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Medium Discourses Collection 30 – Majjhima Nikāya 30

MN 30 The Shorter Simile of the Heartwood – Cūḷasāropamasutta

 

1.1

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

1.2

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

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

2.1

Then the brahmin Piṅgalakoccha went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.

Atha kho piṅgalakoccho brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi.

2.2

When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha:

Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho piṅgalakoccho brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

2.3

“Master Gotama, there are those ascetics and brahmins who lead an order and a community, and teach a community. They’re well-known and famous religious founders, regarded as holy by many people.

“yeme, bho gotama, samaṇabrāhmaṇā saṅghino gaṇino gaṇācariyā ñātā yasassino titthakarā sādhusammatā, bahujanassa,

2.4

Namely: Pūraṇa Kassapa, Makkhali Gosāla, Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta, Sañjaya Belaṭṭhiputta, Pakudha Kaccāyana, and Ajita Kesakambala.

seyyathidaṁ—pūraṇo kassapo, makkhali gosālo, ajito kesakambalo, pakudho kaccāyano, sañcayo belaṭṭhaputto, nigaṇṭho nāṭaputto,

2.5

According to their own claims, did all of them have direct knowledge, or none of them, or only some?”

sabbete sakāya paṭiññāya abbhaññaṁsu sabbeva nābbhaññaṁsu, udāhu ekacce abbhaññaṁsu ekacce nābbhaññaṁsū”ti?

2.6

“Enough, brahmin, let this be:

“Alaṁ, brāhmaṇa, tiṭṭhatetaṁ—

2.7

‘According to their own claims, did all of them have direct knowledge, or none of them, or only some?’

sabbete sakāya paṭiññāya abbhaññaṁsu sabbeva nābbhaññaṁsu, udāhu ekacce abbhaññaṁsu ekacce nābbhaññaṁsūti.

2.8

I will teach you the Dhamma.

Dhammaṁ te, brāhmaṇa, desessāmi,

2.9

Listen and pay close attention, I will speak.”

taṁ suṇāhi, sādhukaṁ manasi karohi, bhāsissāmī”ti.

2.10

“Yes sir,” Piṅgalakoccha replied.

“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho piṅgalakoccho brāhmaṇo bhagavato paccassosi.

2.11

The Buddha said this:

Bhagavā etadavoca:

3.1

“Suppose there was a person in need of heartwood. And while wandering in search of heartwood he’d come across a large tree standing with heartwood. But, passing over the heartwood, softwood, bark, and shoots, he’d cut off the branches and leaves and depart imagining they were heartwood.

“Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato atikkammeva sāraṁ atikkamma phegguṁ atikkamma tacaṁ atikkamma papaṭikaṁ, sākhāpalāsaṁ chetvā ādāya pakkameyya ‘sāran’ti maññamāno.

3.2

If a person with good eyesight saw him they’d say:

Tamenaṁ cakkhumā puriso disvā evaṁ vadeyya:

3.3

‘This gentleman doesn’t know what heartwood, softwood, bark, shoots, or branches and leaves are.

‘na vatāyaṁ bhavaṁ puriso aññāsi sāraṁ, na aññāsi phegguṁ, na aññāsi tacaṁ, na aññāsi papaṭikaṁ, na aññāsi sākhāpalāsaṁ.

3.4

That’s why he passed them over, cut off the branches and leaves, and departed imagining they were heartwood.

Tathā hayaṁ bhavaṁ puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato atikkammeva sāraṁ atikkamma phegguṁ atikkamma tacaṁ atikkamma papaṭikaṁ, sākhāpalāsaṁ chetvā ādāya pakkanto “sāran”ti maññamāno.

3.5

Whatever he needs to make from heartwood, he won’t succeed.’

Yañcassa sārena sārakaraṇīyaṁ tañcassa atthaṁ nānubhavissatī’ti.

4.1

Suppose there was another person in need of heartwood … he’d cut off the shoots and depart imagining they were heartwood …

Seyyathāpi vā pana, brāhmaṇa, puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato atikkammeva sāraṁ atikkamma phegguṁ atikkamma tacaṁ, papaṭikaṁ chetvā ādāya pakkameyya ‘sāran’ti maññamāno.

4.2

 

Tamenaṁ cakkhumā puriso disvā evaṁ vadeyya:

4.3

 

‘na vatāyaṁ bhavaṁ puriso aññāsi sāraṁ, na aññāsi phegguṁ, na aññāsi tacaṁ, na aññāsi papaṭikaṁ, na aññāsi sākhāpalāsaṁ.

