1Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was living at Kosamb in Ghosita's Park.

1Evaṁ me sutaṁ — ​ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosambiyaṁ viharati ghositārāme.

Now on that occasion the bhikkhus at Kosambī had taken to quarrelling and brawling and were deep in disputes, stabbing each other with verbal daggers.[n.1186] The opening of this sutta is the same as that of MN 48.

Tena kho pana samayena kosambiyaṁ bhikkhū bhaṇḍanajātā kalahajātā vivādāpannā aññamaññaṁ mukhasattīhi vitudantā viharanti.

Then a certain bhikkhu went to the Blessed One, and after paying homage to him, he stood at one side and said: "Venerable sir, the bhikkhus here at Kosambī have taken to quarrelling and brawling and are deep in disputes, stabbing each other with verbal daggers. It would be good, venerable sir, if the Blessed One would go to those bhikkhus out of compassion." The Blessed One consented in silence.

Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: "idha, bhante, kosambiyaṁ bhikkhū bhaṇḍanajātā kalahajātā vivādāpannā aññamaññaṁ mukhasattīhi vitudantā viharanti. Sādhu, bhante, bhagavā yena te bhikkhū tenupasaṅkamatu anukampaṁ upādāyā"ti. Adhivāsesi bhagavā tuṇhībhāvena.

Then the Blessed One went to those bhikkhus and said to them: "Enough, bhikkhus, let there be no quarrelling, brawling, wrangling, or dispute."

Atha kho bhagavā yena te bhikkhū tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te bhikkhū etadavoca: "Alaṁ, bhikkhave, mā bhaṇḍanaṁ, mā kalahaṁ, mā viggahaṁ, mā vivādan"ti.

2When this was said, a certain bhikkhu said to the Blessed One: "Wait, venerable sir! Let the Blessed One, the Lord of the Dhamma, live at ease devoted to a pleasant abiding here and now. We are the ones who will be responsible for this quarrelling, brawling, wrangling, and dispute."

2Evaṁ vutte, aññataro bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: "Āgametu, bhante. Bhagavā dhammassāmī; appossukko, bhante, bhagavā diṭṭhadhammasukhavihāraṁ anuyutto viharatu; mayametena bhaṇḍanena kalahena viggahena vivādena paññāyissāmā"ti. Dutiyampi kho bhagavā te bhikkhū etadavoca: "Alaṁ, bhikkhave, mā bhaṇḍanaṁ, mā kalahaṁ, mā viggahaṁ, mā vivādan"ti.

For a second time … For a third time the Blessed One said: "Enough, bhikkhus, let there be no quarrelling, brawling, wrangling, or dispute." For a third time that bhikkhu said to the Blessed One: "Wait, venerable sir! … We are the ones who will be responsible for this quarrelling, brawling, wrangling, and dispute."

Dutiyampi kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: "Āgametu, bhante. Bhagavā dhammassāmī; appossukko, bhante, bhagavā diṭṭhadhammasukhavihāraṁ anuyutto viharatu; mayametena bhaṇḍanena kalahena viggahena vivādena paññāyissāmā"ti. Tatiyampi kho bhagavā te bhikkhū etadavoca: "Alaṁ, bhikkhave, mā bhaṇḍanaṁ, mā kalahaṁ, mā viggahaṁ, mā vivādan"ti. Tatiyampi kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: "Āgametu, bhante. Bhagavā dhammassāmī; appossukko, bhante, bhagavā diṭṭhadhammasukhavihāraṁ anuyutto viharatu; mayametena bhaṇḍanena kalahena viggahena vivādena paññāyissāmā"ti.

3Then, when it was morning, the Blessed One dressed, and taking his bowl and outer robe, entered Kosambī for alms. When he had wandered for alms in Kosambī and had returned from his almsround, after his meal he set his resting place in order, took his bowl and outer robe, and while standing uttered these stanzas:

3Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya kosambiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Kosambiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto senāsanaṁ saṁsāmetvā pattacīvaramādāya ṭhitakova imā gāthā abhāsi:

4"When many voices shout at once
None considers himself a fool;
Though the Saṅgha is being split
None thinks himself to be at fault.

4"Puthusaddo samajano,
na bālo koci maññatha;
Saṁghasmiṁ bhijjamānasmiṁ,
nāññaṁ bhiyyo amaññaruṁ.

5They have forgotten thoughtful speech,
They talk obsessed by words alone.
Uncurbed their mouths, they bawl at will;
None knows what leads him so to act.

5Parimuṭṭhā paṇḍitābhāsā,
vācāgocarabhāṇino;
Yāvicchanti mukhāyāmaṁ,
yena nītā na taṁ vidū.

