Saṃyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
54. Ānāpāna Saṃyutta
2. Ānanda or Dutiya Vagga
The Aspiration Collection
Sutta 13
Paṭhama Ānanda Suttaṃ
Ānanda
Translated from the Pāḷi
by
Michael M. Olds
[1][pts][than][bodh] I Hear Tell:
Once upon a time Bhagava, Sāvatthi-town revisiting.
There then the Venerable Ānanda approached Bhagava
and drew near.
Having drawn near
he exchanged greetings together with Bhagava.
Having exchanged greetings and shared friendly talk
he took a seat to one side.
Seated to one side then,
the venerable Ānanda said this to Bhagava:
"Now can it be, Bhante that one thing,
developed and made much of,
brings to fulfillment four things;
that four things,
developed and made much of,
bring to fulfillment seven things;
that seven things,
developed and made much of,
bring to fulfillment two things?"
"It can be, Ānanda that one thing,
developed and made much of,
brings to fulfillment four things;
that four things,
developed and made much of,
bring to fulfillment seven things;
that seven things,
developed and made much of,
bring to fulfillment two things."
"But, Bhante, what one thing,
developed and made much of,
brings to fulfillment four things;
what four things,
developed and made much of,
bring to fulfillment seven things;
what seven things,
developed and made much of,
bring to fulfillment two things?"
"Recollecting-aspiration-serenity, Ānanda,
is one thing,
developed and made much of,
that brings to fulfillment
the four settings-up of mind;
the four settings-up of mind,
developed and made much of,
bring to fulfillment the seven dimensions of awakening;
the seven dimensions of awakening,
developed and made much of,
bring to fulfillment vision and freedom.
i
One Fulfils Four
And how developed does recollecting-aspiration-serenity,
when made much of,
bring to fulfillment the four settings-up of mind?
Here Ānanda, a beggar having gotten himself off to the forest
or to the root of some tree,
or to some empty hut,
and having taken up his seat there sitting down,
setting the body upright,
legs bent-across-lapwise,
remembering, he attends to the face,
just so he recollects inspiration,
just so he recollects expiration.
If he inspires deeply, he knows:
'I am inspiring deeply.'
If he breaths out deeply, he knows:
'I am expiring deeply.'
If he inspires shallowly, he knows:
'I am inspiring shallowly.'
If he expires shallowly, he knows:
'I am expiring shallowly.'
'Reflecting on the totality of bodily experience,
I will inspire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Reflecting on the totality of bodily experience,
I will expire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Pacifying own-body-making,
I will inspire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Pacifying own-body-making,
I will expire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Observing enthusiasm,
I will inspire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Reflecting on enthusiasm,
I will expire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Observing pleasure,
I will inspire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Observing pleasure,
I will expire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Reflecting on the own-making of thoughts[1],
I will inspire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Reflecting on the own-making of thoughts,
I will expire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Pacifying the own-making of thoughts,
I will inspire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Pacifying the own-making of thoughts,
I will expire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Reflecting on the heart,
I will inspire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Reflecting on the heart,
I will expire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Abundantly content in heart,
I will inspire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Abundantly content in heart,
I will expire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Composing the heart,
I will inspire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Composing the heart,
I will expire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Liberating the heart,
I will inspire,'
this is the way he trains.
'Liberating the heart,
I will expire,'
this is the way he trains.
'On the look-out for inconsistency[2],
I will inspire,'
this is the way he trains.
'On the look-out for inconsistency,
I will expire,'
this is the way he trains.
'On the look-out for the end of lust,
I will inspire,'
this is the way he trains.
'On the look-out for the end of lust,
I will expire,'
this is the way he trains.
'On the look-out for ending,
I will inspire,'
this is the way he trains.
'On the look-out for ending,
I will expire,'
this is the way he trains.
'On the look-out for opportunities to let go,
I will inspire,'
this is the way he trains.
'On the look-out for opportunities to let go,
I will expire,'
this is the way he trains.
■
At such a time, Ānanda, as a bhikkhu
inspiring deeply, knows:
'I am inspiring deeply',
expiring deeply, knows:
'I am expiring deeply',
inspiring shallowly, knows:
'I am inspiring shallowly',
expiring shallowly, knows:
'I am expiring shallowly',
'Reflecting on the totality of bodily experience
I will inspire,' trains,
'Reflecting on the totality of bodily experience,
I will expire,' trains,
'Pacifying own-body-making,
I will inspire,' trains,
'Pacifying own-body-making,
I will expire,' trains —
at such a time, Ānanda,
a bhikkhu lives bodily overseeing body,
ardent,
self-composed,
remembering,
having put away the greed and dissatisfactions of the world.[3]
How so?
Here, Ānanda, respiration is said to be
another term for body.
