Merit

THEBUDDHA’S

STRATEGIES

FORHAPPINESS

a s tudyguide

preparedby

ThanissaroBhikkhu

2

copyrightCopyright©2013ThanissaroBhikkhu.

for freedistr ibutionYoumaycopy,reformat,reprint,republish,andredistributethisworkinanymediumwhatsoeverwithouttheauthor’spermission,providedthat:(1)suchcopies,etc.aremadeavailablefreeofanycharge;(2)anytranslationsofthisworkstatethattheyarederivedherefrom;(3)anyderivationsofthisworkstatethattheyarederivedanddifferherefrom;and(4)youincludethefulltextofthislicenseinanycopies,translationsorderivationsofthiswork.Otherwise,allrightsreserved.

addit ionalresourcesMoreDhammatalks,booksandtranslationsbyThanissaroBhikkhuareavailabletodownloadindigitalaudioandvariousebookformatsatdhammatalks.organdaccesstoinsight.org.

printedcopyApaperbackcopyofthisbookisavailablefreeofcharge.Torequestonewriteto:BookRequest,MettaForestMonastery,POBox1409,ValleyCenter,CA92082USA.

questionsQuestionsregardingthisbookmaybeaddressedto:TheAbbot,MettaForestMonastery,POBox1409,ValleyCenter,CA92082USA.

3

IntroductionOFALLTHECONCEPTScentraltoBuddhism,merit(puñña)isoneofthe

leastknownandleastappreciatedintheWest.Thisisperhapsbecausethepursuitofmeritseemstobealowlypractice,focusedongettingand“selfing,”whereashigherBuddhistpracticefocusesonlettinggo,particularlyofanysenseofself.BecauseweintheWestoftenfeelpressedfortime,wedon’twanttowasteourtimeonlowlypractices,andinsteadwanttogostraighttothehigherlevels.YettheBuddharepeatedlywarnsthatthehigherlevelscannotbepracticedinastablemannerunlesstheydeveloponastrongfoundation.Thepursuitofmeritprovidesthatfoundation.ToparaphraseamodernBuddhistpsychologist,onecannotwiselyletgoofone’ssenseofselfuntilonehasdevelopedawisesenseofself.ThepursuitofmeritistheBuddhistwaytodevelopawisesenseofself.

Thefollowingreadingsshowhowthisisdone.Theybeginwithasectiononbasicwisdom,whichshowshowthequestionsthatleadultimatelytothewisdomoflettinggofirstfocusonthingstoholdonto:theskillfultraitsthat,onthebeginninglevel,provideasecureplacetostandwhilelettinggoofcharactertraitsthatareobviouslyharmful.Buddhistwisdomfamouslyfocusesonperceptionsofinconstancy,stress,andnot-self,buttheapplicationofthatwisdomgrowsoutofthepursuitofwhatisrelativelyconstantandpleasant,andrequiresamaturesenseofself:abletoplanforthefuture,toanticipatedangers,tosacrificeshort-termhappinessforlong-termhappiness,toconsidertheneedsofothers,tosubstituteharmlesspleasuresforharmfulones,andtodevelopastrongsenseofself-relianceinthepursuitofahappinessthatiswise,pure,andcompassionate.

Thesectiononmeritthensetsoutingeneraltermsthetypesofmeritoriousactivitiesthatconducetothathappiness,focusingprimarilyonthree:giving,virtue,andmeditation.Thenextthreesectionsfocusonthewaysinwhicheachoftheseactivitiescanbepursuedsoastoproducethemosthappiness.Forinstance,thesectionongivingdiscusseshowthehappinessofgenerositycanbemaximizedbywiselychoosingthepropermotivationforgivingagift,apropergift,andaproperrecipientforone’sgift.Thesectionofvirtueshowshowtolearnfromone’spastmistakeswithoutsuccumbingtodebilitatingfeelingsofguilt.Thesectiononmeditationdiscussesnotonlyhowthedevelopmentofgoodwill—themeditativepracticemostoftencitedinconjunctionwithmerit—can

4

leadtohappinessbothnowandinthepresent,butalsohowitcanhelpminimizethebadresultsofone’spastunwiseactions.

Allthreeoftheseformsofmeritconducetothehighestformofmerit:therealizationofstream-entry—enteringthe“stream”tonibbana—thefirstglimpseofthedeathless.Thusthepenultimatesectionofthisstudyguidefocusesonthehappinessandwell-beingthatderivefromthisattainment.

Foralltherewardsofmeritoriousaction,however,theconcludingsectionservesasareminderthatthepursuitofhappinessultimatelyleadsbeyondthepursuitofmerit.Infact,thisbookisplannedaspartofatwo-partseriescoveringtheBuddhistapproachtothepursuitofhappiness,withthesecondpartdiscussingtheperceptionsofinconstancy,stress,andnot-selfasthenextstageinapproachingthedeathlesshappinessattainedwitharahantship.Still,itwouldbeamistaketoviewthetwostagesasradicallyseparate.Inthecourseofdevelopingawisesenseofselfinthepursuitofmerit,oneisalreadylearninghowtoletgoofunwisewaysof“selfing”asonelearnstoovercomestinginess,apathy,andhard-heartednessthroughthedevelopmentofgiving,virtue,andgoodwill.Theteachingsonthethreeperceptionssimplycarrythissameprocessof“de-selfing”forthesakeofaneventruerhappinesstoahigherpitch.

5

BasicWisdom“Therearesomecasesinwhichapersonovercomewithpain,hismind

exhausted,grieves,mourns,laments,beatshisbreast,&becomesbewildered.Oroneovercomewithpain,hismindexhausted,comestosearchoutside,‘Whoknowsawayortwotostopthispain?’Itellyou,monks,thatstressresultseitherinbewildermentorinsearch.”—AN6:63

“Thisisthewayleadingtodiscernment:whenvisitingacontemplativeorbrahman,toask:‘Whatisskillful,venerablesir?Whatisunskillful?Whatisblameworthy?Whatisblameless?Whatshouldbecultivated?Whatshouldnotbecultivated?What,whenIdoit,willbeformylong-termharm&suffering?Orwhat,whenIdoit,willbeformylong-termwelfare&happiness?’”—MN135

“Whatdoyouthink,Rahula:Whatisamirrorfor?”“Forreflection,sir.”“Inthesameway,Rahula,bodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactions

aretobedonewithrepeatedreflection.“Wheneveryouwanttoperformabodilyaction,youshouldreflectonit:

‘ThisbodilyactionIwanttoperform—woulditleadtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth?Isitanunskillfulbodilyaction,withpainfulconsequences,painfulresults?’If,onreflection,youknowthatitwouldleadtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwouldbeanunskillfulbodilyactionwithpainfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenanybodilyactionofthatsortisabsolutelyunfitforyoutodo.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitwouldnotcauseaffliction…itwouldbeaskillfulbodilyactionwithhappyconsequences,happyresults,thenanybodilyactionofthatsortisfitforyoutodo.

“Whileyouareperformingabodilyaction,youshouldreflectonit:‘ThisbodilyactionIamdoing—isitleadingtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth?Isitanunskillfulbodilyaction,withpainfulconsequences,painfulresults?’If,onreflection,youknowthatitisleadingtoself-affliction,toafflictionofothers,orboth…youshouldgiveitup.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitisnot…youmaycontinuewithit.

6

“Havingperformedabodilyaction,youshouldreflectonit.…If,onreflection,youknowthatitledtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwasanunskillfulbodilyactionwithpainfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenyoushouldconfessit,revealit,layitopentotheTeacherortoaknowledgeablecompanionintheholylife.Havingconfessedit…youshouldexerciserestraintinthefuture.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitdidnotleadtoaffliction…itwasaskillfulbodilyactionwithhappyconsequences,happyresults,thenyoushouldstaymentallyrefreshed&joyful,trainingday&nightinskillfulmentalqualities.

[Similarlywithverbalandmentalactions,exceptforthelastparagraphundermentalaction:]

“Havingperformedamentalaction,youshouldreflectonit.…If,onreflection,youknowthatitledtoself-affliction,totheafflictionofothers,ortoboth;itwasanunskillfulmentalactionwithpainfulconsequences,painfulresults,thenyoushouldfeeldistressed,ashamed,&disgustedwithit.Feelingdistressed…youshouldexerciserestraintinthefuture.Butifonreflectionyouknowthatitdidnotleadtoaffliction…itwasaskillfulmentalactionwithhappyconsequences,happyresults,thenyoushouldstaymentallyrefreshed&joyful,trainingday&nightinskillfulmentalqualities.

“Rahula,allthosecontemplatives&brahmansinthecourseofthepastwhopurifiedtheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactions,diditthroughrepeatedreflectionontheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactionsinjustthisway.

“Allthosecontemplatives&brahmansinthecourseofthefuturewhowillpurifytheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactions,willdoitthroughrepeatedreflectionontheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactionsinjustthisway.

“Allthosecontemplatives&brahmansatpresentwhopurifytheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactions,doitthroughrepeatedreflectionontheirbodilyactions,verbalactions,&mentalactionsinjustthisway.

“Thus,Rahula,youshouldtrainyourself:‘Iwillpurifymybodilyactionsthroughrepeatedreflection.Iwillpurifymyverbalactionsthroughrepeatedreflection.Iwillpurifymymentalactionsthroughrepeatedreflection.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourself.”—MN61

“Asforthecourseofactionthatisunpleasanttodobutthat,whendone,leadstowhatisprofitable,it’sinlightofthiscourseofactionthatonemaybe

7

known—intermsofmanlystamina,manlypersistence,manlyeffort—asafoolorawiseperson.Forafooldoesn’treflect,‘Eventhoughthiscourseofactionisunpleasanttodo,stillwhenitisdoneitleadstowhatisprofitable.’Sohedoesn’tdoit,andthusthenon-doingofthatcourseofactionleadstowhatisunprofitableforhim.Butawisepersonreflects,‘Eventhoughthiscourseofactionisunpleasanttodo,stillwhenitisdoneitleadstowhatisprofitable.’Sohedoesit,andthusthedoingofthatcourseofactionleadstowhatisprofitableforhim.

“Asforthecourseofactionthatispleasanttodobutthat,whendone,leadstowhatisunprofitable,it’sinlightofthiscourseofactionthatonemaybeknown—intermsofmanlystamina,manlypersistence,manlyeffort—asafoolorawiseperson.Forafooldoesn’treflect,‘Eventhoughthiscourseofactionispleasanttodo,stillwhenitisdoneitleadstowhatisunprofitable.’Sohedoesit,andthusthedoingofthatcourseofactionleadstowhatisunprofitableforhim.Butawisepersonreflects,‘Eventhoughthiscourseofactionispleasanttodo,stillwhenitisdoneitleadstowhatisunprofitable.’Sohedoesn’tdoit,andthusthenon-doingofthatcourseofactionleadstowhatisprofitableforhim.”—AN4:115

Yourownselfisyourownmainstay,forwhoelsecouldyourmainstaybe?Withyouyourselfwell-trainedyouobtainthemainstayhardtoobtain.—Dhp160

Evilisdonebyoneself,byoneselfisonedefiled.

Evilisleftundonebyoneself,byoneselfisonecleansed.

Purity&impurityareone’sowndoing.Noonepurifiesanother.Nootherpurifiesone.—Dhp165

Youyourselfshouldreproveyourself,shouldexamineyourself.

8

Asaself-guardedmonkwithguardedself,mindful,youdwellatease.—Dhp379

“Andwhatistheselfasagoverningprinciple?Thereisthecasewhereamonk,havinggonetoawilderness,tothefootofatree,ortoanemptydwelling,reflectsonthis:‘It’snotforthesakeofrobesthatIhavegoneforthfromthehomelifeintohomelessness;it’snotforthesakeofalmsfood,forthesakeoflodgings,orforthesakeofthisorthatstateof[future]becomingthatIhavegoneforthfromthehomelifeintohomelessness.SimplythatIambesetbybirth,aging,&death;bysorrows,lamentations,pains,distresses,&despairs;besetbystress,overcomewithstress,[andIhope,]“Perhapstheendofthisentiremassofsuffering&stressmightbeknown!”Now,ifIweretoseekthesamesortofsensualpleasuresthatIabandonedingoingforthfromhomeintohomelessness—oraworsesort—thatwouldnotbefittingforme.’Sohereflectsonthis:‘Mypersistencewillbearoused&notlax;mymindfulnessestablished&notconfused;mybodycalm&notaroused;mymindcentered&unified.’Havingmadehimselfhisgoverningprinciple,heabandonswhatisunskillful,developswhatisskillful,abandonswhatisblameworthy,developswhatisunblameworthy,andlooksafterhimselfinapureway.Thisiscalledtheselfasagoverningprinciple.”—AN3:40

Ananda:“‘Thisbodycomesintobeingthroughconceit.Andyetitisbyrelyingonconceitthatconceitistobeabandoned.’Thusitwassaid.Andinreferencetowhatwasitsaid?Thereisthecase,sister,whereamonkhears,‘Themonknamedsuch-and-such,theysay,throughtheendingoftheeffluents,hasentered&remainsintheeffluent-freeawareness-release&discernment-release,havingdirectlyknown&realizedthemforhimselfrightinthehere&now.’Thethoughtoccurstohim,‘Themonknamedsuch-&-such,theysay,throughtheendingoftheeffluents,hasentered&remainsintheeffluent-freeawareness-release&discernment-release,havingdirectlyknown&realizedthemforhimselfrightinthehere&now.Thenwhynotme?’Then,atalatertime,heabandonsconceit,havingreliedonconceit.”—AN4:159

Gentlesages,constantlyrestrainedinbody,gototheunwaveringstatewhere,havinggone,

9

there’snogrief.—Dhp225

Theyawaken,alwayswideawake:Gotama’sdisciples

whosemindfulness,bothday&night,isconstantlyimmersed

intheBuddha…theDhamma…theSangha.Theyawaken,alwayswideawake:

Gotama’sdiscipleswhosemindfulness,bothday&night,isconstantlyimmersed

inthebody.—Dhp296–299

If,byforsakingalimitedease,hewouldseeanabundanceofease,theenlightenedmanwouldforsakethelimitedeaseforthesakeoftheabundant.—Dhp290

“Thesefourtypesofactionhavebeenunderstood,realized,&madeknownbyme.Whichfour?Thereisactionthatisdarkwithdarkresult;actionthatisbrightwithbrightresult;actionthatisdark&brightwithdark&brightresult;andactionthatisneitherdarknorbrightwithneitherdarknorbrightresult,leadingtotheendingofaction.

“Andwhatisactionthatisdarkwithdarkresult?Thereisthecasewhereacertainpersonfabricatesaninjuriousbodilyfabrication…aninjuriousverbalfabrication…aninjuriousmentalfabrication…Herearisesinaninjuriousworldwhereheistouchedbyinjuriouscontacts…Heexperiencesfeelingsthatareexclusivelypainful,likethoseofthebeingsinhell.Thisiscalledactionthatisdarkwithdarkresult.

“Andwhatisactionthatisbrightwithbrightresult?Thereisthecasewhereacertainpersonfabricatesanuninjuriousbodilyfabrication…anuninjuriousverbalfabrication…anuninjuriousmentalfabrication.…Herearisesinan

10

uninjuriousworldwhereheistouchedbyuninjuriouscontacts.…Heexperiencesfeelingsthatareexclusivelypleasant,likethoseoftheEver-radiantDevas.Thisiscalledkammathatisbrightwithbrightresult.

“Andwhatisactionthatisdark&brightwithdark&brightresult?Thereisthecasewhereacertainpersonfabricatesabodilyfabricationthatisinjurious&uninjurious…averbalfabricationthatisinjurious&uninjurious…amentalfabricationthatisinjurious&uninjurious.…Herearisesinaninjurious&uninjuriousworldwhereheistouchedbyinjurious&uninjuriouscontacts.…Heexperiencesinjurious&uninjuriousfeelings,pleasuremingledwithpain,likethoseofhumanbeings,somedevas,andsomebeingsinthelowerrealms.Thisiscalledkammathatisdark&brightwithdark&brightresult.

“Andwhatisactionthatisneitherdarknorbrightwithneitherdarknorbrightresult,leadingtotheendingofaction?Theintentionrighttheretoabandonthisactionthatisdarkwithdarkresult…thisactionthatisbrightwithbrightresult…thisactionthatisdark&brightwithdark&brightresult.Thisiscalledactionthatisneitherdarknorbrightwithneitherdarknorbrightresult,leadingtotheendingofaction.”—AN4:232

[Arelateddiscourserepeatsmostoftheabove,definingdarkactionwithdarkresultwiththefollowingexample:“Thereisthecaseofacertainpersonwhokillslivingbeings,stealswhatisnotgiven,engagesinsexualmisconduct,tellslies,anddrinksfermented&distilledliquorsthatarethebasisforheedlessness,”andbrightactionwithbrightresultwiththefollowingexample:“Thereisthecaseofacertainpersonwhoabstainsfromkillinglivingbeings,abstainsfromstealingwhatisnotgiven,abstainsfromengaginginsexualmisconduct,abstainsfromtellinglies,andabstainsfromdrinkingfermented&distilledliquorsthatarethebasisforheedlessness.”]—AN4:234

“Andwhatisactionthatisneitherdarknorbrightwithneitherdarknorbrightresult,leadingtotheendingofaction?Rightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration.”—AN4:237

So,aimingatSuppabuddhatheleper,theBlessedOnegaveastep-by-steptalk,i.e.,atalkongenerosity,onvirtue,onheaven;hedeclaredthedrawbacks,degradation,&corruptionofsensualpassions,andtherewardsofrenunciation.ThenwhenhesawthatSuppabuddhatheleper’smindwasready,malleable,freefromhindrances,elated,&bright,hethengavetheDhamma-talkpeculiarto

11

AwakenedOnes,i.e.,stress,origination,cessation,&path.Andjustasacleancloth,freeofstains,wouldproperlyabsorbadye,inthesameway,asSuppabuddhatheleperwassittinginthatveryseat,thedustless,stainlessDhammaeyearosewithinhim,“Whateverissubjecttooriginationisallsubjecttocessation.”—Ud5:3

12

Puñña:MeritAblessing:friendswhentheneedarises.Ablessing:contentmentwithwhateverthereis.Meritattheendingoflifeisablessing.Ablessing:theabandoningofallsuffering

&stress.

Ablessingintheworld:reverencetoyourmother.

Ablessing:reverencetoyourfatheraswell.Ablessingintheworld:

reverencetoacontemplative.Ablessing:reverenceforabrahmin,too.Ablessingintooldageisvirtue.Ablessing:convictionestablished.Ablessing:discernmentattained.Thenon-doingofevilthingsis

ablessing.—Dhp331–333

ThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:“Monks,don’tbeafraidofactsofmerit.Thisisanotherwayofsayingwhatisblissful,desirable,pleasing,endearing,charming—i.e.,actsofmerit.Iamcognizantthat,havinglongperformedmeritoriousdeeds,Ilongexperienceddesirable,pleasing,endearing,charmingresults.Havingdevelopedamindofgoodwillforsevenyears,thenforsevenaeonsofcontraction&expansionIdidn’treturntothisworld.Whenevertheaeonwascontracting,IwenttotherealmofStreamingRadiance.Whenevertheaeonwasexpanding,IreappearedinanemptyBrahma-abode.ThereIwastheGreatBrahman,theUnconqueredConqueror,All-seeing,&WielderofPower.Thenforthirty-sixtimesIwasSakka,rulerofthedevas.FormanyhundredsoftimesIwasaking,awheel-turningemperor,arighteouskingofDhamma,conquerorofthefourcornersoftheearth,maintainingstablecontroloverthecountryside,endowedwiththeseventreasures*—tosaynothingofthetimesIwasalocalking.Thethoughtoccurredtome:‘Ofwhatactionofmineisthisthefruit,ofwhatactiontheresult,thatInowhavesuchgreatpower

13

&might?’Thenthethoughtoccurredtome:‘Thisisthefruitofmythree[typesof]action,theresultofthreetypesofaction,thatInowhavesuchgreatpower&might:i.e.,generosity,self-control,&restraint.’”

Traininactsofmeritthatbringlong-lastingbliss—developgenerosity,

alifeintune,amindofgoodwill.

Developingthesethreethingsthatbringaboutbliss,

thewisereappearinaworldofbliss

unalloyed.

* NO T E : Theseventreasuresareadivinewheel,anidealjewel,anidealelephant,anidealhorse,anidealwife,anidealtreasurer,anidealcounselor.

—Iti22

Hereherejoicesherejoiceshereafter.

Inbothworldsthemerit-makerrejoices.Herejoices,isjubilant,seeingthepurity

ofhisdeeds.Herehedelightshedelightshereafter.

