MN 52 The Man From the City of Aṭṭhaka

Medium Discourses Collection 52 – Majjhima Nikāya 52

MN 52 The Man From the City of Aṭṭhaka – Aṭṭhakanāgarasutta

1.1

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

1.2

At one time Venerable Ānanda was staying near Vesālī in the little village of Beluva.

ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā ānando vesāliyaṁ viharati beluvagāmake.

1.3

Now at that time the householder Dasama from the city of Aṭṭhaka had arrived at Pāṭaliputta on some business.

Tena kho pana samayena dasamo gahapati aṭṭhakanāgaro pāṭaliputtaṁ anuppatto hoti kenacideva karaṇīyena.

2.1

He went to the Chicken Monastery, approached a certain bhikkhu, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,

Atha kho dasamo gahapati aṭṭhakanāgaro yena kukkuṭārāmo yena aññataro bhikkhu tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ bhikkhuṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho dasamo gahapati aṭṭhakanāgaro taṁ bhikkhuṁ etadavoca:

2.2

“Sir, where is Venerable Ānanda now staying?

“kahaṁ nu kho, bhante, āyasmā ānando etarahi viharati?

2.3

For I want to see him.”

Dassanakāmā hi mayaṁ taṁ āyasmantaṁ ānandan”ti.

2.4

“Householder, Venerable Ānanda is staying near Vesālī in the little village of Beluva.”

“Eso, gahapati, āyasmā ānando vesāliyaṁ viharati beluvagāmake”ti.

3.1

Then the householder Dasama, having concluded his business there, went to the little village of Beluva in Vesālī to see Ānanda. He bowed, sat down to one side, and said to Ānanda:

Atha kho dasamo gahapati aṭṭhakanāgaro pāṭaliputte taṁ karaṇīyaṁ tīretvā yena vesālī yena beluvagāmako yenāyasmā ānando tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho dasamo gahapati aṭṭhakanāgaro āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etadavoca:

3.2

“Sir, Ānanda, is there one thing that has been rightly explained by the Blessed One—who knows and sees, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha—practicing which a diligent, keen, and resolute bhikkhu’s mind is freed, their cravings are ended, and they arrive at the supreme sanctuary?”

“atthi nu kho, bhante ānanda, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena ekadhammo akkhāto yattha bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato avimuttañceva cittaṁ vimuccati, aparikkhīṇā ca āsavā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, ananuppattañca anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇātī”ti?

3.3

“There is, householder.”

“Atthi kho, gahapati, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena ekadhammo akkhāto, yattha bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato avimuttañceva cittaṁ vimuccati, aparikkhīṇā ca āsavā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, ananuppattañca anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇātī”ti.

3.4

“And what is that one thing?”

“Katamo pana, bhante ānanda, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena ekadhammo akkhāto, yattha bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato avimuttañceva cittaṁ vimuccati, aparikkhīṇā ca āsavā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, ananuppattañca anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇātī”ti?

4.1

“Householder, it’s when a bhikkhu, 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, gahapati, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

4.2

Then they reflect:

So iti paṭisañcikkhati:

4.3

‘Even this first absorption is produced by actions done with defilement and intentions.’

‘idampi kho paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ abhisaṅkhataṁ abhisañcetayitaṁ.

4.4

They understand: ‘But whatever is produced by actions done with defilement and intentions is anicca and liable to cessation.’

Yaṁ kho pana kiñci abhisaṅkhataṁ abhisañcetayitaṁ tadaniccaṁ nirodhadhamman’ti pajānāti.

4.5

Abiding in that they attain the ending of cravings.

So tattha ṭhito āsavānaṁ khayaṁ pāpuṇāti.

4.6

If they don’t attain the ending of cravings, with the ending of the five lower fetters they’re reborn spontaneously, because of their passion and love for that meditation. They are extinguished there, and are not liable to return from that world.

No ce āsavānaṁ khayaṁ pāpuṇāti, teneva dhammarāgena tāya dhammanandiyā pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko hoti tattha parinibbāyī anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā.

4.7

This is one thing that has been rightly explained by the Blessed One—who knows and sees, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha—practicing which a diligent, keen, and resolute bhikkhu’s mind is freed, their cravings are ended, and they arrive at the supreme sanctuary.