4.4

 

Tathā hayaṁ bhavaṁ puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato atikkammeva sāraṁ atikkamma phegguṁ atikkamma tacaṁ papaṭikaṁ chetvā ādāya pakkanto “sāran”ti maññamāno.

4.5

 

Yañcassa sārena sārakaraṇīyaṁ tañcassa atthaṁ nānubhavissatī’ti.

5.1

Suppose there was another person in need of heartwood … he’d cut off the bark and depart imagining it was heartwood …

Seyyathāpi vā pana, brāhmaṇa, puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato atikkammeva sāraṁ atikkamma phegguṁ, tacaṁ chetvā ādāya pakkameyya ‘sāran’ti maññamāno.

5.2

 

Tamenaṁ cakkhumā puriso disvā evaṁ vadeyya:

5.3

 

‘na vatāyaṁ bhavaṁ puriso aññāsi sāraṁ, na aññāsi phegguṁ, na aññāsi tacaṁ, na aññāsi papaṭikaṁ, na aññāsi sākhāpalāsaṁ.

5.4

 

Tathā hayaṁ bhavaṁ puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato atikkammeva sāraṁ atikkamma phegguṁ, tacaṁ chetvā ādāya pakkanto “sāran”ti maññamāno.

5.5

 

Yañcassa sārena sārakaraṇīyaṁ tañcassa atthaṁ nānubhavissatī’ti.

6.1

Suppose there was another person in need of heartwood … he’d cut out the softwood and depart imagining it was heartwood …

Seyyathāpi vā pana, brāhmaṇa, puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato atikkammeva sāraṁ, phegguṁ chetvā ādāya pakkameyya ‘sāran’ti maññamāno.

6.2

 

Tamenaṁ cakkhumā puriso disvā evaṁ vadeyya:

6.3

 

‘na vatāyaṁ bhavaṁ puriso aññāsi sāraṁ, na aññāsi phegguṁ, na aññāsi tacaṁ, na aññāsi papaṭikaṁ, na aññāsi sākhāpalāsaṁ.

6.4

 

Tathā hayaṁ bhavaṁ puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato atikkammeva sāraṁ, phegguṁ chetvā ādāya pakkanto “sāran”ti maññamāno.

6.5

 

Yañcassa sārena sārakaraṇīyaṁ tañcassa atthaṁ nānubhavissatī’ti.

7.1

Suppose there was another person in need of heartwood. And while wandering in search of heartwood he’d come across a large tree standing with heartwood. He’d cut out just the heartwood and depart knowing it was heartwood.

Seyyathāpi vā pana, brāhmaṇa, puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato sāraññeva chetvā ādāya pakkameyya ‘sāran’ti jānamāno.

7.2

If a person with good eyesight saw him they’d say:

Tamenaṁ cakkhumā puriso disvā evaṁ vadeyya:

7.3

‘This gentleman knows what heartwood, softwood, bark, shoots, or branches and leaves are.

‘aññāsi vatāyaṁ bhavaṁ puriso sāraṁ, aññāsi phegguṁ, aññāsi tacaṁ, aññāsi papaṭikaṁ, aññāsi sākhāpalāsaṁ.

7.4

That’s why he cut out just the heartwood and departed knowing it was heartwood.

Tathā hayaṁ bhavaṁ puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato sāraññeva chetvā ādāya pakkanto “sāran”ti jānamāno.

7.5

Whatever he needs to make from heartwood, he will succeed.’

Yañcassa sārena sārakaraṇīyaṁ tañcassa atthaṁ anubhavissatī’ti.

8.1

In the same way, take a certain person who goes forth from the lay life to homelessness, thinking:

Evameva kho, brāhmaṇa, idhekacco puggalo saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti:

8.2

‘I’m swamped by rebirth, old age, and death; by sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. I’m swamped by suffering, mired in suffering.

‘otiṇṇomhi jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi, dukkhotiṇṇo dukkhapareto,

8.3

Hopefully I can find an end to this entire mass of suffering.’

appeva nāma imassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa antakiriyā paññāyethā’ti.

8.4

When they’ve gone forth they generate possessions, honor, and popularity.

So evaṁ pabbajito samāno lābhasakkārasilokaṁ abhinibbatteti.

8.5

They’re happy with that, and they’ve got all they wished for.

So tena lābhasakkārasilokena attamano hoti paripuṇṇasaṅkappo.

