So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!”
PL
Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “bhikkhavo”ti.
EN
“Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this: “Mendicants, a sower does not sow seed for deer thinking, ‘May the deer, enjoying this seed, be long-lived and beautiful. May they live long and prosper!’
A sower sows seed for deer thinking, ‘When these deer encroach on where I sow the seed, they’ll recklessly enjoy eating it. They’ll become indulgent, then they’ll become negligent, and then I’ll be able to do what I want with them on account of this seed.’
And indeed, the first herd of deer encroached on where the sower sowed the seed and recklessly enjoyed eating it. They became indulgent, then they became negligent, and then the sower was able to do what he wanted with them on account of that seed. And that’s how the first herd of deer failed to get free from the sower’s power.
and failed to get free of the sower’s power. Why don’t we refrain from eating the seed altogether? Refraining from dangerous food, we can venture deep into a wilderness region and live there.’ And that’s just what they did.
PL
Evañhi te paṭhamā migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ sabbaso nivāpabhojanā paṭivirameyyāma, bhayabhogā paṭiviratā araññāyatanāni ajjhogāhetvā vihareyyāmā’ti. Te sabbaso nivāpabhojanā paṭiviramiṁsu, bhayabhogā paṭiviratā araññāyatanāni ajjhogāhetvā vihariṁsu.
EN
But when it came to the last month of summer, the grass and water ran out. Their bodies became much too thin, and they lost their strength and energy. So they returned to where the sower had sown the seed. Encroaching, they recklessly enjoyed eating it …
Then we can encroach and enjoy eating without being reckless. We won’t become indulgent, then we won’t become negligent, and then the sower won’t be able to do what he wants with us on account of that seed.’
PL
Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjissāma, ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjissāma, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjissāma, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā bhavissāma nevāpikassa amusmiṁ nivāpe’ti.
EN
And that’s just what they did.
PL
Te amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa upanissāya āsayaṁ kappayiṁsu. Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjiṁsu, te tattha ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjiṁsu, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjiṁsu, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā ahesuṁ nevāpikassa amusmiṁ nivāpe.
EN
So the sower and his helpers thought, ‘Wow, this third herd of deer is so sneaky and devious, they must be some kind of strange spirits with magical abilities! For they eat the seed we’ve sown without us knowing how they come and go. Why don’t we surround the seed on all sides by staking out high nets? Hopefully we might get to see the lair where they go to hide out.’
PL
Tatra, bhikkhave, nevāpikassa ca nevāpikaparisāya ca etadahosi: ‘saṭhāssunāmime tatiyā migajātā ketabino, iddhimantāssunāmime tatiyā migajātā parajanā; imañca nāma nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ paribhuñjanti, na ca nesaṁ jānāma āgatiṁ vā gatiṁ vā. Yannūna mayaṁ imaṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mahatīhi daṇḍavākarāhi samantā sappadesaṁ anuparivāreyyāma, appeva nāma tatiyānaṁ migajātānaṁ āsayaṁ passeyyāma, yattha te gāhaṁ gaccheyyun’ti.
EN
And that’s just what they did. And they saw the lair where the third herd of deer went to hide out. And that’s how the third herd failed to get free from the sower’s power. So then a fourth herd of deer thought up a plan,
PL
Te amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mahatīhi daṇḍavākarāhi samantā sappadesaṁ anuparivāresuṁ. Addasaṁsu kho, bhikkhave, nevāpiko ca nevāpikaparisā ca tatiyānaṁ migajātānaṁ āsayaṁ, yattha te gāhaṁ agamaṁsu. Evañhi te, bhikkhave, tatiyāpi migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Tatra, bhikkhave, catutthā migajātā evaṁ samacintesuṁ:
EN
‘The first … second …
PL
‘ye kho te paṭhamā migajātā …pe… evañhi te paṭhamā migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Yepi te dutiyā migajātā evaṁ samacintesuṁ: “ye kho te paṭhamā migajātā …pe…
PL
evañhi te paṭhamā migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ sabbaso nivāpabhojanā paṭivirameyyāma, bhayabhogā paṭiviratā araññāyatanāni ajjhogāhetvā vihareyyāmā”ti. Te sabbaso nivāpabhojanā paṭiviramiṁsu …pe… evañhi te dutiyāpi migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā.