6‘He abused me, he struck me,[n.1187] Verses 6 to 8 are also found at Dhammapada 2 to 6. (Verses 11 to 13 are also found Dhammapada 328 to 330).
He defeated me, he robbed me’ —
In those who harbour thoughts like these
Hatred will never be allayed.

6Akkocchi maṁ avadhi maṁ,
ajini maṁ ahāsi me;
Ye ca taṁ upanayhanti,
veraṁ tesaṁ na sammati.

7‘He abused me, he struck me,
He defeated me, he robbed me.’
In those who do not harbour thoughts like these
Hatred will readily be allayed.

7Akkocchi maṁ avadhi maṁ,
ajini maṁ ahāsi me;
Ye ca taṁ nupanayhanti,
veraṁ tesūpasammati.

8For in this world hatred is never
Allayed by further acts of hate.
It is allayed by non-hatred:
That is the fixed and ageless law.

8Na hi verena verāni,
sammantīdha kudācanaṁ;
Averena ca sammanti,
esa dhammo sanantano.

9Those others do not recognise
That here we should restrain ourselves.
But those wise ones who realise this
At once end all their enmity.

9Pare ca na vijānanti,
mayamettha yamāmase;
Ye ca tattha vijānanti,
tato sammanti medhagā.

10Breakers of bones and murderers,
Those who steal cattle, horses, wealth,
Those who pillage the entire realm —
When even these can act together
Why can you not do so too?

10Aṭṭhicchinnā pāṇaharā,
gavassadhanahārino;
Raṭṭhaṁ vilumpamānānaṁ,
tesampi hoti saṅgati;
Kasmā tumhākaṁ no siyā.

11Verses 11 to 13 are also found Dhammapada 328 to 330. (Verses 6 to 8 are also found at Dhammapada 2 to 6.) If one can find a worthy friend,
A virtuous, steadfast companion,
Then overcome all threats of danger
And walk with him content and mindful.

11Sace labhetha nipakaṁ sahāyaṁ,
Saddhiṁ caraṁ sādhuvihāri dhīraṁ;
Abhibhuyya sabbāni parissayāni,
Careyya tenattamano satīmā.

12But if one finds no worthy friend,
No virtuous, steadfast companion,
Then as a king leaves his conquered realm,
Walk like a tusker in the woods alone.

12No ce labhetha nipakaṁ sahāyaṁ,
Saddhiṁ caraṁ sādhuvihāri dhīraṁ;
Rājāva raṭṭhaṁ vijitaṁ pahāya,
Eko care mātaṅgaraññeva nāgo.

13Better it is to walk alone,
There is no companionship with fools.
Walk alone and do no evil,
At ease like a tusker in the woods."

13Ekassa caritaṁ seyyo,
Natthi bāle sahāyatā;
Eko care na ca pāpāni kayirā,
Appossukko mātaṅgaraññeva nāgo"ti.

14Then, having uttered these stanzas while standing, the Blessed One went to the village of Bālakaloṇakāra. On that occasion the venerable Bhagu was living at the village of Bālakaloṇakāra. When the venerable Bhagu saw the Blessed One coming in the distance, he prepared a seat and set out water for washing the feet. The Blessed One sat down on the seat made ready and washed his feet. The venerable Bhagu paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down at one side, and the Blessed One said to him: "I hope you are keeping well, bhikkhu, I hope you are comfortable, I hope you are not having any trouble getting almsfood."

14Atha kho bhagavā ṭhitakova imā gāthā bhāsitvā yena bālakaloṇakāragāmo tenupasaṅkami. Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā bhagu bālakaloṇakāragāme viharati. Addasā kho āyasmā bhagu bhagavantaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ. Disvāna āsanaṁ paññapesi udakañca pādānaṁ dhovanaṁ. Nisīdi bhagavā paññatte āsane. Nisajja pāde pakkhālesi. Āyasmāpi kho bhagu bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ bhaguṁ bhagavā etadavoca: "Kacci, bhikkhu, khamanīyaṁ, kacci yāpanīyaṁ, kacci piṇḍakena na kilamasī"ti?

"I am keeping well, Blessed One, I am comfortable, and I am not having any trouble getting almsfood."

"Khamanīyaṁ bhagavā, yāpanīyaṁ bhagavā, na cāhaṁ, bhante, piṇḍakena kilamāmī"ti.

Then the Blessed One instructed, urged, roused, and gladdened the venerable Bhagu with talk on the Dhamma, after which he rose from his seat and went to the Eastern Bamboo Park.

Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ bhaguṁ dhammiyā kathāya sandassetvā samādapetvā samuttejetvā sampahaṁsetvā uṭṭhāyāsanā yena pācīnavaṁsadāyo tenupasaṅkami.