8.6

And they glorify themselves and put others down on account of that:

So tena lābhasakkārasilokena attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti:

8.7

‘I’m the one with possessions, honor, and popularity. These other bhikkhū are obscure and insignificant.’

‘ahamasmi lābhasakkārasilokavā, ime panaññe bhikkhū appaññātā appesakkhā’ti.

8.8

They become lazy and slack regarding their possessions, honor, and popularity, not generating enthusiasm or trying to realize those things that are better and finer. …

Lābhasakkārasilokena ca ye aññe dhammā uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca tesaṁ dhammānaṁ sacchikiriyāya na chandaṁ janeti, na vāyamati, olīnavuttiko ca hoti sāthaliko.

8.9

 

Seyyathāpi so, brāhmaṇa, puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato atikkammeva sāraṁ atikkamma phegguṁ atikkamma tacaṁ atikkamma papaṭikaṁ, sākhāpalāsaṁ chetvā ādāya pakkanto ‘sāran’ti maññamāno.

8.10

 

Yañcassa sārena sārakaraṇīyaṁ tañcassa atthaṁ nānubhavissati.

8.11

They’re like the person who mistakes branches and leaves for heartwood, I say.

Tathūpamāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, imaṁ puggalaṁ vadāmi.

9.1

Next, take a gentleman who has gone forth from the lay life to homelessness …

Idha pana, brāhmaṇa, ekacco puggalo saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti:

9.2

 

‘otiṇṇomhi jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi, dukkhotiṇṇo dukkhapareto,

9.3

 

appeva nāma imassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa antakiriyā paññāyethā’ti.

9.4

 

So evaṁ pabbajito samāno lābhasakkārasilokaṁ abhinibbatteti.

9.5

 

So tena lābhasakkārasilokena na attamano hoti na paripuṇṇasaṅkappo.

9.6

 

So tena lābhasakkārasilokena na attānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.

9.7

 

Lābhasakkārasilokena ca ye aññe dhammā uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca tesaṁ dhammānaṁ sacchikiriyāya chandaṁ janeti, vāyamati, anolīnavuttiko ca hoti asāthaliko.

9.8

 

So sīlasampadaṁ ārādheti.

9.9

 

So tāya sīlasampadāya attamano hoti, paripuṇṇasaṅkappo.

9.10

 

So tāya sīlasampadāya attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti:

9.11

 

‘ahamasmi sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo, ime panaññe bhikkhū dussīlā pāpadhammā’ti.

9.12

They become lazy and slack regarding their accomplishment in ethics, not generating enthusiasm or trying to realize those things that are better and finer. …

Sīlasampadāya ca ye aññe dhammā uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca tesaṁ dhammānaṁ sacchikiriyāya na chandaṁ janeti, na vāyamati, olīnavuttiko ca hoti sāthaliko.

9.13

 

Seyyathāpi so, brāhmaṇa, puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato atikkammeva sāraṁ atikkamma phegguṁ atikkamma tacaṁ, papaṭikaṁ chetvā ādāya pakkanto ‘sāran’ti maññamāno.

9.14

 

Yañcassa sārena sārakaraṇīyaṁ, tañcassa atthaṁ nānubhavissati.

9.15

They’re like the person who mistakes shoots for heartwood, I say.

Tathūpamāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, imaṁ puggalaṁ vadāmi.

10.1

Next, take a gentleman who has gone forth from the lay life to homelessness …

Idha pana, brāhmaṇa, ekacco puggalo saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti:

10.2

 

‘otiṇṇomhi jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi, dukkhotiṇṇo dukkhapareto,

10.3

 

appeva nāma imassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa antakiriyā paññāyethā’ti.

10.4

 

So evaṁ pabbajito samāno lābhasakkārasilokaṁ abhinibbatteti.

10.5

 

So tena lābhasakkārasilokena na attamano hoti, na paripuṇṇasaṅkappo.

10.6

 

So tena lābhasakkārasilokena na attānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.

10.7

 

Lābhasakkārasilokena ca ye aññe dhammā uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca tesaṁ dhammānaṁ sacchikiriyāya chandaṁ janeti, vāyamati, anolīnavuttiko ca hoti asāthaliko.

10.8

 

So sīlasampadaṁ ārādheti.

10.9

 

So tāya sīlasampadāya attamano hoti no ca kho paripuṇṇasaṅkappo.

10.10

 

So tāya sīlasampadāya na attānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.

