Saṃyutta Nikāya
4. Saḷāyatana Vagga
35. Saḷāyatana Saṃyutta
§ III: Paññāsaka Tatiya
2. Loka-Kāma-Guṇa Vagga
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
4. The Book Called the Saḷāyatana-Vagga
Containing Kindred Sayings on the 'Six-Fold Sphere' of Sense and Other Subjects
35. Kindred Sayings the Sixfold Sphere of Sense
§ III: The 'Third Fifty' Suttas
2. The Chapter on the Worldly Sensual Elements
Sutta 117
Devadaha Sutta
Worldly Sensual Elements (ii)
Translated by F. L. Woodward
Edited by Mrs. Rhys Davids
Copyright The Pali Text Society
Commercial Rights Reserved
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[1][olds][bodh][than] [No Nidana]
2. "Before I was enlightened, brethren,
with higher enlightenment,
when I was yet a Bodhisat,
I thought thus:
'Those worldly sensual elements,
formerly experienced by my thought,
are past,
perished
and altered.
Therein my thought might run riot[1]
when they are present,
or shrink away
when they are not yet arisen.'
Then, brethren, I thought thus:
3. 'As to those worldly sensual elements,
therein I ought,
for my own sake,[2]
to practise watchfulness
and concentration of mind.'
Wherefore, brethren,
as to those worldly sensual elements
experienced by thought,
which are passed,
perished
and altered,
therein your thoughts may run riot
when they are present,
or shrink away
when they are not yet arisen.
Wherefore, brethren,
in your case also,
as to these worldly sensual elements,
ye ought,
for your own sakes,
to practise watchfulness
and concentration of mind.
Bhk. Bodhi has translated:
'...that base should be understood where the eye ceases and perception of forms fades away.
That base should be understood ... ear and sounds ... mind and mental phenomena fades away.
That base should be understood.'
The problem is an 'extra' ye āyatane veditabbe.
Woodward's: 'what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere', or Bhk. Bodhi's: 'that base should be understood'.
In the Pali the 'extra' phrase comes at the beginning which sounds strange to us and has been placed at the end by Bhk. Bodhi as a sort of summary. In fact, what it looks like is that the summary coming at the beginning, was the teaching in brief and that the individual sense spheres were mistakenly added in there, and where the Buddha is being quoted, by the editors rendering the whole idea of why this statement was not obvious to the bhikkhus a mystery
as Ānanda's explanation is nothing more than this expansion.
— p.p.
[61] 4. Wherefore, brethren, as to those worldly sensual elements
experienced by thought,
which are passed,
perished
and altered,
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein eye and perception of objects fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein ear and perception of sounds fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein nose and perception of scents fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein tongue and perception of savours fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein mind and perception of mind-states fade away[3]-
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere,
ye ought,
for your own sakes,
to practise watchfulness
and concentration of mind."
5. So saying the Exalted One rose from his seat and entered the residence.
6. Now not long after the Exalted One had gone, it occurred thus to those brethren:
"The Exalted One, having given us this pronouncement in brief, without expounding its meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the residence, saying this:
'Wherefore, brethren, as to those worldly sensual elements
experienced by thought,
which are passed,
perished
and altered,
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein eye and perception of objects fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein ear and perception of sounds fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein nose and perception of scents fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein tongue and perception of savours fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein mind and perception of mind-states fade away-
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere,
ye ought,
for your own sakes,
to practise watchfulness
and concentration of mind.'
Pray who could expound to us in detail
the meaning of this pronouncement
made in brief by the Exalted One?
7. Then it occurred to those brethren:
"There is this venerable Ānanda,
one praised by the Master
and honoured by intelligent co-mates of the righteous life.
The venerable Ānanda is capable of expounding in detail
the meaning of this pronouncement
made in brief by the Exalted One.
Suppose we go to visit the venerable Ānanda,
suppose we come before the venerable Ānanda
and question him as to the meaning of this thing."
8. So those brethren went to visit the venerable Ānanda,
came into his presence
and greeted him courteously,
and after the exchange of mutual courtesies,
sat down at one side.
