Aṇguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
15. Tikaṇḍaki Vaggo
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
Chapter XV: Three-thorn Grove
Sutta 149
Paṭhama Samaya-Vimutta Suttaṃ
Occasional Release
Translated by E. M. Hare
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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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, these five things
lead to the falling away
of a monk who is occasionally released.[1]
What five?
Delight in (body) work,
delight in gossip,
delight in sleep,
delight in company
and he does not look at the mind apart[2]
as released.
Verily, monks, these five things
lead to the falling away
of a monk who is occasionally released.
§
"Monks, these five things
lead to the not falling away
of a monk who is occasionally released.
What five?
Non-delight in (body) work,
non-delight in gossip,
non-delight in sleep,
non-delight in company
and he looks at the mind apart
as released.
Verily, monks, these five things
lead to the not falling away
of a monk who is occasionally released.
[1] Samaya-vimutta. P.E.D. wrongly 'finally emancipated'; our Comy. just in momentary flashes (appit'appita-khaṇe, appeti means both to fix and to rush on) with the depravities discarded, there is a state of release; Cf. SnA. 105; SA. i, 182. Were it not that the idea of 'temporary release' recurs at Sn. 54, one might judge it to be a late development. It occurs seldom. See K.S. i, 150 n. The sutta is quoted at Pts. of Contr. 70.
[2] Paccavekkhati, to view something over against (paṭi).
