- Anguttara Nikaya X.71
- Akankha Sutta
- Wishes
- For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma
On one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi in
Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. There he addressed the
monks, "Monks!"
"Yes, lord," the monks responded.
The Blessed One said: "Monks, dwell consummate in virtue, consummate in terms of
the Patimokkha. Dwell restrained in accordance with the Patimokkha, consummate in your
behavior & sphere of activity. Train yourselves, having undertaken the training rules,
seeing danger in the slightest faults.
[1] "If a monk would wish, 'May I be dear & pleasing to my fellows in the holy
life, respected by & inspiring to them,' then he should be one who brings the precepts
to perfection, who is committed to mental calm, who does not neglect jhana, who is endowed
with insight, and who frequents empty dwellings.
[2] "If a monk would wish, 'May I be someone who receives robes, almsfood,
lodgings, & medical requisites for curing the sick,' then he should be one who brings
the precepts to perfection, who is committed to mental calm, who does not neglect jhana,
who is endowed with insight, and who frequents empty dwellings.
[3] "If a monk would wish, 'Whatever I use or consume in terms of robes, almsfood,
lodgings, & medical requisites for curing the sick, may that be of great fruit, of
great benefit to those who provided them,' then he should be one who brings the precepts
to perfection, who is committed to mental calm, who does not neglect jhana, who is endowed
with insight, and who frequents empty dwellings.
[4] "If a monk would wish, 'May it also be of great fruit, of great benefit, to
whatever dead relatives they [the donors] recollect with brightened minds,' then he should
be one who brings the precepts to perfection, who is committed to mental calm, who does
not neglect jhana, who is endowed with insight, and who frequents empty dwellings.
[5] "If a monk would wish, 'May I be content with whatever robes, almsfood,
lodgings, & medical requisites for curing the sick are available,' then he should be
one who brings the precepts to perfection, who is committed to mental calm, who does not
neglect jhana, who is endowed with insight, and who frequents empty dwellings.
[6] "If a monk would wish, 'May I be resistant to cold, heat, hunger, &
thirst; to the touch of gadflies & mosquitoes, wind & sun & creeping things;
to abusive, hurtful language; to bodily feelings that, when they arise, are painful,
sharp, stabbing, fierce, distasteful, deadly,' then he should be one who brings the
precepts to perfection, who is committed to mental calm, who does not neglect jhana, who
is endowed with insight, and who frequents empty dwellings.
[7] "If a monk would wish, 'May I overcome displeasure, and not be overcome by
displeasure. May I dwell having conquered any displeasure that has arisen,' then he should
be one who brings the precepts to perfection, who is committed to mental calm, who does
not neglect jhana, who is endowed with insight, and who frequents empty dwellings.
[8] "If a monk would wish, 'May I overcome fear & dread, and not be overcome
by fear & dread. May I dwell having conquered any fear & dread that have arisen,'
then he should be one who brings the precepts to perfection, who is committed to mental
calm, who does not neglect jhana, who is endowed with insight, and who frequents empty
dwellings.
[9] "If a monk would wish, 'May I attain -- whenever I want, without strain,
without difficulty -- the four jhanas that are heightened mental states, pleasant abidings
in the here-&-now,' then he should be one who brings the precepts to perfection, who
is committed to mental calm, who does not neglect jhana, who is endowed with insight, and
who frequents empty dwellings.
[10] "If a monk would wish, 'May I -- with the ending of mental fermentations --
remain in the fermentation-free release of awareness & release of discernment, having
directly known & realized them for myself in the here-&-now,' then he should be
one who brings the precepts to perfection, who is committed to mental calm, who does not
neglect jhana, who is endowed with insight, and who frequents empty dwellings.
"'Monks, dwell consummate in virtue, consummate in terms of the Patimokkha. Dwell
restrained in accordance with the Patimokkha, consummate in your behavior & sphere of
activity. Train yourselves, having undertaken the training rules, seeing danger in the
slightest faults.' Thus was it said. And in reference to this was it said."
See also: AN IV.28.