增壹阿含經 9

The Numbered Discourses (selected sūtras) 9

Language: English

9.1 The Laywoman — 11 parts
9.2 The Laywoman (2) — 11 parts
9.3 The Mind — 6 parts
9.4 The Mind (2) — 6 parts
9.5 Downfall — 9 parts
9.6 Birth in Heaven — 9 parts
9.7 A Man’s Perception — 9 parts
9.8 A Man’s Perception — 8 parts
9.9 Notions of Desire — 7 parts
9.10 Notions of Desire (2) — 8 parts

The Laywoman

9.1.p1

Thus I have heard: One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī.

It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “Take the example of a mother who holds her only son dear and devotes herself to him. She often thinks, ‘How should I instruct him so that he’ll become a man?’”

9.1.p3

The monks then said, “Bhagavān, we don’t understand the meaning of this. The Bhagavān is the source of the teachings. The Tathāgata’s words are never unacceptable. Please, Bhagavān, give the monks a discourse about this profound principle. Having heard it, we’ll approve of it.”

9.1.p4

The Bhagavān then told the monks, “Listen closely! Listen closely, and consider it well. I will discern the meaning of this for you.”

9.1.p5

The monks replied, “Yes, Bhagavān.” Then, they accepted the teaching from the Buddha.

9.1.p6

The Bhagavān told them, “That laywoman who holds her son dear and is devoted to him gives him this instruction, ‘While you’re living at home, you should be like the elder Citra or the youth Hastaka. Why is that? They are your standard; they are your measure. The Bhagavān accepted the realization of these disciples, the elder Citra and youth Hastaka.’ If that young man wants to cut off his hair and beard, put on the three Dharma robes, leave home, and train on the path, he should be like the monks Śāriputra or Maudgalyāyana. Why is that? Then, the monks Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana would be his standard; they would be his measure.

9.1.p7

“Love training in the correct Dharma, don’t do wrong deeds, and don’t be roused by what’s not Dharma. If you produce defiled ideas here, then you’ll fall into the three bad destinies. When you’re mindful and focused, you’ll attain what you haven’t attained, acquire what you haven’t acquired, and realize in the present what you have yet to realize. Why is that? Monks, the honor of a faithful gift that can’t actually be digested will prevent a person from attaining awakening.

9.1.p8

“Therefore, monks, don’t allow defiled ideas to arise. If they’ve already arisen, you must cease them. Thus, monks, you should train yourselves.”

9.1.p9

When the monks heard what the Buddha taught, they rejoiced and approved.

9.1.p10

This sūtra is part of the Dharma Pearls translation project.

9.1.p11

Prepared by Charles Patton for SuttaCentral.

The Laywoman (2)

9.2.p1

Thus I have heard: One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī.

9.2.p2

It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “There’s a devoted laywoman who has an only daughter. How should she instruct her to be accomplished?”

9.2.p3

9.2.p4

The Bhagavān then told the monks, “Listen closely! Listen closely, and consider it well. I will discern the meaning of this for you.”

9.2.p5

The monks replied, “Yes, Bhagavān.” The monks then accepted the teaching from the Buddha.

9.2.p6

The Bhagavān told them, “There is a devoted laywoman who instructs her daughter, ‘While you’re living at home, you should be like the laywomen Kubjottarā or Nanda’s mother. Why is that? They are your standard; they are your measure. The Bhagavān accepted the realization of these disciples, the laywomen Kubjottarā and Nanda’s mother.’ If her daughter decides to cut off her hair, put on the three Dharma robes, leave home, and train on the path, she should be like the nuns Kṣemā and Utpalavarṇā. Why is that? Then, the nuns Kṣemā and Utpalavarṇā would be her standard; they would be her measure.

9.2.p7

9.2.p8

“Therefore, monks, don’t allow defiled ideas to arise. If they’ve already arisen, you must cease them. Thus, monks, you should train yourselves.”

9.2.p9

When the monks heard what the Buddha taught, they rejoiced and approved.

9.2.p10

This sūtra is part of the Dharma Pearls translation project.

9.2.p11

Prepared by Charles Patton for SuttaCentral.

