4.
The Chapter on Action
1.
The Discourse in Brief
232. "Monks, there are these four actions that I have realised by direct knowledge myself and proclaimed. What are the four? There is, monks, action that is dark with dark result; there is, monks, action that is bright with bright result; there is, monks, action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result; there is, monks, action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action. These, monks, are the four actions that I have realised by direct knowledge myself and proclaimed." The first.
2.
The Discourse in Detail
233. "Monks, there are these four actions that I have realised by direct knowledge myself and proclaimed. What are the four? There is, monks, action that is dark with dark result; there is, monks, action that is bright with bright result; there is, monks, action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result; there is, monks, action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action.
"And what, monks, is action that is dark with dark result? Here, monks, a certain one generates afflictive bodily activity, generates afflictive verbal activity, generates afflictive mental activity. He, having generated afflictive bodily activity, having generated afflictive verbal activity, having generated afflictive mental activity, is reborn in an afflictive world. When he has been reborn in an afflictive world, afflictive contacts touch him. He, being touched by afflictive contacts, feels afflictive feeling, exclusively painful, just as beings in hell. This is called, monks, action that is dark with dark result.
"And what, monks, is action that is bright with bright result? Here, monks, a certain one generates non-afflictive bodily activity, generates non-afflictive verbal activity, generates non-afflictive mental activity. He, having generated non-afflictive bodily activity, having generated non-afflictive verbal activity, having generated non-afflictive mental activity, is reborn in a non-afflictive world. When he has been reborn in a non-afflictive world, non-afflictive contacts touch him. He, being touched by non-afflictive contacts, feels non-afflictive feeling, exclusively pleasant, just as the gods of streaming radiance. This is called, monks, action that is bright with bright result.
"And what, monks, is action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result? Here, monks, a certain one generates bodily activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive, generates verbal activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive, generates mental activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive. He, having generated bodily activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive, having generated verbal activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive, having generated mental activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive, is reborn in a world that is both afflictive and non-afflictive. When he has been reborn in a world that is both afflictive and non-afflictive, contacts that are both afflictive and non-afflictive touch him. He, being touched by contacts that are both afflictive and non-afflictive, feels feeling that is both afflictive and non-afflictive, mingled pleasure and pain, just as human beings, some gods, and some beings in states of misfortune. This is called, monks, action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result.
"And what, monks, is action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action? Therein, monks, whatever volition there is for the abandoning of this action that is dark with dark result, whatever volition there is for the abandoning of this action that is bright with bright result, whatever volition there is for the abandoning of this action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result - this is called, monks, action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action. These, monks, are the four actions that I have realised by direct knowledge myself and proclaimed." The second.
3.
The Discourse on Soṇakāyana
234. Then the brahmin Sikhāmoggallāna approached the Blessed One; having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One. Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the brahmin Sikhāmoggallāna said this to the Blessed One -
"Some days ago, Master Gotama, earlier than that, the young man Soṇakāyana approached me; having approached, he said this to me - 'The ascetic Gotama teaches the non-doing of all actions, but in teaching the non-doing of all actions he speaks of annihilation of the world - this world, friend, is of the nature of action, it persists through the undertaking of action.'"
"I do not even know of seeing the young man Soṇakāyana, brahmin; so from where such a friendly conversation! Brahmin, there are these four actions that I have realised by direct knowledge myself and proclaimed. What are the four? There is, brahmin, action that is dark with dark result; there is, brahmin, action that is bright with bright result; there is, brahmin, action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result; there is, brahmin, action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action.
"And what, brahmin, is action that is dark with dark result? Here, brahmin, a certain one generates afflictive bodily activity, generates afflictive verbal activity, generates afflictive mental activity. He, having generated afflictive bodily activity, having generated afflictive verbal activity, having generated afflictive mental activity, is reborn in an afflictive world. When he has been reborn in an afflictive world, afflictive contacts touch him. He, being touched by afflictive contacts, feels afflictive feeling, exclusively painful, just as beings in hell. This is called, brahmin, action that is dark with dark result.