15Now on that occasion the venerable Anuruddha, the venerable Nandiya and the venerable Kimbila were living at the Eastern Bamboo Park.[n.1188] The passage at ¶¶15–19 is nearly identical with MN 31.3–10. From the sequel, however, it is clear that the present sutta is set at an earlier time, for in MN 31 all three bhikkhus have reached arahantship while here they are still striving for the goal. The park keeper saw the Blessed One coming in the distance and told him: "Do not enter this park, recluse. There are three clansmen here seeking their own good. Do not disturb them."

15Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā ca anuruddho āyasmā ca nandiyo āyasmā ca kimilo pācīnavaṁsadāye viharanti. Addasā kho dāyapālo bhagavantaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ. Disvāna bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: "mā, mahāsamaṇa, etaṁ dāyaṁ pāvisi.

The venerable Anuruddha heard the park keeper speaking to the Blessed One and told him: "Friend park keeper, do not keep the Blessed One out. It is our Teacher, the Blessed One, who has come."

Santettha tayo kulaputtā attakāmarūpā viharanti. Mā tesaṁ aphāsumakāsī"ti. Assosi kho āyasmā anuruddho dāyapālassa bhagavatā saddhiṁ mantayamānassa.

Then the venerable Anuruddha went to the venerable Nandiya and the venerable Kimbila and said: "Come out, venerable sirs, come out! Our Teacher, the Blessed One, has come."

Sutvāna dāyapālaṁ etadavoca: "mā, āvuso dāyapāla, bhagavantaṁ vāresi. Satthā no bhagavā anuppatto"ti.

16Then all three went to meet the Blessed One. One took his bowl and outer robe, one prepared a seat, and one set out water for washing the feet. The Blessed One sat down on the seat made ready and washed his feet. Then those three venerable ones paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down at one side, and the Blessed One said to them: "I hope you are all keeping well, Anuruddha, I hope you are comfortable, I hope you are not having any trouble getting almsfood."

16Atha kho āyasmā anuruddho yenāyasmā ca nandiyo yenāyasmā ca kimilo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantañca nandiyaṁ āyasmantañca kimilaṁ etadavoca: "abhikkamathāyasmanto, abhikkamathāyasmanto, satthā no bhagavā anuppatto"ti. Atha kho āyasmā ca anuruddho āyasmā ca nandiyo āyasmā ca kimilo bhagavantaṁ paccuggantvā eko bhagavato pattacīvaraṁ paṭiggahesi, eko āsanaṁ paññapesi, eko pādodakaṁ upaṭṭhapesi. Nisīdi bhagavā paññatte āsane. Nisajja pāde pakkhālesi. Tepi kho āyasmanto bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ bhagavā etadavoca: "Kacci vo, anuruddhā, khamanīyaṁ, kacci yāpanīyaṁ, kacci piṇḍakena na kilamathā"ti?

"We are keeping well, Blessed One, we are comfortable, and we are not having any trouble getting almsfood."

"Khamanīyaṁ bhagavā, yāpanīyaṁ bhagavā, na ca mayaṁ, bhante, piṇḍakena kilamāmā"ti.

"I hope, Anuruddha, that you are all living in concord, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes."

"Kacci pana vo, anuruddhā, samaggā sammodamānā avivadamānā khīrodakībhūtā aññamaññaṁ piyacakkhūhi sampassantā viharathā"ti?

"Surely, venerable sir, we are living in concord, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes."

"Taggha mayaṁ, bhante, samaggā sammodamānā avivadamānā khīrodakībhūtā aññamaññaṁ piyacakkhūhi sampassantā viharāmā"ti.

"But, Anuruddha, how do you live thus?"

"Yathā kathaṁ pana tumhe, anuruddhā, samaggā sammodamānā avivadamānā khīrodakībhūtā aññamaññaṁ piyacakkhūhi sampassantā viharathā"ti?

"Venerable sir, as to that, I think thus: ‘It is a gain for me, it is a great gain for me that I am living with such companions in the holy life.’ I maintain bodily acts of loving-kindness towards these venerable ones both openly and privately; I maintain verbal acts of loving-kindness towards them both openly and privately; I maintain mental acts of loving-kindness towards them both openly and privately. I consider: ‘Why should I not set aside what I wish to do and do what these venerable ones wish to do?’ Then I set aside what I wish to do and do what these venerable ones wish to do. We are different in body, venerable sir, but one in mind."