The Mind

9.3.p1

Thus I have heard: One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī.

9.3.p2

It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “I don’t see a single thing as quick as the mind. It cannot be grasped without using the method of the Dharma, and then the mind spins around quickly. Therefore, monks, ordinary people are unable to observe their mind thinking.

9.3.p3

“Therefore, monks, one should control their thinking to lead their mind to the good path. Thus, monks, you should train yourselves.”

9.3.p4

When the monks heard what the Buddha taught, they rejoiced and approved.

9.3.p5

This sūtra is part of the Dharma Pearls translation project.

9.3.p6

Prepared by Charles Patton for SuttaCentral.

The Mind (2)

9.4.p1

Thus I have heard: One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī.

9.4.p2

It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “I don’t see a single thing as quick as the mind. There’s no comparison for it. The mind drops one thing and picks up another when it isn’t focused and settled, just like a monkey. The mind is likewise when that previous and subsequent perceptions of its thoughts aren’t the same. Therefore, monks, ordinary people are unable to observe the origin of their mind’s thinking.

9.4.p3

“Therefore, monks, one should control their thinking to lead their mind to the good path. Thus, monks, you should train yourselves.”

9.4.p4

When the monks heard what the Buddha taught, they rejoiced and approved of it.

9.4.p5

This sūtra is part of the Dharma Pearls translation project.

9.4.p6

Prepared by Charles Patton for SuttaCentral.

Downfall

9.5.p1

Thus I have heard: One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī.

9.5.p2

It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “When I continuously examine the things that a person thinks about in their mind, I see: ‘This person will fall to Hell in the time it takes to flex their arm.’ Why is that? Because of their evil thoughts, their mind becomes ill, and they fall down into Hell.”

9.5.p3

The Bhagavān then spoke in verse:

9.5.p4

“Suppose that a person
Harbors hateful notions in their heart.
Now, I’ll tell you monks
The meaning of this in detail.

9.5.p5

Supposing their life were to end
Right at this moment in time,
Then they would be sent to Hell
Because of their mind’s defiled conduct.

9.5.p6

“Therefore, monks, one should control their mind and not do defiled conduct. Thus, monks, you should train yourselves.”

9.5.p7

When the monks heard what the Buddha taught, they rejoiced and approved.

9.5.p8

This sūtra is part of the Dharma Pearls translation project.

9.5.p9

Prepared by Charles Patton for SuttaCentral.

Birth in Heaven

9.6.p1

Thus I have heard: One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī.

9.6.p2

It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “When I continuously examine the things that a person thinks about in their mind, I see: ‘This person will be born up in Heaven in the time it takes to flex their arm.’ Why is that? It’s because of their good mind. Having given rise to a good mind, they’ll be born up in Heaven.”

9.6.p3

The Bhagavān then spoke in verse:

9.6.p4

“Suppose that a person
Produces a good and wonderful mind.
Now, I’ll tell you monks
The meaning of this in detail.

9.6.p5

Supposing their life were to end
Right at this moment in time,
They would be born up in Heaven
Because of their mind’s good conduct.

9.6.p6

“Therefore, monks, one should purify their thinking and not produce defiled conduct. Thus, monks, you should train yourselves.”

9.6.p7

When the monks heard what the Buddha taught, they rejoiced and approved.

9.6.p8

This sūtra is part of the Dharma Pearls translation project.

9.6.p9

Prepared by Charles Patton for SuttaCentral.

A Man’s Perception

9.7.p1

Thus I have heard: One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī.

9.7.p2

It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “I don’t see a single thing in this assembly so supreme and sublime that prevents the benighted worldly person from reaching eternal peace and chains them in a prison where they have no freedom. That is, when a man sees a woman’s form, he becomes attached to the perceptions it produces. A man’s mind craves and esteems it so much that it prevents him from reaching eternal peace and chains him in a prison where he has no freedom. His mind won’t abandon it, and then he goes round and round being reborn. In this world and the next, he circulates among the five destinies for numerous eons.”

9.7.p3

The Bhagavān then spoke in verse:

9.7.p4

“With Brahma’s gentle voice,
The Tathāgata says what’s hard to see.
Sometimes, when a man sees a woman,
His attention fixes to what’s before his eyes.

