5-52-1 Anuruddha | Samyutta
Chapter VIII
52 Anuruddhasamyutta
Connected Discourses with Anuruddha
I. ALONE
1 (1) Alone (1)
Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Venerable Anuruddha was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park.
Then, while the Venerable Anuruddha was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in his mind thus:
Those who have neglected these 4 establishments of mindfulness have neglected the Noble Path leading to the complete destruction of suffering.
Those who have undertaken these 4 establishments of mindfulness have undertaken the Noble Path leading to the complete destruction of suffering.
Then the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, having known with his own mind the reflection in the Venerable Anuruddha’s mind,
just as quickly as a strong man might extend his drawn-in arm or draw in his extended arm, appeared in the presence of the Venerable Anuruddha and said to him:
To what extent, friend Anuruddha, have these 4 establishments of mindfulness been undertaken by a Bhikkhu?
Here, friend, a Bhikkhu dwells contemplating the nature of origination in the body internally;
he dwells contemplating the nature of vanishing in the body internally;
he dwells contemplating the nature of origination and vanishing in the body internally
—ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
He dwells contemplating the nature of origination in the body externally;
he dwells contemplating the nature of vanishing in the body externally;
he dwells contemplating the nature of origination and vanishing in the body externally
—ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
He dwells contemplating the nature of origination in the body internally and externally;
he dwells contemplating the nature of vanishing in the body internally and externally;
he dwells contemplating the nature of origination and vanishing in the body internally and externally
—ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
If he wishes: ‘May I dwell perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive,’ he dwells perceiving the repulsive therein.
If he wishes: ‘May I dwell perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive,’ he dwells perceiving the unrepulsive therein.
If he wishes: ‘May I dwell perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive and in the repulsive,’ he dwells perceiving the repulsive therein.
If he wishes: ‘May I dwell perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive and in the unrepulsive,’ he dwells perceiving the unrepulsive therein.
If he wishes: ‘Avoiding both the unrepulsive and the repulsive, may I dwell equanimously, mindful and clearly comprehending,’ then he dwells therein equanimously, mindful and clearly comprehending.
He dwells contemplating the nature of origination … the nature of vanishing … the nature of origination and vanishing in feelings internally … in feelings externally … in feelings internally and externally
—ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
If he wishes: ‘May I dwell perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive,’ he dwells perceiving the repulsive therein….
If he wishes: ‘Avoiding both the unrepulsive and the repulsive, may I dwell equanimously, mindful and clearly comprehending,’ then he dwells therein equanimously, mindful and clearly comprehending.
He dwells contemplating the nature of origination … the nature of vanishing … the nature of origination and vanishing in mind internally … in mind externally … in mind internally and externally
—ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
If he wishes: ‘May I dwell perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive,’ he dwells perceiving the repulsive therein….
If he wishes: ‘Avoiding both the unrepulsive and the repulsive, may I dwell equanimously, mindful and clearly comprehending,’ then he dwells therein equanimously, mindful and clearly comprehending.
He dwells contemplating the nature of origination … the nature of vanishing … the nature of origination and vanishing in phenomena internally … in phenomena externally … in phenomena internally and externally
—ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
If he wishes: ‘May I dwell perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive,’ he dwells perceiving the repulsive therein….
If he wishes: ‘Avoiding both the unrepulsive and the repulsive, may I dwell equanimously, mindful and clearly comprehending,’
- then he dwells therein equanimously, mindful and clearly comprehending.
It is in this way, friend, that these 4 establishments of mindfulness have been undertaken by a Bhikkhu.
2 (2) Alone (2)
At Sāvatthī.
Then, while the Venerable Anuruddha was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in his mind thus:
Those who have neglected these 4 establishments of mindfulness have neglected the noble path leading to the complete destruction of suffering.
Those who have undertaken these 4 establishments of mindfulness have undertaken the noble path leading to the complete destruction of suffering.
Then the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, having known with his own mind the reflection in the Venerable Anuruddha’s mind,
just as quickly as a strong man might extend his drawn-in arm or draw in his extended arm, appeared in the presence of the Venerable Anuruddha and said to him:
To what extent, friend Anuruddha, have these 4 establishments of mindfulness been undertaken by a Bhikkhu?
Here, friend, a Bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body in the body internally, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
He dwells contemplating the body in the body externally, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
He dwells contemplating the body in the body internally and externally, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
He dwells contemplating feelings in feelings internally … contemplating feelings in feelings externally … contemplating feelings in feelings internally and externally, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
He dwells contemplating mind in mind internally … contemplating mind in mind externally … contemplating mind in mind internally and externally, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
He dwells contemplating phenomena in phenomena internally … contemplating phenomena in phenomena externally … contemplating phenomena in phenomena internally and externally, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
It is in this way, friend, that these 4 establishments of mindfulness have been undertaken by a Bhikkhu.