"Idha mayhaṁ, bhante, evaṁ hoti: ‘lābhā vata me, suladdhaṁ vata me yohaṁ evarūpehi sabrahmacārīhi saddhiṁ viharāmī’ti. Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, imesu āyasmantesu mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca, mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca, mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca. Tassa, mayhaṁ, bhante, evaṁ hoti: ‘yannūnāhaṁ sakaṁ cittaṁ nikkhipitvā imesaṁyeva āyasmantānaṁ cittassa vasena vatteyyan’ti. So kho ahaṁ, bhante, sakaṁ cittaṁ nikkhipitvā imesaṁyeva āyasmantānaṁ cittassa vasena vattāmi. Nānā hi kho no, bhante, kāyā, ekañca pana maññe cittan"ti.

17The venerable Nandiya and the venerable Kimbila each spoke likewise, adding: "That is how, venerable sir, we are living in concord, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes."

17Āyasmāpi kho nandiyo … pe … āyasmāpi kho kimilo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: "mayhampi kho, bhante, evaṁ hoti: ‘lābhā vata me, suladdhaṁ vata me yohaṁ evarūpehi sabrahmacārīhi saddhiṁ viharāmī’ti. Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, imesu āyasmantesu mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca, mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca, mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca. Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, evaṁ hoti: ‘yannūnāhaṁ sakaṁ cittaṁ nikkhipitvā imesaṁyeva āyasmantānaṁ cittassa vasena vatteyyan’ti. So kho ahaṁ, bhante, sakaṁ cittaṁ nikkhipitvā imesaṁyeva āyasmantānaṁ cittassa vasena vattāmi. Nānā hi kho no, bhante, kāyā, ekañca pana maññe cittanti. Evaṁ kho mayaṁ, bhante, samaggā sammodamānā avivadamānā khīrodakībhūtā aññamaññaṁ piyacakkhūhi sampassantā viharāmā"ti.

18"Good, good, Anuruddha. I hope that you all abide diligent, ardent, and resolute."

18"Sādhu sādhu, anuruddhā. Kacci pana vo, anuruddhā, appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharathā"ti?

"Surely, venerable sir, we abide diligent, ardent, and resolute."

"Taggha mayaṁ, bhante, appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharāmā"ti.

"But, Anuruddha, how do you abide thus?"

"Yathā kathaṁ pana tumhe, anuruddhā, appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharathā"ti?

"Venerable sir, as to that, whichever of us returns first from the village with almsfood prepares the seats, sets out the water for drinking and for washing, and puts the refuse bucket in its place. Whichever of us returns last eats any food left over, if he wishes; otherwise he throws it away where there is no greenery or drops it into water where there is no life. He puts away the seats and the water for drinking and for washing. He puts away the refuse bucket after washing it, and he sweeps out the refectory. Whoever notices that the pots of water for drinking, washing, or the latrine are low or empty takes care of them. If they are too heavy for him, he calls someone else by a signal of the hand and they move it by joining hands, but because of this we do not break out into speech. But every five days we sit together all night discussing the Dhamma. That is how we abide diligent, ardent, and resolute."

"Idha, bhante, amhākaṁ yo paṭhamaṁ gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamati, so āsanāni paññapeti, pānīyaṁ paribhojanīyaṁ upaṭṭhāpeti, avakkārapātiṁ upaṭṭhāpeti. Yo pacchā gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamati — sace hoti bhuttāvaseso, sace ākaṅkhati, bhuñjati; no ce ākaṅkhati, appaharite vā chaḍḍeti apāṇake vā udake opilāpeti –  so āsanāni paṭisāmeti, pānīyaṁ paribhojanīyaṁ paṭisāmeti, avakkārapātiṁ dhovitvā paṭisāmeti, bhattaggaṁ sammajjati. Yo passati pānīyaghaṭaṁ vā paribhojanīyaghaṭaṁ vā vaccaghaṭaṁ vā rittaṁ tucchaṁ so upaṭṭhāpeti. Sacassa hoti avisayhaṁ, hatthavikārena dutiyaṁ āmantetvā hatthavilaṅghakena upaṭṭhāpema, na tveva mayaṁ, bhante, tappaccayā vācaṁ bhindāma. Pañcāhikaṁ kho pana mayaṁ, bhante, sabbarattiṁ dhammiyā kathāya sannisīdāma. Evaṁ kho mayaṁ, bhante, appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharāmā"ti.

19"Good, good, Anuruddha. But while you abide thus diligent, ardent, and resolute, have you attained any superhuman states, a distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones, a comfortable abiding?"

19"Sādhu sādhu, anuruddhā. Atthi pana vo, anuruddhā, evaṁ appamattānaṁ ātāpīnaṁ pahitattānaṁ viharataṁ uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro"ti?