EN
and third herds of deer …
PL
Yepi te tatiyā migajātā evaṁ samacintesuṁ: “ye kho te paṭhamā migajātā …pe… evañhi te paṭhamā migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Yepi te dutiyā migajātā evaṁ samacintesuṁ:
PL
‘ye kho te paṭhamā migajātā …pe… evañhi te paṭhamā migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ sabbaso nivāpabhojanā paṭivirameyyāma, bhayabhogā paṭiviratā araññāyatanāni ajjhogāhetvā vihareyyāmā’ti. Te sabbaso nivāpabhojanā paṭiviramiṁsu …pe…
PL
evañhi te dutiyāpi migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa upanissāya āsayaṁ kappeyyāma, tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjissāma, ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjissāma, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjissāma, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā bhavissāma nevāpikassa amusmiṁ nivāpe”ti.
PL
Te amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa upanissāya āsayaṁ kappayiṁsu, tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjiṁsu, te tattha ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjiṁsu, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjiṁsu, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā ahesuṁ nevāpikassa amusmiṁ nivāpe.
PL
Tatra nevāpikassa ca nevāpikaparisāya ca etadahosi: “saṭhāssunāmime tatiyā migajātā ketabino, iddhimantāssunāmime tatiyā migajātā parajanā, imañca nāma nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ paribhuñjanti. Na ca nesaṁ jānāma āgatiṁ vā gatiṁ vā. Yannūna mayaṁ imaṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mahatīhi daṇḍavākarāhi samantā sappadesaṁ anuparivāreyyāma, appeva nāma tatiyānaṁ migajātānaṁ āsayaṁ passeyyāma, yattha te gāhaṁ gaccheyyun”ti.
EN
failed to get free of the sower’s power. Why don’t we set up our lair somewhere the sower and his helpers can’t go? Then we can intrude on where the sower has sown the seed and enjoy eating it without being reckless. We won’t become indulgent, then we won’t become negligent, and then the sower won’t be able to do with us what he wants on account of that seed.’
PL
Te amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mahatīhi daṇḍavākarāhi samantā sappadesaṁ anuparivāresuṁ. Addasaṁsu kho nevāpiko ca nevāpikaparisā ca tatiyānaṁ migajātānaṁ āsayaṁ, yattha te gāhaṁ agamaṁsu. Evañhi te tatiyāpi migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ yattha agati nevāpikassa ca nevāpikaparisāya ca tatrāsayaṁ kappeyyāma, tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjissāma, ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjissāma, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjissāma, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā bhavissāma nevāpikassa amusmiṁ nivāpe’ti.
EN
And that’s just what they did.
PL
Te yattha agati nevāpikassa ca nevāpikaparisāya ca tatrāsayaṁ kappayiṁsu. Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjiṁsu, te tattha ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjiṁsu, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjiṁsu, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā ahesuṁ nevāpikassa amusmiṁ nivāpe.
EN
So the sower and his helpers thought, ‘Wow, this fourth herd of deer is so sneaky and devious, they must be some kind of strange spirits with magical abilities! For they eat the seed we’ve sown without us knowing how they come and go. Why don’t we surround the seed on all sides by staking out high nets? Hopefully we might get to see the lair where they go to hide out.’
PL
Tatra, bhikkhave, nevāpikassa ca nevāpikaparisāya ca etadahosi: ‘saṭhāssunāmime catutthā migajātā ketabino, iddhimantāssunāmime catutthā migajātā parajanā. Imañca nāma nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ paribhuñjanti, na ca nesaṁ jānāma āgatiṁ vā gatiṁ vā. Yannūna mayaṁ imaṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mahatīhi daṇḍavākarāhi samantā sappadesaṁ anuparivāreyyāma, appeva nāma catutthānaṁ migajātānaṁ āsayaṁ passeyyāma yattha te gāhaṁ gaccheyyun’ti.
EN
And that’s just what they did. But they couldn’t see the lair where the fourth herd of deer went to hide out. So the sower and his helpers thought, ‘If we disturb this fourth herd of deer, they’ll disturb others, who in turn will disturb even more.
PL
Te amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mahatīhi daṇḍavākarāhi samantā sappadesaṁ anuparivāresuṁ. Neva kho, bhikkhave, addasaṁsu nevāpiko ca nevāpikaparisā ca catutthānaṁ migajātānaṁ āsayaṁ, yattha te gāhaṁ gaccheyyuṁ. Tatra, bhikkhave, nevāpikassa ca nevāpikaparisāya ca etadahosi: ‘sace kho mayaṁ catutthe migajāte ghaṭṭessāma, te ghaṭṭitā aññe ghaṭṭissanti te ghaṭṭitā aññe ghaṭṭissanti.
EN
Then all of the deer will escape this seed we’ve sown. Why don’t we just keep an eye on that fourth herd?’ And that’s just what they did. And that’s how the fourth herd of deer escaped the sower’s power.
