English
by completely transcending perceptions of form, by the disappearance of perceptions of sensory impact, by not attending to perceptions of diversity, (thinking) 'space is infinite', enters and dwells in the sphere of infinite space, this is its transcendence; This too, Udāyi, I declare as 'not enough', I declare as 'abandon it', I declare as 'transcend it'. And what is its transcendence? Here, Udāyi, a monk, by completely transcending the sphere of infinite space, (thinking) 'consciousness is infinite', enters and dwells in the sphere of infinite consciousness, this is its transcendence; This too, Udāyi, I declare as 'not enough', I declare as 'abandon it', I declare as 'transcend it'. And what is its transcendence? Here, Udāyi, a monk, by completely transcending the sphere of infinite consciousness, (thinking) 'there is nothing', enters and dwells in the sphere of nothingness, this is its transcendence; This too, Udāyi, I declare as 'not enough', I declare as 'abandon it', I declare as 'transcend it'. And what is its transcendence? Here, Udāyi, a monk, by completely transcending the sphere of nothingness, enters and dwells in the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception, this is its transcendence; This too, Udāyi, I declare as 'not enough', I declare as 'abandon it', I declare as 'transcend it'. And what is its transcendence? Here, Udāyi, a monk, by completely transcending the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and dwells in the cessation of perception and feeling, this is its transcendence; Thus, Udāyi, I declare the abandoning even of the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception. Do you see, Udāyi, any fetter, subtle or gross, whose abandoning I do not declare? "No, venerable sir." This the Blessed One said. Pleased, Venerable Udāyī rejoiced in the Blessed One's words. The Discourse on the Quail Simile, the sixth, is ended. 7. The Discourse at Cātumā 157. Thus have I heard: At one time the Blessed One was staying at Cātumā, in the Amla Grove. Now at that time about five hundred bhikkhus, led by Sāriputta and Moggallāna, had arrived at Cātumā to see the Blessed One. And those arriving bhikkhus, exchanging greetings with the resident bhikkhus, arranging their lodgings, and putting away their bowls and robes, were making a loud and great noise. Then the Blessed One addressed Venerable Ānanda: "Who are these, Ānanda, making a loud and great noise? It's like fishermen, I imagine, disturbing the fish." "Venerable sir, these are about five hundred bhikkhus, led by Sāriputta and Moggallāna, who have arrived at Cātumā to see the Blessed One. Those arriving bhikkhus, exchanging greetings with the resident bhikkhus, arranging their lodgings, and putting away their bowls and robes, are making a loud and great noise." "Then, Ānanda, in my name, address those bhikkhus: 'The Teacher invites the venerable ones.'" "Yes, venerable sir," Venerable Ānanda replied to the Blessed One, and went to those bhikkhus. Having gone, he said to those bhikkhus: "The Teacher invites the venerable ones." "Yes, friend," those bhikkhus replied to Venerable Ānanda, and went to the Blessed One. Having gone, they paid homage to the Blessed One, and sat down to one side. As those bhikkhus were sitting to one side, the Blessed One said to them: "Why, bhikkhus, are you making a loud and great noise? It's like fishermen, I imagine, disturbing the fish." "Venerable sir, these are about five hundred bhikkhus, led by Sāriputta and Moggallāna, who have arrived at Cātumā to see the Blessed One. Those arriving bhikkhus, exchanging greetings with the resident bhikkhus... arranging their lodgings, putting away their bowls and robes, making loud noises, great noises.” “Go, monks, I dismiss you, you shall not dwell near me.” “Yes, venerable sir,” those monks replied to the Blessed One, rose from their seats, saluted the Blessed One, circumambulated him clockwise, packed up their lodgings, took their bowls and robes, and departed. 158. Now at that time, the Sakyans of Cātumā were assembled in the assembly hall for some business. The Sakyans of Cātumā saw those monks approaching from afar. Having seen them, they approached those monks. Having approached, they said to those monks: “Well, where are you venerable sirs going?” “The Blessed One, friends, has dismissed the community of monks.” “Then, venerable sirs, sit down for a moment. Perhaps we might be able to appease the Blessed One.” “Yes, friends,” those monks replied to the Sakyans of Cātumā. Then the Sakyans of Cātumā approached the Blessed One. Having approached, they saluted the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the Sakyans of Cātumā said to the Blessed One: “May the Blessed One, venerable sir, be pleased with the community of monks! May the Blessed One, venerable sir, welcome the community of monks! Just as, venerable sir, the Blessed One formerly