MN 59 The Many Kinds of Feeling – Bahuvedanīyasutta

Medium Discourses Collection 59 – Majjhima Nikāya 59

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.

1.3

Then the master builder Pañcakaṅga went up to Venerable Udāyī, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,

Atha kho pañcakaṅgo thapati yenāyasmā udāyī tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ udāyiṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho pañcakaṅgo thapati āyasmantaṁ udāyiṁ etadavoca:

1.4

“Sir, how many feelings has the Buddha spoken of?”

“kati nu kho, bhante udāyi, vedanā vuttā bhagavatā”ti?

1.5

“Master builder, the Buddha has spoken of three feelings:

“Tisso kho, thapati, vedanā vuttā bhagavatā.

1.6

pleasant, painful, and neutral.

Sukhā vedanā, dukkhā vedanā, adukkhamasukhā vedanā—

1.7

The Buddha has spoken of these three feelings.”

imā kho, thapati, tisso vedanā vuttā bhagavatā”ti.

1.8

When he said this, Pañcakaṅga said to Udāyī,

Evaṁ vutte, pañcakaṅgo thapati āyasmantaṁ udāyiṁ etadavoca:

1.9

“Sir, Udāyī, the Buddha hasn’t spoken of three feelings.

“na kho, bhante udāyi, tisso vedanā vuttā bhagavatā;

1.10

He’s spoken of two feelings:

dve vedanā vuttā bhagavatā—

1.11

pleasant and painful.

sukhā vedanā, dukkhā vedanā.

1.12

The Buddha said that neutral feeling is included as a peaceful and subtle kind of pleasure.”

Yāyaṁ, bhante, adukkhamasukhā vedanā santasmiṁ esā paṇīte sukhe vuttā bhagavatā”ti.

2.1

For a second time, Udāyī said to Pañcakaṅga,

Dutiyampi kho āyasmā udāyī pañcakaṅgaṁ thapatiṁ etadavoca:

2.2

“The Buddha hasn’t spoken of two feelings,

“na kho, gahapati, dve vedanā vuttā bhagavatā;

2.3

he’s spoken of three.”

tisso vedanā vuttā bhagavatā.

2.4

Sukhā vedanā, dukkhā vedanā, adukkhamasukhā vedanā—

2.5

imā kho, thapati, tisso vedanā vuttā bhagavatā”ti.

2.6

For a second time, Pañcakaṅga said to Udāyī,

Dutiyampi kho pañcakaṅgo thapati āyasmantaṁ udāyiṁ etadavoca:

2.7

“The Buddha hasn’t spoken of three feelings,

“na kho, bhante udāyi, tisso vedanā vuttā bhagavatā;

2.8

he’s spoken of two.”

dve vedanā vuttā bhagavatā—

2.9

sukhā vedanā, dukkhā vedanā.

2.10

Yāyaṁ, bhante, adukkhamasukhā vedanā santasmiṁ esā paṇīte sukhe vuttā bhagavatā”ti.

3.1

And for a third time, Udāyī said to Pañcakaṅga,

Tatiyampi kho āyasmā udāyī pañcakaṅgaṁ thapatiṁ etadavoca:

3.2

“The Buddha hasn’t spoken of two feelings,

“na kho, thapati, dve vedanā vuttā bhagavatā;

3.3

he’s spoken of three.”

tisso vedanā vuttā bhagavatā.

3.4

Sukhā vedanā, dukkhā vedanā, adukkhamasukhā vedanā—

3.5

imā kho, thapati, tisso vedanā vuttā bhagavatā”ti.

3.6

And for a third time, Pañcakaṅga said to Udāyī,

Tatiyampi kho pañcakaṅgo thapati āyasmantaṁ udāyiṁ etadavoca:

3.7

“The Buddha hasn’t spoken of three feelings,

“na kho, bhante udāyi, tisso vedanā vuttā bhagavatā,

3.8

he’s spoken of two.”

dve vedanā vuttā bhagavatā—

3.9

sukhā vedanā, dukkhā vedanā.

3.10

Yāyaṁ, bhante, adukkhamasukhā vedanā santasmiṁ esā paṇīte sukhe vuttā bhagavatā”ti.

3.11

But neither was able to persuade the other.

Neva kho sakkhi āyasmā udāyī pañcakaṅgaṁ thapatiṁ saññāpetuṁ, na panāsakkhi pañcakaṅgo thapati āyasmantaṁ udāyiṁ saññāpetuṁ.

4.1

Venerable Ānanda heard this discussion between Udāyī and Pañcakaṅga.

