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- Anguttara Nikaya IX.34
- Nibbana Sutta
- Unbinding
- For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma
I have heard that on one occasion Ven. Sariputta was staying
near Rajagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding
Sanctuary. There he said to the monks, "This Unbinding is pleasant, friends. This
Unbinding is pleasant."
When this was said, Ven. Udayin said to Ven. Sariputta, "But
what is the pleasure here, my friend, where there is nothing felt?"
"Just that is the pleasure here, my friend: where there is nothing felt. There are
these five strands of sensuality. Which five? Forms cognizable via the eye -- agreeable,
pleasing, charming, endearing, fostering desire, enticing; sounds cognizable via the
ear...smells cognizable via the nose...tastes cognizable via the tongue...tactile
sensations cognizable via the body -- agreeable, pleasing, charming, endearing, fostering
desire, enticing. Whatever pleasure or joy arises in dependence on these five strands of
sensuality, that is sensual pleasure.
"Now there is the case where a monk -- quite withdrawn from sensual pleasures,
withdrawn from unskillful qualities -- enters & remains in the first jhana: rapture
& pleasure born from withdrawal, accompanied by directed thought & evaluation. If,
as he remains there, he is beset with attention to perceptions dealing with sensuality,
that is an affliction for him. Just as pain arises as an affliction in a healthy person
for his affliction, even so the attention to perceptions dealing with sensuality that
beset the monk is an affliction for him. Now, the Blessed One has said that whatever is an
affliction is stress. So by this line of reasoning it may be known how Unbinding is
pleasant.
"Furthermore, there is the case where a monk, with the stilling of directed
thought & evaluation, enters & remains in the second jhana: rapture & pleasure
born of composure, unification of awareness free from directed thought & evaluation --
internal assurance. If, as he remains there, he is beset with attention to perceptions
dealing with directed thought, that is an affliction for him...
"Furthermore, there is the case where a monk, with the fading of rapture, remains
in equanimity, mindful & alert, is physically sensitive to pleasure, and enters &
remains in the third jhana, of which the Noble Ones declare, 'Equanimous & mindful, he
has a pleasurable abiding.' If, as he remains there, he is beset with attention to
perceptions dealing with rapture, that is an affliction for him...
"Furthermore, there is the case where a monk, with the abandoning of pleasure
& stress -- as with the earlier disappearance of elation & distress -- enters
& remains in the fourth jhana: purity of equanimity & mindfulness,
neither-pleasure-nor-pain. If, as he remains there, he is beset with attention to
perceptions dealing with equanimity, that is an affliction for him...
"Furthermore, there is the case where a monk, with the complete transcending of
perceptions of [physical] form, with the disappearance of perceptions of resistance, and
not heeding perceptions of diversity, thinking, 'Infinite space,' enters & remains in
the sphere of the infinitude of space. If, as he remains there, he is beset with attention
to perceptions dealing with form, that is an affliction for him...
"Furthermore, there is the case where a monk, with the complete transcending of
the sphere of the infinitude of space, thinking, 'Infinite consciousness,' enters &
remains in the sphere of the infinitude of consciousness. If, as he remains there, he is
beset with attention to perceptions dealing with the sphere of the infinitude of space,
that is an affliction for him...
"Furthermore, there is the case where a monk, with the complete transcending of
the sphere of the infinitude of consciousness, thinking, 'There is nothing,' enters &
remains in the sphere of nothingness. If, as he remains there, he is beset with attention
to perceptions dealing with the sphere of the infinitude of consciousness, that is
an affliction for him...
"Furthermore, there is the case where a monk, with the complete transcending of
the sphere of nothingness, enters & remains in the sphere of neither perception nor
non-perception. If, as he remains there, he is beset with attention to perceptions dealing
with the sphere of nothingness, that is an affliction for him. Now, the Blessed One
has said that whatever is an affliction is stress. So by this line of reasoning it may be
known how pleasant Unbinding is.
"Furthermore, there is the case where a monk, with the complete transcending of
the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception, enters & remains in the cessation
of perception & feeling. And, having seen [that] with discernment, his mental
fermentations are completely ended. So by this line of reasoning it may be known how
Unbinding is pleasant."