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B0102041102anussativaggo (recollection chapter)

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English

2. Recollection Chapter 1. The First Discourse to Mahānāma 11. At one time the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans in Kapilavatthu, at the Nigrodha Park. Now at that time, many bhikkhus were making robes for the Blessed One, thinking: “When the Blessed One’s robes are finished, he will set out on a wandering tour after three months.” Mahānāma the Sakyan heard: “Indeed, many bhikkhus are making robes for the Blessed One, thinking: ‘When the Blessed One’s robes are finished, he will set out on a wandering tour after three months.’” Then Mahānāma the Sakyan approached the Blessed One. Having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side, Mahānāma the Sakyan said to the Blessed One: “I have heard, venerable sir, that ‘Indeed, many bhikkhus are making robes for the Blessed One, thinking: When the Blessed One’s robes are finished, he will set out on a wandering tour after three months.’ For us, venerable sir, who dwell in various ways, by what dwelling should we dwell?” “Good, good, Mahānāma! This, Mahānāma, is fitting for you noble sons, that you should approach the Tathāgata and ask: ‘For us, venerable sir, who dwell in various ways, by what dwelling should we dwell?’ Faithful, Mahānāma, one is successful, not faithless. Energetic, one is successful, not lazy. Mindful, one is successful, not unmindful. Concentrated, one is successful, not unconcentrated. Wise, one is successful, not unwise. Established in these five qualities, Mahānāma, you should further develop six qualities. Here, Mahānāma, you should recollect the Tathāgata: ‘Indeed, that Blessed One is an Arahant, perfectly enlightened, endowed with knowledge and conduct, fortunate, knower of the world, unsurpassed leader of persons to be tamed, teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One.’ At whatever time, Mahānāma, a noble disciple recollects the Tathāgata recollects, at that time his mind is not overcome by greed, his mind is not overcome by hatred, his mind is not overcome by delusion; at that time his mind is straight, focused on the Tathāgata. For, Mahānāma, the noble disciple whose mind is straight gains a sense of the goal, gains a sense of the Dhamma, gains joy connected with the Dhamma. For one who is joyful, rapture arises; for one whose mind is rapturous, the body becomes tranquil; one whose body is tranquil experiences happiness; for one who is happy, the mind becomes concentrated. This, Mahānāma, is called a noble disciple living in harmony with a disharmonious generation, living without affliction among an afflicted generation, having entered the stream of Dhamma, cultivating recollection of the Buddha. Furthermore, Mahānāma, you should recollect the Dhamma thus: ‘The Dhamma is well-proclaimed by the Blessed One, directly visible, immediate, inviting one to come and see, leading inwards, to be experienced individually by the wise.’ At that time, Mahānāma, when a noble disciple recollects the Dhamma, at that time his mind is not overcome by greed, his mind is not overcome by hatred, his mind is not overcome by delusion; at that time his mind is straight, focused on the Dhamma. For, Mahānāma, the noble disciple whose mind is straight gains a sense of the goal, gains a sense of the Dhamma, gains joy connected with the Dhamma. For one who is joyful, rapture arises; for one whose mind is rapturous, the body becomes tranquil; one whose body is tranquil experiences happiness; for one who is happy, the mind becomes concentrated. This, Mahānāma, is called a noble disciple living in harmony with a disharmonious generation, living without affliction among an afflicted generation, having entered the stream of Dhamma, cultivating recollection of the Dhamma. Furthermore, Mahānāma, you should recollect the Saṅgha thus: ‘The Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is practicing well, the Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is practicing straight, the Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is practicing for the goal, the Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is practicing properly, The Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples, that is, the four pairs of men, the eight individual persons— this Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples is worthy of offerings, worthy of hospitality, worthy of gifts, worthy of reverential salutation, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world. At whatever time, Mahānāma, a noble disciple recollects the Sangha, at that time his mind is not overcome by lust, not overcome by hatred, not overcome by delusion; at that time his mind is straight, with reference to the Sangha. And with a straight mind, Mahānāma, the noble disciple gains understanding of the goal, gains understanding of the Dhamma, gains joy connected with the Dhamma. Being joyful, rapture arises; with a rapturous mind, the body becomes tranquil; with a tranquil body, he experiences