3 (3) Sutanu
On one occasion the Venerable Anuruddha was dwelling at Sāvatthī on the bank of the Sutanu.
Then a number of Bhikkhus approached the Venerable Anuruddha and exchanged greetings with him. When they had concluded their greetings and cordial talk, they sat down to one side and said to the Venerable Anuruddha:
By having developed and cultivated what things has the Venerable Anuruddha attained to greatness of direct knowledge?
It is, friends, because I have developed and cultivated the 4 establishments of mindfulness that I have attained to greatness of direct knowledge. What 4?
Here, friends, I dwell contemplating the body in the body, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
I dwell contemplating feelings in feelings … mind in mind … phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
It is, friends, because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I have attained to greatness of direct knowledge.
Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I directly knew the inferior state as inferior; that I directly knew the middling state as middling; that I directly knew the sublime state as sublime.
4 (4) The Thornbush Grove (1)
On one occasion the Venerable Anuruddha, the Venerable Sāriputta, and the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna were dwelling at Sāketa in the Thornbush Grove.
Then, in the evening, the Venerable Sāriputta and the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna emerged from seclusion, approached the Venerable Anuruddha, and exchanged greetings with him.
When they had concluded their greetings and cordial talk, they sat down to one side, and the Venerable Sāriputta said to the Venerable Anuruddha:
Friend Anuruddha, what are the things that a Bhikkhu who is a trainee should enter and dwell in?
Friend, Sāriputta, a Bhikkhu who is a trainee should enter and dwell in the 4 establishments of mindfulness. What 4?
Here, friend, a Bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body in the body … … feelings in feelings … mind in mind … phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
A Bhikkhu who is a trainee should enter and dwell in these 4 establishments of mindfulness.
5 (5) The Thornbush Grove (2)
At Sāketa. Sitting to one side the Venerable Sāriputta said to the Venerable Anuruddha:
Friend Anuruddha, what are the things that a Bhikkhu who is beyond training should enter and dwell in?
Friend, Sāriputta, a Bhikkhu who is beyond training should enter and dwell in the 4 establishments of mindfulness. What 4?
Here, friend, a Bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body in the body … feelings in feelings … mind in mind … phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
A Bhikkhu who is beyond training should enter and dwell in these 4 establishments of mindfulness.
6 (6) The Thornbush Grove (3)
At Sāketa.
Sitting to one side, the Venerable Sāriputta said to the Venerable Anuruddha:
By having developed and cultivated what things has the Venerable Anuruddha attained to greatness of direct knowledge?
It is, friend, because I have developed and cultivated the 4 establishments of mindfulness that I have attained to greatness of direct knowledge. What 4?
Here, friend, I dwell contemplating the body in the body … feelings in feelings … mind in mind … phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
It is, friend, because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I have attained to greatness of direct knowledge.
Further, friend, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I directly know the thousand-fold world.
7 (7) The Destruction of Craving
At Sāvatthī.
There the Venerable Anuruddha addressed the Bhikkhus thus:
Friends, Bhikkhus!
Friend!
those Bhikkhus replied.
The Venerable Anuruddha said this:
Friends, these 4 establishments of mindfulness, when developed and cultivated, lead to the destruction of craving. What 4?
Here, friends, a Bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body in the body … feelings in feelings … mind in mind … phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
These 4 establishments of mindfulness, when developed and cultivated, lead to the destruction of craving.
8 (8) The Salaḷa-Tree Hut
On one occasion the Venerable Anuruddha was living at Sāvatthī in a Salaḷa-tree hut.
There the Venerable Anuruddha addressed the Bhikkhus thus….
Friends, the river Ganges slants, slopes, and inclines towards the East. Now suppose a great crowd of people would come along bringing a shovel and basket, thinking:
‘We will make this river Ganges slant, slope, and incline towards the West.’
What do you think, friends, would that great crowd of people be able to make the river Ganges slant, slope, and incline towards the West?
No, friend. For what reason?
Because the river Ganges slants, slopes, and inclines towards the east, and it is not easy to make it slant, slope, and incline towards the west. That great crowd of people would only reap fatigue and vexation.
So too, friends, when a Bhikkhu is developing and cultivating the 4 establishments of mindfulness, kings or royal ministers, friends or colleagues, relatives or kinsmen, might invite him to accept wealth, saying:
‘Come, good man, why let these saffron robes weigh you down? Why roam around with a shaven head and begging bowl? Come, having returned to the lower life, enjoy wealth and do meritorious deeds.’
Indeed, friends, when that Bhikkhu is developing and cultivating the 4 establishments of mindfulness, it is impossible that he will give up the training and return to the lower life.
For what reason?
Because for a long time his mind has slanted, sloped, and inclined towards seclusion. Thus it is impossible that he will give up the training and return to the lower life.
