Saṃyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
52. Anuruddha Saṃyutta
1. Raho-Gata Vagga

The Book of the Kindred Sayings
5. The Great Chapter
52. Kindred Sayings about Anuruddha
1. In Solitude

Sutta 10

Bāḷha-Gilāya or Gihīnaya or Gilāna Suttaṃ

Grievously Afflicted^[1]

Translated by F. L. Woodward
Edited by Mrs. Rhys Davids

Copyright The Pali Text Society
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[268]

[1][than] THUS have I heard:

On a certain occasion the venerable Anuruddha was staying near Sāvatthī
in Dark Wood,
being sick and grievously afflicted.|| ||

Now a number of monks came to visit the venerable Anuruddha,
and on coming to him greeted him courteously,
and after the exchange of greetings and compliments
sat down at one side.

Seated at one side thy said:

"Pray what is the venerable Anuruddha's life,
in that the painful feelings that come upon him
make no impression on his mind?"^[2]

"Friends, it is because I dwell
with my mind well grounded
in four arisings of mindfulness.

That is why the painful feelings that come upon me
make no impression on my mind.

What are the four?

Herein, friends, I dwell in body contemplating body
(as transient),
ardent,
self-possessed
and mindful,
by restraining the dejection in the world
that arises from coveting.

So also, friends, I dwell in feelings contemplating feelings
(as transient),
ardent,
self-possessed
and mindful,
by restraining the dejection in the world
that arises from coveting.

I dwell in mind contemplating mind
(as transient),
ardent,
self-possessed
and mindful,
by restraining the dejection in the world
that arises from coveting.

I dwell in mind-states contemplating mind-states
(as transient),
ardent,
self-possessed
and mindful,
by restraining the dejection in the world
that arises from coveting.

It is because I thus dwell, friends,
that the painful feelings that come upon me
make no impression on my mind."

 

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^[1] Text has an alternative title Gihīnayo, which seems a corruption of Sinh. MSS. Uddāna has Bāḷhagilāyanaṇ.

^[2] Cittaṇ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhanti ('lay hold of and remain'). Cf. S. ii, 235; iii, 101.