4.
The Fourth Chapter
1.
The Discourse on Applied Thought
80. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Worthy One, thus have I heard:
"There are these three unwholesome thoughts, monks. Which three? Thought connected with not being despised, thought connected with material gain, honour and fame, thought connected with compassion for others. These, monks, are the three unwholesome thoughts." The Blessed One said this meaning. Therein this is said:
Rejoicing together with colleagues, is far from the destruction of fetters.
Such a monk is capable of touching the highest enlightenment."
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard. The first.
2.
The Honour Discourse
81. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Worthy One, thus have I heard:
"I have seen, monks, beings overpowered by honour, with mind consumed, upon the body's collapse at death, arisen in a realm of misery, an unfortunate realm, a nether world, in hell.
"I have seen, monks, beings overpowered by dishonour, with mind consumed, upon the body's collapse at death, arisen in a realm of misery, an unfortunate realm, a nether world, in hell.
"I have seen, monks, beings overpowered by honour and dishonour, by both of these, with mind consumed, upon the body's collapse at death, arisen in a realm of misery, an unfortunate realm, a nether world, in hell.
"But this, monks, I do not say having heard it from another ascetic or brahmin; but rather, monks, whatever I myself have known, myself have seen, myself have understood, that alone I say.
"I have seen, monks, beings overpowered by honour, with mind consumed, upon the body's collapse at death, arisen in a realm of misery, an unfortunate realm, a nether world, in hell.
"I have seen, monks, beings overpowered by dishonour, with mind consumed, upon the body's collapse at death, arisen in a realm of misery, an unfortunate realm, a nether world, in hell.
"I have seen, monks, beings overpowered by honour and dishonour, by both of these, with mind consumed, upon the body's collapse at death, arisen in a realm of misery, an unfortunate realm, a nether world, in hell." The Blessed One said this meaning. Therein this is said:
Whose concentration does not waver, of one dwelling in diligence.
Delighting in the elimination of clinging, they call a good person."
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard. The second.
3.
The Discourse on the Sound of the Gods
82. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Worthy One, thus have I heard:
"There are these three sounds of the gods that emanate among the gods from time to time, on occasion. Which three? At the time, monks, when a noble disciple, having shaved off his hair and beard, having put on ochre robes, intends to go forth from home into homelessness, at that time a sound of the gods emanates among the gods - 'This noble disciple intends for battle with Māra.' This, monks, is the first sound of the gods that emanates among the gods from time to time, on occasion.
"Furthermore, monks, at the time when a noble disciple dwells devoted to the pursuit of development of the seven qualities conducive to enlightenment, at that time a sound of the gods emanates among the gods - 'This noble disciple is fighting a battle with Māra.' This, monks, is the second sound of the gods that emanates among the gods from time to time, on occasion.
"Furthermore, monks, at the time when a noble disciple, with the elimination of the mental corruptions, in this very life, having realised by direct knowledge himself, having attained, dwells in the liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom that are without mental corruptions, at that time a sound of the gods emanates among the gods - 'This noble disciple, victorious in battle, having conquered that very battlefield, dwells there.' This, monks, is the third sound of the gods that emanates among the gods from time to time, on occasion. These, monks, are the three sounds of the gods that emanate among the gods from time to time, on occasion." The Blessed One said this meaning. Therein this is said:
Even the deities pay homage to the great one, free from timidity.
Having conquered the army of Death, unobstructed through deliverance.
For they do not see that in him by which he might come under the power of Death."
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard. The third.
4.
The Discourse on the Five Advanced Signs
83. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Worthy One, thus have I heard:
"When, monks, a god from the host of gods is subject to pass away, five advanced signs become manifest for him - garlands wither, garments become soiled, sweat emits from the armpits, ugliness comes upon the body, and the god does not delight in his own divine seat. Then, monks, the gods, having understood 'this young god is subject to pass away', give thanks with three statements - 'From here, friend, go to a good destination; having gone to a good destination, obtain a well-gained gain; having obtained a well-gained gain, become firmly established.'"
When this was said, a certain monk said this to the Blessed One - "What indeed, venerable sir, is reckoned as going to a good destination for the gods; and what, venerable sir, is reckoned as a well-gained gain for the gods; and what, venerable sir, is reckoned as being firmly established for the gods?"