Assosi kho āyasmā ānando āyasmato udāyissa pañcakaṅgena thapatinā saddhiṁ imaṁ kathāsallāpaṁ.

4.2

Then he went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side,

Atha kho āyasmā ānando yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.

4.3

and informed the Buddha of all they had discussed.

Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā ānando yāvatako ahosi āyasmato udāyissa pañcakaṅgena thapatinā saddhiṁ kathāsallāpo taṁ sabbaṁ bhagavato ārocesi.

4.4

When he had spoken, the Buddha said to him,

Evaṁ vutte, bhagavā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etadavoca:

5.1

“Ānanda, the explanation by the bhikkhu Udāyī, which the master builder Pañcakaṅga didn’t agree with, was quite correct. But the explanation by Pañcakaṅga, which Udāyī didn’t agree with, was also quite correct.

“santaññeva kho, ānanda, pariyāyaṁ pañcakaṅgo thapati udāyissa nābbhanumodi, santaññeva ca pana pariyāyaṁ udāyī pañcakaṅgassa thapatissa nābbhanumodi.

5.2

In one explanation I’ve spoken of two feelings. In another explanation I’ve spoken of three feelings, or five, six, eighteen, thirty-six, or a hundred and eight feelings.

Dvepānanda, vedanā vuttā mayā pariyāyena, tissopi vedanā vuttā mayā pariyāyena, pañcapi vedanā vuttā mayā pariyāyena, chapi vedanā vuttā mayā pariyāyena, aṭṭhārasapi vedanā vuttā mayā pariyāyena, chattiṁsapi vedanā vuttā mayā pariyāyena, aṭṭhasatampi vedanā vuttā mayā pariyāyena.

5.3

I’ve explained the teaching in all these different ways.

Evaṁ pariyāyadesito kho, ānanda, mayā dhammo.

5.4

This being so, you can expect that those who don’t concede, approve, or agree with what has been well spoken will argue, quarrel, and fight, continually wounding each other with barbed words.

Evaṁ pariyāyadesite kho, ānanda, mayā dhamme ye aññamaññassa subhāsitaṁ sulapitaṁ na samanujānissanti na samanumaññissanti na samanumodissanti tesametaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—bhaṇḍanajātā kalahajātā vivādāpannā aññamaññaṁ mukhasattīhi vitudantā viharissanti.

5.5

I’ve explained the teaching in all these different ways.

Evaṁ pariyāyadesito kho, ānanda, mayā dhammo.

5.6

This being so, you can expect that those who do concede, approve, or agree with what has been well spoken will live in harmony, appreciating each other, without quarreling, blending like milk and water, and regarding each other with kindly eyes.

Evaṁ pariyāyadesite kho, ānanda, mayā dhamme ye aññamaññassa subhāsitaṁ sulapitaṁ samanujānissanti samanumaññissanti samanumodissanti tesametaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—samaggā sammodamānā avivadamānā khīrodakībhūtā aññamaññaṁ piyacakkhūhi sampassantā viharissanti.

6.1

There are these five kinds of sensual stimulation.

Pañca kho ime, ānanda, kāmaguṇā.

6.2

What five?

Katame pañca?

6.3

Sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

Cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā,

6.4

Sounds known by the ear …

sotaviññeyyā saddā …pe…

6.5

Smells known by the nose …

ghānaviññeyyā gandhā …pe…

6.6

Tastes known by the tongue …

jivhāviññeyyā rasā …pe…

6.7

Touches known by the body that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

kāyaviññeyyā phoṭṭhabbā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā—

6.8

These are the five kinds of sensual stimulation.

ime kho, ānanda, pañca kāmaguṇā.

6.9

The pleasure and happiness that arise from these five kinds of sensual stimulation is called sensual pleasure.

Yaṁ kho, ānanda, ime pañca kāmaguṇe paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ idaṁ vuccati kāmasukhaṁ.

7.1

There are those who would say that this is the highest pleasure and happiness that sentient beings experience. But I don’t grant them that.

Yo kho, ānanda, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘etaparamaṁ sattā sukhaṁ somanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedentī’ti, idamassa nānujānāmi.

7.2

Why is that?

Taṁ kissa hetu?

7.3

Because there is another pleasure that is finer than that.

Atthānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca.

7.4

And what is that pleasure?

Katamañcānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca?

7.5

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.

Idhānanda, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

7.6

This is a pleasure that is finer than that.

Idaṁ kho, ānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca.