Ayampi kho, gahapati, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena ekadhammo akkhāto, yattha bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato avimuttañceva cittaṁ vimuccati, aparikkhīṇā ca āsavā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, ananuppattañca anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇāti.

5.1

Furthermore, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, they enter and remain in the second absorption …

Puna caparaṁ, gahapati, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

5.2

So iti paṭisañcikkhati:

5.3

‘idampi kho dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ abhisaṅkhataṁ abhisañcetayitaṁ …pe…

5.4

anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇāti.

6.1

third absorption …

Puna caparaṁ, gahapati, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā …pe… tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

6.2

So iti paṭisañcikkhati:

6.3

‘idampi kho tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ abhisaṅkhataṁ abhisañcetayitaṁ …pe…

6.4

anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇāti.

7.1

fourth absorption …

Puna caparaṁ, gahapati, bhikkhu sukhassa ca pahānā …pe… catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

7.2

So iti paṭisañcikkhati:

7.3

‘idampi kho catutthaṁ jhānaṁ abhisaṅkhataṁ abhisañcetayitaṁ …pe…

7.4

anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇāti.

8.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu meditates spreading a heart full of love to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, they spread a heart full of love to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.

Puna caparaṁ, gahapati, bhikkhu mettāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā viharati, tathā dutiyaṁ, tathā tatiyaṁ, tathā catutthaṁ. Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharati.

8.2

Then they reflect:

So iti paṭisañcikkhati:

8.3

‘Even this heart’s release by love is produced by actions done with defilement and intentions.’

‘ayampi kho mettācetovimutti abhisaṅkhatā abhisañcetayitā.

8.4

They understand: ‘But whatever is produced by actions done with defilement and intentions is anicca and liable to cessation.’ …

Yaṁ kho pana kiñci abhisaṅkhataṁ abhisañcetayitaṁ tadaniccaṁ nirodhadhamman’ti pajānāti.

8.5

So tattha ṭhito …pe…

8.6

anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇāti.

9.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu meditates spreading a heart full of compassion …

Puna caparaṁ, gahapati, bhikkhu karuṇāsahagatena cetasā …pe…

10.1

rejoicing …

muditāsahagatena cetasā …pe…

11.1

equanimity …

upekkhāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā viharati, tathā dutiyaṁ, tathā tatiyaṁ, tathā catutthaṁ. Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ upekkhāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharati.

11.2

So iti paṭisañcikkhati:

11.3

‘ayampi kho upekkhācetovimutti abhisaṅkhatā abhisañcetayitā.

11.4

Yaṁ kho pana kiñci abhisaṅkhataṁ abhisañcetayitaṁ tadaniccaṁ nirodhadhamman’ti pajānāti.

11.5

So tattha ṭhito …pe…

11.6

anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇāti.

12.1

Furthermore, householder, 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, gahapati, bhikkhu sabbaso rūpasaññānaṁ samatikkamā paṭighasaññānaṁ atthaṅgamā nānattasaññānaṁ amanasikārā ‘ananto ākāso’ti ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati.

12.2

Then they reflect:

So iti paṭisañcikkhati:

12.3

‘Even this attainment of the dimension of infinite space is produced by actions done with defilement and intentions.’

‘ayampi kho ākāsānañcāyatanasamāpatti abhisaṅkhatā abhisañcetayitā.

12.4

They understand: ‘But whatever is produced by actions done with defilement and intentions is anicca and liable to cessation.’ …

Yaṁ kho pana kiñci abhisaṅkhataṁ abhisañcetayitaṁ tadaniccaṁ nirodhadhamman’ti pajānāti.

12.5

So tattha ṭhito …pe…

12.6

anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇāti.

13.1

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, gahapati, bhikkhu sabbaso ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma ‘anantaṁ viññāṇan’ti viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati.

13.2

So iti paṭisañcikkhati:

13.3

‘ayampi kho viññāṇañcāyatanasamāpatti abhisaṅkhatā abhisañcetayitā.

13.4

Yaṁ kho pana kiñci abhisaṅkhataṁ abhisañcetayitaṁ tadaniccaṁ nirodhadhamman’ti pajānāti.