Inbothworldsthemerit-makerdelights.Hedelightsatthethought,

‘I’vemademerit.’Havinggonetoagooddestination,hedelights

allthemore.—Dhp16,18

Bequickindoing

14

what’sadmirable.Restrainyourmindfromwhat’sevil.Whenyou’reslowinmakingmerit,evildelightsthemind.—Dhp116

Eventheevilmeetwithgoodfortuneaslongastheirevilhasyettomature.Butwhenit’smaturedthat’swhentheymeet

withevil.Eventhegoodmeetwithbadfortuneaslongastheirgoodhasyettomature.Butwhenit’smaturedthat’swhentheymeet

withgoodfortune.

Don’tbeheedlessofevil(‘Itwon’tcometome’).Awaterjarfills,evenwithwaterfallingindrops.Withevil—evenif

bitby

bit,habitually—

thefoolfillshimselffull.Don’tbeheedlessofmerit(‘Itwon’tcometome’).Awaterjarfills,evenwithwaterfallingindrops.Withmerit—evenif

15

bitby

bit,habitually—

theenlightenedonefillshimselffull.—Dhp119–122

ThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:“Therearethesethreegroundsformeritoriousactivity.Whichthree?Thegroundformeritoriousactivitymadeofgenerosity,thegroundformeritoriousactivitymadeofvirtue,andthegroundformeritoriousactivitymadeofdevelopment[meditation].Thesearethethreegroundsformeritoriousactivity.”

Traininactsofmeritthatbringlong-lastingbliss—developgenerosity,

alifeintune,amindofgoodwill.

Developingthesethreethingsthatbringaboutbliss,

thewisereappearinaworldofbliss

unalloyed.—Iti60

ThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:“Ihaveseenbeingswho—endowedwithbodilygoodconduct,verbalgoodconduct,&mentalgoodconduct;whodidnotrevilenobleones,whoheldrightviewsandundertookactionsundertheinfluenceofrightviews—atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,havere-appearedinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.ItisnotfromhavingheardthisfromanothercontemplativeorbrahmanthatItellyouthatIhaveseenbeingswho—endowedwithbodilygoodconduct,verbalgoodconduct,&mentalgoodconduct;whodidnotrevilenobleones,whoheldrightviewsandundertookactionsundertheinfluenceofrightviews—atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,havere-appearedinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.It’sfromhavingknownitmyself,seenitmyself,realizeditmyselfthatItellyouthatIhaveseenbeingswho—endowedwithbodilygoodconduct,verbalgoodconduct,&mentalgoodconduct;whodidnotrevilenobleones,whoheldrightviewsandundertookactionsundertheinfluenceofright

16

views—atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,havere-appearedinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.”

Withmindrightlydirected,speakingrightspeech,doingrightdeedswiththebody:

apersonhereofmuchlearning,adoerofmerithereinthislifesoshort,atthebreak-upofthebody,

discerning,reappearsinheaven.—Iti71

Ashewassittingtooneside,KingPasenadiKosalasaidtotheBlessedOne:“Justnow,lord,whileIwasaloneinseclusion,thistrainofthoughtaroseinmyawareness:‘Whoaredeartothemselves,andwhoarenotdeartothemselves?’Thenitoccurredtome:‘Thosewhoengageinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconductarenotdeartothemselves.Eventhoughtheymaysay,“Wearedeartoourselves,”stilltheyaren’tdeartothemselves.Whyisthat?Oftheirownaccord,theyacttowardthemselvesasanenemywouldacttowardanenemy;thustheyaren’tdeartothemselves.Butthosewhoengageingoodbodilyconduct,goodverbalconduct,&goodmentalconductaredeartothemselves.Eventhoughtheymaysay,“Wearen’tdeartoourselves,”stilltheyaredeartothemselves.Whyisthat?Oftheirownaccord,theyacttowardthemselvesasadearonewouldacttowardadearone;thustheyaredeartothemselves.’”

“That’sthewayitis,greatking!That’sthewayitis!Thosewhoengageinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconductarenotdeartothemselves.Eventhoughtheymaysay,‘Wearedeartoourselves,’stilltheyaren’tdeartothemselves.Whyisthat?Oftheirownaccord,theyacttowardthemselvesasanenemywouldacttowardanenemy;thustheyaren’tdeartothemselves.Butthosewhoengageingoodbodilyconduct,goodverbalconduct,&goodmentalconductaredeartothemselves.Eventhoughtheymaysay,‘Wearen’tdeartoourselves,’stilltheyaredeartothemselves.Whyisthat?Oftheirownaccord,theyacttowardthemselvesasadearonewouldacttowardadearone;thustheyaredeartothemselves.”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWell-Gone,theTeacher,saidfurther:

“Ifyouholdyourselfdear

17

thendon’tfetteryourselfwithevil,

forhappinessisn’teasilygainedbyonewhocommitsawrong-doing.

WhenseizedbytheEnd-makerasyouabandonthehumanstate,

what’strulyyourown?Whatdoyoutakealongwhenyougo?Whatfollowsbehindyou

likeashadowthatneverleaves?

Boththemerit&evilthatyouasamortalperformhere:that’swhat’strulyyourown,

whatyoutakealongwhenyougo;that’swhatfollowsbehindyou

likeashadowthatneverleaves.

Sodowhatisadmirable,asanaccumulation

forthefuturelife.Deedsofmeritarethesupportforbeings

whentheyariseintheotherworld.”—SN3:4

Ashewassittingtooneside,KingPasenadiKosalasaidtotheBlessedOne:“Isthere,lord,anyonequalitythatkeepsbothkindsofbenefitssecure—benefitsinthislife&benefitsinlivestocome?”

“Thereisonequality,greatking,thatkeepsbothkindsofbenefitssecure—benefitsinthislife&benefitsinlivestocome.”

“Butwhat,venerablesir,isthatonequality…?”“Heedfulness,greatking.Justasthefootprintsofalllivingbeingswithlegs

canbeencompassedbythefootprintoftheelephant,andtheelephant’sfootprintisdeclaredtobesupremeamongthemintermsofitsgreatsize;inthesameway,heedfulnessistheonequalitythatkeepsbothkindsofbenefitssecure—benefitsinthislife&benefitsinlivestocome.”

18

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWell-Gone,theTeacher,saidfurther:

“Foronewhodesireslonglife,health,beauty,heaven,&noblebirth,

—lavishdelights,oneafteranother—thewisepraiseheedfulnessindoingactsofmerit.

Whenheedful,wise,youachievebothkindsofbenefit:

benefitsinthislife,&benefitsinlivestocome.

Bybreakingthroughtoyourbenefit,you’recalledenlightened,

wise.—SN3:17

19

Dana:Giving“Withoutabandoningthesefivequalities,oneisincapableofentering&

remaininginthefirstjhana…secondjhana…thethirdjhana…thefourthjhana;incapableofrealizingthefruitofstream-entry…thefruitofonce-returning…thefruitofnon-returning…arahantship.Whichfive?Stinginessastoone’smonastery[lodgings]…one’sfamily[ofsupporters]…one’sgains…one’sstatus,andstinginessastotheDhamma.”—AN5:256–257

Conquerstinginesswithagift.—Dhp223

“Andwhatisthetreasureofgenerosity?Thereisthecaseofadiscipleofthenobleones,hisawarenesscleansedofthestainofstinginess,livingathome,freelygenerous,openhanded,delightinginbeingmagnanimous,responsivetorequests,delightinginthedistributionofalms.Thisiscalledthetreasureofgenerosity.”—AN7:6

ThenanotherdevaexclaimedintheBlessedOne’spresence:

“Givingisgood,dearsir!Evenwhenthere’snexttonothing,

givingisgood.Givingwithconvictionisgood!Thegivingofwhat’srighteouslygained

isgood!Andfurther:Givingwithdiscretionisgood!It’spraisedbytheOneWell-gone:givingwithdiscretion,tothoseworthyofofferingshereintheworldoftheliving.What’sgiventothembearsgreatfruitlikeseedssowninagoodfield.”—SN1:33

20

“Thesearethefiverewardsofgenerosity:Oneisdearandappealingtopeopleatlarge,oneisadmiredbygoodpeople,one’sgoodnameisspreadabout,onedoesnotstrayfromtherightfuldutiesofthehouseholder,andwiththebreak-upofthebodyatdeath,onereappearsinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.”—AN5:35

“Ifbeingsknew,asIknow,theresultsofgivingandsharing,theywouldnoteatwithouthavegiven,norwouldthestainofmiserlinessovercometheirminds.Evenifitweretheirlastbite,theirlastmouthful,theywouldnoteatwithouthavingshared,ifthereweresomeonetoreceivetheirgift.Butbecausebeingsdonotknow,asIknow,theresultsofgivingandsharing,theyeatwithouthavegiven.Thestainofmiserlinessovercomestheirminds.”—Iti26

AsibandhakaputtatheheadmansaidtotheBlessedOne,“Venerablesir,doesn’ttheBlessedOneinmanywayspraisekindness,protection,&sympathyforfamilies?”

“Yes,headman,theTathagatainmanywayspraiseskindness,protection,&sympathyforfamilies.”

“Thenhow,venerablesir,istheBlessedOne,togetherwithalargecommunityofmonks,wanderingontouraroundNalandainthemidstoffamine,atimeofscarcity,whenthecropsarewhitewithblightandturnedtostraw?TheBlessedOneispracticingfortheruinoffamilies.TheBlessedOneispracticingforthedemiseoffamilies.TheBlessedOneispracticingforthedownfalloffamilies.”

“Headman,recollectingbackover91aeons,Idonotknowanyfamilytohavebeenbroughttodownfallthroughthegivingofcookedalms.Onthecontrary:Whateverfamiliesarerich,withmuchwealth,withmanypossessions,withagreatdealofmoney,agreatmanyaccoutrementsofwealth,agreatmanycommodities,allhavebecomesofromgiving,fromtruth,fromrestraint.”—SN42:9

Whatthemiserfears,thatkeepshimfromgiving,istheverydangerthatcomeswhenhedoesn’tgive.—SN1:32

Nomisersgo

21

totheworldofthedevas.Thosewhodon’tpraisegiving

arefools.Theenlightenedexpresstheirapprovalforgiving

andsofindeaseintheworldbeyond.—Dhp177

“Ingivingameal,thedonorgivesfivethingstotherecipient.Whichfive?He/shegiveslife,beauty,happiness,strength,&quick-wittedness.Havinggivenlife,he/shehasashareinlonglife,eitherhumanordivine.Havinggivenbeauty,he/shehasashareinbeauty,eitherhumanordivine.Havinggivenhappiness,he/shehasashareinhappiness,eitherhumanordivine.Havinggivenstrength,he/shehasashareinstrength,eitherhumanordivine.Havinggivenquick-wittedness,he/shehasashareinquick-wittedness,eitherhumanordivine.Ingivingameal,thedonorgivesthesefivethingstotherecipient.”

Theenlightenedpersongivinglife,strength,beauty,quick-wittedness—

thewiseperson,agiverofhappiness—attainshappinesshimself.

Havinggivenlife,strength,beauty,happiness,&quick-wittedness,

hehaslonglife&statuswhereverhearises.—AN5:37

Thenacertaindevata,inthefarextremeofthenight,herextremeradiancelightinguptheentiretyofJeta’sGrove,wenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,stoodtooneside.Asshewasstandingthere,sherecitedtheseversesintheBlessedOne’spresence:

Whenahouseisonfire,thevesselsalvagedistheonethatwillbeofuse,nottheonelefttheretoburn.Sowhentheworldisonfirewithaging&death,youshouldsalvage[yourwealth]bygiving:what’sgiveniswellsalvaged.

22

What’sgivenbearsfruitaspleasure.Whatisn’tgivendoesnot:Thievestakeitaway,orkings;itgetsburntbyfireorlost.Thenintheendyouleavethebodytogetherwithyourpossessions.Knowingthis,theintelligentmanenjoyspossessions&gives.

Havingenjoyed&giveninlinewithyourmeans,uncensuredyougototheheavenlystate.—SN1:41

NowonthatoccasionPrincessSumana—withanentourageof500ladies-in-waitingridingon500carriages—wenttowheretheBuddhawasstaying.Onarrival,havingboweddown,shesattooneside.Asshewassittingthere,shesaidtotheBlessedOne,“SupposethereweretwodisciplesoftheBlessedOne,equalinconviction,virtue,anddiscernment,butonewasagiverofalmsandtheotherwasnot.Atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,theywouldreappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.Havingbecomedevas,wouldtherebeanydistinction,anydifferencebetweenthetwo?”

“Yes,therewould,”saidtheBlessedOne.“Theonewhowasagiverofalms,onbecomingadeva,wouldsurpasstheotherinfiveareas:indivinelifespan,divinebeauty,divinepleasure,divinestatus,anddivinepower....”

“Andiftheyweretofallfromthereandreappearinthisworld:Havingbecomehumanbeings,wouldtherebeanydistinction,anydifferencebetweenthetwo?”

“Yes,therewould,”saidtheBlessedOne.“Theonewhowasagiverofalms,onbecomingahumanbeing,wouldsurpasstheotherinfiveareas:inhumanlifespan,humanbeauty,humanpleasure,humanstatus,andhumanpower.…”

“Andiftheyweretogoforthfromhomeintothehomelesslifeofamonk:Havinggoneforth,wouldtherebeanydistinction,anydifferencebetweenthetwo?”

“Yes,therewould,”saidtheBlessedOne.“Theonewhowasagiverofalms,ongoingforth,wouldsurpasstheotherinfiveareas:Hewouldoftenbeaskedto

23

makeuseofrobes;itwouldberarethathewouldn’tbeasked.Hewouldoftenbeaskedtotakefood…tomakeuseofshelter…tomakeuseofmedicine;itwouldberarethathewouldn’tbeasked.Hiscompanionsintheholylifewouldoftentreathimwithpleasingactions…pleasingwords…pleasingthoughts…andpresenthimwithpleasinggifts,andrarelywithunpleasing.…”

“Andifbothweretoattainarahantship,wouldtherebeanydistinction,anydifferencebetweentheirattainmentsofarahantship?”

“Inthatcase,Itellyouthattherewouldbenodifferencebetweenthetwoastotheirrelease.”

“It’sawesome,lord,andastounding.Justthisisreasonenoughtogivealms,tomakemerit,inthatitbenefitsoneasadeva,asahumanbeing,andasamonk.”—AN5:31

Apersonstashesafundaway,deepunderground,atthewaterline:“Whenaneedordutyarises,thiswillprovideformyneeds,formyreleaseifI’mdenouncedbytheking,molestedbythieves,incaseofdebt,famine,oraccidents.”Withaimslikethis

intheworldareservefundisstashedaway.Butnomatterhowwellit’sstored,deepunderground,atthewaterline,itwon’tallalwaysserveone’sneed.Thefundgetsshiftedfromitsplace,orone’smemorygetsconfused;

or—unseen—waterserpentsmakeoffwithit,spiritsstealit,orhatefulheirsrunoffwithit.

Whenone’smerit’sended,it’stotallydestroyed.

Butwhenamanorwomanhaslaidasideawell-storedfundofgenerosity,virtue,

24

restraint,&self-control,withregardtoashrine,theSangha,afineindividual,guests,mother,father,oreldersibling:

That’sawell-storedfund.Itcan’tbewrestedaway.Itfollowsyoualong.

When,havingleftthisworld,forwhereveryoumustgo,youtakeitwithyou.

Thisfundisnotheldincommonwithothers,&cannotbestolenbythieves.

So,enlightened,youshouldmakemerit,thefundthatwillfollowyoualong.Thisisthefundthatgivesalltheywanttobeingshuman,divine.—Khp8

ThenJanussoninthebrahmanwenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,exchangedcourteousgreetingswithhim.Afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,hesattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtotheBlessedOne,“MasterGotama,youknowthatwebrahmansgivegifts,makeofferings,[saying,]‘Maythisgiftaccruetoourdeadrelatives.Mayourdeadrelativespartakeofthisgift.’Now,MasterGotama,doesthatgiftaccruetoourdeadrelatives?Doourdeadrelativespartakeofthatgift?”

“Inpossibleplaces,brahman,itaccruestothem,butnotinimpossibleplaces.”

“Andwhich,MasterGotama,arethepossibleplaces?Whicharetheimpossibleplaces?”

“Thereisthecase,brahman,whereacertainpersontakeslife,takeswhatisnotgiven,engagesinsexualmisconduct,engagesinfalsespeech,engagesindivisivespeech,engagesinharshspeech,engagesinidlechatter,iscovetous,bearsillwill,andhaswrongviews.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinhell.Helivesthere,heremainsthere,bymeansofwhateveristhe

25

foodofhell-beings.Thisisanimpossibleplaceforthatgifttoaccruetoonestayingthere.

“Thenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersontakeslife,takeswhatisnotgiven,engagesinsexualmisconduct,engagesinfalsespeech,engagesindivisivespeech,engagesinharshspeech,engagesinidlechatter,iscovetous,bearsillwill,andhaswrongviews.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsintheanimalwomb.Helivesthere,heremainsthere,bymeansofwhateveristhefoodofcommonanimals.This,too,isanimpossibleplaceforthatgifttoaccruetoonestayingthere.

“Thenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonrefrainsfromtakinglife,refrainsfromtakingwhatisnotgiven,refrainsfromsexualmisconduct,refrainsfromfalsespeech,refrainsfromdivisivespeech,refrainsfromharshspeech,refrainsfromidlechatter,isnotcovetous,bearsnoillwill,andhasrightviews.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofhumanbeings.Helivesthere,heremainsthere,bymeansofwhateveristhefoodofhumanbeings.This,too,isanimpossibleplaceforthatgifttoaccruetoonestayingthere.

“Thenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonrefrainsfromtakinglife,refrainsfromtakingwhatisnotgiven,refrainsfromsexualmisconduct,refrainsfromfalsespeech,refrainsfromdivisivespeech,refrainsfromharshspeech,refrainsfromidlechatter,isnotcovetous,bearsnoillwill,andhasrightviews.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofthedevas.Helivesthere,heremainsthere,bymeansofwhateveristhefoodofdevas.This,too,isanimpossibleplaceforthatgifttoaccruetoonestayingthere.

“Thenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersontakeslife,takeswhatisnotgiven,engagesinsexualmisconduct,engagesinfalsespeech,engagesindivisivespeech,engagesinharshspeech,engagesinidlechatter,iscovetous,bearsillwill,andhaswrongviews.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsintherealmsofthehungryshades.Helivesthere,heremainsthere,bymeansofwhateveristhefoodofhungryshades.Helivesthere,heremainsthat,bymeansofwhateverhisfriendsorrelativesgiveindedicationtohim.Thisisthepossibleplaceforthatgifttoaccruetoonestayingthere.

“But,MasterGotama,ifthatdeadrelativedoesnotreappearinthatpossibleplace,whopartakesofthatgift?”

“Otherdeadrelatives,brahman,whohavereappearedinthatpossibleplace.”“But,MasterGotama,ifthatdeadrelativedoesnotreappearinthatpossible

place,andotherdeadrelativeshavenotreappearedinthatpossibleplace,then

26

whopartakesofthatgift?”“It’simpossible,brahman,itcannotbe,thatoverthislongtimethatpossible

placeisdevoidofone’sdeadrelatives.1Butatanyrate,thedonordoesnotgowithoutreward.

“DoesMasterGotamadescribeanypreparationfortheimpossibleplaces?”“Brahman,Idodescribeapreparationfortheimpossibleplaces.Thereisthe

casewhereacertainpersontakeslife,takeswhatisnotgiven,engagesinsexualmisconduct,engagesinfalsespeech,engagesindivisivespeech,engagesinharshspeech,engagesinidlechatter,iscovetous,bearsillwill,andhaswrongviews.Buthegivesfood,drink,cloth,vehicles,garlands,scents,creams,bed,lodging,&lampstocontemplatives&brahmans.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofelephants.Therehereceivesfood,drink,flowers,&variousornaments.It’sbecausehetooklife,tookwhatisnotgiven,engagedinsexualmisconduct,engagedinfalsespeech,engagedindivisivespeech,engagedinharshspeech,engagedinidlechatter,wascovetous,boreillwill,andhadwrongviewsthathereappearsinthecompanyofelephants.Butit’sbecausehegavefood,drink,cloth,vehicles,garlands,scents,creams,bed,lodging,&lampstocontemplatives&brahmansthathereceivesfood,drink,flowers,&variousornaments.

“Thenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersontakeslife…haswrongviews.Buthegivesfood…lampstocontemplatives&brahmans.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofhorses…inthecompanyofcattle…inthecompanyofpoultry.Therehereceivesfood,drink,flowers,&variousornaments.2It’sbecausehetooklife…andhadwrongviewsthathereappearsinthecompanyofpoultry.Butit’sbecausehegavefood,drink…&lampstocontemplatives&brahmansthathereceivesfood,drink,flowers,&variousornaments.

“Thenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonrefrainsfromtakinglife,refrainsfromtakingwhatisnotgiven,refrainsfromsexualmisconduct,refrainsfromfalsespeech,refrainsfromdivisivespeech,refrainsfromharshspeech,refrainsfromidlechatter,isnotcovetous,bearsnoillwill,andhasrightviews.Andhegivesfood,drink,cloth,vehicles,garlands,scents,creams,bed,lodging,&lampstocontemplatives&brahmans.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofhumanbeings.Thereheexperiencesthefivestringsofhumansensuality[delightfulsights,sounds,smells,tastes,tactilesensations].It’sbecauseherefrainedfromtakingwhatisnotgiven,refrainedfromsexualmisconduct,refrainedfromfalsespeech,refrainedfromdivisive

27

speech,refrainedfromharshspeech,refrainedfromidlechatter,wasnotcovetous,borenoillwill,andhadrightviewsthathereappearsinthecompanyofhumanbeings.Andit’sbecausehegavefood,drink,cloth,vehicles,garlands,scents,creams,bed,lodging,&lampstocontemplatives&brahmansthatheexperiencesthefivestringsofhumansensuality.

“Thenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonrefrainsfromtakinglife…andhasrightviews.Andhegivesfood,drink,cloth,vehicles,garlands,scents,creams,bed,lodging,&lampstocontemplatives&brahmans.Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofdevas.Thereheexperiencesthefivestringsofdivinesensuality[delightfulsights,sounds,smells,tastes,tactilesensations].It’sbecauseherefrainedfromtakingwhatisnotgiven…andhadrightviewsthathereappearsinthecompanyofdevas.Andit’sbecausehegavefood,drink,cloth,vehicles,garlands,scents,creams,bed,lodging,&lampstocontemplatives&brahmansthatheexperiencesthefivestringsofdivinesensuality.Butatanyrate,brahman,thedonordoesnotgowithoutreward.”

“It’samazing,MasterGotama,it’sastounding,howit’senoughtomakeonewanttogiveagift,enoughtomakeonewanttomakeanoffering,wherethedonordoesnotgowithoutreward.”

“That’sthewayitis,brahman.That’sthewayitis.Thedonordoesnotgowithoutreward.”

“Magnificent,MasterGotama!Magnificent!Justasifheweretoplaceuprightwhatwasoverturned,torevealwhatwashidden,toshowthewaytoonewhowaslost,ortocarryalampintothedarksothatthosewitheyescouldseeforms,inthesamewayhasMasterGotama—throughmanylinesofreasoning—madetheDhammaclear.IgotoMasterGotamaforrefuge,totheDhamma,&tothecommunityofmonks.MayMasterGotamaremembermeasalayfollowerwhohasgonetohimforrefuge,fromthisdayforward,forlife.”

NOT E S1.TheVinayacountsasone’srelativesallthoserelatedbackthroughseven

generationspastone’sgrandparents—inotherwords,allthosedescendedfromone’sgreat-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents.

2.Apparently,“ornaments”forpoultrywouldconsistofbrilliantplumage.Similarly,“ornaments”forelephants,horses,&cattlemightconsistofattractivemarkings.

—AN10:177

ThenVen.Sariputta,togetherwiththelayfollowersfromCampa,wentto

28

theBlessedOneandonarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtotheBlessedOne:“Mighttherebethecasewhereapersongivesagiftofacertainsortanditdoesnotbeargreatfruitorgreatbenefit,whereasanotherpersongivesagiftofthesamesortanditbearsgreatfruitandgreatbenefit?”

“Yes,Sariputta,therewould.…”“Why,lord…?”“Sariputta,thereisthecasewhereapersongivesagiftseekinghisown

profit,withamindattached[tothereward],seekingtostoreupforhimself[withthethought],‘I’llenjoythisafterdeath.’Hegiveshisgift—food,drink,clothing,avehicle;agarland,perfume,&ointment;bedding,shelter,&alamp—toacontemplativeorbrahman.Whatdoyouthink,Sariputta?Mightapersongivesuchagiftasthis?”

“Yes,lord.”“Havinggiventhisgiftseekinghisownprofit—withamindattached[tothe

reward],seekingtostoreupforhimself,[withthethought],‘I’llenjoythisafterdeath’—onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyoftheFourGreatKings.Then,havingexhaustedthataction,thatpower,thatstatus,thatsovereignty,heisareturner,comingbacktothisworld.

“Thenthereisthecaseofapersonwhogivesagiftnotseekinghisownprofit,notwithamindattached[tothereward],notseekingtostoreupforhimself,nor[withthethought],‘I’llenjoythisafterdeath.’Instead,hegivesagiftwiththethought,‘Givingisgood.’Hegiveshisgift—food,drink,clothing,avehicle;agarland,perfume,&ointment;bedding,shelter,&alamp—toacontemplativeorabrahman.Whatdoyouthink,Sariputta?Mightapersongivesuchagiftasthis?”

“Yes,lord.”“Havinggiventhisgiftwiththethought,‘Givingisgood,’onthebreak-up

ofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofthedevasoftheThirty-three.Then,havingexhaustedthataction,thatpower,thatstatus,thatsovereignty,heisareturner,comingbacktothisworld.

“Or,insteadofthinking,‘Givingisgood,’hegivesagiftwiththethought,‘Thiswasgiveninthepast,doneinthepast,bymyfather&grandfather.Itwouldnotberightformetoletthisoldfamilycustombediscontinued’…onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofthedevasoftheHours.Then,havingexhaustedthataction,thatpower,thatstatus,thatsovereignty,heisareturner,comingbacktothisworld.

29

“Or,instead…hegivesagiftwiththethought,‘Iamwell-off.Thesearenotwell-off.Itwouldnotberightforme,beingwell-off,nottogiveagifttothosewhoarenotwell-off’…onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyoftheContenteddevas.Then,havingexhaustedthataction,thatpower,thatstatus,thatsovereignty,heisareturner,comingbacktothisworld.

“Or,instead…hegivesagiftwiththethought,‘Justastherewerethegreatsacrificesofthesagesofthepast—Atthaka,Vamaka,Vamadeva,Vessamitta,Yamataggi,Angirasa,Bharadvaja,Vasettha,Kassapa,&Bhagu—inthesamewaywillthisbemydistributionofgifts’…onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofthedevaswhodelightincreation.Then,havingexhaustedthataction,thatpower,thatstatus,thatsovereignty,heisareturner,comingbacktothisworld.

“Or,instead…hegivesagiftwiththethought,‘Whenthisgiftofmineisgiven,itmakesthemindserene.Gratification&joyarise’…onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofthedevaswhohavepoweroverthecreationsofothers.Then,havingexhaustedthataction,thatpower,thatstatus,thatsovereignty,heisareturner,comingbacktothisworld.

“Or,insteadofthinking,‘Whenthisgiftofmineisgiven,itmakesthemindserene.Gratification&joyarise,’hegivesagiftwiththethought,‘Thisisanornamentforthemind,asupportforthemind.’Hegiveshisgift—food,drink,clothing,avehicle;agarland,perfume,&ointment;bedding,shelter,&alamp—toacontemplativeorabrahman.Whatdoyouthink,Sariputta?Mightapersongivesuchagiftasthis?”

“Yes,lord.”“Havinggiventhis,notseekinghisownprofit,notwithamindattached[to

thereward],notseekingtostoreupforhimself,nor[withthethought],‘I’llenjoythisafterdeath,’

—norwiththethought,‘Givingisgood,’—norwiththethought,‘Thiswasgiveninthepast,doneinthepast,bymy

father&grandfather.Itwouldnotberightformetoletthisoldfamilycustombediscontinued,’

—norwiththethought,‘Iamwell-off.Thesearenotwell-off.Itwouldnotberightforme,beingwell-off,nottogiveagifttothosewhoarenotwell-off,’norwiththethought,‘Justastherewerethegreatsacrificesofthesagesofthepast—Atthaka,Vamaka,Vamadeva,Vessamitta,Yamadaggi,Angirasa,Bharadvaja,Vasettha,Kassapa,&Bhagu—inthesamewaythiswillbemydistributionofgifts,’

30

—norwiththethought,‘Whenthisgiftofmineisgiven,itmakesthemindserene.Gratification&joyarise,’

—butwiththethought,‘Thisisanornamentforthemind,asupportforthemind’—onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinthecompanyofBrahma’sRetinue.Then,havingexhaustedthataction,thatpower,thatstatus,thatsovereignty,heisanon-returner.Hedoesnotcomebacktothisworld.

“This,Sariputta,isthecause,thisisthereason,whyapersongivesagiftofacertainsortanditdoesnotbeargreatfruitorgreatbenefit,whereasanotherpersongivesagiftofthesamesortanditbearsgreatfruitandgreatbenefit.”—AN7:49

“Thesefiveareapersonofintegrity’sgifts.Whichfive?Apersonofintegritygivesagiftwithasenseofconviction.Apersonofintegritygivesagiftattentively.Apersonofintegritygivesagiftinseason.Apersonofintegritygivesagiftwithanempatheticheart.Apersonofintegritygivesagiftwithoutadverselyaffectinghimselforothers.

“Havinggivenagiftwithasenseofconviction,he—wherevertheresultofthatgiftripens—isrich,withmuchwealth,withmanypossessions.Andheiswell-built,handsome,extremelyinspiring,endowedwithalotus-likecomplexion.

“Havinggivenagiftattentively,he—wherevertheresultofthatgiftripens—isrich,withmuchwealth,withmanypossessions.Andhischildren,wives,slaves,servants,andworkerslistencarefullytohim,lendhimtheirears,andservehimwithunderstandinghearts.

“Havinggivenagiftinseason,he—wherevertheresultofthatgiftripens—isrich,withmuchwealth,withmanypossessions.Andhisgoalsarefulfilledinseason.

“Havinggivenagiftwithanempatheticheart,he—wherevertheresultofthatgiftripens—isrich,withmuchwealth,withmanypossessions.Andhismindinclinestotheenjoymentofthefivestringsoflavishsensuality.

“Havinggivenagiftwithoutadverselyaffectinghimselforothers,he—wherevertheresultofthatgiftripens—isrich,withmuchwealth,withmanypossessions.Andnotfromanywheredoesdestructioncometohisproperty—whetherfromfire,fromwater,fromkings,fromthieves,orfromhatefulheirs.

“Thesefiveareapersonofintegrity’sgifts.”—AN5:148

“Therearethesefiveseasonablegifts.Whichfive?Onegivestoanewcomer.

31

Onegivestoonegoingaway.Onegivestoonewhoisill.Onegivesintimeoffamine.Onesetsthefirstfruitsoffield&orchardinfrontofthosewhoarevirtuous.Thesearethefiveseasonablegifts.”

Intheproperseasontheygive—thosewithdiscernment,responsive,freefromstinginess.

Havingbeengiveninproperseason,withheartsinspiredbytheNobleOnes

—straightened,Such—theirofferingbearsanabundance.Thosewhorejoiceinthatgift

orgiveassistance,they,too,haveashareofthemerit,

andtheofferingisn’tdepletedbythat.So,withanunhesitantmind,oneshouldgivewherethegiftbearsgreatfruit.

Meritiswhatestablisheslivingbeingsinthenextlife.—AN5:36

SoPrincePayasiestablishedadonationforbrahmans,contemplatives,indigents,hoboes,paupers,&beggars.Andinthatdonationhegavefoodofthissort:unhuskedriceporridgetogetherwithpicklebrine.Andhegaveroughclothwithknottedfringe.NowabrahmanyouthnamedUttarawasthesuperintendentofthatdonation.Ashewasgivingthedonationhededicateditinthisway:“ThroughthisdonationmayIbeassociatedwithPrincePayasiinthislife,butnotinthenext.”PrincePayasiheardthatUttara,whengivingthedonation,dedicateditinthisway:“ThroughthisdonationmayIbeassociatedwithPrincePayasiinthislife,butnotinthenext.”So,havingsummonedhim,hesaidtohim,“Isittrue,dearboy,thatwhengivingthedonationyoudedicatedinthisway:‘ThroughthisdonationmayIbeassociatedwithPrincePayasiinthislife,butnotinthenext’?”

“Yes,sir.”“Butwhydoyoudedicateitinthisway…?Don’twewhowishtogainmerit

hopeforthefruitofourdonation?”“But,sir,thefoodinthedonationislikethis:unhuskedriceporridge

togetherwithpicklebrine.Youwouldn’twanttotouchitwithyourfoot,muchlesseatit.Andtheroughclothwithknottedfringe:Youwouldn’twanttotouch

32

itwithyourfoot,muchlesswearit.Youaredear&charmingtous,sohowcanweconnectwhatisdear&charmingwithwhatisnotcharming?”

“Theninthatcase,mydearboy,establish[adonationwith]thesortoffoodthatIeatandthesortofcloththatIwear.”

Responding,“Yes,sir,”Uttarathebrahmanyouthestablished[adonationwith]thesortoffoodthatPrincePayasiateandthesortofcloththatPrincePayasiwore.ThenPrincePayasi—havinggiventhedonationinattentively,havinggiventhedonationnotwithhisownhand,havinggiventhedonationthoughtlessly,havinggiventhedonationasifhewerethrowingitaway—onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearedinthecompanyofthedevasoftheFourGreatKingsintheemptySerisakapalace.ButUttara,thebrahmanyouthwhowasthesuperintendentofthedonation—havinggiventhedonationattentively,havinggiventhedonationwithhisownhand,havinggiventhedonationthoughtfully,havinggiventhedonationnotasifhewerethrowingitaway—onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearedinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld,inthecompanyofthe[higher]devasoftheThirty-three.—DN23

“Andhowisadonationendowedwithsixfactors?Thereisthecasewherethedonorhasthreefactorsandtherecipientshavethree.Andwhicharethedonor’sthreefactors.Thereisthecasewherethedonor,beforegiving,ishappy.Whilegivinghis/hermindisclear&confident.Aftergiving,he/sheisgratified.Therearethedonor’sthreefactors.Andwhicharetherecipients’threefactors?Thereisthecasewheretherecipientsarefreefrompassionorarepracticingforthesubduingofpassion;theyarefreeofaversionorarepracticingforthesubduingofaversion;theyarefreeofdelusionorarepracticingforthesubduingofdelusion.Thesearetherecipients’threefactors.…Now,itisnoteasytotakethemeasureofthemeritofadonationthusendowedwithsixfactorsas‘justthismuchbonanzaofmerit,bonanzaofskillfulness,nourishmentofbliss,heavenly,ripeninginblissleadingtoheaven,leadingtowhatisagreeable,pleasing,charming,happy,&beneficial.’Itisreckonedsimplyasagreatmassofmeritthatisunreckonable,immeasurable.

“Justasitisnoteasytotakethemeasureofthewaterinthegreatoceanas‘justthismanypailsofwaterorhundredsofpailsofwaterorthousandsofpailsofwaterorhundredsofthousandsofpailsofwater.’Itisreckonedsimplyasagreatmassofwaterthatisunreckonable,immeasurable.Inthesameway,itisnoteasytotakethemeasureofthemeritofadonationthusendowedwithsixfactorsas‘justthismuchbonanzaofmerit,bonanzaofskillfulness,nourishmentofbliss,

33

heavenly,ripeninginblissleadingtoheaven,leadingtowhatisagreeable,pleasing,charming,happy,&beneficial.’Itisreckonedsimplyasagreatmassofmeritthatisunreckonable,immeasurable.”—AN6:37

ThenKingPasenadiKosalawenttotheBlessedOneinthemiddleofthedayand,onarrival,havingboweddowntotheBlessedOne,sattooneside.AshewassittingtheretheBlessedOnesaidtohim,“Wellnow,greatking,whereareyoucomingfrominthemiddleoftheday?”

“Justnow,lord,amoney-lendinghouseholderdiedinSavatthi.Ihavecomefromconveyinghisheirlessfortunetotheroyalpalace:tenmillioninsilver,tosaynothingofthegold.Buteventhoughhewasamoney-lendinghouseholder,hisenjoymentoffoodwaslikethis:heatebrokenrice&picklebrine.Hisenjoymentofclothingwaslikethis:heworethreelengthsofhempencloth.Hisenjoymentofavehiclewaslikethis:herodeinadilapidatedlittlecartwithanawningofleaves.”

“That’sthewayitis,greatking.That’sthewayitis.Onceinthepastthatmoney-lendinghouseholderprovidedalmsforthePrivateBuddhanamedTagarasikhi.Saying[tohisservant],‘Givealmstothecontemplative,’hegotupfromhisseatandleft.Aftergiving,though,hefeltregret:‘Itwouldhavebeenbetterifmyslavesorservantshadeatenthosealms’.…Now,theresultofhisactioninhavingprovidedalmsforthePrivateBuddhanamedTagarasikhiwasthatheappearedseventimesinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.Andthroughtheremainingresultofthatactionheactedasmoney-lenderseventimesinthisverysameSavatthi.Buttheresultofhisactioninfeelingregretaftergiving[those]alms—‘Itwouldhavebeenbetterifmyslavesorservantshadeatenthosealms’—wasthathisminddidn’tlenditselftothelavishenjoymentoffood,didn’tlenditselftothelavishenjoymentofclothing,didn’tlenditselftothelavishenjoymentofavehicle,didn’tlenditselftothelavishenjoymentofthefivestringsofsensuality.”—SN3:20

ThenVacchagottathewandererwenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,exchangedcourteousgreetingswithhim.Afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,hesattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtotheBlessedOne:“MasterGotama,Ihaveheardthat‘Gotamathecontemplativesaysthis:“Onlytomeshouldagiftbegiven,andnottoothers.Onlytomydisciplesshouldagiftbegiven,andnottoothers.Onlywhatisgiventomebearsgreatfruit,andnotwhatisgiventoothers.Onlywhatisgiventomydisciplesbearsgreatfruit,andnotwhatisgiventothedisciplesofothers.”’Nowthosewho

34

reportthis:AretheyreportingtheMasterGotama’sactualwords,aretheynotmisrepresentinghimwithwhatisunfactual,aretheyansweringinlinewiththeDhamma,sothatnoonewhosethinkingisinlinewiththeDhammawillhavegroundsforcriticizingthem?Forwedon’twanttomisrepresenttheMasterGotama.”

“Vaccha,whoeversaysthis:‘Gotamathecontemplativesaysthis:“Onlytomeshouldagiftbegiven.…Onlywhatisgiventomydisciplesbearsgreatfruit,andnotwhatisgiventothedisciplesofothers,”isnotreportingmyactualwords,ismisrepresentingmewithwhatisunfactual&untrue.

“Vaccha,whoeverpreventsanotherfromgivingagiftcreatesthreeobstructions,threeimpediments.Whichthree?Hecreatesanobstructiontothemeritofthegiver,anobstructiontotherecipient’sgains,andpriortothatheunderminesandharmshisownself.Whoeverpreventsanotherfromgivingagiftcreatesthesethreeobstructions,thesethreeimpediments.

“Itellyou,Vaccha,evenifapersonthrowstherinsingsofabowloracupintoavillagepoolorpond,thinking,‘Maywhateveranimalsliveherefeedonthis,’thatwouldbeasourceofmerit,tosaynothingofwhatisgiventohumanbeings.ButIdosaythatwhatisgiventoavirtuouspersonisofgreatfruit,andnotsomuchwhatisgiventoanunvirtuousperson.”—AN3:58

Ashewassittingtooneside,KingPasenadiKosalasaidtotheBlessedOne:“Where,lord,shouldagiftbegiven?”

“Whereverthemindfeelsconfidence,greatking.”“Butagiftgivenwhere,lord,bearsgreatfruit?”“This[question]isonething,greatking—‘Whereshouldagiftbegiven?’—

whilethis—‘Agiftgivenwherebearsgreatfruit?’—issomethingelseentirely.Whatisgiventoavirtuousperson—ratherthantoanunvirtuousone—bearsgreatfruit.Inthatcase,greatking,Iwillaskyouacounter-question.Answerasyouseefit.

“Whatdoyouthink,greatking?Thereisthecasewhereyouhaveawarathand,abattleimminent.Anoble-warrioryouthwouldcomealong—untrained,unpracticed,undisciplined,undrilled,fearful,terrified,cowardly,quicktoflee.Wouldyoutakehimon?Wouldyouhaveanyuseforamanlikethat?”

“No,lord,Iwouldn’ttakehimon.Iwouldn’thaveanyuseforamanlikethat.”

“Thenabrahmanyouth…amerchantyouth…alaboreryouthwouldcomealong—untrained,unpracticed,undisciplined,undrilled,fearful,terrified,

35

cowardly,quicktoflee.Wouldyoutakehimon?Wouldyouhaveanyuseforamanlikethat?”

“No,lord,Iwouldn’ttakehimon.Iwouldn’thaveanyuseforamanlikethat.”

“Now,whatdoyouthink,greatking?Thereisthecasewhereyouhaveawarathand,abattleimminent.Anoble-warrioryouthwouldcomealong—trained,practiced,disciplined,drilled,fearless,unterrified,notcowardly,notquicktoflee.Wouldyoutakehimon?Wouldyouhaveanyuseforamanlikethat?”

