Selections from the Anguttara Nikaya IV

BSQ Tracts on Buddhism No. 24

Selections from the

Anguttara Nikâya - IV

Selected and Translated from the Pali

by Sister Uppalawanna

Containing Selections 106

to 129 with Notes

THE BUDDHIST SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND

P. O. BOX 536, Toowong QLD 4066, AUSTRALIA

Selections from the

Aguttara Nikâya - IV

by Sister Uppalawanna

106.Merits of the Nakula Family

107.Advice to Novices

108.Gifts endowed with Six Factors

109.There is no Doer of Action

110.The Origins of Action

111.The Incomparable Elephant

112.Six Mental Faculties

113.Ven Khemâ's Attainment

114.Ven Sona's Perfection

115.Cessation of Contact

116.Faculties of the Buddha

117.To Penetrate into the Truth

118.The Rare Arisings

119.Simile of the Action of Water

120.Mastership of Analysis

121.Seven Stations of Conciousness

122.Develop Seven Perceptions

123.The Superfluously Protected

124.Mahamoggallana Dozing

125.Birth of a Worthy One

126.A Field of Merit

127.Release of Lovingkindness

128.Eight Vicissitudesof Life

129.Ven Nanda's Success

First Published: November 1996

Permission may be obtained to reproduce this publication.

Views expressed in BSQ publications are those of the writer, and not necessarily those of the Society.

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

This is the third set of Selections from the Aguttara Nikâya by Sister Uppalawanna. Selections 71 to 81 are from the fourth, selections 82 to 104 are from the fifth and selection 105 is from the sixth Nipâta. For the translator's Introduction to these selections see the first set of selections printed as BSQ Tract No. 21.

Selections from the Aguttara Nikâya - IV

106. Merits of the Nakula Family

[Chakka Nipâtha (Sâranîya Vagga) Nakulakusalâ]

At that time the Blessed One was living in the Bhagga country in the dear park, in Besakalâ forest on the Sunsumâra rock. The householder Nakula father was gravely ill and exhausted. Then Nakula mother said, "O! householder, do not die with expectations, it's unpleasant, the Blessed One has blamed it[1]. Householder, it might occur to you, at my demise, Nakula mother will not be able to feed the children and earn a livlihood, do not think so, I'm clever at spinning cotton yarn and making braids, and it is possible that I could do both. Therefore do not die with expectations, it's unpleasant, the Blessed One blames it.

O! householder, it might occur to you, at my demise, Nakula mother might seek another man. Do not think so. You know, and I too, from your sixteenth year, our observance of the holy chastity within the household[2]. Therefore do not die with expectations, it's unpleasant, the Blessed One blames it.

O! householder, it might occur to you, at my demise, Nakula mother will not be desirous of seeing the Blessed One and the Community of bhikkhus. Do not think so. In your absence I will be more desirous of seeing the Blessed One and the Community of bhikkhus. Therefore do not die with expectations, it's unpleasant, the Blessed One blames it.

O! householder, it might occur to you, at my demise Nakula mother will not think to be complete in her virtues. Do not think so. Of those lay women disciples of the Blessed One, who wear white clothes, I am one complete in virtues[3]. If you have doubts, there is the Blessed One in the Bhagga country to approach and ask. Therefore do not die with expectations, it's unpleasant, the Blessed One blames it.

O! householder, it might occur to you, after my demise Nakula mother will not be a gainer of internal mental calm. Do not think so. Of those lay women disciples of the Blessed One who wear white clothes, I am a gainer of internal mental calm[4]. If you have doubts, there is the Blessed One in the Bhagga country to approach and ask. Therefore do not die with expectations, it's unpleasant, the Blessed One blames it.

