So sace ākaṅkhati: ‘anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhaveyyaṁ—ekopi hutvā bahudhā assaṁ, bahudhāpi hutvā eko assaṁ; āvibhāvaṁ, tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gaccheyyaṁ, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ kareyyaṁ, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gaccheyyaṁ, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kameyyaṁ, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parimaseyyaṁ parimajjeyyaṁ; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteyyan’ti,
If they wish: ‘May I wield the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying myself and becoming one again; appearing and disappearing; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with my hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful; controlling my body as far as the Brahmā realm.’
So sace ākaṅkhati: ‘dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇeyyaṁ dibbe ca mānuse ca ye dūre santike cā’ti,
If they wish: ‘With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, may I hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.’

Pisuṇaṁ vācaṁ pahāya pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, na ito sutvā amutra akkhātā imesaṁ bhedāya, na amutra vā sutvā imesaṁ akkhātā amūsaṁ bhedāya; iti bhinnānaṁ vā sandhātā, sahitānaṁ vā anuppadātā, samaggārāmo samaggarato samagganandī samaggakaraṇiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.
They give up divisive speech. They don’t repeat in one place what they heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, they reconcile those who are divided, supporting unity, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.
Seyyathāpi nāma pakkhī sakuṇo yena yeneva ḍeti, sapattabhārova ḍeti;
They’re like a bird: wherever it flies, wings are its only burden.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, daharo kumāro mando uttānaseyyako dhātiyā pamādamanvāya kaṭṭhaṁ vā kaṭhalaṁ vā mukhe āhareyya.
Suppose there was a little baby boy who, because of his nurse’s negligence, puts a stick or stone in his mouth.
Tamenaṁ dhāti sīghaṁ sīghaṁ manasi kareyya;
The nurse would very quickly notice
Karaṇīyañca kho etaṁ, bhikkhave, dhātiyā atthakāmāya hitesiniyā anukampikāya, anukampaṁ upādāya.
Still, it should be done by a nurse who wants what’s best for him, out of kindness and compassion.
Yato ca kho, bhikkhave, so kumāro vuddho hoti alaṁpañño, anapekkhā dāni, bhikkhave, dhāti tasmiṁ kumāre hoti:
And when the boy has grown up and has enough sense, his nurse would not worry about him, thinking:

So sace ākaṅkhati: ‘anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhaveyyaṁ—ekopi hutvā bahudhā assaṁ, bahudhāpi hutvā eko assaṁ; āvibhāvaṁ, tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gaccheyyaṁ, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ kareyyaṁ, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāno gaccheyyaṁ, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kameyyaṁ, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parimaseyyaṁ parimajjeyyaṁ yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteyyan’ti,
If you wish: ‘May I wield the many kinds of psychic power—multiplying myself and becoming one again; appearing and disappearing; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful, controlling the body as far as the Brahmā realm.’
So sace ākaṅkhati: ‘dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇeyyaṁ—dibbe ca mānuse ca ye dūre santike cā’ti,
If you wish: ‘With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, may I hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.’

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, dakkho nhāpako vā nhāpakantevāsī vā kaṁsathāle nhānīyacuṇṇāni ākiritvā udakena paripphosakaṁ paripphosakaṁ sanneyya. Sāyaṁ nhānīyapiṇḍi snehānugatā snehaparetā santarabāhirā phuṭā snehena, na ca paggharinī.
It’s like when a deft bathroom attendant or their apprentice pours bath powder into a bronze dish, sprinkling it little by little with water. They knead it until the ball of bath powder is soaked and saturated with moisture, spread through inside and out; yet no moisture oozes out.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, udakarahado gambhīro ubbhidodako. Tassa nevassa puratthimāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, na pacchimāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, na uttarāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, na dakkhiṇāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, devo ca kālena kālaṁ sammā dhāraṁ nānuppaveccheyya.
It’s like a deep lake fed by spring water. There’s no inlet to the east, west, north, or south, and no rainfall to replenish it from time to time.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, uppaliniyaṁ vā paduminiyaṁ vā puṇḍarīkiniyaṁ vā appekaccāni uppalāni vā padumāni vā puṇḍarīkāni vā udake jātāni udake saṁvaḍḍhāni udakānuggatāni anto nimuggaposīni.
It’s like a pool with blue water lilies, or pink or white lotuses. Some of them sprout and grow in the water without rising above it, thriving underwater.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso odātena vatthena sasīsaṁ pārupitvā nisinno assa;
It’s like someone sitting wrapped from head to foot with white cloth.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, aññova aññaṁ paccavekkheyya, ṭhito vā nisinnaṁ paccavekkheyya, nisinno vā nipannaṁ paccavekkheyya.
It’s like when someone views someone else. Someone standing might view someone sitting, or someone sitting might view someone lying down.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, udakamaṇiko ādhāre ṭhapito pūro udakassa samatittiko kākapeyyo.
Suppose a water jar was placed on a stand, full to the brim so a crow could drink from it.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, same bhūmibhāge pokkharaṇī caturaṁsā ālibaddhā pūrā udakassa samatittikā kākapeyyā.
Suppose there was a square, walled lotus pond on level ground, full to the brim so a crow could drink from it.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, subhūmiyaṁ catumahāpathe ājaññaratho yutto assa ṭhito odhastapatodo.
Suppose a chariot stood harnessed to thoroughbreds at a level crossroads, with a goad ready.
So sace ākaṅkhati: ‘dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇeyyaṁ—dibbe ca mānuse ca ye dūre santike cā’ti,
If you wish: ‘With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, may I hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.’

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gacchati, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karoti, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchati, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamati, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parimasati parimajjati; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti.
It’s a mendicant who wields the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again; appearing and disappearing; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful. They control the body as far as the Brahmā realm.
Dibbāya, sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇāti—dibbe ca mānuse ca, ye dūre santike ca.
With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, they hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaṭṭitaṁ ekāhamataṁ vā dvīhamataṁ vā tīhamataṁ vā uddhumātakaṁ vinīlakaṁ vipubbakajātaṁ.
Furthermore, suppose a mendicant were to see a corpse thrown in a charnel ground. And it had been dead for one, two, or three days, bloated, livid, and festering.
Seyyathāpi vā pana passeyya sarīraṁ sīvathikāya chaṭṭitaṁ kākehi vā khajjamānaṁ kulalehi vā khajjamānaṁ gijjhehi vā khajjamānaṁ sunakhehi vā khajjamānaṁ siṅgālehi vā khajjamānaṁ vividhehi vā pāṇakajātehi khajjamānaṁ.
Or suppose they were to see a corpse thrown in a charnel ground being devoured by crows, hawks, vultures, herons, dogs, tigers, leopards, jackals, and many kinds of little creatures.
Seyyathāpi vā pana passeyya sarīraṁ sīvathikāya chaṭṭitaṁ aṭṭhikasaṅkhalikaṁ samaṁsalohitaṁ nhārusambandhaṁ …pe…
Furthermore, suppose they were to see a corpse thrown in a charnel ground, a skeleton with flesh and blood, held together by sinews …
Idaṁ, bhante, anussatiṭṭhānaṁ evaṁ bhāvitaṁ evaṁ bahulīkataṁ anekadhātupaṭivedhāya saṁvattati.
When this topic of recollection is developed and cultivated in this way it leads to the penetration of many elements.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, saradasamaye thullaphusitake deve vassante tattha tattha gopadesu udakāni ṭhitāni honti;
It’s like the time after the rainy season, when the rain falls heavily and water remains here and there in the cows’ hoofprints.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, kumbhakārapāko ālepito paṭhamaṁ dhūmeti sandhūmeti sampadhūmeti;
It’s like when a potter’s kiln is first kindled, and it smokes and smolders and gives off fumes.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, sappissa vā telassa vā jhāyamānassa dayhamānassa neva chārikā paññāyati na masi;
It’s like when ghee or oil blaze and burn, and neither ashes nor soot are found.
Tatra, bhikkhave, ko mantā ko saddhātā:
Mendicants, who would ever think or believe that

Seyyathāpi, pahārāda, mahāsamuddo anupubbaninno anupubbapoṇo anupubbapabbhāro, na āyatakeneva papāto;
The ocean gradually slants, slopes, and inclines, with no abrupt precipice.
Seyyathāpi, pahārāda, mahāsamuddo ṭhitadhammo velaṁ nātivattati;
The ocean is consistent and doesn’t overflow its boundaries.
Seyyathāpi, pahārāda, mahāsamuddo na matena kuṇapena saṁvasati. Yaṁ hoti mahāsamudde mataṁ kuṇapaṁ, taṁ khippameva tīraṁ vāheti thalaṁ ussāreti;
The ocean doesn’t accommodate a carcass, but quickly carries it to the shore and strands it on the beach.
Seyyathāpi, pahārāda, yā kāci mahānadiyo, seyyathidaṁ—gaṅgā yamunā aciravatī sarabhū mahī, tā mahāsamuddaṁ patvā jahanti purimāni nāmagottāni, ‘mahāsamuddo’ tveva saṅkhaṁ gacchanti;
When they reach the ocean, all the great rivers—that is, the Ganges, Yamunā, Aciravatī, Sarabhū, and Mahī—lose their names and clans and are simply considered ‘the ocean’.
Seyyathāpi, pahārāda, yā ca loke savantiyo mahāsamuddaṁ appenti yā ca antalikkhā dhārā papatanti, na tena mahāsamuddassa ūnattaṁ vā pūrattaṁ vā paññāyati;
For all the world’s streams that reach it, and the rain that falls from the sky, the ocean never empties or fills up.
evamevaṁ kho, pahārāda, bahū cepi bhikkhū anupādisesāya nibbānadhātuyā parinibbāyanti, na tena nibbānadhātuyā ūnattaṁ vā pūrattaṁ vā paññāyati.
In the same way, though several mendicants become fully extinguished in the element of extinguishment with nothing left over, the element of extinguishment never empties or fills up.
Yampi, pahārāda, bahū cepi bhikkhū anupādisesāya nibbānadhātuyā parinibbāyanti, na tena nibbānadhātuyā ūnattaṁ vā pūrattaṁ vā paññāyati;
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Seyyathāpi, pahārāda, mahāsamuddo ekaraso loṇaraso;
The ocean has just one taste, the taste of salt.
Seyyathāpi, pahārāda, mahāsamuddo bahuratano anekaratano; tatrimāni ratanāni, seyyathidaṁ—muttā maṇi veḷuriyo saṅkho silā pavāḷaṁ rajataṁ jātarūpaṁ lohitako masāragallaṁ;
The ocean is full of many kinds of treasures, such as pearls, gems, beryl, conch, quartz, coral, silver, gold, rubies, and emeralds.
Seyyathāpi, pahārāda, mahāsamuddo mahataṁ bhūtānaṁ āvāso; tatrime bhūtā—timi timiṅgalo timirapiṅgalo asurā nāgā gandhabbā; santi mahāsamudde yojanasatikāpi attabhāvā, dviyojanasatikāpi attabhāvā, tiyojanasatikāpi attabhāvā, catuyojanasatikāpi attabhāvā, pañcayojanasatikāpi attabhāvā;
Many great beings live in the ocean, such as leviathans, leviathan-gulpers, leviathan-gulper-gulpers, demons, dragons, and fairies. In the ocean there are life-forms a hundred leagues long, or even two hundred, three hundred, four hundred, or five hundred leagues long.

Seyyathāpi nāma pañcaṅgikassa tūriyassa suvinītassa suppaṭipatāḷitassa kusalehi susamannāhatassa saddo hoti vaggu ca rajanīyo ca kamanīyo ca pemanīyo ca madanīyo ca;
Suppose there was a quintet made up of skilled musicians who had practiced well and kept excellent rhythm. They’d sound graceful, tantalizing, sensuous, lovely, and intoxicating.
Seyyathāpi nāma pañcaṅgikassa tūriyassa suvinītassa suppaṭipatāḷitassa kusalehi susamannāhatassa saddo hoti vaggu ca rajanīyo ca kamanīyo ca pemanīyo ca madanīyo ca;
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Ye te bhattu abbhantarā kammantā—uṇṇāti vā kappāsāti vā—tattha dakkhā hoti analasā tatrupāyāya vīmaṁsāya samannāgatā alaṁ kātuṁ alaṁ saṁvidhātuṁ.
She’s deft and tireless in her husband’s household duties, such as knitting and sewing. She understands how to go about things in order to complete and organize the work.

tattha dakkho hoti analaso, tatrupāyāya vīmaṁsāya samannāgato, alaṁ kātuṁ alaṁ saṁvidhātuṁ.
He understands how to go about these things in order to complete and organize the work.
Seyyathāpi, byagghapajja, tulādhāro vā tulādhārantevāsī vā tulaṁ paggahetvā jānāti: ‘ettakena vā onataṁ, ettakena vā unnatan’ti;
It’s like an appraiser or their apprentice who, holding up the scales, knows that it’s low by this much or high by this much.
Seyyathāpi, byagghapajja, mahato taḷākassa cattāri ceva āyamukhāni, cattāri ca apāyamukhāni.
Suppose there was a large reservoir with four inlets and four drains.
Seyyathāpi, byagghapajja, mahato taḷākassa cattāri ceva āyamukhāni, cattāri ca apāyamukhāni.
Suppose there was a large reservoir with four inlets and four drains.

tattha dakkho hoti analaso, tatrupāyāya vīmaṁsāya samannāgato, alaṁ kātuṁ alaṁ saṁvidhātuṁ.
He understands how to go about these things in order to complete and organize the work.
Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, tulādhāro vā tulādhārantevāsī vā tulaṁ paggahetvā jānāti: ‘ettakena vā onataṁ, ettakena vā unnatan’ti;
It’s like an appraiser or their apprentice who, holding up the scales, knows that it’s low by this much or high by this much.
Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, mahato taḷākassa cattāri ceva āyamukhāni, cattāri ca apāyamukhāni. Tassa puriso yāni ceva āyamukhāni tāni pidaheyya, yāni ca apāyamukhāni tāni vivareyya; devo ca na sammā dhāraṁ anuppaveccheyya. Evañhi tassa, brāhmaṇa, mahato taḷākassa parihāniyeva pāṭikaṅkhā, no vuddhi;
Suppose there was a large reservoir with four inlets and four drains. And someone was to open up the drains and close off the inlets, and the heavens don’t provide enough rain. You’d expect that large reservoir to dwindle, not expand.
Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, mahato taḷākassa cattāri ceva āyamukhāni cattāri ca apāyamukhāni. Tassa puriso yāni ceva āyamukhāni tāni vivareyya, yāni ca apāyamukhāni tāni pidaheyya; devo ca sammā dhāraṁ anuppaveccheyya. Evañhi tassa, brāhmaṇa, mahato taḷākassa vuddhiyeva pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni;
Suppose there was a large reservoir with four inlets and four drains. And someone was to open up the inlets and close off the drains, and the heavens provide plenty of rain. You’d expect that large reservoir to expand, not dwindle.

tattha dakkho hoti analaso, tatrupāyāya vīmaṁsāya samannāgato, alaṁ kātuṁ alaṁ saṁvidhātunti.
He understands how to go about these things in order to complete and organize the work.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, tulādhāro vā tulādhārantevāsī vā tulaṁ paggahetvā jānāti: ‘ettakena vā onataṁ, ettakena vā unnatan’ti;
It’s like an appraiser or their apprentice who, holding up the scales, knows that it’s low by this much or high by this much.

sutvā ca dhammaṁ dhārayimha, no ca kho dhātānaṁ dhammānaṁ atthaṁ upaparikkhimha …pe…
‘… we didn’t examine the meaning of teachings we’d memorized. …’
dhātānañca dhammānaṁ atthaṁ upaparikkhimha, no ca kho atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammaṁ paṭipajjimha.
‘… having understood the meaning and the teaching, we didn’t practice accordingly.
Te mayaṁ, bhante, paccuṭṭhimha abhivādimha, āsanaṁ adamha, yathāsatti yathābalaṁ saṁvibhajimha, upanisīdimha dhammassavanāya, ohitasotā ca dhammaṁ suṇimha, sutvā ca dhammaṁ dhārayimha, dhātānañca dhammānaṁ atthaṁ upaparikkhimha, atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammaṁ paṭipajjimha.
We politely rose, bowed, and offered them a seat. We shared as best we could. We sat nearby to listen to the teachings, lent an ear, memorized them, and examined their meaning. Understanding the teaching and the meaning we practiced accordingly.
Etāni, bhikkhave, rukkhamūlāni etāni suññāgārāni. Jhāyatha, bhikkhave, mā pamādattha, mā pacchā vippaṭisārino ahuvattha seyyathāpi tā purimikā devatā”ti.
Here, mendicants, are these roots of trees, and here are these empty huts. Practice absorption, mendicants! Don’t be negligent! Don’t regret it later, like those former deities.” "

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gāvī pabbateyyā bālā abyattā akhettaññū akusalā visame pabbate carituṁ.
“Mendicants, suppose there was a mountain cow who was foolish, incompetent, unskillful, and lacked common sense when roaming on rugged mountains.
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ‘bhikkhu ubhato bhaṭṭho ubhato parihīno, seyyathāpi sā gāvī pabbateyyā bālā abyattā akhettaññū akusalā visame pabbate carituṁ’.
This is called a mendicant who has slipped and fallen from both sides. They’re like the mountain cow who was foolish, incompetent, unskillful, and lacking in common sense when roaming on rugged mountains.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gāvī pabbateyyā paṇḍitā byattā khettaññū kusalā visame pabbate carituṁ.
Suppose there was a mountain cow who was astute, competent, skillful, and used common sense when roaming on rugged mountains.
So sace ākaṅkhati: ‘dibbāya sotadhātuyā …pe…
They might wish: ‘With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, may I hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.’

So tehi dhammehi cittaṁ paṭivāpetvā amatāya dhātuyā cittaṁ upasaṁharati:
and apply it to the deathless:
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, issāso vā issāsantevāsī vā tiṇapurisarūpake vā mattikāpuñje vā yoggaṁ karitvā, so aparena samayena dūrepātī ca hoti akkhaṇavedhī ca mahato ca kāyassa padāletā;
It’s like an archer or their apprentice who first practices on a straw man or a clay model. At a later time they become a long-distance shooter, a marksman, who shatters large objects.
So tehi dhammehi cittaṁ paṭivāpetvā amatāya dhātuyā cittaṁ upasaṁharati:
and apply it to the deathless:
So tehi dhammehi cittaṁ paṭivāpetvā amatāya dhātuyā cittaṁ upasaṁharati:
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Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, issāso vā issāsantevāsī vā tiṇapurisarūpake vā mattikāpuñje vā yoggaṁ karitvā, so aparena samayena dūrepātī ca hoti akkhaṇavedhī ca mahato ca kāyassa padāletā;
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So tehi dhammehi cittaṁ paṭivāpetvā amatāya dhātuyā cittaṁ upasaṁharati:
and apply it to the deathless:
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, issāso vā issāsantevāsī vā tiṇapurisarūpake vā mattikāpuñje vā yoggaṁ karitvā, so aparena samayena dūrepātī ca hoti akkhaṇavedhī ca mahato ca kāyassa padāletā;
It’s like an archer or their apprentice who first practices on a straw man or a clay model. At a later time they become a long-distance shooter, a marksman, who shatters large objects.
So tehi dhammehi cittaṁ paṭivāpetvā amatāya dhātuyā cittaṁ upasaṁharati:
and apply it to the deathless:
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, issāso vā issāsantevāsī vā tiṇapurisarūpake vā mattikāpuñje vā yoggaṁ karitvā, so aparena samayena dūrepātī ca hoti akkhaṇavedhī ca mahato ca kāyassa padāletā;
It’s like an archer or their apprentice who first practices on a straw man or a clay model. At a later time they become a long-distance shooter, a marksman, who shatters large objects.
So tehi dhammehi cittaṁ paṭivāpetvā amatāya dhātuyā cittaṁ upasaṁharati:
and apply it to the deathless:

Yāvatā, bhikkhave, sahassī lokadhātu, mahābrahmā tattha aggamakkhāyati.
As far as the galaxy extends, the Great Brahmā is said to be the foremost.
Seyyathāpi nāma umāpupphaṁ nīlaṁ nīlavaṇṇaṁ nīlanidassanaṁ nīlanibhāsaṁ, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ nīlaṁ nīlavaṇṇaṁ nīlanidassanaṁ nīlanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like a flax flower that’s blue, with blue color, blue hue, and blue tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, blue, with blue color, blue hue, and blue tint.
Seyyathāpi nāma kaṇikārapupphaṁ pītaṁ pītavaṇṇaṁ pītanidassanaṁ pītanibhāsaṁ, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ pītaṁ pītavaṇṇaṁ pītanidassanaṁ pītanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like a champak flower that’s yellow, with yellow color, yellow hue, and yellow tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, yellow, with yellow color, yellow hue, and yellow tint.
Seyyathāpi nāma bandhujīvakapupphaṁ lohitakaṁ lohitakavaṇṇaṁ lohitakanidassanaṁ lohitakanibhāsaṁ, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ lohitakaṁ lohitakavaṇṇaṁ lohitakanidassanaṁ lohitakanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like a scarlet mallow flower that’s red, with red color, red hue, and red tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, red, with red color, red hue, and red tint.
Seyyathāpi nāma osadhitārakā odātā odātavaṇṇā odātanidassanā odātanibhāsā, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ odātaṁ odātavaṇṇaṁ odātanidassanaṁ odātanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like the morning star that’s white, with white color, white hue, and white tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, white, with white color, white hue, and white tint.

Bahussuto hoti sutadharo sutasannicayo. Ye te dhammā ādikalyāṇā majjhekalyāṇā pariyosānakalyāṇā sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ abhivadanti, tathārūpāssa dhammā bahussutā honti dhātā vacasā paricitā manasānupekkhitā diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā.
They’re very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, reinforcing them by recitation, mentally scrutinizing them, and comprehending them theoretically.
Anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti; bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ, tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gacchati, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karoti, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchati, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamati, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parāmasati parimajjati, yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti.
They wield the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again; appearing and disappearing; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful. They control the body as far as the Brahmā realm.
Dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇāti dibbe ca mānuse ca ye dūre santike ca.
With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, they hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.

Seyyathāpi, upāli, mahāudakarahado.
Suppose there was a large lake,
Seyyathāpi, upāli, daharo kumāro mando uttānaseyyako sakena muttakarīsena kīḷati.
Suppose there was a little baby boy playing in his own urine and feces.
Pisuṇaṁ vācaṁ pahāya pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, ito sutvā na amutra akkhātā imesaṁ bhedāya, amutra vā sutvā na imesaṁ akkhātā amūsaṁ bhedāya. Iti bhinnānaṁ vā sandhātā sahitānaṁ vā anuppadātā, samaggārāmo samaggarato samagganandī; samaggakaraṇiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.
They give up divisive speech. They don’t repeat in one place what they heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, they reconcile those who are divided, supporting unity, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.
seyyathāpi nāma pakkhī sakuṇo yena yeneva ḍeti sapattabhārova ḍeti.
They’re like a bird: wherever it flies, wings are its only burden.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, apaṇṇako maṇi uddhaṅkhitto yena yeneva patiṭṭhāti suppatiṭṭhitaṁyeva patiṭṭhāti;
It’s like throwing loaded dice: they always fall the right side up.
Pisuṇaṁ vācaṁ pahāya, pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti—na ito sutvā amutra akkhātā imesaṁ bhedāya, amutra vā sutvā na imesaṁ akkhātā amūsaṁ bhedāya. Iti bhinnānaṁ vā sandhātā sahitānaṁ vā anuppadātā samaggārāmo samaggarato samagganandiṁ, samaggakaraṇiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.
They give up divisive speech. They don’t repeat in one place what they heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, they reconcile those who are divided, supporting unity, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, apaṇṇako maṇi uddhaṅkhitto yena yeneva patiṭṭhāti suppatiṭṭhitaṁyeva patiṭṭhāti;
It’s like throwing loaded dice: they always fall the right side up.