9. So seated those brethren said to the venerable Ānanda:
"Friend Ānanda, the Exalted One,
after giving us this pronouncement in brief,
without expounding its meaning in detail,
rose from his seat and entered the residence.
He said:
'Wherefore, brethren, as to those worldly sensual elements
experienced by thought,
which are passed,
perished
and altered,
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein eye and perception of objects fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein ear and perception of sounds fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein nose and perception of scents fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein tongue and perception of savours fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein mind and perception of mind-states fade away-
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere,
ye ought,
for your own sakes,
to practise watchfulness
and concentration of mind.'
Now, not long after the Exalted One had gone,
it occurred thus to us:
'The Exalted One, having given us this pronouncement in brief,
without expounding its meaning in detail,
rose from his seat and entered the residence,
saying this:
"Wherefore, brethren, as to those worldly sensual elements
experienced by thought,
which are passed,
perished
and altered,
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein eye and perception of objects fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein ear and perception of sounds fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein nose and perception of scents fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein tongue and perception of savours fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein mind and perception of mind-states fade away-
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere,
ye ought,
for your own sakes,
to practise watchfulness
and concentration of mind,"
pray who could expound to us in detail
the meaning of this pronouncement
made in brief by the Exalted One?
Then it occurred to us:
'There is this venerable Ānanda,
one praised by the Master
and honoured by intelligent co-mates of the righteous life.
The venerable Ānanda is capable of expounding in detail
the meaning of this pronouncement made in brief
by the Exalted One.
Suppose we go to visit the venerable Ānanda,
suppose we come before the venerable Ānanda
and question him as to the meaning of this thing.'
Do you expound, venerable Ānanda."
The venerable Ānanda said: -
10. "Friends, suppose a man in need of sound timber,
in quest of sound timber,
going about searching for sound timber,
should come upon a tree,
upstanding,
all sound timber:
but, leaving the root,
leaving the trunk,
should think that sound timber
was to be looked for in leaves and branches.
This is just what has happened to you venerable ones.
Though you had the Master face to face
you passed over that Exalted One,
and think that I am the one to be questioned on this matter.
Friends, that Exalted One is one who,
knowing, knoweth:
who, seeing, seeth:
who hath become the seer,
who hath become the knower,
who hath become the Norm,
who hath become the highest,
proclaimer and expounder is he.
Dispenser of good,
giver of the immortal,
Lord of the Norm,
Tathāgata is he.
Surely that was the time
for you to ask the Exalted One this question.
What the Exalted One should reply to you,
that should ye bear in mind."
11. "True it is, friend Ānanda,
that the Exalted One is one who,
knowing, knoweth:
who, seeing, seeth:
who hath become the seer,
who hath become the knower,
who hath become the Norm,
who hath become the highest,
proclaimer and expounder is he.
Dispenser of good,
giver of the immortal,
Lord of the Norm,
Tathāgata is he.
Surely that was the time
for us to ask the Exalted One this question.
What the Exalted One should reply,
that we should bear in mind.
Still we thought:
'Here is this venerable Ānanda,
one praised by the Master
and honoured by intelligent co-mates of the righteous life.
The venerable Ānanda is capable of expounding in detail
the meaning of this pronouncement made in brief
by the Exalted One.
Suppose we go to visit the venerable Ānanda,
suppose we come before the venerable Ānanda
and question him as to the meaning of this thing.
Let the venerable Ānanda expound the meaning,
and not put us to further trouble."
12. "Well, listen, friends.
Apply your minds.
I will speak."
"Very good, friend," replied those brethren to the venerable Ānanda, who said: -
13. "As to that pronouncement uttered in brief by the Exalted One,
but without expounding its meaning in detail:
'Wherefore, brethren, as to those worldly sensual elements
experienced by thought,
which are passed,
perished
and altered,
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein eye and perception of objects fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein ear and perception of sounds fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein nose and perception of scents fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein tongue and perception of savours fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein mind and perception of mind-states fade away-
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere,
ye ought,
for your own sakes,
to practise watchfulness
and concentration of mind',
thus do I understand it, friends:
It was uttered, friends,
by the Exalted One concerning the sixfold sphere of sense,
thus:
'Wherefore, brethren, as to those worldly sensual elements
experienced by thought,
which are passed,
perished
and altered,
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein eye and perception of objects fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein ear and perception of sounds fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein nose and perception of scents fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein tongue and perception of savours fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein mind and perception of mind-states fade away-
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere,
ye ought,
for your own sakes,
to practise watchfulness
and concentration of mind'
- so do I understand the meaning.
