MN 151 The Purification of Alms – Piṇḍapātapārisuddhisutta

Medium Discourses Collection 151 – Majjhima Nikāya 151

1.1

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

1.2

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.

1.3

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

Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

2.1

“Sāriputta, your faculties are so very clear, and your complexion is pure and bright.

“Vippasannāni kho te, sāriputta, indriyāni, parisuddho chavivaṇṇo pariyodāto.

2.2

What kind of meditation are you usually practicing these days?”

Katamena kho tvaṁ, sāriputta, vihārena etarahi bahulaṁ viharasī”ti?

2.3

“Sir, these days I usually practice the meditation on emptiness.”

“Suññatāvihārena kho ahaṁ, bhante, etarahi bahulaṁ viharāmī”ti.

2.4

“Good, good, Sāriputta!

“Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta.

2.5

It seems you usually practice the meditation of a great man.

Mahāpurisavihārena kira tvaṁ, sāriputta, etarahi bahulaṁ viharasi.

2.6

For emptiness is the meditation of a great man.

Mahāpurisavihāro eso, sāriputta, yadidaṁ—

2.7

suññatā.

3.1

Now, a bhikkhu might wish:

Tasmātiha, sāriputta, bhikkhu sace ākaṅkheyya:

3.2

‘May I usually practice the meditation on emptiness.’ So they should reflect:

‘suññatāvihārena bahulaṁ vihareyyan’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

3.3

‘Along the path that I went for alms, or in the place I wandered for alms, or along the path that I returned from alms, was there any desire or greed or hate or delusion or repulsion in my heart for sights known by the eye?’

‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, atthi nu kho me tattha cakkhuviññeyyesu rūpesu chando vā rāgo vā doso vā moho vā paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti?

3.4

Suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

3.5

there was such desire or greed or hate or delusion or repulsion in their heart, they should make an effort to give up those unskillful qualities.

‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, atthi me tattha cakkhuviññeyyesu rūpesu chando vā rāgo vā doso vā moho vā paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

3.6

But suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

3.7

there was no such desire or greed or hate or delusion or repulsion in their heart, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, natthi me tattha cakkhuviññeyyesu rūpesu chando vā rāgo vā doso vā moho vā paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

4-8.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu should reflect:

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

4-8.2

‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, atthi nu kho me tattha sotaviññeyyesu saddesu …pe…

4-8.3

smells known by the nose …

ghānaviññeyyesu gandhesu …

4-8.4

tastes known by the tongue …

jivhāviññeyyesu rasesu …

4-8.5

touches known by the body …

kāyaviññeyyesu phoṭṭhabbesu …

4-8.6

thoughts known by the mind?’

manoviññeyyesu dhammesu chando vā rāgo vā doso vā moho vā paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti?

4-8.7

Suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

4-8.8

there was such desire or greed or hate or delusion or repulsion in their heart, they should make an effort to give up those unskillful qualities.

‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, atthi me tattha manoviññeyyesu dhammesu chando vā rāgo vā doso vā moho vā paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

4-8.9

But suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

4-8.10

there was no such desire or greed or hate or delusion or repulsion in their heart, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

‘yena cāhaṁ maggena gāmaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ, yasmiñca padese piṇḍāya acariṁ, yena ca maggena gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamiṁ, natthi me tattha manoviññeyyesu dhammesu chando vā rāgo vā doso vā moho vā paṭighaṁ vāpi cetaso’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

9.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu should reflect:

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

9.2

‘Have I given up the five kinds of sensual stimulation?’

‘pahīnā nu kho me pañca kāmaguṇā’ti?

9.3

Suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

9.4

they have not given them up, they should make an effort to do so.

‘appahīnā kho me pañca kāmaguṇā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā pañcannaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

9.5

But suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

9.6

they have given them up, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

‘pahīnā kho me pañca kāmaguṇā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

10.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu should reflect:

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

10.2

‘Have I given up the five hindrances?’

‘pahīnā nu kho me pañca nīvaraṇā’ti?

10.3

Suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

10.4

they have not given them up, they should make an effort to do so.

‘appahīnā kho me pañca nīvaraṇā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā pañcannaṁ nīvaraṇānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

10.5

But suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

10.6

they have given them up, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

‘pahīnā kho me pañca nīvaraṇā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

11.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu should reflect:

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

11.2

‘Have I completely understood the five grasping aggregates?’

‘pariññātā nu kho me pañcupādānakkhandhā’ti?

11.3

Suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

11.4

they have not completely understood them, they should make an effort to do so.

‘apariññātā kho me pañcupādānakkhandhā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā pañcannaṁ upādānakkhandhānaṁ pariññāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

11.5

But suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

11.6

they have completely understood them, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

‘pariññātā kho me pañcupādānakkhandhā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

12.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu should reflect:

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

12.2

‘Have I developed the four kinds of mindfulness meditation?’

