Saṃyutta Nikāya
3. Khandha Vagga
22. Khandha Saṃyutta
7. Arahatta Vagga
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
3. The Book Called the Khandhā-Vagga
Containing Kindred Sayings on the Elements of Sensory Existence and other Subjects
22. Kindred Sayings on Elements
7. On the Arahant
Sutta 63
Upādiyamāna Suttaṃ
Clinging[1]
Translated by F. L. Woodward
Edited by Mrs. Rhys Davids
Copyright The Pali Text Society
Commercial Rights Reserved
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The Exalted One was staying at Sāvatthī
In jeta Grove,
at Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.
Then a certain brother came to the Exalted One, saluted him and sat down at one side.
So seated that brother thus addressed the Exalted One:
"Well for me, lord,
if the Exalted One would teach me a doctrine,
so that hearing the doctrine of the Exalted One
I might dwell solitary,
secluded,
zealous,
ardent
and aspiring."
"Brother, if one cling,[1]
he is Mara's bondsman.
If he cling not,
he is released from the evil one."
"I understand, Exalted One!
I understand, Well-farer!"
"But in what way, brother,
do you understand in full
the meaning of what I spoke concisely?"
"Thus, lord:
Clinging to body,
one is Mara's bondsman.
Not clinging,
he is released from the evil one.
Clinging to feeling,
he is Mara's bondsman.
Not clinging,
he is released from the evil one.
Clinging to perception,
he is Mara's bondsman.
Not clinging,
he is released from the evil one.
Clinging to the activities,
he is Mara's bondsman.
Not clinging,
he is released from the evil one.
Clinging to consciousness,
he is Mara's bondsman.
Not clinging,
he is released from the evil one.
That, lord, is how I understand in full
what was concisely spoken by the Exalted One."
"Well said, brother!
Well said, brother!
Well have you understood in full
the meaning of what I spoke concisely.
It is indeed by clinging to body,
one is Mara's bondsman.
Not clinging,
he is released from the evil one.
Clinging to feeling,
he is Mara's bondsman.
Not clinging,
he is released from the evil one.
Clinging to perception,
he is Mara's bondsman.
Not clinging,
he is released from the evil one.
Clinging to the activities,
he is Mara's bondsman.
Not clinging,
he is released from the evil one.
Clinging to consciousness,
he is Mara's bondsman.
Not clinging,
he is released from the evil one.
And so should be understood in full
what I said concisely."
[65] Thereupon that brother gladly heard the words of the Exalted One
and welcomed them,
and he rose from his seat,
saluted the Exalted One
and departed.
Thereafter that brother,
dwelling solitary,
secluded,
zealous,
ardent
and aspiring,
in no long time
attained that goal supreme of the righteous life,
to win which the clansmen rightly go forth from home to the homeless,
so that in that very life
of himself
he fully understood it,
realized it
and abode therein,
and knew:
"Destroyed is rebirth,
lived is the righteous life,
done is the task,
for life in these conditions there is no hereafter."
So that brother was yet another of the Arahants.
[1] Upādiyamāno (upa+ā+diy, from dā; giving on up to = taking, grasping). 'To craving, pride, views.' Comy.