And how, friends, does a Bhikkhu develop and cultivate the 4 establishments of mindfulness?
Here, friends, a Bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body in the body … feelings in feelings … mind in mind … phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
It is in this way, friends, that a Bhikkhu develops and cultivates the 4 establishments of mindfulness.
9 (9) All, or Ambapālī’s Grove
On one occasion the Venerable Anuruddha and the Venerable Sāriputta were dwelling at Vesālī in Ambapālī’s Grove.
Then, in the evening, the Venerable Sāriputta emerged from seclusion…. Sitting to one side, the Venerable Sāriputta said to the Venerable Anuruddha:
Friend Anuruddha, your faculties are serene, your complexion is pure and bright. In what dwelling does the Venerable Anuruddha now usually dwell?
Now, friend, I usually dwell with a mind well established in the 4 establishments of mindfulness.
What 4?
Here, friend, I dwell contemplating the body in the body … feelings in feelings … mind in mind … phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
The Bhikkhu, friend, who is an Arahant, one whose taints are destroyed, who has lived the holy life, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, reached his own goal,
utterly destroyed the fetters of existence, one completely liberated through final knowledge, usually dwells with a mind well established in these 4 establishments of mindfulness.
It is a gain for us, friend, it is well gained by us, friend, that we were in the very presence of the Venerable Anuruddha when he made such a bellowing utterance.
10 (10) Gravely Ill
On one occasion the Venerable Anuruddha was dwelling at Sāvatthī in the Blind Men’s Grove, sick, afflicted, gravely ill.
Then a number of Bhikkhus approached the Venerable Anuruddha and said to him:
In what dwelling does the Venerable Anuruddha usually dwell so that the arisen bodily painful feelings do not persist obsessing his mind?
It is, friends, because I dwell with a mind well established in the 4 establishments of mindfulness that the arisen bodily feelings do not persist obsessing my mind. What 4?
Here, friend, I dwell contemplating the body in the body … feelings in feelings … mind in mind … phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
It is, friends, because I dwell with a mind well established in these 4 establishments of mindfulness that the arisen bodily painful feelings do not persist obsessing my mind.
II. THE SECOND SUBCHAPTER
(A Thousand)
11 (1) A Thousand Aeons
On one occasion the Venerable Anuruddha was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park.
Then a number of Bhikkhus approached the Venerable Anuruddha and exchanged greetings with him. When they had concluded their greetings and cordial talk, they sat down to one side and said to the Venerable Anuruddha:
By having developed and cultivated what things has the Venerable Anuruddha attained to greatness of direct knowledge?
It is, friends, because I have developed and cultivated the 4 establishments of mindfulness that I have attained to greatness of direct knowledge. What 4?
Here, friends, I dwell contemplating the body in the body … feelings in feelings … mind in mind … phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
It is, friends, because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I have attained to greatness of direct knowledge.
Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I recollect a thousand aeons.
12 (2) Spiritual Power
… Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I wield the various kinds of spiritual power:
having been one I become many; having been many I become one … I exercise mastery with the body as far as the Brahmā world.
13 (3) The Divine Ear
… Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness
that with the divine ear element, which is purified and surpasses the human, I hear both kinds of sound, the divine and the human, those that are far as well as near.
14 (4) Encompassing the Mind
… Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I understand the minds of other beings and persons, having encompassed them with my own mind.
I understand a mind with lust as a mind with lust … an unliberated mind as an unliberated mind.
15 (5) The Possible
… Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I understand the possible as possible and the impossible as impossible.
16 (6) The Undertaking of Kamma
… Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I understand as it really is the result of past, future, and present kamma by way of potential and by way of cause.
17 (7) Leading Everywhere
… Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I understand as it really is the way leading everywhere.
18 (8) Diverse Elements
… Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I understand as it really is the world with its manifold and diverse elements.
19 (9) Diverse Dispositions
… Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I understand as it really is the diversity in the dispositions of beings.
20 (10) Degrees of the Faculties
… Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I understand as it really is the degrees of maturity in the spiritual faculties of other beings and persons.
21 (11) The Jhānas, Etc.
… Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I understand as it really is the defilement, the cleansing, and the emergence in regard to the jhānas, deliverances, concentrations, and attainments.
22 (12) Past Abodes
… Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that I recollect my manifold past abodes, that is, one birth, 2 births … many aeons of world-contraction and expansion….
- Thus I recollect my manifold past abodes with their modes and details.
23 (13) The Divine Eye
… Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that with the divine eye, which is purified and surpasses the human,
I see beings passing away and being reborn … and I understand how beings fare on in accordance with their kamma.
24 (14) The Destruction of the Taints
… Further, friends, it is because I have developed and cultivated these 4 establishments of mindfulness that by the destruction of the taints,
in this very life I enter and dwell in the taintless liberation of mind, liberation by wisdom, realizing it for myself with direct knowledge.