"Venerable sir, as we abide here diligent, ardent, and resolute, we perceive both light and a vision of forms.[n.1189] It is here that the present sutta continues differently from MN 31. MA explains light (obhāsa) as the preliminary light, which MṬ glosses as the light produced by the access to jhāna. MṬ adds that one who gains the fourth jhāna develops the light-kasiṇa as the preliminary to arousing the divine eye. The "vision of forms" (dassanȧ rūpānaṁ) is the seeing of forms with the divine eye. Ven. Anuruddha was later declared by the Buddha to be the foremost disciple in the exercise of the divine eye. Soon afterwards the light and the vision of forms disappear, but we have not discovered the cause for that."

"Idha mayaṁ, bhante, appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharantā obhāsañceva sañjānāma dassanañca rūpānaṁ. So kho pana no obhāso nacirasseva antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ; tañca nimittaṁ nappaṭivijjhāmā"ti.

20"You should discover the cause for that,[n.1190] Nimittaṁ paṭivijjhitabbāṁ Lit. "You should penetrate that sign." Anuruddha. Before my enlightenment, while I was still only an unenlightened Bodhisatta, I too perceived both light and a vision of forms. Soon afterwards the light and the vision of forms disappeared. I thought: ‘What is the cause and condition why the light and the vision of forms have disappeared?’ Then I considered thus: ‘Doubt arose in me, and because of the doubt my concentration fell away; when my concentration fell away, the light and the vision of forms disappeared. I shall so act that doubt will not arise in me again.’

20"Taṁ kho pana vo, anuruddhā, nimittaṁ paṭivijjhitabbaṁ. Ahampi sudaṁ, anuruddhā, pubbeva sambodhā anabhisambuddho bodhisattova samāno obhāsañceva sañjānāmi dassanañca rūpānaṁ. So kho pana me obhāso nacirasseva antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘ko nu kho hetu ko paccayo yena me obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānan’ti? Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘vicikicchā kho me udapādi, vicikicchādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissatī’ti. (1)

21"As, Anuruddha, I was abiding diligent, ardent, and resolute, I perceived both light and a vision of forms. Soon afterward the light and the vision of forms disappeared. I thought: ‘What is the cause and condition why the light and the vision of forms have disappeared?’ Then I considered thus: ‘Inattention arose in me, and because of inattention my concentration fell away; when my concentration fell away, the light and the vision of forms disappeared. I shall so act that neither doubt nor inattention will arise in me again.’

21So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā, appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto obhāsañceva sañjānāmi dassanañca rūpānaṁ. So kho pana me obhāso nacirasseva antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘ko nu kho hetu ko paccayo yena me obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānan’ti? Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘amanasikāro kho me udapādi, amanasikārādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro’ti. (2)

22"As, Anuruddha, I was abiding diligent … I considered thus: ‘Sloth and torpor arose in me, and because of sloth and torpor my concentration fell away; when my concentration fell away, the light and the vision of forms disappeared. I shall so act that neither doubt nor inattention nor sloth and torpor will arise in me again.’

22So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā … pe … tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘thinamiddhaṁ kho me udapādi, thinamiddhādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhan’ti. (3)

23"As, Anuruddha, I was abiding diligent … I considered thus: ‘Fear arose in me, and because of fear my concentration fell away; when my concentration fell away, the light and the vision of forms disappeared.’ Suppose a man set out on a journey and murderers leaped out on both sides of him; then fear would arise in him because of that. So too, fear arose in me … the light and the vision of forms disappeared. I considered thus: ‘I shall so act that neither doubt nor inattention nor sloth and torpor nor fear will arise in me again.’

23So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā … pe … tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘chambhitattaṁ kho me udapādi, chambhitattādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Seyyathāpi, anuruddhā, puriso addhānamaggappaṭipanno, tassa ubhatopasse vaṭṭakā uppateyyuṁ, tassa tatonidānaṁ chambhitattaṁ uppajjeyya; evameva kho me, anuruddhā, chambhitattaṁ udapādi, chambhitattādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattan’ti. (4)

24"As, Anuruddha, I was abiding diligent … I considered thus: ‘Elation arose in me, and because of elation my concentration fell away; when my concentration fell away, the light and the vision of forms disappeared.’ Suppose a man seeking one entrance to a hidden treasure came all at once upon five entrances to a hidden treasure;[n.1191] See MN 52.15. then elation would arise in him because of that. So too, elation arose in me … the light and the vision of forms disappeared. I considered thus: ‘I shall so act that neither doubt nor inattention … nor fear nor elation will arise in me again.’

24So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā … pe … tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘uppilaṁ kho me udapādi, uppilādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Seyyathāpi, anuruddhā, puriso ekaṁ nidhimukhaṁ gavesanto sakideva pañcanidhimukhāni adhigaccheyya, tassa tatonidānaṁ uppilaṁ uppajjeyya; evameva kho me, anuruddhā, uppilaṁ udapādi, uppilādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattaṁ, na uppilan’ti. (5)

25"As, Anuruddha, I was abiding diligent … I considered thus: ‘Inertia arose in me, and because of inertia my concentration fell away; when my concentration fell away, the light and the vision of forms disappeared. I shall so act that neither doubt nor inattention … nor elation nor inertia will arise in me again.’