9.7.p5

But don’t go with that woman,
For rebirth goes with her talk.
She hunts for a man with a net,
And keeps him from reaching the unconditioned.”

9.7.p6

“Therefore, monks, one should abandon forms. Don’t become attached to the perceptions they produce. Thus, monks, you should train yourselves.”

9.7.p7

When the monks heard what the Buddha taught, they rejoiced and approved.

9.7.p8

This sūtra is part of the Dharma Pearls translation project.

9.7.p9

Prepared by Charles Patton for SuttaCentral.

A Man’s Perception

9.8.p1

Thus I have heard: One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī.

9.8.p2

It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “I don’t see a single thing in this assembly so supreme and sublime that prevents the benighted worldly person from reaching eternal peace and chains them in a prison where they have no freedom. That is, when a woman sees a man’s form, she becomes attached to the perceptions it produces. A woman’s mind craves and esteems it so much that it prevents her from reaching eternal peace and chains her in a prison where she has no freedom. Her mind won’t abandon it, and then she goes round and round being reborn. In this world and the next, she circulates among the five destinies for numerous eons.”

9.8.p3

The Bhagavān then spoke in verse:

9.8.p4

“When mistaken perceptions arise,
They generate thoughts of love and craving.
Abandon thinking that’s addictive,
Then these defilements won’t exist.

9.8.p5

“Therefore, monks, one should abandon forms. Don’t become attached to the perceptions they produce. Thus, monks, you should train yourselves.”

9.8.p6

When the monks heard what the Buddha taught, they rejoiced and approved.

9.8.p7

This sūtra is part of the Dharma Pearls translation project.

9.8.p8

Prepared by Charles Patton for SuttaCentral.

Notions of Desire

9.9.p1

Thus I have heard: One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī.

9.9.p2

It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “In this assembly, I don’t see a single thing that produces notions of desire where there are none and increases notions of the desire that have arisen … produces anger where there is none and increases anger that has arisen … produces sleepiness where there is none and increases sleepiness that has arisen … produces agitation where there is none and increases agitation that has arisen … produces doubt where there is none and increases doubt that has arisen …

9.9.p3

“One should contemplate the foul discharges and perceptions of impurity. If one becomes distracted, then notions of desire will arise where there were none and notions of desire that have arisen will increase … anger … sleepiness … [agitation] … notions of doubt will arise where there were none and doubts that have arisen will increase.

9.9.p4

“Therefore, monks, don’t become distracted and keep your thinking focused. Thus, monks, you should train yourselves.”

9.9.p5

When the monks heard what the Buddha taught, they rejoiced and approved of it.

9.9.p6

This sūtra is part of the Dharma Pearls translation project.

9.9.p7

Prepared by Charles Patton for SuttaCentral.

Notions of Desire (2)

9.10.p1

Thus I have heard: One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī.

9.10.p2

It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “In this assembly, I don’t see a single thing that doesn’t produce notions of desire that have yet to exist and that ceases notions of desire that have arisen … that doesn’t produce notions of anger that have yet to exist and that ceases notions of anger that have arisen … that doesn’t produce notions of sleepiness that have yet to exist and that ceases notions of sleepiness that have arisen … that doesn’t produce notions of agitation that have yet to exist and that ceases notions of agitation that have arisen … that doesn’t produce notions of doubt that have yet to exist and that ceases notions of doubt that have arisen …

9.10.p3

“One should contemplate the foul discharges and perceptions of impurity. After contemplating them, notions of desire that have yet to arise won’t arise, and notions of desire that have arisen can cease … notions of anger that have yet to arise won’t arise, and notions of anger that have arisen can cease … [sleepiness … agitation] … notions of doubt that have yet to arise won’t arise, and notions of doubt that have arisen can cease.

Linked texts (1)

增壹阿含經 — Classical Chinese

增壹阿含經 9

Contents

The Laywoman

The Laywoman (2)

The Mind

The Mind (2)

Downfall

Birth in Heaven

A Man’s Perception

A Man’s Perception

Notions of Desire

Notions of Desire (2)

Linked texts (1)