‘Pisuṇaṁ vācaṁ pahāya pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato samaṇo gotamo, ito sutvā na amutra akkhātā imesaṁ bhedāya, amutra vā sutvā na imesaṁ akkhātā amūsaṁ bhedāya. Iti bhinnānaṁ vā sandhātā, sahitānaṁ vā anuppadātā samaggārāmo samaggarato samagganandī samaggakaraṇiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā’ti—
‘The ascetic Gotama has given up divisive speech. He doesn’t repeat in one place what he heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, he reconciles those who are divided, supporting unity, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.’
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, dakkho kevaṭṭo vā kevaṭṭantevāsī vā sukhumacchikena jālena parittaṁ udakadahaṁ otthareyya. Tassa evamassa: ‘ye kho keci imasmiṁ udakadahe oḷārikā pāṇā, sabbe te antojālīkatā. Ettha sitāva ummujjamānā ummujjanti; ettha pariyāpannā antojālīkatāva ummujjamānā ummujjantī’ti;
Suppose a deft fisherman or his apprentice were to cast a fine-meshed net over a small pond. They’d think: ‘Any sizable creatures in this pond will be trapped in the net. Wherever they emerge they are caught and trapped in this very net.’
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ambapiṇḍiyā vaṇṭacchinnāya yāni kānici ambāni vaṇṭapaṭibandhāni, sabbāni tāni tadanvayāni bhavanti;
When the stalk of a bunch of mangoes is cut, all the mangoes attached to the stalk will follow along.
Imasmiñca pana veyyākaraṇasmiṁ bhaññamāne dasasahassī lokadhātu akampitthāti.
And while this discourse was being spoken, the galaxy shook. "

Seyyathāpi, bhante, ambaṁ vā puṭṭho labujaṁ byākareyya, labujaṁ vā puṭṭho ambaṁ byākareyya;
It was like someone who, when asked about a mango, answered with a breadfruit, or when asked about a breadfruit, answered with a mango.
Cuddasa kho panimāni yonipamukhasatasahassāni saṭṭhi ca satāni cha ca satāni pañca ca kammuno satāni pañca ca kammāni tīṇi ca kammāni kamme ca aḍḍhakamme ca dvaṭṭhipaṭipadā dvaṭṭhantarakappā chaḷābhijātiyo aṭṭha purisabhūmiyo ekūnapaññāsa ājīvakasate ekūnapaññāsa paribbājakasate ekūnapaññāsa nāgāvāsasate vīse indriyasate tiṁse nirayasate chattiṁsa rajodhātuyo satta saññīgabbhā satta asaññīgabbhā satta nigaṇṭhigabbhā satta devā satta mānusā satta pisācā satta sarā satta pavuṭā satta pavuṭasatāni satta papātā satta papātasatāni satta supinā satta supinasatāni cullāsīti mahākappino satasahassāni, yāni bāle ca paṇḍite ca sandhāvitvā saṁsaritvā dukkhassantaṁ karissanti.
There are 1.4 million main wombs, and 6,000, and 600. There are 500 deeds, and five, and three. There are deeds and half-deeds. There are 62 paths, 62 sub-eons, six classes of rebirth, and eight stages in a person’s life. There are 4,900 Ājīvaka ascetics, 4,900 wanderers, and 4,900 naked ascetics. There are 2,000 faculties, 3,000 hells, and 36 realms of dust. There are seven percipient embryos, seven non-percipient embryos, and seven embryos without attachments. There are seven gods, seven humans, and seven goblins. There are seven lakes, seven winds, 700 winds, seven cliffs, and 700 cliffs. There are seven dreams and 700 dreams. There are 8.4 million great eons through which the foolish and the astute transmigrate before making an end of suffering.
Seyyathāpi nāma suttaguḷe khitte nibbeṭhiyamānameva paleti;
It’s like how, when you toss a ball of string, it rolls away unraveling.
Seyyathāpi, bhante, ambaṁ vā puṭṭho labujaṁ byākareyya, labujaṁ vā puṭṭho ambaṁ byākareyya;
It was like someone who, when asked about a mango, answered with a breadfruit, or when asked about a breadfruit, answered with a mango.
Seyyathāpi, bhante, ambaṁ vā puṭṭho labujaṁ byākareyya, labujaṁ vā puṭṭho ambaṁ byākareyya;
It was like someone who, when asked about a mango, answered with a breadfruit, or when asked about a breadfruit, answered with a mango.
Seyyathāpi, bhante, ambaṁ vā puṭṭho labujaṁ byākareyya, labujaṁ vā puṭṭho ambaṁ byākareyya;
It was like someone who, when asked about a mango, answered with a breadfruit, or when asked about a breadfruit, answered with a mango.
Seyyathāpi, bhante, ambaṁ vā puṭṭho labujaṁ byākareyya, labujaṁ vā puṭṭho ambaṁ byākareyya;
It was like someone who, when asked about a mango, answered with a breadfruit, or when asked about a breadfruit, answered with a mango.
Seyyathāpi, bhante, ambaṁ vā puṭṭho labujaṁ byākareyya, labujaṁ vā puṭṭho ambaṁ byākareyya;
It was like someone who, when asked about a mango, answered with a breadfruit, or when asked about a breadfruit, answered with a mango.
Pisuṇaṁ vācaṁ pahāya pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti; ito sutvā na amutra akkhātā imesaṁ bhedāya; amutra vā sutvā na imesaṁ akkhātā, amūsaṁ bhedāya. Iti bhinnānaṁ vā sandhātā, sahitānaṁ vā anuppadātā, samaggārāmo samaggarato samagganandī samaggakaraṇiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.
They give up divisive speech. They don’t repeat in one place what they heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, they reconcile those who are divided, supporting unity, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, rājā khattiyo muddhābhisitto nihatapaccāmitto na kutoci bhayaṁ samanupassati, yadidaṁ paccatthikato;
It’s like a king who has defeated his enemies. He sees no danger from his foes in any quarter.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, pakkhī sakuṇo yena yeneva ḍeti, sapattabhārova ḍeti;
They’re like a bird: wherever it flies, wings are its only burden.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, puriso iṇaṁ ādāya kammante payojeyya.
Suppose a man who has gotten into debt were to apply himself to work,
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, puriso ābādhiko assa dukkhito bāḷhagilāno; bhattañcassa nacchādeyya, na cassa kāye balamattā.
Suppose there was a person who was sick, suffering, gravely ill. They’d lose their appetite and get physically weak.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, puriso bandhanāgāre baddho assa.
Suppose a person was imprisoned in a jail.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, puriso dāso assa anattādhīno parādhīno na yenakāmaṅgamo.
Suppose a person was a bondservant. They belonged to someone else and were unable to go where they wish.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, puriso sadhano sabhogo kantāraddhānamaggaṁ paṭipajjeyya dubbhikkhaṁ sappaṭibhayaṁ.
Suppose there was a person with wealth and property who was traveling along a desert road, which was perilous, with nothing to eat.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, yathā āṇaṇyaṁ yathā ārogyaṁ yathā bandhanāmokkhaṁ yathā bhujissaṁ yathā khemantabhūmiṁ;
But when these five hindrances are given up inside themselves, a mendicant regards this as freedom from debt, good health, release from prison, emancipation, and sanctuary.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, dakkho nhāpako vā nhāpakantevāsī vā kaṁsathāle nhānīyacuṇṇāni ākiritvā udakena paripphosakaṁ paripphosakaṁ sanneyya, sāyaṁ nhānīyapiṇḍi snehānugatā snehaparetā santarabāhirā phuṭā snehena, na ca paggharaṇī;
It’s like when a deft bathroom attendant or their apprentice pours bath powder into a bronze dish, sprinkling it little by little with water. They knead it until the ball of bath powder is soaked and saturated with moisture, spread through inside and out; yet no moisture oozes out.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, udakarahado gambhīro ubbhidodako tassa nevassa puratthimāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, na dakkhiṇāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, na pacchimāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, na uttarāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, devo ca na kālena kālaṁ sammādhāraṁ anuppaveccheyya.
It’s like a deep lake fed by spring water. There’s no inlet to the east, west, north, or south, and no rainfall to replenish it from time to time.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, uppaliniyaṁ vā paduminiyaṁ vā puṇḍarīkiniyaṁ vā appekaccāni uppalāni vā padumāni vā puṇḍarīkāni vā udake jātāni udake saṁvaḍḍhāni udakānuggatāni antonimuggaposīni, tāni yāva caggā yāva ca mūlā sītena vārinā abhisannāni parisannāni paripūrāni paripphuṭāni, nāssa kiñci sabbāvataṁ uppalānaṁ vā padumānaṁ vā puṇḍarīkānaṁ vā sītena vārinā apphuṭaṁ assa;
It’s like a pool with blue water lilies, or pink or white lotuses. Some of them sprout and grow in the water without rising above it, thriving underwater. From the tip to the root they’re drenched, steeped, filled, and soaked with cool water. There’s no part of them that’s not soaked with cool water.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, puriso odātena vatthena sasīsaṁ pārupitvā nisinno assa, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa odātena vatthena apphuṭaṁ assa;
It’s like someone sitting wrapped from head to foot with white cloth. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread over with white cloth.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato accho vippasanno anāvilo sabbākārasampanno.
Suppose there was a beryl gem that was naturally beautiful, eight-faceted, well-worked, transparent, clear, and unclouded, endowed with all good qualities.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, puriso muñjamhā īsikaṁ pavāheyya.
Suppose a person was to draw a reed out from its sheath.
So anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ tirobhāvaṁ tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gacchati seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karoti seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchati seyyathāpi pathaviyā; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamati seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parāmasati parimajjati; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti.
They wield the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful; controlling the body as far as the Brahmā realm.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, dakkho kumbhakāro vā kumbhakārantevāsī vā suparikammakatāya mattikāya yaṁ yadeva bhājanavikatiṁ ākaṅkheyya, taṁ tadeva kareyya abhinipphādeyya.
Suppose a deft potter or their apprentice had some well-prepared clay. They could produce any kind of pot that they like.
So anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ tirobhāvaṁ tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gacchati seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karoti seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchati seyyathāpi pathaviyā; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamati seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parāmasati parimajjati; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti.
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So evaṁ samāhite citte parisuddhe pariyodāte anaṅgaṇe vigatūpakkilese mudubhūte kammaniye ṭhite āneñjappatte dibbāya sotadhātuyā cittaṁ abhinīharati abhininnāmeti.
When their mind has become immersed in samādhi like this—purified, bright, flawless, rid of corruptions, pliable, workable, steady, and imperturbable—they extend it and project it toward clairaudience.
So dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇāti dibbe ca mānuse ca ye dūre santike ca.
With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, they hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, puriso addhānamaggappaṭipanno. So suṇeyya bherisaddampi mudiṅgasaddampi saṅkhapaṇavadindimasaddampi. Tassa evamassa: ‘bherisaddo’ itipi, ‘mudiṅgasaddo’ itipi, ‘saṅkhapaṇavadindimasaddo’ itipi.
Suppose there was a person traveling along the road. They’d hear the sound of drums, clay drums, horns, kettledrums, and tom-toms. They’d think: ‘That’s the sound of drums,’ and ‘that’s the sound of clay drums,’ and ‘that’s the sound of horns, kettledrums, and tom-toms.’
Evameva kho, mahārāja, bhikkhu evaṁ samāhite citte parisuddhe pariyodāte anaṅgaṇe vigatūpakkilese mudubhūte kammaniye ṭhite āneñjappatte dibbāya sotadhātuyā cittaṁ abhinīharati abhininnāmeti.
In the same way, when their mind has become immersed in samādhi like this—purified, bright, flawless, rid of corruptions, pliable, workable, steady, and imperturbable—they extend it and project it toward clairaudience.
So dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇāti dibbe ca mānuse ca ye dūre santike ca.
With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, they hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, itthī vā puriso vā daharo yuvā maṇḍanajātiko ādāse vā parisuddhe pariyodāte acche vā udakapatte sakaṁ mukhanimittaṁ paccavekkhamāno sakaṇikaṁ vā ‘sakaṇikan’ti jāneyya, akaṇikaṁ vā ‘akaṇikan’ti jāneyya;
Suppose there was a woman or man who was young, youthful, and fond of adornments, and they check their own reflection in a clean bright mirror or a clear bowl of water. If they had a spot they’d know ‘I have a spot,’ and if they had no spots they’d know ‘I have no spots.’
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, puriso sakamhā gāmā aññaṁ gāmaṁ gaccheyya, tamhāpi gāmā aññaṁ gāmaṁ gaccheyya. So tamhā gāmā sakaṁyeva gāmaṁ paccāgaccheyya. Tassa evamassa: ‘ahaṁ kho sakamhā gāmā amuṁ gāmaṁ agacchiṁ, tatra evaṁ aṭṭhāsiṁ, evaṁ nisīdiṁ, evaṁ abhāsiṁ, evaṁ tuṇhī ahosiṁ, tamhāpi gāmā amuṁ gāmaṁ agacchiṁ, tatrāpi evaṁ aṭṭhāsiṁ, evaṁ nisīdiṁ, evaṁ abhāsiṁ, evaṁ tuṇhī ahosiṁ, somhi tamhā gāmā sakaṁyeva gāmaṁ paccāgato’ti.
Suppose a person was to leave their home village and go to another village. From that village they’d go to yet another village. And from that village they’d return to their home village. They’d think: ‘I went from my home village to another village. There I stood like this, sat like that, spoke like this, or kept silent like that. From that village I went to yet another village. There too I stood like this, sat like that, spoke like this, or kept silent like that. And from that village I returned to my home village.’
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, majjhe siṅghāṭake pāsādo. Tattha cakkhumā puriso ṭhito passeyya manusse gehaṁ pavisantepi nikkhamantepi rathikāyapi vīthiṁ sañcarante majjhe siṅghāṭake nisinnepi. Tassa evamassa: ‘ete manussā gehaṁ pavisanti, ete nikkhamanti, ete rathikāya vīthiṁ sañcaranti, ete majjhe siṅghāṭake nisinnā’ti.
Suppose there was a stilt longhouse at the central square. A person with good eyesight standing there might see people entering and leaving a house, walking along the streets and paths, and sitting at the central square. They’d think: ‘These are people entering and leaving a house, walking along the streets and paths, and sitting at the central square.’
Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, pabbatasaṅkhepe udakarahado accho vippasanno anāvilo. Tattha cakkhumā puriso tīre ṭhito passeyya sippisambukampi sakkharakathalampi macchagumbampi carantampi tiṭṭhantampi. Tassa evamassa: ‘ayaṁ kho udakarahado accho vippasanno anāvilo. Tatrime sippisambukāpi sakkharakathalāpi macchagumbāpi carantipi tiṭṭhantipī’ti.
Suppose that in a mountain glen there was a lake that was transparent, clear, and unclouded. A person with good eyesight standing on the bank would see the clams and mussels, and pebbles and gravel, and schools of fish swimming about or staying still. They’d think: ‘This lake is transparent, clear, and unclouded. And here are the clams and mussels, and pebbles and gravel, and schools of fish swimming about or staying still.’
Seyyathāpi, bhante, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.
As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with good eyes can see what’s there, the Buddha has made the teaching clear in many ways.

Seyyathāpi, māṇava, rājā khattiyo muddhāvasitto nihatapaccāmitto na kutoci bhayaṁ samanupassati, yadidaṁ paccatthikato;
It’s like a king who has defeated his enemies. He sees no danger from his foes in any quarter.
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, pakkhī sakuṇo yena yeneva ḍeti, sapattabhārova ḍeti;
They’re like a bird: wherever it flies, wings are its only burden.
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, puriso iṇaṁ ādāya kammante payojeyya.
Suppose a man who has gotten into debt were to apply himself to work,
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, puriso ābādhiko assa dukkhito bāḷhagilāno; bhattañcassa nacchādeyya, na cassa kāye balamattā.
Suppose there was a person who was sick, suffering, gravely ill. They’d lose their appetite and get physically weak.
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, puriso bandhanāgāre baddho assa.
Suppose a person was imprisoned in a jail.
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, puriso dāso assa anattādhīno parādhīno na yenakāmaṅgamo.
Suppose a person was a bondservant. They belonged to someone else and were unable to go where they wish.
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, puriso sadhano sabhogo kantāraddhānamaggaṁ paṭipajjeyya dubbhikkhaṁ sappaṭibhayaṁ.
Suppose there was a person with wealth and property who was traveling along a desert road, which was perilous, with nothing to eat.
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, yathā āṇaṇyaṁ yathā ārogyaṁ yathā bandhanāmokkhaṁ yathā bhujissaṁ yathā khemantabhūmiṁ.
But when these five hindrances are given up inside themselves, a mendicant regards this as freedom from debt, good health, release from prison, emancipation, and sanctuary.
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, dakkho nhāpako vā nhāpakantevāsī vā kaṁsathāle nhānīyacuṇṇāni ākiritvā udakena paripphosakaṁ paripphosakaṁ sanneyya. Sāyaṁ nhānīyapiṇḍi snehānugatā snehaparetā santarabāhirā phuṭā snehena, na ca paggharaṇī.
It’s like when a deft bathroom attendant or their apprentice pours bath powder into a bronze dish, sprinkling it little by little with water. They knead it until the ball of bath powder is soaked and saturated with moisture, spread through inside and out; yet no moisture oozes out.
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, udakarahado gambhīro ubbhidodako. Tassa nevassa puratthimāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, na dakkhiṇāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, na pacchimāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, na uttarāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, devo ca na kālena kālaṁ sammā dhāraṁ anupaveccheyya. Atha kho tamhāva udakarahadā sītā vāridhārā ubbhijjitvā tameva udakarahadaṁ sītena vārinā abhisandeyya parisandeyya paripūreyya paripphareyya, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato udakarahadassa sītena vārinā apphuṭaṁ assa.
It’s like a deep lake fed by spring water. There’s no inlet to the east, west, north, or south, and no rainfall to replenish it from time to time. But the stream of cool water welling up in the lake drenches, steeps, fills, and spreads throughout the lake. There’s no part of the lake that’s not spread through with cool water.
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, uppaliniyaṁ vā paduminiyaṁ vā puṇḍarīkiniyaṁ vā appekaccāni uppalāni vā padumāni vā puṇḍarīkāni vā udake jātāni udake saṁvaḍḍhāni udakānuggatāni antonimuggaposīni, tāni yāva caggā yāva ca mūlā sītena vārinā abhisannāni parisannāni paripūrāni paripphuṭāni, nāssa kiñci sabbāvataṁ uppalānaṁ vā padumānaṁ vā puṇḍarīkānaṁ vā sītena vārinā apphuṭaṁ assa.
It’s like a pool with blue water lilies, or pink or white lotuses. Some of them sprout and grow in the water without rising above it, thriving underwater. From the tip to the root they’re drenched, steeped, filled, and soaked with cool water. There’s no part of them that’s not soaked with cool water.
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, puriso odātena vatthena sasīsaṁ pārupitvā nisinno assa, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa odātena vatthena apphuṭaṁ assa.
It’s like someone sitting wrapped from head to foot with white cloth. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread over with white cloth.
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato accho vippasanno anāvilo sabbākārasampanno. Tatrāssa suttaṁ āvutaṁ nīlaṁ vā pītaṁ vā lohitaṁ vā odātaṁ vā paṇḍusuttaṁ vā.
Suppose there was a beryl gem that was naturally beautiful, eight-faceted, well-worked, transparent, clear, and unclouded, endowed with all good qualities. And it was strung with a thread of blue, yellow, red, white, or golden brown.
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, puriso muñjamhā īsikaṁ pavāheyya.
Suppose a person was to draw a reed out from its sheath.
So anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ tirobhāvaṁ tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gacchati seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karoti seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchati seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamati seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁ mahiddhike evaṁ mahānubhāve pāṇinā parāmasati parimajjati; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti.
They wield the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful; controlling the body as far as the Brahmā realm.
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, dakkho kumbhakāro vā kumbhakārantevāsī vā suparikammakatāya mattikāya yaññadeva bhājanavikatiṁ ākaṅkheyya, taṁ tadeva kareyya abhinipphādeyya.
Suppose a deft potter or their apprentice had some well-prepared clay. They could produce any kind of pot that they like.
So evaṁ samāhite citte …pe… āneñjappatte dibbāya sotadhātuyā cittaṁ abhinīharati abhininnāmeti
When their mind has become immersed in samādhi like this—purified, bright, flawless, rid of corruptions, pliable, workable, steady, and imperturbable—they extend it and project it toward clairaudience.
So dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇāti dibbe ca mānuse ca ye dūre santike ca.
With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, they hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, puriso addhānamaggappaṭipanno. So suṇeyya bherisaddampi mudiṅgasaddampi saṅkhapaṇavadindimasaddampi. Tassa evamassa—bherisaddo itipi mudiṅgasaddo itipi saṅkhapaṇavadindimasaddo itipi.
Suppose there was a person traveling along the road. They’d hear the sound of drums, clay drums, horns, kettledrums, and tom-toms. They’d think: ‘That’s the sound of drums,’ and ‘that’s the sound of clay drums,’ and ‘that’s the sound of horns, kettledrums, and tom-toms.’
yampi, māṇava, bhikkhu evaṁ samāhite citte …pe… āneñjappatte dibbāya sotadhātuyā cittaṁ abhinīharati abhininnāmeti.

So dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇāti dibbe ca mānuse ca ye dūre santike ca.

Seyyathāpi, māṇava, itthī vā puriso vā daharo yuvā maṇḍanajātiko ādāse vā parisuddhe pariyodāte acche vā udakapatte sakaṁ mukhanimittaṁ paccavekkhamāno sakaṇikaṁ vā sakaṇikanti jāneyya, akaṇikaṁ vā akaṇikanti jāneyya.
Suppose there was a woman or man who was young, youthful, and fond of adornments, and they check their own reflection in a clean bright mirror or a clear bowl of water. If they had a spot they’d know ‘I have a spot,’ and if they had no spots they’d know ‘I have no spots.’
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, puriso sakamhā gāmā aññaṁ gāmaṁ gaccheyya; tamhāpi gāmā aññaṁ gāmaṁ gaccheyya; so tamhā gāmā sakaṁyeva gāmaṁ paccāgaccheyya. Tassa evamassa: ‘ahaṁ kho sakamhā gāmā amuṁ gāmaṁ agacchiṁ, tatra evaṁ aṭṭhāsiṁ evaṁ nisīdiṁ evaṁ abhāsiṁ evaṁ tuṇhī ahosiṁ. So tamhāpi gāmā amuṁ gāmaṁ gacchiṁ, tatrāpi evaṁ aṭṭhāsiṁ evaṁ nisīdiṁ evaṁ abhāsiṁ evaṁ tuṇhī ahosiṁ. Somhi tamhā gāmā sakaṁyeva gāmaṁ paccāgato’ti.
Suppose a person was to leave their home village and go to another village. From that village they’d go to yet another village. And from that village they’d return to their home village. They’d think: ‘I went from my home village to another village. There I stood like this, sat like that, spoke like this, or kept silent like that. From that village I went to yet another village. There too I stood like this, sat like that, spoke like this, or kept silent like that. And from that village I returned to my home village.’
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, majjhesiṅghāṭake pāsādo, tattha cakkhumā puriso ṭhito passeyya manusse gehaṁ pavisantepi nikkhamantepi rathikāyapi vīthiṁ sañcarante majjhesiṅghāṭake nisinnepi. Tassa evamassa: ‘ete manussā gehaṁ pavisanti, ete nikkhamanti, ete rathikāya vīthiṁ sañcaranti, ete majjhesiṅghāṭake nisinnā’ti.
Suppose there was a stilt longhouse at the central square. A person with good eyesight standing there might see people entering and leaving a house, walking along the streets and paths, and sitting at the central square. They’d think: ‘These are people entering and leaving a house, walking along the streets and paths, and sitting at the central square.’
Seyyathāpi, māṇava, pabbatasaṅkhepe udakarahado accho vippasanno anāvilo. Tattha cakkhumā puriso tīre ṭhito passeyya sippisambukampi sakkharakathalampi macchagumbampi carantampi tiṭṭhantampi. Tassa evamassa: ‘ayaṁ kho udakarahado accho vippasanno anāvilo. Tatrime sippisambukāpi sakkharakathalāpi macchagumbāpi carantipi tiṭṭhantipī’ti.
Suppose that in a mountain glen there was a lake that was transparent, clear, and unclouded. A person with good eyesight standing on the bank would see the clams and mussels, and pebbles and gravel, and schools of fish swimming about or staying still. They’d think: ‘This lake is transparent, clear, and unclouded. And here are the clams and mussels, and pebbles and gravel, and schools of fish swimming about or staying still.’
Seyyathāpi, bho ānanda, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā ānandena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.
As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with good eyes can see what’s there, Master Ānanda has made the teaching clear in many ways.

