So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Kosalans near Naḷakapāna in the grove of flame-of-the-forest trees. Now at that time several very well-known gentlemen had gone forth out of faith from the lay life to homelessness in the Buddha’s name— The venerables Anuruddha, Bhaddiya, Kimbila, Bhagu, Koṇḍañña, Revata, Ānanda, and other very well-known gentlemen.
PL
Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosalesu viharati naḷakapāne palāsavane. Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā abhiññātā abhiññātā kulaputtā bhagavantaṁ uddissa saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā honti— āyasmā ca anuruddho, āyasmā ca bhaddiyo, āyasmā ca kimilo, āyasmā ca bhagu, āyasmā ca koṇḍañño, āyasmā ca revato, āyasmā ca ānando, aññe ca abhiññātā abhiññātā kulaputtā.
EN
Now at that time the Buddha was sitting in the open, surrounded by the mendicant Saṅgha. Then the Buddha spoke to the mendicants about those gentlemen: “Mendicants, those gentlemen who have gone forth out of faith from the lay life to homelessness in my name—I trust they’re satisfied with the spiritual life?” When this was said, the mendicants kept silent.
Then the Buddha said to Venerable Anuruddha, “Anuruddha and friends, I hope you’re satisfied with the spiritual life?” “Indeed, sir, we are satisfied with the spiritual life.” “Good, good, Anuruddha and friends!
It’s appropriate for gentlemen like yourselves, who have gone forth out of faith from the lay life to homelessness, to be satisfied with the spiritual life. Since you’re blessed with youth, in the prime of life, with pristine black hair, you could have enjoyed sensual pleasures; yet you have gone forth from the lay life to homelessness.
But you didn’t go forth to escape a summons by a king or a summons for a bandit, or because you were in debt or in fear, or in order to make a living. Rather, didn’t you go forth thinking: ‘I’m swamped by rebirth, old age, and death; by sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. I’m swamped by suffering, mired in suffering.
PL
Te ca kho pana tumhe, anuruddhā, neva rājābhinītā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, na corābhinītā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, na iṇaṭṭā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, na bhayaṭṭā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, nājīvikāpakatā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā. Api ca khomhi otiṇṇo jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi, dukkhotiṇṇo dukkhapareto;
EN
Hopefully I can make an end to this entire mass of suffering’?” “Yes, sir.” “But, Anuruddha and friends, when a gentleman has gone forth like this, what should he do?
Take someone who doesn’t achieve the rapture and bliss that are secluded from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, or something even more peaceful than that. Their mind is still occupied by desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, doubt, discontent, and sloth.
That’s someone who doesn’t achieve the rapture and bliss that are secluded from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, or something even more peaceful than that. Take someone who does achieve the rapture and bliss that are secluded from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, or something even more peaceful than that. Their mind is not occupied by desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, doubt, discontent, and sloth.
PL
Vivekaṁ, anuruddhā, kāmehi vivekaṁ akusalehi dhammehi pītisukhaṁ nādhigacchati aññaṁ vā tato santataraṁ. Vivekaṁ, anuruddhā, kāmehi vivekaṁ akusalehi dhammehi pītisukhaṁ adhigacchati aññaṁ vā tato santataraṁ, tassa abhijjhāpi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, byāpādopi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, thinamiddhampi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, uddhaccakukkuccampi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, vicikicchāpi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, aratīpi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, tandīpi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati.
EN
That’s someone who does achieve the rapture and bliss that are secluded from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, or something even more peaceful than that. Is this what you think of me? ‘The Realized One has not given up the defilements that are corrupting, leading to future lives, hurtful, resulting in suffering and future rebirth, old age, and death. That’s why, after appraisal, he uses some things, endures some things, avoids some things, and dispels some things.’”
‘The Realized One has given up the defilements that are corrupting, leading to future lives, hurtful, resulting in suffering and future rebirth, old age, and death. That’s why, after appraisal, he uses some things, endures some things, avoids some things, and dispels some things.’” “Good, good, Anuruddha and friends! The Realized One has given up the defilements that are corrupting, leading to future lives, hurtful, resulting in suffering and future rebirth, old age, and death. He has cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them so they are unable to arise in the future.
Just as a palm tree with its crown cut off is incapable of further growth, in the same way, the Realized One has given up the defilements so they are unable to arise in the future. That’s why, after appraisal, he uses some things, endures some things, avoids some things, and dispels some things.
