SA 211（二一一） 世间五欲

Thus have I heard:

At one time the Buddha was staying at the Jīvaka Kūṭadanta Mango Grove in Vaiśālī.

At that time the World-Honored One told the bhikṣus, "When I had not yet attained perfect enlightenment, I was alone in a quiet place, contemplating and reflecting, 'Where does my mind often observe?' My mind often pursued the five sense pleasures of the past, less so the five sense pleasures of the present, and even less so those of the future. Having observed that my mind often pursued the five sense pleasures of the past, I made great efforts and diligently guarded myself, no longer allowing it to follow the five sense pleasures of the past.

Because of this diligent self-guarding, I gradually approached anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi. You bhikṣus also often pursue the five sense pleasures of the past, less so those of the present and future. Now, because you also often pursue the five sense pleasures of the past, you should increase your self-guarding. You will not be far from exhausting all taints, attaining liberation of mind and liberation through wisdom, and knowing and realizing for yourself in the present life: 'My birth is ended, the holy life has been established, what was to be done has been done, and I know that I will not be subject to any future lives.'

Why is this? The eye sees forms, and from this arises internal feelings, whether painful, pleasant, or neither. The ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind perceive dharmas, and from this arises internal feelings, whether painful, pleasant, or neither. Therefore, bhikṣus! You should be aware of these sense bases. If the eye ceases, then the perception of forms is eliminated. If the ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind cease, then the perception of dharmas is eliminated.

The Buddha said: "You should be aware of the six sense bases." Having spoken, he entered the room and sat in meditation. At that time, many bhikṣus, after the World-Honored One had left, discussed this: "The World-Honored One briefly taught the essentials of the Dharma to us, without elaborating, and then entered the room to sit in meditation. The World-Honored One said: 'You should be aware of the six sense bases. If the eye ceases, then the perception of forms is eliminated; if the ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind cease, then the perception of dharmas is eliminated.' We still do not understand the World-Honored One's brief teaching. Who in this assembly has the wisdom to be able to explain the meaning of the World-Honored One's brief teaching for us?"

They further thought: "Only Venerable Ānanda, who has always attended the World-Honored One, is always praised by the Great Master for his wisdom and pure conduct. Only Venerable Ānanda is capable of explaining the meaning of the World-Honored One's brief teaching for us. We should all go together to Venerable Ānanda and ask him about the essential meaning. We will uphold whatever Ānanda says."

At that time, many bhikṣus went to Venerable Ānanda and exchanged greetings. They then sat to one side and said to Venerable Ānanda: "Venerable Ānanda, you should know that the World-Honored One briefly taught the essentials of the Dharma to us, as mentioned above. Please explain the meaning in detail for us."

Venerable Ānanda said to the bhikṣus: "Listen attentively and consider well. I will explain the meaning of the World-Honored One's brief teaching for you. The World-Honored One's brief teaching is a further explanation of the cessation of the six sense bases. Therefore, he said: 'When the eye sense base ceases, the conception of forms is abandoned; when the ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind sense bases cease, the conception of dharmas is abandoned.' After the World-Honored One briefly taught this Dharma, he entered the room to sit in meditation. I have now explained the meaning for you.

After Venerable Ānanda explained this meaning, the bhikṣus, having heard his words, joyfully accepted and practiced them.