I’ve made up this simile to make a point. And this is what it means. ‘Seed’ is a term for the five kinds of sensual stimulation. ‘Sower’ is a term for Māra the Wicked.
‘Sower’s helpers’ is a term for Māra’s assembly. ‘Deer’ is a term for ascetics and brahmins. Now, the first group of ascetics and brahmins encroached on where the seed and the worldly pleasures of the flesh were sown by Māra and recklessly enjoyed eating it. They became indulgent, then they became negligent, and then Māra was able to do what he wanted with them on account of that seed and the worldly pleasures of the flesh.
And that’s how the first group of ascetics and brahmins failed to get free from Māra’s power. This first group of ascetics and brahmins is just like the first herd of deer, I say. So then a second group of ascetics and brahmins thought up a plan, ‘The first group of ascetics and brahmins became indulgent …
and failed to get free of Māra’s power. Why don’t we refrain from eating the seed and the worldly pleasures of the flesh altogether? Refraining from dangerous food, we can venture deep into a wilderness region and live there.’
And that’s just what they did. They ate herbs, millet, wild rice, poor rice, water lettuce, rice bran, scum from boiling rice, sesame flour, grass, or cow dung. They survived on forest roots and fruits, or eating fallen fruit.
But when it came to the last month of summer, the grass and water ran out. Their bodies became much too thin, and they lost their strength and energy. Because of this, they lost their heart’s release, so they went back to where Māra had sown the seed and the worldly pleasures of the flesh.
Intruding on that place, they recklessly enjoyed eating them … And that’s how the second group of ascetics and brahmins failed to get free from Māra’s power.
This second group of ascetics and brahmins is just like the second herd of deer, I say. So then a third group of ascetics and brahmins thought up a plan, ‘The first …
PL
Seyyathāpi te, bhikkhave, dutiyā migajātā tathūpame ahaṁ ime dutiye samaṇabrāhmaṇe vadāmi. Tatra, bhikkhave, tatiyā samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁ samacintesuṁ: ‘ye kho te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni …pe…. Evañhi te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā.
EN
and second groups of ascetics and brahmins …
PL
Yepi te dutiyā samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁ samacintesuṁ: “ye kho te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni …pe…. Evañhi te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ sabbaso nivāpabhojanā lokāmisā paṭivirameyyāma, bhayabhogā paṭiviratā araññāyatanāni ajjhogāhetvā vihareyyāmā”ti.
failed to get free of Māra’s power. Why don’t we set up our lair close by where Māra has sown the seed and those worldly pleasures of the flesh? Then we can encroach on it and enjoy eating without being reckless. We won’t become indulgent, then we won’t become negligent, and then Māra won’t be able to do what he wants with us on account of that seed and those worldly pleasures of the flesh.’
PL
Evañhi te dutiyāpi samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni upanissāya āsayaṁ kappeyyāma, tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjissāma, ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjissāma, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjissāma, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā bhavissāma mārassa amusmiṁ nivāpe amusmiñca lokāmise’ti.
EN
And that’s just what they did.
PL
Te amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni upanissāya āsayaṁ kappayiṁsu. Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjiṁsu. Te tattha ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjiṁsu, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjiṁsu, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā ahesuṁ mārassa amusmiṁ nivāpe amusmiñca lokāmise.
EN
Still, they had such views as these: ‘The cosmos is eternal’ or ‘The cosmos is not eternal’; ‘The cosmos is finite’ or ‘The cosmos is infinite’; ‘The soul and the body are one and the same’ or ‘The soul is one thing, the body another’;
PL
Api ca kho evaṁdiṭṭhikā ahesuṁ— sassato loko itipi, asassato loko itipi; antavā loko itipi, anantavā loko itipi; taṁ jīvaṁ taṁ sarīraṁ itipi, aññaṁ jīvaṁ aññaṁ sarīraṁ itipi;
EN
or that after death, a realized one still exists, or no longer exists, or both still exists and no longer exists, or neither still exists nor no longer exists. And that’s how the third group of ascetics and brahmins failed to get free from Māra’s power. This third group of ascetics and brahmins is just like the third herd of deer, I say.
PL
hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā itipi, na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā itipi, hoti ca na ca hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā itipi, neva hoti na na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā itipi. Evañhi te, bhikkhave, tatiyāpi samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Seyyathāpi te, bhikkhave, tatiyā migajātā tathūpame ahaṁ ime tatiye samaṇabrāhmaṇe vadāmi.