O! householder, it might occur to you, after my demise Nakula mother will fail to get a sure footing, a firm standing in the dispensation, to breathe with relief, doubts overcome, knowing what should and should not be done, become self confident, would abide not relying on another teacher[5]. O! householder, I'm one of them. If you have doubts, there is the Blessed One in the Bhagga country to approach and ask. Therefore do not die with expectations, it's unpleasant, the Blessed One blames it."

Then the householder Nakula father thus advised by Nakula mother overcame that illness then and there. Soon after that Nakula father approached the Blessed One leaning on a stick, worshipped the Blessed One and sat on a side. Then the Blessed One said.

"O! householder, it is rare gain for you, that Nakula mother advised you out of compassion, for your welfare[6]. Of my lay women disciples wearing white clothes, she is one complete in virtues, a gainer of internal mental calm, one who has taken a sure footing, a firm standing in the dispensation and breathes with relief, doubts overcome, knows what should and should not be done, she has self confidence and does not rely on a another teacher. Householder, it is rare gain for you, that Nakula mother advised you out of compassion for your welfare."

107. Advice to Novices

[Chakka Nipâtha (Sâranîya Vagga) Navâ Bhikkhu]

At one time the Blessed One was living in Anâthapindika's monastery in Jeta's grove. The Blessed One getting up from his evening seclusion approached the attendance hall and sat on the seat prepared. So also the venerables Mahâmoggallâna, Mahâkassapa, Mahâkaccâna, Mahâkotthita, Mahâcunda, Mahâkappina, Anuruddha, Revata, and Ânanda approached the attendance hall, worshipped the Blessed One and sat on a side.

Then the Blessed One spent the time seated far into the night got up from his seat and entered his dwelling. Soon after the the Blessed One left, those venerable ones too went into their dwellings. As for the novice bhikkhus they slept there itself until it was dawn.

With the purified heavenly eye the Blessed One saw these bhikkhus snoring and sleeping until dawn, approached the attendance hall and sat on the prepared seat, and addressed the bhikkhus. "O! bhikkhus, where is Sâriputta, ...re... where is Ânanda, where are these elders?" "Venerable sir, soon after the Blessed One departed from the attendance hall, these elders too went to their dwellings". "So then, you elder and novice bhikkhus, did you sleep till dawn? Have you heard of a head anointed warrior king yoked to the pleasure of sleep while ruling the country and also being loved by that state? " "No, venerable sir." Have you heard of a general, a royal prince, a commando, a village headman or even a guild master yoked to the pleasure of sleep while doing that job and being loved?" "No, venerable sir."

Good, O! bhikkhus, I too have not heard of such a thing. Have you heard of a recluse or brahmin yoked to the pleasure of sleep, the mental faculties not controlled[7], not knowing the right amount of food to partake[8], not yoked to wakefulness, to attend to meritorious things[9], in the first and last watch of the night not yoked to development of the enlightenment factors[10], for the destruction of influxes, for the release of mind and release through wisdom, so that he could here and now realize and abide?"" No, venerable sir."

Good, bhikkhus, I too have not heard it. Therefore bhikkhus, you should train thus, in mental faculties we will be controlled. We will know the right amount to partake of food. Will be yoked to wakefulness, attentive to meritorious things. In the first and last watch of the night will attend to the development of the enlightenment factors. Bhukkhus, you should train thus.

108. Gifts endowed with Six Factors

[Chakka Nipâtha (Devatâ Vagga) Chalangasamannâgata]

At that time the Blessed One was living in Anâthapindika's monastery in Jeta's grove in Sâvatthi. The lay disciple Velukantakî Nandamâtâ was making an offering to the Community of bhikkhus headed by venerables Sâriputta and Mahâmoggallâna endowed with six factors.

The Blessed One saw this with the purified heavenly eye and addressed the bhikkhus, "O! bhikkhus, the lay disciple Velukantakî Nandamâtâ is making an offering to the Community of bhikkhus headed by Sâriputta and Mahâmoggallâna and this offering is endowed with six factors. Of these three are of the giver and three of the receiver. What three of the giver? Before offering the mind is pleased, while offering and after offering also the mind is pleased. What are the three factors of the receiver? Here the receiver is free of greed, hate and delusion or has fallen to the method of destroying greed, hate and delusion.

