Aṇguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka-Nipāta
XVIII. Upāsaka Vaggo
Sutta 176
Piti Sutta
Rapture
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Proofed against and modified in accordance with the revised edition at dhammatalks.org
For free distribution only.
[1][pts] Then Anāthapiṇḍika the householder,
surrounded by about 500 lay followers,
went to the Blessed One and,
on arrival, having bowed down to him,
sat to one side.
As he was sitting there
the Blessed One said to him,
"Householder, you have provided the community of monks
with robes, alms food, lodgings,
and medicinal requisites for the sick,
but you shouldn't rest content with the thought,
'We have provided the community of monks
with robes, alms food, lodgings,
and medicinal requisites for the sick.'
"seclusion and rapture" is not correct; it should be "the pīti proceeding from seclusion' however pīti is translated. 'Rapture' is not likely being spoken of here to Anāthapiṇḍika, but is more likely a lesser degree of liking: 'appreciation', the 'zest' of Hare, 'enthusiasm'.
— p.p.
So you should train yourself,
'Let's periodically enter and remain in
seclusion and rapture.'
That's how you should train yourself."
§
When this was said,
Ven. Sāriputta said to the Blessed One,
"It's amazing, lord.
It's astounding, how well put that was
by the Blessed One:
'Householder, you have provided the community of monks
with robes, alms food, lodgings,
and medicinal requisites for the sick,
but you shouldn't rest content with the thought,
"We have provided the community of monks
with robes, alms food, lodgings,
and medicinal requisites for the sick."
So you should train yourself,
"Let's periodically enter and remain in
seclusion and rapture."
That's how you should train yourself.'
§
"Lord, when a disciple of the noble ones
enters and remains in seclusion and rapture,
there are five possibilities
that do not exist at that time:
The pain and distress
dependent on sensuality
do not exist at that time.
■
The pleasure and joy
dependent on sensuality
do not exist at that time.
■
The pain and distress
dependent on what is unskillful
do not exist at that time.
■
The pleasure and joy
dependent on what is unskillful
do not exist at that time.
■
The pain and distress
dependent on what is skillful
do not exist at that time.
When a disciple of the noble ones
enters and remains in seclusion and rapture,
these five possibilities
do not exist at that time."
§
[The Blessed One said:]
"Excellent, Sāriputta.
Excellent.
When a disciple of the noble ones
enters and remains in seclusion and rapture,
there are five possibilities
that do not exist at that time:
The pain and distress
dependent on sensuality
do not exist at that time.
■
The pleasure and joy
dependent on sensuality
do not exist at that time.
■
The pain and distress
dependent on what is unskillful
do not exist at that time.
■
The pleasure and joy
dependent on what is unskillful
do not exist at that time.
■
The pain and distress
dependent on what is skillful
do not exist at that time.
When a disciple of the noble ones
enters and remains in seclusion and rapture,
these five possibilities
do not exist at that time."
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