8.
The Discourse at Naḷakapāna
166. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Kosalans at Naḷakapāna in a palāsa grove. Now at that time several well-known sons of good family had gone forth from home into homelessness with faith with reference to the Blessed One - the Venerable Anuruddha, the Venerable Bhaddiya, the Venerable Kimila, the Venerable Bhagu, the Venerable Koṇḍañña, the Venerable Revata, the Venerable Ānanda, and other well-known sons of good family. Now at that time the Blessed One was seated in the open air surrounded by the Community of monks. Then the Blessed One, referring to those sons of good family, addressed the monks - "Those sons of good family, monks, who with faith have gone forth from home into homelessness with reference to me, are those monks, monks, delighting in the holy life?" When this was said, those monks remained silent. For the second time the Blessed One, referring to those sons of good family, addressed the monks - "Those sons of good family, monks, who with faith have gone forth from home into homelessness with reference to me, are those monks, monks, delighting in the holy life?" For the second time those monks remained silent. For the third time the Blessed One, referring to those sons of good family, addressed the monks - "Those sons of good family, monks, who with faith have gone forth from home into homelessness with reference to me, are those monks, monks, delighting in the holy life?" For the third time those monks remained silent.
167. Then this occurred to the Blessed One: "What if I were to ask those sons of good family?" Then the Blessed One addressed the Venerable Anuruddha: "Are you, Anuruddha, delighting in the holy life?" "Truly we, venerable sir, are delighting in the holy life." "Good, good, Anuruddha! This indeed, Anuruddha, is proper for you, sons of good family who have gone forth from home into homelessness through faith, that you should delight in the holy life. With that blessed youth, endowed with the first stage of life, with jet-black hair, by which you might enjoy sensual pleasures, with that same blessed youth, Anuruddha, endowed with the first stage of life, with jet-black hair, you have gone forth from home into homelessness. And yet you, Anuruddha, have not gone forth from home into homelessness driven by kings, nor have you gone forth from home into homelessness driven by thieves, nor have you gone forth from home into homelessness oppressed by debt, nor have you gone forth from home into homelessness oppressed by fear, nor have you gone forth from home into homelessness overcome by livelihood. But rather, 'I am overcome by birth, by ageing, by death, by sorrows, by lamentations, by sufferings, by displeasures, by anguishes, overcome by suffering, afflicted by suffering; perhaps the ending of this whole mass of suffering might be discerned' - have you not, Anuruddha, thus gone forth from home into homelessness through faith?" "Yes, venerable sir." "But what is to be done by a son of good family who has thus gone forth, Anuruddha? If, Anuruddha, secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome mental states, he does not attain rapture and happiness, or something more peaceful than that, then covetousness remains obsessing his mind, anger remains obsessing his mind, sloth and torpor remain obsessing his mind, restlessness and remorse remain obsessing his mind, sceptical doubt remains obsessing his mind, discontent remains obsessing his mind, weariness remains obsessing his mind. If, Anuruddha, secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome mental states, he does not attain rapture and happiness, or something more peaceful than that."
"If, Anuruddha, secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome mental states, he attains rapture and happiness, or something more peaceful than that, then covetousness does not remain obsessing his mind, anger does not remain obsessing his mind, sloth and torpor do not remain obsessing his mind, restlessness and remorse do not remain obsessing his mind, sceptical doubt does not remain obsessing his mind, discontent does not remain obsessing his mind, weariness does not remain obsessing his mind. If, Anuruddha, secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome mental states, he attains rapture and happiness, or something more peaceful than that.
168. "What do you think about me, Anuruddha - 'Those mental corruptions that are subject to defilement, leading to rebirth, that give trouble, with painful results, leading to future birth, ageing and death, have not been abandoned by the Truth-finder; therefore the Truth-finder, after reflection, uses one thing; after reflection, accepts one thing; after reflection, avoids one thing; after reflection, dispels one thing'?" "Indeed, venerable sir, we do not think thus about the Blessed One - 'Those mental corruptions that are subject to defilement, leading to rebirth, that give trouble, with painful results, leading to future birth, ageing and death, have not been abandoned by the Truth-finder; therefore the Truth-finder, after reflection, uses one thing; after reflection, accepts one thing; after reflection, avoids one thing; after reflection, dispels one thing.' Thus indeed, venerable sir, we think about the Blessed One - 'Those mental corruptions that are subject to defilement, leading to rebirth, that give trouble, with painful results, leading to future birth, ageing and death, have been abandoned by the Truth-finder; therefore the Truth-finder, after reflection, uses one thing; after reflection, accepts one thing; after reflection, avoids one thing; after reflection, dispels one thing.'" "Good, good, Anuruddha! For the Truth-finder, Anuruddha, those mental corruptions that are subject to defilement, leading to rebirth, that give trouble, with painful results, leading to future birth, ageing and death, have been abandoned, their root cut off, made like a palm stump, brought to obliteration, subject to non-arising in the future. Just as, Anuruddha, a palm tree with its crown cut off is incapable of further growth; just so, Anuruddha, for the Truth-finder those mental corruptions that are subject to defilement, leading to rebirth, that give trouble, with painful results, leading to future birth, ageing and death, have been abandoned, their root cut off, made like a palm stump, brought to obliteration, subject to non-arising in the future; therefore the Truth-finder, after reflection, uses one thing; after reflection, accepts one thing; after reflection, avoids one thing; after reflection, dispels one thing."
