Aṇguttara Nikāya
Catukka Nipāta
X: Asura Vagga

The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
Chapter X: Asuras

Sutta 93

Dutiya Samādhi Suttaṃ

Concentration (b)

Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.

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[102]

[1] 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, these four persons are found existing in the world.

What four?

Herein, monks, a certain person
is one who gains mental calm of the self,
but does not gain the higher wisdom
of insight into things.

Herein again, monks, a certain person
is one who gains the higher wisdom
of insight into things
but does not gain mental calm of the self.

Herein again, monks, a certain person
is one who gains neither mental calm of the self,
nor the higher wisdom
of insight into things.

Yet again a certain person
is one who gains mental calm of the self,
and the higher wisdom
of insight into things.

These four persons are found existing in the world.'

Then, monks, he who gained
mental calm in himself,
but not the higher wisdom
of insight into things,
should make an effort to establish
mental calm in himself,
and attain the higher wisdom
of insight into things.

Then at some future time
he is one who has gained
mental calm of the self,
and the higher wisdom
of insight into things.

Then, monks, he who has gained
the higher wisdom of insight into things,
but not mental calm in himself,
should make an effort to establish
the higher wisdom of insight into things,
and attain mental calm in himself.

Then at some future time
he is one who has gained
mental calm of the self,
and the higher wisdom
of insight into things.

Then, monks, he who has gained
neither mental calm in himself
nor the higher wisdom of insight into things
should put forth intense desire,
effort,
exertion,
impulse,
unobstruction,
mindfulness
and attention
for the attainment of mental calm of the self,
and the higher wisdom
of insight into things.

Just as, monks, when one's turban or head is ablaze,^[1]
for the extinguishing thereof
one must put forth intense desire,
effort,
exertion,
impulse,
unobstruction,
mindfulness
and attention,
even so must that person
put forth intense,
effort,
exertion,
impulse,
unobstruction,
mindfulness
and attention,
for the attainment of mental calm of the self,
and the higher wisdom
of insight into things.

Then at some future time
he is one who has gained
mental calm of the self,
and the higher wisdom
of insight into things.

So, monks, he who has gained both
mental calm of the self,
and the higher wisdom
of insight into things
should make an effort to establish just those profitable states
and further to destroy the āsavas.

 

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^[1] For this and the favourite simile of the hlazing turban cf. S. i, 108, iii, 143, v, 440; Sisters, p. 172; A. iii, 308, iv, 320, v, 93 ff.