10.11

 

Sīlasampadāya ca ye aññe dhammā uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca tesaṁ dhammānaṁ sacchikiriyāya chandaṁ janeti, vāyamati, anolīnavuttiko ca hoti asāthaliko.

10.12

 

So samādhisampadaṁ ārādheti.

10.13

 

So tāya samādhisampadāya attamano hoti, paripuṇṇasaṅkappo.

10.14

 

So tāya samādhisampadāya attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti:

10.15

 

‘ahamasmi samāhito ekaggacitto, ime panaññe bhikkhū asamāhitā vibbhantacittā’ti.

10.16

They become lazy and slack regarding their accomplishment in samādhi, not generating enthusiasm or trying to realize those things that are better and finer. …

Samādhisampadāya ca ye aññe dhammā uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca, tesaṁ dhammānaṁ sacchikiriyāya na chandaṁ janeti, na vāyamati, olīnavuttiko ca hoti sāthaliko.

10.17

 

Seyyathāpi so, brāhmaṇa, puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato atikkammeva sāraṁ atikkamma phegguṁ, tacaṁ chetvā ādāya pakkanto ‘sāran’ti maññamāno.

10.18

 

Yañcassa sārena sārakaraṇīyaṁ tañcassa atthaṁ nānubhavissati.

10.19

They’re like the person who mistakes bark for heartwood, I say.

Tathūpamāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, imaṁ puggalaṁ vadāmi.

11.1

Next, take a gentleman who has gone forth from the lay life to homelessness …

Idha pana, brāhmaṇa, ekacco puggalo saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti:

11.2

 

‘otiṇṇomhi jātiyā jarāya maraṇena …pe…

11.3

 

antakiriyā paññāyethā’ti.

11.4

 

So evaṁ pabbajito samāno lābhasakkārasilokaṁ abhinibbatteti.

11.5

 

So tena lābhasakkārasilokena na attamano hoti na paripuṇṇasaṅkappo.

11.6

 

So tena lābhasakkārasilokena na attānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.

11.7

 

Lābhasakkārasilokena ca ye aññe dhammā uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca tesaṁ dhammānaṁ sacchikiriyāya chandaṁ janeti, vāyamati, anolīnavuttiko ca hoti asāthaliko.

11.8

 

So sīlasampadaṁ ārādheti.

11.9

 

So tāya sīlasampadāya attamano hoti, no ca kho paripuṇṇasaṅkappo.

11.10

 

So tāya sīlasampadāya na attānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.

11.11

 

Sīlasampadāya ca ye aññe dhammā uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca tesaṁ dhammānaṁ sacchikiriyāya chandaṁ janeti, vāyamati, anolīnavuttiko ca hoti asāthaliko.

11.12

 

So samādhisampadaṁ ārādheti.

11.13

 

So tāya samādhisampadāya attamano hoti, no ca kho paripuṇṇasaṅkappo.

11.14

 

So tāya samādhisampadāya na attānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.

11.15

 

Samādhisampadāya ca ye aññe dhammā uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca tesaṁ dhammānaṁ sacchikiriyāya chandaṁ janeti, vāyamati, anolīnavuttiko ca hoti asāthaliko.

11.16

 

So ñāṇadassanaṁ ārādheti.

11.17

 

So tena ñāṇadassanena attamano hoti, paripuṇṇasaṅkappo.

11.18

 

So tena ñāṇadassanena attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti:

11.19

 

‘ahamasmi jānaṁ passaṁ viharāmi, ime panaññe bhikkhū ajānaṁ apassaṁ viharantī’ti.

11.20

They become lazy and slack regarding their knowledge and vision, not generating enthusiasm or trying to realize those things that are better and finer. …

Ñāṇadassanena ca ye aññe dhammā uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca tesaṁ dhammānaṁ sacchikiriyāya na chandaṁ janeti, na vāyamati, olīnavuttiko ca hoti sāthaliko.

11.21

 

Seyyathāpi so, brāhmaṇa, puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato atikkammeva sāraṁ, phegguṁ chetvā ādāya pakkanto ‘sāran’ti maññamāno.

11.22

 

Yañcassa sārena sārakaraṇīyaṁ tañcassa atthaṁ nānubhavissati.

11.23

They’re like the person who mistakes softwood for heartwood, I say.

Tathūpamāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, imaṁ puggalaṁ vadāmi.

12.1

Next, take a gentleman who has gone forth from the lay life to homelessness, thinking:

Idha pana, brāhmaṇa, ekacco puggalo saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti:

12.2

‘I’m swamped by rebirth, old age, and death; by sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. I’m swamped by suffering, mired in suffering.