Idha, kevaṭṭa, bhikkhu anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ tirobhāvaṁ tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gacchati seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karoti seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchati seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamati seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁ mahiddhike evaṁ mahānubhāve pāṇinā parāmasati parimajjati; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti.
It’s a mendicant who wields the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful; controlling the body as far as the Brahmā realm.
Tamenaṁ aññataro saddho pasanno passati taṁ bhikkhuṁ anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhontaṁ—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hontaṁ, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hontaṁ; āvibhāvaṁ tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamānaṁ gacchantaṁ seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karontaṁ seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchantaṁ seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamantaṁ seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁ mahiddhike evaṁ mahānubhāve pāṇinā parāmasantaṁ parimajjantaṁ yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vattentaṁ.
Then someone with faith and confidence sees that mendicant performing those superhuman feats.
‘kattha nu kho ime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti?
‘Where do these four primary elements cease without anything left over, namely, the elements of earth, water, fire, and air?’
‘kattha nu kho, āvuso, ime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti?
‘Reverends, where do these four primary elements cease without anything left over, namely, the elements of earth, water, fire, and air?’
“yatthime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū”ti.
dn11
“yatthime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū”’ti.
dn11
‘kattha nu kho, āvuso, ime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti?
dn11
“yatthime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu, āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū”ti.
dn11
“yatthime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū”’ti.
dn11
‘kattha nu kho, āvuso, ime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti?
dn11
“yatthime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū”ti.
dn11
“yatthime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū”’ti.
dn11
‘kattha nu kho, āvuso, ime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti?
dn11
“yatthime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū”ti.
dn11
“yatthime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū”’ti.
dn11
‘kattha nu kho, āvuso, ime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti?
dn11
“yatthime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū”ti.
dn11
“yatthime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū”’ti.
dn11
‘kattha nu kho, āvuso, ime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti?
‘Reverends, where do these four primary elements cease without anything left over, namely, the elements of earth, water, fire, and air?’
“yatthime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū”ti.
dn11
“yatthime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū”’ti.
dn11
‘kattha nu kho, āvuso, ime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti?
‘Reverend, where do these four primary elements cease without anything left over, namely, the elements of earth, water, fire, and air?’
“kattha nu kho, āvuso, ime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū”’ti?
where these four primary elements cease without anything left over.’
“kattha nu kho, āvuso, ime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū”’ti?
where these four primary elements cease without anything left over.’
Ahampi kho, bhikkhu, na jānāmi yatthime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātūti.
But I too do not know where these four primary elements cease with nothing left over.
Atha kho so, kevaṭṭa, bhikkhu—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva brahmaloke antarahito mama purato pāturahosi.
Then that mendicant, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, vanished from the Brahmā realm and reappeared in front of me.
‘kattha nu kho, bhante, ime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti?
‘Sir, where do these four primary elements cease without anything left over, namely, the elements of earth, water, fire, and air?’
‘kattha nu kho, bhante, ime cattāro mahābhūtā aparisesā nirujjhanti, seyyathidaṁ—pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti?
“Sir, where do these four primary elements cease without anything left over, namely, the elements of earth, water, fire, and air?”

Assosi kho bhagavā dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya tesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ imaṁ kathāsallāpaṁ.
With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, the Buddha heard that discussion among the mendicants.
“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, tathāgatasseva nu kho esā dhammadhātu suppaṭividdhā, yassā dhammadhātuyā suppaṭividdhattā tathāgato atīte buddhe parinibbute chinnapapañce chinnavaṭume pariyādinnavaṭṭe sabbadukkhavītivatte jātitopi anussarati, nāmatopi anussarati, gottatopi anussarati, āyuppamāṇatopi anussarati, sāvakayugatopi anussarati, sāvakasannipātatopi anussarati: ‘evaṁjaccā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁnāmā evaṅgottā evaṁsīlā evaṁdhammā evaṁpaññā evaṁvihārī evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipī’ti,
Is it because the Realized One has clearly comprehended the principle of the teachings that he can recollect all these things?
Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, tathāgatasseva nu kho esā dhammadhātu suppaṭividdhā, yassā dhammadhātuyā suppaṭividdhattā tathāgato atīte buddhe parinibbute chinnapapañce chinnavaṭume pariyādinnavaṭṭe sabbadukkhavītivatte jātitopi anussarati, nāmatopi anussarati, gottatopi anussarati, āyuppamāṇatopi anussarati, sāvakayugatopi anussarati, sāvakasannipātatopi anussarati:
dn14
“Tathāgatassevesā, bhikkhave, dhammadhātu suppaṭividdhā, yassā dhammadhātuyā suppaṭividdhattā tathāgato atīte buddhe parinibbute chinnapapañce chinnavaṭume pariyādinnavaṭṭe sabbadukkhavītivatte jātitopi anussarati, nāmatopi anussarati, gottatopi anussarati, āyuppamāṇatopi anussarati, sāvakayugatopi anussarati, sāvakasannipātatopi anussarati:
“It is because the Realized One has clearly comprehended the principle of the teachings that he can recollect all these things.
Ayañca dasasahassī lokadhātu saṅkampati sampakampati sampavedhati. Appamāṇo ca uḷāro obhāso loke pātubhavati atikkammeva devānaṁ devānubhāvaṁ.
And this galaxy shakes and rocks and trembles. And an immeasurable, magnificent light appears in the world, surpassing the glory of the gods.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato accho vippasanno anāvilo sabbākārasampanno. Tatrāssa suttaṁ āvutaṁ nīlaṁ vā pītaṁ vā lohitaṁ vā odātaṁ vā paṇḍusuttaṁ vā.
Suppose there was a beryl gem that was naturally beautiful, eight-faceted, well-worked, transparent, clear, and unclouded, endowed with all good qualities. And it was strung with a thread of blue, yellow, red, white, or golden brown.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, maṇiratanaṁ kāsike vatthe nikkhittaṁ neva maṇiratanaṁ kāsikaṁ vatthaṁ makkheti, nāpi kāsikaṁ vatthaṁ maṇiratanaṁ makkheti.
Suppose a jewel-treasure was placed on a cloth from Kāsi. The jewel would not soil the cloth, nor would the cloth soil the jewel.
Ayañca dasasahassī lokadhātu saṅkampati sampakampati sampavedhati appamāṇo ca uḷāro obhāso loke pātubhavati atikkammeva devānaṁ devānubhāvaṁ.
And this galaxy shakes and rocks and trembles. And an immeasurable, magnificent light appears in the world, surpassing the glory of the gods.
Atha kho, bhikkhave, bandhumā rājā vipassissa kumārassa dhātiyo upaṭṭhāpesi.
Then the king appointed nurses for Prince Vipassī.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, uppalaṁ vā padumaṁ vā puṇḍarīkaṁ vā bahuno janassa piyaṁ manāpaṁ;
like a blue water lily, or a pink or white lotus.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, himavante pabbate karavīkā nāma sakuṇajāti mañjussarā ca vaggussarā ca madhurassarā ca pemaniyassarā ca;
It was as sweet as the song of a cuckoo-bird found in the Himalayas.
Jāto kho pana, bhikkhave, vipassī kumāro animisanto pekkhati seyyathāpi devā tāvatiṁsā.
And he was unblinkingly watchful, like the gods of the Thirty-Three.
Atha kho so, bhikkhave, mahābrahmā seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—brahmaloke antarahito vipassissa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa purato pāturahosi.
Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from the Brahmā realm and reappeared in front of the Buddha Vipassī.
Seyyathāpi nāma uppaliniyaṁ vā paduminiyaṁ vā puṇḍarīkiniyaṁ vā appekaccāni uppalāni vā padumāni vā puṇḍarīkāni vā udake jātāni udake saṁvaḍḍhāni udakānuggatāni anto nimuggaposīni. Appekaccāni uppalāni vā padumāni vā puṇḍarīkāni vā udake jātāni udake saṁvaḍḍhāni samodakaṁ ṭhitāni. Appekaccāni uppalāni vā padumāni vā puṇḍarīkāni vā udake jātāni udake saṁvaḍḍhāni udakā accuggamma ṭhitāni anupalittāni udakena.
It’s like a pool with blue water lilies, or pink or white lotuses. Some of them sprout and grow in the water without rising above it, thriving underwater. Some of them sprout and grow in the water reaching the water’s surface. And some of them sprout and grow in the water but rise up above the water and stand with no water clinging to them.
Atha kho, bhikkhave, vipassī bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—bodhirukkhamūle antarahito bandhumatiyā rājadhāniyā kheme migadāye pāturahosi.
Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from the tree of awakening and reappeared near the capital city of Bandhumatī, in the deer park named Sanctuary.
Seyyathāpi nāma suddhaṁ vatthaṁ apagatakāḷakaṁ sammadeva rajanaṁ paṭiggaṇheyya;
Just as a clean cloth rid of stains would properly absorb dye,
Seyyathāpi, bhante, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: “cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī”ti; evamevaṁ bhagavatā anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.
As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with good eyes can see what’s there, the Buddha has made the teaching clear in many ways.
Seyyathāpi nāma suddhaṁ vatthaṁ apagatakāḷakaṁ sammadeva rajanaṁ paṭiggaṇheyya;
Just as a clean cloth rid of stains would properly absorb dye,
Seyyathāpi, bhante, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: “cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī”ti; evamevaṁ bhagavatā anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.
And just like Khaṇḍa and Tissa they asked for and received ordination. Then the Buddha taught them further.
Seyyathāpi nāma suddhaṁ vatthaṁ apagatakāḷakaṁ sammadeva rajanaṁ paṭiggaṇheyya;
dn14
Seyyathāpi, bhante, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: “cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī”ti; evamevaṁ bhagavatā anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.
dn14
Atha kho, bhikkhave, aññataro mahābrahmā vipassissa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—brahmaloke antarahito vipassissa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa purato pāturahosi.
Then a certain Great Brahmā, knowing what the Buddha Vipassī was thinking, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, vanished from the Brahmā realm and reappeared in front of the Buddha Vipassī.
Atha kho, bhikkhave, aññataro mahābrahmā mama cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—brahmaloke antarahito mama purato pāturahosi.
dn14
Atha khvāhaṁ, bhikkhave, seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—ukkaṭṭhāyaṁ subhagavane sālarājamūle antarahito avihesu devesu pāturahosiṁ.
Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, I vanished from the Subhaga Forest and reappeared with the Aviha gods.
Iti kho, bhikkhave, tathāgatassevesā dhammadhātu suppaṭividdhā, yassā dhammadhātuyā suppaṭividdhattā tathāgato atīte buddhe parinibbute chinnapapañce chinnavaṭume pariyādinnavaṭṭe sabbadukkhavītivatte jātitopi anussarati, nāmatopi anussarati, gottatopi anussarati, āyuppamāṇatopi anussarati, sāvakayugatopi anussarati, sāvakasannipātatopi anussarati ‘evaṁjaccā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ’ itipi.
And that is how the Realized One is able to recollect the caste, names, clans, life-span, chief disciples, and gatherings of disciples of the Buddhas of the past who have become completely extinguished, cut off proliferation, cut off the track, finished off the cycle, and transcended suffering. It is both because I have clearly comprehended the principle of the teachings,

Seyyathāpi, bhante, rañño paccantimaṁ nagaraṁ daḷhuddhāpaṁ daḷhapākāratoraṇaṁ ekadvāraṁ,
Suppose there was a king’s frontier citadel with fortified embankments, ramparts, and arches, and a single gate.
“Seyyathāpi, ānanda, devehi tāvatiṁsehi saddhiṁ mantetvā;
“It’s as if they were building the citadel in consultation with the gods of the Thirty-Three.
Atha kho bhagavā—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—gaṅgāya nadiyā orimatīre antarahito pārimatīre paccuṭṭhāsi saddhiṁ bhikkhusaṅghena.
But, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, the Buddha, together with the mendicant Saṅgha, vanished from the near shore and landed on the far shore.
Seyyathāpi, ānanda, jajjarasakaṭaṁ veṭhamissakena yāpeti;
Just as a decrepit old cart keeps going by relying on straps,
Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, yadā tathāgato anupādisesāya nibbānadhātuyā parinibbāyati, tadāyaṁ pathavī kampati saṅkampati sampakampati sampavedhati.
Furthermore, when the Realized One becomes fully extinguished in the element of extinguishment with nothing left over, the earth shakes and rocks and trembles.
Seyyathāpi nāma umāpupphaṁ nīlaṁ nīlavaṇṇaṁ nīlanidassanaṁ nīlanibhāsaṁ. Seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ nīlaṁ nīlavaṇṇaṁ nīlanidassanaṁ nīlanibhāsaṁ.
They’re like a flax flower that’s blue, with blue color, blue hue, and blue tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, blue, with blue color, blue hue, and blue tint.
Seyyathāpi nāma kaṇikārapupphaṁ pītaṁ pītavaṇṇaṁ pītanidassanaṁ pītanibhāsaṁ. Seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ pītaṁ pītavaṇṇaṁ pītanidassanaṁ pītanibhāsaṁ.
They’re like a champak flower that’s yellow, with yellow color, yellow hue, and yellow tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, yellow, with yellow color, yellow hue, and yellow tint.
Seyyathāpi nāma bandhujīvakapupphaṁ lohitakaṁ lohitakavaṇṇaṁ lohitakanidassanaṁ lohitakanibhāsaṁ. Seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ lohitakaṁ lohitakavaṇṇaṁ lohitakanidassanaṁ lohitakanibhāsaṁ.
They’re like a scarlet mallow flower that’s red, with red color, red hue, and red tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, red, with red color, red hue, and red tint.
Seyyathāpi nāma osadhitārakā odātā odātavaṇṇā odātanidassanā odātanibhāsā. Seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ odātaṁ odātavaṇṇaṁ odātanidassanaṁ odātanibhāsaṁ.
They’re like the morning star that’s white, with white color, white hue, and white tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, white, with white color, white hue, and white tint.
Seyyathāpi, bhante, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhagavatā anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.
As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with good eyes can see what’s there, the Buddha has made the teaching clear in many ways.
Yañca, ānanda, rattiṁ tathāgato anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambujjhati, yañca rattiṁ anupādisesāya nibbānadhātuyā parinibbāyati.
The night when a Realized One understands the supreme perfect awakening; and the night he becomes fully extinguished in the element of extinguishment with nothing left over.
Yañca piṇḍapātaṁ paribhuñjitvā tathāgato anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambujjhati, yañca piṇḍapātaṁ paribhuñjitvā tathāgato anupādisesāya nibbānadhātuyā parinibbāyati.
The almsmeal after eating which a Realized One understands the supreme perfect awakening; and the almsmeal after eating which he becomes fully extinguished in the element of extinguishment with nothing left over.
“Yebhuyyena, ānanda, dasasu lokadhātūsu devatā sannipatitā tathāgataṁ dassanāya.
“Most of the deities from ten solar systems have gathered to see the Realized One.
‘Idha tathāgato anupādisesāya nibbānadhātuyā parinibbuto’ti, ānanda, saddhassa kulaputtassa dassanīyaṁ saṁvejanīyaṁ ṭhānaṁ.
Thinking: ‘Here the Realized One became fully extinguished in the element of extinguishment with nothing left over!’—that is an inspiring place.
‘idha tathāgato jāto’tipi, ‘idha tathāgato anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambuddho’tipi, ‘idha tathāgatena anuttaraṁ dhammacakkaṁ pavattitan’tipi, ‘idha tathāgato anupādisesāya nibbānadhātuyā parinibbuto’tipi.
‘Here the Realized One was born!’ and ‘Here the Realized One became awakened as a supreme fully awakened Buddha!’ and ‘Here the supreme Wheel of Dhamma was rolled forth by the Realized One!’ and ‘Here the Realized One became fully extinguished in the element of extinguishment with nothing left over!’
“yepi te, bhikkhave, ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, tesampi bhagavantānaṁ etapparamāyeva upaṭṭhākā ahesuṁ, seyyathāpi mayhaṁ ānando.
“The Buddhas of the past or the future have attendants who are no better than Ānanda is for me.
Yepi te, bhikkhave, bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, tesampi bhagavantānaṁ etapparamāyeva upaṭṭhākā bhavissanti, seyyathāpi mayhaṁ ānando.

Seyyathāpi, ānanda, devānaṁ āḷakamandā nāma rājadhānī iddhā ceva hoti phītā ca bahujanā ca ākiṇṇayakkhā ca subhikkhā ca;
It was just like Āḷakamandā, the royal capital of the gods, which is successful, prosperous, populous, full of spirits, with plenty of food.
Seyyathāpi, bhante, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhagavatā anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.
As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with good eyes can see what’s there, the Buddha has made the teaching clear in many ways.
Seyyathāpi nāma sappissa vā telassa vā jhāyamānassa neva chārikā paññāyati, na masi;
It’s like when ghee or oil blaze and burn, and neither ashes nor soot are found.
39. Sarīradhātuvibhajana
39. Distributing the Relics
40. Dhātuthūpapūjā
40. Venerating the Relics

Seyyathāpi nāma gaṅgodakaṁ yamunodakena saṁsandati sameti;
as the waters of the Ganges come together and converge with the waters of the Yamuna.
‘aṭṭhānaṁ kho etaṁ, mārisā, anavakāso, yaṁ ekissā lokadhātuyā dve arahanto sammāsambuddhā apubbaṁ acarimaṁ uppajjeyyuṁ, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.
‘It’s impossible, gentlemen, for two perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas to arise in the same solar system at the same time.
Seyyathāpi, bhante, so vaṇṇo viggaho mānusaṁ viggahaṁ atirocati;
as a golden statue outshines the human form.
Seyyathāpi, bhante, rājā khattiyo muddhāvasitto adhunābhisitto rajjena, uḷāraṁ so labhati vedapaṭilābhaṁ, uḷāraṁ so labhati somanassapaṭilābhaṁ;
like a king on the day of his coronation.
Seyyathāpi nāma gaṅgodakaṁ yamunodakena saṁsandati sameti;
dn19
Seyyathāpi, bhante, balavā puriso supaccatthate vā pallaṅke same vā bhūmibhāge pallaṅkena nisīdeyya;
like a strong man might sit cross-legged on a well-appointed couch or on level ground.
tadāsuṁ satta bhāradhāti.
these are the seven Bhāratas.
Atha kho, bho, brahmā sanaṅkumāro mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—brahmaloke antarahito mahāgovindassa brāhmaṇassa sammukhe pāturahosi.
And then Brahmā Sanaṅkumāra, knowing what the Great Steward was thinking, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, vanished from the Brahmā realm and reappeared in the Great Steward’s presence.

dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.
And most of the deities from ten solar systems had gathered to see the Buddha and the Saṅgha of mendicants.
dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.
dn20
Atha kho tā devatā seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—suddhāvāsesu devesu antarahitā bhagavato purato pāturahesuṁ.
Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, they vanished from the Pure Abodes and reappeared in front of the Buddha.
“yebhuyyena, bhikkhave, dasasu lokadhātūsu devatā sannipatitā honti, tathāgataṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.
“Mendicants, most of the deities from ten solar systems have gathered to see the Realized One and the mendicant Saṅgha.
Yepi te, bhikkhave, ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, tesampi bhagavantānaṁ etapparamāyeva devatā sannipatitā ahesuṁ seyyathāpi mayhaṁ etarahi.
The Buddhas of the past had, and the Buddhas of the future will have, gatherings of deities that are at most like the gathering for me now.
Yepi te, bhikkhave, bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, tesampi bhagavantānaṁ etapparamāyeva devatā sannipatitā bhavissanti seyyathāpi mayhaṁ etarahi.
dn20

seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—devesu tāvatiṁsesu antarahito magadhesu pācīnato rājagahassa ambasaṇḍā nāma brāhmaṇagāmo, tassuttarato vediyake pabbate paccuṭṭhāsi.
As easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from the heaven of the gods of the Thirty-Three and landed on Mount Vediyaka north of Ambasaṇḍā.
“Anekadhātu nānādhātu kho, devānaminda, loko.
“The world has many and diverse elements.
Tasmiṁ anekadhātunānādhātusmiṁ loke yaṁ yadeva sattā dhātuṁ abhinivisanti, taṁ tadeva thāmasā parāmāsā abhinivissa voharanti:
Whatever element sentient beings insist on in this world of many and diverse elements, they obstinately stick to it, insisting that:

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, dakkho bhamakāro vā bhamakārantevāsī vā dīghaṁ vā añchanto ‘dīghaṁ añchāmī’ti pajānāti, rassaṁ vā añchanto ‘rassaṁ añchāmī’ti pajānāti;
It’s like a deft carpenter or carpenter’s apprentice. When making a deep cut they know: ‘I’m making a deep cut,’ and when making a shallow cut they know: ‘I’m making a shallow cut.’
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ubhatomukhā putoḷi pūrā nānāvihitassa dhaññassa, seyyathidaṁ—sālīnaṁ vīhīnaṁ muggānaṁ māsānaṁ tilānaṁ taṇḍulānaṁ. Tamenaṁ cakkhumā puriso muñcitvā paccavekkheyya: ‘ime sālī, ime vīhī ime muggā ime māsā ime tilā ime taṇḍulā’ti.
It’s as if there were a bag with openings at both ends, filled with various kinds of grains, such as fine rice, wheat, mung beans, peas, sesame, and ordinary rice. And someone with good eyesight were to open it and examine the contents: ‘These grains are fine rice, these are wheat, these are mung beans, these are peas, these are sesame, and these are ordinary rice.’
1.5. Kāyānupassanādhātumanasikārapabba
1.5. Focusing on the Elements
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ yathāṭhitaṁ yathāpaṇihitaṁ dhātuso paccavekkhati:
Furthermore, a mendicant examines their own body, whatever its placement or posture, according to the elements:
‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti.
‘In this body there is the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element.’
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā catumahāpathe bilaso vibhajitvā nisinno assa;
It’s as if a deft butcher or butcher’s apprentice were to kill a cow and sit down at the crossroads with the meat cut into portions.
evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ yathāṭhitaṁ yathāpaṇihitaṁ dhātuso paccavekkhati:
dn22
‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti.
dn22
Dhātumanasikārapabbaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.
dn22
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ ekāhamataṁ vā dvīhamataṁ vā tīhamataṁ vā uddhumātakaṁ vinīlakaṁ vipubbakajātaṁ.
Furthermore, suppose a mendicant were to see a corpse discarded in a charnel ground. And it had been dead for one, two, or three days, bloated, livid, and festering.
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ kākehi vā khajjamānaṁ kulalehi vā khajjamānaṁ gijjhehi vā khajjamānaṁ kaṅkehi vā khajjamānaṁ sunakhehi vā khajjamānaṁ byagghehi vā khajjamānaṁ dīpīhi vā khajjamānaṁ siṅgālehi vā khajjamānaṁ vividhehi vā pāṇakajātehi khajjamānaṁ.
Furthermore, suppose they were to see a corpse discarded in a charnel ground being devoured by crows, hawks, vultures, herons, dogs, tigers, leopards, jackals, and many kinds of little creatures.
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ aṭṭhikasaṅkhalikaṁ samaṁsalohitaṁ nhārusambandhaṁ …pe…
Furthermore, suppose they were to see a corpse discarded in a charnel ground, a skeleton with flesh and blood, held together by sinews …
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ aṭṭhikāni setāni saṅkhavaṇṇapaṭibhāgāni …pe…
White bones, the color of shells …

Seyyathāpi, rājañña, puriso gūthakūpe sasīsakaṁ nimuggo assa.
Suppose there were a man sunk over his head in a sewer.
“Seyyathāpi, rājañña, jaccandho puriso na passeyya kaṇha—sukkāni rūpāni, na passeyya nīlakāni rūpāni, na passeyya pītakāni rūpāni, na passeyya lohitakāni rūpāni, na passeyya mañjiṭṭhakāni rūpāni, na passeyya samavisamaṁ, na passeyya tārakāni rūpāni, na passeyya candimasūriye.
“Chieftain, suppose there was a person blind from birth. They couldn’t see sights that are dark or bright, or blue, yellow, red, or magenta. They couldn’t see even and uneven ground, or the stars, or the moon and sun.
seyyathāpi sā brāhmaṇī bālā abyattā anayabyasanaṁ āpannā ayoniso dāyajjaṁ gavesantī.
just like that brahmin lady.
Seyyathāpi, rājañña, puriso divasaṁ santattaṁ ayoguḷaṁ ādittaṁ sampajjalitaṁ sajotibhūtaṁ tulāya tuleyya.
Suppose a person was to heat an iron ball all day until it was burning, blazing, and glowing, and then they weigh it with scales.
Evameva kho tvaṁ, rājañña, bālo abyatto anayabyasanaṁ āpajjissasi ayoniso paralokaṁ gavesanto, seyyathāpi so purimo satthavāho.
In the same way, chieftain, being foolish and incompetent, you will come to ruin seeking the other world irrationally, like the first caravan leader.
Yepi tava sotabbaṁ saddhātabbaṁ maññissanti, tepi anayabyasanaṁ āpajjissanti, seyyathāpi te satthikā.
And those who think you’re worth listening to and trusting will also come to ruin, like the drivers.
Seyyathāpi, bho kassapa, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā kassapena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.
As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with good eyes can see what’s there, Master Kassapa has made the teaching clear in many ways.
Seyyathāpi, rājañña, kassako bījanaṅgalaṁ ādāya vanaṁ paviseyya.
Suppose a farmer was to enter a wood taking seed and plough.
Seyyathāpi, rājañña, kassako bījanaṅgalaṁ ādāya vanaṁ paviseyya.
Suppose a farmer was to enter a wood taking seed and plough.