“Yes,lord,Iwouldtakehimon.Iwouldhaveuseforamanlikethat.”“Thenabrahmanyouth…amerchantyouth…alaboreryouthwouldcome

along—trained,practiced,disciplined,drilled,fearless,unterrified,notcowardly,notquicktoflee.Wouldtakeyouhimon?Wouldyouhaveanyuseforamanlikethat?”

“Yes,lord,Iwouldtakehimon.Iwouldhaveuseforamanlikethat.”“Inthesameway,greatking.Whensomeonehasgoneforthfromthehome

lifeintohomelessness—nomatterfromwhatclan—andhehasabandonedfivefactorsandisendowedwithfive,whatisgiventohimbearsgreatfruit.

“Andwhichfivefactorshasheabandoned?Hehasabandonedsensualdesire…illwill…sloth&drowsiness…restlessness&anxiety...uncertainty.Thesearethefivefactorshehasabandoned.Andwithwhichfivefactorsisheendowed?Heisendowedwiththeaggregateofvirtueofonebeyondtraining…theaggregateofconcentrationofonebeyondtraining…theaggregateofdiscernmentofonebeyondtraining…theaggregateofreleaseofonebeyondtraining…theaggregateofknowledge&visionofreleaseofonebeyondtraining.Thesearethefivefactorswithwhichheisendowed.

“Whatisgiventoonewhohasabandonedfivefactorsandisendowedwithfivefactorsinthiswaybearsgreatfruit.”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWell-Gone,theTeacher,saidfurther:

“Asakingintentonbattlewouldhireayouthinwhomthereare

archeryskills,persistence,&strength,

andnot,onthebasisofbirth,acoward;

36

so,too,youshouldhonorapersonofnobleconduct,wise,inwhomareestablished

composure&patience,

eventhoughhisbirthmaybelowly.Letdonorsbuildpleasanthermitagesandthereinvitethelearnedtostay.Letthemmakereservoirs

indryforestsandwalkingpaths

whereit’sroughLetthem—withaclear,calmawareness—givefood,drink,snacks,clothing,&lodgingstothosewho’vebecome

straightforward.

Justasahundred-peaked,lightning-garlanded,

thunderingcloud,rainingonthefertileearth,fillstheplateaus&gullies,

evensoapersonofconviction&learning,

wise,havingstoredupprovisions,satisfieswayfarerswithfood&drink.Delightingindistributingalms,

‘Givetothem!Give!’hesays.

Thatishisthunder,likearainingcloud’s.Thatshowerofmerit,

37

abundant,rainsbackontheone

whogives.”—SN3:24

ThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:“Therearethesethreesupremeobjectsofconfidence.Whichthree?

“Amongwhateverbeingstheremaybe—footless,two-footed,four-footed,manyfooted;withformorformless;percipient,non-percipient,neitherpercipientnornon-percipient—theTathagata,worthy&rightlyself-awakened,isconsideredsupreme.ThosewhohaveconfidenceintheAwakenedOnehaveconfidenceinwhatissupreme;andforthosewithconfidenceinthesupreme,supremeistheresult.

“Amongwhateverqualitiestheremaybe,fabricatedorunfabricated,dispassion—thesubduingofintoxication,theeliminationofthirst,theuprootingofattachment,thebreakingoftheround,thedestructionofcraving,dispassion,cessation,therealizationofUnbinding—isconsideredsupreme.Thosewhohaveconfidenceinthequalityofdispassionhaveconfidenceinwhatissupreme;andforthosewithconfidenceinthesupreme,supremeistheresult.

“Amongwhateverfabricatedqualitiestheremaybe,thenobleeightfoldpath—rightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration—isconsideredsupreme.Thosewhohaveconfidenceinthequalityofthenoblepathhaveconfidenceinwhatissupreme;andforthosewithconfidenceinthesupreme,supremeistheresult.

“Amongwhatevercommunitiesorgroupstheremaybe,theSanghaoftheTathagata’sdisciplesisconsideredsupreme—i.e.,thefour[groupsofnobledisciples]whentakenaspairs,theeightwhentakenaspersons.ThosewhohaveconfidenceintheSanghahaveconfidenceinwhatissupreme;andforthosewithconfidenceinthesupreme,supremewillbetheresult.

“These,monks,arethethreesupremeobjectsofconfidence.”

Withconfidence,

realizingthesupremeDhammatobesupreme,

confidenceinthesupremeBuddha,unsurpassedindeservingofferings;

confidenceinthesupremeDhamma,

38

thestillingofdispassion,bliss;

confidenceinthesupremeSangha,unsurpassedasafieldofmerit;

havinggivengiftstothesupreme,onedevelopssuprememerit,supremelonglife&beauty,status,honor,

bliss,&strength.Havinggiventothesupreme,

thewiseperson,centeredinsupremeDhamma,

whetherbecomingadivineorhumanbeing,rejoices,

havingattainedthesupreme.—Iti90

ThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:“Therearethesetwokindsofgifts:agiftofmaterialthings&agiftoftheDhamma.Ofthetwo,thisissupreme:agiftoftheDhamma.Therearethesetwokindsofsharing:sharingofmaterialthings&sharingoftheDhamma.Ofthetwo,thisissupreme:sharingoftheDhamma.Therearethesetwokindsofassistance:assistancewithmaterialthings&assistancewiththeDhamma.Ofthetwo,thisissupreme:helpwiththeDhamma.”

Thegifthedescribesasforemost&unsurpassed,

thesharingtheBlessedOnehasextolled:who—confidentinthesupremefieldofmerit,

wise,discerning—wouldn’tgiveitatappropriatetimes?Bothforthosewhoproclaimitandthosewholisten,confidentinthemessageoftheOneWell-gone:itpurifiestheirforemostbenefit—

thoseheedingthemessageoftheOneWell-gone.—Iti98

“It’snoteasytoteachtheDhammatoothers,Ananda.TheDhammashould

39

betaughttoothersonlywhenfivequalitiesareestablishedwithinthepersonteaching.Whichfive?

“TheDhammashouldbetaughtwiththethought,‘Iwillspeakstep-by-step’…‘Iwillspeakexplainingthesequence[ofcause&effect]’…‘Iwillspeakoutofcompassion’…‘Iwillspeaknotforthepurposeofmaterialreward’…‘Iwillspeakwithouthurtingmyselforothers.’”—AN5:159

Adeva:“Agiverofwhatisagiverofstrength?Agiverofwhat,agiverofbeauty?Agiverofwhat,agiverofease?Agiverofwhat,agiverofvision?Andwhoisagiverofeverything?

Beingasked,pleaseexplainthistome.”TheBuddha:

“Agiveroffoodisagiverofstrength.Agiverofclothes,agiverofbeauty.Agiverofavehicle,agiverofease.Agiverofalamp,agiverofvision.Andtheonewhogivesaresidenceistheone’swho’sagiverofeverything.

ButtheonewhoteachestheDhammaisagiveroftheDeathless.”—SN1:42

40

Sila:VirtueIrrigatorsguidethewater.Fletchersshapethearrowshaft.Carpentersshapethewood.Thoseofgoodpracticescontrol

themselves.—Dhp145

Throughinitiative,heedfulness,restraint,&self-control,thewisewouldmake

anislandnofloodcansubmerge.—Dhp25

“Andwhatisthetreasureofvirtue?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleonesabstainsfromtakinglife,abstainsfromstealing,abstainsfromsexualmisconduct,abstainsfromlying,abstainsfromtakingintoxicantsthatcauseheedlessness.This,monks,iscalledthetreasureofvirtue.”—AN7:6

“Nowwhatisunskillful?Takinglifeisunskillful,takingwhatisnotgiven…sexualmisconduct…lying…harshspeech…divisivetale-bearing…idlechatterisunskillful.Covetousness…illwill…wrongviewsareunskillful.Thesethingsaretermedunskillful.

“Andwhatisskillful?Abstainingfromtakinglifeisskillful,abstainingfromtakingwhatisnotgiven…fromsexualmisconduct…fromlying…fromharshspeech…fromdivisivetale-bearing…abstainingfromidlechatterisskillful.Lackofcovetousness…lackofillwill…rightviewsareskillful.Thesethingsaretermedskillful.”—MN9

ThenKingPasenadiKosala,descendingfromthepalace,wenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.Ashewassittingthere,hesaidtotheBlessedOne:“JustnowIwastogetherwithQueenMallikaintheupperpalace.Isaidtoher,‘Isthereanyonemoredeartoyouthanyourself?’

41

“‘No,yourmajesty,’sheanswered.‘Thereisnoonemoredeartomethanmyself.Andwhataboutyou,yourmajesty?Isthereanyonemoredeartoyouthanyourself?’

“‘No,Mallika.Thereisnoonemoredeartomethanmyself.’”Then,onrealizingthesignificanceofthat,theBlessedOneonthatoccasion

exclaimed:

Searchingalldirectionswithyourawareness,youfindnoonedearerthanyourself.Inthesameway,othersarefiercelydeartothemselves.Soyoushouldn’thurtothersifyouloveyourself.—Ud5:1

“Therearethesefivegifts,fivegreatgifts—original,long-standing,traditional,ancient,unadulterated,unadulteratedfromthebeginning—arenotopentosuspicion,willneverbeopentosuspicion,andareunfaultedbyknowledgeablecontemplatives&brahmans.Whichfive?

“Thereisthecasewhereanobledisciple,abandoningthetakingoflife,abstainsfromtakinglife.Indoingso,hegivesfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings.Ingivingfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings,hegainsashareinlimitlessfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,andfreedomfromoppression.…

“Abandoningtakingwhatisnotgiven(stealing),heabstainsfromtakingwhatisnotgiven.…

“Abandoningsexualmisconduct,heabstainsfromsexualmisconduct.…“Abandoninglying,heabstainsfromlying.…“Abandoningtheuseofintoxicants,heabstainsfromtakingintoxicants.In

doingso,hegivesfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings.Ingivingfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,freedomfromoppressiontolimitlessnumbersofbeings,hegainsashareinlimitlessfreedomfromdanger,freedomfromanimosity,andfreedomfromoppression.…Thisisthefifthgift,thefifthgreatgift—original,long-standing,traditional,ancient,unadulterated,unadulteratedfromthebeginning—thatisnotopentosuspicion,willneverbeopento

42

suspicion,andisunfaultedbyknowledgeablecontemplatives&brahmans.”—AN8:39

“Cleansingwithregardtothebody,Cunda,isthreefold;cleansingwithregardtospeechisfourfold;andcleansingwithregardtothemind,threefold.Andhowiscleansingwithregardtothebodythreefold?Thereisthecasewhereacertainperson,abandoningthetakingoflife,abstainsfromthetakingoflife.Hedwellswithhisrodlaiddown,hisknifelaiddown,scrupulous,merciful,compassionateforthewelfareofalllivingbeings.Abandoningthetakingofwhatisnotgiven,heabstainsfromtakingwhatisnotgiven.Hedoesnottaketheungivenpropertyofanother,whetherinavillageorinthewilderness,withthievishintent.Abandoningsexualmisconduct,heabstainsfromsexualmisconduct.Hedoesnotgetsexuallyinvolvedwiththosewhoareprotectedbytheirmothers,theirfathers,theirbrothers,theirsisters,theirrelatives,ortheirDhamma;thosewithhusbands,thosewhoentailpunishments,oreventhosecrownedwithflowersbyanotherman.Thisishowcleansingwithregardtothebodyisthreefold.

“Andhowiscleansingwithregardtospeechfourfold?Thereisthecasewhereacertainperson,abandoningfalsespeech,abstainsfromfalsespeech.Whenhehasbeencalledtoatownmeeting,agroupmeeting,agatheringofhisrelatives,hisguild,oroftheroyalty[i.e.,acourtproceeding],ifheisaskedasawitness,‘Comeandtell,goodman,whatyouknow’:Ifhedoesn’tknow,hesays,‘Idon’tknow.’Ifhedoesknow,hesays,‘Iknow.’Ifhehasn’tseen,hesays,‘Ihaven’tseen.’Ifhehasseen,hesays,’Ihaveseen.’Thushedoesn’tconsciouslytellalieforhisownsake,forthesakeofanother,orforthesakeofanyreward.Abandoningdivisivespeech,heabstainsfromdivisivespeech.Whathehasheardherehedoesnottelltheretobreakthosepeopleapartfromthesepeoplehere.Whathehasheardtherehedoesnottellheretobreakthesepeopleapartfromthosepeoplethere.Thusreconcilingthosewhohavebrokenapartorcementingthosewhoareunited,helovesconcord,delightsinconcord,enjoysconcord,speaksthingsthatcreateconcord.Abandoningharshspeech,heabstainsfromharshspeech.Hespeakswordsthataresoothingtotheear,thatareaffectionate,thatgototheheart,thatarepolite,appealing&pleasingtopeopleatlarge.Abandoningidlechatter,heabstainsfromidlechatter.Hespeaksinseason,speakswhatisfactual,whatisinaccordancewiththegoal,theDhamma,andtheVinaya.Hespeakswordsworthtreasuring,seasonable,reasonable,circumscribed,connectedwiththegoal.Thisishowcleansingwithregardtospeechisfourfold.

“Andhowiscleansingwithregardtothemindthreefold?Thereisthecase

43

whereacertainpersonisnotcovetous.Hedoesnotcovetthepropertyofanother,thinking,‘O,ifonlywhatbelongstoanotherweremine!’Heisnotmalevolentatheartordestructiveinhisresolves.Hethinks,‘Maythesebeings—freefromanimosity,freefromoppression,andfreefromtrouble—lookafterthemselveswithease.’Hehasrightviewsandanunpervertedoutlook.Hebelieves,‘Thereiswhatisgiven,whatisoffered,whatissacrificed.Therearefruitsandresultsofgoodandbadactions.Thereisthisworldandthenextworld.Thereismotherandfather.Therearespontaneouslyrebornbeings;therearecontemplatives&brahmanswho,livingrightlyandpracticingrightly,proclaimthisworldandthenextafterhavingdirectlyknownandrealizeditforthemselves.’Thisishowcleansingwithregardtothemindisthreefold.”—AN10:176

Ashewassittingtooneside,KingPasenadiKosalasaidtotheBlessedOne:“Justnow,lord,whileIwasaloneinseclusion,thistrainofthoughtaroseinmyawareness:‘Whohavethemselvesprotected,andwholeavethemselvesunprotected?’Thenitoccurredtome:‘Thosewhoengageinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconductleavethemselvesunprotected.Eventhoughasquadronofelephanttroopsmightprotectthem,asquadronofcavalrytroops,asquadronofchariottroops,asquadronofinfantrytroopsmightprotectthem,stilltheyleavethemselvesunprotected.Whyisthat?Becausethat’sanexternalprotection,notaninternalone.Thereforetheyleavethemselvesunprotected.Butthosewhoengageingoodbodilyconduct,goodverbalconduct,&goodmentalconducthavethemselvesprotected.Eventhoughneitherasquadronofelephanttroops,asquadronofcavalrytroops,asquadronofchariottroops,norasquadronofinfantrytroopsmightprotectthem,stilltheyhavethemselvesprotected.Whyisthat?Becausethat’saninternalprotection,notanexternalone.Thereforetheyhavethemselvesprotected.’”

“That’sthewayitis,greatking!That’sthewayitis!Thosewhoengageinbodilymisconduct,verbalmisconduct,&mentalmisconductleavethemselvesunprotected.Eventhoughasquadronofelephanttroopsmightprotectthem,asquadronofcavalrytroops,asquadronofchariottroops,asquadronofinfantrytroopsmightprotectthem,stilltheyleavethemselvesunprotected.Whyisthat?Becausethat’sanexternalprotection,notaninternalone.Thereforetheyleavethemselvesunprotected.Butthosewhoengageingoodbodilyconduct,goodverbalconduct,&goodmentalconducthavethemselvesprotected.Eventhoughneitherasquadronofelephanttroops,asquadronofcavalrytroops,asquadronofchariottroops,norasquadronofinfantrytroopsmightprotectthem,stillthey

44

havethemselvesprotected.Whyisthat?Becausethat’saninternalprotection,notanexternalone.Thereforetheyhavethemselvesprotected.”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWell-Gone,theTeacher,saidfurther:

“Restraintwiththebodyisgood,goodisrestraintwithspeech.Restraintwiththeheartisgood,goodisrestrainteverywhere.Restrainedeverywhere,

conscientious,oneissaidtobeprotected.”—SN3:5

Ashewassittingtooneside,KingPasenadiKosalasaidtotheBlessedOne:“Justnow,lord,asIwassittinginjudgment,Isawthatevenaffluentnobles,affluentbrahmans,&affluenthouseholders—rich,withgreatwealth&property,withvastamountsofgold&silver,vastamountsofvaluables&commodities,vastamountsofwealth&grain—telldeliberatelieswithsensualityasthecause,sensualityasthereason,simplyforthesakeofsensuality.Then,thethoughtoccurredtome:‘I’vehadenoughofthisjudging!Letsomeotherfinefellowbeknownforhisjudgments!’”

“That’sthewayitis,greatking!That’sthewayitis!Evenaffluentnobles,affluentbrahmans,&affluenthouseholders…telldeliberatelieswithsensualityasthecause,sensualityasthereason,simplyforthesakeofsensuality.Thatwillleadtotheirlong-termharm&pain.”

ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Havingsaidthat,theOneWell-Gone,theTeacher,saidfurther:

“Impassionedwithsensualpossessions,greedy,dazedbysensualpleasures,theydon’tawakentothefact

thatthey’vegonetoofar—likefishintotrapsetout.

Afterwardsit’sbitterforthem:evilforthem

theresult.”—SN3:7

ThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:“Forthe

45

personwhotransgressesinonething,Itellyou,thereisnoevildeedthatisnottobedone.Whichonething?This:tellingadeliberatelie.”

Thepersonwholies,whotransgressinthisonething,transcendingconcernfortheworldbeyond:

there’snoevilhemightnotdo.—Iti25

“Monks,therearethesefivekindsofloss.Whichfive?Lossofrelatives,lossofwealth,lossthroughdisease,lossintermsofvirtue,lossintermsofviews.It’snotbyreasonoflossofrelatives,lossofwealth,orlossthroughdiseasethatbeings—withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath—reappearindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell.It’sbyreasonoflossintermsofvirtueandlossintermsofviewsthatbeings—withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath—reappearindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell.Thesearethefivekindsofloss.

“Therearethesefivewaysofbeingconsummate.Whichfive?Beingconsummateintermsofrelatives,beingconsummateintermsofwealth,beingconsummateintermsoffreedomfromdisease,beingconsummateintermsofvirtue,beingconsummateintermsofviews.It’snotbyreasonofbeingconsummateintermsofrelatives,beingconsummateintermsofwealth,orbeingconsummateintermsoffreedomfromdiseasethatbeings—withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath—reappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.It’sbyreasonofbeingconsummateinvirtueandbeingconsummateintermsofviewsthatbeings—withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath—reappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.Thesearethefivewaysofbeingconsummate.”—AN5:130

“Therearethesefivebenefitsinbeingvirtuous,inbeingconsummateinvirtue.Whichfive?Thereisthecasewhereavirtuousperson,consummateinvirtue,throughnotbeingheedlessinhisaffairsamassesagreatquantityofwealth.…Hisgoodnameisspreadabout.…Whenapproachinganassemblyofnobles,brahmans,householders,orcontemplatives,hedoessounabashedandwithassurance.…Hedieswithoutbecomingdelirious.…Withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.Thesearethefivebenefitsinbeingvirtuous,inbeingconsummateinvirtue.”—DN16

46

ThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:“Aspiringtothesethreeformsofbliss,awisepersonshouldguardhisvirtue.Whichthree?[Thinking,]‘Maypraisecometome,’awisepersonshouldguardhisvirtue.[Thinking,]‘Maywealthcometome,’awisepersonshouldguardhisvirtue.[Thinking,]‘Atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,mayIreappearinagooddestination,inheaven,’awisepersonshouldguardhisvirtue.Aspiringtothesethreeformsofbliss,awisepersonshouldguardhisvirtue.”

Intelligent,youshouldguardyourvirtue,aspiringtothreeformsofbliss:

praise;theobtainingofwealth;

and,afterdeath,rejoicinginheaven.

Evenifyoudonoevilbutseekoutonewhodoes,you’resuspectedofevil.Yourbadreputation

grows.Thesortofpersonyoumakeafriend,thesortyouseekout,

that’sthesortyouyourselfbecome—foryourlivingtogetherisof

thatsort.

Theoneassociatedwith,theonewhoassociates,theonewho’stouched,theonewhotouchesanother

—likeanarrowsmearedwithpoison—contaminatesthequiver.So,fearingcontamination,theenlightenedshouldnotbecomradeswithevilpeople.Amanwhowrapsrottingfishinabladeofkusagrassmakesthegrasssmelly:

47

soitisifyouseekoutfools.

Butamanwhowrapspowderedincenseintheleafofatreemakestheleaffragrant:

soitisifyouseekouttheenlightened.