25So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā … pe … tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘duṭṭhullaṁ kho me udapādi, duṭṭhullādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattaṁ, na uppilaṁ, na duṭṭhullan’ti. (6)

26"As, Anuruddha, I was abiding diligent … I considered thus: ‘Excess of energy arose in me, and because of excess of energy my concentration fell away; when my concentration fell away, the light and the vision of forms disappeared.’ Suppose a man were to grip a quail tightly with both hands; it would die then and there. So too, an excess of energy arose in me … the light and the vision of forms disappeared. I considered thus: ‘I shall so act that neither doubt nor inattention … nor inertia nor excess of energy will arise in me again.’

26So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā … pe … tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘accāraddhavīriyaṁ kho me udapādi, accāraddhavīriyādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Seyyathāpi, anuruddhā, puriso ubhohi hatthehi vaṭṭakaṁ gāḷhaṁ gaṇheyya, so tattheva patameyya; evameva kho me, anuruddhā, accāraddhavīriyaṁ udapādi, accāraddhavīriyādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattaṁ, na uppilaṁ, na duṭṭhullaṁ, na accāraddhavīriyan’ti. (7)

27"As, Anuruddha, I was abiding diligent … I considered thus: ‘Deficiency of energy arose in me, and because of deficiency of energy my concentration fell away; when my concentration fell away, the light and the vision of forms disappeared. ’ Suppose a man were to grip a quail loosely; it would fly out of his hands. So too, a deficiency of energy arose in me … the light and the vision of forms disappeared. I considered thus: ‘I shall so act that neither doubt nor inattention … nor excess of energy nor deficiency of energy will arise in me again.’

27So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā … pe … tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘atilīnavīriyaṁ kho me udapādi, atilīnavīriyādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Seyyathāpi, anuruddhā, puriso vaṭṭakaṁ sithilaṁ gaṇheyya, so tassa hatthato uppateyya; evameva kho me, anuruddhā, atilīnavīriyaṁ udapādi, atilīnavīriyādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattaṁ, na uppilaṁ, na duṭṭhullaṁ, na accāraddhavīriyaṁ, na atilīnavīriyan’ti. (8)

28"As, Anuruddha, I was abiding diligent … I considered thus: ‘Longing arose in me, and because of that longing my concentration fell away; when my concentration fell away, the light and the vision of forms disappeared. I shall so act that neither doubt nor inattention … nor deficiency of energy nor longing will arise in me again.’

28So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā … pe … tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘abhijappā kho me udapādi, abhijappādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattaṁ, na uppilaṁ, na duṭṭhullaṁ, na accāraddhavīriyaṁ, na atilīnavīriyaṁ, na abhijappā’ti. (9)

29So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā … pe … tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘nānattasaññā kho me udapādi, nānattasaññādhikaraṇañca pana me samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattaṁ, na uppilaṁ, na duṭṭhullaṁ, na accāraddhavīriyaṁ, na atilīnavīriyaṁ, na abhijappā, na nānattasaññā’ti. (10)

29"As, Anuruddha, I was abiding diligent … I considered thus: ‘Perception of diversity arose in me,[n.1192] MA paraphrases: "While I was attending to a single type of form, longing arose. Thinking ‘I will attend to different kinds of forms,’ sometimes I directed my attention towards the heavenly world, sometimes towards the human world. As I attended to different kinds of forms, perception of diversity arose in me." and because of perception of diversity my concentration fell away; when my concentration fell away, the light and the vision of forms disappeared. I shall so act that neither doubt nor inattention … nor longing nor perception of diversity will arise in me again.’

30So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā, appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto obhāsañceva sañjānāmi dassanañca rūpānaṁ. So kho pana me obhāso nacirasseva antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Tassa mayhaṁ anuruddhā etadahosi: ‘ko nu kho hetu ko paccayo yena me obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānan’ti. Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘atinijjhāyitattaṁ kho me rūpānaṁ udapādi, atinijjhāyitattādhikaraṇañca pana me rūpānaṁ samādhi cavi. Samādhimhi cute obhāso antaradhāyati dassanañca rūpānaṁ. Sohaṁ tathā karissāmi yathā me puna na vicikicchā uppajjissati, na amanasikāro, na thinamiddhaṁ, na chambhitattaṁ, na uppilaṁ, na duṭṭhullaṁ, na accāraddhavīriyaṁ, na atilīnavīriyaṁ, na abhijappā, na nānattasaññā, na atinijjhāyitattaṁ rūpānan’ti. (11)

30"As, Anuruddha, I was abiding diligent … I considered thus: ‘Excessive meditation upon forms arose in me,[n.1193] Atinijjhāyitattaṁ rūpānaṁ. MA: "When perception of diversity arose, I thought I would attend to one type of form, whether agreeable or disagreeable. As I did so, excessive meditation upon forms arose in me." and because of excessive meditation upon forms my concentration fell away; when my concentration fell away, the light and the vision of forms disappeared. I shall so act that neither doubt nor inattention … nor perception of diversity nor excessive meditation upon forms will arise in me again.’