This is how, at such a time, Ānanda,
a bhikkhu lives bodily overseeing body,
ardent,
self-composed,
remembering,
having put away the greed and dissatisfactions of the world.
■
At such a time, Ānanda, as a bhikkhu
trains 'Observing enthusiasm,
I will inspire,'
trains 'Reflecting on enthusiasm,
I will expire,'
trains 'Observing pleasure,
I will inspire,'
trains 'Observing pleasure,
I will expire,'
trains 'Reflecting on the own-making of thoughts,
I will inspire,'
trains 'Reflecting on the own-making of thoughts,
I will expire,'
trains 'Pacifying the own-making of thoughts,
I will inspire,'
trains 'Pacifying the own-making of thoughts,
I will expire,' —
at such a time, Ānanda, a bhikkhu lives in sensations overseeing sensations,
ardent,
self-composed,
remembering,
having put away the greed and dissatisfactions of the world.
How so?
Here, Ānanda, well investigated,[4]
respiration is said to be another term for sensation.
This is how, at such a time, Ānanda,
a bhikkhu lives in sensations overseeing sensations,
ardent,
self-composed,
remembering,
having put away the greed and dissatisfactions of the world.
■
At such a time, Ānanda, as a bhikkhu
trains 'Reflecting on the heart,
I will inspire,'
trains 'Reflecting on the heart,
I will expire,'
trains 'Abundantly content in heart,
I will inspire,'
trains 'Abundantly content in heart,
I will expire,'
trains 'Composing the heart,
I will inspire,'
trains 'Composing the heart,
I will expire,'
trains 'Liberating the heart,
I will inspire,'
trains 'Liberating the heart,
I will expire,' —
at such a time, Ānanda, a bhikkhu lives in mental states overseeing mental states,
ardent,
self-composed,
remembering,
having put away the greed and dissatisfactions of the world.
How so?
It is not, Ānanda,
with absent-mindedness and lack of self-awareness,
that recollecting-aspiration-serenity is said to be developed.[5]
This is how, at such a time, Ānanda,
a bhikkhu lives in mental states overseeing mental states,
ardent,
self-composed,
remembering,
having put away the greed and dissatisfactions of the world.
■
At such a time, Ānanda, as a bhikkhu
trains 'On the look-out for inconsistence,
I will inspire,'
trains 'On the look-out for inconsistence,
I will expire,'
trains 'On the look-out for the end of lust,
I will inspire,'
trains 'On the look-out for the end of lust,
I will expire,'
trains 'On the look-out for ending,
I will inspire,'
trains 'On the look-out for ending,
I will expire,'
trains 'On the look-out for opportunities to let go,
I will inspire,'
trains 'On the look-out for opportunities to let go,
I will expire,' —
at such a time, Ānanda, a bhikkhu lives in the Dhamma overseeing the Dhamma,
ardent,
self-composed,
remembering,
having put away the greed and dissatisfactions of the world.
Such a one, with wisdom seeing well,
becomes objectively detached
and lets go of greed and dissatisfaction.
This is how, at such a time, Ānanda,
a bhikkhu lives in the Dhamma overseeing the Dhamma,
ardent,
self-composed,
remembering,
having put away the greed and dissatisfactions of the world.
■
This is how, Ānanda, recollecting-aspiration-serenity
when made much of
brings to fulfillment the four settings-up of mind.
ii
Four Fulfils Seven
And how developed, Ānanda do the four setting's-up of mind,
made much of,
bring to fulfillment the seven dimensions of self-awakening?[6]
Body
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu lives in body overseeing body
with established mind,
at such a time, Ānanda,
a bhikkhu's mind is not confused.
At whatever time, Ānanda,
that a bhikkhu's mind is established unconfused,
at such a time
a bhikkhu's mind dimension of self-awakening is set up.
At whatever time, Ānanda,
that a bhikkhu's mind dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the mind dimension of self-awakening.
Living thus minded,
he undertakes the wise investigation,
exploration,
thorough remembrance of things.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda, as a bhikkhu,
living thus minded,
undertakes the wise investigation,
exploration,
thorough remembrance of things,
at such a time
a bhikkhu's investigation-of-things dimension of self awakening is set up.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's investigation-of-things dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the investigation-of-things dimension of self-awakening.
With this wise investigation,
exploration,
thorough remembrance of things,
tireless energy is set up.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu wisely investigates,
explores,
thoroughly remembers things
with tireless energy set up,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the energy dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's energy dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the energy dimension of self-awakening.
This setting up of the energy dimension of self-awakening
gives rise to uncarnal excitement.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu sets up his energy
there arises uncarnal excitement,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the enthusiasm dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's enthusiasm-dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the enthusiasm dimension of self-awakening.