What do you think, Anuruddha and friends? What advantage does the Realized One see in declaring the rebirth of his disciples who have passed away: ‘This one is reborn here, while that one is reborn there’?” “Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. He is our guide and our refuge. Sir, may the Buddha himself please clarify the meaning of this. The mendicants will listen and remember it.”
“The Realized One does not declare such things for the sake of fawning or flattering people, nor for the benefit of possessions, honor, or popularity, nor thinking, ‘So let people know about me!’ Rather, there are gentlemen of faith who are full of sublime joy and gladness.
PL
“Na kho, anuruddhā, tathāgato janakuhanatthaṁ na janalapanatthaṁ na lābhasakkārasilokānisaṁsatthaṁ na ‘iti maṁ jano jānātū’ti sāvake abbhatīte kālaṅkate upapattīsu byākaroti: ‘asu amutra upapanno, asu amutra upapanno’ti. Santi ca kho, anuruddhā, kulaputtā saddhā uḷāravedā uḷārapāmojjā.
EN
When they hear that, they apply their minds to that end. That is for their lasting welfare and happiness. Take a monk who hears this: ‘The monk named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that he was enlightened.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
PL
so bhagavatā byākato— aññāya saṇṭhahī’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁpañño so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁvihārī so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti.
EN
Recollecting that monk’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That’s how a monk lives at ease. Take a monk who hears this: ‘The monk named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of the five lower fetters, he’s been reborn spontaneously and will become extinguished there, not liable to return from that world.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
PL
so bhagavatā byākato— pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko tattha parinibbāyī anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo …pe… evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti.
EN
Recollecting that monk’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That too is how a monk lives at ease. Take a monk who hears this: ‘The monk named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, he’s a once-returner. He’ll come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that monk’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That too is how a monk lives at ease. Take a monk who hears this: ‘The monk named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters he’s a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
PL
so bhagavatā byākato— tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpanno avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo …pe… evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti.
EN
Recollecting that monk’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That too is how a monk lives at ease. Take a nun who hears this: ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that she was enlightened.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That’s how a nun lives at ease. Take a nun who hears this: ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of the five lower fetters, she’s been reborn spontaneously and will become extinguished there, not liable to return from that world.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That too is how a nun lives at ease. Take a nun who hears this: ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, she’s a once-returner. She’ll come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That too is how a nun lives at ease. Take a nun who hears this: ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters she’s a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That too is how a nun lives at ease. Take a layman who hears this: ‘The layman named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of the five lower fetters, he’s been reborn spontaneously and will become extinguished there, not liable to return from that world.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
PL
so bhagavatā byākato— pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko tattha parinibbāyī anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁpañño so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁvihārī so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti.
EN
Recollecting that layman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That’s how a layman lives at ease. Take a layman who hears this: ‘The layman named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, he’s a once-returner. He’ll come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that layman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That too is how a layman lives at ease. Take a layman who hears this: ‘The layman named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters he’s a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
PL
so bhagavatā byākato— tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpanno avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo … evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti.
EN
Recollecting that layman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That too is how a layman lives at ease. Take a laywoman who hears this: ‘The laywoman named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of the five lower fetters, she’s been reborn spontaneously and will become extinguished there, not liable to return from that world.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that laywoman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That’s how a laywoman lives at ease. Take a laywoman who hears this: ‘The laywoman named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, she’s a once-returner. She’ll come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that laywoman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That too is how a laywoman lives at ease. Take a laywoman who hears this: ‘The laywoman named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters she’s a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that laywoman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That too is how a laywoman lives at ease. So it’s not for the sake of fawning or flattering people, nor for the benefit of possessions, honor, or popularity, nor thinking, ‘So let people know about me!’ that the Realized One declares the rebirth of his disciples who have passed away:
PL
Sā tassā saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussarantī tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā, upāsikāya phāsuvihāro hoti. Iti kho, anuruddhā, tathāgato na janakuhanatthaṁ na janalapanatthaṁ na lābhasakkārasilokānisaṁsatthaṁ na ‘iti maṁ jano jānātū’ti sāvake abbhatīte kālaṅkate upapattīsu byākaroti:
EN
‘This one is reborn here, while that one is reborn there.’ Rather, there are gentlemen of faith who are full of joy and gladness. When they hear that, they apply their minds to that end. That is for their lasting welfare and happiness.”