‘otiṇṇomhi jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi, dukkhotiṇṇo dukkhapareto,

12.3

Hopefully I can find an end to this entire mass of suffering.’

appeva nāma imassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa antakiriyā paññāyethā’ti.

12.4

When they’ve gone forth they generate possessions, honor, and popularity.

So evaṁ pabbajito samāno lābhasakkārasilokaṁ abhinibbatteti.

12.5

They’re not happy with that, and haven’t got all they wished for.

So tena lābhasakkārasilokena na attamano hoti, na paripuṇṇasaṅkappo.

12.6

They don’t glorify themselves and put others down on account of that.

So tena lābhasakkārasilokena na attānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.

12.7

They don’t become lazy and slack regarding their possessions, honor, and popularity, but generate enthusiasm and try to realize those things that are better and finer.

Lābhasakkārasilokena ca ye aññe dhammā uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca tesaṁ dhammānaṁ sacchikiriyāya chandaṁ janeti, vāyamati, anolīnavuttiko ca hoti asāthaliko.

12.8

They become accomplished in ethics.

So sīlasampadaṁ ārādheti.

12.9

They’re happy with that, but they haven’t got all they wished for.

So tāya sīlasampadāya attamano hoti, no ca kho paripuṇṇasaṅkappo.

12.10

They don’t glorify themselves and put others down on account of that.

So tāya sīlasampadāya na attānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.

12.11

They don’t become lazy and slack regarding their accomplishment in ethics, but generate enthusiasm and try to realize those things that are better and finer.

Sīlasampadāya ca ye aññe dhammā uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca tesaṁ dhammānaṁ sacchikiriyāya chandaṁ janeti, vāyamati, anolīnavuttiko ca hoti asāthaliko.

12.12

They become accomplished in samādhi.

So samādhisampadaṁ ārādheti.

12.13

They’re happy with that, but they haven’t got all they wished for.

So tāya samādhisampadāya attamano hoti, no ca kho paripuṇṇasaṅkappo.

12.14

They don’t glorify themselves and put others down on account of that.

So tāya samādhisampadāya na attānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.

12.15

They don’t become lazy and slack regarding their accomplishment in samādhi, but generate enthusiasm and try to realize those things that are better and finer.

Samādhisampadāya ca ye aññe dhammā uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca tesaṁ dhammānaṁ sacchikiriyāya chandaṁ janeti, vāyamati, anolīnavuttiko ca hoti asāthaliko.

12.16

They achieve knowledge and vision.

So ñāṇadassanaṁ ārādheti.

12.17

They’re happy with that, but they haven’t got all they wished for.

So tena ñāṇadassanena attamano hoti, no ca kho paripuṇṇasaṅkappo.

12.18

They don’t glorify themselves and put others down on account of that.

So tena ñāṇadassanena na attānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.

12.19

They don’t become lazy and slack regarding their knowledge and vision, but generate enthusiasm and try to realize those things that are better and finer.

Ñāṇadassanena ca ye aññe dhammā uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca tesaṁ dhammānaṁ sacchikiriyāya chandaṁ janeti, vāyamati, anolīnavuttiko ca hoti asāthaliko.

12.20

And what are those things that are better and finer than knowledge and vision?

Katame ca, brāhmaṇa, dhammā ñāṇadassanena uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca?

13.1

Take a bhikkhu who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Idha, brāhmaṇa, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

13.2

This is something better and finer than knowledge and vision.

Ayampi kho, brāhmaṇa, dhammo ñāṇadassanena uttaritaro ca paṇītataro ca.

14.1

Furthermore, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, a bhikkhu enters and remains in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of samādhi, with internal clarity and confidence, and unified mind, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

14.2

This too is something better and finer than knowledge and vision.

Ayampi kho, brāhmaṇa, dhammo ñāṇadassanena uttaritaro ca paṇītataro ca.

15.1

Furthermore, with the fading away of rapture, a bhikkhu enters and remains in the third absorption, where they meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, personally experiencing the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca viharati, sato ca sampajāno sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedeti, yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti: ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

15.2

This too is something better and finer than knowledge and vision.

Ayampi kho, brāhmaṇa, dhammo ñāṇadassanena uttaritaro ca paṇītataro ca.

16.1

Furthermore, giving up pleasure and pain, and ending former happiness and sadness, a bhikkhu enters and remains in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhikkhu sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

16.2

This too is something better and finer than knowledge and vision.