Seyyathāpi nāma gokāṇā pariyantacārinī antamantāneva sevati.
He’s just like the nilgai antelope, circling around and lurking on the periphery.
Assosi kho bhagavā dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya sandhānassa gahapatissa nigrodhena paribbājakena saddhiṁ imaṁ kathāsallāpaṁ.
With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, the Buddha heard this discussion between the householder Sandhāna and the wanderer Nigrodha.
seyyathāpi nāma gokāṇā pariyantacārinī antamantāneva sevati.
He’s just like the nilgai antelope, circling around and lurking on the periphery.
Seyyathāpi tvaṁ etarahi sācariyako.
like you do in your tradition these days?
Evaṁ su te bhagavanto araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni paṭisevanti appasaddāni appanigghosāni vijanavātāni manussarāhasseyyakāni paṭisallānasāruppāni, seyyathāpi bhagavā etarahī’”ti.
They said that the Buddhas of the past frequented remote lodgings in the wilderness, like the Buddha does these days.”

Seyyathāpi, bhante, rañño paccantimaṁ nagaraṁ daḷhuddhāpaṁ daḷhapākāratoraṇaṁ ekadvāraṁ.
Suppose there were a king’s frontier citadel with fortified embankments, ramparts, and arches, and a single gate.
ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ tirobhāvaṁ tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gacchati seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karoti seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchati seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamati seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parāmasati parimajjati; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti.
multiplying themselves and becoming one again; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful; controlling the body as far as the Brahmā realm.
“aṭṭhānametaṁ anavakāso yaṁ ekissā lokadhātuyā dve arahanto sammāsambuddhā apubbaṁ acarimaṁ uppajjeyyuṁ, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjatī”’ti.
“It’s impossible for two perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas to arise in the same solar system at the same time.”’

Seyyathāpi, āvuso, indakhīlo vā ayokhīlo vā gambhīranemo sunikhāto acalo asampavedhī;
Suppose there was a boundary pillar or an iron pillar with deep foundations, firmly embedded, imperturbable and unshakable.
Abhabbo, āvuso, khīṇāsavo bhikkhu sañcicca pāṇaṁ jīvitā voropetuṁ; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyituṁ; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu methunaṁ dhammaṁ paṭisevituṁ; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu sampajānamusā bhāsituṁ; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu sannidhikārakaṁ kāme paribhuñjituṁ, seyyathāpi pubbe āgārikabhūto; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu chandāgatiṁ gantuṁ; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu dosāgatiṁ gantuṁ; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu mohāgatiṁ gantuṁ; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu bhayāgatiṁ gantuṁ.
A mendicant with defilements ended can’t deliberately take the life of a living creature, take something with the intention to steal, have sex, tell a deliberate lie, or store up goods for their own enjoyment like they did as a lay person. And they can’t make decisions prejudiced by favoritism, hostility, stupidity, or cowardice.
Yañca, cunda, rattiṁ tathāgato anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambujjhati, yañca rattiṁ anupādisesāya nibbānadhātuyā parinibbāyati, yaṁ etasmiṁ antare bhāsati lapati niddisati. Sabbaṁ taṁ tatheva hoti no aññathā,
From the night when the Realized One understands the supreme perfect awakening until the night he becomes fully extinguished—in the element of extinguishment with nothing left over—everything he speaks, says, and expresses is real, not otherwise.

Atisītanti kammaṁ na karoti, atiuṇhanti kammaṁ na karoti, atisāyanti kammaṁ na karoti, atipātoti kammaṁ na karoti, atichātosmīti kammaṁ na karoti, atidhātosmīti kammaṁ na karoti.
You don’t get your work done because you think: ‘It’s too cold! It’s too hot. It’s too late! It’s too early! I’m too hungry! I’m too full!’
Seyyathāpi, bhante, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhagavatā anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.
As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with good eyes can see what’s there, the Buddha has made the teaching clear in many ways.

Dhātukusalatā ca manasikārakusalatā ca.
Skill in the elements and skill in attention.
Tisso akusaladhātuyo—
Three unskillful elements:
kāmadhātu, byāpādadhātu, vihiṁsādhātu.
sensuality, malice, and cruelty.
Tisso kusaladhātuyo—
Three skillful elements:
nekkhammadhātu, abyāpādadhātu, avihiṁsādhātu.
renunciation, good will, and harmlessness.
Aparāpi tisso dhātuyo—
Another three elements:
kāmadhātu, rūpadhātu, arūpadhātu.
sensuality, form, and formlessness.
Aparāpi tisso dhātuyo—
Another three elements:
rūpadhātu, arūpadhātu, nirodhadhātu.
form, formlessness, and cessation.
Aparāpi tisso dhātuyo—
Another three elements:
hīnadhātu, majjhimadhātu, paṇītadhātu.
lower, middle, and higher.
santāvuso sattā paccupaṭṭhitakāmā, te paccupaṭṭhitesu kāmesu vasaṁ vattenti, seyyathāpi manussā ekacce ca devā ekacce ca vinipātikā.
There are sentient beings who desire what is present. They fall under the sway of presently arisen sensual pleasures. Namely, humans, some gods, and some beings in the underworld.
Santāvuso, sattā nimmitakāmā, te nimminitvā nimminitvā kāmesu vasaṁ vattenti, seyyathāpi devā nimmānaratī.
There are sentient beings who desire to create. Having repeatedly created, they fall under the sway of sensual pleasures. Namely, the Gods Who Love to Create.
Santāvuso sattā paranimmitakāmā, te paranimmitesu kāmesu vasaṁ vattenti, seyyathāpi devā paranimmitavasavattī.
There are sentient beings who desire what is created by others. They fall under the sway of sensual pleasures created by others. Namely, the Gods Who Control the Creations of Others.
santāvuso sattā uppādetvā uppādetvā sukhaṁ viharanti, seyyathāpi devā brahmakāyikā.
There are sentient beings who, having repeatedly given rise to it, dwell in pleasure. Namely, the gods of Brahmā’s Host.
‘aho sukhaṁ, aho sukhan’ti, seyyathāpi devā ābhassarā.
‘Oh, what bliss! Oh, what bliss!’ Namely, the gods of streaming radiance.
Te santaṁyeva tusitā sukhaṁ paṭisaṁvedenti, seyyathāpi devā subhakiṇhā.
Since they’re truly content, they experience pleasure. Namely, the gods replete with glory.
Catasso dhātuyo—
Four elements:
pathavīdhātu, āpodhātu, tejodhātu, vāyodhātu.
earth, water, fire, and air.
Abhabbo, āvuso, khīṇāsavo bhikkhu sañcicca pāṇaṁ jīvitā voropetuṁ. Abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyituṁ. Abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu methunaṁ dhammaṁ paṭisevituṁ. Abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu sampajānamusā bhāsituṁ. Abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu sannidhikārakaṁ kāme paribhuñjituṁ, seyyathāpi pubbe āgārikabhūto.
A mendicant with defilements ended can’t deliberately take the life of a living creature, take something with the intention to steal, have sex, tell a deliberate lie, or store up goods for their own enjoyment like they did as a lay person.
Pañca nissaraṇiyā dhātuyo.
Five elements of escape:
Cha dhātuyo—
Six elements:
pathavīdhātu, āpodhātu, tejodhātu, vāyodhātu, ākāsadhātu, viññāṇadhātu.
earth, water, fire, air, space, and consciousness.
Cha nissaraṇiyā dhātuyo.
Six elements of escape:
Santāvuso, sattā nānattakāyā nānattasaññino, seyyathāpi manussā ekacce ca devā ekacce ca vinipātikā.
There are sentient beings that are diverse in body and diverse in perception, such as human beings, some gods, and some beings in the underworld.
Santāvuso, sattā nānattakāyā ekattasaññino seyyathāpi devā brahmakāyikā paṭhamābhinibbattā.
There are sentient beings that are diverse in body and unified in perception, such as the gods reborn in Brahmā’s Host through the first absorption.
Santāvuso, sattā ekattakāyā nānattasaññino seyyathāpi devā ābhassarā.
There are sentient beings that are unified in body and diverse in perception, such as the gods of streaming radiance.
Santāvuso, sattā ekattakāyā ekattasaññino seyyathāpi devā subhakiṇhā.
There are sentient beings that are unified in body and unified in perception, such as the gods replete with glory.
Seyyathāpi nāma umāpupphaṁ nīlaṁ nīlavaṇṇaṁ nīlanidassanaṁ nīlanibhāsaṁ, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ nīlaṁ nīlavaṇṇaṁ nīlanidassanaṁ nīlanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like a flax flower that’s blue, with blue color, blue hue, and blue tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, blue, with blue color, blue hue, and blue tint.
Seyyathāpi nāma kaṇikārapupphaṁ pītaṁ pītavaṇṇaṁ pītanidassanaṁ pītanibhāsaṁ, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ pītaṁ pītavaṇṇaṁ pītanidassanaṁ pītanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like a champak flower that’s yellow, with yellow color, yellow hue, and yellow tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, yellow, with yellow color, yellow hue, and yellow tint.
Seyyathāpi nāma bandhujīvakapupphaṁ lohitakaṁ lohitakavaṇṇaṁ lohitakanidassanaṁ lohitakanibhāsaṁ, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ lohitakaṁ lohitakavaṇṇaṁ lohitakanidassanaṁ lohitakanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like a scarlet mallow flower that’s red, with red color, red hue, and red tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, red, with red color, red hue, and red tint.
Seyyathāpi nāma osadhitārakā odātā odātavaṇṇā odātanidassanā odātanibhāsā, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ odātaṁ odātavaṇṇaṁ odātanidassanaṁ odātanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like the morning star that’s white, with white color, white hue, and white tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, white, with white color, white hue, and white tint.
Santāvuso, sattā nānattakāyā nānattasaññino, seyyathāpi manussā ekacce ca devā ekacce ca vinipātikā.
There are sentient beings that are diverse in body and diverse in perception, such as human beings, some gods, and some beings in the underworld.
Santāvuso, sattā nānattakāyā ekattasaññino, seyyathāpi devā brahmakāyikā paṭhamābhinibbattā.
There are sentient beings that are diverse in body and unified in perception, such as the gods reborn in Brahmā’s Host through the first absorption.
Santāvuso, sattā ekattakāyā nānattasaññino, seyyathāpi devā ābhassarā.
There are sentient beings that are unified in body and diverse in perception, such as the gods of streaming radiance.
Santāvuso, sattā ekattakāyā ekattasaññino, seyyathāpi devā subhakiṇhā.
There are sentient beings that are unified in body and unified in perception, such as the gods replete with glory.
Santāvuso, sattā asaññino appaṭisaṁvedino, seyyathāpi devā asaññasattā.
There are sentient beings that are non-percipient and do not experience anything, such as the gods who are non-percipient beings.
Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu bahussuto hoti sutadharo sutasannicayo. Ye te dhammā ādikalyāṇā majjhekalyāṇā pariyosānakalyāṇā sātthā sabyañjanā kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ abhivadanti, tathārūpāssa dhammā bahussutā honti dhātā vacasā paricitā manasānupekkhitā diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā.
Furthermore, a mendicant is very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, reinforcing them by recitation, mentally scrutinizing them, and comprehending them theoretically.
Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu yāni tāni sabrahmacārīnaṁ uccāvacāni kiṅkaraṇīyāni, tattha dakkho hoti analaso tatrupāyāya vīmaṁsāya samannāgato, alaṁ kātuṁ alaṁ saṁvidhātuṁ.
Furthermore, a mendicant is deft and tireless in a diverse spectrum of duties for their spiritual companions, understanding how to go about things in order to complete and organize the work.
Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu yāni tāni sabrahmacārīnaṁ …pe… alaṁ saṁvidhātuṁ.
dn33

Dve dhātuyo—
Two elements:
saṅkhatā ca dhātu asaṅkhatā ca dhātu.
the conditioned element and the unconditioned element.
Tisso nissaraṇiyā dhātuyo—
Three elements of escape.
Tisso dhātuyo—
Three elements:
kāmadhātu, rūpadhātu, arūpadhātu.
sensuality, form, and formlessness.
Pañca nissaraṇiyā dhātuyo—
Five elements of escape.
Cha nissaraṇiyā dhātuyo—
Six elements of escape.
idhāvuso, bhikkhu anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gacchati seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karoti seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchati seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamati seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parāmasati parimajjati; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti.
A mendicant wields the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again; appearing and disappearing; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful; controlling the body as far as the Brahmā realm.
Dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇāti dibbe ca mānuse ca, ye dūre santike ca.
With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, they hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.
santāvuso, sattā nānattakāyā nānattasaññino, seyyathāpi manussā ekacce ca devā ekacce ca vinipātikā.
There are sentient beings that are diverse in body and diverse in perception, such as human beings, some gods, and some beings in the underworld.
Santāvuso, sattā nānattakāyā ekattasaññino, seyyathāpi devā brahmakāyikā paṭhamābhinibbattā.
There are sentient beings that are diverse in body and unified in perception, such as the gods reborn in Brahmā’s Host through the first absorption.
Santāvuso, sattā ekattakāyā nānattasaññino, seyyathāpi devā ābhassarā.
There are sentient beings that are unified in body and diverse in perception, such as the gods of streaming radiance.
Santāvuso, sattā ekattakāyā ekattasaññino, seyyathāpi devā subhakiṇhā.
There are sentient beings that are unified in body and unified in perception, such as the gods replete with glory.
Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu bahussuto hoti sutadharo sutasannicayo. Ye te dhammā ādikalyāṇā majjhekalyāṇā pariyosānakalyāṇā sātthā sabyañjanā kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ abhivadanti, tathārūpāssa dhammā bahussutā honti dhātā vacasā paricitā manasānupekkhitā diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā.
Furthermore, a mendicant is very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, reinforcing them by recitation, mentally scrutinizing them, and comprehending them theoretically.
Seyyathāpi nāma umāpupphaṁ nīlaṁ nīlavaṇṇaṁ nīlanidassanaṁ nīlanibhāsaṁ, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ nīlaṁ nīlavaṇṇaṁ nīlanidassanaṁ nīlanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like a flax flower that’s blue, with blue color, blue hue, and blue tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, blue, with blue color, blue hue, and blue tint.
Seyyathāpi nāma kaṇikārapupphaṁ pītaṁ pītavaṇṇaṁ pītanidassanaṁ pītanibhāsaṁ, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ pītaṁ pītavaṇṇaṁ pītanidassanaṁ pītanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like a champak flower that’s yellow, with yellow color, yellow hue, and yellow tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, yellow, with yellow color, yellow hue, and yellow tint.
Seyyathāpi nāma bandhujīvakapupphaṁ lohitakaṁ lohitakavaṇṇaṁ lohitakanidassanaṁ lohitakanibhāsaṁ, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ lohitakaṁ lohitakavaṇṇaṁ lohitakanidassanaṁ lohitakanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like a scarlet mallow flower that’s red, with red color, red hue, and red tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, red, with red color, red hue, and red tint.
Seyyathāpi nāma osadhitārakā odātā odātavaṇṇā odātanidassanā odātanibhāsā, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ odātaṁ odātavaṇṇaṁ odātanidassanaṁ odātanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like the morning star that’s white, with white color, white hue, and white tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, white, with white color, white hue, and white tint.
santāvuso, sattā nānattakāyā nānattasaññino, seyyathāpi manussā ekacce ca devā ekacce ca vinipātikā.
There are sentient beings that are diverse in body and diverse in perception, such as human beings, some gods, and some beings in the underworld.
Santāvuso, sattā nānattakāyā ekattasaññino, seyyathāpi devā brahmakāyikā paṭhamābhinibbattā.
There are sentient beings that are diverse in body and unified in perception, such as the gods reborn in Brahmā’s Host through the first absorption.
Santāvuso, sattā ekattakāyā nānattasaññino, seyyathāpi devā ābhassarā.
There are sentient beings that are unified in body and diverse in perception, such as the gods of streaming radiance.
Santāvuso, sattā ekattakāyā ekattasaññino, seyyathāpi devā subhakiṇhā.
There are sentient beings that are unified in body and unified in perception, such as the gods replete with glory.
Santāvuso, sattā asaññino appaṭisaṁvedino, seyyathāpi devā asaññasattā.
There are sentient beings that are non-percipient and do not experience anything, such as the gods who are non-percipient beings.
dhātunānattaṁ paṭicca uppajjati phassanānattaṁ, phassanānattaṁ paṭicca uppajjati vedanānānattaṁ, vedanānānattaṁ paṭicca uppajjati saññānānattaṁ, saññānānattaṁ paṭicca uppajjati saṅkappanānattaṁ, saṅkappanānattaṁ paṭicca uppajjati chandanānattaṁ, chandanānattaṁ paṭicca uppajjati pariḷāhanānattaṁ, pariḷāhanānattaṁ paṭicca uppajjati pariyesanānānattaṁ, pariyesanānānattaṁ paṭicca uppajjati lābhanānattaṁ (…).
Diversity of elements gives rise to diversity of contacts. Diversity of contacts gives rise to diversity of feelings. Diversity of feelings gives rise to diversity of perceptions. Diversity of perceptions gives rise to diversity of thoughts. Diversity of thoughts gives rise to diversity of desires. Diversity of desires gives rise to diversity of passions. Diversity of passions gives rise to diversity of searches. Diversity of searches gives rise to diversity of gains.
Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu yāni tāni sabrahmacārīnaṁ uccāvacāni kiṅkaraṇīyāni tattha dakkho hoti analaso tatrupāyāya vīmaṁsāya samannāgato, alaṁ kātuṁ, alaṁ saṁvidhātuṁ.
Furthermore, a mendicant is deft and tireless in a diverse spectrum of duties for their spiritual companions, understanding how to go about things in order to complete and organize the work.
Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu …pe… alaṁ saṁvidhātuṁ.
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Ākaṅkheyya ce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu: ‘anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhaveyyaṁ—ekopi hutvā bahudhā assaṁ, bahudhāpi hutvā eko assaṁ; āvibhāvaṁ tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gaccheyyaṁ, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ kareyyaṁ, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gaccheyyaṁ, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kameyyaṁ, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parāmaseyyaṁ parimajjeyyaṁ; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteyyan’ti, sīlesvevassa paripūrakārī …pe… brūhetā suññāgārānaṁ.
A mendicant might wish: ‘May I wield the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying myself and becoming one again; appearing and disappearing; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with my hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful; controlling the body as far as the Brahmā realm.’ So let them fulfill their precepts …
Ākaṅkheyya ce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu: ‘dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇeyyaṁ—dibbe ca mānuse ca ye dūre santike cā’ti, sīlesvevassa paripūrakārī …pe… brūhetā suññāgārānaṁ.
A mendicant might wish: ‘With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, may I hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.’ So let them fulfill their precepts …

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, dakkho bhamakāro vā bhamakārantevāsī vā dīghaṁ vā añchanto ‘dīghaṁ añchāmī’ti pajānāti, rassaṁ vā añchanto ‘rassaṁ añchāmī’ti pajānāti;
It’s like a deft carpenter or carpenter’s apprentice. When making a deep cut they know: ‘I’m making a deep cut,’ and when making a shallow cut they know: ‘I’m making a shallow cut.’
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ubhatomukhā putoḷi pūrā nānāvihitassa dhaññassa, seyyathidaṁ—sālīnaṁ vīhīnaṁ muggānaṁ māsānaṁ tilānaṁ taṇḍulānaṁ. Tamenaṁ cakkhumā puriso muñcitvā paccavekkheyya: ‘ime sālī ime vīhī ime muggā ime māsā ime tilā ime taṇḍulā’ti.
It’s as if there were a bag with openings at both ends, filled with various kinds of grains, such as fine rice, wheat, mung beans, peas, sesame, and ordinary rice. And someone with good eyesight were to open it and examine the contents: ‘These grains are fine rice, these are wheat, these are mung beans, these are peas, these are sesame, and these are ordinary rice.’
1.5. Kāyānupassanādhātumanasikārapabba
1.5. Focusing on the Elements
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ yathāṭhitaṁ yathāpaṇihitaṁ dhātuso paccavekkhati:
Furthermore, a mendicant examines their own body, whatever its placement or posture, according to the elements:
‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti.
‘In this body there is the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element.’
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā catumahāpathe bilaso vibhajitvā nisinno assa.
It’s as if a deft butcher or butcher’s apprentice were to kill a cow and sit down at the crossroads with the meat cut into portions.
Evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ yathāṭhitaṁ yathāpaṇihitaṁ dhātuso paccavekkhati:
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‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti.
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Dhātumanasikārapabbaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.
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Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ ekāhamataṁ vā dvīhamataṁ vā tīhamataṁ vā uddhumātakaṁ vinīlakaṁ vipubbakajātaṁ.
Furthermore, suppose a mendicant were to see a corpse discarded in a charnel ground. And it had been dead for one, two, or three days, bloated, livid, and festering.
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ kākehi vā khajjamānaṁ kulalehi vā khajjamānaṁ gijjhehi vā khajjamānaṁ kaṅkehi vā khajjamānaṁ sunakhehi vā khajjamānaṁ byagghehi vā khajjamānaṁ dīpīhi vā khajjamānaṁ siṅgālehi vā khajjamānaṁ vividhehi vā pāṇakajātehi khajjamānaṁ.
Furthermore, suppose they were to see a corpse discarded in a charnel ground being devoured by crows, hawks, vultures, herons, dogs, tigers, leopards, jackals, and many kinds of little creatures.
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ aṭṭhikasaṅkhalikaṁ samaṁsalohitaṁ nhārusambandhaṁ …pe…
Furthermore, suppose they were to see a corpse discarded in a charnel ground, a skeleton with flesh and blood, held together by sinews …
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ, aṭṭhikāni setāni saṅkhavaṇṇapaṭibhāgāni …pe…
White bones, the color of shells …