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Kosalans near Naḷakapāna in the grove of flame-of-the-forest trees. Now at that time several very well-known gentlemen had gone forth out of faith from the lay life to homelessness in the Buddha’s name— The venerables Anuruddha, Bhaddiya, Kimbila, Bhagu, Koṇḍañña, Revata, Ānanda, and other very well-known gentlemen.
PL
Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosalesu viharati naḷakapāne palāsavane. Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā abhiññātā abhiññātā kulaputtā bhagavantaṁ uddissa saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā honti— āyasmā ca anuruddho, āyasmā ca bhaddiyo, āyasmā ca kimilo, āyasmā ca bhagu, āyasmā ca koṇḍañño, āyasmā ca revato, āyasmā ca ānando, aññe ca abhiññātā abhiññātā kulaputtā.
EN
Now at that time the Buddha was sitting in the open, surrounded by the mendicant Saṅgha. Then the Buddha spoke to the mendicants about those gentlemen: “Mendicants, those gentlemen who have gone forth out of faith from the lay life to homelessness in my name—I trust they’re satisfied with the spiritual life?” When this was said, the mendicants kept silent.
Then the Buddha said to Venerable Anuruddha, “Anuruddha and friends, I hope you’re satisfied with the spiritual life?” “Indeed, sir, we are satisfied with the spiritual life.” “Good, good, Anuruddha and friends!
It’s appropriate for gentlemen like yourselves, who have gone forth out of faith from the lay life to homelessness, to be satisfied with the spiritual life. Since you’re blessed with youth, in the prime of life, with pristine black hair, you could have enjoyed sensual pleasures; yet you have gone forth from the lay life to homelessness.
But you didn’t go forth to escape a summons by a king or a summons for a bandit, or because you were in debt or in fear, or in order to make a living. Rather, didn’t you go forth thinking: ‘I’m swamped by rebirth, old age, and death; by sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. I’m swamped by suffering, mired in suffering.
PL
Te ca kho pana tumhe, anuruddhā, neva rājābhinītā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, na corābhinītā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, na iṇaṭṭā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, na bhayaṭṭā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, nājīvikāpakatā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā. Api ca khomhi otiṇṇo jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi, dukkhotiṇṇo dukkhapareto;
EN
Hopefully I can make an end to this entire mass of suffering’?” “Yes, sir.” “But, Anuruddha and friends, when a gentleman has gone forth like this, what should he do?
Take someone who doesn’t achieve the rapture and bliss that are secluded from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, or something even more peaceful than that. Their mind is still occupied by desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, doubt, discontent, and sloth.
That’s someone who doesn’t achieve the rapture and bliss that are secluded from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, or something even more peaceful than that. Take someone who does achieve the rapture and bliss that are secluded from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, or something even more peaceful than that. Their mind is not occupied by desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, doubt, discontent, and sloth.
PL
Vivekaṁ, anuruddhā, kāmehi vivekaṁ akusalehi dhammehi pītisukhaṁ nādhigacchati aññaṁ vā tato santataraṁ. Vivekaṁ, anuruddhā, kāmehi vivekaṁ akusalehi dhammehi pītisukhaṁ adhigacchati aññaṁ vā tato santataraṁ, tassa abhijjhāpi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, byāpādopi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, thinamiddhampi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, uddhaccakukkuccampi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, vicikicchāpi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, aratīpi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, tandīpi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati.
EN
That’s someone who does achieve the rapture and bliss that are secluded from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, or something even more peaceful than that. Is this what you think of me? ‘The Realized One has not given up the defilements that are corrupting, leading to future lives, hurtful, resulting in suffering and future rebirth, old age, and death. That’s why, after appraisal, he uses some things, endures some things, avoids some things, and dispels some things.’”
‘The Realized One has given up the defilements that are corrupting, leading to future lives, hurtful, resulting in suffering and future rebirth, old age, and death. That’s why, after appraisal, he uses some things, endures some things, avoids some things, and dispels some things.’” “Good, good, Anuruddha and friends! The Realized One has given up the defilements that are corrupting, leading to future lives, hurtful, resulting in suffering and future rebirth, old age, and death. He has cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them so they are unable to arise in the future.
Just as a palm tree with its crown cut off is incapable of further growth, in the same way, the Realized One has given up the defilements so they are unable to arise in the future. That’s why, after appraisal, he uses some things, endures some things, avoids some things, and dispels some things.
