4:17 Patipadavaggo

Aṅguttara Nikāya
017. Paṭipadāvaggo

1. Saṇkhittasuttaṃ –– In short

017.01. Bhikkhus, these are the four ways of reaching the goal. What four?

A difficult means and slow realization, a difficult means and quick realization, a pleasant means and slow realization and a pleasant means and quick realization.

2. Vittārasuttaṃ –– In detail

017.02. Bhikkhus, these are the four means of reaching the goal. What four?

A difficult means and slow realization, a difficult means and quick realization, a pleasant means and slow realization and a pleasant means and quick realization.

Bhikkhus, what is the difficult means and slow realization?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain one by nature is greedy and suffers constantly on account of greed, by nature is hateful and suffers constantly on account of hatefulness, by nature is deluded and suffers constantly on account of delusion. His faculties of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom are blunt as a result he realizes the destruction of desires slowly with successive leading. Bhikkhus, to this is said the difficult means and slow realization.

Bhikkhus, what is the difficult means and quick realization?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain one by nature is greedy and suffers constantly on account of greed, by nature is hateful and suffers constantly on account of hatefulness, by nature is deluded and suffers constatnly on account of delusion. His faculties of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom are sharp as a result he realizes the destruction of desires quickly with successive leading. Bhikkhus, to this is said the difficult means and quick realization.

Bhikkhus, what is the pleasant means and slow realization?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain one by nature is not greedy and does not suffer constantly on account of greed, by nature is not hateful and does not suffer constantly on account of hatefulness, by nature is not deluded and does not suffer constantly on account of delusion. His faculties of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom are blunt as a result he realizes the destruction of desires slowly with successive leading. Bhikkhus, to this is said the pleasant means and slow realization.

Bhikkhus, what is the pleasant means and quick realization?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain one by nature is not greedy and does not suffer constantly on account of greed, by nature is not hateful and does not suffer constantly on account of hatefulness, by nature is not deluded and does not suffer constantly on account of delusion. His faculties of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom are sharp as a result he realizes the destruction of desires quickly with successive leading. Bhikkhus, to this is said the pleasant means and quick realization.

Bhikkhus, these are the four ways of reaching the goal.

3. Asubhasuttaṃ –– On loathsomeness

017.03. Bhikkhus, these are the four ways of reaching the goal. What four?

A difficult means and slow realization, a difficult means and quick realization, a pleasant means and slow realization and a pleasant means and quick realization.

Bhikkhus, what is the difficult means and slow realization?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain one abides reflecting loathsomeness in the body, loathsomeness in food, detachment from all the world, seeing impermanence in all determinations and the perception of death is thoroughly established in him. He abides relying on these five powers of a trainer- Such as the powers of faith, shame remorse, effort and wisdom. The five faculties of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom are blunt in him as a result he realizes the destruction of desires slowly with successive leading. Bhikkhus, to this is said the difficult means and slow realization.

Bhikkhus, what is the difficult means and quick realization?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain one abides reflecting loathsomeness in the body, loathsomeness in food, detachment from all the world, seeing impermanence in all determinations and the perception of death is thoroughly established in him. He abides relying on these five powers of a trainer- Such as the powers of faith, shame remorse, effort and wisdom. The five faculties of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom are sharp in him as a result he realizes the destruction of desires quickly with successive leading. Bhikkhus, to this is said the difficult means and quick realization.

Bhikkhus, what is the pleasant means and slow realization?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain one secluded from sensual thoughts, angry thoughts, hurting thoughts and evil thoughts ... re ... abides in the first higher state of mind. Overcoming thoughts and thought processes ... re ... abides in the second higher state of mind. Developing equanimity to joy and detachment ... re ... experiences pleasantness with the body too and abides in the third higher state of mind. To this the noble ones say abiding in pleasantness with equanimity. Dispelling pleasantness and unpleasantness and earlier having dispelled pleasure and displeasure, purifying mindfulness so that unpleasantness or pleasantness does not enter the mind, he abides in the fourth higher state of mind. He abides relying on these five powers of a trainer- Such as the powers of faith, shame remorse, effort and wisdom. The five faculties of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom are blunt in him as a result he realizes the destruction of desires slowly with successive leading. Bhikkhus, to this is said the pleasant means and slow realization.

Bhikkhus, what is the pleasant means and quick realization?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain one secluded from sensual thoughts, angry thoughts, hurting thoughts and evil thoughts ... re ... and abides in the first higher state of mind. Overcoming thoughts and thought processes ... re ... abides in the second higher state of mind. Developing equanimity to joy and detachment ... re ... experiences pleasantness with the body too and abides in the third higher state of mind. To this the noble ones say abiding in pleasantness with equanimity. Dispelling pleasantness and unpleasantness and earlier having dispelled pleasure and displeasure, purifying mindfulness so that unpleasantness or pleasantness does not enter the mind, he abides in the fourth higher state of mind. He abides relying on these five powers of a trainer- Such as the powers of faith, shame remorse, effort and wisdom. The five faculties of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom are sharp in him as a result he realizes the destruction of desires quickly with successive leading. Bhikkhus, to this is said the pleasant means and quick realization.