happiness; for one who is happy, the mind becomes concentrated. This, Mahānāma, is called a noble disciple who dwells in harmony with a disharmonious generation, who dwells without affliction in an afflicted generation, who has entered the stream of Dhamma, and cultivates recollection of the Sangha. Furthermore, Mahānāma, you should recollect your own virtues: unbroken, unblemished, unspotted, unmarred, liberating, praised by the wise, untouched by craving, conducive to concentration. At whatever time, Mahānāma, a noble disciple recollects virtue, at that time his mind is not overcome by lust, not overcome by hatred, not overcome by delusion; at that time his mind is straight, with reference to virtue. And with a straight mind, Mahānāma, the noble disciple gains understanding of the goal, gains understanding of the Dhamma, gains joy connected with the Dhamma. Being joyful, rapture arises; with a rapturous mind, the body becomes tranquil; with a tranquil body, he experiences happiness; for one who is happy, the mind becomes concentrated. This, Mahānāma, is called a noble disciple who dwells in harmony with a disharmonious generation, who dwells without affliction in an afflicted generation, who has entered the stream of Dhamma, and cultivates recollection of virtue. develops. ‘‘Again, moreover, you, Mahānāma, should recollect your own generosity – ‘Indeed, it is a gain for me, indeed, it is well-obtained for me, that I, among a populace overcome by the stain of stinginess, dwell in a home with a mind free from the stain of stinginess, freely generous, with open hands, delighting in relinquishment, amenable to requests, delighting in the distribution of gifts.’ At whatever time, Mahānāma, a noble disciple recollects generosity, at that time his mind is not overcome by greed, his mind is not overcome by hatred, his mind is not overcome by delusion; at that time his mind is straight, focused on generosity. Indeed, Mahānāma, a noble disciple whose mind is straight obtains a sense of meaning, obtains a sense of the Dhamma, obtains joy connected with the Dhamma. For one who is joyful, rapture arises; for one whose mind is rapturous, the body becomes tranquil; one whose body is tranquil experiences happiness; for one who is happy, the mind becomes concentrated. This, Mahānāma, is called a noble disciple who dwells in harmony among a disharmonious populace, who dwells without ill-will among a populace full of ill-will, who has entered the stream of Dhamma, cultivating the recollection of generosity. ‘‘Again, moreover, you, Mahānāma, should recollect the devas – ‘There are devas of the Four Great Kings, there are devas of the Thirty-three, there are Yāma devas, there are Tusita devas, there are devas who delight in creation, there are devas who control others’ creations, there are devas of the Brahma-group, there are devas even higher than that. With whatever kind of faith those devas were endowed, having passed away from here, they were reborn there; such faith is also found in me. With whatever kind of virtue those devas were endowed, having passed away from here, they were reborn there; such virtue is also found in me. With whatever kind of learning those devas were endowed, having passed away from here, they were reborn there; such learning is also found in me. With whatever kind of generosity those devas were endowed, having passed away from here, they were reborn there; such generosity is also found in me. With whatever kind of wisdom those devas were endowed, having passed away from here, they were reborn there... wisdom. 'Such wisdom is present in me.' Mahānāma, at whatever time a noble disciple recollects their own and those deities' faith, virtue, learning, generosity, and wisdom, at that time their mind is not overcome by greed, their mind is not overcome by hatred, their mind is not overcome by delusion; at that time their mind is straight, concerning the deities. Mahānāma, a noble disciple whose mind is straight gains the meaning, gains the Dhamma, gains joy connected with the Dhamma. Being joyful, delight arises, being delighted, the body becomes tranquil, with a tranquil body, they experience happiness, being happy, the mind becomes concentrated. This is called, Mahānāma, a noble disciple dwelling in harmony with a disharmonious generation, dwelling without ill-will with an ill-willed generation, entered into the stream of Dhamma, cultivating the recollection of deities." The First. 2. The Second Mahānāma Sutta 12. At one time the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu, in the Nigrodha Park. Now at that time Mahānāma the Sakyan had recovered from an illness, recently recovered from sickness. Now at that time many bhikkhus were making robes for the Blessed One— "When the Blessed One's robes are finished, he will set out on a journey after three months." Mahānāma the Sakyan heard— "It is said that many bhikkhus are making robes for the Blessed One— 'When the Blessed One's robes are finished, he will set out on a journey after three months.'" Then Mahānāma the Sakyan

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