So,knowingyourownoutcomeasliketheleaf-wrapper’s,youshouldn’tseekoutthosewhoaren’tgood.Thewisewouldassociatewiththosewhoare.Thosewhoaren’tgoodleadyoutohell.Thegoodhelpyoureachagooddestination.—Iti76

Alltrembleattherod,

allarefearfulofdeath.Drawingtheparallelto

yourself,neitherkillnorgetotherstokill.

Alltrembleattherod,

allholdtheirlifedear.Drawingtheparallelto

yourself,neitherkillnorgetotherstokill.Whoevertakesarodtoharmlivingbeingsdesiringease,whenhehimselfislookingforease,

48

willmeetwithnoeaseafterdeath.Whoeverdoesn’ttakearodtoharmlivingbeingsdesiringease,whenhehimselfislookingforease,willmeetwitheaseafterdeath.

Speakharshlytonoone,orthewordswillbethrown

rightbackatyou.Contentioustalkispainful,foryougetstruckbyrodsinreturn.If,likeaflattenedmetalpotyoudon’tresound,you’veattainedanUnbinding;inyouthere’sfoundnocontention.—Dhp129–134

Whoever,witharod,harassesaninnocentman,unarmed,quicklyfallsintoanyoftenthings:

harshpains,devastation,abrokenbody,graveillness,mentalderangement,troublewiththegovernment,violentslander,relativeslost,propertydissolved,housesburneddown.

Atthebreak-upofthebody,thisonewithnodiscernmentreappearsinhell.—Dhp137–140

“Therearefourkindsofpersontobefoundintheworld.Whichfour?Thereisthecasewhereacertainpersontakeslife,takeswhatisnotgiven(steals),engagesinsexualmisconduct,lies,speaksdivisively,speaksharshly,engagesinidlechatter;iscovetous,malevolent,&holdswrongviews.Onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell.

“Butthereisalsothecasewhereacertainpersontakeslife…holdswrongviews[yet],onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.

49

“Andthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonabstainsfromtakinglife,abstainsfromtakingwhatisnotgiven…isnotcovetous,notmalevolent,&holdsrightviews.Onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.

“Butthereisalsothecasewhereacertainpersonabstainsfromtakinglife,abstainsfromtakingwhatisnotgiven…isnotcovetous,notmalevolent,&holdsrightviews[yet],onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell.…

“Inthecaseofthepersonwhotakeslife…[yet]onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearsinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld:Eitherearlierheperformedfinekammathatistobefeltaspleasant,orlaterheperformedfinekammathatistobefeltaspleasant,oratthetimeofdeathheadopted&carriedoutrightviews.Becauseofthat,onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.Butasfortheresultsoftakinglife…holdingwrongviews,hewillfeelthemeitherrighthere&now,orlater[inthislifetime],orfollowingthat.…

“Inthecaseofthepersonwhoabstainsfromtakinglife…butonthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearsindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell:Eitherearlierheperformedevilkammathatistobefeltaspainful,orlaterheperformedevilkammathatistobefeltaspainful,oratthetimeofdeathheadopted&carriedoutwrongviews.Becauseofthat,onthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell.Butasfortheresultsofabstainingfromtakinglife…holdingrightviews,hewillfeelthemeitherrighthere&now,orlater[inthislifetime],orfollowingthat.”—MN136

“Thereare,headman,somecontemplatives&brahmanswhoholdadoctrine&viewlikethis:‘Allthosewhokilllivingbeingsexperiencepain&distressinthehere&now.Allthosewhotakewhatisnotgiven…whoengageinsexualmisconduct…whotellliesexperiencepain&distressinthehere&now.’

“Nowthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseengarlanded&adorned,freshlybathed&groomed,withhair&beardtrimmed,enjoyingthesensualitiesofwomenasifhewereaking.Theyaskabouthim:‘Mygoodman,whathasthismandonethathehasbeengarlanded&adorned…asifhewereaking?’Theyanswer:‘Mygoodman,thismanattackedtheking’senemyandtookhislife.Theking,gratifiedwithhim,rewardedhim.Thatiswhyheisgarlanded&adorned…asifhewereaking.’

“Thenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseenboundwithastout

50

ropewithhisarmspinnedtightlyagainsthisback,hisheadshavedbald,marchedtoaharsh-soundingdrumfromstreettostreet,crossroadstocrossroads,evictedthroughthesouthgate,andbeheadedtothesouthofthecity.Theyaskabouthim:‘Mygoodman,whathasthismandonethatheisboundwithastoutrope…andbeheadedtothesouthofthecity?’Theyanswer:‘Mygoodman,thisman,anenemyoftheking,hastakenthelifeofamanorawoman.Thatiswhytherulers,havinghadhimseized,inflictedsuchapunishmentuponhim.’

“Now,whatdoyouthink,headman:Haveyoueverseenorheardofsuchacase?”

“Ihaveseenthis,lord,haveheardofit,andwillhearofit(againinthefuture).”

“So,headman,whenthosecontemplatives&brahmanswhoholdadoctrineandviewlikethissay:‘Allthosewhokilllivingbeingsexperiencepain&distressinthehere&now,’dotheyspeaktruthfullyorfalsely?”—“Falsely,lord.”

“Andthosewhobabbleemptyfalsehood:aretheymoralorimmoral?”—“Immoral,lord.”

“Andthosewhoareimmoralandofevilcharacter:aretheypracticingwronglyorrightly?”—“Wrongly,lord.”

“Andthosewhoarepracticingwrongly:dotheyholdwrongvieworrightview?”—“Wrongview,lord.”

“Andisitpropertoplaceconfidenceinthosewhoholdwrongview?”—“No,lord.”

“Then,headman,thereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseengarlanded&adorned…asifhewereaking.Theyaskabouthim:‘Mygoodman,whathasthismandonethathehasbeengarlanded&adorned…asifhewereaking?’Theyanswer:‘Mygoodman,thismanattackedtheking’senemyandstoleatreasure.Theking,gratifiedwithhim,rewardedhim.…’

“Thenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseenboundwithastoutrope…andbeheadedtothesouthofthecity.Theyaskabouthim:‘Mygoodman,whathasthismandonethatheisboundwithastoutrope…andbeheadedtothesouthofthecity?’Theyanswer:‘Mygoodman,thisman,anenemyoftheking,hascommittedatheft,stealingsomethingfromavillageoraforest.…’

“Thenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseengarlanded&adorned…asifhewereaking.Theyaskabouthim:‘Mygoodman,whathasthismandonethathehasbeengarlanded&adorned…asifhewereaking?’Theyanswer:‘Mygoodman,thismanseducedthewivesoftheking’senemy.…’

“Thenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseenboundwithastout

51

rope…andbeheadedtothesouthofthecity.Theyaskabouthim:‘Mygoodman,whathasthismandonethatheisboundwithastoutrope…andbeheadedtothesouthofthecity?’Theyanswer:‘Mygoodman,thismanseducedwomen&girlsofgoodfamilies.…’

“Thenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseengarlanded&adorned…asifhewereaking.Theyaskabouthim:‘Mygoodman,whathasthismandonethathehasbeengarlanded&adorned…asifhewereaking?’Theyanswer:‘Mygoodman,thismanmadethekinglaughwithalie…’

“Thenthereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisseenboundwithastoutrope…andbeheadedtothesouthofthecity.Theyaskabouthim:‘Mygoodman,whathasthismandonethatheisboundwithastoutrope…andbeheadedtothesouthofthecity?’Theyanswer:‘Mygoodman,thismanhasbroughttheaimsofahouseholderorahouseholder’ssontoruinwithalie.Thatiswhytherulers,havinghadhimseized,inflictedsuchapunishmentuponhim.’

“Nowwhatdoyouthink,headman:Haveyoueverseenorheardofsuchacase?”

“Ihaveseenthis,lord,haveheardofit,andwillhearofit(againinthefuture).”

“So,headman,whenthosecontemplatives&brahmanswhoholdadoctrine&viewlikethis,say:‘Allthosewhotellliesexperiencepain&distressinthehere&now,’dotheyspeaktruthfullyorfalsely?…Isitpropertoplaceconfidenceinthosewhoholdwrongview?”—“No,lord.”—SN42:13

“Monks,thetakingoflife—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromthetakingoflifeisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstoashortlifespan.

“Stealing—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromstealingisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstothelossofone’swealth.

“Sexualmisconduct—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromsexualmisconductisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstorivalry&revenge.

52

“Tellingfalsehoods—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromtellingfalsehoodsisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstobeingfalselyaccused.

“Divisivetale-bearing—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromdivisivetale-bearingisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstothebreakingofone’sfriendships.

“Harshspeech—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromharshspeechisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstounappealingsounds.

“Idlechatter—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromidlechatteristhat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstowordsthataren’tworthtakingtoheart.

“Thedrinkingoffermented&distilledliquors—whenindulgedin,developed,&pursued—issomethingthatleadstohell,leadstorebirthasacommonanimal,leadstotherealmofthehungryshades.Theslightestofalltheresultscomingfromdrinkingfermented&distilledliquorsisthat,whenonebecomesahumanbeing,itleadstomentalderangement.”—AN8:40

ThenAsibandhakaputtatheheadman,adiscipleoftheNiganthas,wenttotheBlessedOneandonarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AshewassittingtheretheBlessedOnesaidtohim:“Headman,howdoesNiganthaNataputtateachtheDhammatohisdisciples?”

“NiganthaNataputtateachestheDhammatohisdisciplesinthisway,lord:‘Allthosewhotakelifearedestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,aredestinedforhell.Allthosewhosteal.…Allthosewhoindulgeinsexualmisconduct.…Allthosewhotellliesaredestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,aredestinedforhell.Whateveronekeepsdoingfrequently,bythatisoneled[toastateofrebirth].’That’showNiganthaNataputtateachestheDhammatohisdisciples.”

“Ifit’struethat‘Whateveronekeepsdoingfrequently,bythatisoneled[toastateofrebirth],’thennooneisdestinedfortheplaneofdeprivationor

53

destinedtohellinlinewithNiganthaNataputta’swords.Whatdoyouthink,headman:Ifamanisonewhotakeslife,thentakingintoconsiderationtimespentdoing&notdoing,whetherbydayorbynight,whichtimeismore:thetimehespendstakinglifeorthetimehespendsnottakinglife?”

“…thetimehespendstakinglifeisless,lord,andthetimehespendsnottakinglifeiscertainlymore.Ifit’struethat‘Whateveronekeepsdoingfrequently,bythatisoneled[toastateofrebirth],’thennooneisdestinedfortheplaneofdeprivationordestinedtohellinlinewithNiganthaNataputta’swords.”

“Whatdoyouthink,headman:Ifamanisonewhosteals…indulgesinsexualmisconduct…tellslies,thentakingintoconsiderationtimespentdoing&notdoing,whetherbydayorbynight,whichtimeismore:thetimehespendstellingliesorthetimehespendsnottellinglies?”

“…thetimehespendstellingliesisless,lord,andthetimehespendsnottellingliesiscertainlymore.Ifit’struethat‘Whateveronekeepsdoingfrequently,bythatisoneled[toastateofrebirth],’thennooneisdestinedfortheplaneofdeprivationordestinedtohellinlinewithNiganthaNataputta’swords.”

“There’sthecase,headman,whereacertainteacherholdsthisdoctrine,holdsthisview:‘Allthosewhotakelifearedestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,aredestinedforhell.Allthosewhosteal.…Allthosewhoindulgeinsexualmisconduct.…Allthosewhotellliesaredestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,aredestinedforhell.’Adisciplehasfaithinthatteacher,andthethoughtoccurstohim,‘Ourteacherholdsthisdoctrine,holdsthisview:“Allthosewhotakelifearedestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,aredestinedforhell.”TherearelivingbeingsthatIhavekilled.I,too,amdestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,amdestinedforhell.’Hefastensontothatview.Ifhedoesn’tabandonthatdoctrine,doesn’tabandonthatstateofmind,doesn’trelinquishthatview,thenasifheweretobecarriedoff,hewouldthusbeplacedinhell.

“[Thethoughtoccurstohim,]‘Ourteacherholdsthisdoctrine,holdsthisview:‘Allthosewhosteal.…Allthosewhoindulgeinsexualmisconduct.…Allthosewhotellliesaredestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,aredestinedforhell.’ThereareliesthatIhavetold.I,too,amdestinedfortheplaneofdeprivation,amdestinedforhell.’Hefastensontothatview.Ifhedoesn’tabandonthatdoctrine,doesn’tabandonthatstateofmind,doesn’trelinquishthatview,thenasifheweretobecarriedoff,hewouldthusbeplacedinhell.

“Thereisthecase,headman,whereaTathagataappearsintheworld,worthy&rightlyself-awakened,consummateinclearknowing&conduct,well-gone,a

54

knowerofthecosmos,unexcelledtrainerofthosetobetamed,teacherofhuman&divinebeings,awakened,blessed.He,invariousways,criticizes&censuresthetakingoflife,andsays,‘Abstainfromtakinglife.’Hecriticizes&censuresstealing,andsays,‘Abstainfromstealing.’Hecriticizes&censuresindulginginsexualmisconduct,andsays,‘Abstainfromindulginginsexualmisconduct.’Hecriticizes&censuresthetellingoflies,andsays,‘Abstainfromthetellingoflies.’

“Adisciplehasfaithinthatteacherandreflects:‘TheBlessedOneinavarietyofwayscriticizes&censuresthetakingoflife,andsays,“Abstainfromtakinglife.”TherearelivingbeingsthatIhavekilled,toagreaterorlesserextent.Thatwasnotright.Thatwasnotgood.ButifIbecomeremorsefulforthatreason,thatevildeedofminewillnotbeundone.’So,reflectingthus,heabandonsrightthenthetakingoflife,andinthefuturerefrainsfromtakinglife.Thisishowtherecomestobetheabandoningofthatevildeed.Thisishowtherecomestobethetranscendingofthatevildeed.

“[Hereflects:]‘TheBlessedOneinavarietyofwayscriticizes&censuresstealing…indulginginsexualmisconduct…thetellingoflies,andsays,“Abstainfromthetellingoflies.”ThereareliesIhavetold,toagreaterorlesserextent.Thatwasnotright.Thatwasnotgood.ButifIbecomeremorsefulforthatreason,thatevildeedofminewillnotbeundone.’So,reflectingthus,heabandonsrightthenthetellingoflies,andinthefuturerefrainsfromtellinglies.Thisishowtherecomestobetheabandoningofthatevildeed.Thisishowtherecomestobethetranscendingofthatevildeed.”—SN42:8

OnoneoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingnearNalandainthePavarikaMangoGrove.ThenAsibandhakaputtatheheadmanwenttotheBlessedOneandonarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AshewassittingtherehesaidtotheBlessedOne:“ThebrahmansoftheWesternlands,lord—thosewhocarrywaterpots,weargarlandsofwaterplants,purifywithwater,&worshipfire—cantake[thespiritof]adeadperson,liftitout,instructit,&sendittoheaven.ButtheBlessedOne,worthy&rightlyself-awakened,canarrangeitsothatalltheworld,atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearsinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.”

“Verywell,then,headman,Iwillquestionyouonthismatter.Answerasyouseefit.Whatdoyouthink:Thereisthecasewhereamanisonewhotakeslife,steals,indulgesinsexualmisconduct;isaliar,onewhospeaksdivisivespeech,harshspeech,&idlechatter;isgreedy,bearsthoughtsofill-will,&holdstowrongviews.Thenagreatcrowdofpeople,gathering&congregating,wouldpray,praise,&circumambulatewiththeirhandspalm-to-palmovertheheart

55

[saying,]‘Maythisman,atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld!’Whatdoyouthink:Wouldthatman—becauseoftheprayers,praise,&circumambulationofthatgreatcrowdofpeople—atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld?”

“No,lord.”“Supposeamanweretothrowalargeboulderintoadeeplakeofwater,and

agreatcrowdofpeople,gathering&congregating,wouldpray,praise,&circumambulatewiththeirhandspalm-to-palmovertheheart[saying,]‘Riseup,Oboulder!Comefloatingup,Oboulder!Comefloattotheshore,Oboulder!’Whatdoyouthink:Wouldthatboulder—becauseoftheprayers,praise,&circumambulationofthatgreatcrowdofpeople—riseup,comefloatingup,orcomefloattotheshore?”

“No,lord.”“Soitiswithanymanwhotakeslife,steals,indulgesinsexualmisconduct;

isaliar,onewhospeaksdivisivespeech,harshspeech,&idlechatter;isgreedy,bearsthoughtsofill-will,&holdstowrongviews.Eventhoughagreatcrowdofpeople,gathering&congregating,wouldpray,praise,&circumambulatewiththeirhandspalm-to-palmovertheheart—[saying,]‘Maythisman,atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld!’—still,atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hewouldreappearindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell.

“Nowwhatdoyouthink:Thereisthecasewhereamanisonewhorefrainsfromtakinglife,fromstealing,&fromindulginginsexualmisconduct;herefrainsfromlying,fromspeakingdivisivespeech,fromharshspeech,&fromidlechatter;heisnotgreedy,bearsnothoughtsofill-will,&holdstorightview.Thenagreatcrowdofpeople,gathering&congregating,wouldpray,praise,&circumambulatewiththeirhandspalm-to-palmovertheheart[saying,]‘Maythisman,atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell!’Whatdoyouthink:Wouldthatman—becauseoftheprayers,praise,&circumambulationofthatgreatcrowdofpeople—atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell?”

“No,lord.”“Supposeamanweretothrowajarofgheeorajarofoilintoadeeplakeof

water,whereitwouldbreak.Theretheshards&jar-fragmentswouldgodown,whilethegheeoroilwouldcomeup.Thenagreatcrowdofpeople,gathering&

56

congregating,wouldpray,praise,&circumambulatewiththeirhandspalm-to-palmovertheheart[saying,]‘Sink,Oghee/oil!Submerge,Oghee/oil!Godown,Oghee/oil!’Whatdoyouthink?Wouldthatghee/oil,becauseoftheprayers,praise,&circumambulationofthatgreatcrowdofpeoplesink,submerge,orgodown?”

“No,lord.”“Soitiswithanymanwhorefrainsfromtakinglife,fromstealing,&from

indulginginsexualmisconduct;refrainsfromlying,fromspeakingdivisivespeech,fromharshspeech,&fromidlechatter;isnotgreedy,bearsnothoughtsofill-will,&holdstorightview.Eventhoughagreatcrowdofpeople,gathering&congregating,wouldpray,praise,&circumambulatewiththeirhandspalm-to-palmovertheheart—[saying,]‘Maythisman,atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,reappearindeprivation,abaddestination,alowerrealm,hell!’—still,atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hewouldreappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.”—SN42:6

57

Bhavana:MeditationThiswassaidbytheBlessedOne,saidbytheArahant,soIhaveheard:“Allthe

groundsformakingmeritleadingtospontaneouslyarising(inheaven)donotequalone-sixteenthofawareness-releasethroughgoodwill.Goodwill—surpassingthem—shines,blazes,&dazzles.

“Justastheradianceofallthestarsdoesnotequalone-sixteenthoftheradianceofthemoon,asthemoon—surpassingthem—shines,blazes,&dazzles,evenso,allthegroundsformakingmeritleadingtospontaneouslyarisinginheavendonotequalone-sixteenthofawareness-releasethroughgoodwill.Goodwill—surpassingthem—shines,blazes,&dazzles.

“Justasinthelastmonthoftherains,inautumn,whentheskyisclear&cloudless,thesun,onascendingthesky,overpowersthespaceimmersedindarkness,shines,blazes,&dazzles,evenso,allthegroundsformakingmeritleadingtospontaneouslyarisinginheavendonotequalone-sixteenthofawareness-releasethroughgoodwill.Goodwill—surpassingthem—shines,blazes,&dazzles.

“Justasinthepre-dawndarknessthemorningstarshines,blazes,&dazzles,evenso,allthegroundsformakingmeritleadingtospontaneouslyarisinginheavendonotequalone-sixteenthofawareness-releasethroughgoodwill.Goodwill—surpassingthem—shines,blazes,&dazzles.”

Whenonedevelops—mindful—goodwillimmeasurable,fettersarewornthrough,onseeingtheendingofacquisitions.Ifwithuncorruptedmindyoufeelgoodwill

forevenonebeing,

youbecomeskilledfromthat.ButaNobleOneproduces

58

amindofsympathyfor

allbeings,

anabundanceofmerit.

Kinglyseers,whoconqueredtheearthswarmingwithbeings,

wentaboutmakingsacrifices:thehorsesacrifice,humansacrifice,waterrites,somarites,&the“Unobstructed,”

butthesedon’tequalonesixteenthofawell-developedmindofgoodwill—asalltheconstellationsdon’t,onesixteenthoftheradianceofthemoon.Onewho

neitherkillsnorgetsotherstokill,neitherconquers,norgetsotherstoconquer,

withgoodwillforallbeings,hasnohostilitywithanyoneatall.—Iti27

“Monks,foronewhosereleaseofawarenessthroughgoodwilliscultivated,developed,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertaken,elevenbenefitscanbeexpected.Whicheleven?

