‘ko nu kho loke assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇan’ti? ‘What’s the gratification in the world? What’s the drawback? What’s the escape?’ Tassa mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, etadahosi: Then it occurred to me: ‘yaṁ kho lokaṁ paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ, ayaṁ loke assādo. ‘The pleasure and happiness that arise from the world: this is its gratification. lokaṁ → loke (bj, sya-all, km, pts1ed) Yaṁ loko anicco dukkho vipariṇāmadhammo, ayaṁ loke ādīnavo. That the world is impermanent, suffering, and perishable: this is its drawback. loko → loke (pts1ed, mr)
‘ko panāvuso, kāmānaṁ assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ? ‘But reverends, what’s the gratification, the drawback, and the escape when it comes to sensual pleasures? Ko rūpānaṁ assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ? What’s the gratification, the drawback, and the escape when it comes to forms? Ko vedanānaṁ assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇan’ti? What’s the gratification, the drawback, and the escape when it comes to feelings?’ Evaṁ puṭṭhā, bhikkhave, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā na ceva sampāyissanti, uttariñca vighātaṁ āpajjissanti. Questioned like this, the wanderers of other religions would be stumped, and, in addition, would get frustrated. Taṁ kissa hetu? Why is that? Yathā taṁ, bhikkhave, avisayasmiṁ. Because they’re out of their element. Ko ca, bhikkhave, kāmānaṁ assādo? And what is the gratification of sensual pleasures? Pañcime, bhikkhave, kāmaguṇā. There are these five kinds of sensual stimulation. Katame pañca? What five? Cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā, Sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. Ko ca, bhikkhave, rūpānaṁ assādo? And what is the gratification of forms? Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, khattiyakaññā vā brāhmaṇakaññā vā gahapatikaññā vā pannarasavassuddesikā vā soḷasavassuddesikā vā, nātidīghā nātirassā nātikisā nātithūlā nātikāḷī nāccodātā paramā sā, bhikkhave, tasmiṁ samaye subhā vaṇṇanibhāti? Suppose there was a girl of the brahmins, aristocrats, or householders in her fifteenth or sixteenth year, neither too tall nor too short, neither too thin nor too fat, neither too dark nor too fair. Is she not at the height of her beauty and prettiness?” ‘Evaṁ, bhante’. “Yes, sir.” Yaṁ kho, bhikkhave, subhaṁ vaṇṇanibhaṁ paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ— “The pleasure and happiness that arise from this beauty and prettiness Ko ca, bhikkhave, vedanānaṁ assādo? And what is the gratification of feelings? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. 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. Yasmiṁ samaye, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati, neva tasmiṁ samaye attabyābādhāyapi ceteti, na parabyābādhāyapi ceteti, na ubhayabyābādhāyapi ceteti; At that time a mendicant doesn’t intend to hurt themselves, hurt others, or hurt both; abyābajjhaṁyeva tasmiṁ samaye vedanaṁ vedeti. they feel only feelings that are not hurtful.
Ko ca, mahānāma, kāmānaṁ assādo? And what is the gratification of sensual pleasures? Pañcime, mahānāma, kāmaguṇā. There are these five kinds of sensual stimulation. Katame pañca? What five? Cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā; Sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.
“Ko nu kho, bhante, rūpe assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ? “Sir, what’s the gratification, the drawback, and the escape when it comes to form, Ko vedanāya assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ? feeling, Ko saññāya assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ? perception, Ko saṅkhāresu assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ? choices, Ko viññāṇe assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇan”ti? and consciousness?” “Yaṁ kho, bhikkhu, rūpaṁ paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ, ayaṁ rūpe assādo. “The pleasure and happiness that arise from form: this is its gratification. Yaṁ kho → yañca (sya-all, km) Yaṁ rūpaṁ aniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, ayaṁ rūpe ādīnavo. That form is impermanent, suffering, and perishable: this is its drawback. Yo rūpe chandarāgavinayo chandarāgappahānaṁ, idaṁ rūpe nissaraṇaṁ. Removing and giving up desire and greed for form: this is its escape.
‘ko nu kho pathavīdhātuyā assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ; ‘What’s the gratification, the drawback, and the escape when it comes to the earth element … ko āpodhātuyā assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ; the water element … ko tejodhātuyā assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ; the fire element … ko vāyodhātuyā assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇan’ti? and the air element?’ Tassa mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, etadahosi: Then it occurred to me: ‘yaṁ kho pathavīdhātuṁ paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ, ayaṁ pathavīdhātuyā assādo; ‘The pleasure and happiness that arise from the earth element: this is its gratification. yaṁ pathavīdhātu aniccā dukkhā vipariṇāmadhammā, ayaṁ pathavīdhātuyā ādīnavo; That the earth element is impermanent, suffering, and perishable: this is its drawback. yaṁ → yā (bj)
Yo hi koci, bhikkhave, bhikkhu uppannaṁ lābhasakkārasilokaṁ assādeti nikāmeti, ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, bhikkhu gilabaḷiso mārassa anayaṁ āpanno byasanaṁ āpanno yathākāmakaraṇīyo pāpimato. Whoever enjoys and likes arisen possessions, honor, and popularity is called a mendicant who has swallowed Māra’s hook. They’ve met with tragedy and disaster, and the Wicked One can do with them what he wants. Evaṁ dāruṇo kho, bhikkhave, lābhasakkārasiloko kaṭuko pharuso antarāyiko anuttarassa yogakkhemassa adhigamāya. So brutal are possessions, honor, and popularity—bitter and harsh, an obstacle to reaching the supreme sanctuary from the yoke. Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ: So you should train like this: ‘uppannaṁ lābhasakkārasilokaṁ pajahissāma, na ca no uppanno lābhasakkārasiloko cittaṁ pariyādāya ṭhassatī’ti. ‘We will give up arisen possessions, honor, and popularity, and we won’t let them occupy our minds.’