Enthusiastic in mind,
the body is impassive,
the heart is impassive.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu is enthusiastic in mind,
the body impassive,
the heart impassive,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the impassivity dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's impassivity dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the impassivity dimension of self-awakening.
Impassive the body is happy,
the heart is serene.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu is impassive
the body happy,
the heart serene,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the serenity dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's serenity dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the serenity dimension of self-awakening.
He, serene of heart and happy
has become objectively detached.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu is serene of heart and happy,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the detachment dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's detachment dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the detachment-dimension of self-awakening.
§
Sensation
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu lives in sensations overseeing sensations
with established mind,
at such a time, Ānanda,
a bhikkhu's mind is not confused.
At whatever time, Ānanda,
that a bhikkhu's mind is established unconfused,
at such a time
a bhikkhu's mind dimension of self-awakening is set up.
At whatever time, Ānanda,
that a bhikkhu's mind dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the mind dimension of self-awakening.
Living thus minded,
he undertakes the wise investigation,
exploration,
thorough remembrance of things.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda, as a bhikkhu,
living thus minded,
undertakes the wise investigation,
exploration,
thorough remembrance of things,
at such a time
a bhikkhu's investigation-of-things dimension of self awakening is set up.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's investigation-of-things dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the investigation-of-things dimension of self-awakening.
With this wise investigation,
exploration,
thorough remembrance of things,
tireless energy is set up.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu wisely investigates,
explores,
thoroughly remembers things
with tireless energy set up,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the energy dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's energy dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the energy dimension of self-awakening.
This setting up of the energy dimension of self-awakening
gives rise to uncarnal excitement.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu sets up his energy
there arises uncarnal excitement,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the enthusiasm dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's enthusiasm-dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the enthusiasm dimension of self-awakening.
Enthusiastic in mind,
the body is impassive,
the heart is impassive.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu is enthusiastic in mind,
the body impassive,
the heart impassive,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the impassivity dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's impassivity dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the impassivity dimension of self-awakening.
Impassive the body is happy,
the heart is serene.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu is impassive
the body happy,
the heart serene,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the serenity dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's serenity dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the serenity dimension of self-awakening.
He, serene of heart and happy
has become objectively detached.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu is serene of heart and happy,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the detachment dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's detachment dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the detachment-dimension of self-awakening.
■
Mental States
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu lives in mental states overseeing mental states
with established mind,
at such a time, Ānanda,
a bhikkhu's mind is not confused.
At whatever time, Ānanda,
that a bhikkhu's mind is established unconfused,
at such a time
a bhikkhu's mind dimension of self-awakening is set up.
At whatever time, Ānanda,
that a bhikkhu's mind dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the mind dimension of self-awakening.
Living thus minded,
he undertakes the wise investigation,
exploration,
thorough remembrance of things.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda, as a bhikkhu,
living thus minded,
undertakes the wise investigation,
exploration,
thorough remembrance of things,
at such a time
a bhikkhu's investigation-of-things dimension of self awakening is set up.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's investigation-of-things dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the investigation-of-things dimension of self-awakening.
With this wise investigation,
exploration,
thorough remembrance of things,
tireless energy is set up.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu wisely investigates,
explores,
thoroughly remembers things
with tireless energy set up,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the energy dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's energy dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the energy dimension of self-awakening.
This setting up of the energy dimension of self-awakening
gives rise to uncarnal excitement.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu sets up his energy
there arises uncarnal excitement,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the enthusiasm dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's enthusiasm-dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the enthusiasm dimension of self-awakening.
Enthusiastic in mind,
the body is impassive,
the heart is impassive.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu is enthusiastic in mind,
the body impassive,
the heart impassive,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the impassivity dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's impassivity dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the impassivity dimension of self-awakening.
Impassive the body is happy,
the heart is serene.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu is impassive
the body happy,
the heart serene,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the serenity dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's serenity dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the serenity dimension of self-awakening.
He, serene of heart and happy
has become objectively detached.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu is serene of heart and happy,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the detachment dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's detachment dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the detachment-dimension of self-awakening.
§
The Dhamma
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu lives in the Dhamma overseeing the Dhamma
with established mind,
at such a time, Ānanda,
a bhikkhu's mind is not confused.
At whatever time, Ānanda,
that a bhikkhu's mind is established unconfused,
at such a time
a bhikkhu's mind dimension of self-awakening is set up.
At whatever time, Ānanda,
that a bhikkhu's mind dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the mind dimension of self-awakening.
Living thus minded,
he undertakes the wise investigation,
exploration,
thorough remembrance of things.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda, as a bhikkhu,
living thus minded,
undertakes the wise investigation,
exploration,
thorough remembrance of things,
at such a time
a bhikkhu's investigation-of-things dimension of self awakening is set up.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's investigation-of-things dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the investigation-of-things dimension of self-awakening.