14. But if ye wish it,
ye venerable ones should approach the Exalted One
and question him about the matter, and,
according as the Exalted One explains it,
so do ye bear it in mind."
"Very good, friend," replied those brethren to the venerable Ānanda.
Then rising up they went to the Exalted One,
saluted him
and sat down at one side.
15. So seated they thus addressed the Exalted one:
"As to that pronouncement, lord uttered in brief by the Exalted One,
but without expounding its meaning in detail:
'Wherefore, brethren, as to those worldly sensual elements
experienced by thought,
which are passed,
perished
and altered,
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein eye and perception of objects fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein ear and perception of sounds fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein nose and perception of scents fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein tongue and perception of savours fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein mind and perception of mind-states fade away-
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere,
ye ought,
for your own sakes,
to practise watchfulness
and concentration of mind',
now, not long after the Exalted One had gone,
it occurred thus to us:
'The Exalted One, having given us this pronouncement in brief,
without expounding its meaning in detail,
rose from his seat and entered the residence,
saying this:
"Wherefore, brethren, as to those worldly sensual elements
experienced by thought,
which are passed,
perished
and altered,
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein eye and perception of objects fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein ear and perception of sounds fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein nose and perception of scents fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein tongue and perception of savours fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein mind and perception of mind-states fade away-
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere,
ye ought,
for your own sakes,
to practise watchfulness
and concentration of mind,"
pray who could expound to us in detail
the meaning of this pronouncement
made in brief by the Exalted One?
Then it occurred to us:
'There is this venerable Ānanda,
one praised by the Master
and honoured by intelligent co-mates of the righteous life.
The venerable Ānanda is capable of expounding in detail
the meaning of this pronouncement made in brief
by the Exalted One.
Suppose we go to visit the venerable Ānanda,
suppose we come before the venerable Ānanda
and question him as to the meaning of this thing.'
16. So then we went to visit the venerable Ānanda,
came into his presence
and greeted him courteously,
and after the exchange of mutual courtesies,
sat down at one side.
So seated we said to the venerable Ānanda:
'Friend Ānanda, the Exalted One,
after giving us this pronouncement in brief,
without expounding its meaning in detail,
rose from his seat and entered the residence.
He said:
"Wherefore, brethren, as to those worldly sensual elements
experienced by thought,
which are passed,
perished
and altered,
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein eye and perception of objects fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein ear and perception of sounds fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein nose and perception of scents fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein tongue and perception of savours fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein mind and perception of mind-states fade away-
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere,
ye ought,
for your own sakes,
to practise watchfulness
and concentration of mind."
Now, not long after the Exalted One had gone,
it occurred thus to us:
'The Exalted One, having given us this pronouncement in brief,
without expounding its meaning in detail,
rose from his seat and entered the residence,
saying this:
"Wherefore, brethren, as to those worldly sensual elements
experienced by thought,
which are passed,
perished
and altered,
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein eye and perception of objects fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein ear and perception of sounds fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein nose and perception of scents fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein tongue and perception of savours fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein mind and perception of mind-states fade away-
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere,
ye ought,
for your own sakes,
to practise watchfulness
and concentration of mind,"
pray who could expound to us in detail
the meaning of this pronouncement
made in brief by the Exalted One?
Then it occurred to us:
'There is this venerable Ānanda,
one praised by the Master
and honoured by intelligent co-mates of the righteous life.
The venerable Ānanda is capable of expounding in detail
the meaning of this pronouncement made in brief
by the Exalted One.
Suppose we go to visit the venerable Ānanda,
suppose we come before the venerable Ānanda
and question him as to the meaning of this thing.'
