Saṃyutta Nikāya
I. Sagatha Vagga
9. Vana Saṃyutta

Sutta 11

Ayoniso-Manasikara Suttaṃ

Inappropriate Attention

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Proofed against and modified in accordance with the revised edition at dhammatalks.org
Provenance, terms and conditons

 

---

 

[11.1][pts] I have heard that on one occasion a certain monk was dwelling among the Kosalans in a forest grove.

Now at that time, he spent the day's abiding thinking evil, unskillful thoughts: i.e., thoughts of sensuality, thoughts of ill will, thoughts of doing harm.

Then the devatā inhabiting the forest grove, feeling sympathy for the monk, desiring his benefit, desiring to bring him to his senses, approached him and addressed him with this verse:

"From inappropriate attention
you're being chewed by your thoughts.
Relinquishing what's inappropriate,
    contemplate
    appropriately.

Keeping your mind on the Teacher,
the Dhamma, the Saṇgha, your virtues,
    you will arrive at
    joy,
    rapture,
    pleasure
    without doubt.

Then,    saturated
    with joy,
you will put an end
to suffering and stress.

The monk, chastened by the devatā, came to his senses.

 

---

 

Of Related Interest:

DN 2;
SN 22:122;
AN 3:129;
AN 4:263;
Iti 16
any of the suttas on the six recollections (e.g., SN 1 11 3,
AN 3.70,
AN 11.12,
AN 11.13);