With this wise investigation,
exploration,
thorough remembrance of things,
tireless energy is set up.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu wisely investigates,
explores,
thoroughly remembers things
with tireless energy set up,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the energy dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's energy dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the energy dimension of self-awakening.
This setting up of the energy dimension of self-awakening
gives rise to uncarnal excitement.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu sets up his energy
there arises uncarnal excitement,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the enthusiasm dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's enthusiasm-dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the enthusiasm dimension of self-awakening.
Enthusiastic in mind,
the body is impassive,
the heart is impassive.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu is enthusiastic in mind,
the body impassive,
the heart impassive,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the impassivity dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's impassivity dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the impassivity dimension of self-awakening.
Impassive the body is happy,
the heart is serene.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu is impassive
the body happy,
the heart serene,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the serenity dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's serenity dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the serenity dimension of self-awakening.
He, serene of heart and happy
has become objectively detached.
■
At whatever time, Ānanda,
as a bhikkhu is serene of heart and happy,
at such a time
a bhikkhu has set up the detachment dimension of self-awakening.
At whatever time
that a bhikkhu's detachment dimension of self-awakening is produced,
at such a time
a bhikkhu attains and brings to fulfillment
the detachment-dimension of self-awakening.
■
This is how, Ānanda,
the four setting's-up of mind,
developed and made much of,
bring to fulfillment
the seven dimensions of self-awakening.
iii
Seven Fulfils Two
And how, Ānanda, do the seven dimensions of awakening,
when developed and made much of,
fulfil vision and freedom?
Here Ānanda, a bhikkhu develops the mind-dimension of self-awakening
based on solitude,
based on dispassion,
based on ending,
culminating in giving up;
develops the investigation-of-things dimension of self-awakening
based on solitude,
based on dispassion,
based on ending,
culminating in giving up;
develops the energy-dimension of self-awakening
based on solitude,
based on dispassion,
based on ending,
culminating in giving up;
develops the enthusiasm-dimension of self-awakening
based on solitude,
based on dispassion,
based on ending,
culminating in giving up;
develops the impassivity-dimension of self-awakening
based on solitude,
based on dispassion,
based on ending,
culminating in giving up;
develops the serenity-dimension of self-awakening
based on solitude,
based on dispassion,
based on ending,
culminating in giving up;
develops the detachment-dimension of self-awakening
based on solitude,
based on dispassion,
based on ending,
culminating in giving up;
This is how, Ānanda, the seven dimensions of awakening
when developed and made much of
fulfil vision and freedom.
§
This is how, Ānanda,
recollecting-aspiration-serenity,
is one thing,
developed and made much of,
that brings to fulfillment
the four settings-up of mind;
the four setting's-up of mind,
developed and made much of,
bring to fulfillment
the seven dimensions of awakening;
the seven dimensions of awakening,
developed and made much of,
bring to fulfillment vision and freedom.
This is, Ānanda,
how one thing,
developed and made much of,
brings to fulfillment
four things;
four things,
developed and made much of,
bring to fulfillment
seven things;
seven things,
developed and made much of,
bring to fulfillment two things."[7]
[1] Citta-saṇkhāra heart-own-making.
[2] Aniccā. Instability, inconsistency. Change. It is not so much the noticing of change as the noticing that there is nothing there that passes from one perception to the next. Or, to say that another way: there is no 'thing' there which is stable enough to be observed twice or 'constantly,' or 'consistently.'
[3] These last two lines are the description of the manner in which mind is to be set up in terms of the body per the Four Settings-up of Mind. See DN 22, MN 10. And next below the repetition virtually makes these lines the definition of remembering the body.
[4] Sādhukaṃ manasikāraṃ. Well mind-studied. Hare: "this in-breathing and out-breathing, this close attention to it, is a certain feeling"; Bhk. Bodhi's translation is similar to Woodward's; Bhk. Thanissaro ignores the difference between this and the wording for body and has: "is classed as a feeling among feelings" which is more or less as put here, that is, that upon close examination, breathing is nothing but sensation and the other way around, sensations are all just a form of breathing. In-flow and out-flow. The old 'in-and-out'. In a manner of speaking all rūpa, form, is just the distortion created by the ebb and flow of energy, aka, breath.
[5] This is a good example of Gotama's sense of humor. 'Obviously' developing serenity through attention to breathing by reflecting on the mind, developing contentment with the mind, composing the mind and liberating the mind is remembering the mental states. If this needs to be explained, one is absent-minded and lacking in self-awareness.
[6] Sambojjhaṇge. Dimensions of Self-awakening here, above, "bojjhaṇge," dimensions of awakening.
[7] Neither of these last two paragraphs are included in the Pāḷi, which is unusual, but maybe also realistic.