“Onesleepseasily,wakeseasily,dreamsnoevildreams.Oneisdeartohumanbeings,deartonon-humanbeings.Devasprotectone.Neitherfire,poison,norweaponscantouchone.One’smindgainsconcentrationquickly.One’scomplexionisbright.Onediesunconfusedand—ifpenetratingnohigher—isheadedfortheBrahmaworlds.”—AN11:16

“Now,whataretherootsofunskillfulthings?Greedisarootofunskillfulthings,aversionisarootofunskillfulthings,delusionisarootofunskillful

59

things.Thesearetermedtherootsofunskillfulthings.…“Andwhataretherootsofskillfulthings?Lackofgreedisarootofskillful

things,lackofaversionisarootofskillfulthings,lackofdelusionisarootofskillfulthings.Thesearetermedtherootsofskillfulthings.”—MN9

ThentheKalamasofKesaputtawenttotheBlessedOne.Onarrival,someofthemboweddowntotheBlessedOneandsattooneside.Someofthemexchangedcourteousgreetingswithhimand,afteranexchangeoffriendlygreetings&courtesies,sattooneside.Someofthemsattoonesidehavingsalutedhimwiththeirhandspalm-to-palmovertheirhearts.Someofthemsattoonesidehavingannouncedtheirname&clan.Someofthemsattoonesideinsilence.

Astheysatthere,theKalamasofKesaputtasaidtotheBlessedOne,“Lord,therearesomecontemplatives&brahmanswhocometoKesaputta.Theyexpound&glorifytheirowndoctrines,butasforthedoctrinesofothers,theydeprecatethem,revilethem,showcontemptforthem,&disparagethem.Andthenothercontemplatives&brahmanscometoKesaputta.Theyexpound&glorifytheirowndoctrines,butasforthedoctrinesofothers,theydeprecatethem,revilethem,showcontemptforthem,&disparagethem.Theyleaveusabsolutelyuncertain&indoubt:Whichofthesevenerablecontemplatives&brahmansarespeakingthetruth,andwhichonesarelying?”

“Ofcourseyouareuncertain,Kalamas.Ofcourseyouareindoubt.Whentherearereasonsfordoubt,uncertaintyisborn.Sointhiscase,Kalamas,don’tgobyreports,bylegends,bytraditions,byscripture,bylogicalconjecture,byinference,byanalogies,byagreementthroughponderingviews,byprobability,orbythethought,‘Thiscontemplativeisourteacher.’Whenyouknowforyourselvesthat,‘Thesequalitiesareunskillful;thesequalitiesareblameworthy;thesequalitiesarecriticizedbythewise;thesequalities,whenundertaken&carriedout,leadtoharm&tosuffering’—thenyoushouldabandonthem.

“Whatdoyouthink,Kalamas?Whengreedarisesinaperson,doesitariseforwelfareorforharm?”

“Forharm,lord.”“Andthisgreedyperson,overcomebygreed,hismindpossessedbygreed,

killslivingbeings,takeswhatisnotgiven,goesafteranotherperson’swife,tellslies,andinducesotherstodolikewise,allofwhichisforlong-termharm&suffering.”

“Yes,lord.”

60

[Similarlywithaversionanddelusion.]“So,asIsaid,Kalamas:‘Don’tgobyreports,bylegends,bytraditions,by

scripture,bylogicalconjecture,byinference,byanalogies,byagreementthroughponderingviews,byprobability,orbythethought,“Thiscontemplativeisourteacher.”Whenyouknowforyourselvesthat,“Thesequalitiesareunskillful;thesequalitiesareblameworthy;thesequalitiesarecriticizedbythewise;thesequalities,whenundertaken&carriedout,leadtoharm&tosuffering”—thenyoushouldabandonthem.’Thuswasitsaid.Andinreferencetothiswasitsaid.

“Now,Kalamas,don’tgobyreports,bylegends,bytraditions,byscripture,bylogicalconjecture,byinference,byanalogies,byagreementthroughponderingviews,byprobability,orbythethought,‘Thiscontemplativeisourteacher.’Whenyouknowforyourselvesthat,‘Thesequalitiesareskillful;thesequalitiesareblameless;thesequalitiesarepraisedbythewise;thesequalities,whenundertaken&carriedout,leadtowelfare&tohappiness’—thenyoushouldenter&remaininthem.

“Whatdoyouthink,Kalamas?Whenlackofgreedarisesinaperson,doesitariseforwelfareorforharm?”

“Forwelfare,lord.”“Andthisungreedyperson,notovercomebygreed,hismindnotpossessed

bygreed,doesn’tkilllivingbeings,takewhatisnotgiven,goafteranotherperson’swife,telllies,orinduceotherstodolikewise,allofwhichisforlong-termwelfare&happiness.”

“Yes,lord.”[Similarlywithlackofaversionandlackofdelusion.]“So,asIsaid,Kalamas:‘Don’tgobyreports,bylegends,bytraditions,by

scripture,bylogicalconjecture,byinference,byanalogies,byagreementthroughponderingviews,byprobability,orbythethought,“Thiscontemplativeisourteacher.”Whenyouknowforyourselvesthat,“Thesequalitiesareskillful;thesequalitiesareblameless;thesequalitiesarepraisedbythewise;thesequalities,whenundertaken&carriedout,leadtowelfare&tohappiness”—thenyoushouldenter&remaininthem.’Thuswasitsaid.Andinreferencetothiswasitsaid.

“Now,Kalamas,onewhoisadiscipleofthenobleones—thusdevoidofgreed,devoidofillwill,undeluded,alert,&resolute—keepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]—aswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourth—withanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill.Thushekeepspervadingabove,below,&allaround,everywhere&ineveryrespecttheall-encompassingworld

61

withanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill:abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.

“Hekeepspervadingthefirstdirection—aswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourth—withanawarenessimbuedwithcompassion.Thushekeepspervadingabove,below,&allaround,everywhere&ineveryrespecttheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithcompassion:abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.

“Hekeepspervadingthefirstdirection—aswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourth—withanawarenessimbuedwithempatheticjoy.Thushekeepspervadingabove,below,&allaround,everywhere&ineveryrespecttheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithempatheticjoy:abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.

“Hekeepspervadingthefirstdirection—aswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourth—withanawarenessimbuedwithequanimity.Thushekeepspervadingabove,below,&allaround,everywhere&ineveryrespecttheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithequanimity:abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.

“Now,Kalamas,onewhoisadiscipleofthenobleones—hismindthusfreefromhostility,freefromillwill,undefiled,&pure—acquiresfourassurancesinthehere-&-now:

“‘Ifthereisaworldafterdeath,ifthereisthefruitofactionsrightly&wronglydone,thenthisisthebasisbywhich,withthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,Iwillreappearinagooddestination,aheavenlyworld.’Thisisthefirstassuranceheacquires.

“‘Butifthereisnoworldafterdeath,ifthereisnofruitofactionsrightly&wronglydone,thenhereinthepresentlifeIlookaftermyselfwithease—freefromhostility,freefromillwill,freefromtrouble.’Thisisthesecondassuranceheacquires.

“‘Ifevilisdonethroughacting,stillIhavewillednoevilforanyone.Havingdonenoevilaction,fromwherewillsufferingtouchme?’Thisisthethirdassuranceheacquires.

“‘Butifnoevilisdonethroughacting,thenIcanassumemyselfpureinbothrespects.’Thisisthefourthassuranceheacquires.

“Onewhoisadiscipleofthenobleones—hismindthusfreefromhostility,freefromillwill,undefiled,&pure—acquiresthesefourassurancesinthehere-&-now.”—AN3:66

62

ThenalargenumberofmonkswenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.Astheyweresittingtheretheysaidtohim,“Lord,justnowinSavatthiacertainmonkdiedafterhavingbeenbittenbyasnake.”

“Thenit’scertain,monks,thatthatmonkdidn’tsuffusethefourroyalsnakelineageswithamindofgoodwill.Forifhehadsuffusedthefourroyalsnakelineageswithamindofgoodwill,hewouldnothavediedafterhavingbeenbittenbyasnake.Whichfour?TheVirupakkharoyalsnakelineage,theErapatharoyalsnakelineage,theChabyaputtaroyalsnakelineage,theDarkGotamakaroyalsnakelineage.It’scertainthatthatmonkdidn’tsuffusethesefourroyalsnakelineageswithamindofgoodwill.Forifhehadsuffusedthesefourroyalsnakelineageswithamindofgoodwill,hewouldnothavediedafterhavingbeenbittenbyasnake.Iallowyou,monks,tosuffusethesefourroyalsnakelineageswithamindofgoodwillforthesakeofself-protection,self-guarding,self-preservation.”

IhavegoodwillfortheVirupakkhas,goodwillfortheErapathas,goodwillfortheChabyaputtas,goodwillfortheDarkGotamakas.

Ihavegoodwillforfootlessbeings,goodwillfortwo-footedbeings,goodwillforfour-footedbeings,goodwillformany-footedbeings.

Mayfootlessbeingsdomenoharm.Maytwo-footedbeingsdomenoharm.Mayfour-footedbeingsdomenoharm.Maymany-footedbeingsdomenoharm.

Mayallcreatures,allbreathingthings,

allbeings—each&everyone—meetwithgoodfortune.

Maynoneofthemcometoanyevil.ImmeasurableistheBuddha,immeasurabletheDhamma,immeasurabletheSangha.

63

Thereisameasuretocreepingthings:snakes,scorpions,centipedes,spiders,lizards,&rats.

Ihavemadethissafeguard,Ihavemadethisprotection.

Maythebeingsdepart.IpayhomagetotheBlessedOne,homagetothesevenrightlyself-awakenedones.—AN4:67

“Monks,therearethesefiveaspectsofspeechbywhichothersmayaddressyou:timelyoruntimely,trueorfalse,affectionateorharsh,beneficialorunbeneficial,withamindofgoodwillorwithinnerhate.Othersmayaddressyouinatimelywayoranuntimelyway.Theymayaddressyouwithwhatistrueorwhatisfalse.Theymayaddressyouinanaffectionatewayoraharshway.Theymayaddressyouinabeneficialwayoranunbeneficialway.Theymayaddressyouwithamindofgoodwillorwithinnerhate.Inanyevent,youshouldtrainyourselves:‘Ourmindswillbeunaffectedandwewillsaynoevilwords.Wewillremainsympathetictothatperson’swelfare,withamindofgoodwill,andwithnoinnerhate.Wewillkeeppervadinghimwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwilland,beginningwithhim,wewillkeeppervadingtheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill—abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourselves.

“Supposethatamanweretocomealongcarryingahoe&abasket,saying,‘Iwillmakethisgreatearthbewithoutearth.’Hewoulddighere&there,scattersoilhere&there,spithere&there,urinatehere&there,saying,‘Bewithoutearth.Bewithoutearth.’Now,whatdoyouthink—wouldhemakethisgreatearthbewithoutearth?”

“No,lord.Whyisthat?Becausethisgreatearthisdeep&enormous.Itcan’teasilybemadetobewithoutearth.Themanwouldreaponlyashareofweariness&disappointment.”

“Inthesameway,monks,therearethesefiveaspectsofspeechbywhichothersmayaddressyou:timelyoruntimely,trueorfalse,affectionateorharsh,beneficialorunbeneficial,withamindofgoodwillorwithinnerhate.Othersmayaddressyouinatimelywayoranuntimelyway.Theymayaddressyouwith

64

whatistrueorwhatisfalse.Theymayaddressyouinanaffectionatewayoraharshway.Theymayaddressyouinabeneficialwayoranunbeneficialway.Theymayaddressyouwithamindofgoodwillorwithinnerhate.Inanyevent,youshouldtrainyourselves:‘Ourmindswillbeunaffectedandwewillsaynoevilwords.Wewillremainsympathetictothatperson’swelfare,withamindofgoodwill,andwithnoinnerhate.Wewillkeeppervadinghimwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwilland,beginningwithhim,wewillkeeppervadingtheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwillequaltothegreatearth—abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourselves.

“Supposethatamanweretocomealongcarryinglac,yelloworpiment,indigo,orcrimson,saying,‘Iwilldrawpicturesinspace,Iwillmakepicturesappear.’Now,whatdoyouthink—wouldhedrawpicturesinspace&makepicturesappear?”

“No,lord.Whyisthat?Becausespaceisformless&featureless.It’snoteasytodrawpicturesthereandtomakethemappear.Themanwouldreaponlyashareofweariness&disappointment.”

“Inthesameway,monks,therearethesefiveaspectsofspeechbywhichothersmayaddressyou.…Inanyevent,youshouldtrainyourselves:‘Ourmindswillbeunaffectedandwewillsaynoevilwords.Wewillremainsympathetictothatperson’swelfare,withamindofgoodwill,andwithnoinnerhate.Wewillkeeppervadinghimwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwilland,beginningwithhim,wewillkeeppervadingtheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwillequaltospace—abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourselves.

“Supposethatamanweretocomealongcarryingaburninggrasstorchandsaying,‘WiththisburninggrasstorchIwillheatuptheriverGangesandmakeitboil.’Now,whatdoyouthink—wouldhe,withthatburninggrasstorch,heatuptheriverGangesandmakeitboil?”

“No,lord.Whyisthat?BecausetheriverGangesisdeep&enormous.It’snoteasytoheatitupandmakeitboilwithaburninggrasstorch.Themanwouldreaponlyashareofweariness&disappointment.”

“Inthesameway,monks,therearethesefiveaspectsofspeechbywhichothersmayaddressyou.…Inanyevent,youshouldtrainyourselves:‘Ourmindswillbeunaffectedandwewillsaynoevilwords.Wewillremainsympathetictothatperson’swelfare,withamindofgoodwill,andwithnoinnerhate.Wewillkeeppervadinghimwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwilland,beginningwithhim,wewillkeeppervadingtheall-encompassingworldwithanawareness

65

imbuedwithgoodwillequaltotheriverGanges—abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourselves.

“Supposetherewereacatskinbag—beaten,well-beaten,beatenthrough&through,soft,silky,freeofrustling&crackling—andamanweretocomealongcarryingastickorshardandsaying,‘WiththisstickorshardIwilltakethiscatskinbag—beaten,well-beaten,beatenthrough&through,soft,silky,freeofrustling&crackling—andIwillmakeitrustle&crackle.’Now,whatdoyouthink—wouldhe,withthatstickorshard,takethatcatskinbag—beaten,well-beaten,beatenthrough&through,soft,silky,freeofrustling&crackling—andmakeitrustle&crackle?”

“No,lord.Whyisthat?Becausethecatskinbagisbeaten,well-beaten,beatenthrough&through,soft,silky,freeofrustling&crackling.It’snoteasytomakeitrustle&cracklewithastickorshard.Themanwouldreaponlyashareofweariness&disappointment.”

“Inthesameway,monks,therearethesefiveaspectsofspeechbywhichothersmayaddressyou.…Inanyevent,youshouldtrainyourselves:‘Ourmindswillbeunaffectedandwewillsaynoevilwords.Wewillremainsympathetictothatperson’swelfare,withamindofgoodwill,andwithnoinnerhate.Wewillkeeppervadinghimwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwilland,beginningwithhim,wewillkeeppervadingtheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwillequaltoacatskinbag—abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourselves.

“Monks,evenifbanditsweretocarveyouupsavagely,limbbylimb,withatwo-handledsaw,heamongyouwholethisheartgetangeredevenatthatwouldnotbedoingmybidding.Eventhenyoushouldtrainyourselves:‘Ourmindswillbeunaffectedandwewillsaynoevilwords.Wewillremainsympathetic,withamindofgoodwill,andwithnoinnerhate.Wewillkeeppervadingthesepeoplewithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwilland,beginningwiththem,wewillkeeppervadingtheall-encompassingworldwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill—abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourselves.

“Monks,ifyouattendconstantlytothisadmonitiononthesimileofthesaw,doyouseeanyaspectsofspeech,slightorgross,thatyoucouldnotendure?”

“No,lord.”“Thenattendconstantlytothisadmonitiononthesimileofthesaw.That

66

willbeforyourlong-termwelfare&happiness.”—MN21

Thisistobedonebyoneskilledinaimswhowantstobreakthroughtothestateofpeace:Becapable,upright,&straightforward,easytoinstruct,gentle,&notconceited,content&easytosupport,withfewduties,livinglightly,withpeacefulfaculties,masterful,modest,&nogreedforsupporters.Donotdotheslightestthingthatthewisewouldlatercensure.

Think:Happy,atrest,mayallbeingsbehappyatheart.Whateverbeingstheremaybe,

weakorstrong,withoutexception,long,large,middling,short,subtle,blatant,seen&unseen,near&far,born&seekingbirth:

Mayallbeingsbehappyatheart.Letnoonedeceiveanotherordespiseanyoneanywhere,orthroughangerorirritationwishforanothertosuffer.Asamotherwouldriskherlifetoprotectherchild,heronlychild,evensoshouldonecultivateanimmeasurableheartwithregardtoallbeings.Withgoodwillfortheentirecosmos,cultivateanimmeasurableheart:Above,below,&allaround,unobstructed,withouthostilityorhate.Whetherstanding,walking,

67

sitting,orlyingdown,aslongasoneisalert,

oneshouldberesolvedonthismindfulness.Thisiscalledasublimeabiding

here&now.

Nottakenwithviews,butvirtuous&consummateinvision,havingsubdueddesireforsensualpleasures,

oneneveragainwilllieinthewomb.—Khp9

“Wise&mindful,youshoulddevelopimmeasurableconcentration[i.e.,concentrationbasedonimmeasurablegoodwill,compassion,empatheticjoy,orequanimity].When,wise&mindful,onehasdevelopedimmeasurableconcentration,fiverealizationsariserightwithinoneself.Whichfive?

“Therealizationarisesrightwithinoneselfthat‘Thisconcentrationisblissfulinthepresentandwillresultinblissinthefuture.’

“Therealizationarisesrightwithinoneselfthat‘Thisconcentrationisnoble&notconnectedwiththebaitsoftheflesh.’

“Therealizationarisesrightwithinoneselfthat‘Thisconcentrationisnotobtainedbybasepeople.’

“Therealizationarisesrightwithinoneselfthat‘Thisconcentrationispeaceful,exquisite,theacquiringofserenity,theattainmentofunity,notkeptinplacebythefabricationsofforcefulrestraint.’

“Therealizationarisesrightwithinoneselfthat‘Ienterintothisconcentrationmindfully,andmindfullyIemergefromit.’

“Wise&mindful,youshoulddevelopimmeasurableconcentration.When,wise&mindful,onehasdevelopedimmeasurableconcentration,thesefiverealizationsariserightwithinoneself.”—AN5:27

“Monks,foronewhoseawareness-releasethroughgoodwilliscultivated,developed,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertaken,elevenbenefitscanbeexpected.Whicheleven?

“Onesleepseasily,wakeseasily,dreamsnoevildreams.Oneisdeartohumanbeings,deartonon-humanbeings.Thedevasprotectone.Neitherfire,poison,norweaponscantouchone.One’smindgainsconcentrationquickly.

68

One’scomplexionisbright.Onediesunconfusedand—ifpenetratingnohigher—isheadedfortheBrahmaworlds.

“Thesearetheelevenbenefitsthatcanbeexpectedforonewhoseawareness-releasethroughgoodwilliscultivated,developed,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertaken.”—AN11:16

“Havingabandonedthetakingoflife,he[thediscipleofthenobleones]refrainsfromtakinglife…herefrainsfromstealing…herefrainsfromsexualmisconduct…herefrainsfromlies…herefrainsfromdivisivespeech…herefrainsfromharshspeech…herefrainsfromidlechatter.Havingabandonedcovetousness,hebecomesuncovetous.Havingabandonedmalevolence&anger,hebecomesonewithamindofnomalevolence.Havingabandonedwrongviews,hebecomesonewhohasrightviews.

“Thatdiscipleofthenobleones,headman—thusdevoidofcovetousness,devoidofmalevolence,unbewildered,alert,mindful—keepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]withanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill,likewisethesecond,likewisethethird,likewisethefourth.Thusabove,below,&allaround,everywhere,initsentirety,hekeepspervadingtheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill—abundant,expansive,immeasurable,withouthostility,withoutmalevolence.Justasastrongconch-trumpetblowercannotifythefourdirectionswithoutanydifficulty,inthesameway,whenawareness-releasethroughgoodwillisthusdeveloped,thuspursued,anydeeddonetoalimitedextentnolongerremainsthere,nolongerstaysthere.