"What do you think, Anuruddha, seeing what reason does the Truth-finder declare the rebirths of disciples who have passed away and died - 'Such a one has been reborn there; such a one has been reborn there'?" "The teachings have the Blessed One as their root, venerable sir, have the Blessed One as their guide, have the Blessed One as their refuge. It would be good indeed, venerable sir, if the meaning of this statement would occur to the Blessed One himself. Having heard from the Blessed One, the monks will remember it." "Indeed, Anuruddha, the Truth-finder does not declare the rebirths of disciples who have passed away and died for the purpose of deceiving people, nor for the purpose of flattering people, nor for the benefit of material gain, honour and fame, nor thinking 'Thus may people know me' - 'Such a one has been reborn there, such a one has been reborn there.' But there are, Anuruddha, sons of good family with faith, with lofty inspiration, with lofty gladness. They, having heard that, direct their minds to that purpose. That, Anuruddha, is for their welfare and happiness for a long time."
169. "Here, Anuruddha, a monk hears - 'The monk of such and such a name has died; he was declared by the Blessed One - he became established through final knowledge.' And that venerable one was either seen by him personally or heard about - 'That venerable one was of such morality, that venerable one was of such teachings, that venerable one was of such wisdom, that venerable one was of such dwelling, that venerable one was of such liberation.' He, recollecting that one's faith and morality and learning and generosity and wisdom, directs his mind to that purpose. In this way too, Anuruddha, there is comfortable dwelling for a monk.
"Here, Anuruddha, a monk hears - 'The monk of such and such a name has died; he was declared by the Blessed One - with the utter elimination of the five lower mental fetters, he is one of spontaneous birth, attaining final nibbāna there, not subject to return from that world.' And that venerable one was either seen by him personally or heard about - 'That venerable one was of such morality, of such teachings, etc. of such wisdom, of such dwelling, that venerable one was of such liberation.' He, recollecting that one's faith and morality and learning and generosity and wisdom, directs his mind to that purpose. In this way too, Anuruddha, there is comfortable dwelling for a monk.
"Here, Anuruddha, a monk hears - 'The monk of such and such a name has died; he was declared by the Blessed One - with the utter elimination of the three mental fetters and with the reduction of lust, hate, and delusion, he is a once-returner, who, having come to this world only once more, will make an end of suffering.' And that venerable one was either seen by him personally or heard about - 'That venerable one was of such morality, of such teachings, etc. of such wisdom, of such dwelling, that venerable one was of such liberation.' He, recollecting that one's faith and morality and learning and generosity and wisdom, directs his mind to that purpose. In this way too, Anuruddha, there is comfortable dwelling for a monk.
"Here, Anuruddha, a monk hears - 'The monk of such and such a name has died; he was declared by the Blessed One - with the utter elimination of the three mental fetters, a stream-enterer, no longer subject to fall into lower realms, fixed in destiny, heading for the highest enlightenment.' And that venerable one was either seen by him personally or heard about - 'That venerable one was of such morality, of such teachings, etc. of such wisdom, of such dwelling, that venerable one was of such liberation.' He, recollecting that one's faith and morality and learning and generosity and wisdom, directs his mind to that purpose. In this way too, Anuruddha, there is comfortable dwelling for a monk.
170. "Here, Anuruddha, a nun hears - 'The nun of such and such a name has died; she was declared by the Blessed One - he became established through final knowledge.' Now that sister was either seen by her personally or heard about through oral tradition - 'That sister was of such morality, that sister was of such teachings, that sister was of such wisdom, that sister was of such dwelling, that sister was of such liberation.' She, recollecting that one's faith and morality and learning and generosity and wisdom, directs her mind to that purpose. In this way too, Anuruddha, there is comfortable dwelling for a nun.
"Here, Anuruddha, a nun hears - 'The nun of such and such a name has died; she was declared by the Blessed One - with the utter elimination of the five lower mental fetters, she is one of spontaneous birth, attaining final nibbāna there, not subject to return from that world.' Now that sister was either seen by her personally or heard about through oral tradition - 'That sister was of such morality, of such teachings, etc. of such wisdom, of such dwelling, that sister was of such liberation.' She, recollecting that one's faith and morality and learning and generosity and wisdom, directs her mind to that purpose. In this way too, Anuruddha, there is comfortable dwelling for a nun.
"Here, Anuruddha, a nun hears - 'The nun of such and such a name has died; she was declared by the Blessed One - with the utter elimination of the three mental fetters and with the reduction of lust, hate, and delusion, she is a once-returner, who, having come to this world only once more, will make an end of suffering.' Now that sister was either seen by her personally or heard about through oral tradition - 'That sister was of such morality, of such teachings, etc. of such wisdom, of such dwelling, that sister was of such liberation.' She, recollecting that one's faith and morality and learning and generosity and wisdom, directs her mind to that purpose. In this way too, Anuruddha, there is comfortable dwelling for a nun.
