Aṇguttara Nikāya
IV. Catukka Nipāta
II. Cara Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
Chapter II: Deportment
Sutta 16
Sokhumma Suttaṃ
The Subtle[1]
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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[1][olds][bodh] Thus have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four powers over the subtle.
What four?
Herein a monk is possessed of the power to penetrate the [18] subtilty of body,
and be beholds not any other power
more excellent or more refined than that one;
he aspires not for any other power
to penetrate the subtilty of body
more excellent and refined than that.
He is possessed of the power to penetrate the subtilty of feeling,
and be beholds not any other power
more excellent or more refined than that one;
he aspires not for any other power
to penetrate the subtilty of feeling
more excellent and refined than that.
He is possessed of the power to penetrate the subtilty of perception,
and be beholds not any other power
more excellent or more refined than that one;
he aspires not for any other power
to penetrate the subtilty of perception
more excellent and refined than that.
He is possessed of the power to penetrate the subtilty of the activities,[2],
and be beholds not any other power
more excellent or more refined than that one;
he aspires not for any other power
to penetrate the subtilty of the activities
more excellent and refined than that.
These are the four.
Knowing the subtilty of form and knowing
How feelings come to be, and whence arises
Perception, how it ends, knowing th' activities
As other and as ill, but not as self:[3]
(These things) if he do see aright, the monk,
At peace, delighting in the place of peace,
Beareth the final body (in the world),
For he hath conquered Mara and his mount.'[4]
[1] Sokhummāni. Uddāna calls the sutta Sukhumaṃ. Comys. read sukhumāni and def. as (knowledge of how to penetrate the subtle characteristics.'
[2] Sankhārā. 'Synergies' has been suggested by Mrs. Rhys Davids.
[3] Parato ... duklchato ... no ca attato. Cf. S. i, 188, Sankhāre parato passa, dukkhato mā ca attato. Cf. K.S. i, 239.
[4] Māra is pictured as riding into battle on an elephant.