"And what, brahmin, is action that is bright with bright result? Here, brahmin, a certain one generates non-afflictive bodily activity, generates non-afflictive verbal activity, generates non-afflictive mental activity. He, having generated non-afflictive bodily activity, having generated non-afflictive verbal activity, having generated non-afflictive mental activity, is reborn in a non-afflictive world. When he has been reborn in a non-afflictive world, non-afflictive contacts touch him. He, being touched by non-afflictive contacts, feels non-afflictive feeling, exclusively pleasant, just as the gods of streaming radiance. This is called, brahmin, action that is bright with bright result.
"And what, brahmin, is action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result? Here, brahmin, a certain one generates bodily activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive, generates verbal activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive, generates mental activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive. He, having generated bodily activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive, having generated verbal activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive, having generated mental activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive, is reborn in a world that is both afflictive and non-afflictive. When he has been reborn in a world that is both afflictive and non-afflictive, contacts that are both afflictive and non-afflictive touch him. He, being touched by contacts that are both afflictive and non-afflictive, feels feeling that is both afflictive and non-afflictive, mingled pleasure and pain, just as human beings, some gods, and some beings in states of misfortune. This is called, brahmin, action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result.
"And what, brahmin, is action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action? Therein, brahmin, whatever volition there is for the abandoning of this action that is dark with dark result, whatever volition there is for the abandoning of this action that is bright with bright result, whatever volition there is for the abandoning of this action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result - this is called, brahmin, action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action. These, brahmin, are the four actions that I have realised by direct knowledge myself and proclaimed." The third.
4.
The First Discourse on Training Rules
235. "Monks, there are these four actions that I have realised by direct knowledge myself and proclaimed. What are the four? There is, monks, action that is dark with dark result; there is, monks, action that is bright with bright result; there is, monks, action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result; there is, monks, action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action. And what, monks, is action that is dark with dark result? Here, monks, a certain one is one who kills living beings, takes what is not given, engages in sexual misconduct, is a liar, indulges in spirits, liquor and intoxicants that cause negligence. This is called, monks, action that is dark with dark result.
"And what, monks, is action that is bright with bright result? Here, monks, a certain one abstains from killing living beings, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from sexual misconduct, abstains from lying, abstains from spirits, liquor and intoxicants that cause negligence. This is called, monks, action that is bright with bright result.
"And what, monks, is action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result? Here, monks, a certain one generates bodily activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive... etc. This is called, monks, action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result.
"And what, monks, is action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action? Therein, monks, whatever this action that is dark with dark result... etc. this is called, monks, action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action. These, monks, are the four actions that I have realised by direct knowledge myself and proclaimed." The fourth.
5.
The Second Discourse on Training Rules
236. "Monks, there are these four actions that I have realised by direct knowledge myself and proclaimed. What are the four? There is, monks, action that is dark with dark result; there is, monks, action that is bright with bright result; there is, monks, action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result; there is, monks, action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action.
"And what, monks, is action that is dark with dark result? Here, monks, by a certain one a mother has been deprived of life, a father has been deprived of life, a Worthy One has been deprived of life, blood has been drawn from a Truth-finder with a malicious mind, the monastic community has been split. This is called, monks, action that is dark with dark result.
"And what, monks, is action that is bright with bright result? Here, monks, a certain one abstains from killing living beings, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from sexual misconduct, abstains from lying, abstains from divisive speech, abstains from harsh speech, abstains from idle chatter, is non-covetous, has a mind without ill-will, holds right view. This is called, monks, action that is bright with bright result.
"And what, monks, is action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result? Here, monks, a certain one generates bodily activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive... etc. This is called, monks, action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result.
"And what, monks, is action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action? Therein, monks, whatever this action that is dark with dark result... etc. this is called, monks, action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action. These, monks, are the four actions that I have realised by direct knowledge myself and proclaimed." The fifth.
6.
The Discourse on the Noble Path
237. "Monks, there are these four actions that I have realised by direct knowledge myself and proclaimed. What are the four? There is, monks, action that is dark with dark result; there is, monks, action that is bright with bright result; there is, monks, action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result; there is, monks, action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action.
"And what, monks, is action that is dark with dark result? Here, monks, a certain one generates afflictive bodily activity... etc. This is called, monks, action that is dark with dark result.
"And what, monks, is action that is bright with bright result? Here, monks, a certain one generates non-afflictive bodily activity... etc. This is called, monks, action that is bright with bright result.