“Thatdiscipleofthenobleones…keepspervadingthefirstdirectionwithanawarenessimbuedwithcompassion…empatheticjoy…equanimity,likewisethesecond,likewisethethird,likewisethefourth.Thusabove,below,&allaround,everywhere,initsentirety,hekeepspervadingtheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithequanimity—abundant,expansive,immeasurable,withouthostility,withoutmalevolence.Justasastrongconch-trumpetblowercannotifythefourdirectionswithoutanydifficulty,inthesameway,whenawareness-releasethroughequanimityisthusdeveloped,thuspursued,anydeeddonetoalimitedextentnolongerremainsthere,nolongerstaysthere.”—SN42:8

“Monks,Idon’tspeakofthewipingoutofintentionalactionsthathavebeendone&accumulatedwithout[theirresults]havingbeenexperienced,eitherinthehere&noworinafurtherstatehereafter.NordoIspeakoftheactof

69

puttinganendtosufferingandstresswithouthavingexperienced[theresultsof]intentionalactionsthathavebeendone&accumulated.1

“Thatdiscipleofthenobleones—thusdevoidofcovetousness,devoidofillwill,unbewildered,alert,mindful—keepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]withanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill,likewisethesecond,likewisethethird,likewisethefourth.Thusabove,below,&allaround,everywhere,initsentirety,hekeepspervadingtheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill—abundant,expansive,immeasurable,withouthostility,withoutillwill.Hediscerns,‘Before,thismindofminewaslimited&undeveloped.Butnowthismindofmineisimmeasurable&welldeveloped.Andwhateveractionthatwasdoneinameasurablewaydoesnotremainthere,doesnotlingerthere.’

“Whatdoyouthink,monks:Ifthatyouth,fromchildhood,weretodevelopawareness-releasethroughgoodwill,wouldhedoanyevilaction?”

“No,lord.”“Notdoinganyevilaction,wouldhetouchsuffering?”“No,lord,forwhenonedoesnoevilaction,fromwherewouldhetouch

suffering?”“Thisawareness-releasethroughgoodwillshouldbedevelopedwhetherone

isawomanoraman.Neitherawomannoramancangotakingthisbodyalong.Death,monks,isbutagapofathoughtaway.One[whopracticesthisawareness-release]discerns,‘Whateverevilactionhasbeendonebythisbodybornofaction,thatwillallbeexperiencedhere[inthislife].Itwillnotcometobehereafter.’Thusdeveloped,awareness-releasethroughgoodwillleadstonon-returningforthemonkwhohasgainedgnosishereandhaspenetratedtonohigherrelease.

“Thatdiscipleofthenobleones—thusdevoidofcovetousness,devoidofillwill,unbewildered,alert,mindful—keepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]withanawarenessimbuedwithcompassion.…

“Thatdiscipleofthenobleones—thusdevoidofcovetousness,devoidofillwill,unbewildered,alert,mindful—keepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]withanawarenessimbuedwithempatheticjoy.…

“Thatdiscipleofthenobleones—thusdevoidofcovetousness,devoidofillwill,unbewildered,alert,mindful—keepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]withanawarenessimbuedwithequanimity,likewisethesecond,likewisethethird,likewisethefourth.Thusabove,below,&allaround,everywhere,initsentirety,hekeepspervadingtheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithequanimity—abundant,expansive,immeasurable,without

70

hostility,withoutillwill.Hediscerns,‘Before,thismindofminewaslimited&undeveloped.Butnowthismindofmineisimmeasurable&welldeveloped.Andwhateveractionthatwasdoneinameasurablewaydoesnotremainthere,doesnotlingerthere.’

“Whatdoyouthink,monks:Ifthatyouth,fromchildhood,weretodevelopawareness-releasethroughequanimity,wouldhedoanyevilaction?”

“No,lord.”“Notdoinganyevilaction,wouldhetouchsuffering?”“No,lord,forwhenonedoesnoevilaction,fromwherewouldhetouch

suffering?”“Thisawareness-releasethroughequanimityshouldbedevelopedwhether

oneisawomanoraman.Neitherawomannoramancangotakingthisbodyalong.Death,monks,isbutagapofathoughtaway.One[whopracticesthisawareness-release]discerns,‘Whateverevilactionhasbeendonebythisbodybornofaction,thatwillallbeexperiencedhere[inthislife].Itwillnotcometobehereafter.’Thusdeveloped,awareness-releasethroughequanimityleadstonon-returningforthemonkwhohasgainedgnosishereandhaspenetratedtonohigherrelease.”

NOT E : 1 . F.L.Woodward—thePaliTextSocietytranslatoroftheAnguttaraTensandElevens—notesthatthissuttaseemspatchedtogetherfromvarioussources.Asproof,hecitestheabruptbreaksbetweenthisparagraphandthenext,andbetweenthenextandtheonefollowingit.

—AN10:208

“Monks,foranyonewhosays,‘Inwhateverwayapersonmakeskamma,thatishowitisexperienced,’thereisnolivingoftheholylife,thereisnoopportunityfortherightendingofstress.Butforanyonewhosays,‘Whenapersonmakeskammatobefeltinsuch&suchaway,thatishowitsresultisexperienced,’thereisthelivingoftheholylife,thereistheopportunityfortherightendingofstress.

“Thereisthecasewhereatriflingevildeeddonebyacertainindividualtakeshimtohell.Thereisthecasewheretheverysamesortoftriflingdeeddonebyanotherindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment.

“Now,atriflingevildeeddonebywhatsortofindividualtakeshimtohell?Thereisthecasewhereacertainindividualisundevelopedinbody[accordingto

71

MN36,thismeansthatpleasurecaninvadehismindandremainthere],undevelopedinvirtue,undevelopedinmind[paincaninvadehismindandremainthere]:restricted,small-hearted,dwellingwithsuffering.Atriflingevildeeddonebythissortofindividualtakeshimtohell.

“Now,atriflingevildeeddonebywhatsortofindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment?Thereisthecasewhereacertainindividualisdevelopedinbody,developedinvirtue,developedinmind,developedindiscernment:unrestricted,large-hearted,dwellingwiththeimmeasurable[awareness-release].Atriflingevildeeddonebythissortofindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment.

“Supposethatamanweretodropasaltcrystalintoasmallamountofwaterinacup.Whatdoyouthink?Wouldthewaterinthecupbecomesaltybecauseofthesaltcrystal,andunfittodrink?”

“Yes,lord.Whyisthat?Therebeingonlyasmallamountofwaterinthecup,itwouldbecomesaltybecauseofthesaltcrystal,andunfittodrink.”

“NowsupposethatamanweretodropasaltcrystalintotheRiverGanges.Whatdoyouthink?WouldthewaterintheRiverGangesbecomesaltybecauseofthesaltcrystal,andunfittodrink?”

“No,lord.Whyisthat?TherebeingagreatmassofwaterintheRiverGanges,itwouldnotbecomesaltybecauseofthesaltcrystalorunfittodrink.”

“Inthesameway,thereisthecasewhereatriflingevildeeddonebyoneindividual[thefirst]takeshimtohell;andthereisthecasewheretheverysamesortoftriflingdeeddonebytheotherindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment.…

“Thereisthecasewhereacertainpersonisthrownintojailforhalfadollar[kahapana],isthrownintojailforadollar,isthrownintojailforonehundreddollars.Andthereisthecasewhereanotherpersonisnotthrownintojailforhalfadollar,isnotthrownintojailforadollar,isnotthrownintojailforonehundreddollars.Nowwhatsortofpersonisthrownintojailforhalfadollar…foradollar…foronehundreddollars?Thereisthecasewhereapersonispoor,oflittlewealth,offewpossessions.Thisisthesortofpersonwhoisthrownintojailforhalfadollar…foradollar…foronehundreddollars.Andwhatsortofpersonisnotthrownintojailforhalfadollar…foradollar…foronehundreddollars?Thereisthecasewhereapersoniswealthy,withmanybelongings,manypossessions.Thisisthesortofpersonwhoisnotthrownintojailforhalfadollar.…foradollar…foronehundreddollars.

72

“Inthesameway,thereisthecasewhereatriflingevildeeddonebyoneindividualtakeshimtohell;andthereisthecasewheretheverysamesortoftriflingdeeddonebytheotherindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment.…

“It’sjustaswhenagoatbutcherisempoweredtobeatorbindorslayortreatashelikesacertainpersonwhostealsagoat,butisnotempoweredtobeatorbindorslayortreatashelikesanotherpersonwhostealsagoat.Now,whenwhatsortofpersonhasstolenagoatisthegoatbutcherempoweredtobeathimorbindhimorslayhimortreathimashelikes?Thereisthecasewhereapersonispoor,oflittlewealth,offewpossessions.Thisisthesortofpersonwho,whenhehasstolenagoat,thegoatbutcherisempoweredtobeatorbindorslayortreatashelikes.Andwhenwhatsortofpersonhasstolenagoatisthegoatbutchernotempoweredtobeathimorbindhimorslayhimortreathimashelikes?Thereisthecasewhereapersoniswealthy,withmanybelongings,manypossessions;akingoraking’sminister.Thisisthesortofpersonwho,whenhehasstolenagoat,thegoatbutcherisnotempoweredtobeatorbindorslayortreatashelikes.Allhecandoisgowithhishandsclaspedbeforehisheartandbeg:‘Please,dearsir,givemeagoatorthepriceofagoat.’

“Inthesameway,thereisthecasewhereatriflingevildeeddonebyoneindividualtakeshimtohell;andthereisthecasewheretheverysamesortoftriflingdeeddonebytheotherindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment.

“Now,atriflingevildeeddonebywhatsortofindividualtakeshimtohell?Thereisthecasewhereacertainindividualisundevelopedinbody,undevelopedinvirtue,undevelopedinmind,undevelopedindiscernment:restricted,small-hearted,dwellingwithsuffering.Atriflingevildeeddonebythissortofindividualtakeshimtohell.

“Now,atriflingevildeeddonebywhatsortofindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment?Thereisthecasewhereacertainindividualisdevelopedinbody,developedinvirtue,developedinmind,developedindiscernment:unrestricted,large-hearted,dwellingwiththeimmeasurable[awareness-release].Atriflingevildeeddonebythissortofindividualisexperiencedinthehere&now,andforthemostpartbarelyappearsforamoment.

“Monks,foranyonewhosays,‘Inwhateverwayapersonmakeskamma,thatishowitisexperienced,’thereisnolivingoftheholylife,thereisnoopportunityfortherightendingofstress.Butforanyonewhosays,‘Whenapersonmakeskammatobefeltinsuch&suchaway,thatishowitsresultisexperienced,’

73

thereisthelivingoftheholylife,thereistheopportunityfortherightendingofstress.”—AN3:101

“Thereisthecasewhereamonkmightsay,‘Althoughgoodwillhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenbymeasmyawareness-release,stillillwillkeepsoverpoweringmymind.’Heshouldbetold,‘Don’tsaythat.Youshouldn’tspeakinthatway.Don’tmisrepresenttheBlessedOne,forit’snotrighttomisrepresenttheBlessedOne,andtheBlessedOnewouldn’tsaythat.It’simpossible,thereisnowaythat—whengoodwillhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenasanawareness-release—illwillwouldstillkeepoverpoweringthemind.Thatpossibilitydoesn’texist,forthisistheescapefromillwill:goodwillasanawareness-release.’

“Furthermore,thereisthecasewhereamonkmightsay,‘Althoughcompassionhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenbymeasmyawareness-release,stillviciousnesskeepsoverpoweringmymind.’Heshouldbetold,‘Don’tsaythat.Youshouldn’tspeakinthatway.Don’tmisrepresenttheBlessedOne,forit’snotrighttomisrepresenttheBlessedOne,andtheBlessedOnewouldn’tsaythat.It’simpossible,thereisnowaythat—whencompassionhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenasanawareness-release—viciousnesswouldstillkeepoverpoweringthemind.Thatpossibilitydoesn’texist,forthisistheescapefromviciousness:compassionasanawareness-release.’

“Furthermore,thereisthecasewhereamonkmightsay,‘Althoughempatheticjoyhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenbymeasmyawareness-release,stillresentmentkeepsoverpoweringmymind.’Heshouldbetold,‘Don’tsaythat.Youshouldn’tspeakinthatway.Don’tmisrepresenttheBlessedOne,forit’snotrighttomisrepresenttheBlessedOne,andtheBlessedOnewouldn’tsaythat.It’simpossible,thereisnowaythat—whenempatheticjoyhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenasanawareness-release—resentmentwouldstillkeepoverpoweringthemind.Thatpossibilitydoesn’texist,forthisistheescapefromresentment:empatheticjoyasanawareness-release.’

“Furthermore,thereisthecasewhereamonkmightsay,‘Althoughequanimityhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenbymeasmyawareness-release,still

74

passionkeepsoverpoweringmymind.’Heshouldbetold,‘Don’tsaythat.Youshouldn’tspeakinthatway.Don’tmisrepresenttheBlessedOne,forit’snotrighttomisrepresenttheBlessedOne,andtheBlessedOnewouldn’tsaythat.It’simpossible,thereisnowaythat—whenequanimityhasbeendeveloped,pursued,handedthereins,takenasabasis,steadied,consolidated,andwell-undertakenasanawareness-release—passionwouldstillkeepoverpoweringthemind.Thatpossibilitydoesn’texist,forthisistheescapefrompassion:equanimityasanawareness-release.’”—AN6:13

“Andhowisawareness-releasethroughgoodwilldeveloped,whatisitsdestiny,itsexcellence,itsreward,&itsconsummation?

“ThereisthecasewhereamonkdevelopsmindfulnessasafactorforAwakeningaccompaniedbygoodwill,dependentonseclusion…dispassion…cessation,resultinginlettinggo.HedevelopsanalysisofqualitiesasafactorforAwakening…persistenceasafactorforAwakening…raptureasafactorforAwakening…calmasafactorforAwakening…concentrationasafactorforAwakening…equanimityasafactorforAwakeningaccompaniedbygoodwill,dependentonseclusion…dispassion…cessation,resultinginlettinggo.Ifhewants,heremainspercipientofloathsomenessinthepresenceofwhatisnotloathsome.Ifhewants,heremainspercipientofunloathsomenessinthepresenceofwhatisloathsome.Ifhewants,heremainspercipientofloathsomenessinthepresenceofwhatisnotloathsome&whatis.Ifhewants,heremainspercipientofunloathsomenessinthepresenceofwhatisloathsome&whatisnot.Ifhewants—inthepresenceofwhatisloathsome&whatisnot—cuttinghimselfofffromboth,heremainsequanimous,alert,&mindful.Orhemayenter&remaininthebeautifulliberation.Itellyou,monks,awareness-releasethroughgoodwillhasthebeautifulasitsexcellence—inthecaseofonewhohaspenetratedtonohigherrelease.

“Andhowisawareness-releasethroughcompassiondeveloped,whatisitsdestiny,itsexcellence,itsreward,&itsconsummation?

“ThereisthecasewhereamonkdevelopsmindfulnessasafactorforAwakeningaccompaniedbycompassion…etc.…Ifhewants—inthepresenceofwhatisloathsome&whatisnot—cuttinghimselfofffromboth,heremainsequanimous,alert,&mindful.Or,withthecompletetranscendingofperceptionsof[physical]form,withthedisappearanceofperceptionsofresistance,andnotheedingperceptionsofdiversity,thinking,‘Infinitespace,’heenters&remainsinthesphereoftheinfinitudeofspace.Itellyou,monks,awareness-releasethroughcompassionhasthesphereoftheinfinitudeofspaceas

75

itsexcellence—inthecaseofonewhohaspenetratedtonohigherrelease.“Andhowisawareness-releasethroughempatheticjoydeveloped,whatisits

destiny,itsexcellence,itsreward,&itsconsummation?“Thereisthecasewhereamonkdevelopsmindfulnessasafactorfor

awakeningaccompaniedbyempatheticjoy…etc.…Ifhewants—inthepresenceofwhatisloathsome&whatisnot—cuttinghimselfofffromboth,heremainsequanimous,alert,&mindful.Or,withthecompletetranscendingofthesphereofinfinitudeofspace,thinking‘Infiniteconsciousness,’heenters&remainsinthesphereoftheinfinitudeofconsciousness.Itellyou,monks,awareness-releasethroughempatheticjoyhasthesphereoftheinfinitudeofconsciousnessasitsexcellence—inthecaseofonewhohaspenetratedtonohigherrelease.

“Andhowisawareness-releasethroughequanimitydeveloped,whatisitsdestiny,itsexcellence,itsreward,&itsconsummation?

“ThereisthecasewhereamonkdevelopsmindfulnessasafactorforAwakeningaccompaniedbyequanimity…etc.…Ifhewants—inthepresenceofwhatisloathsome&whatisnot—cuttinghimselfofffromboth,heremainsequanimous,alert,&mindful.Or,withthecompletetranscendingofthesphereofinfinitudeofconsciousness,thinking‘Thereisnothing,’heenters&remainsinthesphereofnothingness.Itellyou,monks,awareness-releasethroughequanimityhasthesphereofnothingnessasitsexcellence—inthecaseofonewhohaspenetratedtonohigherrelease.”—SN46:54

“Thereisthecasewhereanindividualkeepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]—aswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourth—withanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill.Thushekeepspervadingabove,below,&allaround,everywhere&ineveryrespecttheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill:abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.Hesavorsthat,longsforthat,findssatisfactionthroughthat.Stayingthere—fixedonthat,dwellingthereoften,notfallingawayfromthat—thenwhenhedieshereappearsinconjunctionwiththedevasofBrahma’sretinue.ThedevasofBrahma’sretinue,monks,havealife-spanofanaeon.Arun-of-the-millperson,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,goestohell,totheanimalwomb,tothestateofthehungryshades.ButadiscipleoftheBlessedOne,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,isunboundrightinthatstateofbeing.This,monks,isthedifference,thisthedistinction,thisthedistinguishingfactor,betweenaneducateddiscipleofthenobleonesandanuneducatedrun-of-the-millperson,whenthereisadestination,areappearing.

76

“Again,thereisthecasewhereanindividualkeepspervadingthefirstdirection—aswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourth—withanawarenessimbuedwithcompassion.…Stayingthere—fixedonthat,dwellingthereoften,notfallingawayfromthat—thenwhenhedieshereappearsinconjunctionwiththeAbhassara[Radiant]devas.1TheAbhassaradevas,monks,havealife-spanoftwoaeons.Arun-of-the-millperson,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,goestohell,totheanimalwomb,tothestateofthehungryshades.ButadiscipleoftheBlessedOne,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,isunboundrightinthatstateofbeing.This,monks,isthedifference,thisthedistinction,thisthedistinguishingfactor,betweenaneducateddiscipleofthenobleonesandanuneducatedrun-of-the-millperson,whenthereisadestination,areappearing.2

“Again,thereisthecasewhereanindividualkeepspervadingthefirstdirection—aswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourth—withanawarenessimbuedwithempatheticjoy.…Stayingthere—fixedonthat,dwellingthereoften,notfallingawayfromthat—thenwhenhedieshereappearsinconjunctionwiththeSubhakinha[BeautifulBlack]devas.TheSubhakinhadevas,monks,havealife-spanoffouraeons.Arun-of-the-millperson,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,goestohell,totheanimalwomb,tothestateofthehungryshades.ButadiscipleoftheBlessedOne,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,isunboundrightinthatstateofbeing.This,monks,isthedifference,thisthedistinction,thisthedistinguishingfactor,betweenaneducateddiscipleofthenobleonesandanuneducatedrun-of-the-millperson,whenthereisadestination,areappearing.

“Again,thereisthecasewhereanindividualkeepspervadingthefirstdirection[theeast]—aswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourth—withanawarenessimbuedwithequanimity.Thushekeepspervadingabove,below,&allaround,everywhere&ineveryrespecttheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithequanimity:abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.Hesavorsthat,longsforthat,findssatisfactionthroughthat.Stayingthere—fixedonthat,dwellingthereoften,notfallingawayfromthat—thenwhenhedieshereappearsinconjunctionwiththeVehapphala[Sky-fruit]devas.TheVehapphaladevas,monks,havealife-spanof500aeons.Arun-of-the-millperson,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,goestohell,totheanimalwomb,tothestateofthehungryshades.ButadiscipleoftheBlessedOne,havingstayedthere,havingusedupallthelife-spanofthosedevas,isunboundrightinthatstateofbeing.This,monks,isthedifference,thisthedistinction,thisthedistinguishingfactor,

77

betweenaneducateddiscipleofthenobleonesandanuneducatedrun-of-the-millperson,whenthereisadestination,areappearing.

“Thesearefourtypesofindividualstobefoundexistingintheworld.”

NOT E S1.TheAbhassara,Subhakinha,andVehapphaladevasareallBrahmasonthelevelof

form.2.Thissutta,readinconjunctionwithAN4:123,hasgivenrisetothebeliefthatthe

developmentofgoodwillasanimmeasurablestatecanleadonlytothefirstjhana,andthatthenexttwoimmeasurablestates—compassionandempatheticjoy—canlead,respectively,onlytothesecondandthirdjhanas.However,asAN8:63showsbelow,allfourimmeasurablestatescanleadallthewaytothefourthjhana.Thedifferencebetweenthatdiscourseandthisliesinhowthepersonpracticingthesestatesrelatestothem.Inthatsutta,thepersondeliberatelyusesthestateasabasisfordevelopingallthejhanas.Inthissutta,thepersonsimplyenjoysthestateandremainsinit.