31"When, Anuruddha, I understood that doubt is an imperfection of the mind,[n.1194] Cittassa upakkileso. The same term is used at MN 7.3, though here it means imperfections in the development of concentration. Hence the expression has been rendered slightly differently in the two cases. I abandoned doubt, an imperfection of the mind. When I understood that inattention … sloth and torpor … fear … elation … inertia … excess of energy … deficiency of energy … longing … perception of diversity … excessive meditation upon forms is an imperfection of the mind, I abandoned excessive meditation upon forms, an imperfection of the mind.

31So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā, ‘vicikicchā cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā vicikicchaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘amanasikāro cittassa upakkileso’ti –  iti viditvā amanasikāraṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘chambhitattaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā chambhitattaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘uppilaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā uppilaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘duṭṭhullaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā duṭṭhullaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘accāraddhavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā accāraddhavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘atilīnavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā atilīnavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘abhijappā cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā abhijappaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘nānattasaññā cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā nānattasaññaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ, ‘atinijjhāyitattaṁ rūpānaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā atinijjhāyitattaṁ rūpānaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahiṁ.

32"As, Anuruddha, I was abiding diligent, ardent, and resolute, I perceived light but I did not see forms; I saw forms but I did not perceive light, even for a whole night or a whole day or a whole day and night. I thought: ‘What is the cause and condition for this?’ Then I considered thus: ‘On the occasion when I do not attend to the sign of forms but attend to the sign of light, I then perceive light but do not see forms. On the occasion when I do not attend to the sign of light but attend to the sign of forms, I then see forms but do not perceive light, even for a whole night or a whole day or a whole day and night.’

32So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā, appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto obhāsañhi kho sañjānāmi, na ca rūpāni passāmi; rūpāni hi kho passāmi, na ca obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi: ‘kevalampi rattiṁ, kevalampi divaṁ, kevalampi rattindivaṁ’. Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘ko nu kho hetu ko paccayo yvāhaṁ obhāsañhi kho sañjānāmi na ca rūpāni passāmi; rūpāni hi kho passāmi na ca obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi –  kevalampi rattiṁ, kevalampi divaṁ, kevalampi rattindivan’ti. Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘yasmiñhi kho ahaṁ samaye rūpanimittaṁ amanasikaritvā obhāsanimittaṁ manasi karomi, obhāsañhi kho tasmiṁ samaye sañjānāmi, na ca rūpāni passāmi. Yasmiṁ panāhaṁ samaye obhāsanimittaṁ amanasikaritvā rūpanimittaṁ manasi karomi, rūpāni hi kho tasmiṁ samaye passāmi na ca obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi — kevalampi rattiṁ, kevalampi divaṁ, kevalampi rattindivan’ti.

33"As, Anuruddha, I was abiding diligent, ardent, and resolute, I perceived limited light and saw limited forms; I perceived immeasurable light and saw immeasurable forms, even for a whole night or a whole day or a whole day and night. I thought: ‘What is the cause and condition for this?’ Then I considered thus: ‘On the occasion when concentration is limited, my vision is limited, and with limited vision I perceive limited light and limited forms. But on the occasion when concentration is immeasurable, my vision is immeasurable, and with immeasurable vision I perceive immeasurable light and see immeasurable forms, even for a whole night or a whole day or a whole day and night.’

33So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā, appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto parittañceva obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi, parittāni ca rūpāni passāmi; appamāṇañceva obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi, appamāṇāni ca rūpāni passāmi: ‘kevalampi rattiṁ, kevalampi divaṁ, kevalampi rattindivaṁ’. Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘ko nu kho hetu ko paccayo yvāhaṁ parittañceva obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi, parittāni ca rūpāni passāmi; appamāṇañceva obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi, appamāṇāni ca rūpāni passāmi — kevalampi rattiṁ, kevalampi divaṁ, kevalampi rattindivan’ti. Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘yasmiṁ kho me samaye paritto samādhi hoti, parittaṁ me tasmiṁ samaye cakkhu hoti. Sohaṁ parittena cakkhunā parittañceva obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi, parittāni ca rūpāni passāmi. Yasmiṁ pana me samaye appamāṇo samādhi hoti, appamāṇaṁ me tasmiṁ samaye cakkhu hoti. Sohaṁ appamāṇena cakkhunā appamāṇañceva obhāsaṁ sañjānāmi, appamāṇāni ca rūpāni passāmi — kevalampi rattiṁ, kevalampi divaṁ, kevalampi rattindivan’ti.

