SA 1038（一〇三八） 摩那提那

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was staying at the Jētavana Monastery in Sàvatthi.

At that time, the elder Manatittha said to a man, "Good man! Go to Venerable Anuruddha and pay homage at his feet on my behalf. Inquire about his well-being, ease, and comfortable dwelling. Tomorrow, please accept my invitation for four people. If he accepts, please tell him on my behalf: 'I am a layperson with many affairs of the royal court. I am unable to go personally to welcome you. I only hope that the Venerable will come to my invitation at the appointed time, together with four people, out of compassion!'"

At that time, the man accepted the elder's instructions, went to Venerable Anuruddha, paid homage at his feet, and said to the Venerable, "The elder Manatittha pays homage and inquires: 'Are you free from illness and affliction, and dwelling in ease and comfort? I only hope that the Venerable, together with four people, will accept my invitation at noon tomorrow out of compassion!'" At that time, Venerable Anuruddha silently accepted the invitation.

At that time, the man again conveyed the elder Manatittha's words to Venerable Anuruddha, saying, "I am a layperson with many affairs of the royal court. I am unable to go personally to welcome you. I only hope that the Venerable, together with four people, will come to my invitation at the appointed time out of compassion!"

Venerable Anuruddha said, "You may rest at ease. I will know the time myself. Tomorrow, I will go to his house together with four people."

At that time, the man received Venerable Anuruddha's instructions and returned to inform the elder, saying, "Elder! You should know that I have already gone to Venerable Anuruddha and conveyed your intentions. Venerable Anuruddha said, 'You may rest at ease. I will know the time myself.'"

The elder Manatīna prepared pure and delicious food and drink that night. In the morning, he again told the man, "Go to Venerable Anuruddha and say, 'The time has come.'"

At that time, the man received the instructions and went to Venerable Anuruddha. He bowed his head at Anuruddha's feet and said, "The offerings are ready. Please know the time!"

At that time, Venerable Anuruddha put on his robe, took his alms bowl, and together with four others went to the elder's house.

At that time, the elder Manatittha was surrounded by his concubines, standing to the left of the inner gate. Seeing Venerable Anuruddha, he raised his body, held his feet in respect, and bowed. He led him in and sat down, each bowing separately, inquiring about his well-being, and then sitting to one side.

Venerable Anuruddha inquired of the elder, "Are you able to endure and dwell in peace and happiness?"

The elder replied, "Yes, Venerable One! I am able to endure and dwell in happiness. I had a disease before, which was very serious, but now I have recovered."

Venerable Anuruddha asked the elder, "What kind of dwelling did you stay in that allowed your illness and suffering to be cured?"

The elder said, "Venerable Anuruddha! I dwell in the four foundations of mindfulness, diligently cultivating mindfulness. Therefore, the bodily afflictions and suffering are temporarily relieved. What are the four? They are: dwelling in mindfulness of the body observing the internal body, diligently applying right mindfulness and right knowledge to subdue worldly greed and sorrow. The external body, the internal and external body, internal feelings, external feelings, internal and external feelings, internal mind, external mind, internal and external mind, internal phenomena, external phenomena, internal and external phenomena, dwelling in mindfulness of phenomena observing the internal phenomena, diligently applying right mindfulness and right knowledge to subdue worldly greed and sorrow. Thus, Venerable Anuruddha! Because I dwell in the four foundations of mindfulness, the bodily afflictions and suffering are temporarily relieved. Venerable Anuruddha, because of dwelling in this way, the bodily afflictions and suffering are temporarily relieved."

Venerable Anuruddha told the elder, "You have now attained the fruit of non-returner."

At that time, the elder Manatittha offered various pure and delicious foods with his own hands, satisfying him until he was full. After eating and washing up, the elder Manatittha sat on a low seat again to listen to the Dharma. Venerable Anuruddha taught him the Dharma in various ways, showing, teaching, illuminating, and delighting him. Then he rose from his seat and left.