Aṅguttara Nikāya
VIII. Aṭṭhaka Nipāta
III: Gahapati-Vagga
The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha
VIII. The Book of the Eights
III. Householders
Sutta 28
Khīṇ'āsava Bala Suttaɱ
Powers (2)
Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi.
© 2012 Bhikkhu Bodhi
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[1][pts][than][olds] Then the Venerable Sāriputta approached the Blessed One ...
The Blessed One then said to him:
[224] "Sāriputta when a bhikkhu's taints have been destroyed, how many powers does he possess by reason of which he can claim:
'My taints have been destroyed'."
"Bhante, when a bhikkhu's taints have been destroyed, he possesses eight powers by reason of which he can claim:
'My taints have been destroyed.'
What eight?
Bhk. Bodhi has translated saṅkhārā here as 'conditioned', which is a serious mistake. See the discussion "Is Nibbana Conditioned?" for an explanation of why this is a mistake.
— p.p.
(1) "Here, bhante, a bhikkhu with taints destroyed has clearly seen all conditioned phenomena as they really are with correct wisdom as impermanent.
This is a power of a bhikkhu with taints destroyed on the basis of which he can claim:
'My taints have been destroyed.'
(2) "Again, a bhikkhu with taints destroyed has clearly seen sensual pleasures as they really are with correct wisdom as similar to a charcoal pit.
This is a power of a bhikkhu with taints destroyed ...
(3) "Again, the mind of a bhikkhu with taints destroyed slants, slopes, and inclines to seclusion; it is withdrawn, delighting in renunciation, and is entirely finished with all things that are a basis for the taints.
This is a power of a bhikkhu with taints destroyed ...
(4) "Again, a bhikkhu with taints destroyed has developed and well developed the four establishments of mindfulness.
Since [225] that is so, this is a power of a bhikkhu with taints destroyed ...
(5) — (8) "Again, a bhikkhu with taints destroyed has developed and well developed the four bases for psychic potency ...
the five spiritual faculties ...
the seven factors of enlightenment ...
the noble eightfold path.
This is a power of a bhikkhu with taints destroyed on the basis of which he can claim:
'My taints have been destroyed.'
"Bhante, when a bhikkhu's taints have been destroyed, he possesses these eight powers on the basis of which he can claim:
'My taints have been destroyed.'"