13.5

So tattha ṭhito …pe…

13.6

anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇāti.

14.1

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, gahapati, bhikkhu sabbaso viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma ‘natthi kiñcī’ti ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati.

14.2

Then they reflect:

So iti paṭisañcikkhati:

14.3

‘Even this attainment of the dimension of nothingness is produced by actions done with defilement and intentions.’

‘ayampi kho ākiñcaññāyatanasamāpatti abhisaṅkhatā abhisañcetayitā.

14.4

They understand: ‘But whatever is produced by actions done with defilement and intentions is anicca and liable to cessation.’

Yaṁ kho pana kiñci abhisaṅkhataṁ abhisañcetayitaṁ tadaniccaṁ nirodhadhamman’ti pajānāti.

14.5

Abiding in that they attain the ending of cravings.

So tattha ṭhito āsavānaṁ khayaṁ pāpuṇāti.

14.6

If they don’t attain the ending of cravings, with the ending of the five lower fetters they’re reborn spontaneously because of their passion and love for that meditation. They are extinguished there, and are not liable to return from that world.

14.7

This too is one thing that has been rightly explained by the Blessed One—who knows and sees, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha—practicing which a diligent, keen, and resolute bhikkhu’s mind is freed, their cravings are ended, and they arrive at the supreme sanctuary.”

Ayampi kho, gahapati, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena ekadhammo akkhāto yattha bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato avimuttañceva cittaṁ vimuccati, aparikkhīṇā ca āsavā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, ananuppattañca anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇātī”ti.

15.1

When he said this, the householder Dasama said to Venerable Ānanda,

Evaṁ vutte, dasamo gahapati aṭṭhakanāgaro āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etadavoca:

15.2

“Sir, suppose a person was looking for an entrance to a hidden treasure. And all at once they’d come across eleven entrances!

“seyyathāpi, bhante ānanda, puriso ekaṁva nidhimukhaṁ gavesanto sakideva ekādasa nidhimukhāni adhigaccheyya;

15.3

In the same way, I was searching for the door to the deathless. And all at once I got to hear of eleven doors to the deathless.

evameva kho ahaṁ, bhante, ekaṁ amatadvāraṁ gavesanto sakideva ekādasa amatadvārāni alatthaṁ bhāvanāya.

15.4

Suppose a person had a house with eleven doors. If the house caught fire they’d be able to flee to safety through any one of those doors.

Seyyathāpi, bhante, purisassa agāraṁ ekādasadvāraṁ, so tasmiṁ agāre āditte ekamekenapi dvārena sakkuṇeyya attānaṁ sotthiṁ kātuṁ;

15.5

In the same way, I’m able to flee to safety through any one of these eleven doors to the deathless.

evameva kho ahaṁ, bhante, imesaṁ ekādasannaṁ amatadvārānaṁ ekamekenapi amatadvārena sakkuṇissāmi attānaṁ sotthiṁ kātuṁ.

15.6

Sir, those who follow other paths seek a fee for the teacher. Why shouldn’t I make an offering to Venerable Ānanda?”

Imehi nāma, bhante, aññatitthiyā ācariyassa ācariyadhanaṁ pariyesissanti, kimaṅgaṁ panāhaṁ āyasmato ānandassa pūjaṁ na karissāmī”ti.

16.1

Then the householder Dasama, having assembled the Saṅgha from Vesālī and Pāṭaliputta, served and satisfied them with his own hands with a variety of delicious foods.

Atha kho dasamo gahapati aṭṭhakanāgaro pāṭaliputtakañca vesālikañca bhikkhusaṅghaṁ sannipātetvā paṇītena khādanīyena bhojanīyena sahatthā santappesi sampavāresi,

16.2

He clothed each and every bhikkhu in a pair of garments, with a set of three robes for Ānanda. And he had a dwelling worth five hundred built for Ānanda.

ekamekañca bhikkhuṁ paccekaṁ dussayugena acchādesi, āyasmantañca ānandaṁ ticīvarena acchādesi, āyasmato ca ānandassa pañcasatavihāraṁ kārāpesīti.

16.3

Aṭṭhakanāgarasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ dutiyaṁ.