‘ko nu kho rūpassa assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ? ‘What’s the gratification, the drawback, and the escape when it comes to form … Ko vedanāya assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ? feeling … Ko saññāya assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ? perception … Ko saṅkhārānaṁ assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ? choices … Ko viññāṇassa assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇan’ti? and consciousness?’ Tassa mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, etadahosi: Then it occurred to me: ‘yaṁ kho rūpaṁ paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ, ayaṁ rūpassa assādo. ‘The pleasure and happiness that arise from form: this is its gratification. Yaṁ rūpaṁ aniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, ayaṁ rūpassa ādīnavo. That form is impermanent, suffering, and perishable: this is its drawback.
“Ko nu kho, bhante, rūpassa assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ; “Sir, what’s the gratification, the drawback, and the escape when it comes to form, ko vedanāya … feeling, ko saññāya … perception, ko saṅkhārānaṁ … choices, ko viññāṇassa assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇan”ti? and consciousness?” “Yaṁ kho, bhikkhu, rūpaṁ paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ—ayaṁ rūpassa assādo. “The pleasure and happiness that arise from form: this is its gratification. Yaṁ rūpaṁ aniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ—ayaṁ rūpassa ādīnavo. That form is impermanent, suffering, and perishable: this is its drawback. Yo rūpasmiṁ chandarāgavinayo chandarāgappahānaṁ—idaṁ rūpassa nissaraṇaṁ. Removing and giving up desire and greed for form: this is its escape.
‘ko nu kho cakkhussa assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ? ‘What’s the gratification, the drawback, and the escape when it comes to the eye … Ko sotassa …pe… ear … ko ghānassa … nose … ko jivhāya … tongue … ko manassa assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇan’ti? and mind?’ Tassa mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, etadahosi: Then it occurred to me: ‘yaṁ kho cakkhuṁ paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ, ayaṁ cakkhussa assādo. ‘The pleasure and happiness that arise from the eye: this is its gratification. Yaṁ cakkhuṁ aniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, ayaṁ cakkhussa ādīnavo. That the eye is impermanent, suffering, and perishable: this is its drawback.
‘ko nu kho rūpānaṁ assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇaṁ? ‘What’s the gratification, the drawback, and the escape when it comes to sights … Ko saddānaṁ …pe… sounds … ko gandhānaṁ … smells … ko rasānaṁ … tastes … ko dhammānaṁ assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇan’ti? and ideas?’ …” Tassa mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, etadahosi: sn35.14 ‘yaṁ kho rūpe paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ, ayaṁ rūpānaṁ assādo. sn35.14 Yaṁ rūpā aniccā dukkhā vipariṇāmadhammā, ayaṁ rūpānaṁ ādīnavo. sn35.14
Ko vedanāya assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇan”ti? And what is feeling’s gratification, drawback, and escape?” “Tisso imā, ānanda, vedanā— “Ānanda, there are these three feelings: sukhā vedanā, dukkhā vedanā, adukkhamasukhā vedanā— pleasant, painful, and neutral. imā vuccanti, ānanda, vedanā. These are called feeling.
Ko vedanāya assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇan”ti? And what is feeling’s gratification, drawback, and escape?” “Bhagavaṁmūlakā no, bhante, dhammā bhagavaṁnettikā bhagavaṁpaṭisaraṇā. Sādhu, bhante, bhagavantaññeva paṭibhātu etassa bhāsitassa attho. Bhagavato sutvā bhikkhū dhāressantī”ti. “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.” “Tena hi, ānanda, suṇohi, sādhukaṁ manasi karohi; bhāsissāmī”ti. “Well then, Ānanda, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.” “Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho āyasmā ānando bhagavato paccassosi. “Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.
Ko vedanāya assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇan”ti? And what is feeling’s gratification, drawback, and escape?” “Tisso imā, bhikkhave, vedanā— “Mendicants, there are these three feelings: sukhā vedanā, dukkhā vedanā, adukkhamasukhā vedanā— pleasant, painful, and neutral. imā vuccanti, bhikkhave, vedanā. These are called feeling.
Ko vedanāya assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇan”ti? And what is feeling’s gratification, drawback, and escape?” “Bhagavaṁmūlakā no, bhante, dhammā …pe…” “Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. …” “tisso imā, bhikkhave, vedanā— “Mendicants, there are these three feelings: sukhā vedanā, dukkhā vedanā, adukkhamasukhā vedanā— pleasant, painful, and neutral.
Ko vedanāya assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇan”ti? And what is feeling’s gratification, drawback, and escape?” “Tisso imā, bhikkhu, vedanā— “Mendicant, there are these three feelings: sukhā vedanā, dukkhā vedanā, adukkhamasukhā vedanā. pleasant, painful, and neutral. Imā vuccanti, bhikkhu, vedanā. These are called feeling.
Ko vedanāya assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇan’ti? And what is feeling’s gratification, drawback, and escape?’ Tassa mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, etadahosi: Then it occurred to me: ‘tisso imā vedanā— ‘There are these three feelings: sukhā vedanā, dukkhā vedanā, adukkhamasukhā vedanā. pleasant, painful, and neutral.
Ko vedanāya assādo, ko ādīnavo, kiṁ nissaraṇan”ti? And what is feeling’s gratification, drawback, and escape?” “Tisso imā, bhikkhave, vedanā— “Mendicants, there are these three feelings. sukhā vedanā, dukkhā vedanā, adukkhamasukhā vedanā. pleasant, painful, and neutral. Imā vuccanti, bhikkhave, vedanā. These are called feeling.