Concentration

Translated by E. M. Hare

[1][kuma] Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One dwelt near Sāvatthī;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

'Yes, lord,' they replied; and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, possessed of five qualities
a monk cannot enter and abide
in right concentration.

What five?

Herein, monks,
a monk cannot endure^[1] sights,
cannot endure sounds,
cannot endure smells,
cannot endure tastes
cannot endure and touches.

Monks, possessed of these five qualities
a monk cannot enter and abide
in right concentration.'

"Monks, possessed of five qualities
a monk can enter and abide
in right concentration.

What five?

Herein, monks,
a monk can endure sights,
can endure sounds,
can endure smells,
can endure tastes
can endure and touches.

Monks, possessed of these five qualities
a monk cannot enter and abide
in right concentration.'