EN
So then a fourth group of ascetics and brahmins thought up a plan, ‘The first … second …
PL
Tatra, bhikkhave, catutthā samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁ samacintesuṁ: ‘ye kho te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa …pe…. Evañhi te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Yepi te dutiyā samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁ samacintesuṁ:
PL
‘ye kho te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā …pe…. Evañhi te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ sabbaso nivāpabhojanā lokāmisā paṭivirameyyāma bhayabhogā paṭiviratā araññāyatanāni ajjhogāhetvā vihareyyāmā’ti. Te sabbaso nivāpabhojanā lokāmisā paṭiviramiṁsu …pe….
EN
and third groups of ascetics and brahmins …
PL
Evañhi te dutiyāpi samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Yepi te tatiyā samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁ samacintesuṁ ye kho te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā …pe…. Evañhi te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Yepi te dutiyā samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁ samacintesuṁ ye kho te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā …pe….
PL
Evañhi te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ sabbaso nivāpabhojanā lokāmisā paṭivirameyyāma, bhayabhogā paṭiviratā araññāyatanāni ajjhogāhetvā vihareyyāmā’ti. Te sabbaso nivāpabhojanā lokāmisā paṭiviramiṁsu …pe…. Evañhi te dutiyāpi samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā.
PL
Yannūna mayaṁ amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni upanissāya āsayaṁ kappeyyāma. Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjissāma, ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjissāma, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjissāma, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā bhavissāma mārassa amusmiṁ nivāpe amusmiñca lokāmiseti.
PL
Te amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni upanissāya āsayaṁ kappayiṁsu. Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjiṁsu. Te tattha ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjiṁsu. Amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjiṁsu.
EN
failed to get free of Māra’s power.
PL
Appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā ahesuṁ mārassa amusmiṁ nivāpe amusmiñca lokāmise. Api ca kho evaṁdiṭṭhikā ahesuṁ sassato loko itipi …pe… neva hoti na na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā itipi. Evañhi te tatiyāpi samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā.
EN
Why don’t we set up our lair where Māra and his assembly can’t go? Then we can encroach on where Māra has sown the seed and those worldly pleasures of the flesh, and enjoy eating without being reckless. We won’t become indulgent, then we won’t become negligent, and then Māra won’t be able to do what he wants with us on account of that seed and those worldly pleasures of the flesh.’
PL
Yannūna mayaṁ yattha agati mārassa ca māraparisāya ca tatrāsayaṁ kappeyyāma. Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjissāma, ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjissāma, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjissāma, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā bhavissāma mārassa amusmiṁ nivāpe amusmiñca lokāmiseti.
EN
And that’s just what they did.
PL
Te yattha agati mārassa ca māraparisāya ca tatrāsayaṁ kappayiṁsu. Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjiṁsu, te tattha ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjiṁsu, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjiṁsu, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā ahesuṁ mārassa amusmiṁ nivāpe amusmiñca lokāmise.
EN
And that’s how the fourth group of ascetics and brahmins got free from Māra’s power. This fourth group of ascetics and brahmins is just like the fourth herd of deer, I say. And where is it that Māra and his assembly can’t go? It’s when a mendicant, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.
This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra, put out his eyes without a trace, and gone where the Wicked One cannot see. Furthermore, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, a mendicant enters and remains in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.
This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra … Furthermore, with the fading away of rapture, a mendicant enters and remains in the third absorption, where they meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, experiencing for themselves the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’ This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra …
PL
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave …pe… pāpimato. Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca viharati sato ca sampajāno, sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedeti yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave …pe… pāpimato.
EN
Furthermore, with the giving up of pleasure and pain and the disappearance of former happiness and sadness, a mendicant enters and remains in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness. This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra … Furthermore, a mendicant, going totally beyond perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of impingement, not focusing on perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite’, enters and remains in the dimension of infinite space.
This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra … Furthermore, a mendicant, going totally beyond the dimension of infinite space, aware that ‘consciousness is infinite’, enters and remains in the dimension of infinite consciousness. This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra … Furthermore, a mendicant, going totally beyond the dimension of infinite consciousness, aware that ‘there is nothing at all’, enters and remains in the dimension of nothingness.
This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra … Furthermore, a mendicant, going totally beyond the dimension of nothingness, enters and remains in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception. This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra … Furthermore, a mendicant, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, their defilements come to an end.
This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra, put out his eyes without a trace, and gone where the Wicked One cannot see. And they’ve crossed over clinging to the world.” That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!”
PL
Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “bhikkhavo”ti.
EN
“Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this: “Mendicants, a sower does not sow seed for deer thinking, ‘May the deer, enjoying this seed, be long-lived and beautiful. May they live long and prosper!’