O! bhikkhus, it is not easy to measure the merits of such an offering, the overflow and pleasantness the results conducive to heavenliness as it is this much, it is immeasurable.

Before offering the mind is pleased, so also while offering

After offering is pleased, this is its success.

Free of greed, hate, delusion, and influxes,

The perfect tamed ones leading the holy life

Are the field for an offering.

Cooked and offered with one's own hands,

What's one's own is made another's

Making offerings released in faith,

The wise are born in a world free of troubles."

109. There is no Doer of Action

[Chakka Nipâtha (Devatâ Vagga) Attakâro

A certain brahmin approached the Blessed One, exchanged friendly greetings, sat on a side and said. "Good Gotama, I am of this view and say it[11]. There is no doer of action and no action done". "O! brahmin, I have never seen or heard of one of this view . How could one himself proceeding and himself withdrawing say such a thing. Brahmin, is there an element of inception of energy?"" Yes, sir." "When there is an inception of energy[12] and when there is one who makes that inception of energy, how could one say there is no doer of action and no action done.? Brahmin, is there an element of setting out, ...re... is there an element of exertion,...re... is there an element of strength,....re... is there an element of stability..re.... is there an element of application?" "Yes, sir" " When there is an element of application, and when there is one who is applied, how could one say, there is no doer of action and no action done? O! brahmin, I have never seen or heard of one of this view. How could one by himself proceeding and himself withdrawing say such a thing"."...... re...... remember me as one who has taken refuge from today until life lasts.

110. The Origins of Action

[Chakka Nipâtha (Devatâ Vagga) Nidânâni kammânam samudayâya]

"O! bhikkhus, these three are the origines of action[13]. What three? Greeed, Hate, and Delusion. Bhikkhus, from greed non-greed does not arise, only greed would arise. >From hate non-hate does not arise, only hate would arise. From delusion non delusion does not arise, only delusion would arise.

O! bhikkhus, on account of action born of greed, hate and delusion, a god, a human or some high birth is not designed. On account of action born of greed, hate and delusion, hell or the world of spirits or some other low birth is designed. Bhikkhus, these three are the origines of action.

O! bhikkhus, these three are also the origines of action. What three? Non-greed, Non hate and Non delusion. Bhikkhus, from non greed, greed does not arise, only non greed would arise. From non hate, hate does not arise, only non hate would arise. From non delusion, delusion does not arise, only non-

delusion would arise. Bhikkhus, on account of action born of non greed, non hate and non delusion, hell, the sphere of spirits or some low birth is not designed. On account of action born of non greed, non hate, and non delusion, a god, a human or some other high birth is designed. Bhikkhus, these three are the other origines of action."

111. The Incomparable Elephant

[Chakka Nipâtha (Dhammika Vagga) Nâgo]

At one time the Blessed One was living in Anâthapindika's monastery in Sâvatthi. One morning the Blessed One wearing robes and taking bowl and robes entered Sâvatthi for the alms round. After the meal was over and returning from the alms round, the Blessed One addressed venerable Ânanda, "Ânanda, let us approach the Pubba monastery, the palace of Migâra's mother to spend the day." "Yes, venerable sir." replied venerable Ânanda and so approached the Pubba monastery.

Then the Blessed One spend the evening in seclusion and addressed venerable Ânanda again, "Ânanda, let us approach the eastern pond to wash the body." "Yes, venerable sir," replied venerable Ânanda and approached the eastern pond. Having washed the body and come out of the water was standing in one robe to dry the body.