8.1

There are those who would say that this is the highest pleasure and happiness that sentient beings experience. But I don’t grant them that.

Yo kho, ānanda, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘etaparamaṁ sattā sukhaṁ somanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedentī’ti, idamassa nānujānāmi.

8.2

Why is that?

Taṁ kissa hetu?

8.3

Because there is another pleasure that is finer than that.

Atthānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca.

8.4

And what is that pleasure?

Katamañcānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca?

8.5

It’s when, 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. …

Idhānanda, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

8.6

Idaṁ kho, ānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca.

9.1

Yo kho, ānanda, evaṁ vadeyya …

9.2

There is another pleasure that is finer than that.

pe….

9.3

And what is that pleasure?

Katamañcānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca?

9.4

It’s when, 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.’ …

Idhānanda, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā …pe… tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

9.5

Idaṁ kho, ānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca.

10.1

Yo kho, ānanda, evaṁ vadeyya …

10.2

There is another pleasure that is finer than that.

pe….

10.3

And what is that pleasure?

Katamañcānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca?

10.4

It’s when, 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. …

Idhānanda, bhikkhu sukhassa ca pahānā …pe… catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

10.5

Idaṁ kho, ānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca.

11.1

Yo kho, ānanda, evaṁ vadeyya …

11.2

There is another pleasure that is finer than that.

pe….

11.3

And what is that pleasure?

Katamañcānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca?

11.4

It’s when 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. …

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

11.5

Idaṁ kho, ānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca.

12.1

Yo kho, ānanda, evaṁ vadeyya …

12.2

There is another pleasure that is finer than that.

pe….

12.3

And what is that pleasure?

Katamañcānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca?

12.4

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

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

12.5

Idaṁ kho, ānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca.

13.1

Yo kho, ānanda, evaṁ vadeyya …

13.2

There is another pleasure that is finer than that.

pe….

13.3

And what is that pleasure?

Katamañcānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca?

13.4

It’s when 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. …

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

13.5

Idaṁ kho, ānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca.

14.1

Yo kho, ānanda, evaṁ vadeyya …

14.2

There is another pleasure that is finer than that.

pe….

14.3

And what is that pleasure?

Katamañcānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca?

14.4

It’s when a bhikkhu, going totally beyond the dimension of nothingness, enters and remains in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.

Idhānanda, bhikkhu sabbaso ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati.

14.5

This is a pleasure that is finer than that.

Idaṁ kho, ānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca.

15.1

There are those who would say that this is the highest pleasure and happiness that sentient beings experience. But I don’t grant them that.

Yo kho, ānanda, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘etaparamaṁ sattā sukhaṁ somanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedentī’ti, idamassa nānujānāmi.

15.2

Why is that?

Taṁ kissa hetu?

15.3

Because there is another pleasure that is finer than that.

Atthānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca.

15.4

And what is that pleasure?

Katamañcānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca?

15.5

It’s when a bhikkhu, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling.

Idhānanda, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati.

15.6

This is a pleasure that is finer than that.

Idaṁ kho, ānanda, etamhā sukhā aññaṁ sukhaṁ abhikkantatarañca paṇītatarañca.

16.1

It’s possible that wanderers who follow other paths might say,

Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, ānanda, vijjati yaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ vadeyyuṁ:

16.2

‘The ascetic Gotama spoke of the cessation of perception and feeling, and he includes it in happiness.

‘saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ samaṇo gotamo āha; tañca sukhasmiṁ paññapeti.

16.3

What’s up with that?’

Tayidaṁ kiṁsu, tayidaṁ kathaṁsū’ti?

16.4

When wanderers who follow other paths say this, you should say to them,

Evaṁvādino, ānanda, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evamassu vacanīyā:

16.5

‘Reverends, when the Buddha describes what’s included in happiness, he’s not just referring to pleasant feeling.

‘na kho, āvuso, bhagavā sukhaṁyeva vedanaṁ sandhāya sukhasmiṁ paññapeti;

16.6

The Realized One describes pleasure as included in happiness wherever it’s found, and in whatever context.’”

api ca, āvuso, yattha yattha sukhaṁ upalabbhati yahiṁ yahiṁ taṁ taṁ tathāgato sukhasmiṁ paññapetī’”ti.

16.7

That is what the Buddha said.

Idamavoca bhagavā.

16.8

Satisfied, Venerable Ānanda was happy with what the Buddha said.

Attamano āyasmā ānando bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandīti.

16.9

Bahuvedanīyasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ navamaṁ.