A sower sows seed for deer thinking, ‘When these deer encroach on where I sow the seed, they’ll recklessly enjoy eating it. They’ll become indulgent, then they’ll become negligent, and then I’ll be able to do what I want with them on account of this seed.’
And indeed, the first herd of deer encroached on where the sower sowed the seed and recklessly enjoyed eating it. They became indulgent, then they became negligent, and then the sower was able to do what he wanted with them on account of that seed. And that’s how the first herd of deer failed to get free from the sower’s power.
and failed to get free of the sower’s power. Why don’t we refrain from eating the seed altogether? Refraining from dangerous food, we can venture deep into a wilderness region and live there.’ And that’s just what they did.
PL
Evañhi te paṭhamā migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ sabbaso nivāpabhojanā paṭivirameyyāma, bhayabhogā paṭiviratā araññāyatanāni ajjhogāhetvā vihareyyāmā’ti. Te sabbaso nivāpabhojanā paṭiviramiṁsu, bhayabhogā paṭiviratā araññāyatanāni ajjhogāhetvā vihariṁsu.
EN
But when it came to the last month of summer, the grass and water ran out. Their bodies became much too thin, and they lost their strength and energy. So they returned to where the sower had sown the seed. Encroaching, they recklessly enjoyed eating it …
Then we can encroach and enjoy eating without being reckless. We won’t become indulgent, then we won’t become negligent, and then the sower won’t be able to do what he wants with us on account of that seed.’
PL
Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjissāma, ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjissāma, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjissāma, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā bhavissāma nevāpikassa amusmiṁ nivāpe’ti.
EN
And that’s just what they did.
PL
Te amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa upanissāya āsayaṁ kappayiṁsu. Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjiṁsu, te tattha ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjiṁsu, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjiṁsu, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā ahesuṁ nevāpikassa amusmiṁ nivāpe.
EN
So the sower and his helpers thought, ‘Wow, this third herd of deer is so sneaky and devious, they must be some kind of strange spirits with magical abilities! For they eat the seed we’ve sown without us knowing how they come and go. Why don’t we surround the seed on all sides by staking out high nets? Hopefully we might get to see the lair where they go to hide out.’
PL
Tatra, bhikkhave, nevāpikassa ca nevāpikaparisāya ca etadahosi: ‘saṭhāssunāmime tatiyā migajātā ketabino, iddhimantāssunāmime tatiyā migajātā parajanā; imañca nāma nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ paribhuñjanti, na ca nesaṁ jānāma āgatiṁ vā gatiṁ vā. Yannūna mayaṁ imaṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mahatīhi daṇḍavākarāhi samantā sappadesaṁ anuparivāreyyāma, appeva nāma tatiyānaṁ migajātānaṁ āsayaṁ passeyyāma, yattha te gāhaṁ gaccheyyun’ti.
EN
And that’s just what they did. And they saw the lair where the third herd of deer went to hide out. And that’s how the third herd failed to get free from the sower’s power. So then a fourth herd of deer thought up a plan,
PL
Te amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mahatīhi daṇḍavākarāhi samantā sappadesaṁ anuparivāresuṁ. Addasaṁsu kho, bhikkhave, nevāpiko ca nevāpikaparisā ca tatiyānaṁ migajātānaṁ āsayaṁ, yattha te gāhaṁ agamaṁsu. Evañhi te, bhikkhave, tatiyāpi migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Tatra, bhikkhave, catutthā migajātā evaṁ samacintesuṁ:
EN
‘The first … second …
PL
‘ye kho te paṭhamā migajātā …pe… evañhi te paṭhamā migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Yepi te dutiyā migajātā evaṁ samacintesuṁ: “ye kho te paṭhamā migajātā …pe…
PL
evañhi te paṭhamā migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ sabbaso nivāpabhojanā paṭivirameyyāma, bhayabhogā paṭiviratā araññāyatanāni ajjhogāhetvā vihareyyāmā”ti. Te sabbaso nivāpabhojanā paṭiviramiṁsu …pe… evañhi te dutiyāpi migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā.
EN
and third herds of deer …
PL
Yepi te tatiyā migajātā evaṁ samacintesuṁ: “ye kho te paṭhamā migajātā …pe… evañhi te paṭhamā migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Yepi te dutiyā migajātā evaṁ samacintesuṁ:
PL
‘ye kho te paṭhamā migajātā …pe… evañhi te paṭhamā migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ sabbaso nivāpabhojanā paṭivirameyyāma, bhayabhogā paṭiviratā araññāyatanāni ajjhogāhetvā vihareyyāmā’ti. Te sabbaso nivāpabhojanā paṭiviramiṁsu …pe…
PL
evañhi te dutiyāpi migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa upanissāya āsayaṁ kappeyyāma, tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjissāma, ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjissāma, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjissāma, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā bhavissāma nevāpikassa amusmiṁ nivāpe”ti.