‘itipi so bhagavā anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ, tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gacchati, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karoti, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchati, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamati, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parimasati parimajjati; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vattetī’ti.
‘That Blessed One wields the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying himself and becoming one again; appearing and disappearing; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful; controlling the body as far as the Brahmā realm.’
‘itipi so bhagavā dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇāti—dibbe ca mānuse ca, ye dūre santike cā’ti.
‘That Blessed One, with clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, hears both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.’
Puna caparaṁ, sāriputta, tathāgato anekadhātunānādhātulokaṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.
Furthermore, the Realized One truly understands the world with its many and diverse elements.
Yampi, sāriputta, tathāgato anekadhātunānādhātulokaṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, idampi, sāriputta, tathāgatassa tathāgatabalaṁ hoti yaṁ balaṁ āgamma tathāgato āsabhaṁ ṭhānaṁ paṭijānāti, parisāsu sīhanādaṁ nadati, brahmacakkaṁ pavatteti.
Since he truly understands this, this is a power of the Realized One. …
Seyyathāpi, sāriputta, bhikkhu sīlasampanno samādhisampanno paññāsampanno diṭṭheva dhamme aññaṁ ārādheyya, evaṁ sampadamidaṁ, sāriputta, vadāmi.
Just as a mendicant accomplished in ethics, immersion, and wisdom would reach enlightenment in this very life, such is the consequence, I say.
Seyyathāpi, sāriputta, bhikkhu sīlasampanno samādhisampanno paññāsampanno diṭṭheva dhamme aññaṁ ārādheyya, evaṁ sampadamidaṁ, sāriputta, vadāmi.
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Seyyathāpi, sāriputta, bhikkhu sīlasampanno samādhisampanno paññāsampanno diṭṭheva dhamme aññaṁ ārādheyya, evaṁ sampadamidaṁ, sāriputta, vadāmi.
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Seyyathāpi, sāriputta, bhikkhu sīlasampanno samādhisampanno paññāsampanno diṭṭheva dhamme aññaṁ ārādheyya, evaṁ sampadamidaṁ, sāriputta, vadāmi.
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Seyyathāpi, sāriputta, aṅgārakāsu sādhikaporisā pūrā aṅgārānaṁ vītaccikānaṁ vītadhūmānaṁ.
Suppose there was a pit of glowing coals deeper than a man’s height, full of glowing coals that neither flamed nor smoked.
Seyyathāpi, sāriputta, gūthakūpo sādhikaporiso, pūro gūthassa.
Suppose there was a sewer deeper than a man’s height, full to the brim with feces.
Seyyathāpi, sāriputta, rukkho visame bhūmibhāge jāto tanupattapalāso kabaracchāyo.
Suppose there was a tree growing on rugged ground, with thin foliage casting dappled shade.
Seyyathāpi, sāriputta, rukkho same bhūmibhāge jāto bahalapattapalāso sandacchāyo.
Suppose there was a tree growing on smooth ground, with abundant foliage casting dense shade.
Seyyathāpi, sāriputta, pāsādo, tatrāssa kūṭāgāraṁ ullittāvalittaṁ nivātaṁ phusitaggaḷaṁ pihitavātapānaṁ.
Suppose there was a stilt longhouse with a peaked roof, plastered inside and out, draft-free, with latches fastened and windows shuttered.
Seyyathāpi, sāriputta, pokkharaṇī acchodakā sātodakā sītodakā setakā supatitthā ramaṇīyā.
Suppose there was a lotus pond with clear, sweet, cool water, clean, with smooth banks, delightful.
Seyyathāpi, sāriputta, bhikkhu sīlasampanno samādhisampanno paññāsampanno diṭṭheva dhamme aññaṁ ārādheyya; evaṁ sampadamidaṁ, sāriputta, vadāmi
Just as a mendicant accomplished in ethics, immersion, and wisdom would reach enlightenment in this very life, such is the consequence, I say.
Seyyathāpi, sāriputta, tindukakhāṇu nekavassagaṇiko sannicito hoti papaṭikajāto, evamevāssu me, sāriputta, nekavassagaṇikaṁ rajojallaṁ kāye sannicitaṁ hoti papaṭikajātaṁ.
It’s like the trunk of a pale-moon ebony tree, which builds up bark over many years until it starts flaking off.
Seyyathāpi, sāriputta, āraññako mago manusse disvā vanena vanaṁ gahanena gahanaṁ ninnena ninnaṁ thalena thalaṁ sampatati;
I fled like a wild deer seeing a human being.
Tadāpi etaparamoyeva kolo ahosi seyyathāpi etarahi.
The jujubes then were at most the same size as today.
Seyyathāpi nāma āsītikapabbāni vā kāḷapabbāni vā; evamevassu me aṅgapaccaṅgāni bhavanti tāyevappāhāratāya.
Due to eating so little, my limbs became like the joints of an eighty-year-old or a corpse,
Seyyathāpi nāma oṭṭhapadaṁ; evamevassu me ānisadaṁ hoti tāyevappāhāratāya.
my bottom became like a camel’s hoof,
Seyyathāpi nāma vaṭṭanāvaḷī; evamevassu me piṭṭhikaṇṭako unnatāvanato hoti tāyevappāhāratāya.
my vertebrae stuck out like beads on a string,
Seyyathāpi nāma jarasālāya gopānasiyo oluggaviluggā bhavanti; evamevassu me phāsuḷiyo oluggaviluggā bhavanti tāyevappāhāratāya.
and my ribs were as gaunt as the broken-down rafters on an old barn.
Seyyathāpi nāma gambhīre udapāne udakatārakā gambhīragatā okkhāyikā dissanti; evamevassu me akkhikūpesu akkhitārakā gambhīragatā okkhāyikā dissanti tāyevappāhāratāya.
Due to eating so little, the gleam of my eyes sank deep in their sockets, like the gleam of water sunk deep down a well.
Seyyathāpi nāma tittakālābu āmakacchinno vātātapena samphuṭito hoti sammilāto; evamevassu me sīsacchavi samphuṭitā hoti sammilātā tāyevappāhāratāya.
Due to eating so little, my scalp shriveled and withered like a green bitter-gourd in the wind and sun.
Tadāpi etaparamoyeva taṇḍulo ahosi, seyyathāpi etarahi.
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Seyyathāpi nāma āsītikapabbāni vā kāḷapabbāni vā; evamevassu me aṅgapaccaṅgāni bhavanti tāyevappāhāratāya.
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Seyyathāpi nāma oṭṭhapadaṁ; evamevassu me ānisadaṁ hoti tāyevappāhāratāya.
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Seyyathāpi nāma vaṭṭanāvaḷī; evamevassu me piṭṭhikaṇṭako unnatāvanato hoti tāyevappāhāratāya.
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Seyyathāpi nāma jarasālāya gopānasiyo oluggaviluggā bhavanti; evamevassu me phāsuḷiyo oluggaviluggā bhavanti tāyevappāhāratāya.
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Seyyathāpi nāma gambhīre udapāne udakatārakā gambhīragatā okkhāyikā dissanti; evamevassu me akkhikūpesu akkhitārakā gambhīragatā okkhāyikā dissanti tāyevappāhāratāya.
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Seyyathāpi nāma tittakālābu āmakacchinno vātātapena samphuṭito hoti sammilāto; evamevassu me sīsacchavi samphuṭitā hoti sammilātā tāyevappāhāratāya.
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Seyyathāpi, sāriputta, daḷhadhammā dhanuggaho sikkhito katahattho katūpāsano lahukena asanena appakasireneva tiriyaṁ tālacchāyaṁ atipāteyya,
Imagine how easily a well-trained expert archer with a strong bow would shoot a light arrow across the shadow of a palm tree.

“Seyyathāpi, bho, kusalo nāgavaniko nāgavanaṁ paviseyya.
“Suppose that a skilled elephant tracker were to enter an elephant wood.
“Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, nāgavaniko nāgavanaṁ paviseyya.
“Suppose that an elephant tracker were to enter an elephant wood.
Pisuṇaṁ vācaṁ pahāya pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, ito sutvā na amutra akkhātā imesaṁ bhedāya, amutra vā sutvā na imesaṁ akkhātā amūsaṁ bhedāya. Iti bhinnānaṁ vā sandhātā sahitānaṁ vā anuppadātā, samaggārāmo samaggarato samagganandī samaggakaraṇiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.
They give up divisive speech. They don’t repeat in one place what they heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, they reconcile those who are divided, supporting unity, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.
Seyyathāpi nāma pakkhī sakuṇo yena yeneva ḍeti sapattabhārova ḍeti;
They’re like a bird: wherever it flies, wings are its only burden.
Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā gotamena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.
As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with good eyes can see what’s there, Master Gotama has made the teaching clear in many ways.

“Seyyathāpi, āvuso, yāni kānici jaṅgalānaṁ pāṇānaṁ padajātāni sabbāni tāni hatthipade samodhānaṁ gacchanti, hatthipadaṁ tesaṁ aggamakkhāyati yadidaṁ mahantattena;
“The footprints of all creatures that walk can fit inside an elephant’s footprint, so an elephant’s footprint is said to be the biggest of them all.
Pathavīdhātu, āpodhātu, tejodhātu, vāyodhātu.
The elements of earth, water, fire, and air.
Katamā cāvuso, pathavīdhātu?
And what is the earth element?
Pathavīdhātu siyā ajjhattikā, siyā bāhirā.
The earth element may be interior or exterior.
Katamā cāvuso, ajjhattikā pathavīdhātu?
And what is the interior earth element?
Ayaṁ vuccatāvuso, ajjhattikā pathavīdhātu.
This is called the interior earth element.
Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā pathavīdhātu, yā ca bāhirā pathavīdhātu, pathavīdhāturevesā.
The interior earth element and the exterior earth element are just the earth element.
Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā pathavīdhātuyā nibbindati, pathavīdhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the earth element, detaching the mind from the earth element.
Hoti kho so, āvuso, samayo yaṁ bāhirā āpodhātu pakuppati.
There comes a time when the exterior water element flares up.
Antarahitā tasmiṁ samaye bāhirā pathavīdhātu hoti.
At that time the exterior earth element vanishes.
Tassā hi nāma, āvuso, bāhirāya pathavīdhātuyā tāva mahallikāya aniccatā paññāyissati, khayadhammatā paññāyissati, vayadhammatā paññāyissati, vipariṇāmadhammatā paññāyissati.
So for all its great age, the earth element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.
Tassa dhātārammaṇameva cittaṁ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati.
Based on that element alone, their mind becomes eager, confident, settled, and decided.
Seyyathāpi, āvuso, suṇisā sasuraṁ disvā saṁvijjati saṁvegaṁ āpajjati;
They’re like a daughter-in-law who stirs up a sense of urgency when they see their father-in-law.
Katamā cāvuso, āpodhātu?
And what is the water element?
Āpodhātu siyā ajjhattikā, siyā bāhirā.
The water element may be interior or exterior.
Katamā cāvuso, ajjhattikā āpodhātu?
And what is the interior water element?
ayaṁ vuccatāvuso, ajjhattikā āpodhātu.
This is called the interior water element.
Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā āpodhātu yā ca bāhirā āpodhātu, āpodhāturevesā.
The interior water element and the exterior water element are just the water element.
Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā āpodhātuyā nibbindati, āpodhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the water element, detaching the mind from the water element.
Hoti kho so, āvuso, samayo yaṁ bāhirā āpodhātu pakuppati.
There comes a time when the exterior water element flares up.
Tassā hi nāma, āvuso, bāhirāya āpodhātuyā tāva mahallikāya aniccatā paññāyissati, khayadhammatā paññāyissati, vayadhammatā paññāyissati, vipariṇāmadhammatā paññāyissati.
So for all its great age, the water element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.
Katamā cāvuso, tejodhātu?
And what is the fire element?
Tejodhātu siyā ajjhattikā, siyā bāhirā.
The fire element may be interior or exterior.
Katamā cāvuso, ajjhattikā tejodhātu?
And what is the interior fire element?
ayaṁ vuccatāvuso, ajjhattikā tejodhātu.
This is called the interior fire element.
Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā tejodhātu yā ca bāhirā tejodhātu, tejodhāturevesā.
The interior fire element and the exterior fire element are just the fire element.
Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā tejodhātuyā nibbindati, tejodhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the fire element, detaching the mind from the fire element.
Hoti kho so, āvuso, samayo yaṁ bāhirā tejodhātu pakuppati.
There comes a time when the exterior fire element flares up.
Tassā hi nāma, āvuso, bāhirāya tejodhātuyā tāva mahallikāya aniccatā paññāyissati, khayadhammatā paññāyissati, vayadhammatā paññāyissati, vipariṇāmadhammatā paññāyissati.
So for all its great age, the fire element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.
Katamā cāvuso, vāyodhātu?
And what is the air element?
Vāyodhātu siyā ajjhattikā, siyā bāhirā.
The air element may be interior or exterior.
Katamā cāvuso, ajjhattikā vāyodhātu?
And what is the interior air element?
ayaṁ vuccatāvuso, ajjhattikā vāyodhātu.
This is called the interior air element.
Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā vāyodhātu, yā ca bāhirā vāyodhātu, vāyodhāturevesā.
The interior air element and the exterior air element are just the air element.
Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā vāyodhātuyā nibbindati vāyodhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you reject the air element, detaching the mind from the air element.
Hoti kho so, āvuso, samayo yaṁ bāhirā vāyodhātu pakuppati.
There comes a time when the exterior air element flares up.
Tassā hi nāma, āvuso, bāhirāya vāyodhātuyā tāva mahallikāya aniccatā paññāyissati, khayadhammatā paññāyissati, vayadhammatā paññāyissati, vipariṇāmadhammatā paññāyissati.
So for all its great age, the air element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.
Tassa dhātārammaṇameva cittaṁ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati.
Based on that element alone, their mind becomes eager, confident, settled, and decided.
Seyyathāpi, āvuso, suṇisā sasuraṁ disvā saṁvijjati saṁvegaṁ āpajjati;
They’re like a daughter-in-law who stirs up a sense of urgency when they see their father-in-law.
Seyyathāpi, āvuso, kaṭṭhañca paṭicca valliñca paṭicca tiṇañca paṭicca mattikañca paṭicca ākāso parivārito agārantveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati;
When a space is enclosed by sticks, creepers, grass, and mud it becomes known as a ‘building’.

“Idhāvuso sāriputta, bhikkhu bahussuto hoti sutadharo sutasannicayo. Ye te dhammā ādikalyāṇā majjhekalyāṇā pariyosānakalyāṇā sātthā sabyañjanā; kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ abhivadanti, tathārūpāssa dhammā bahussutā honti, dhātā, vacasā paricitā, manasānupekkhitā, diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā.
“Reverend Sāriputta, it’s a mendicant who is very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, reinforcing them by recitation, mentally scrutinizing them, and comprehending them theoretically.
Seyyathāpi, āvuso sāriputta, cakkhumā puriso uparipāsādavaragato sahassaṁ nemimaṇḍalānaṁ volokeyya;
just as a person with good sight could survey a thousand wheel rims from the upper floor of a stilt longhouse.
Seyyathāpi, āvuso moggallāna, rañño vā rājamahāmattassa vā nānārattānaṁ dussānaṁ dussakaraṇḍako pūro assa.
Suppose that a ruler or their minister had a chest full of garments of different colors.
Ānando hi, sāriputta, bahussuto sutadharo sutasannicayo. Ye te dhammā ādikalyāṇā majjhekalyāṇā pariyosānakalyāṇā sātthā sabyañjanā; kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ abhivadanti, tathārūpāssa dhammā bahussutā honti, dhātā, vacasā paricitā, manasānupekkhitā, diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā.
For Ānanda is very learned …”
Seyyathāpi, āvuso sāriputta, cakkhumā puriso …pe…
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Seyyathāpi, āvuso moggallāna, rañño vā rājamahāmattassa vā nānārattānaṁ dussānaṁ dussakaraṇḍako pūro assa.
mn32

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, yaṁ yadeva paccayaṁ paṭicca aggi jalati tena teneva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati.
It’s like fire, which is reckoned according to the specific conditions dependent upon which it burns.
Pisuṇaṁ vācaṁ pahāya pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti—ito sutvā na amutra akkhātā imesaṁ bhedāya, amutra vā sutvā na imesaṁ akkhātā amūsaṁ bhedāya. Iti bhinnānaṁ vā sandhātā, sahitānaṁ vā anuppadātā samaggārāmo samaggarato samagganandī, samaggakaraṇiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.
They give up divisive speech. They don’t repeat in one place what they heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, they reconcile those who are divided, supporting unity, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.
Seyyathāpi nāma pakkhī sakuṇo yena yeneva ḍeti sapattabhārova ḍeti;
They’re like a bird: wherever it flies, wings are its only burden.

Pisuṇaṁ vācaṁ pahāya pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, ito sutvā na amutra akkhātā imesaṁ bhedāya, amutra vā sutvā na imesaṁ akkhātā amūsaṁ bhedāya. Iti bhinnānaṁ vā sandhātā, sahitānaṁ vā anuppadātā, samaggārāmo samaggarato samagganandī samaggakaraṇiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.
They give up divisive speech. They don’t repeat in one place what they heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, they reconcile those who are divided, supporting unity, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.
Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā gotamena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.
As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with good eyes can see what’s there, Master Gotama has made the teaching clear in many ways.

Seyyathāpi, āvuso, telappadīpassa jhāyato acciṁ paṭicca ābhā paññāyati, ābhaṁ paṭicca acci paññāyati;
Suppose there was an oil lamp burning. The light appears dependent on the flame, and the flame appears dependent on the light.
sabbanimittānañca amanasikāro, animittāya ca dhātuyā manasikāro.
not focusing on any signs, and focusing on the signless.
sabbanimittānañca amanasikāro, animittāya ca dhātuyā manasikāro, pubbe ca abhisaṅkhāro.
not focusing on any signs, focusing on the signless, and a previous determination.
sabbanimittānañca manasikāro, animittāya ca dhātuyā amanasikāro.
focusing on all signs, and not focusing on the signless.

seyyathāpi etarahi bhotā gotamena sammā bhikkhusaṅgho paṭipādito.
like Master Gotama does in the present.”
seyyathāpi etarahi bhotā gotamena sammā bhikkhusaṅgho paṭipādito”ti.
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seyyathāpi etarahi mayā sammā bhikkhusaṅgho paṭipādito.
like I do in the present.
seyyathāpi etarahi mayā sammā bhikkhusaṅgho paṭipādito.
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Pisuṇaṁ vācaṁ pahāya pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, ito sutvā na amutra akkhātā imesaṁ bhedāya, amutra vā sutvā na imesaṁ akkhātā amūsaṁ bhedāya—iti bhinnānaṁ vā sandhātā sahitānaṁ vā anuppadātā samaggārāmo samaggarato samagganandī samaggakaraṇiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.
They give up divisive speech. They don’t repeat in one place what they heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, they reconcile those who are divided, supporting unity, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.
Seyyathāpi nāma pakkhī sakuṇo yena yeneva ḍeti, sapattabhārova ḍeti;
They’re like a bird: wherever it flies, wings are its only burden.

Bahussuto hoti sutadharo sutasannicayo. Ye te dhammā ādikalyāṇā majjhekalyāṇā pariyosānakalyāṇā sātthā sabyañjanā kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ abhivadanti tathārūpāssa dhammā bahussutā honti dhātā vacasā paricitā manasānupekkhitā diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā.
They’re very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, reinforcing them by recitation, mentally scrutinizing them, and comprehending them theoretically.
Seyyathāpi, mahānāma, kukkuṭiyā aṇḍāni aṭṭha vā dasa vā dvādasa vā tānāssu kukkuṭiyā sammā adhisayitāni sammā pariseditāni sammā paribhāvitāni, kiñcāpi tassā kukkuṭiyā na evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya:
Suppose there was a chicken with eight or ten or twelve eggs. And she properly sat on them to keep them warm and incubated. Even if that chicken doesn’t wish,

Seyyathāpi nāma purisassa ayosiṅghāṭakaṁ kaṇṭhe vilaggaṁ, so neva sakkuṇeyya uggilituṁ na sakkuṇeyya ogilituṁ;
He’ll be like a man with an iron cross stuck in his throat, unable to either spit it out or swallow it down.”
Seyyathāpi nāma purisassa ayosiṅghāṭakaṁ kaṇṭhe vilaggaṁ, so neva sakkuṇeyya uggilituṁ na sakkuṇeyya ogilituṁ;
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sacāyaṁ kumāro tuyhaṁ vā pamādamanvāya dhātiyā vā pamādamanvāya kaṭṭhaṁ vā kaṭhalaṁ vā mukhe āhareyya, kinti naṁ kareyyāsī”ti?
If—because of your negligence or his nurse’s negligence—your boy were to put a stick or stone in his mouth, what would you do to him?”
Sā hi, rājakumāra, tathāgatassa dhammadhātu suppaṭividdhā yassā dhammadhātuyā suppaṭividdhattā ṭhānasovetaṁ tathāgataṁ paṭibhātī”ti.
Because the Realized One has clearly comprehended the principle of the teachings, so that the answer just appears to him on the spot.”

ayaṁ vuccati, rāhula, ajjhattikā pathavīdhātu.
This is called the interior earth element.
Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā pathavīdhātu yā ca bāhirā pathavīdhātu, pathavīdhāturevesā.
The interior earth element and the exterior earth element are just the earth element.
Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā pathavīdhātuyā nibbindati, pathavīdhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you reject the earth element, detaching the mind from the earth element.
Katamā ca, rāhula, āpodhātu?
And what is the water element?
Āpodhātu siyā ajjhattikā, siyā bāhirā.
The water element may be interior or exterior.
Katamā ca, rāhula, ajjhattikā āpodhātu?
And what is the interior water element?
ayaṁ vuccati, rāhula, ajjhattikā āpodhātu.
This is called the interior water element.
Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā āpodhātu yā ca bāhirā āpodhātu āpodhāturevesā.
The interior water element and the exterior water element are just the water element.
Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā āpodhātuyā nibbindati, āpodhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you reject the water element, detaching the mind from the water element.
Katamā ca, rāhula, tejodhātu?
And what is the fire element?
Tejodhātu siyā ajjhattikā, siyā bāhirā.
The fire element may be interior or exterior.
Katamā ca, rāhula, ajjhattikā tejodhātu?
And what is the interior fire element?
ayaṁ vuccati, rāhula, ajjhattikā tejodhātu.
This is called the interior fire element.
Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā tejodhātu yā ca bāhirā tejodhātu tejodhāturevesā.
The interior fire element and the exterior fire element are just the fire element.
Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā tejodhātuyā nibbindati, tejodhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you reject the fire element, detaching the mind from the fire element.
Katamā ca, rāhula, vāyodhātu?
And what is the air element?
Vāyodhātu siyā ajjhattikā, siyā bāhirā.
The air element may be interior or exterior.
Katamā ca, rāhula, ajjhattikā vāyodhātu?
And what is the interior air element?
ayaṁ vuccati, rāhula, ajjhattikā vāyodhātu.
This is called the interior air element.
Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā vāyodhātu yā ca bāhirā vāyodhātu vāyodhāturevesā.
The interior air element and the exterior air element are just the air element.
Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā vāyodhātuyā nibbindati, vāyodhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you reject the air element, detaching the mind from the air element.
Katamā ca, rāhula, ākāsadhātu?
And what is the space element?
Ākāsadhātu siyā ajjhattikā, siyā bāhirā.
The space element may be interior or exterior.
Katamā ca, rāhula, ajjhattikā ākāsadhātu?
And what is the interior space element?
ayaṁ vuccati, rāhula, ajjhattikā ākāsadhātu.
This is called the interior space element.
Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā ākāsadhātu yā ca bāhirā ākāsadhātu ākāsadhāturevesā.
The interior space element and the exterior space element are just the space element.
Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā ākāsadhātuyā cittaṁ nibbindati, ākāsadhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you reject the space element, detaching the mind from the space element.
Seyyathāpi, rāhula, pathaviyā sucimpi nikkhipanti, asucimpi nikkhipanti, gūthagatampi nikkhipanti, muttagatampi nikkhipanti, kheḷagatampi nikkhipanti, pubbagatampi nikkhipanti, lohitagatampi nikkhipanti, na ca tena pathavī aṭṭīyati vā harāyati vā jigucchati vā;
Suppose they were to toss both clean and unclean things on the earth, like feces, urine, spit, pus, and blood. The earth isn’t horrified, repelled, and disgusted because of this.
Seyyathāpi, rāhula, āpasmiṁ sucimpi dhovanti, asucimpi dhovanti, gūthagatampi dhovanti, muttagatampi dhovanti, kheḷagatampi dhovanti, pubbagatampi dhovanti, lohitagatampi dhovanti, na ca tena āpo aṭṭīyati vā harāyati vā jigucchati vā;
Suppose they were to wash both clean and unclean things in the water, like feces, urine, spit, pus, and blood. The water isn’t horrified, repelled, and disgusted because of this.
Seyyathāpi, rāhula, tejo sucimpi dahati, asucimpi dahati, gūthagatampi dahati, muttagatampi dahati, kheḷagatampi dahati, pubbagatampi dahati, lohitagatampi dahati, na ca tena tejo aṭṭīyati vā harāyati vā jigucchati vā;
Suppose a fire were to burn both clean and unclean things, like feces, urine, spit, pus, and blood. The fire isn’t horrified, repelled, and disgusted because of this.
Seyyathāpi, rāhula, vāyo sucimpi upavāyati, asucimpi upavāyati, gūthagatampi upavāyati, muttagatampi upavāyati, kheḷagatampi upavāyati, pubbagatampi upavāyati, lohitagatampi upavāyati, na ca tena vāyo aṭṭīyati vā harāyati vā jigucchati vā;
Suppose the wind were to blow on both clean and unclean things, like feces, urine, spit, pus, and blood. The wind isn’t horrified, repelled, and disgusted because of this.
Seyyathāpi, rāhula, ākāso na katthaci patiṭṭhito;
Just as space is not established anywhere,

Seyyathāpi, ānanda, mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato tacaṁ acchetvā phegguṁ acchetvā sāracchedo bhavissatīti—
Suppose there was a large tree standing with heartwood. It’s not possible to cut out the heartwood without having cut through the bark and the softwood.
Seyyathāpi, ānanda, mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato tacaṁ chetvā phegguṁ chetvā sāracchedo bhavissatīti—ṭhānametaṁ vijjati.
Suppose there was a large tree standing with heartwood. It is possible to cut out the heartwood after having cut through the bark and the softwood.
Seyyathāpi, ānanda, gaṅgā nadī pūrā udakassa samatittikā kākapeyyā.
Suppose the river Ganges was full to the brim so a crow could drink from it.
seyyathāpi so dubbalako puriso evamete daṭṭhabbā.
should be regarded as being like that feeble person.
Seyyathāpi, ānanda, gaṅgā nadī pūrā udakassa samatittikā kākapeyyā.
Suppose the river Ganges was full to the brim so a crow could drink from it.
seyyathāpi so balavā puriso evamete daṭṭhabbā.
should be regarded as being like that strong person.
So tehi dhammehi cittaṁ paṭivāpetvā amatāya dhātuyā cittaṁ upasaṁharati:
and apply it to the deathless element:

Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, gaṅgā nadī samuddaninnā samuddapoṇā samuddapabbhārā samuddaṁ āhacca tiṭṭhati, evamevāyaṁ bhoto gotamassa parisā sagahaṭṭhapabbajitā nibbānaninnā nibbānapoṇā nibbānapabbhārā nibbānaṁ āhacca tiṭṭhati.
Just as the Ganges river slants, slopes, and inclines towards the ocean, and keeps pushing into the ocean, in the same way Master Gotama’s assembly—with both laypeople and renunciates—slants, slopes, and inclines towards extinguishment, and keeps pushing into extinguishment.
Ime kho te, vaccha, dve dhammā uttari bhāvitā—samatho ca vipassanā ca—anekadhātupaṭivedhāya saṁvattissanti.
When you have further developed these two things, they’ll lead to the penetration of many elements.
‘anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhaveyyaṁ—ekopi hutvā bahudhā assaṁ, bahudhāpi hutvā eko assaṁ; āvibhāvaṁ, tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gaccheyyaṁ, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ kareyyaṁ, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gaccheyyaṁ, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kameyyaṁ, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parimaseyyaṁ, parimajjeyyaṁ; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteyyan’ti,
‘May I wield the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying myself and becoming one again; appearing and disappearing; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with my hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful; controlling my body as far as the Brahmā realm.’
‘dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇeyyaṁ—dibbe ca mānuse ca, ye dūre santike cā’ti, tatra tatreva sakkhibhabbataṁ pāpuṇissasi, sati satiāyatane.
‘With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, may I hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.’