‘bhāvitā nu kho me cattāro satipaṭṭhānā’ti?

12.3

Suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

12.4

they haven’t developed them, they should make an effort to do so.

‘abhāvitā kho me cattāro satipaṭṭhānā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā catunnaṁ satipaṭṭhānānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

12.5

But suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

12.6

they have developed them, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

‘bhāvitā kho me cattāro satipaṭṭhānā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

13.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu should reflect:

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

13.2

‘Have I developed the four right efforts …

‘bhāvitā nu kho me cattāro sammappadhānā’ti?

13.3

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

13.4

‘abhāvitā kho me cattāro sammappadhānā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā catunnaṁ sammappadhānānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

13.5

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

13.6

‘bhāvitā kho me cattāro sammappadhānā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

14.1

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

14.2

the four bases of psychic power …

‘bhāvitā nu kho me cattāro iddhipādā’ti?

14.3

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

14.4

‘abhāvitā kho me cattāro iddhipādā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā catunnaṁ iddhipādānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

14.5

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

14.6

‘bhāvitā kho me cattāro iddhipādā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

15.1

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

15.2

the five faculties …

‘bhāvitāni nu kho me pañcindriyānī’ti?

15.3

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

15.4

‘abhāvitāni kho me pañcindriyānī’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā pañcannaṁ indriyānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

15.5

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

15.6

‘bhāvitāni kho me pañcindriyānī’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

16.1

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

16.2

the five powers …

‘bhāvitāni nu kho me pañca balānī’ti?

16.3

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

16.4

‘abhāvitāni kho me pañca balānī’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā pañcannaṁ balānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

16.5

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

16.6

‘bhāvitāni kho me pañca balānī’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

17.1

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

17.2

the seven awakening factors …

‘bhāvitā nu kho me satta bojjhaṅgā’ti?

17.3

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

17.4

‘abhāvitā kho me satta bojjhaṅgā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

17.5

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

17.6

‘bhāvitā kho me satta bojjhaṅgā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

18.1

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

18.2

the noble eightfold path?’

‘bhāvito nu kho me ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo’ti?

18.3

Suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

18.4

they haven’t developed it, they should make an effort to do so.

‘abhāvito kho me ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā ariyassa aṭṭhaṅgikassa maggassa bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

18.5

But suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

18.6

they have developed it, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

‘bhāvito kho me ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

19.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu should reflect:

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

19.2

‘Have I developed serenity and discernment?’

‘bhāvitā nu kho me samatho ca vipassanā cā’ti?

19.3

Suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

19.4

they haven’t developed them, they should make an effort to do so.

‘abhāvitā kho me samatho ca vipassanā cā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā samathavipassanānaṁ bhāvanāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

19.5

But suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

19.6

they have developed them, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

‘bhāvitā kho me samatho ca vipassanā cā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

20.1

Furthermore, a bhikkhu should reflect:

Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, bhikkhunā iti paṭisañcikkhitabbaṁ:

20.2

‘Have I realized knowledge and freedom?’

‘sacchikatā nu kho me vijjā ca vimutti cā’ti?

20.3

Suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

20.4

they haven’t realized them, they should make an effort to do so.

‘asacchikatā kho me vijjā ca vimutti cā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā vijjāya vimuttiyā sacchikiriyāya vāyamitabbaṁ.

20.5

But suppose that, upon checking, a bhikkhu knows that

Sace pana, sāriputta, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti:

20.6

they have realized them, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities.

‘sacchikatā kho me vijjā ca vimutti cā’ti, tena, sāriputta, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

21.1

Whether in the past, future, or present, all those who purify their almsfood do so by continually checking in this way.

Ye hi keci, sāriputta, atītamaddhānaṁ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhesuṁ, sabbe te evameva paccavekkhitvā paccavekkhitvā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhesuṁ.

21.2

Yepi hi keci, sāriputta, anāgatamaddhānaṁ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhessanti, sabbe te evameva paccavekkhitvā paccavekkhitvā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhessanti.

21.3

Yepi hi keci, sāriputta, etarahi samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhenti, sabbe te evameva paccavekkhitvā paccavekkhitvā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhenti.

21.4

So, Sāriputta, you should all train like this: ‘We shall purify our almsfood by continually checking.’”

Tasmātiha, sāriputta, ‘paccavekkhitvā paccavekkhitvā piṇḍapātaṁ parisodhessāmā’ti—

21.5

evañhi vo, sāriputta, sikkhitabban”ti.

21.6

That is what the Buddha said.

Idamavoca bhagavā.

21.7

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

Attamano āyasmā sāriputto bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandīti.

21.8

Piṇḍapātapārisuddhisuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ navamaṁ.