PL
Te amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa upanissāya āsayaṁ kappayiṁsu, tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjiṁsu, te tattha ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjiṁsu, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjiṁsu, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā ahesuṁ nevāpikassa amusmiṁ nivāpe.
PL
Tatra nevāpikassa ca nevāpikaparisāya ca etadahosi: “saṭhāssunāmime tatiyā migajātā ketabino, iddhimantāssunāmime tatiyā migajātā parajanā, imañca nāma nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ paribhuñjanti. Na ca nesaṁ jānāma āgatiṁ vā gatiṁ vā. Yannūna mayaṁ imaṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mahatīhi daṇḍavākarāhi samantā sappadesaṁ anuparivāreyyāma, appeva nāma tatiyānaṁ migajātānaṁ āsayaṁ passeyyāma, yattha te gāhaṁ gaccheyyun”ti.
EN
failed to get free of the sower’s power. Why don’t we set up our lair somewhere the sower and his helpers can’t go? Then we can intrude on where the sower has sown the seed and enjoy eating it without being reckless. We won’t become indulgent, then we won’t become negligent, and then the sower won’t be able to do with us what he wants on account of that seed.’
PL
Te amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mahatīhi daṇḍavākarāhi samantā sappadesaṁ anuparivāresuṁ. Addasaṁsu kho nevāpiko ca nevāpikaparisā ca tatiyānaṁ migajātānaṁ āsayaṁ, yattha te gāhaṁ agamaṁsu. Evañhi te tatiyāpi migajātā na parimucciṁsu nevāpikassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ yattha agati nevāpikassa ca nevāpikaparisāya ca tatrāsayaṁ kappeyyāma, tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjissāma, ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjissāma, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjissāma, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā bhavissāma nevāpikassa amusmiṁ nivāpe’ti.
EN
And that’s just what they did.
PL
Te yattha agati nevāpikassa ca nevāpikaparisāya ca tatrāsayaṁ kappayiṁsu. Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ nevāpikassa ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjiṁsu, te tattha ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjiṁsu, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjiṁsu, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā ahesuṁ nevāpikassa amusmiṁ nivāpe.
EN
So the sower and his helpers thought, ‘Wow, this fourth herd of deer is so sneaky and devious, they must be some kind of strange spirits with magical abilities! For they eat the seed we’ve sown without us knowing how they come and go. Why don’t we surround the seed on all sides by staking out high nets? Hopefully we might get to see the lair where they go to hide out.’
PL
Tatra, bhikkhave, nevāpikassa ca nevāpikaparisāya ca etadahosi: ‘saṭhāssunāmime catutthā migajātā ketabino, iddhimantāssunāmime catutthā migajātā parajanā. Imañca nāma nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ paribhuñjanti, na ca nesaṁ jānāma āgatiṁ vā gatiṁ vā. Yannūna mayaṁ imaṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mahatīhi daṇḍavākarāhi samantā sappadesaṁ anuparivāreyyāma, appeva nāma catutthānaṁ migajātānaṁ āsayaṁ passeyyāma yattha te gāhaṁ gaccheyyun’ti.
EN
And that’s just what they did. But they couldn’t see the lair where the fourth herd of deer went to hide out. So the sower and his helpers thought, ‘If we disturb this fourth herd of deer, they’ll disturb others, who in turn will disturb even more.
PL
Te amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mahatīhi daṇḍavākarāhi samantā sappadesaṁ anuparivāresuṁ. Neva kho, bhikkhave, addasaṁsu nevāpiko ca nevāpikaparisā ca catutthānaṁ migajātānaṁ āsayaṁ, yattha te gāhaṁ gaccheyyuṁ. Tatra, bhikkhave, nevāpikassa ca nevāpikaparisāya ca etadahosi: ‘sace kho mayaṁ catutthe migajāte ghaṭṭessāma, te ghaṭṭitā aññe ghaṭṭissanti te ghaṭṭitā aññe ghaṭṭissanti.
EN
Then all of the deer will escape this seed we’ve sown. Why don’t we just keep an eye on that fourth herd?’ And that’s just what they did. And that’s how the fourth herd of deer escaped the sower’s power.
I’ve made up this simile to make a point. And this is what it means. ‘Seed’ is a term for the five kinds of sensual stimulation. ‘Sower’ is a term for Māra the Wicked.