What do you think, Anuruddha and friends? What advantage does the Realized One see in declaring the rebirth of his disciples who have passed away: ‘This one is reborn here, while that one is reborn there’?” “Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. He is our guide and our refuge. Sir, may the Buddha himself please clarify the meaning of this. The mendicants will listen and remember it.”
“The Realized One does not declare such things for the sake of fawning or flattering people, nor for the benefit of possessions, honor, or popularity, nor thinking, ‘So let people know about me!’ Rather, there are gentlemen of faith who are full of sublime joy and gladness.
PL
“Na kho, anuruddhā, tathāgato janakuhanatthaṁ na janalapanatthaṁ na lābhasakkārasilokānisaṁsatthaṁ na ‘iti maṁ jano jānātū’ti sāvake abbhatīte kālaṅkate upapattīsu byākaroti: ‘asu amutra upapanno, asu amutra upapanno’ti. Santi ca kho, anuruddhā, kulaputtā saddhā uḷāravedā uḷārapāmojjā.
EN
When they hear that, they apply their minds to that end. That is for their lasting welfare and happiness. Take a monk who hears this: ‘The monk named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that he was enlightened.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
PL
so bhagavatā byākato— aññāya saṇṭhahī’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁpañño so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁvihārī so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti.
EN
Recollecting that monk’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That’s how a monk lives at ease. Take a monk who hears this: ‘The monk named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of the five lower fetters, he’s been reborn spontaneously and will become extinguished there, not liable to return from that world.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
PL
so bhagavatā byākato— pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko tattha parinibbāyī anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo …pe… evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti.
EN
Recollecting that monk’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That too is how a monk lives at ease. Take a monk who hears this: ‘The monk named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, he’s a once-returner. He’ll come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that monk’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That too is how a monk lives at ease. Take a monk who hears this: ‘The monk named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters he’s a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
PL
so bhagavatā byākato— tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpanno avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo …pe… evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti.
EN
Recollecting that monk’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That too is how a monk lives at ease. Take a nun who hears this: ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that she was enlightened.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That’s how a nun lives at ease. Take a nun who hears this: ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of the five lower fetters, she’s been reborn spontaneously and will become extinguished there, not liable to return from that world.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That too is how a nun lives at ease. Take a nun who hears this: ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, she’s a once-returner. She’ll come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That too is how a nun lives at ease. Take a nun who hears this: ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters she’s a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That too is how a nun lives at ease. Take a layman who hears this: ‘The layman named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of the five lower fetters, he’s been reborn spontaneously and will become extinguished there, not liable to return from that world.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
PL
so bhagavatā byākato— pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko tattha parinibbāyī anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁpañño so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁvihārī so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti.
EN
Recollecting that layman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That’s how a layman lives at ease. Take a layman who hears this: ‘The layman named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, he’s a once-returner. He’ll come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that layman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That too is how a layman lives at ease. Take a layman who hears this: ‘The layman named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters he’s a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
PL
so bhagavatā byākato— tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpanno avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo … evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti.
EN
Recollecting that layman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That too is how a layman lives at ease. Take a laywoman who hears this: ‘The laywoman named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of the five lower fetters, she’s been reborn spontaneously and will become extinguished there, not liable to return from that world.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that laywoman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That’s how a laywoman lives at ease. Take a laywoman who hears this: ‘The laywoman named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, she’s a once-returner. She’ll come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that laywoman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That too is how a laywoman lives at ease. Take a laywoman who hears this: ‘The laywoman named so-and-so has passed away.
The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters she’s a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom.
Recollecting that laywoman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That too is how a laywoman lives at ease. So it’s not for the sake of fawning or flattering people, nor for the benefit of possessions, honor, or popularity, nor thinking, ‘So let people know about me!’ that the Realized One declares the rebirth of his disciples who have passed away:
PL
Sā tassā saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussarantī tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā, upāsikāya phāsuvihāro hoti. Iti kho, anuruddhā, tathāgato na janakuhanatthaṁ na janalapanatthaṁ na lābhasakkārasilokānisaṁsatthaṁ na ‘iti maṁ jano jānātū’ti sāvake abbhatīte kālaṅkate upapattīsu byākaroti:
EN
‘This one is reborn here, while that one is reborn there.’ Rather, there are gentlemen of faith who are full of joy and gladness. When they hear that, they apply their minds to that end. That is for their lasting welfare and happiness.”
Sutraya