At that time the elephant Seta of king Pasenadi of Kosala entered the eastern pond with much music song and dance. People seeing it said, "O! the king's Nâga! Pleasing is its huge body! " When this was heard, venerable Udâyi said thus to the Blessed One. "Venerable sir, is it seeing the king's elephant with huge body and perfect form that they say `Nâga'or do they say nâga, seeing other huge bodies and perfect forms?

"O! Udâyi, people seeing an elephant with huge body and perfect form, say nâga, so also seeing a horse, a bull, a snake, a tree and also a human say `nâga'. Yet Udâyi, in this world, with its gods and men, he who does no wrong by body, speech and mind is the `Nâga.'"[14] "Wonderful and surprising, venerable sir, these good words of the Blessed One. I praise the Blessed One with these verses.

Born a human, tamed, appeased, is enlightened,

With appeased mind behaves in the divine sphere[15]

Gods and humans worship him, is worthy I hear.

Bonds, overcome has extinguished the fires.

Not attached to sensuality, is like crystal rock.

Praise be to the Nâga, I imagine a snowy peak.

Incomparable is your true name, you do no wrong.

Tamedness and non injury are two of the feet,

Austerities and the holy life are the other two[16]

Faith is the trunk, and equanimity is the white tooth.

Mindfulness is the neck and wisdom the head,

Investigation is the right thinking[17]

The core of the Teaching is unity,

And seclusion is its tail[18]

Mindful of breathing, attains to jhâna.

Is tamed and appeased in all postures,

Partakes food when not faulty,

Does not treasure food and clothes

Bonds, small and large slit, is without expectations,

Just as the red lotus born in the water,

Is pleasing and gives fragrance untouched by the water.

Born well, enlightened, illuminated the world.

The lighted great fire, extinguished in want of supports.

When all determinations are appeased,

Is extinguished, it is said[19]

A simile is used to make things clear,

A `Nâga' is pointed out by another nâga.

I free of greed, hate and delusion,

Extinguish without influxes and abandon the body."

112. The Six Mental Faculties of the Blessed One

[Chakka Nipâtha (Dhammika Vagga) Migasâla Upâsikâ]

Then venerable Ânanda, putting on robes in the morning, taking bowl and robes approached the dwelling of the lay disciple Migasâlâ, and sat on the prepared seat. Then the lay disciple Migasâlâ approached venerable Ânanda, worshipped and sat on a side, and said."O! venerable Ânanda, how did the Blessed One declare that the one who led the holy life and the one who did not lead the holy life, came to equal birth after death. My father Purâna led the holy life, abstained from sexuality. His brother Isidatta did not lead the holy life, lived happily with his dear ones. By the Blessed One it was declared that both these are non returners. On what grounds was it declared by the Blessed One in this manner?"

To reply venerable Ânanda said, "Sister, it was so declared by the Blessed one." Then venerable Ânanda partaking of the meal offered to him, got up from his seat and approached the Blessed One, worshipped and sat on a side and said,"Venerable sir, this morning I put on robes and taking bowl and robes approached the dwelling of the lay disciple Migasâla and sat on the seat prepared. Then the lay disciple Migasâlâ said thus to me. `O! venerable Ânanda, how did the Blessed One declare that the one who led the holy life and the one who did not lead the holy life, came to equal birth after death. My father Purâna led the holy life, abstained from sexuality. His brother Isidatta did not lead the holy life, lived happily with his dear ones. By the Blessed One it was declared that both these are non returners. On what grounds was it declared by the Blessed One in this manner? Then venerable sir, to reply I said, Sister, it was so declared by the Blessed one."

"O! Ânanda, the lay disciple Migasâlâ is foolish, without intelligence, what does she know of the knowledge of the six mental faculties of a Great Being?[20]

Ânanda, these six beings are evident in the world. What six? Here, Ânanda, a certain one practises the restraints, takes pleasure in living together, if living alone would lead the holy life, has not learnt the Teaching, has not penetrated to righteousness of view[21], is not the gainer of some release[22]. After death he goes to decrease, to definite decrease.