‘Sower’s helpers’ is a term for Māra’s assembly. ‘Deer’ is a term for ascetics and brahmins. Now, the first group of ascetics and brahmins encroached on where the seed and the worldly pleasures of the flesh were sown by Māra and recklessly enjoyed eating it. They became indulgent, then they became negligent, and then Māra was able to do what he wanted with them on account of that seed and the worldly pleasures of the flesh.
And that’s how the first group of ascetics and brahmins failed to get free from Māra’s power. This first group of ascetics and brahmins is just like the first herd of deer, I say. So then a second group of ascetics and brahmins thought up a plan, ‘The first group of ascetics and brahmins became indulgent …
and failed to get free of Māra’s power. Why don’t we refrain from eating the seed and the worldly pleasures of the flesh altogether? Refraining from dangerous food, we can venture deep into a wilderness region and live there.’
And that’s just what they did. They ate herbs, millet, wild rice, poor rice, water lettuce, rice bran, scum from boiling rice, sesame flour, grass, or cow dung. They survived on forest roots and fruits, or eating fallen fruit.
But when it came to the last month of summer, the grass and water ran out. Their bodies became much too thin, and they lost their strength and energy. Because of this, they lost their heart’s release, so they went back to where Māra had sown the seed and the worldly pleasures of the flesh.
Intruding on that place, they recklessly enjoyed eating them … And that’s how the second group of ascetics and brahmins failed to get free from Māra’s power.
This second group of ascetics and brahmins is just like the second herd of deer, I say. So then a third group of ascetics and brahmins thought up a plan, ‘The first …
PL
Seyyathāpi te, bhikkhave, dutiyā migajātā tathūpame ahaṁ ime dutiye samaṇabrāhmaṇe vadāmi. Tatra, bhikkhave, tatiyā samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁ samacintesuṁ: ‘ye kho te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni …pe…. Evañhi te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā.
EN
and second groups of ascetics and brahmins …
PL
Yepi te dutiyā samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁ samacintesuṁ: “ye kho te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni …pe…. Evañhi te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ sabbaso nivāpabhojanā lokāmisā paṭivirameyyāma, bhayabhogā paṭiviratā araññāyatanāni ajjhogāhetvā vihareyyāmā”ti.
failed to get free of Māra’s power. Why don’t we set up our lair close by where Māra has sown the seed and those worldly pleasures of the flesh? Then we can encroach on it and enjoy eating without being reckless. We won’t become indulgent, then we won’t become negligent, and then Māra won’t be able to do what he wants with us on account of that seed and those worldly pleasures of the flesh.’
PL
Evañhi te dutiyāpi samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni upanissāya āsayaṁ kappeyyāma, tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjissāma, ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjissāma, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjissāma, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā bhavissāma mārassa amusmiṁ nivāpe amusmiñca lokāmise’ti.
EN
And that’s just what they did.
PL
Te amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni upanissāya āsayaṁ kappayiṁsu. Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjiṁsu. Te tattha ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjiṁsu, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjiṁsu, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā ahesuṁ mārassa amusmiṁ nivāpe amusmiñca lokāmise.
EN
Still, they had such views as these: ‘The cosmos is eternal’ or ‘The cosmos is not eternal’; ‘The cosmos is finite’ or ‘The cosmos is infinite’; ‘The soul and the body are one and the same’ or ‘The soul is one thing, the body another’;
PL
Api ca kho evaṁdiṭṭhikā ahesuṁ— sassato loko itipi, asassato loko itipi; antavā loko itipi, anantavā loko itipi; taṁ jīvaṁ taṁ sarīraṁ itipi, aññaṁ jīvaṁ aññaṁ sarīraṁ itipi;
EN
or that after death, a realized one still exists, or no longer exists, or both still exists and no longer exists, or neither still exists nor no longer exists. And that’s how the third group of ascetics and brahmins failed to get free from Māra’s power. This third group of ascetics and brahmins is just like the third herd of deer, I say.
PL
hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā itipi, na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā itipi, hoti ca na ca hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā itipi, neva hoti na na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā itipi. Evañhi te, bhikkhave, tatiyāpi samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Seyyathāpi te, bhikkhave, tatiyā migajātā tathūpame ahaṁ ime tatiye samaṇabrāhmaṇe vadāmi.
EN
So then a fourth group of ascetics and brahmins thought up a plan, ‘The first … second …
PL
Tatra, bhikkhave, catutthā samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁ samacintesuṁ: ‘ye kho te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa …pe…. Evañhi te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Yepi te dutiyā samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁ samacintesuṁ:
PL
‘ye kho te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā …pe…. Evañhi te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ sabbaso nivāpabhojanā lokāmisā paṭivirameyyāma bhayabhogā paṭiviratā araññāyatanāni ajjhogāhetvā vihareyyāmā’ti. Te sabbaso nivāpabhojanā lokāmisā paṭiviramiṁsu …pe….