"Human existence, monk, is reckoned as going to a good destination for the gods; that being a human being, one obtains faith in the Teaching and discipline proclaimed by the Truth-finder. This, monk, is reckoned as a well-gained gain for the gods; and that faith of his is settled, rooted, established, firm, unshakeable by any ascetic or brahmin or god or Māra or Brahmā or anyone in the world. This, monk, is reckoned as being firmly established for the gods." The Blessed One said this meaning. Therein this is said:
Three sounds emanate, of the gods giving thanks.
Having become a human being, in the Good Teaching, obtain unsurpassed faith.
Unshakeable for as long as life lasts, in the Good Teaching well proclaimed.
Having abandoned mental misconduct, and whatever else is connected with hate.
Having done wholesome by mind, immeasurable, without clinging.
Establish other mortals too in the Good Teaching, in the holy life.'
They give thanks to the one passing away: 'Come, god, again and again.'"
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard. The fourth.
5.
The Discourse on the Welfare of Many People
84. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Worthy One, thus have I heard:
"These three persons, arising in the world, arise for the welfare of many people, for the happiness of many people, out of compassion for the world, for the good, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans. Which three? Here, monks, a Truth-finder arises in the world, a Worthy One, a One Enlightened by himself, accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, the Fortunate One, knower of the world, unsurpassed trainer of persons to be tamed, Teacher of gods and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One. He teaches the Teaching, good in the beginning, good in the middle, good in the end, with meaning and with phrasing; he reveals the holy life that is complete in its entirety and pure. This, monks, is the first person arising in the world who arises for the welfare of many people, for the happiness of many people, out of compassion for the world, for the good, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.
"Furthermore, monks, a disciple of that very Teacher is a Worthy One, one who has eliminated the mental corruptions, one who has lived the holy life, one who has done what was to be done, one who has laid down the burden, one who has attained his own welfare, one who has completely destroyed the fetter of becoming, one completely liberated through final knowledge. He teaches the Teaching, good in the beginning, good in the middle, good in the end, with meaning and with phrasing; he reveals the holy life that is complete in its entirety and pure. This, monks, is the second person arising in the world who arises for the welfare of many people, for the happiness of many people, out of compassion for the world, for the good, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.
"Furthermore, monks, a disciple of that very Teacher is a learner, one who practises, very learned, endowed with morality. He too teaches the Teaching, good in the beginning, good in the middle, good in the end, with meaning and with phrasing; he reveals the holy life that is complete in its entirety and pure. This, monks, is the third person arising in the world who arises for the welfare of many people, for the happiness of many people, out of compassion for the world, for the good, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans. These, monks, are the three persons arising in the world who arise for the welfare of many people, for the happiness of many people, out of compassion for the world, for the good, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans." The Blessed One said this meaning. Therein this is said:
Then another, a learner who practises, very learned, endowed with morality.
They open the door to the Deathless, they release this generation from the mental bonds.
Right here they make an end of suffering, those who are heedful in the Fortunate One's Dispensation."
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard. The fifth.
6.
The Discourse on One Observing Foulness
85. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Worthy One, thus have I heard:
"Monks, dwell observing foulness in the body; and let mindfulness of breathing be well established internally in front of you; dwell observing impermanence in all activities. For those dwelling observing foulness in the body, monks, whatever underlying tendency to lust regarding the element of beauty, that is abandoned. When mindfulness of breathing is well established internally in front, whatever external applied thoughts dwelling in tendencies that are conducive to vexation, they do not exist. For those dwelling observing impermanence in all activities, whatever ignorance there is, that is abandoned; whatever true knowledge there is, that arises." The Blessed One said this meaning. Therein this is said:
Seeing the stilling of all activities, ardent always.
Peaceful, accomplished through direct knowledge, he indeed is a sage who has gone beyond the bonds."
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard. The sixth.
7.
The Discourse on One Practicing in Conformity with the Teaching
86. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Worthy One, thus have I heard:
"For a monk practicing in conformity with the Teaching, this is in conformity with the Teaching for the explanation - when speaking as 'one practicing in conformity with the Teaching', he speaks only the Teaching, not what is contrary to the Teaching; or when thinking, he thinks only thoughts in accordance with the Teaching, not thoughts contrary to the Teaching; or else, having avoided both of those, he dwells equanimous, mindful and fully aware." The Blessed One said this meaning. Therein this is said:
A monk remembering the Teaching does not fall away from the Good Teaching.
Calming the mind internally, one attains peace itself."
