雜阿含經 19: 25 (19). Tying Bonds

The Connected Discourses (selected sūtras) 19

Language: English

25 (19). Tying Bonds

19.p1

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

There was then a certain monk who rose from his seat. [He adjusted his robes to bare his right shoulder,] bowed to the Buddha, [and withdrew to stand at one side]. He then said to the Buddha, “[It would be good,] Bhagavān, if you were to give me a brief explanation of the Dharma. Having listened to the Dharma, I will go alone to a quiet place, focus on contemplation, and live earnestly. Having lived earnestly, I’ll then think, ‘A good son [leaves home, cuts off his hair and beard, puts on the Dharma robes,] is a believer in the homeless, and leaves home … up to … He himself knows that he won’t be subject to a later existence.’”

19.p3

The Bhagavān then told that monk, “Good! It’s good that you said, ‘It would be good, Bhagavān, if you were to give me a brief explanation of the Dharma. Having listened to the Dharma, I’ll go alone to a quiet place, focus on contemplation, and live earnestly … up to … “He himself knows that he won’t be subject to a later existence.”’ [Is this what you said?]”

19.p4

The monk said to the Buddha, “Yes, Bhagavān.”

19.p5

The Buddha addressed the monk, “Listen closely! Listen closely, and consider it well. I will explain this for you. Monk, one should quickly get rid of something that’s a tying bond. Once one gets rid of that, they will be benefited by this doctrine, and they’ll find happiness for a long time.”

19.p6

That monk then said to the Buddha, “I’ve understood, Bhagavān! I’ve understood, Sugata!”

19.p7

The Buddha said to the monk, “How do you understand the meaning of my brief explanation of the Dharma in full?”

19.p8

The monk said to the Buddha, “Bhagavān, form is something that’s a tying bond. I should quickly get rid of something that’s a tying bond. Having gotten rid of it, I will benefit by this doctrine, and I’ll find happiness for a long time. Thus, feeling … conception … volition … awareness is something that’s a tying bond. I should quickly get rid of something that’s a tying bond. Having gotten rid of it, I will benefit by this doctrine, and I’ll find happiness for a long time. Therefore, I understand the meaning of the Bhagavān’s brief explanation of the Dharma in full.”

19.p9

The Buddha said, “Good! It’s good, monk, that you understand the meaning of my brief explanation of the Dharma in full. Why is that? Form is something that’s a tying bond. One should quickly get rid of something that’s a tying bond. Having gotten rid of it, they will benefit by this doctrine, and they’ll find happiness for a long time. Feeling … conception … volition … awareness is something that’s a tying bond. One should quickly get rid of something that’s a tying bond. Having gotten rid of it, they will benefit from this doctrine, and they’ll find happiness for a long time.”

19.p10

When that monk heard what the Buddha taught, he felt great joy. He then bowed to the Buddha and withdrew. He went alone to a quiet place where he diligently trained and lived earnestly … up to … [That monk’s] mind was liberated, and he became an arhat.

Linked texts (1)

雜阿含經 — Classical Chinese