"And what, monks, is action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result? Here, monks, a certain one generates bodily activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive... etc. This is called, monks, action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result.
"And what, monks, is action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action? Right view... etc. right concentration. This is called, monks, action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action. These, monks, are the four actions that I have realised by direct knowledge myself and proclaimed." The sixth.
7.
The Discourse on the Factors of Enlightenment
238. "Monks, there are these four actions... etc. dark with dark result... etc. Here, monks, a certain one generates afflictive bodily activity... etc. This is called, monks, action that is dark with dark result.
"And what, monks, is action that is bright with bright result? Here, monks, a certain one generates non-afflictive bodily activity... etc. This is called, monks, action that is bright with bright result.
"And what, monks, is action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result? Here, monks, a certain one generates bodily activity that is both afflictive and non-afflictive... etc. This is called, monks, action that is dark and bright with dark and bright result.
"And what, monks, is action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action? The enlightenment factor of mindfulness, the enlightenment factor of investigation of phenomena, the enlightenment factor of energy, the enlightenment factor of rapture, the enlightenment factor of tranquillity, the enlightenment factor of concentration, the enlightenment factor of equanimity - this is called, monks, action that is neither dark nor bright with neither dark nor bright result, which leads to the elimination of action. These, monks, are the four actions that I have realised by direct knowledge myself and proclaimed." The seventh.
8.
The Discourse on the Blameworthy
239. "Monks, one possessed of four qualities is deposited in hell as if carried there. Which four? With blameworthy bodily action, with blameworthy verbal action, with blameworthy mental action, with blameworthy view - Monks, one possessed of these four qualities is deposited in hell as if carried there.
"Monks, one possessed of four qualities is deposited in heaven as if carried there. Which four? With blameless bodily action, with blameless verbal action, with blameless mental action, with blameless view - Monks, one possessed of these four qualities is deposited in heaven as if carried there." The eighth.
9.
The Discourse on the Non-harmful
240. "Monks, one possessed of four qualities is deposited in hell as if carried there. Which four? With harmful bodily action, with harmful verbal action, with harmful mental action, with harmful view - Monks, one possessed of these four qualities is deposited in hell as if carried there.
"Monks, one possessed of four qualities is deposited in heaven as if carried there. Which four? With harmless bodily action, with harmless verbal action, with harmless mental action, with harmless view - Monks, one possessed of these four qualities is deposited in heaven as if carried there." The ninth.
10.
The Discourse on Ascetics
241. "Here only, monks, is an ascetic, here is a second ascetic, here is a third ascetic, here is a fourth ascetic; the other doctrines are empty of other ascetics" - thus, monks, rightly roar the lion's roar.
"And what, monks, is the first ascetic? Here, monks, a monk, with the utter elimination of the three mental fetters, becomes a stream-enterer, no longer subject to fall into lower realms, fixed in destiny, heading for the highest enlightenment. This, monks, is the first ascetic.
"And what, monks, is the second ascetic? Here, monks, a monk, with the utter elimination of the three mental fetters and with the reduction of lust, hate, and delusion, becomes a once-returner, who, having come to this world only once more, makes an end of suffering. This, monks, is the second ascetic.
"And what, monks, is the third ascetic? Here, monks, a monk, with the utter elimination of the five lower mental fetters, becomes one of spontaneous birth, attaining final nibbāna there, not subject to return from that world. This, monks, is the third ascetic.
"And what, monks, is the fourth ascetic? Here, monks, a monk, 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. This, monks, is the fourth ascetic.
"Here only, monks, is the first ascetic, here is a second ascetic, here is a third ascetic, here is a fourth ascetic; the other doctrines are empty of other ascetics" - thus, monks, rightly roar the lion's roar." The tenth.
11.
The Discourse on the Benefits of a Good Person
242. "In dependence on a good person, monks, four benefits are to be expected. Which four? One grows in noble morality, grows in noble concentration, grows in noble wisdom, grows in noble liberation - in dependence on a good person, monks, these four benefits are to be expected." The eleventh.
The Action Chapter is the fourth.
Its summary:
Training rule, noble path, factors of enlightenment;
Blameworthy and non-afflictive,
Ascetic and benefits of a good person.