34"When, Anuruddha, I understood that doubt is an imperfection of the mind and had abandoned doubt, an imperfection of the mind; when I understood that inattention is an imperfection of the mind and had abandoned inattention … abandoned sloth and torpor … abandoned fear … abandoned elation … abandoned inertia … abandoned excess of energy … abandoned deficiency of energy … abandoned longing … abandoned perception of diversity … abandoned excessive meditation upon forms, an imperfection of the mind; then I thought: ‘I have abandoned those imperfections of the mind. Let me now develop concentration in three ways.’[n.1195] The "three ways" seem to be the first three types of concentration mentioned in the next paragraph, also spoken of as a triad at DN 33.1.10/iii.219. Of these, the first is the first jhāna and the third covers the three higher jhānas of the usual fourfold scheme. The second type of concentration has no place in the fourfold scheme, but appears as the second jhāna in a fivefold division of jhānas expounded in the Abhidhamma Piṭaka. This second jhāna of the fivefold scheme is attained by those who cannot overcome applied thought and sustained thought simultaneously but must eliminate them successively.

34Yato kho me, anuruddhā, ‘vicikicchā cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā vicikicchā cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘amanasikāro cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā amanasikāro cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘chambhitattaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā chambhitattaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘uppilaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā uppilaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘duṭṭhullaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā duṭṭhullaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘accāraddhavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā accāraddhavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘atilīnavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā atilīnavīriyaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘abhijappā cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā abhijappā cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘nānattasaññā cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā nānattasaññā cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi, ‘atinijjhāyitattaṁ rūpānaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ti — iti viditvā atinijjhāyitattaṁ rūpānaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno ahosi.

35"Thereupon, Anuruddha, I developed concentration with applied thought and sustained thought; I developed concentration without applied thought but with sustained thought only; I developed concentration without applied thought and without sustained thought; I developed concentration with rapture; I developed concentration without rapture; I developed concentration accompanied by enjoyment; I developed concentration accompanied by equanimity.[n.1196] MA: The concentration with rapture is the two lower jhānas; without rapture, the two higher jhānas; accompanied by enjoyment (sāta), the three lower jhānas; accompanied by equanimity, the fourth jhāna. PTS omits sātasahagato pi samādhi bhāvito ahosi, found in the other eds.

35Tassa mayhaṁ, anuruddhā, etadahosi: ‘ye kho me cittassa upakkilesā te me pahīnā. Handa dānāhaṁ tividhena samādhiṁ bhāvemī’ti. So kho ahaṁ, anuruddhā, savitakkampi savicāraṁ samādhiṁ bhāvesiṁ, avitakkampi vicāramattaṁ samādhiṁ bhāvesiṁ, avitakkampi avicāraṁ samādhiṁ bhāvesiṁ, sappītikampi samādhiṁ bhāvesiṁ, nippītikampi samādhiṁ bhāvesiṁ, sātasahagatampi samādhiṁ bhāvesiṁ, upekkhāsahagatampi samādhiṁ bhāvesiṁ.

"When, Anuruddha, I had developed concentration with applied thought and sustained thought … when I had developed concentration accompanied by equanimity, the knowledge and vision arose in me: ‘My deliverance is unshakeable; this is my last birth; now there is no renewal of being.’"[n.1197] MA says that the Buddha developed these concentrations in the last watch of the night on the night of his enlightenment while sitting at the foot of the Bodhi tree.

Yato kho me, anuruddhā, savitakkopi savicāro samādhi bhāvito ahosi, avitakkopi vicāramatto samādhi bhāvito ahosi, avitakkopi avicāro samādhi bhāvito ahosi, sappītikopi samādhi bhāvito ahosi, nippītikopi samādhi bhāvito ahosi, sātasahagatopi samādhi bhāvito ahosi, upekkhāsahagatopi samādhi bhāvito ahosi. Ñāṇañca pana me dassanaṁ udapādi, akuppā me cetovimutti. Ayamantimā jāti, natthi dāni punabbhavo"ti.

36That is what the Blessed One said. The venerable Anuruddha was satisfied and delighted in the Blessed One's words.

36Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamano āyasmā anuruddho bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandīti.

Upakkilesasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.