Aṅguttara Nikāya
Catukka Nipāta
IX: M-acala Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
Chapter IX: Unshaken
Sutta 90
Samaṇa-m-acala-Khandha Suttaɱ
Kinds of Recluses (d)
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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On a certain occasion the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, these four persons are found existing in the world.
What four?
The unshaken recluse,
the blue-lotus recluse,
the white-lotus recluse,
and the recluse who is exquisite among recluses.
And how, monks, is a person an unshaken recluse?
Herein, monks, one is a pupil,
who has not made up his mind,[1]
but lives aspiring
for the unsurpassed rest from the toil.
Thus a person is an unshaken recluse.
And how, monks, is a person a blue-lotus recluse?
Herein a monk dwells in the contemplation of the rise and fall of the five-grasping-groups, thus:
Such is form,
such is the arising of form,
such is the passing away of form.
Such is feeling
such is the arising of feeling,
such is the passing away of feeling.
such is perception
such is the arising of perception,
such is the passing away of perception.
such are the activities
such is the arising of the activities,
such is the passing away of the activities.
such is consciousness
such is the arising of consciousness,
such is the passing away of consciousness.
But he does not abide
experiencing with his own person
the eight deliverances.
Thus a person is a blue-lotus recluse.
And how, monks, is a person a white-lotus recluse?
Herein a monk dwells in the contemplation of the rise and fall of the five-grasping-groups, thus:
Such is form,
such is the arising of form,
such is the passing away of form.
Such is feeling
such is the arising of feeling,
such is the passing away of feeling.
such is perception
such is the arising of perception,
such is the passing away of perception.
such are the activities
such is the arising of the activities,
such is the passing away of the activities.
such is consciousness
such is the arising of consciousness,
such is the passing away of consciousness.
But he does abide
experiencing with his own person
the eight deliverances.
Thus a person is a white-lotus recluse.
And how, monks, is a person a recluse exquisite among recluses?
Herein a monk when invited
enjoys a plentiful supply of robes,
but he gets little if uninvited;
when invited
enjoys a plentiful supply of alms-food and lodging;
but he gets little if uninvited;
when invited
he enjoys a plentiful supply of requisites
and medicines for use in sickness,
but he gets little if uninvited.
With whatsoever fellows in the holy life he dwells,
their behaviour (towards him)
in action of body, speech and thought
is generally pleasing,
rarely displeasing;
moreover their presents to him
are generally pleasing,
rarely displeasing.
Again, as to those afflictions
which originate from bile,
phlegm,
wind,
from the union of bodily humours,
from changes of seasons,
from stress of circumstances,
from personal assaults,
or from the ripeness of one's karma, -
such do not trouble him much.
He is free from sickness.
As to the four musings
which belong to the higher thought
and lead to happy living
in this very life,
he is a winner of them at will,
without difficulty
and without trouble.
By destroying the āsavas
he reaches the heart's release,
the release by wisdom,
himself comprehending it
in this very life,
and having attained it
he abides therein.
Thus, monks, is a person
a recluse exquisite among recluses.
Now monks, if rightly speaking
one would speak about the recluse exquisite among recluses,
it is just of me that he would rightly use the words.
These, monks, are the four persons found existing in the world.'
[1] Appatta-mānaso. See n. above to VII, § i (patta-kammāni). Here Comy. says arahatt'atthāya payogaɱ anārabhitvā ṭhito pamāda-viharī. He is not yet in earnest about the goal. Perhaps it means 'has not mastered his mind.'