Assosi kho bhagavā dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya bhāradvājagottassa brāhmaṇassa māgaṇḍiyena paribbājakena saddhiṁ imaṁ kathāsallāpaṁ.
With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, the Buddha heard this discussion between the brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan and the wanderer Māgaṇḍiya.
Seyyathāpi, māgaṇḍiya, gahapati vā gahapatiputto vā aḍḍho mahaddhano mahābhogo pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāreyya cakkhuviññeyyehi rūpehi …
Suppose there was a householder or a householder’s child who was rich, affluent, and wealthy. And they would amuse themselves, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation. That is, sights known by the eye …
Seyyathāpi, māgaṇḍiya, kuṭṭhī puriso arugatto pakkagatto kimīhi khajjamāno nakhehi vaṇamukhāni vippatacchamāno aṅgārakāsuyā kāyaṁ paritāpeyya.
Suppose there was a person affected by leprosy, with sores and blisters on their limbs. Being devoured by worms, scratching with their nails at the opening of their wounds, they’d cauterize their body over a pit of glowing coals.
Seyyathāpi, māgaṇḍiya, kuṭṭhī puriso arugatto pakkagatto kimīhi khajjamāno nakhehi vaṇamukhāni vippatacchamāno aṅgārakāsuyā kāyaṁ paritāpeyya.
Suppose there was a person affected by leprosy, with sores and blisters on their limbs. Being devoured by worms, scratching with their nails at the opening of their wounds, they’d cauterize their body over a pit of glowing coals.
Seyyathāpi, māgaṇḍiya, kuṭṭhī puriso arugatto pakkagatto kimīhi khajjamāno nakhehi vaṇamukhāni vippatacchamāno aṅgārakāsuyā kāyaṁ paritāpeti.
Suppose there was a person affected by leprosy, with sores and blisters on their limbs. Being devoured by worms, scratching with their nails at the opening of their wounds, they’re cauterizing their body over a pit of glowing coals.
“Seyyathāpi, māgaṇḍiya, jaccandho puriso;
“Māgaṇḍiya, suppose a person was born blind.
“Seyyathāpi, māgaṇḍiya, jaccandho puriso;
“Māgaṇḍiya, suppose a person was born blind.
“Seyyathāpi, māgaṇḍiya, jaccandho puriso;
“Māgaṇḍiya, suppose a person was born blind.
Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā gotamena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.
As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with good eyes can see what’s there, Master Gotama has made the teaching clear in many ways.

Cuddasa kho panimāni yonipamukhasatasahassāni saṭṭhi ca satāni cha ca satāni pañca ca kammuno satāni pañca ca kammāni tīṇi ca kammāni, kamme ca aḍḍhakamme ca, dvaṭṭhipaṭipadā, dvaṭṭhantarakappā, chaḷābhijātiyo, aṭṭha purisabhūmiyo, ekūnapaññāsa ājīvakasate, ekūnapaññāsa paribbājakasate, ekūnapaññāsa nāgāvāsasate, vīse indriyasate, tiṁse nirayasate, chattiṁsa rajodhātuyo, satta saññīgabbhā, satta asaññīgabbhā, satta nigaṇṭhigabbhā, satta devā, satta mānusā, satta pesācā, satta sarā, satta pavuṭā, satta papātā, satta papātasatāni, satta supinā, satta supinasatāni, cullāsīti mahākappino satasahassāni, yāni bāle ca paṇḍite ca sandhāvitvā saṁsaritvā dukkhassantaṁ karissanti.
There are 1.4 million main wombs, and 6,000, and 600. There are 500 deeds, and five, and three. There are deeds and half-deeds. There are 62 paths, 62 sub-eons, six classes of rebirth, and eight stages in a person’s life. There are 4,900 Ājīvaka ascetics, 4,900 wanderers, and 4,900 naked ascetics. There are 2,000 faculties, 3,000 hells, and 36 realms of dust. There are seven percipient embryos, seven non-percipient embryos, and seven embryos without attachments. There are seven gods, seven humans, and seven goblins. There are seven lakes, seven winds, seven cliffs, and 700 cliffs. There are seven dreams and 700 dreams. There are 8.4 million great eons through which the foolish and the astute transmigrate before making an end of suffering.
Seyyathāpi nāma suttaguḷe khitte nibbeṭhiyamānameva paleti;
It’s like how, when you toss a ball of string, it rolls away unraveling.
Cuddasa kho panimāni yonipamukhasatasahassāni saṭṭhi ca satāni cha ca satāni pañca ca kammuno satāni pañca ca kammāni tīṇi ca kammāni, kamme ca aḍḍhakamme ca, dvaṭṭhipaṭipadā, dvaṭṭhantarakappā, chaḷābhijātiyo, aṭṭha purisabhūmiyo, ekūnapaññāsa ājīvakasate, ekūnapaññāsa paribbājakasate, ekūnapaññāsa nāgāvāsasate, vīse indriyasate, tiṁse nirayasate, chattiṁsa rajodhātuyo, satta saññīgabbhā, satta asaññīgabbhā, satta nigaṇṭhigabbhā, satta devā, satta mānusā, satta pesācā, satta sarā, satta pavuṭā, satta papātā, satta papātasatāni, satta supinā, satta supinasatāni, cullāsīti mahākappino satasahassāni, yāni bāle ca paṇḍite ca sandhāvitvā saṁsaritvā dukkhassantaṁ karissanti.
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Seyyathāpi nāma suttaguḷe khitte nibbeṭhiyamānameva paleti;
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Abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu sañcicca pāṇaṁ jīvitā voropetuṁ, abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādātuṁ, abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu methunaṁ dhammaṁ paṭisevetuṁ, abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu sampajānamusā bhāsituṁ, abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu sannidhikārakaṁ kāme paribhuñjituṁ, seyyathāpi pubbe agāriyabhūto.
A mendicant with defilements ended can’t deliberately take the life of a living creature, take something with the intention to steal, have sex, tell a deliberate lie, or store up goods for their own enjoyment like they did as a lay person.
Seyyathāpi, sandaka, purisassa hatthapādā chinnā;
Suppose there was a person whose hands and feet had been amputated.

Seyyathāpi nāma puriso cātummahāpathe khuddamadhuṁ anelakaṁ pīḷeyya.
It’s like when there’s a person at the crossroads pressing out pure manuka honey,
Seyyathāpi nāma umāpupphaṁ nīlaṁ nīlavaṇṇaṁ nīlanidassanaṁ nīlanibhāsaṁ, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ nīlaṁ nīlavaṇṇaṁ nīlanidassanaṁ nīlanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like a flax flower that’s blue, with blue color, blue hue, and blue tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, blue, with blue color, blue hue, and blue tint.
Seyyathāpi nāma kaṇikārapupphaṁ pītaṁ pītavaṇṇaṁ pītanidassanaṁ pītanibhāsaṁ, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ pītaṁ pītavaṇṇaṁ pītanidassanaṁ pītanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like a champak flower that’s yellow, with yellow color, yellow hue, and yellow tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, yellow, with yellow color, yellow hue, and yellow tint.
Seyyathāpi nāma bandhujīvakapupphaṁ lohitakaṁ lohitakavaṇṇaṁ lohitakanidassanaṁ lohitakanibhāsaṁ, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ lohitakaṁ lohitakavaṇṇaṁ lohitakanidassanaṁ lohitakanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like a scarlet mallow flower that’s red, with red color, red hue, and red tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, red, with red color, red hue, and red tint.
Seyyathāpi nāma osadhitārakā odātā odātavaṇṇā odātanidassanā odātanibhāsā, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ odātaṁ odātavaṇṇaṁ odātanidassanaṁ odātanibhāsaṁ;
They’re like the morning star that’s white, with white color, white hue, and white tint. Or a cloth from Benares that’s smoothed on both sides, white, with white color, white hue, and white tint.
Seyyathāpi, udāyi, dakkho nhāpako vā nhāpakantevāsī vā kaṁsathāle nhānīyacuṇṇāni ākiritvā udakena paripphosakaṁ paripphosakaṁ sanneyya, sāyaṁ nhānīyapiṇḍi snehānugatā snehaparetā santarabāhirā phuṭā snehena na ca pagghariṇī;
It’s like when a deft bathroom attendant or their apprentice pours bath powder into a bronze dish, sprinkling it little by little with water. They knead it until the ball of bath powder is soaked and saturated with moisture, spread through inside and out; yet no moisture oozes out.
Seyyathāpi, udāyi, udakarahado gambhīro ubbhidodako. Tassa nevassa puratthimāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, na pacchimāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, na uttarāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, na dakkhiṇāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, devo ca na kālena kālaṁ sammā dhāraṁ anuppaveccheyya;
It’s like a deep lake fed by spring water. There’s no inlet to the east, west, north, or south, and no rainfall to replenish it from time to time.
Seyyathāpi, udāyi, uppaliniyaṁ vā paduminiyaṁ vā puṇḍarīkiniyaṁ vā appekaccāni uppalāni vā padumāni vā puṇḍarīkāni vā udake jātāni udake saṁvaḍḍhāni udakānuggatāni anto nimuggaposīni, tāni yāva caggā yāva ca mūlā sītena vārinā abhisannāni parisannāni paripūrāni paripphuṭāni, nāssa kiñci sabbāvataṁ, uppalānaṁ vā padumānaṁ vā puṇḍarīkānaṁ vā sītena vārinā apphuṭaṁ assa;
It’s like a pool with blue water lilies, or pink or white lotuses. Some of them sprout and grow in the water without rising above it, thriving underwater. From the tip to the root they’re drenched, steeped, filled, and soaked with cool water. There’s no part of them that’s not soaked with cool water.
Seyyathāpi, udāyi, puriso odātena vatthena sasīsaṁ pārupitvā nisinno assa, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa odātena vatthena apphuṭaṁ assa;
It’s like someone sitting wrapped from head to foot with white cloth. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread over with white cloth.
Seyyathāpi, udāyi, maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato accho vippasanno sabbākārasampanno;
Suppose there was a beryl gem that was naturally beautiful, eight-faceted, well-worked, transparent and clear, endowed with all good qualities.
Seyyathāpi, udāyi, puriso muñjamhā īsikaṁ pabbāheyya;
Suppose a person was to draw a reed out from its sheath.
Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhonti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā honti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ, tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamānā gacchanti, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karonti, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchanti, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamanti, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parimasanti parimajjanti, yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vattenti.
Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to wield the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again; appearing and disappearing; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful. They control the body as far as the Brahmā realm.
Seyyathāpi, udāyi, dakkho kumbhakāro vā kumbhakārantevāsī vā suparikammakatāya mattikāya yaṁ yadeva bhājanavikatiṁ ākaṅkheyya taṁ tadeva kareyya abhinipphādeyya;
Suppose a deft potter or their apprentice had some well-prepared clay. They could produce any kind of pot that they like.
Evameva kho, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhonti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā honti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ, tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamānā gacchanti, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karonti, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchanti, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamanti, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parimasanti parimajjanti, yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vattenti.
In the same way, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to wield the many kinds of psychic power …
Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇanti—dibbe ca mānuse ca, ye dūre santike ca.
Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use so that, with clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, they hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.
Seyyathāpi, udāyi, balavā saṅkhadhamo appakasireneva cātuddisā viññāpeyya;
Suppose there was a powerful horn blower. They’d easily make themselves heard in the four quarters.
evameva kho, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇanti—dibbe ca mānuse ca, ye dūre santike ca.
In the same way, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use so that, with clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, they hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.
Seyyathāpi, udāyi, itthī vā puriso vā daharo yuvā maṇḍanakajātiko ādāse vā parisuddhe pariyodāte acche vā udakapatte sakaṁ mukhanimittaṁ paccavekkhamāno sakaṇikaṁ vā ‘sakaṇikan’ti jāneyya, akaṇikaṁ vā ‘akaṇikan’ti jāneyya;
Suppose there was a woman or man who was young, youthful, and fond of adornments, and they check their own reflection in a clean bright mirror or a clear bowl of water. If they had a spot they’d know ‘I have a spot’, and if they had no spots they’d know ‘I have no spots’.
Seyyathāpi, udāyi, puriso sakamhā gāmā aññaṁ gāmaṁ gaccheyya, tamhāpi gāmā aññaṁ gāmaṁ gaccheyya; so tamhā gāmā sakaṁyeva gāmaṁ paccāgaccheyya; tassa evamassa: ‘ahaṁ kho sakamhā gāmā aññaṁ gāmaṁ agacchiṁ, tatra evaṁ aṭṭhāsiṁ evaṁ nisīdiṁ evaṁ abhāsiṁ evaṁ tuṇhī ahosiṁ; tamhāpi gāmā amuṁ gāmaṁ agacchiṁ, tatrāpi evaṁ aṭṭhāsiṁ evaṁ nisīdiṁ evaṁ abhāsiṁ evaṁ tuṇhī ahosiṁ, somhi tamhā gāmā sakaṁyeva gāmaṁ paccāgato’ti.
Suppose a person was to leave their home village and go to another village. From that village they’d go to yet another village. And from that village they’d return to their home village. They’d think: ‘I went from my home village to another village. There I stood like this, sat like that, spoke like this, or kept silent like that. From that village I went to yet another village. There too I stood like this, sat like that, spoke like this, or kept silent like that. And from that village I returned to my home village.’
Seyyathāpi, udāyi, dve agārā sadvārā. Tatra cakkhumā puriso majjhe ṭhito passeyya manusse gehaṁ pavisantepi nikkhamantepi anucaṅkamantepi anuvicarantepi;
Suppose there were two houses with doors. A person with good eyesight standing in between them would see people entering and leaving a house and wandering to and fro.
Seyyathāpi, udāyi, pabbatasaṅkhepe udakarahado accho vippasanno anāvilo, tattha cakkhumā puriso tīre ṭhito passeyya sippisambukampi sakkharakaṭhalampi macchagumbampi carantampi tiṭṭhantampi. Tassa evamassa: ‘ayaṁ kho udakarahado accho vippasanno anāvilo, tatrime sippisambukāpi sakkharakaṭhalāpi macchagumbāpi carantipi tiṭṭhantipī’ti.
Suppose there was a lake that was transparent, clear, and unclouded. A person with good eyesight standing on the bank would see the clams and mussels, and pebbles and gravel, and schools of fish swimming about or staying still. They’d think: ‘This lake is transparent, clear, and unclouded. And here are the clams and mussels, and pebbles and gravel, and schools of fish swimming about or staying still.’

Seyyathāpi, rājakumāra, allaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ sasnehaṁ udake nikkhittaṁ.
Suppose there was a green, sappy log, and it was lying in water.
Seyyathāpi, rājakumāra, allaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ sasnehaṁ ārakā udakā thale nikkhittaṁ.
Suppose there was a green, sappy log, and it was lying on dry land far from the water.
Seyyathāpi, rājakumāra, sukkhaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ koḷāpaṁ ārakā udakā thale nikkhittaṁ.
Suppose there was a dried up, withered log, and it was lying on dry land far from the water.
Seyyathāpi, rājakumāra, balavā puriso dubbalataraṁ purisaṁ sīse vā gahetvā khandhe vā gahetvā abhiniggaṇheyya abhinippīḷeyya abhisantāpeyya;
It was like when a strong man grabs a weaker man by the head or throat or shoulder and squeezes, squashes, and tortures them.
Seyyathāpi nāma kammāragaggariyā dhamamānāya adhimatto saddo hoti;
like the puffing of a blacksmith’s bellows.
Seyyathāpi, rājakumāra, balavā puriso tiṇhena sikharena muddhani abhimattheyya;
like a strong man was drilling into my head with a sharp point.
Seyyathāpi, rājakumāra, balavā puriso daḷhena varattakkhaṇḍena sīse sīsaveṭhaṁ dadeyya;
like a strong man was tightening a tough leather strap around my head.
Seyyathāpi, rājakumāra, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā tiṇhena govikantanena kucchiṁ parikanteyya;
like a deft butcher or their apprentice was slicing my belly open with a meat cleaver.
Seyyathāpi, rājakumāra, dve balavanto purisā dubbalataraṁ purisaṁ nānābāhāsu gahetvā aṅgārakāsuyā santāpeyyuṁ samparitāpeyyuṁ;
like two strong men grabbing a weaker man by the arms to burn and scorch him on a pit of glowing coals.
Seyyathāpi nāma āsītikapabbāni vā kāḷapabbāni vā; evamevassu me aṅgapaccaṅgāni bhavanti tāyevappāhāratāya.
Due to eating so little, my limbs became like the joints of an eighty-year-old or a corpse,
Seyyathāpi nāma oṭṭhapadaṁ; evamevassu me ānisadaṁ hoti tāyevappāhāratāya.
my bottom became like a camel’s hoof,
Seyyathāpi nāma vaṭṭanāvaḷī; evamevassu me piṭṭhikaṇṭako uṇṇatāvanato hoti tāyevappāhāratāya.
my vertebrae stuck out like beads on a string,
Seyyathāpi nāma jarasālāya gopānasiyo oluggaviluggā bhavanti; evamevassu me phāsuḷiyo oluggaviluggā bhavanti tāyevappāhāratāya.
and my ribs were as gaunt as the broken-down rafters on an old barn.
Seyyathāpi nāma gambhīre udapāne udakatārakā gambhīragatā okkhāyikā dissanti; evamevassu me akkhikūpesu akkhitārakā gambhīragatā okkhāyikā dissanti tāyevappāhāratāya.
Due to eating so little, the gleam of my eyes sank deep in their sockets, like the gleam of water sunk deep down a well.
Seyyathāpi nāma tittakālābu āmakacchinno vātātapena samphuṭito hoti sammilāto; evamevassu me sīsacchavi samphuṭitā hoti sammilātā tāyevappāhāratāya.
Due to eating so little, my scalp shriveled and withered like a green bitter-gourd in the wind and sun.
Atha kho, rājakumāra, brahmā sahampati—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—brahmaloke antarahito mama purato pāturahosi.
Then Brahmā Sahampati, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, vanished from the Brahmā realm and reappeared in front of me.
Seyyathāpi nāma uppaliniyaṁ vā paduminiyaṁ vā puṇḍarīkiniyaṁ vā appekaccāni uppalāni vā padumāni vā puṇḍarīkāni vā udake jātāni udake saṁvaḍḍhāni udakānuggatāni antonimuggaposīni, appekaccāni uppalāni vā padumāni vā puṇḍarīkāni vā udake jātāni udake saṁvaḍḍhāni udakānuggatāni samodakaṁ ṭhitāni, appekaccāni uppalāni vā padumāni vā puṇḍarīkāni vā udake jātāni udake saṁvaḍḍhāni udakā accuggamma ṭhitāni anupalittāni udakena;
It’s like a pool with blue water lilies, or pink or white lotuses. Some of them sprout and grow in the water without rising above it, thriving underwater. Some of them sprout and grow in the water reaching the water’s surface. And some of them sprout and grow in the water but rise up above the water and stand with no water clinging to them.
Atha kho maṁ dhāti aṅkena haritvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho maṁ dhāti bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
Then my nurse, carrying me on her hip, went to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him,

Pisuṇaṁ vācaṁ pahāya pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti; ito sutvā na amutra akkhātā imesaṁ bhedāya, amutra vā sutvā na imesaṁ akkhātā amūsaṁ bhedāya. Iti bhinnānaṁ vā sandhātā sahitānaṁ vā anuppadātā, samaggārāmo samaggarato samagganandī samaggakaraṇiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.
They give up divisive speech. They don’t repeat in one place what they heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, they reconcile those who are divided, supporting unity, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.
Seyyathāpi nāma pakkhī sakuṇo yena yeneva ḍeti sapattabhārova ḍeti;
They’re like a bird: wherever it flies, wings are its only burden.
Seyyathāpi, bho udena, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā udenena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.
As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with good eyes can see what’s there, Master Udena has made the teaching clear in many ways.

Seyyathāpi, āvuso nigaṇṭhā, puriso sallena viddho assa savisena gāḷhūpalepanena;
Suppose a man was struck by an arrow thickly smeared with poison,
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso itthiyā sāratto paṭibaddhacitto tibbacchando tibbāpekkho.
Suppose a man is in love with a woman, full of intense desire and lust.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, usukāro tejanaṁ dvīsu alātesu ātāpeti paritāpeti ujuṁ karoti kammaniyaṁ.
Suppose an arrowsmith was heating an arrow shaft between two firebrands, making it straight and fit for use.
Pisuṇaṁ vācaṁ pahāya pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti; ito sutvā na amutra akkhātā imesaṁ bhedāya, amutra vā sutvā na imesaṁ akkhātā amūsaṁ bhedāya—iti bhinnānaṁ vā sandhātā sahitānaṁ vā anuppadātā samaggārāmo samaggarato samagganandī samaggakaraṇiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.
They give up divisive speech. They don’t repeat in one place what they heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, they reconcile those who are divided, supporting unity, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.
Seyyathāpi nāma pakkhī sakuṇo yena yeneva ḍeti sapattabhārova ḍeti;
They’re like a bird: wherever it flies, wings are its only burden.

Ye te dhammā ādikalyāṇā, majjhekalyāṇā, pariyosānakalyāṇā, sātthaṁ, sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ abhivadanti tathārūpāssa dhammā bahussutā honti dhātā vacasā paricitā manasānupekkhitā diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā.
These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, reinforcing them by recitation, mentally scrutinizing them, and comprehending them theoretically.
Anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gacchati, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karoti, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchati, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamati, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parimasati parimajjati, yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti.
They wield the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again; appearing and disappearing; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful. They control the body as far as the Brahmā realm.
Dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇāti—dibbe ca mānuse ca, ye dūre santike ca.
With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, they hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.