EN
and third groups of ascetics and brahmins …
PL
Evañhi te dutiyāpi samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Yepi te tatiyā samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁ samacintesuṁ ye kho te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā …pe…. Evañhi te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Yepi te dutiyā samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁ samacintesuṁ ye kho te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā …pe….
PL
Evañhi te paṭhamā samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā. Yannūna mayaṁ sabbaso nivāpabhojanā lokāmisā paṭivirameyyāma, bhayabhogā paṭiviratā araññāyatanāni ajjhogāhetvā vihareyyāmā’ti. Te sabbaso nivāpabhojanā lokāmisā paṭiviramiṁsu …pe…. Evañhi te dutiyāpi samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā.
PL
Yannūna mayaṁ amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni upanissāya āsayaṁ kappeyyāma. Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjissāma, ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjissāma, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjissāma, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā bhavissāma mārassa amusmiṁ nivāpe amusmiñca lokāmiseti.
PL
Te amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni upanissāya āsayaṁ kappayiṁsu. Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjiṁsu. Te tattha ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjiṁsu. Amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjiṁsu.
EN
failed to get free of Māra’s power.
PL
Appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā ahesuṁ mārassa amusmiṁ nivāpe amusmiñca lokāmise. Api ca kho evaṁdiṭṭhikā ahesuṁ sassato loko itipi …pe… neva hoti na na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā itipi. Evañhi te tatiyāpi samaṇabrāhmaṇā na parimucciṁsu mārassa iddhānubhāvā.
EN
Why don’t we set up our lair where Māra and his assembly can’t go? Then we can encroach on where Māra has sown the seed and those worldly pleasures of the flesh, and enjoy eating without being reckless. We won’t become indulgent, then we won’t become negligent, and then Māra won’t be able to do what he wants with us on account of that seed and those worldly pleasures of the flesh.’
PL
Yannūna mayaṁ yattha agati mārassa ca māraparisāya ca tatrāsayaṁ kappeyyāma. Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjissāma, ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjissāma, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjissāma, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā bhavissāma mārassa amusmiṁ nivāpe amusmiñca lokāmiseti.
EN
And that’s just what they did.
PL
Te yattha agati mārassa ca māraparisāya ca tatrāsayaṁ kappayiṁsu. Tatrāsayaṁ kappetvā amuṁ nivāpaṁ nivuttaṁ mārassa amūni ca lokāmisāni ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjiṁsu, te tattha ananupakhajja amucchitā bhojanāni bhuñjamānā na madaṁ āpajjiṁsu, amattā samānā na pamādaṁ āpajjiṁsu, appamattā samānā na yathākāmakaraṇīyā ahesuṁ mārassa amusmiṁ nivāpe amusmiñca lokāmise.
EN
And that’s how the fourth group of ascetics and brahmins got free from Māra’s power. This fourth group of ascetics and brahmins is just like the fourth herd of deer, I say. And where is it that Māra and his assembly can’t go? It’s when a mendicant, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.
This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra, put out his eyes without a trace, and gone where the Wicked One cannot see. Furthermore, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, a mendicant enters and remains in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.
This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra … Furthermore, with the fading away of rapture, a mendicant enters and remains in the third absorption, where they meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, experiencing for themselves the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’ This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra …
PL
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave …pe… pāpimato. Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca viharati sato ca sampajāno, sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedeti yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave …pe… pāpimato.
EN
Furthermore, with the giving up of pleasure and pain and the disappearance of former happiness and sadness, a mendicant enters and remains in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness. This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra … Furthermore, a mendicant, going totally beyond perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of impingement, not focusing on perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite’, enters and remains in the dimension of infinite space.
This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra … Furthermore, a mendicant, going totally beyond the dimension of infinite space, aware that ‘consciousness is infinite’, enters and remains in the dimension of infinite consciousness. This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra … Furthermore, a mendicant, going totally beyond the dimension of infinite consciousness, aware that ‘there is nothing at all’, enters and remains in the dimension of nothingness.
This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra … Furthermore, a mendicant, going totally beyond the dimension of nothingness, enters and remains in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception. This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra … Furthermore, a mendicant, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, their defilements come to an end.
This is called a mendicant who has blinded Māra, put out his eyes without a trace, and gone where the Wicked One cannot see. And they’ve crossed over clinging to the world.” That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.
Sutraya