favored the community of monks, even so, may the Blessed One now favor the community of monks. There are, venerable sir, new monks here, recently ordained, newly come to this Dhamma and Discipline. For them, not seeing the Blessed One, there might be a change, there might be a transformation. Just as, venerable sir, for young seeds not getting water, there might be a change, there might be a transformation; even so, venerable sir, there are new monks here, recently ordained, newly come to this Dhamma and Discipline. For them, not seeing the Blessed One, For them there might be a change, there might be an alteration. Just as, venerable sir, for a young calf not seeing its mother, there might be a change, there might be an alteration; even so, indeed, venerable sir, there are here monks new, recently gone forth, newly come to this Dhamma and Discipline, for them not seeing the Blessed One, there might be a change, there might be an alteration. May the Blessed One, venerable sir, gladden the community of monks; may the Blessed One, venerable sir, greet the community of monks. Just as, venerable sir, the community of monks was formerly favored by the Blessed One; even so may the Blessed One now favor the community of monks. 159. Then indeed Brahmā Sahampati, having understood with his mind the thought-process in the Blessed One's mind – just as a strong man might extend a bent arm, or bend an extended arm, even so – having vanished from the Brahmā-world, he appeared before the Blessed One. Then indeed Brahmā Sahampati, having arranged his upper robe over one shoulder, and having saluted the Blessed One with joined hands, spoke to the Blessed One thus: "May the Blessed One, venerable sir, gladden the community of monks; may the Blessed One, venerable sir, greet the community of monks. Just as, venerable sir, the community of monks was formerly favored by the Blessed One; even so may the Blessed One now favor the community of monks. There are here, venerable sir, monks new, recently gone forth, newly come to this Dhamma and Discipline, for them not obtaining a sight of the Blessed One, there might be a change, there might be an alteration. Just as, venerable sir, for young seeds not obtaining water, there might be a change, there might be an alteration; even so, indeed, venerable sir, there are here monks new, recently gone forth, newly come to this Dhamma and Discipline, for them not obtaining a sight of the Blessed One, there might be a change, there might be an alteration. Just as, venerable sir, for a young calf not seeing its mother, there might be a change, there might be an alteration; even so, indeed, Venerable sir, there are monks here, newly ordained, recently arrived to this Dhamma and Discipline. Not seeing the Blessed One, they might change, they might waver. May the Blessed One, venerable sir, rejoice in the Sangha of monks; may the Blessed One, venerable sir, greet the Sangha of monks. Just as, venerable sir, the Blessed One formerly favored the Sangha of monks; even so, may the Blessed One now favor the Sangha of monks. 160. Indeed, the Sakyans of Cātumā and Brahmā Sahampati were able to gladden the Blessed One with the simile of the seed and the simile of the sapling. Then, the venerable Mahāmoggallāna addressed the monks: “Arise, friends, take your bowls and robes. The Blessed One has been gladdened by the Sakyans of Cātumā and by Brahmā Sahampati with the simile of the seed and the simile of the sapling.” “Yes, friend,” those monks replied to the venerable Mahāmoggallāna, and rising from their seats, taking their bowls and robes, they approached the Blessed One; having approached, they bowed to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. To the venerable Sāriputta, seated to one side, the Blessed One said this: “What was your thought, Sāriputta, when I dismissed the Sangha of monks?” “This was my thought, venerable sir: ‘The Blessed One has dismissed the Sangha of monks. Now the Blessed One will live devoted to a dwelling of happiness in this very life, free from care, and we too will now live devoted to a dwelling of happiness in this very life, free from care.’” “Wait, Sāriputta, wait, Sāriputta, for a dwelling of happiness in this very life.” Then the Blessed One addressed the venerable Mahāmoggallāna: “What was your thought, Moggallāna, when I dismissed the Sangha of monks?” “This was my thought, venerable sir: ‘The Blessed One has dismissed the Sangha of monks. Now the Blessed One will live devoted to a dwelling of happiness in this very life, free from care, and now I and the venerable Sāriputta will look after the Sangha of monks.’” “Excellent, excellent, , Moggallāna! Either I, Moggallāna, or Sāriputta and Moggallāna would sustain the community of bhikkhus.” 161. Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: “Bhikkhus, these four dangers are to be expected by one descending into water. Which four?