinds of sensual stimulation. What five? Sights known by the eye, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. Sounds known by the ear … Smells known by the nose … Tastes known by the tongue … Touches known by the body, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. These are the five kinds of sensual stimulation.

Yaṁ kho, udāyi, ime pañca kāmaguṇe paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ idaṁ vuccati kāmasukhaṁ miḷhasukhaṁ puthujjanasukhaṁ anariyasukhaṁ, na sevitabbaṁ, na bhāvetabbaṁ, na bahulīkātabbaṁ; ‘bhāyitabbaṁ etassa sukhassā’ti vadāmi.

The pleasure and happiness that arise from these five kinds of sensual stimulation is called sensual pleasure—a filthy, ordinary, ignoble pleasure. Such pleasure should not be cultivated or developed, but should be feared, I say.

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati, pītiyā ca virāgā …pe… tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati, sukhassa ca pahānā …pe… catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

Take a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption … second absorption … third absorption … fourth absorption.

Idaṁ vuccati nekkhammasukhaṁ pavivekasukhaṁ upasamasukhaṁ sambodhasukhaṁ, āsevitabbaṁ, bhāvetabbaṁ, bahulīkātabbaṁ; ‘na bhāyitabbaṁ etassa sukhassā’ti vadāmi.

This is called the pleasure of renunciation, the pleasure of seclusion, the pleasure of peace, the pleasure of awakening. Such pleasure should be cultivated and developed, and should not be feared, I say.

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati; idaṁ kho ahaṁ, udāyi, iñjitasmiṁ vadāmi. Kiñca tattha iñjitasmiṁ? Yadeva tattha vitakkavicārā aniruddhā honti idaṁ tattha iñjitasmiṁ.

Take a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption. This belongs to the perturbable, I say. And what there belongs to the perturbable? Whatever placing of the mind and keeping it connected has not ceased there is what belongs to the perturbable.

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati; idampi kho ahaṁ, udāyi, iñjitasmiṁ vadāmi. Kiñca tattha iñjitasmiṁ? Yadeva tattha pītisukhaṁ aniruddhaṁ hoti idaṁ tattha iñjitasmiṁ.

Take a mendicant who, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, enters and remains in the second absorption. This belongs to the perturbable, I say. And what there belongs to the perturbable? Whatever rapture and bliss has not ceased there is what belongs to the perturbable.

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā …pe… tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati; idampi kho ahaṁ, udāyi, iñjitasmiṁ vadāmi. Kiñca tattha iñjitasmiṁ? Yadeva tattha upekkhāsukhaṁ aniruddhaṁ hoti idaṁ tattha iñjitasmiṁ.

Take a mendicant who, with the fading away of rapture, enters and remains in the third absorption. This belongs to the perturbable. And what there belongs to the perturbable? Whatever bliss with equanimity has not ceased there is what belongs to the perturbable.

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu sukhassa ca pahānā …pe… catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati; idaṁ kho ahaṁ, udāyi, aniñjitasmiṁ vadāmi.

Take a mendicant who, giving up pleasure and pain, enters and remains in the fourth absorption. This belongs to the imperturbable, I say.

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati; idaṁ kho ahaṁ, udāyi, ‘analan’ti vadāmi, ‘pajahathā’ti vadāmi, ‘samatikkamathā’ti vadāmi. Ko ca tassa samatikkamo?

Take a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption. But this is not enough, I say: give it up, go beyond it. And what goes beyond it?

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati, ayaṁ tassa samatikkamo; idampi kho ahaṁ, udāyi, ‘analan’ti vadāmi, ‘pajahathā’ti vadāmi, ‘samatikkamathā’ti vadāmi. Ko ca tassa samatikkamo?

Take a mendicant who, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, enters and remains in the second absorption. That goes beyond it. But this too is not enough, I say: give it up, go beyond it. And what goes beyond it?

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā …pe… tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati, ayaṁ tassa samatikkamo; idampi kho ahaṁ, udāyi, ‘analan’ti vadāmi, ‘pajahathā’ti vadāmi, ‘samatikkamathā’ti vadāmi. Ko ca tassa samatikkamo?

Take a mendicant who, with the fading away of rapture, enters and remains in the third absorption. That goes beyond it. But this too is not enough, I say: give it up, go beyond it. And what goes beyond it?

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu sukhassa ca pahānā …pe… catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati, ayaṁ tassa samatikkamo; idampi kho ahaṁ, udāyi, ‘analan’ti vadāmi, ‘pajahathā’ti vadāmi, ‘samatikkamathā’ti vadāmi. Ko ca tassa samatikkamo?

Take a mendicant who, giving up pleasure and pain, enters and remains in the fourth absorption. That goes beyond it. But this too is not enough, I say: give it up, go beyond it. And what goes beyond it?

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu sabbaso rūpasaññānaṁ samatikkamā paṭighasaññānaṁ atthaṅgamā nānattasaññānaṁ amanasikārā ‘ananto ākāso’ti ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati, ayaṁ tassa samatikkamo; idampi kho ahaṁ, udāyi, ‘analan’ti vadāmi, ‘pajahathā’ti vadāmi, ‘samatikkamathā’ti vadāmi. Ko ca tassa samatikkamo?

Take a mendicant who, going totally beyond perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of impingement, not focusing on perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite’, enters and remains in the dimension of infinite space. That goes beyond it. But this too is not enough, I say: give it up, go beyond it. And what goes beyond it?

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu sabbaso ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma ‘anantaṁ viññāṇan’ti viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati, ayaṁ tassa samatikkamo; idampi kho ahaṁ, udāyi, ‘analan’ti vadāmi, ‘pajahathā’ti vadāmi, ‘samatikkamathā’ti vadāmi. Ko ca tassa samatikkamo?

Take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of infinite space, aware that ‘consciousness is infinite’, enters and remains in the dimension of infinite consciousness. That goes beyond it. But this too is not enough, I say: give it up, go beyond it. And what goes beyond it?

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu sabbaso viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma ‘natthi kiñcī’ti ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati, ayaṁ tassa samatikkamo; idampi kho ahaṁ, udāyi, ‘analan’ti vadāmi, ‘pajahathā’ti vadāmi, ‘samatikkamathā’ti vadāmi. Ko ca tassa samatikkamo?

Take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of infinite consciousness, aware that ‘there is nothing at all’, enters and remains in the dimension of nothingness. That goes beyond it. But this too is not enough, I say: give it up, go beyond it. And what goes beyond it?

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu sabbaso ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati, ayaṁ tassa samatikkamo; idampi kho ahaṁ, udāyi, ‘analan’ti vadāmi, ‘pajahathā’ti vadāmi, ‘samatikkamathā’ti vadāmi. Ko ca tassa samatikkamo?

Take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of nothingness, enters and remains in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception. That goes beyond it. But this too is not enough, I say: give it up, go beyond it. And what goes beyond it?

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati, ayaṁ tassa samatikkamo; iti kho ahaṁ, udāyi, nevasaññānāsaññāyatanassapi pahānaṁ vadāmi. Passasi no tvaṁ, udāyi, taṁ saṁyojanaṁ aṇuṁ vā thūlaṁ vā yassāhaṁ no pahānaṁ vadāmī”ti? “No hetaṁ, bhante”ti. Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamano āyasmā udāyī bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandīti.

Take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. That goes beyond it. So, Udāyī, I even recommend giving up the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception. Do you see any fetter, large or small, that I don’t recommend giving up?” “No, sir.” That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, Venerable Udāyī approved what the Buddha said.