‘Chayimā, āvuso, dhātuyo tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena sammadakkhātā.
‘Reverend, these six elements have been rightly explained by the Buddha.
Pathavīdhātu, āpodhātu, tejodhātu, vāyodhātu, ākāsadhātu, viññāṇadhātu—
The elements of earth, water, fire, air, space, and consciousness.
imā kho, āvuso, cha dhātuyo tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena sammadakkhātā.
These are the six elements that have been rightly explained by the Buddha.
Kathaṁ jānato panāyasmato, kathaṁ passato imāsu chasu dhātūsu anupādāya āsavehi cittaṁ vimuttan’ti?
How does the venerable know and see regarding these six elements so that your mind is freed from defilements by not grasping?’
‘pathavīdhātuṁ kho ahaṁ, āvuso, na attato upagacchiṁ, na ca pathavīdhātunissitaṁ attānaṁ.
‘Reverends, I’ve not taken the earth element as self, nor is there a self based on the earth element.
Ye ca pathavīdhātunissitā upāyūpādānā cetaso adhiṭṭhānābhinivesānusayā tesaṁ khayā virāgā nirodhā cāgā paṭinissaggā vimuttaṁ me cittanti pajānāmi.
And I understand that my mind is freed through the ending, fading away, cessation, giving away, and letting go of attraction, grasping, mental fixation, insistence, and underlying tendency based on the earth element.
Āpodhātuṁ kho ahaṁ, āvuso …pe…
I’ve not taken the water element …
tejodhātuṁ kho ahaṁ, āvuso …
fire element …
vāyodhātuṁ kho ahaṁ, āvuso …
air element …
ākāsadhātuṁ kho ahaṁ, āvuso …
space element …
viññāṇadhātuṁ kho ahaṁ, āvuso, na attato upagacchiṁ, na ca viññāṇadhātunissitaṁ attānaṁ.
consciousness element as self, nor is there a self based on the consciousness element.
Ye ca viññāṇadhātunissitā upāyūpādānā cetaso adhiṭṭhānābhinivesānusayā tesaṁ khayā virāgā nirodhā cāgā paṭinissaggā vimuttaṁ me cittanti pajānāmi.
And I understand that my mind is freed through the ending of attraction based on the consciousness element.
Evaṁ kho me, āvuso, jānato, evaṁ passato imāsu chasu dhātūsu anupādāya āsavehi cittaṁ vimuttan’ti.
That is how I know and see regarding these six elements so that my mind is freed from defilements by not grasping.’
Pisuṇaṁ vācaṁ pahāya pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato ahosiṁ, ito sutvā na amutra akkhātā imesaṁ bhedāya, amutra vā sutvā na imesaṁ akkhātā amūsaṁ bhedāya; iti bhinnānaṁ vā sandhātā sahitānaṁ vā anuppadātā samaggārāmo samaggarato samagganandī samaggakaraṇiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā ahosiṁ.
I gave up divisive speech. I didn’t repeat in one place what I heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, I reconciled those who are divided, supporting unity, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.
Seyyathāpi nāma pakkhī sakuṇo yena yeneva ḍeti sapattabhārova ḍeti;
Like a bird: wherever it flies, wings are its only burden.

Bahudhātukasutta
Many Elements
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, naḷāgārā vā tiṇāgārā vā aggi mutto kūṭāgārānipi dahati ullittāvalittāni nivātāni phusitaggaḷāni pihitavātapānāni;
It’s like a fire that spreads from a hut made of reeds or grass, and burns down even a bungalow, plastered inside and out, draft-free, with latches fastened and windows shuttered.
“Yato kho, ānanda, bhikkhu dhātukusalo ca hoti, āyatanakusalo ca hoti, paṭiccasamuppādakusalo ca hoti, ṭhānāṭhānakusalo ca hoti—
“Ānanda, it’s when a mendicant is skilled in the elements, in the sense fields, in dependent origination, and in the possible and the impossible.
“Kittāvatā pana, bhante, ‘dhātukusalo bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti?
“But sir, how is a mendicant qualified to be called ‘skilled in the elements’?”
“Aṭṭhārasa kho imā, ānanda, dhātuyo—
“There are, Ānanda, these eighteen elements:
cakkhudhātu, rūpadhātu, cakkhuviññāṇadhātu;
the elements of the eye, sights, and eye consciousness;
sotadhātu, saddadhātu, sotaviññāṇadhātu;
the ear, sounds, and ear consciousness;
ghānadhātu, gandhadhātu, ghānaviññāṇadhātu;
the nose, smells, and nose consciousness;
jivhādhātu, rasadhātu, jivhāviññāṇadhātu;
the tongue, tastes, and tongue consciousness;
kāyadhātu, phoṭṭhabbadhātu, kāyaviññāṇadhātu;
the body, touches, and body consciousness;
manodhātu, dhammadhātu, manoviññāṇadhātu.
the mind, thoughts, and mind consciousness.
Imā kho, ānanda, aṭṭhārasa dhātuyo yato jānāti passati—
When a mendicant knows and sees these eighteen elements,
ettāvatāpi kho, ānanda, ‘dhātukusalo bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti.
they’re qualified to be called ‘skilled in the elements’.”
“Siyā pana, bhante, aññopi pariyāyo, yathā ‘dhātukusalo bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti?
“But sir, could there be another way in which a mendicant is qualified to be called ‘skilled in the elements’?”
Chayimā, ānanda, dhātuyo—
There are these six elements:
pathavīdhātu, āpodhātu, tejodhātu, vāyodhātu, ākāsadhātu, viññāṇadhātu.
the elements of earth, water, fire, air, space, and consciousness.
Imā kho, ānanda, cha dhātuyo yato jānāti passati—
When a mendicant knows and sees these six elements,
ettāvatāpi kho, ānanda, ‘dhātukusalo bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti.
they’re qualified to be called ‘skilled in the elements’.”
“Siyā pana, bhante, aññopi pariyāyo, yathā ‘dhātukusalo bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti?
“But sir, could there be another way in which a mendicant is qualified to be called ‘skilled in the elements’?”
Chayimā, ānanda, dhātuyo—
There are these six elements:
sukhadhātu, dukkhadhātu, somanassadhātu, domanassadhātu, upekkhādhātu, avijjādhātu.
the elements of pleasure, pain, happiness, sadness, equanimity, and ignorance.
Imā kho, ānanda, cha dhātuyo yato jānāti passati—
When a mendicant knows and sees these six elements,
ettāvatāpi kho, ānanda, ‘dhātukusalo bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti.
they’re qualified to be called ‘skilled in the elements’.”
“Siyā pana, bhante, aññopi pariyāyo, yathā ‘dhātukusalo bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti?
“But sir, could there be another way in which a mendicant is qualified to be called ‘skilled in the elements’?”
Chayimā, ānanda, dhātuyo—
There are these six elements:
kāmadhātu, nekkhammadhātu, byāpādadhātu, abyāpādadhātu, vihiṁsādhātu, avihiṁsādhātu.
the elements of sensuality and renunciation, malice and good will, and cruelty and harmlessness.
Imā kho, ānanda, cha dhātuyo yato jānāti passati—
When a mendicant knows and sees these six elements,
ettāvatāpi kho, ānanda, ‘dhātukusalo bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti.
they’re qualified to be called ‘skilled in the elements’.”
“Siyā pana, bhante, aññopi pariyāyo, yathā ‘dhātukusalo bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti?
“But sir, could there be another way in which a mendicant is qualified to be called ‘skilled in the elements’?”
Tisso imā, ānanda, dhātuyo—
There are these three elements:
kāmadhātu, rūpadhātu, arūpadhātu.
the elements of the sensual realm, the realm of luminous form, and the formless realm.
Imā kho, ānanda, tisso dhātuyo yato jānāti passati—
When a mendicant knows and sees these three elements,
ettāvatāpi kho, ānanda, ‘dhātukusalo bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti.
they’re qualified to be called ‘skilled in the elements’.”
“Siyā pana, bhante, aññopi pariyāyo, yathā ‘dhātukusalo bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti?
“But sir, could there be another way in which a mendicant is qualified to be called ‘skilled in the elements’?”
Dve imā, ānanda, dhātuyo—
There are these two elements:
saṅkhatādhātu, asaṅkhatādhātu.
the conditioned element and the unconditioned element.
Imā kho, ānanda, dve dhātuyo yato jānāti passati—
When a mendicant knows and sees these two elements,
ettāvatāpi kho, ānanda, ‘dhātukusalo bhikkhū’ti alaṁvacanāyā”ti.
they’re qualified to be called ‘skilled in the elements’.”
‘Aṭṭhānametaṁ anavakāso yaṁ ekissā lokadhātuyā dve arahanto sammāsambuddhā apubbaṁ acarimaṁ uppajjeyyuṁ, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjatī’ti pajānāti;
They understand: ‘It’s impossible for two perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas to arise in the same solar system at the same time.
‘ṭhānañca kho etaṁ vijjati yaṁ ekissā lokadhātuyā eko arahaṁ sammāsambuddho uppajjeyya, ṭhānametaṁ vijjatī’ti pajānāti.
But it is possible for just one perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha, to arise in one solar system.’
‘Aṭṭhānametaṁ anavakāso yaṁ ekissā lokadhātuyā dve rājāno cakkavattino apubbaṁ acarimaṁ uppajjeyyuṁ, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjatī’ti pajānāti;
They understand: ‘It’s impossible for two wheel-turning monarchs to arise in the same solar system at the same time.
‘ṭhānañca kho etaṁ vijjati yaṁ ekissā lokadhātuyā eko rājā cakkavattī uppajjeyya, ṭhānametaṁ vijjatī’ti pajānāti.
But it is possible for just one wheel-turning monarch to arise in one solar system.’
“Tasmātiha tvaṁ, ānanda, imaṁ dhammapariyāyaṁ ‘bahudhātuko’tipi naṁ dhārehi, ‘catuparivaṭṭo’tipi naṁ dhārehi, ‘dhammādāso’tipi naṁ dhārehi, ‘amatadundubhī’tipi naṁ dhārehi, ‘anuttaro saṅgāmavijayo’tipi naṁ dhārehī”ti.
“In that case, Ānanda, you may remember this exposition of the teaching as ‘The Many Elements’, or else ‘The Four Cycles’, or else ‘The Mirror of the Teaching’, or else ‘The Drum of the Deathless’, or else ‘The Supreme Victory in Battle’.”
Bahudhātukasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ pañcamaṁ. "

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ubhatomukhā putoḷi pūrā nānāvihitassa dhaññassa, seyyathidaṁ—
It’s as if there were a bag with openings at both ends, filled with various kinds of grains, such as
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ yathāṭhitaṁ yathāpaṇihitaṁ dhātuso paccavekkhati:
Furthermore, a mendicant examines their own body, whatever its placement or posture, according to the elements:
‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti.
‘In this body there is the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element.’
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā catumahāpathe bilaso vibhajitvā nisinno assa;
It’s as if a deft butcher or butcher’s apprentice were to kill a cow and sit down at the crossroads with the meat cut into portions.
evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ yathāṭhitaṁ yathāpaṇihitaṁ dhātuso paccavekkhati:
In the same way, a mendicant examines their own body, whatever its placement or posture, according to the elements:
‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti.
‘In this body there is the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element.’
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ ekāhamataṁ vā dvīhamataṁ vā tīhamataṁ vā uddhumātakaṁ vinīlakaṁ vipubbakajātaṁ.
Furthermore, suppose a mendicant were to see a corpse discarded in a charnel ground. And it had been dead for one, two, or three days, bloated, livid, and festering.
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ kākehi vā khajjamānaṁ kulalehi vā khajjamānaṁ gijjhehi vā khajjamānaṁ kaṅkehi vā khajjamānaṁ sunakhehi vā khajjamānaṁ byagghehi vā khajjamānaṁ dīpīhi vā khajjamānaṁ siṅgālehi vā khajjamānaṁ vividhehi vā pāṇakajātehi khajjamānaṁ.
Or suppose they were to see a corpse discarded in a charnel ground being devoured by crows, hawks, vultures, herons, dogs, tigers, leopards, jackals, and many kinds of little creatures.
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ aṭṭhikasaṅkhalikaṁ samaṁsalohitaṁ nhārusambandhaṁ …pe…
Furthermore, suppose they were to see a corpse discarded in a charnel ground, a skeleton with flesh and blood, held together by sinews …
Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu seyyathāpi passeyya sarīraṁ sivathikāya chaḍḍitaṁ—
mn119
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, dakkho nhāpako vā nhāpakantevāsī vā kaṁsathāle nhānīyacuṇṇāni ākiritvā udakena paripphosakaṁ paripphosakaṁ sanneyya, sāyaṁ nhānīyapiṇḍi snehānugatā snehaparetā santarabāhirā phuṭā snehena na ca pagghariṇī;
It’s like when a deft bathroom attendant or their apprentice pours bath powder into a bronze dish, sprinkling it little by little with water. They knead it until the ball of bath powder is soaked and saturated with moisture, spread through inside and out; yet no moisture oozes out.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, udakarahado gambhīro ubbhidodako. Tassa nevassa puratthimāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ na pacchimāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ na uttarāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ na dakkhiṇāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ; devo ca na kālena kālaṁ sammā dhāraṁ anuppaveccheyya; atha kho tamhāva udakarahadā sītā vāridhārā ubbhijjitvā tameva udakarahadaṁ sītena vārinā abhisandeyya parisandeyya paripūreyya paripphareyya, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato udakarahadassa sītena vārinā apphuṭaṁ assa;
It’s like a deep lake fed by spring water. There’s no inlet to the east, west, north, or south, and no rainfall to replenish it from time to time. But the stream of cool water welling up in the lake drenches, steeps, fills, and spreads throughout the lake. There’s no part of the lake that’s not spread through with cool water.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, uppaliniyaṁ vā paduminiyaṁ vā puṇḍarīkiniyaṁ vā appekaccāni uppalāni vā padumāni vā puṇḍarīkāni vā udake jātāni udake saṁvaḍḍhāni udakānuggatāni antonimuggaposīni, tāni yāva caggā yāva ca mūlā sītena vārinā abhisannāni parisannāni paripūrāni paripphuṭāni, nāssa kiñci sabbāvataṁ uppalānaṁ vā padumānaṁ vā puṇḍarīkānaṁ vā sītena vārinā apphuṭaṁ assa;
It’s like a pool with blue water lilies, or pink or white lotuses. Some of them sprout and grow in the water without rising above it, thriving underwater. From the tip to the root they’re drenched, steeped, filled, and soaked with cool water. There’s no part of them that’s not soaked with cool water.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso odātena vatthena sasīsaṁ pārupitvā nisinno assa, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa odātena vatthena apphuṭaṁ assa;
It’s like someone sitting wrapped from head to foot with white cloth. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread over with white cloth.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, yassa kassaci mahāsamuddo cetasā phuṭo, antogadhāvāssa kunnadiyo yā kāci samuddaṅgamā;
Anyone who brings into their mind the great ocean includes all of the streams that run down into it.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso garukaṁ silāguḷaṁ allamattikāpuñje pakkhipeyya.
Suppose a person were to throw a heavy stone ball on a mound of wet clay.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, sukkhaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ koḷāpaṁ;
Suppose there was a dried up, withered log.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, udakamaṇiko ritto tuccho ādhāre ṭhapito;
Suppose a water jar was placed on a stand, empty and hollow.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso lahukaṁ suttaguḷaṁ sabbasāramaye aggaḷaphalake pakkhipeyya.
Suppose a person were to throw a light ball of string at a door-panel made entirely of hardwood.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, allaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ sasnehaṁ;
Suppose there was a green, sappy log.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, udakamaṇiko pūro udakassa samatittiko kākapeyyo ādhāre ṭhapito;
Suppose a water jar was placed on a stand, full to the brim so a crow could drink from it.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, udakamaṇiko pūro udakassa samatittiko kākapeyyo ādhāre ṭhapito.
Suppose a water jar was placed on a stand, full to the brim so a crow could drink from it.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, same bhūmibhāge caturassā pokkharaṇī assa āḷibandhā pūrā udakassa samatittikā kākapeyyā.
Suppose there was a square, walled lotus pond on level ground, full to the brim so a crow could drink from it.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, subhūmiyaṁ catumahāpathe ājaññaratho yutto assa ṭhito odhastapatodo;
Suppose a chariot stood harnessed to thoroughbreds at a level crossroads, with a goad ready.
Dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇāti dibbe ca mānuse ca, ye dūre santike ca …pe….
With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, they hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far. …

Sahasso, bhikkhave, brahmā sahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.
Now the Brahmā of a thousand meditates determined on pervading a galaxy of a thousand solar systems,
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, cakkhumā puriso ekaṁ āmaṇḍaṁ hatthe karitvā paccavekkheyya;
As a person might pick up a gallnut in their hand and examine it,
evameva kho, bhikkhave, sahasso brahmā sahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.
so too the Brahmā of a thousand meditates determined on pervading a galaxy of a thousand solar systems,
Pañcasahasso, bhikkhave, brahmā pañcasahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.
Now the Brahmā of five thousand meditates determined on pervading a galaxy of five thousand solar systems,
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, cakkhumā puriso pañca āmaṇḍāni hatthe karitvā paccavekkheyya;
As a person might pick up five gallnuts in their hand and examine them,
evameva kho, bhikkhave, pañcasahasso brahmā pañcasahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.
so too the Brahmā of five thousand meditates determined on pervading a galaxy of five thousand solar systems,
Dasasahasso, bhikkhave, brahmā dasasahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.
Now the Brahmā of ten thousand meditates determined on pervading a galaxy of ten thousand solar systems,
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato paṇḍukambale nikkhitto bhāsate ca tapate ca virocati ca;
Suppose there was a beryl gem that was naturally beautiful, eight-faceted, well-worked. When placed on a cream rug it would shine and glow and radiate.
evameva kho, bhikkhave, dasasahasso brahmā dasasahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.
In the same way the Brahmā of ten thousand meditates determined on pervading a galaxy of ten thousand solar systems,
Satasahasso, bhikkhave, brahmā satasahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.
Now the Brahmā of a hundred thousand meditates determined on pervading a galaxy of a hundred thousand solar systems,
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, nikkhaṁ jambonadaṁ dakkhakammāraputtaukkāmukhasukusalasampahaṭṭhaṁ paṇḍukambale nikkhittaṁ bhāsate ca tapate ca virocati ca;
Suppose there was a pendant of river gold, fashioned by a deft smith, well wrought in the forge. When placed on a cream rug it would shine and glow and radiate.
evameva kho, bhikkhave, satasahasso brahmā satasahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.
In the same way the Brahmā of a hundred thousand meditates determined on pervading a galaxy of a hundred thousand solar systems,
Sevitabba bahudhātu vibhatti;
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Ayañca dasasahassī lokadhātu saṅkampati sampakampati sampavedhati appamāṇo ca uḷāro obhāso loke pātubhavati atikkammeva devānaṁ devānubhāvan’ti.
And this galaxy shakes and rocks and trembles. And an immeasurable, magnificent light appears in the world, surpassing the glory of the gods.’
Seyyathāpi, ānanda, maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato. Tatrāssa suttaṁ āvutaṁ nīlaṁ vā pītaṁ vā lohitaṁ vā odātaṁ vā paṇḍusuttaṁ vā.
Suppose there was a beryl gem that was naturally beautiful, eight-faceted, well-worked. And it was strung with a thread of blue, yellow, red, white, or golden brown.
Seyyathāpi, ānanda, maṇiratanaṁ kāsike vatthe nikkhittaṁ neva maṇiratanaṁ kāsikaṁ vatthaṁ makkheti nāpi kāsikaṁ vatthaṁ maṇiratanaṁ makkheti.
Suppose a jewel-treasure was placed on a cloth from Kāsi. The jewel would not soil the cloth, nor would the cloth soil the jewel.
Ayañca dasasahassī lokadhātu saṅkampati sampakampati sampavedhati, appamāṇo ca uḷāro obhāso loke pātubhavati atikkammeva devānaṁ devānubhāvan’ti.
And this galaxy shakes and rocks and trembles. And an immeasurable, magnificent light appears in the world, surpassing the glory of the gods.’

“Seyyathāpi, āvuso, puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato atikkammeva mūlaṁ atikkamma khandhaṁ sākhāpalāse sāraṁ pariyesitabbaṁ maññeyya;
“Reverends, suppose there was a person in need of heartwood. And while wandering in search of heartwood he’d come across a large tree standing with heartwood. But he’d pass over the roots and trunk, imagining that the heartwood should be sought in the branches and leaves.
iti me ghānaṁ ahosi atītamaddhānaṁ iti gandhāti …
such a nose and such smells …
iti me ghānaṁ ahosi atītamaddhānaṁ iti gandhāti …
such a nose and such smells …
iti me ghānaṁ siyā anāgatamaddhānaṁ iti gandhāti …
such a nose and such smells …
iti me ghānaṁ siyā anāgatamaddhānaṁ iti gandhāti …
such a nose and such smells …

Dhātuvibhaṅgasutta
The Analysis of the Elements
“‘Cha dhāturo ayaṁ, bhikkhu, puriso cha phassāyatano aṭṭhārasa manopavicāro caturādhiṭṭhāno;
“‘This person has six elements, six fields of contact, eighteen mental preoccupations, and four foundations.
ayamuddeso dhātuvibhaṅgassa.
This is the recitation passage for the analysis of the elements.
‘Cha dhāturo ayaṁ, bhikkhu, puriso’ti—
‘This person has six elements.’
Chayimā, bhikkhu, dhātuyo—
There are these six elements:
pathavīdhātu, āpodhātu, tejodhātu, vāyodhātu, ākāsadhātu, viññāṇadhātu.
the elements of earth, water, fire, air, space, and consciousness.
‘Cha dhāturo ayaṁ, bhikkhu, puriso’ti—
‘This person has six elements.’
Chayimā, bhikkhu, dhātuyo—
There are these six elements:
pathavīdhātu, āpodhātu, tejodhātu, vāyodhātu, ākāsadhātu, viññāṇadhātu.
the elements of earth, water, fire, air, space, and consciousness.
Katamā ca, bhikkhu, pathavīdhātu?
And what is the earth element?
Pathavīdhātu siyā ajjhattikā siyā bāhirā.
The earth element may be interior or exterior.
Katamā ca, bhikkhu, ajjhattikā pathavīdhātu?
And what is the interior earth element?
ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhu, ajjhattikā pathavīdhātu.
This is called the interior earth element.
Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā pathavīdhātu yā ca bāhirā pathavīdhātu pathavīdhāturevesā.
The interior earth element and the exterior earth element are just the earth element.
Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā pathavīdhātuyā nibbindati, pathavīdhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you reject the earth element, detaching the mind from the earth element.
Katamā ca, bhikkhu, āpodhātu?
And what is the water element?
Āpodhātu siyā ajjhattikā siyā bāhirā.
The water element may be interior or exterior.
Katamā ca, bhikkhu, ajjhattikā āpodhātu?
And what is the interior water element?
ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhu, ajjhattikā āpodhātu.
This is called the interior water element.
Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā āpodhātu yā ca bāhirā āpodhātu āpodhāturevesā.
The interior water element and the exterior water element are just the water element.
Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā āpodhātuyā nibbindati, āpodhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you reject the water element, detaching the mind from the water element.
Katamā ca, bhikkhu, tejodhātu?
And what is the fire element?
Tejodhātu siyā ajjhattikā siyā bāhirā.
The fire element may be interior or exterior.
Katamā ca, bhikkhu, ajjhattikā tejodhātu?
And what is the interior fire element?
ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhu, ajjhattikā tejodhātu.
This is called the interior fire element.
Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā tejodhātu yā ca bāhirā tejodhātu tejodhāturevesā.
The interior fire element and the exterior fire element are just the fire element.
Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā tejodhātuyā nibbindati, tejodhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you reject the fire element, detaching the mind from the fire element.
Katamā ca, bhikkhu, vāyodhātu?
And what is the air element?
Vāyodhātu siyā ajjhattikā siyā bāhirā.
The air element may be interior or exterior.
Katamā ca, bhikkhu, ajjhattikā vāyodhātu?
And what is the interior air element?
ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhu, ajjhattikā vāyodhātu.
This is called the interior air element.
Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā vāyodhātu yā ca bāhirā vāyodhātu vāyodhāturevesā.
The interior air element and the exterior air element are just the air element.
Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā vāyodhātuyā nibbindati, vāyodhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you reject the air element, detaching the mind from the air element.
Katamā ca, bhikkhu, ākāsadhātu?
And what is the space element?
Ākāsadhātu siyā ajjhattikā siyā bāhirā.
The space element may be interior or exterior.
Katamā ca, bhikkhu, ajjhattikā ākāsadhātu?
And what is the interior space element?
ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhu, ajjhattikā ākāsadhātu.
This is called the interior space element.
Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā ākāsadhātu yā ca bāhirā ākāsadhātu ākāsadhāturevesā.
The interior space element and the exterior space element are just the space element.
Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā ākāsadhātuyā nibbindati, ākāsadhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you reject the space element, detaching the mind from the space element.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhu, dvinnaṁ kaṭṭhānaṁ saṅghaṭṭā samodhānā usmā jāyati, tejo abhinibbattati, tesaṁyeva dvinnaṁ kaṭṭhānaṁ nānābhāvā vinikkhepā yā tajjā usmā sā nirujjhati, sā vūpasammati;
When you rub two sticks together, heat is generated and fire is produced. But when you part the sticks and lay them aside, any corresponding heat ceases and stops.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhu, dakkho suvaṇṇakāro vā suvaṇṇakārantevāsī vā ukkaṁ bandheyya, ukkaṁ bandhitvā ukkāmukhaṁ ālimpeyya, ukkāmukhaṁ ālimpetvā saṇḍāsena jātarūpaṁ gahetvā ukkāmukhe pakkhipeyya, tamenaṁ kālena kālaṁ abhidhameyya, kālena kālaṁ udakena paripphoseyya, kālena kālaṁ ajjhupekkheyya, taṁ hoti jātarūpaṁ sudhantaṁ niddhantaṁ nīhaṭaṁ ninnītakasāvaṁ mudu ca kammaññañca pabhassarañca, yassā yassā ca piḷandhanavikatiyā ākaṅkhati—yadi paṭṭikāya yadi kuṇḍalāya yadi gīveyyakāya yadi suvaṇṇamālāya tañcassa atthaṁ anubhoti;
It’s like when a deft goldsmith or a goldsmith’s apprentice prepares a forge, fires the crucible, picks up some gold with tongs and puts it in the crucible. From time to time they fan it, from time to time they sprinkle water on it, and from time to time they just watch over it. That gold becomes pliable, workable, and radiant, not brittle, and is ready to be worked. Then the goldsmith can successfully create any kind of ornament they want, whether a bracelet, earrings, a necklace, or a golden garland.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhu, telañca paṭicca vaṭṭiñca paṭicca telappadīpo jhāyati;
Suppose an oil lamp depended on oil and a wick to burn.
Imaṁ kho me tvaṁ, bhikkhu, saṅkhittena chadhātuvibhaṅgaṁ dhārehī”ti.
Mendicant, you should remember this brief analysis of the six elements.”
Dhātuvibhaṅgasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ dasamaṁ. "