—AN4:125

ThenacertainmonkwenttotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,havingboweddowntohim,sattooneside.AshewassittingtherehesaidtotheBlessedOne:“ItwouldbegoodiftheBlessedOnewouldteachmetheDhammainbriefsothat,havingheardtheDhammafromtheBlessedOne,Imightdwellaloneinseclusion:heedful,ardent,&resolute.”

“Butitisinjustthiswaythatsomeworthlessmenmakearequestbutthen,havingbeentoldtheDhamma,thinktheyshouldtagalongrightbehindme.”

“MaytheBlessedOneteachmetheDhammainbrief!MaytheOneWell-goneteachmetheDhammainbrief!ItmaywellbethatIwillunderstandtheBlessedOne’swords.ItmaywellbethatIwillbecomeanheirtotheBlessedOne’swords.”

“Then,monk,youshouldtrainyourselfthus:‘Mymindwillbeestablishedinwardly,well-composed.Noevil,unskillfulqualities,oncetheyhavearisen,willremainconsumingthemind.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourself.

“Thenyoushouldtrainyourselfthus:‘Goodwill,asmyawareness-release,willbedeveloped,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied,consolidated,&well-undertaken.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourself.Whenyouhavedevelopedthisconcentrationinthisway,youshoulddevelopthisconcentrationwithdirectedthought&evaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&amodicumofevaluation,youshoulddevelopitwith

78

nodirectedthought&noevaluation,youshoulddevelopitaccompaniedbyrapture…notaccompaniedbyrapture…endowedwithasenseofenjoyment;youshoulddevelopitendowedwithequanimity.

“Whenthisconcentrationisthusdeveloped,thuswell-developedbyyou,youshouldthentrainyourselfthus:‘Compassion,asmyawareness-release.…Empatheticjoy,asmyawareness-release.…Equanimity,asmyawareness-release,willbedeveloped,pursued,givenameansoftransport,givenagrounding,steadied,consolidated,&well-undertaken.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourself.Whenyouhavedevelopedthisconcentrationinthisway,youshoulddevelopthisconcentrationwithdirectedthought&evaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&amodicumofevaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&noevaluation,youshoulddevelopitaccompaniedbyrapture…notaccompaniedbyrapture…endowedwithasenseofenjoyment;youshoulddevelopitendowedwithequanimity.

“Whenthisconcentrationisthusdeveloped,thuswell-developedbyyou,youshouldthentrainyourselfthus:‘Iwillremainfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourself.Whenyouhavedevelopedthisconcentrationinthisway,youshoulddevelopthisconcentrationwithdirectedthought&evaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&amodicumofevaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&noevaluation,youshoulddevelopitaccompaniedbyrapture…notaccompaniedbyrapture…endowedwithasenseofenjoyment;youshoulddevelopitendowedwithequanimity.

“Whenthisconcentrationisthusdeveloped,thuswell-developedbyyou,youshouldtrainyourself:‘Iwillremainfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves…themindin&ofitself…mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.’That’showyoushouldtrainyourself.Whenyouhavedevelopedthisconcentrationinthisway,youshoulddevelopthisconcentrationwithdirectedthought&evaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&amodicumofevaluation,youshoulddevelopitwithnodirectedthought&noevaluation,youshoulddevelopitaccompaniedbyrapture…notaccompaniedbyrapture…endowedwithasenseofenjoyment;youshoulddevelopitendowedwithequanimity.

“Whenthisconcentrationisthusdeveloped,thuswell-developedbyyou,thenwhereveryougo,youwillgoincomfort.Whereveryoustand,youwillstandincomfort.Whereveryousit,youwillsitincomfort.Whereveryouliedown,youwillliedownincomfort.”

79

Thenthatmonk,havingbeenadmonishedbytheadmonishmentfromtheBlessedOne,gotupfromhisseatandboweddowntotheBlessedOne,circledaroundhim,keepingtheBlessedOnetohisrightside,andleft.Then,dwellingalone,secluded,heedful,ardent,&resolute,heinnolongtimereached&remainedinthesupremegoaloftheholylifeforwhichclansmenrightlygoforthfromhomeintohomelessness,knowing&realizingitforhimselfinthehere&now.Heknew:“Birthisended,theholylifefulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthesakeofthisworld.”AndthushebecameanotheroneoftheArahants.—AN8:63

“Thereisthecasewhereanindividualkeepspervadingthefirstdirection—aswellastheseconddirection,thethird,&thefourth—withanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill.Thushekeepspervadingabove,below,&allaround,everywhere&ineveryrespecttheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill:abundant,expansive,immeasurable,freefromhostility,freefromillwill.Heregardswhateverphenomenatherethatareconnectedwithform,feeling,perception,fabrications,&consciousness,asinconstant,stressful,adisease,acancer,anarrow,painful,anaffliction,alien,adisintegration,anemptiness,not-self.Atthebreak-upofthebody,afterdeath,hereappearsinconjunctionwiththedevasofthePureAbodes.Thisrebirthisnotincommonwithrun-of-the-millpeople.”

[Similarlywithcompassion,empatheticjoy,&equanimity.]—AN4:126

“Thenagain,amonkkeepspervadingthefirstdirectionwithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill,likewisethesecond,likewisethethird,likewisethefourth.Thusabove,below,&allaround,everywhere,initsentirety,hekeepspervadingtheall-encompassingcosmoswithanawarenessimbuedwithgoodwill—abundant,expansive,immeasureable,withouthostility,withoutillwill.Hereflectsonthisanddiscerns,‘Thisawareness-releasethroughgoodwillisfabricated&intended.Nowwhateverisfabricated&intendedisinconstant&subjecttocessation.’Stayingrightthere,hereachestheendingofthementaleffluents.Or,ifnot,then—throughthisveryDhamma-passion,thisDhamma-delight,andfromthetotalwastingawayofthefivelowerfetters[self-identityviews,uncertainty,graspingathabits&practices,sensualpassion,andirritation]—heisduetobespontaneouslyreborn[inthePureAbodes],theretobetotallyunbound,neveragaintoreturnfromthatworld.

“Thistoo,householder,isasinglequalitydeclaredbytheBlessedOne—theonewhoknows,theonewhosees,worthy&rightlyself-awakened—wherethe

80

unreleasedmindofamonkwhodwellsthereheedful,ardent,&resolutebecomesreleased,orhisunendedeffluentsgototheirtotalending,orheattainstheunexcelledsecurityfromtheyokethathehadnotattainedbefore.”

[Similarlywithawareness-releasethroughcompassion,throughempatheticjoy,&throughequanimity.]—MN52

81

TheMeritofStream-entry“Sariputta,‘Thestream,thestream’:thusitissaid.Andwhat,Sariputta,is

thestream?”“Thisnobleeightfoldpath,lord,isthestream:rightview,rightresolve,right

speech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration.”

“Verygood,Sariputta!Verygood!Thisnobleeightfoldpath—rightview,rightresolve,rightspeech,rightaction,rightlivelihood,righteffort,rightmindfulness,rightconcentration—isthestream.”—SN55:5

“Andwhatisrightview?Knowledgeintermsofstress,knowledgeintermsoftheoriginationofstress,knowledgeintermsofthecessationofstress,knowledgeintermsofthewayofpracticeleadingtothecessationofstress:Thisiscalledrightview.

“Andwhatisrightresolve?Beingresolvedonrenunciation,onnon-illwill,onharmlessness:Thisiscalledrightresolve.

“Andwhatisrightspeech?Abstainingfromlying,fromdivisivespeech,fromharshspeech,&fromidlechatter:Thisiscalledrightspeech.

“Andwhatisrightaction?Abstainingfromtakinglife,fromstealing,&fromsexualintercourse:Thisiscalledrightaction.

“Andwhatisrightlivelihood?Thereisthecasewhereadiscipleofthenobleones,havingabandoneddishonestlivelihood,keepshislifegoingwithrightlivelihood.Thisiscalledrightlivelihood.

“Andwhatisrighteffort?Thereisthecasewhereamonkgeneratesdesire,endeavors,arousespersistence,upholds&exertshisintentforthesakeofthenon-arisingofevil,unskillfulqualitiesthathavenotyetarisen…forthesakeoftheabandoningofevil,unskillfulqualitiesthathavearisen…forthesakeofthearisingofskillfulqualitiesthathavenotyetarisen…(and)forthemaintenance,non-confusion,increase,plenitude,development,&culminationofskillfulqualitiesthathavearisen.Thisiscalledrighteffort.

“Andwhatisrightmindfulness?Thereisthecasewhereamonkremainsfocusedonthebodyin&ofitself—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed

82

&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Heremainsfocusedonfeelingsin&ofthemselves…themindin&ofitself…mentalqualitiesin&ofthemselves—ardent,alert,&mindful—puttingasidegreed&distresswithreferencetotheworld.Thisiscalledrightmindfulness.

“Andwhatisrightconcentration?Thereisthecasewhereamonk—quitesecludedfromsensuality,secludedfromunskillfulqualities—enters&remainsinthefirstjhana:rapture&pleasurebornofseclusion,accompaniedbydirectedthought&evaluation.Withthestillingofdirectedthoughts&evaluations,heenters&remainsinthesecondjhana:rapture&pleasurebornofconcentration,unificationofawarenessfreefromdirectedthought&evaluation—internalassurance.Withthefadingofraptureheremainsequanimous,mindful,&alert,andsensespleasurewiththebody.Heenters&remainsinthethirdjhana,ofwhichtheNobleOnesdeclare,‘Equanimous&mindful,hehasapleasantabiding.’Withtheabandoningofpleasure&pain—aswiththeearlierdisappearanceofelation&distress—heenters&remainsinthefourthjhana:purityofequanimity&mindfulness,neitherpleasurenorpain.Thisiscalledrightconcentration.”—SN45:8

“Thereisthecasewherethediscipleofthenobleones[heremeaningastream-enterer]isendowedwithverifiedconfidenceintheAwakenedOne…verifiedconfidenceintheDhamma…verifiedconfidenceintheSangha…He/sheisendowedwithvirtuesthatareappealingtothenobleones:untorn,unbroken,unspotted,unsplattered,liberating,praisedbythewise,untarnished,leadingtoconcentration.”—AN10:92

“Monks,therearethesefourbonanzasofmerit,bonanzasofskillfulness,nourishmentsofbliss.Whichfour?

“ThereisthecasewherethediscipleofthenobleonesisendowedwithverifiedconfidenceintheAwakenedOne:‘Indeed,theBlessedOneisworthyandrightlyself-awakened,consummateinknowledge&conduct,well-gone,anexpertwithregardtotheworld,unexcelledasatrainerforthosepeoplefittobetamed,theTeacherofdivine&humanbeings,awakened,blessed.’Thisisthefirstbonanzaofmerit,bonanza,ofskillfulness,nourishmentofbliss.

“Furthermore,thediscipleofthenobleonesisendowedwithverifiedconfidenceintheDhamma:‘TheDhammaiswell-expoundedbytheBlessedOne,tobeseenhere&now,timeless,invitingverification,pertinent,toberealizedbythewiseforthemselves.’Thisisthesecondbonanzaofmerit,bonanza,ofskillfulness,nourishmentofbliss.

83

“Furthermore,thediscipleofthenobleonesisendowedwithverifiedconfidenceintheSangha:‘TheSanghaoftheBlessedOne’sdiscipleswhohavepracticedwell…whohavepracticedstraight-forwardly…whohavepracticedmethodically…whohavepracticedmasterfully—inotherwords,thefourtypesofnoblediscipleswhentakenaspairs,theeightwhentakenasindividualtypes—theyaretheSanghaoftheBlessedOne’sdisciples:worthyofgifts,worthyofhospitality,worthyofofferings,worthyofrespect,theincomparablefieldofmeritfortheworld.’Thisisthethirdbonanzaofmerit,bonanza,ofskillfulness,nourishmentofbliss.

“Furthermore,thediscipleofthenobleonesisendowedwithvirtuesthatareappealingtothenobleones:untorn,unbroken,unspotted,unsplattered,liberating,praisedbythewise,untarnished,leadingtoconcentration.Thisisthefourthbonanzaofmerit,bonanza,ofskillfulness,nourishmentofbliss.

“Thesearefourbonanzasofmerit,bonanzasofskillfulness,nourishmentsofbliss.”—SN55:31

SN55:32definesthefourthbonanzaofmeritasfollows:“Furthermore,thediscipleofthenobleoneslivesathomewithanawarenesscleansedofthestainofstinginess,freelygenerous,openhanded,delightinginbeingmagnanimous,responsivetorequests,delightinginthedistributionofalms.

SN55:33definesitasfollows:“Furthermore,thediscipleofthenobleonesisdiscerning,endowedwithdiscernmentofarising&passingaway—noble,penetrating,leadingtotherightendingofstress.”

“Justasit’snoteasytotakethemeasureofthewaterinthegreatoceanas‘justthismanypailsofwaterorhundredsofpailsofwaterorthousandsofpailsofwaterorhundredsofthousandsofpailsofwater.’Itisreckonedsimplyasagreatmassofwaterthatisunreckonable,immeasurable.Inthesameway,whenadiscipleofthenobleonesisendowedwiththesefourbonanzasofmerit,bonanzasofskillfulness,it’snoteasytotakethemeasureofthemeritas‘justthismuchbonanzaofmerit,bonanzaofskillfulness,nourishmentofbliss,heavenly,ripeninginblissleadingtoheaven,leadingtowhatisagreeable,pleasing,charming,happy,&beneficial.’Itisreckonedsimplyasagreatmassofmeritthatisunreckonable,immeasurable.”—SN55:41

[Ven.AnandaisspeakingtoAnathapindikaconcerningthefirstlistofbonanzasofmerit:]“Awell-instructeddiscipleofthenobleones,whenendowedwiththesefourqualities,hasnoterror,notrepidation,nofearatdeathwith

84

regardtothenextlife.”—SN55:27

“Thenthereisthecaseofthepersonwhohasnodoubtorperplexity,whohasarrivedatcertaintywithregardtotheTrueDhamma.Thenhecomesdownwithaseriousdisease.Ashecomesdownwithaseriousdisease,thethoughtoccurstohim,‘Ihavenodoubtorperplexity.IhavearrivedatcertaintywithregardtotheTrueDhamma.’Hedoesn’tgrieve,isn’ttormented;doesn’tweep,beathisbreast,orgrowdelirious.This,too,isapersonwho,subjecttodeath,isnotafraidorinterrorofdeath.”—AN4:184

[TheBuddhaisspeakingtoNandaka,thechiefministeroftheLicchavis,concerningthefirstlistofbonanzasofmerit:]“Adiscipleofthenobleonesendowedwiththesefourqualitiesisastream-winner,steadfast,neveragaindestinedforstatesofwoe,headedforself-awakening.

“Furthermore,adiscipleofthenobleonesendowedwiththesefourqualitiesislinkedwithlonglife,humanordivine;islinkedwithbeauty,humanordivine;islinkedwithhappiness,humanordivine;islinkedwithstatus,humanordivine;islinkedwithinfluence,humanordivine.

“Itellyouthis,Nandaka,nothavinghearditfromanyotherbrahmanorcontemplative.Instead,Itellyouthishavingknown,seen,andrealizeditformyself.”

Whenthiswassaid,acertainmansaidtoNandaka,thechiefministeroftheLicchavis,“Itisnowtimeforyourbath,sir.”

[Nandakaresponded,]“Enough,Isay,withthisexternalbath.Iamsatisfiedwiththisinternalbath:confidenceintheBlessedOne.”—SN55:30

ThentheBlessedOne,pickingupalittlebitofdustwiththetipofhisfingernail,saidtothemonks,“Whatdoyouthink,monks?Whichisgreater:thelittlebitofdustIhavepickedupwiththetipofmyfingernail,orthegreatearth?”

“Thegreatearthisfargreater,lord.ThelittlebitofdusttheBlessedOnehaspickedupwiththetipofhisfingernailisnexttonothing.It’snotahundredth,athousandth,aonehundred-thousandth—thislittlebitofdusttheBlessedOnehaspickedupwiththetipofhisfingernail—whencomparedwiththegreatearth.”

“Inthesameway,monks,foradiscipleofthenobleoneswhoisconsummateinview,anindividualwhohasbrokenthrough[tostream-entry],

85

thesuffering&stresstotallyended&extinguishedisfargreater.Thatwhichremainsinthestateofhavingatmostsevenremaininglifetimesisnexttonothing:it’snotahundredth,athousandth,aonehundred-thousandth,whencomparedwiththepreviousmassofsuffering.That’showgreatthebenefitisofbreakingthroughtotheDhamma,monks.That’showgreatthebenefitisofobtainingtheDhammaeye.”—SN13:1

Soledominionovertheearth,goingtoheaven,lordshipoverallworlds:

thefruitofStream-entryexcelsthem.—Dhp178

86

BeyondMeritAshewasstandingtooneside,Uttarathedeva’ssonrecitedthisverseinthe

BlessedOne’spresence:

“Lifeissweptalong,next-to-nothingitsspan.Foronesweptonbyaging

nosheltersexist.Perceivingthisdangerindeath,oneshoulddodeedsofmeritthatbringaboutbliss.”

TheBuddha:“Lifeissweptalong,next-to-nothingitsspan.Foroneswepttooldage

nosheltersexist.Perceivingthisdangerindeath,oneshoulddroptheworld’sbait

andlookforpeace.”—SN2:19

Forapersonofunsoddenedmind,unassaultedawareness,

abandoningmerit&evil,wakeful,

thereisnodangernofear.—Dhp39

Hehasgonebeyondattachmenthereforbothmerit&evil—sorrowless,dustless,&pure:

he’swhatIcall

87

abrahman.—Dhp412

88

GlossaryArahant:A“worthyone”or“pureone”;apersonwhosemindisfreeofdefilementandisthusnotsubjecttofurtherrebirth.AtitlefortheBuddhaandhishighestlevelofnobledisciples.

Asava:Effluent;fermentation.Fourqualities—sensuality,views,becoming,andignorance—that“flowout”ofthemindandcreatethefloodoftheroundofdeathandrebirth.

Brahma:Aninhabitantofthehighestheavenlyrealmsofformandformlessness.

Brahman:Amemberofthepriestlycaste,whichclaimedtobethehighestcasteinIndia,basedonbirth.InaspecificallyBuddhistusage,“brahman”canalsomeananarahant,conveyingthepointthatexcellenceisbasednotonbirthorrace,butonthequalitiesattainedinthemind.

Deva(devata):Literally,“shiningone.”Aninhabitantoftheheavenlyrealms.

Dhamma:(1)Event;action;(2)aphenomenoninandofitself;(3)mentalquality;(4)doctrine,teaching;(5)nibbana(althoughtherearepassagesdescribingnibbanaastheabandoningofalldhammas).Sanskritform:Dharma.

Jhana:Mentalabsorption.Astateofstrongconcentrationfocusedonasinglesensationormentalnotion.Thistermisrelatedtotheverbjhayati,whichmeanstoburnwithastill,steadyflame.

Kamma:Intentionalaction.Sanskritform:Karma.

Nibbana:Literally,the“unbinding”ofthemindfrompassion,aversion,anddelusion,andfromtheentireroundofdeathandrebirth.Asthistermalsodenotestheextinguishingofafire,itcarriesconnotationsofstilling,cooling,andpeace.Sanskritform:Nirvana.

Sangha:Community.Ontheconventionallevel,thistermdenotesthecommunitiesofBuddhistmonksandnuns.Ontheideallevel,itdenotesthosefollowersoftheBuddha,layorordained,whohaveattainedatleastthefirstlevelofAwakening.

89

Sutta:Discourse.Sanskritform:Sutra.

Tathagata:Literally,“onewhohasbecomeauthentic(tatha-agata)”or“onewhoistrulygone(tatha-gata).”AnepithetusedinancientIndiaforapersonwhohasattainedthehighestreligiousgoal.InBuddhism,itusuallydenotestheBuddha,althoughoccasionallyitalsodenotesanyofhisarahantdisciples.

Vinaya:Themonasticdiscipline.

90

AbbreviationsReferencesaretotextsfrom

thePaliCanon:

AN AnguttaraNikayaDhp DhammapadaDN DighaNikayaIti ItivuttakaKhp KhuddakapathaMN MajjhimaNikayaMv MahavaggaSN SamyuttaNikayaUd Udana

91

TableofContents

Titlepage 2Copyright 3Introduction 4BasicWisdom 6Puñña:Merit 13Dana:Giving 20Sila:Virtue 41Bhavana:Meditation 58TheMeritofStream-entry 82BeyondMerit 87Glossary 89Abbreviations 91

92