4. Paṭhamakhamasusttaṃ –– The first on enduring

017.04. Bhikkhus, these are four ways of reaching the goal. What four?

An impatient means, a patient means, the self controlled means and the impartial means.

Bhikkhus, what is an impatient means?

Here, bhikkhus a certain one reviles a reviler, arouses anger in return when aroused, disputes with the one who disputes. Bhikkhus, this is the impatient means.

Bhikkhus, what is the patient means?

Here, bhikkhus a certain one does not revile a reviler, does not arouse anger in return when aroused, does not dispute with one who disputes. Bhikkhus, this is the patient means.

Bhikkhus, what is the self controlled means?

Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu seeing a form does not take the sign or the detail. If the mental faculty of the eye was unprotected evil, demeritorious thoughts would stream, he falls to the method of protecting the faculty of the eye. - Hearing a sound ... re ... cognizing a smell, ... re ... ṭasting ... re ... cognizing a touch on the body, ... re ... and cognizing an idea does not take the sign or the detail. If the mental faculty of the mind was unprotected evil, demeritorious thoughts would stream, he falls to the method of protecting the mind. Bhikkhus, this is the self controlled means.

Bhikkhus, what is the impartial means?

Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu does not endure arisen sensual thoughts, destroys them, makes them not arise again, does not endure arisen angry thoughts, destroys them, makes them not arise again, does not endure arisen hurting thoughts, destroys them, makes them not arise again and does not endure arisen evil thoughts, destroys them, makes them not arise again. Bhikkhus, this is the impartial means.

Bhikkhus, these are four ways of reaching the goal.

5. Dutiyakhamasuttaṃ –– The second on enduring

017.05. Bhikkhus, these are four means of reaching the goal. What four?

A not enduring means, an enduring means, the self controlled means and the impartial means.

Bhikkhus, what is the not enduring means?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain person does not endure cold, heat, hunger, thirst, the sting of gadflies and yellow flies, the touch of hot air, the touch of creeping things, the touch of wrongly inunciated, rough words, and the touch of sharp, rough bodily feelings which bring life to an end. Bhikkhus, this is the not enduring means.

Bhikkhus, what is the enduring means?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain person endures cold, heat, hunger, thirst, the sting of gadflies and yellow flies, the touch of hot air, the touch of creeping things, the touch of wrongly inunciated, rough words, and the touch of sharp, rough bodily feelings which bring life to an end. Bhikkhus, this is the enduring means.

Bhikkhus, what is the self controlled means?

Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu seeing a form does not take the sign or the detail. If the mental faculty of the eye was unprotected, evil demeritorious thoughts would stream, he falls to the method of protecting the faculty of the eye. Hearing a sound ... re ... cognizing a smell, ... re ... ṭasting ... re ... cognizing a touch on the body, ... re ... and cognizing an idea does not take the sign or the detail. If the mental faculty of the mind was unprotected evil, demeritorious thoughts would stream, he falls to the method of protecting the mind. Bhikkhus, this is the self controlled means.

Bhikkhus, what is the impartial means?

Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu does not endure arisen sensual thoughts, destroys them, makes them not arise again, does not endure arisen angry thoughts, destroys them, makes them not arise again,does not endure arisen hurting thoughts, destroys them, makes them not arise again and does not endure arisen evil thoughts, destroys them, makes them not arise again. Bhikkhus, this is the impartial means.

Bhikkhus, these are four means of reaching the goal.

6. Ubhayasuttaṃ –– On both sides

017.06. Bhikkhus, these are the four means of reaching the goal. What four?

A difficult means and slow realization, a difficult means and quick realization, a pleasant means and slow realization and a pleasant means and quick realization.

Bhikkhus, the difficult means and slow realization, is not exalted on both counts, the means is difficult and the realization is slow. Therefore it is said to be not exalted on both counts

Bhikkhus the difficult means and quick realization is not exalted it is said, because of the difficult means

Bhikkhus, the pleasant means and slow realization is not exalted it is said, because of the slow realization.

Bhikkhus, the pleasant means and quick realization is exalted it is said, on both counts. It is exalted as the means is pleasant and it is exalted as the realization is quick.

Bhikkhus, these are the four means of reaching the goal.

7. Mahāmoggallānasuttaṃ –– To venerable Mahāmoggallāna

017.07. Then venerable Sāriputta approached venerable Mahāmoggallāna, exchanged friendly greetings, sat on a side and said to venerable Mahāmoggallāna:

Friend, Moggallāna, there are these four means to reach the goal. What four?

A difficult means and slow realization, a difficult means and quick realization, a pleasant means and slow realization and a pleasant means and quick realization.

