Aṅguttara-Nikāya
III. Tika Nipāta
II. Rathakāra Vagga
Sutta 13
Aasaɱsā Suttaɱ
Desires
Translated from the Pali by
Sister Upalavana
[1.1][pts][bodh] I heard thus.
Bhikkhus, there are three kinds of persons in the world.
What three?
The one who has no desires to attain it, the one who hopes to attain it, and the one who has fulfilled his desires.
Bhikkhus, which person has no desires to attain it?
Bhikkhus, a certain person is born in a low clan, in the family of, an out caste, a hunter, a basket weaver, a chariot maker, a rubbish collector or in a poor family, obtaining his eatables and drinks with difficulty.
He too hasn't pleasant looks, is deformed, has many ailments, is blind, paralysed, lame or crippled and obtains eatables, drinks, clothes, flowers and scents beds, lodgings, and lighting with difficulty.
Then he hears, a certain person of warrior clan is made the head anointed warrior king.
Hearing this it does not occur to him -
O! when will I be the head anointed warrior king.
Bhikkhus, this is the person who has no desires for it.
Bhikkhus, who is the person who hopes to attain it?
Here the eldest son of the head anointed warrior king, who is not anointed and has come of age hears a certain person of warrior clan is made the head anointed warrior king.
Hearing this it occurs to him -
O! when will I be the head anointed warrior king.
Bhikkhus, this is the person who has desires to attain it.
Bhikkhus, who is the person who has fulfilled his desires?
Here the head anointed warrior king hears a certain person of warrior clan is made the head anointed warrior king.
Hearing this it does not occur to him -
O! when will I be the head anointed warrior king.
Bhikkhus, this is the person who has fulfilled his desires.
Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world and in the same manner three persons are evident among the bhikkhus.
What three?
The one who has no desires to attain it, the one who hopes to attain it, and the one who has fulfilled his desires.
Bhikkhus, which person has no desires to attain it?
Bhikkhus, a certain person is unvirtuous, with very low thoughts, secret activity and evil conduct, having promised to lead the holy life, he abides doing the evil activities born to him.
He hears:
The bhikkhu of this name having destroyed desires, released his mind from desires, released through wisdom, abides here and now having realized it.
It does not occur to him:
O! When shall I destroy desires, attain the release of mind, the release through wisdom by myself realizing, abide here and now?
Bhikkhus, this person has no desires to attain it.
Bhikkhus, which person has desires to attain it? Bhikkhus, a certain person is virtuous, with good conduct, and leads the holy life.
He hears:
The bhikkhu of this name having destroyed desires, released his mind from desires, released through wisdom, abides here and now having realized it.
It occurs to him:
O! When shall I destroy desires, attain the release of mind, the release through wisdom and by myself realizing, abide here and now?
Bhikkhus, this person has hopes to attain it.
Bhikkhus, which person has fulfilled his desires?
Bhikkhus, a certain person is a worthy one.
He has destroyed his desires.
He hears:
The bhikkhu of this name having destroyed desires, released his mind from desires, released through wisdom, abides here and now having realized it.
It does not occur to him:
O! When shall I destroy desires, attain the release of mind, the release through wisdom by myself realizing, abide here and now?
What is the reason?
Earlier he was not released, now he is released and his desires are fulfilled.
Bhikkhus, this person has fulfilled his desires.
Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world.