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard. The seventh.
8.
The Discourse on Blinding
87. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Worthy One, thus have I heard:
"There are these three unwholesome thoughts, monks, that are blinding, causing lack of vision, causing not knowing, suppressing wisdom, connected with vexation, not leading to Nibbāna. Which three? Sensual thought, monks, is blinding, causes lack of vision, causes not knowing, suppresses wisdom, is connected with vexation, does not lead to Nibbāna. Thought of anger, monks, is blinding, causes lack of vision, causes not knowing, suppresses wisdom, is connected with vexation, does not lead to Nibbāna. Thought of violence, monks, is blinding, causes lack of vision, causes not knowing, suppresses wisdom, is connected with vexation, does not lead to Nibbāna. These, monks, are the three unwholesome thoughts that are blinding, causing lack of vision, causing not knowing, suppressing wisdom, connected with vexation, not leading to Nibbāna.
"There are these three wholesome thoughts, monks, that are not blinding, giving vision, giving knowledge, increasing wisdom, not connected with vexation, leading to Nibbāna. Which three? Thought of renunciation, monks, is not blinding, gives vision, gives knowledge, increases wisdom, is not connected with vexation, leads to Nibbāna. Thought of non-anger, monks, is not blinding, gives vision, gives knowledge, increases wisdom, is not connected with vexation, leads to Nibbāna. Thought of non-violence, monks, is not blinding, gives vision, gives knowledge, increases wisdom, is not connected with vexation, leads to Nibbāna. These, monks, are the three wholesome thoughts that are not blinding, giving vision, giving knowledge, increasing wisdom, not connected with vexation, leading to Nibbāna." The Blessed One said this meaning. Therein this is said:
He indeed calms the thoughts and their accompanying sustained thoughts, like rain settles dust that has been raised up;
He indeed, with a mind of stilled thoughts, right here attains the state of peace."
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard. The eighth.
9.
The Discourse on the Inner Stain
88. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Worthy One, thus have I heard:
"There are these three inner stains, inner enemies, inner foes, inner murderers, inner adversaries, monks. Which three? Greed, monks, is an inner stain, an inner enemy, an inner foe, an inner murderer, an inner adversary. Hate, monks, is an inner stain, an inner enemy, an inner foe, an inner murderer, an inner adversary. Delusion, monks, is an inner stain, an inner enemy, an inner foe, an inner murderer, an inner adversary. These, monks, are the three inner stains, inner enemies, inner foes, inner murderers, inner adversaries." The Blessed One said this meaning. Therein this is said:
The danger born from within, that people do not understand.
Then there is deep darkness, when greed overcomes a man.
Greed is abandoned from him, like a water drop from a lotus.
The danger born from within, that people do not understand.
Then there is deep darkness, when hate overcomes a man.
Hate is abandoned from him, like a palm fruit from its stalk.
The danger born from within, that people do not understand.
Then there is deep darkness, when delusion overcomes a man.
He dispels all delusion, like the sun at its rising dispels darkness."
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard. The ninth.
10.
The Discourse on Devadatta
89. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Worthy One, thus have I heard:
"Monks, overcome by three bad qualities, with mind consumed, Devadatta is bound for the realm of misery, doomed to hell, will remain there for a cosmic cycle, incurable. With which three? By evil desire, monks, overcome, with mind consumed, Devadatta is bound for the realm of misery, doomed to hell, will remain there for a cosmic cycle, incurable. By evil friendship, monks, overcome, with mind consumed, Devadatta is bound for the realm of misery, doomed to hell, will remain there for a cosmic cycle, incurable. When there was still more to be done, he stopped midway with a trifling specific attainment. By these three bad qualities, monks, overcome, with mind consumed, Devadatta is bound for the realm of misery, doomed to hell, will remain there for a cosmic cycle, incurable." The Blessed One said this meaning. Therein this is said:
Know by this too what is the destination of those with evil desires.
Standing as if blazing with fame, renowned as Devadatta.
Reached the Avīci hell, with four doors, terrifying.
That very evil touches him, the one with hateful mind, disrespectful.
He could not pollute it by that, for the ocean is vast and fearsome.
One who has gone the right way, with peaceful mind - the accusation does not take root in him.
Following whose path, a monk may reach the elimination of suffering."
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard. The tenth.
The fourth chapter is concluded.
Its summary:
Teaching, darkness, stain - with Devadatta, these are ten.