Friend, Moggallāna, out of these four means, following which one did your mind find release without holding? .

Friend, Sāriputta, there are these four means to reach the goal. What four?

A difficult means and slow realization, a difficult means and quick realization, a pleasant means and slow realization and a pleasant means and quick realization. Out of these four means of reaching the goal, my mind was released without holdings following the difficult means and quick realization.

8. Sāriputtasuttaṃ –– To venerable Sāriputta

017.08. Ṭhen venerable Moggallāna approached venerable Sāriputta, exchanged friendly greetings, sat on a side and said to venerable Sāriputta-

Friend, Sāriputta, there are these four means to reach the goal. What four?

A difficult means and slow realization, a difficult means and quick realization, a pleasant means and slow realization and a pleasant means and quick realization.

Friend, Sāriputta, out of these four means, following which one did your mind find release without holding?.

Friend, Moggallāna, there are these four means to reach the goal. What four?

9. Sasankhārasuttaṃ –– With substratum

017.09. Bhikkhus, these four persons are evident in the world. What four?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain person extinguishes here and now with substratum. A certain person extinguishes with substratum at death, a certain person extinguishes here and now without substratum. A certain person extinguishes without substratum at death,

Bhikkhus, which person extinguishes here and now with substratum?

Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu abides reflecting loathsomeness in the body, loathsomeness in food, detachment from all the world, seeing impermanence in all determinations and the perception of death is thoroughly established in him. He abides relying on these five powers of a trainer- Such as the powers of faith, shame remorse, effort and wisdom. The five faculties of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom are sharp in him as a result he extinguishes here and now with substratum.

Bhikkhus, which person extinguishes with substratum after death?

Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu abides reflecting loathsomeness in the body, loathsomeness in food, detachment from all the world, seeing impermanence in all determinations and the perception of death is thoroughly established in him. He abides relying on these five powers of a trainer- Such as the powers of faith, shame remorse, effort and wisdom. The five faculties of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom are blunt in him as a result he extinguishes with substratum after death.

Bhikkhus, which person extinguishes here and now without substratum?

Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu secluded from sensual thoughts, angry thoughts, hurting thoughts and evil thoughts ... re ... and abides in the first higher state of mind. Overcoming thoughts and thought processes ... re ... abides in the second higher state of mind. Developing equanimity to joy and detachment ... re ... experiences pleasantness with the body too and abides in the third higher state of mind. To this the noble ones say abiding in pleasantness with equanimity. Dispelling pleasantness and unpleasantness and earlier having dispelled pleasure and displeasure, purifying mindfulness, so that unpleasantness or pleasantness does not enter the mind, he abides in the fourth higher state of mind. He abides relying on these five powers of a trainer- Such as the powers of faith, shame remorse, effort and wisdom. The five faculties of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom are sharp in him as a result he extinguishes without substratum here and now.

Bhikkhus, which person extinguishes without substratum after death?

Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu secluded from sensual thoughts, angry thoughts, hurting thoughts and evil thoughts ... re ... and abides in the first higher state of mind. Overcoming thoughts and thought processes ... re ... abides in the second higher state of mind. Developing equanimity to joy and detachment ... re ... experiences pleasantness with the body too and abides in the third higher state of mind. To this the noble ones say abiding in pleasantness with equanimity. Dispelling pleasantness and unpleasantness and earlier having dispelled pleasure and displeasure, purifying mindfulness, so that unpleasantness or pleasantness does not enter the mind, he abides in the fourth higher state of mind. He abides relying on these five powers of a trainer- Such as the powers of faith, shame remorse, effort and wisdom. The five faculties of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom are blunt in him as a result he extinguishes without substratum after death.

Bhikkhus, these four persons are evident in the world.

10. Yuganaddhasuttaṃ –– The two combined

017.10. At one time venerable Ānanda was abiding in Kosambi and addressed the bhikkhus:

Friends, bhikkhus, whoever bhikkhu or bhikkhuni declares worthiness in my presence would declare it, in one or the other of these four ways, there is not another. What four?

Friends, bhikkhus, by developing appeasement followed by insight the path appears. He develops that path and makes much of it and his bonds vanish and the underlying tendencies get destroyed.

Again, friends, bhikkhus, by developing insight followed by appeasement the path appears. He develops that path and makes much of it and his bonds vanish and the underlying tendencies get destroyed.

Again, friends, bhikkhus, by developing appeasement and insight together, the path appears. He develops that path and makes much of it and his bonds vanish and the underlying tendencies get destroyed.

Again, friends, bhikkhus, with the bhikkhu’s mind seized by rightful agitation there comes a time when the mind settles internally, lies and comes to a single point and concentrates, and to him the path appears. He develops that path and makes much of it and his bonds vanish and the underlying tendencies get destroyed. Friends, bhikkhus, whoever bhikkhu or bhikkhuni declares worthiness in my presence would declare it, in one or the other of these four ways, there is not another.