Seyyathāpi, bhante sāriputta, balavā puriso tiṇhena sikharena muddhani abhimattheyya; evameva kho me, bhante sāriputta, adhimattā vātā muddhani ūhananti.
The winds piercing my head are so severe, it feels like a strong man drilling into my head with a sharp point.
Seyyathāpi, bhante sāriputta, balavā puriso daḷhena varattakhaṇḍena sīse sīsaveṭhaṁ dadeyya; evameva kho me, bhante sāriputta, adhimattā sīse sīsavedanā.
The pain in my head is so severe, it feels like a strong man tightening a tough leather strap around my head.
Seyyathāpi, bhante sāriputta, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā tiṇhena govikantanena kucchiṁ parikanteyya; evameva kho me, bhante sāriputta, adhimattā vātā kucchiṁ parikantanti.
The winds slicing my belly are so severe, like a deft butcher or their apprentice were slicing open a cows’s belly open with a meat cleaver.
Seyyathāpi, bhante sāriputta, dve balavanto purisā dubbalataraṁ purisaṁ nānābāhāsu gahetvā aṅgārakāsuyā santāpeyyuṁ, samparitāpeyyuṁ; evameva kho me, bhante sāriputta, adhimatto kāyasmiṁ ḍāho.
The burning in my body is so severe, it feels like two strong men grabbing a weaker man by the arms to burn and scorch him on a pit of glowing coals. That’s how severe the burning is in my body.
‘na pathavīdhātuṁ upādiyissāmi, na ca me pathavīdhātunissitaṁ viññāṇaṁ bhavissatī’ti.
‘I shall not grasp the earth element …
‘na āpodhātuṁ upādiyissāmi …
water element …
na tejodhātuṁ upādiyissāmi …
fire element …
na vāyodhātuṁ upādiyissāmi …
air element …
na ākāsadhātuṁ upādiyissāmi …
space element …
na viññāṇadhātuṁ upādiyissāmi, na ca me viññāṇadhātunissitaṁ viññāṇaṁ bhavissatī’ti.
consciousness element, and there shall be no consciousness of mine dependent on the consciousness element.’

dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.
And most of the deities from ten solar systems had gathered to see the Buddha and the Saṅgha of mendicants.
dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.
sn1.37
Atha kho tā devatā—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—suddhāvāsesu devesu antarahitā bhagavato purato pāturahesuṁ.
Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, they vanished from the Pure Abodes and reappeared in front of the Buddha.

Atha kho bhagavā tassa brahmuno cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso …pe… tasmiṁ brahmaloke pāturahosi.
Then the Buddha knew what that Brahmā was thinking. As easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from Jeta’s Grove and reappeared in that Brahmā realm.
Atha kho bhagavā tassa brahmuno upari vehāsaṁ pallaṅkena nisīdi tejodhātuṁ samāpajjitvā.
Then the Buddha sat cross-legged in the air above that Brahmā, having entered upon the fire element.
Addasā kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno bhagavantaṁ dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena tassa brahmuno upari vehāsaṁ pallaṅkena nisinnaṁ tejodhātuṁ samāpannaṁ.
With clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, he saw the Buddha seated cross-legged in the air above that Brahmā, having entered upon the fire element.
Disvāna—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—jetavane antarahito tasmiṁ brahmaloke pāturahosi.
Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from Jeta’s Grove and reappeared in that Brahmā realm.
Atha kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno puratthimaṁ disaṁ nissāya tassa brahmuno upari vehāsaṁ pallaṅkena nisīdi tejodhātuṁ samāpajjitvā nīcataraṁ bhagavato.
Then Mahāmoggallāna—positioning himself in the east, below the Buddha—sat cross-legged in the air above that Brahmā, having entered upon the fire element.
disvāna—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso …pe… evameva—jetavane antarahito tasmiṁ brahmaloke pāturahosi.
sn6.5
Atha kho āyasmā mahākassapo dakkhiṇaṁ disaṁ nissāya tassa brahmuno upari vehāsaṁ pallaṅkena nisīdi tejodhātuṁ samāpajjitvā nīcataraṁ bhagavato.
positioned himself in the south …
Addasā kho āyasmā mahākappino bhagavantaṁ dibbena cakkhunā …pe… tejodhātuṁ samāpannaṁ.
sn6.5
Disvāna—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso …pe…
sn6.5
Atha kho āyasmā mahākappino pacchimaṁ disaṁ nissāya tassa brahmuno upari vehāsaṁ pallaṅkena nisīdi tejodhātuṁ samāpajjitvā nīcataraṁ bhagavato.
positioned himself in the west …
Addasā kho āyasmā anuruddho …pe… tejodhātuṁ samāpannaṁ.
sn6.5
Disvāna—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso …pe… tasmiṁ brahmaloke pāturahosi.
sn6.5
Atha kho āyasmā anuruddho uttaraṁ disaṁ nissāya tassa brahmuno upari vehāsaṁ pallaṅkena nisīdi tejodhātuṁ samāpajjitvā nīcataraṁ bhagavato.
positioned himself in the north, below the Buddha, sitting cross-legged in the air above that Brahmā, having entered upon the fire element.
Atha kho bhagavā taṁ brahmānaṁ saṁvejetvā—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—tasmiṁ brahmaloke antarahito jetavane pāturahosi.
Having inspired a sense of awe in the Brahmā, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, the Buddha vanished from the Brahmā realm and reappeared in Jeta’s Grove.
seyyathāpi bhavaṁ moggallāno kassapo kappino anuruddho’”ti?
comparable to the masters Moggallāna, Kassapa, Kappina, and Anuruddha?’”
seyyathāpi bhavaṁ moggallāno kassapo kappino anuruddho”ti?
sn6.5

Atha kho, bhikkhave, sikhī bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho abhibhū ca bhikkhu—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—aruṇavatiyā rājadhāniyā antarahitā tasmiṁ brahmaloke pāturahesuṁ.
Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, they vanished from Aruṇavatī and appeared in that Brahmā realm.
pahomi khvāhaṁ, āvuso, brahmaloke ṭhito sahassilokadhātuṁ sarena viññāpetun’ti.
“Standing in the Brahmā realm, I can make my voice heard throughout the galaxy.”’
yaṁ tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa, brahmaloke ṭhito sahassilokadhātuṁ sarena viññāpeyyāsī’ti.
Standing in the Brahmā realm, make your voice heard throughout the galaxy.’
seyyathāpi nāma …pe… tasmiṁ brahmaloke antarahitā aruṇavatiyā rājadhāniyā pāturahesuṁ.
as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, Sikhī and Abhibhū vanished from that Brahmā realm and appeared in Aruṇavatī.

“Api pana tumhe āyasmanto evaṁ jānantā evaṁ passantā anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhotha—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hotha, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hotha; āvibhāvaṁ, tirobhāvaṁ, tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamānā gacchatha, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karotha, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchatha, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamatha, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parimasatha parimajjatha, yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vattethā”ti?
“But knowing and seeing thus, do you wield the many kinds of psychic power? That is, multiplying yourselves and becoming one again; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful. Do you control the body as far as the Brahmā realm?”
“Api pana tumhe āyasmanto evaṁ jānantā evaṁ passantā dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇātha dibbe ca mānuse ca ye dūre santike cā”ti?
“Well, knowing and seeing thus do you, with clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far?”
“Api pana tvaṁ, susima, evaṁ jānanto evaṁ passanto anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhosi—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hosi, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hosi; āvibhāvaṁ, tirobhāvaṁ, tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gacchasi, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karosi, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāno gacchasi, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamasi, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parimasasi parimajjasi, yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vattesī”ti?
“But knowing and seeing thus, do you wield the many kinds of psychic power? …”
“Api pana tvaṁ, susima, evaṁ jānanto evaṁ passanto dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇasi dibbe ca mānuse ca ye dūre santike cā”ti?
“Well, knowing and seeing thus do you, with clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far?”
Seyyathāpi, susima, coraṁ āgucāriṁ gahetvā rañño dasseyyuṁ:
Suppose they were to arrest a bandit, a criminal and present him to the king, saying:

Kāmadhātuṁ, bhikkhave, paṭicca uppajjati kāmasaññā, kāmasaññaṁ paṭicca uppajjati kāmasaṅkappo, kāmasaṅkappaṁ paṭicca uppajjati kāmacchando, kāmacchandaṁ paṭicca uppajjati kāmapariḷāho, kāmapariḷāhaṁ paṭicca uppajjati kāmapariyesanā.
The element of sensuality gives rise to sensual perceptions. Sensual perceptions give rise to sensual thoughts. Sensual thoughts give rise to sensual desires. Sensual desires give rise to sensual passions. Sensual passions give rise to searches for sensual pleasures.
Byāpādadhātuṁ, bhikkhave, paṭicca uppajjati byāpādasaññā, byāpādasaññaṁ paṭicca uppajjati byāpādasaṅkappo …pe… byāpādacchando … byāpādapariḷāho … byāpādapariyesanā …
The element of malice gives rise to malicious perceptions. Malicious perceptions give rise to malicious thoughts. … malicious desires … malicious passions … malicious searches …
Vihiṁsādhātuṁ, bhikkhave, paṭicca uppajjati vihiṁsāsaññā; vihiṁsāsaññaṁ paṭicca uppajjati vihiṁsāsaṅkappo …pe… vihiṁsāchando … vihiṁsāpariḷāho … vihiṁsāpariyesanā …
The element of cruelty gives rise to cruel perceptions. Cruel perceptions give rise to cruel thoughts. … cruel desires … cruel passions … cruel searches …
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso ādittaṁ tiṇukkaṁ sukkhe tiṇadāye nikkhipeyya; no ce hatthehi ca pādehi ca khippameva nibbāpeyya. Evañhi, bhikkhave, ye tiṇakaṭṭhanissitā pāṇā te anayabyasanaṁ āpajjeyyuṁ.
Suppose a person was to drop a burning torch in a thicket of dry grass. If they don’t quickly extinguish it with their hands and feet, the creatures living in the grass and wood would come to ruin.
Nekkhammadhātuṁ, bhikkhave, paṭicca uppajjati nekkhammasaññā,
The element of renunciation gives rise to perceptions of renunciation.
Abyāpādadhātuṁ, bhikkhave, paṭicca uppajjati abyāpādasaññā,
The element of good will gives rise to perceptions of good will.
Avihiṁsādhātuṁ, bhikkhave, paṭicca uppajjati avihiṁsāsaññā,
The element of harmlessness gives rise to perceptions of harmlessness.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso ādittaṁ tiṇukkaṁ sukkhe tiṇadāye nikkhipeyya; tamenaṁ hatthehi ca pādehi ca khippameva nibbāpeyya. Evañhi, bhikkhave, ye tiṇakaṭṭhanissitā pāṇā te na anayabyasanaṁ āpajjeyyuṁ.
Suppose a person was to drop a burning torch in a thicket of dry grass. If they were to quickly extinguish it with their hands and feet, the creatures living in the grass and wood wouldn’t come to ruin.

“Dhātusova, bhikkhave, sattā saṁsandanti samenti.
“Mendicants, sentient beings come together and converge because of an element.
Atītampi kho, bhikkhave, addhānaṁ dhātusova sattā saṁsandiṁsu samiṁsu.
In the past …
Anāgatampi kho, bhikkhave, addhānaṁ dhātusova sattā saṁsandissanti samessanti.
In the future …
Etarahipi kho, bhikkhave, paccuppannaṁ addhānaṁ dhātusova sattā saṁsandanti samenti.
At present, too, sentient beings come together and converge because of an element.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gūtho gūthena saṁsandati sameti;
It’s like how dung comes together with dung,
evameva kho, bhikkhave, dhātusova sattā saṁsandanti samenti.
In the same way, sentient beings come together and converge because of an element.
etarahipi kho paccuppannaṁ addhānaṁ dhātusova sattā saṁsandanti samenti.
At present, too, sentient beings come together and converge because of an element.
Dhātusova, bhikkhave, sattā saṁsandanti samenti.
Sentient beings come together and converge because of an element.
Atītampi kho, bhikkhave, addhānaṁ dhātusova sattā saṁsandiṁsu samiṁsu.
In the past …
etarahipi kho, bhikkhave, paccuppannaṁ addhānaṁ dhātusova sattā saṁsandanti samenti.
At present, too, sentient beings come together and converge because of an element.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, khīraṁ khīrena saṁsandati sameti;
It’s like how milk comes together with milk,
evameva kho, bhikkhave, dhātusova sattā saṁsandanti samenti.
In the same way, sentient beings come together and converge because of an element.
etarahipi kho paccuppannaṁ addhānaṁ dhātusova sattā saṁsandanti samenti.
At present, too, sentient beings come together and converge because of an element.

Ahaṁ, bhikkhave, yāvade ākaṅkhāmi anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhomi—ekopi hutvā bahudhā homi, bahudhāpi hutvā eko homi; āvibhāvaṁ, tirobhāvaṁ, tirokuṭṭaṁ, tiropākāraṁ, tiropabbataṁ, asajjamāno gacchāmi, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karomi, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchāmi, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamāmi, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parimasāmi parimajjāmi; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vattemi.
Whenever I want, I wield the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying myself and becoming one again; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful. I control the body as far as the Brahmā realm.
Ahaṁ, bhikkhave, yāvade ākaṅkhāmi dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇāmi, dibbe ca mānuse ca, ye dūre santike ca.
Whenever I want, with clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, I hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.
Kassapopi, bhikkhave, yāvade ākaṅkhati dibbāya sotadhātuyā …pe… dūre santike ca.
And so does Kassapa.

Seyyathāpi, kassapa, na tāva jātarūpassa antaradhānaṁ hoti yāva na jātarūpappatirūpakaṁ loke uppajjati.
It’s like true gold, which doesn’t disappear as long as counterfeit gold hasn’t appeared in the world.
Na kho, kassapa, pathavīdhātu saddhammaṁ antaradhāpeti, na āpodhātu saddhammaṁ antaradhāpeti, na tejodhātu saddhammaṁ antaradhāpeti, na vāyodhātu saddhammaṁ antaradhāpeti;
It’s not the elements of earth, water, fire, or air that make the true teaching disappear.
Seyyathāpi, kassapa, nāvā ādikeneva opilavati;
The true teaching doesn’t disappear like a ship that sinks all at once.

Api ca me yāvatā bhagavā ettāvatā dibbacakkhu visujjhi dibbā ca sotadhātu.
Rather, the Buddha cleared his clairvoyance and clairaudience towards me,
Bhagavatopi yāvatāhaṁ ettāvatā dibbacakkhu visujjhi dibbā ca sotadhātū”ti.
and I cleared my clairvoyance and clairaudience towards him.”
“Seyyathāpi, āvuso, himavato pabbatarājassa parittā pāsāṇasakkharā yāvadeva upanikkhepanamattāya;
“Reverend, next to Venerable Mahāmoggallāna I’m like a few pieces of gravel next to the Himalayas, the king of mountains.
“Seyyathāpi, āvuso, mahatiyā loṇaghaṭāya parittā loṇasakkharāya yāvadeva upanikkhepanamattāya;
“Reverend, next to Venerable Sāriputta I’m like a few grains of salt next to a mound of salt.

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, pathavīdhātu, evaṁ catasso viññāṇaṭṭhitiyo daṭṭhabbā.
“The four grounds of consciousness should be seen as like the earth element.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, āpodhātu, evaṁ nandirāgo daṭṭhabbo.
Relishing and greed should be seen as like the water element.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, pañca bījajātāni, evaṁ viññāṇaṁ sāhāraṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ.
Consciousness with its fuel should be seen as like the five kinds of plants propagated from seeds.
Rūpadhātuyā ceva, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno rāgo pahīno hoti.
If a mendicant has given up greed for the form element,
Vedanādhātuyā ce …
If a mendicant has given up greed for the feeling element …
saññādhātuyā ce …
perception element …
saṅkhāradhātuyā ce …
choices element …
viññāṇadhātuyā ce, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno rāgo pahīno hoti.
consciousness element,

Cuddasa kho panimāni yonipamukhasatasahassāni saṭṭhi ca satāni cha ca satāni pañca ca kammuno satāni pañca ca kammāni, tīṇi ca kammāni, kamme ca aḍḍhakamme ca dvaṭṭhipaṭipadā, dvaṭṭhantarakappā, chaḷābhijātiyo, aṭṭha purisabhūmiyo, ekūnapaññāsa ājīvakasate, ekūnapaññāsa paribbājakasate, ekūnapaññāsa nāgavāsasate, vīse indriyasate, tiṁse nirayasate, chattiṁsarajodhātuyo, satta saññīgabbhā, satta asaññīgabbhā, satta nigaṇṭhigabbhā, satta devā, satta mānusā, satta pesācā, satta sarā, satta pavuṭā, satta papātā, satta ca papātasatāni, satta supinā, satta supinasatāni, cullāsīti mahākappino satasahassāni, yāni bāle ca paṇḍite ca sandhāvitvā saṁsaritvā dukkhassantaṁ karissanti.
There are 1.4 million main wombs, and 6,000, and 600. There are 500 deeds, and five, and three. There are deeds and half-deeds. There are 62 paths, 62 sub-eons, six classes of rebirth, and eight stages in a person’s life. There are 4,900 Ājīvaka ascetics, 4,900 wanderers, and 4,900 naked ascetics. There are 2,000 faculties, 3,000 hells, and 36 realms of dust. There are seven percipient embryos, seven non-percipient embryos, and seven embryos without attachments. There are seven gods, seven humans, and seven goblins. There are seven lakes, seven winds, seven cliffs, and 700 cliffs. There are seven dreams and 700 dreams. There are 8.4 million great eons through which the foolish and the astute transmigrate before making an end of suffering.
Seyyathāpi nāma suttaguḷe khitte nibbeṭhiyamānameva paleti;
It’s like how, when you toss a ball of string, it rolls away unraveling.

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, cattāro āsīvisā uggatejā ghoravisā.
“Mendicants, suppose there were four lethal poisonous vipers.
pathavīdhātuyā, āpodhātuyā, tejodhātuyā, vāyodhātuyā.
the elements of earth, water, fire, and air.

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhu, purisassa kiṁsuko adiṭṭhapubbo assa.
“Mendicant, suppose a person had never seen a parrot tree.
‘kāḷako kho, ambho purisa, kiṁsuko—seyyathāpi jhāmakhāṇū’ti.
‘A parrot tree is blackish, like a charred stump.’
‘lohitako kho, ambho purisa, kiṁsuko—seyyathāpi maṁsapesī’ti.
‘A parrot tree is reddish, like a lump of meat.’
‘ocīrakajāto kho, ambho purisa, kiṁsuko ādinnasipāṭiko—seyyathāpi sirīso’ti.
‘A parrot tree has flaking bark and burst pods, like a sirisa.’
‘bahalapattapalāso sandacchāyo kho, ambho purisa, kiṁsuko—seyyathāpi nigrodho’ti.
‘A parrot tree has luxuriant, shady foliage, like a banyan.’
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhu, rañño paccantimaṁ nagaraṁ daḷhuddhāpaṁ daḷhapākāratoraṇaṁ chadvāraṁ.
Suppose there was a king’s frontier citadel with fortified embankments, ramparts, and arches, and six gates.
pathavīdhātuyā, āpodhātuyā, tejodhātuyā, vāyodhātuyā.
the elements of earth, water, fire, and air.

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, āgantukāgāraṁ. Tattha puratthimāyapi disāya āgantvā vāsaṁ kappenti, pacchimāyapi disāya āgantvā vāsaṁ kappenti, uttarāyapi disāya āgantvā vāsaṁ kappenti, dakkhiṇāyapi disāya āgantvā vāsaṁ kappenti, khattiyāpi āgantvā vāsaṁ kappenti, brāhmaṇāpi āgantvā vāsaṁ kappenti, vessāpi āgantvā vāsaṁ kappenti, suddāpi āgantvā vāsaṁ kappenti;
“Mendicants, suppose there was a guest house. Lodgers come from the east, west, north, and south. Aristocrats, brahmins, merchants, and workers all stay there.
Pañcupādānakkhandhātissa vacanīyaṁ.
It should be said: the five grasping aggregates.

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ayaṁ kāyo āhāraṭṭhitiko, āhāraṁ paṭicca tiṭṭhati, anāhāro no tiṭṭhati;
“Mendicants, this body is sustained by food. It depends on food to continue, and without food it doesn’t continue.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ayaṁ kāyo āhāraṭṭhitiko, āhāraṁ paṭicca tiṭṭhati, anāhāro no tiṭṭhati;
This body is sustained by food. It depends on food to continue, and without food it doesn’t continue.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ayaṁ kāyo āhāraṭṭhitiko, āhāraṁ paṭicca tiṭṭhati, anāhāro no tiṭṭhati;
This body is sustained by food. It depends on food to continue, and without food it doesn’t continue.
Atthi, bhikkhave, ārambhadhātu nikkamadhātu parakkamadhātu.
There are the elements of initiative, persistence, and exertion.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ayaṁ kāyo āhāraṭṭhitiko, āhāraṁ paṭicca tiṭṭhati, anāhāro no tiṭṭhati;
This body is sustained by food. It depends on food to continue, and without food it doesn’t continue.

Evaṁ bhāvitesu kho, bhikkhu, catūsu iddhipādesu evaṁ bahulīkatesu, anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ, tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gacchati, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karoti, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchati, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamati, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parimasati parimajjati; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti.
When the four bases of psychic power have been developed and cultivated in this way, they wield the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again; appearing and disappearing; going unimpeded through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful; controlling the body as far as the Brahmā realm.
Evaṁ bhāvitesu kho, bhikkhu, catūsu iddhipādesu evaṁ bahulīkatesu dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇāti—dibbe ca mānuse ca, dūre santike cāti.
When the four bases of psychic power have been developed and cultivated in this way, they hear both kinds of sounds, human and divine, whether near or far.