5-45-15 Esanāvaggo | Samyutta

XV. Searches

161 (1) Searches

At Sāvatthī.

(i. Direct knowledge)

Bhikkhus, there are these 3 searches. What 3?

1) The search for sensual pleasure,
2) the search for existence,
3) the search for a holy life.

- These are the 3 searches.

The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these 3 searches.

What Noble Eightfold Path?

Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu develops right viewright concentration, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.

- This Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these 3 searches.

What Noble Eightfold Path?

Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu develops right viewright concentration, which has as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion.…

What Noble Eightfold Path?

Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu develops right viewright concentration, which has the Deathless as its ground, the Deathless as its destination, the Deathless as its final goal.…

What Noble Eightfold Path?

Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu develops right viewright concentration, which slants, slopes, and inclines towards Nibbāna.

- This Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these 3 searches.

[Each of the following sub-sections (ii–iv) is to be elaborated in accordance with the method employed in the sub-section on direct knowledge.]

 (ii. Full understanding)

Bhikkhus, there are these 3 searches. What 3?

1) The search for sensual pleasure,
2) the search for existence,
3) the search for a holy life.

- These are the 3 searches.

The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for full understanding of these 3 searches.…

(iii. Utter destruction)

Bhikkhus, there are these 3 searches. What 3?

1) The search for sensual pleasure,
2) the search for existence,
3) the search for a holy life.

- These are the 3 searches.

The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for the utter destruction of these 3 searches.…

(iv. Abandoning)

Bhikkhus, there are these 3 searches. What 3?

1) The search for sensual pleasure,
2) the search for existence,
3) the search for a holy life.

- These are the 3 searches.

The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for the abandoning of these 3 searches.…

[Each of the following Suttas is to be elaborated in accordance with the 4-fold method employed in §161.]

162 (2) Discriminations

Bhikkhus, there are these 3 discriminations. What 3?

1) The discrimination ‘I am superior,’
2) the discrimination ‘I am equal,’
3) the discrimination ‘I am inferior.’

- These are the 3 discriminations.

The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these 3 discriminations, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.

What Noble Eightfold Path?

Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu develops right viewright concentration, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.

This Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for the direct knowledge of these 3 discriminations … for their abandoning.

163 (3) Taints

Bhikkhus, there are these 3 taints. What 3?

1) The taint of sensuality,
2) the taint of existence,
3) the taint of ignorance.

- These are the 3 taints.

The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these 3 taints, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.

164 (4) Existence

Bhikkhus, there are these 3 kinds of existence. What 3?

1) Sense-sphere existence,
2) form-sphere existence,
3) formless-sphere existence.

- These are the 3 kinds of existence.

The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these 3 kinds of existence, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.

165 (5) Suffering

Bhikkhus, there are these 3 kinds of suffering. What 3?

1) Suffering due to pain,
2) suffering due to formations,
3) suffering due to change.

- These are the 3 kinds of suffering.

The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these 3 kinds of suffering, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.

166 (6) Barrenness

Bhikkhus, there are these 3 kinds of barrenness. What 3?

1) The barrenness of lust,
2) the barrenness of hatred,
3) the barrenness of delusion.

- These are the 3 kinds of barrenness.

The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these 3 kinds of barrenness, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.

167 (7) Stains

Bhikkhus, there are these 3 stains. What 3?

1) The stain of lust,
2) the stain of hatred,
3) the stain of delusion.

- These are the 3 stains.

The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these 3 stains, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.

168 (8) Troubles

Bhikkhus, there are these 3 kinds of trouble. What 3?

1) The trouble of lust,
2) the trouble of hatred,
3) the trouble of delusion.

- These are the 3 kinds of trouble.

The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these 3 kinds of trouble, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.

169 (9) Feelings

Bhikkhus, there are these 3 feelings. What 3?

1) Pleasant feeling,
2) painful feeling,
3) neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling.

- These are the 3 feelings.

The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these 3 feelings, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.

170 (10) Cravings

Bhikkhus, there are these 3 kinds of craving. What 3?

1) Craving for sensual pleasures,
1) craving for existence,
1) craving for extermination.

- These are the 3 kinds of craving.

The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these 3 kinds of craving, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.

What Noble Eightfold Path?

Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu develops right viewright concentration, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.

This Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these 3 kinds of craving, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.

170 (11) Thirst

Bhikkhus, there are these 3 kinds of thirst. What 3?

1) Thirst for sensual pleasures,
2) thirst for existence,
3) thirst for extermination.

- These are the 3 kinds of thirst.

The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these 3 kinds of thirst, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.

What Noble Eightfold Path?

Here, Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu develops right viewright concentration, which is based upon seclusion, dispassion, and cessation, maturing in release.

This Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these 3 kinds of thirst, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.