Do you expound, venerable Ānanda'
17. The venerable Ānanda said: -
'Friends, suppose a man in need of sound timber,
in quest of sound timber,
going about searching for sound timber,
should come upon a tree,
upstanding,
all sound timber:
but, leaving the root,
leaving the trunk,
should think that sound timber
was to be looked for in leaves and branches.
This is just what has happened to you venerable ones.
Though you had the Master face to face
you passed over that Exalted One,
and think that I am the one to be questioned on this matter.
Friends, that Exalted One is one who,
knowing, knoweth:
who, seeing, seeth:
who hath become the seer,
who hath become the knower,
who hath become the Norm,
who hath become the highest.
Proclaimer and expounder is he.
Dispenser of good,
giver of the immortal,
Lord of the Norm,
Tathāgata is he.
Surely that was the time
for you to ask the Exalted One this question.
What the Exalted One should reply to you,
that should ye bear in mind.'
'True it is, friend Ānanda,
that the Exalted One is one who,
knowing, knoweth:
who, seeing, seeth:
who hath become the seer,
who hath become the knower,
who hath become the Norm,
who hath become the highest.
Proclaimer and expounder is he.
Dispenser of good,
giver of the immortal,
Lord of the Norm,
Tathāgata is he.
Surely that was the time
for us to ask the Exalted One this question.
What the Exalted One should reply,
that we should bear in mind.
Still we thought:
"Here is this venerable Ānanda,
one praised by the Master
and honoured by intelligent co-mates of the righteous life.
The venerable Ānanda is capable of expounding in detail
the meaning of this pronouncement made in brief
by the Exalted One.
Suppose we go to visit the venerable Ānanda,
suppose we come before the venerable Ānanda
and question him as to the meaning of this thing.
Let the venerable Ānanda expound the meaning,
and not put us to further trouble.'
'Well, listen, friends.
Apply your minds.
I will speak.'
'Very good, friend,' we replied to the venerable Ānanda, who said: -
'As to that pronouncement uttered in brief by the Exalted One,
but without expounding its meaning in detail:
"Wherefore, brethren, as to those worldly sensual elements
experienced by thought,
which are passed,
perished
and altered,
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein eye and perception of objects fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein ear and perception of sounds fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein nose and perception of scents fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein tongue and perception of savours fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein mind and perception of mind-states fade away-
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere,
ye ought,
for your own sakes,
to practise watchfulness
and concentration of mind."
thus do I understand it, friends:
It was uttered, friends,
by the Exalted One concerning the sixfold sphere of sense,
thus:
"Wherefore, brethren, as to those worldly sensual elements
experienced by thought,
which are passed,
perished
and altered,
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein eye and perception of objects fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein ear and perception of sounds fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein nose and perception of scents fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein tongue and perception of savours fade away, -
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere: -
wherein mind and perception of mind-states fade away-
in what is to be regarded as a sense-sphere,
ye ought,
for your own sakes,
to practise watchfulness
and concentration of mind"
- so do I understand the meaning.
But if ye wish it,
ye venerable ones should approach the Exalted One
and question him about the matter, and,
according as the Exalted One explains it,
so do ye bear it in mind.'
'Very good, friend,' we replied to the venerable Ānanda and then rising up we came to the Exalted One."
And the Exalted One replied: -
"A sage, brethren, is Ānanda.
Of great wisdom, brethren, is Ānanda.
If ye were to put me this question, I should explain it even as Ānanda explained it to you.
This is the meaning of that thing, and so do ye bear it in mind."
[1] Bahulaṃ ... appaṃ gaccheyya. Comy. says 'in the future, when Metteyya Buddha shall arise, these passions will be of diminished force.'
[2] Atta-rūpena. Cf. A. ii, 120, the Comy. on which has attano anurūpena, anucchavikena, hitakāmenāti: 'by (what is) suitable, befitting for the self, by desire for (one's) good.'
[3] Comy. Saḷayatana-nirodho vuccati nibbānaṃ, in which state all sinks to rest. Cf. D. i, 222; S. iii, 188; Udana, chap. viii.
