CHAPTER XXVII
ON WAYS OF ACTION

(1 to 10) Lures to Hell and Heaven (a to j)

BRETHREN, whose is given to four things is reborn in purgatory, even as a load is laid down. With what four?

He is himself one who takes life and also instigates others to do so, he approves* and speaks in praise of taking life. Verily, brethren, whoso is given to these four things, is reborn ...

Brethren, whoso is given to four things is reborn in heaven, even as a load is laid down. With what four?

He is himself one who abstains from taking life and also instigates others to do so, he approves and speaks in praise of abstinence from taking life. Verily, brethren, whoso is given to these four things is reborn in heaven even as a load is laid down.

[Repeat Discourse (1) with >“theft” substituted for “>taking life” and mutatis mutandis.]

[As above, with> “unchastity” for “>taking life,” etc.]

[As above, with> “lying” for “>taking life,” etc.]

[As above, with> “malicious speech” for> “taking life,” etc.]

xxvii. Section 271] On Ways of Action> 319

[As above, with “>rough speech” for >“taking life,” etc.]

As above, with >“frivolous talk” for “>taking life” etc.]

[As above, with “>covetousness” for “>taking life,” etc.]

[As above, with> “ill-well” for “taking life,” etc.]

[As above, with> “false views” for “>taking life,” etc.]

(11) Lust

Brethren, for the purpose of comprehending lust, four things must be developed. What four?

Herein, brethren, let a brother, as to body, continue so to look upon body that he remains ardent, self-possessed and mindful, having overcome both the hankering and the dejection common in the world. And in the same way as to feelings, thoughts and ideas, let him so look upon each, that he remains ardent, self-possessed and mindful, having overcome both the hankering and the dejection common in the world.*

Brethren, for the purpose of comprehending lust, four (other) things must be developed. What four?

Herein, brethren, a brother produces a desire, strives, makes an effort, applies and exerts his mind to prevent the arising of evil and sinful conditions that have not yet arisen; so does he strive to put away evil and sinful conditions that have arisen; for the coming into existence of good and virtuous conditions that have not arisen; for the continuance of good and virtuous conditions that have arisen, for the absence of confusion, for the growth,

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1 For this formula I adopt Prof. Rhys David’s translation.

320 The Numerical Sayings >[TEXTii, 257

development and fulfilment of meditation he produces a desire, strives, makes an effort, applies and exerts himself. Brethren, for the purpose of comprehending lust these four things must be developed.

Brethren, for the purpose of comprehending lust these four (other) things must be developed. What four?

Herein, a brother develops the four bases of psychic powers,* to wit: the making determination in respect of concentration on purpose, on will, on thoughts and on investigation. Brethren, for the purpose of comprehending lust these four things must be developed.

Brethren, for the purpose of well understanding, for the ending, the putting away, the extinction, the passing away, the detachment and cessation from, the forsaking and renunciation of lust,--these four things must be developed.

For the purpose of comprehending, understanding, ending ... ignorance, hatred, enmity, ill-feeling malice, envy, avarice,* deceit, craft, hypocrisy, pride, arrogance, conceit and negligence-these four things must be developed.’

(CHAPTER XXVII: ON WAYS OF ACTION ENDS)

THE SECTION OP TETRADS 18 ENDED

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1 Iddhi.

2 Atimānassa is omitted from the Sinhalese text. See M. N>., Dhamma-hadaya sutta>.

3 This Discourse is called Rāga-peyyāla >or Lust-(repetition)-formula.” Cf. A. III, 151, 163.