"Here, Anuruddha, a nun hears - 'The nun of such and such a name has died; she was declared by the Blessed One - with the utter elimination of the three mental fetters, she is a stream-enterer, no longer subject to fall into lower realms, fixed in destiny, heading for the highest enlightenment.' Now that sister was either seen by her personally or heard about through oral tradition - 'That sister was of such morality, of such teachings, of such wisdom, of such dwelling, that sister was of such liberation.' She, recollecting that one's faith and morality and learning and generosity and wisdom, directs her mind to that purpose. In this way too, Anuruddha, there is comfortable dwelling for a nun.
171. "Here, Anuruddha, a lay follower hears - 'The lay follower of such and such a name has died; he was declared by the Blessed One - with the utter elimination of the five lower mental fetters, he is one of spontaneous birth, attaining final nibbāna there, not subject to return from that world.' And that venerable one was either seen by him personally or heard about - 'That venerable one was of such morality, that venerable one was of such teachings, that venerable one was of such wisdom, that venerable one was of such dwelling, that venerable one was of such liberation.' He, recollecting that one's faith and learning and generosity and wisdom, directs his mind to that purpose. In this way too, Anuruddha, there is comfortable dwelling for a lay follower.
"Here, Anuruddha, a lay follower hears - 'The lay follower of such and such a name has died; he was declared by the Blessed One - with the utter elimination of the three mental fetters and with the reduction of lust, hate, and delusion, he is a once-returner, who, having come to this world only once more, will make an end of suffering.' And that venerable one was either seen by him personally or heard about - 'That venerable one was of such morality, of such teachings, of such wisdom, of such dwelling, that venerable one was of such liberation.' He, recollecting that one's faith and morality and learning and generosity and wisdom, directs his mind to that purpose. In this way too, Anuruddha, there is comfortable dwelling for a lay follower.
"Here, Anuruddha, a lay follower hears - 'The lay follower of such and such a name has died; he was declared by the Blessed One - with the utter elimination of the three mental fetters, a stream-enterer, no longer subject to fall into lower realms, fixed in destiny, heading for the highest enlightenment.' And that venerable one was either seen by him personally or heard about - 'That venerable one was of such morality, of such teachings, etc. of such wisdom, of such dwelling, that venerable one was of such liberation.' He, recollecting that one's faith and morality and learning and generosity and wisdom, directs his mind to that purpose. In this way too, Anuruddha, there is comfortable dwelling for a lay follower.
172. "Here, Anuruddha, a female lay follower hears - 'The female lay follower of such and such a name has died; she was declared by the Blessed One - with the utter elimination of the five lower mental fetters, she is one of spontaneous birth, attaining final nibbāna there, not subject to return from that world.' Now that sister was either seen by her personally or heard about through oral tradition - 'That sister was of such morality, of such teachings, of such wisdom, of such dwelling, that sister was of such liberation.' She, recollecting that one's faith and morality and learning and generosity and wisdom, directs her mind to that purpose. In this way too, Anuruddha, there is comfortable dwelling for a female lay follower.
"Here, Anuruddha, a female lay follower hears - 'The female lay follower of such and such a name has died; she was declared by the Blessed One - with the utter elimination of the three mental fetters and with the reduction of lust, hate, and delusion, she is a once-returner, who, having come to this world only once more, will make an end of suffering.' Now that sister was either seen by her personally or heard about through oral tradition - 'That sister was of such morality, of such teachings, of such wisdom, of such dwelling, that sister was of such liberation.' She, recollecting that one's faith and morality and learning and generosity and wisdom, directs her mind to that purpose. In this way too, Anuruddha, there is comfortable dwelling for a female lay follower.
"Here, Anuruddha, a female lay follower hears - 'The female lay follower of such and such a name has died; she was declared by the Blessed One - with the utter elimination of the three mental fetters, she is a stream-enterer, no longer subject to fall into lower realms, fixed in destiny, heading for the highest enlightenment.' Now that sister was either seen by her personally or heard about through oral tradition - 'That sister was of such morality, that sister was of such teachings, that sister was of such wisdom, that sister was of such dwelling, that sister was of such liberation.' She, recollecting that one's faith and morality and learning and generosity and wisdom, directs her mind to that purpose. In this way too, Anuruddha, there is comfortable dwelling for a female lay follower.
"Thus, Anuruddha, the Truth-finder does not declare the rebirths of disciples who have passed away and died for the purpose of deceiving people, nor for the purpose of flattering people, nor for the benefit of material gain, honour and fame, nor thinking 'Thus may people know me' - 'Such a one has been reborn there, such a one has been reborn there.' But there are, Anuruddha, sons of good family with faith, with lofty inspiration, with lofty gladness. They, having heard that, direct their minds to that purpose. That, Anuruddha, is for their welfare and happiness for a long time."
This is what the Blessed One said. Delighted, the Venerable Anuruddha rejoiced in what the Blessed One had said.
The Discourse at Naḷakapāna is concluded as eighth.