Ayampi kho, brāhmaṇa, dhammo ñāṇadassanena uttaritaro ca paṇītataro ca.

17.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu, going totally beyond perceptions of form, with the ending of perceptions of impingement, not focusing on perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite’, enters and remains in the dimension of infinite space.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhikkhu sabbaso rūpasaññānaṁ samatikkamā paṭighasaññānaṁ atthaṅgamā nānattasaññānaṁ amanasikārā ‘ananto ākāso’ti ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati.

17.2

This too is something better and finer than knowledge and vision.

Ayampi kho, brāhmaṇa, dhammo ñāṇadassanena uttaritaro ca paṇītataro ca.

18.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu, going totally beyond the dimension of infinite space, aware that ‘consciousness is infinite’, enters and remains in the dimension of infinite consciousness.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhikkhu sabbaso ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma ‘anantaṁ viññāṇan’ti viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati.

18.2

This too is something better and finer than knowledge and vision.

Ayampi kho, brāhmaṇa, dhammo ñāṇadassanena uttaritaro ca paṇītataro ca.

19.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu, going totally beyond the dimension of infinite consciousness, aware that ‘there is nothing at all’, enters and remains in the dimension of nothingness.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhikkhu sabbaso viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma ‘natthi kiñcī’ti ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati.

19.2

This too is something better and finer than knowledge and vision.

Ayampi kho, brāhmaṇa, dhammo ñāṇadassanena uttaritaro ca paṇītataro ca.

20.1

Furthermore, take a bhikkhu who, going totally beyond the dimension of nothingness, enters and remains in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhikkhu sabbaso ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati.

20.2

This too is something better and finer than knowledge and vision.

Ayampi kho, brāhmaṇa, dhammo ñāṇadassanena uttaritaro ca paṇītataro ca.

21.1

Furthermore, take a bhikkhu who, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, their cravings come to an end.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati, paññāya cassa disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā honti.

21.2

This too is something better and finer than knowledge and vision.

Ayampi kho, brāhmaṇa, dhammo ñāṇadassanena uttaritaro ca paṇītataro ca.

21.3

These are the things that are better and finer than knowledge and vision.

Ime kho, brāhmaṇa, dhammā ñāṇadassanena uttaritarā ca paṇītatarā ca.

22.1

Suppose there was a person in need of heartwood. And while wandering in search of heartwood he’d come across a large tree standing with heartwood. He’d cut out just the heartwood and depart knowing it was heartwood.

Seyyathāpi so, brāhmaṇa, puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato sāraṁyeva chetvā ādāya pakkanto ‘sāran’ti jānamāno.

22.2

Whatever he needs to make from heartwood, he will succeed.

Yañcassa sārena sārakaraṇīyaṁ tañcassa atthaṁ anubhavissati.

22.3

That’s what this person is like, I say.

Tathūpamāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, imaṁ puggalaṁ vadāmi.

23.1

And so, brahmin, this spiritual life is not lived for the sake of possessions, honor, and popularity, or for accomplishment in ethics, or for accomplishment in samādhi, or for knowledge and vision.

Iti kho, brāhmaṇa, nayidaṁ brahmacariyaṁ lābhasakkārasilokānisaṁsaṁ, na sīlasampadānisaṁsaṁ, na samādhisampadānisaṁsaṁ, na ñāṇadassanānisaṁsaṁ.

23.2

Rather, the goal, heartwood, and final end of the spiritual life is the unshakable freedom of heart.”

Yā ca kho ayaṁ, brāhmaṇa, akuppā cetovimutti—

23.3

 

etadatthamidaṁ, brāhmaṇa, brahmacariyaṁ, etaṁ sāraṁ etaṁ pariyosānan”ti.

24.1

When he had spoken, the brahmin Piṅgalakoccha said to the Buddha,

Evaṁ vutte, piṅgalakoccho brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

24.2

“Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent! …

“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama, abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…

24.3

From this day forth, may Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

upāsakaṁ maṁ bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.

24.4

 

Cūḷasāropamasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ dasamaṁ.

24.5

 

Opammavaggo niṭṭhito tatiyo.

25.0

 

Tassuddānaṁ

25.1

 

Moḷiyaphaggunariṭṭhañca nāmo,

25.2

 

Andhavane kathipuṇṇaṁ nivāpo;

25.3

 

Rāsikaṇerumahāgajanāmo,

25.4

 

Sārūpamo puna piṅgalakoccho.