9:5 Samannavaggo

Aṅguttara Nikāya
005. Sāmaññavaggo –– The general section

1. Sambādhasuttaṃ –– Obstructions

005.01. At one time venerable Ānanda was abiding in Gosita’s monastery in Kosambi Venerable Udayi approached venerable Ānanda exchanged friendly greetings, sat on a side and said: “Friend, this was said by the gods’ son, Pañcalacandana.

The wise sage turning down obstructions, has made it possible.

To withdraw, through realizing it, by abiding in the higher states of the mind.

Friend, what are the obstructions? What are the possiblities to overcome the obstructions as told by The Blessed One? Friend, these five strands of sensual pleasures are the obstructions told by The Blessed One. What five?

Agreeable pleasant forms cognizable by eye-consciousness arousing fondness and sensual desires. Agreeable pleasant sounds cognizable by ear-consciousness, ... re ... scents cognizable by nose-consciousness, ... re ... tastes cognizable by tongue-consciousness, ... re ... and touches cognizable by body-consciousness arousing fondness and sensual desires. Friend, these five strands of sensual pleasures are obstructions, said The Blessed One.

Here, friend, the bhikkhu secluding the mind from sensual pleasures ... re ... abides in the first higher state of the mind. Friend, with this much also, The Blessed One has said that the obstruction overcome, it is possible to realize, by a certain method. There the offence is the obstruction. What is the obstruction there? As long as thoughts and discursive thoughts do not hinder that is the obstruction.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming thoughts and discursive thoughts ... re ... abides in the second higher state of the mind. Friend, with this much also, The Blessed One has said that the obstruction overcome, it is possible to realize by a certain method. There the offence is the obstruction What is the obstruction there? As long as joy does not hinder that is the obstruction.

Again, friend, with equanimity to joy and disenchantment ... re ... abides in the third higher state of the mind. Friend, with this much also, The Blessed One has said that the obstruction overcome, it is possible to realize by a certain method. There the offence is the obstruction. What is the obstruction there? As long as the pleasantness of equanimity does not hinder that is the obstruction.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu dispelling pleasantness and unpleasantness ... re ... abides in the fourth higher state of the mind. Friend, with this much also, The Blessed One has said that the obstruction overcome, it is possible to realize by a certain method. There the offence is the obstruction. What is the obstruction there? As long as material perceptions do not hinder that is the obstruction.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all perceptions of matter and anger, without attending to various percptions, with space is boundless abides in the sphere of space. Friend, with this much also, The Blessed One has said that the obstruction overcome, it is possible to realize by a certain method. There the offence is the obstruction. What is the obstruction there? As long as perceptions of space do not hinder that is the obstruction.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all the sphere of space with consciousness is boundless abides in the sphere of consciousness. Friend, with this much also, The Blessed One has said that the obstruction overcome, it is possible to realize by a certain method. There the offence is the obstruction. What is the obstruction there? As long as perceptions of the sphere of consciousness do not hinder that is the obstruction.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all the sphere of consciousness with there is nothing, abides in the sphere of no-thingness. Friend, with this much also, The Blessed One has said that the obstruction overcome, it is possible to realize by a certain method. There the offence is the obstruction. What is the obstruction there? As long as perceptions of the sphere of no-thingness do not hinder that is the obstruction.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all the sphere of no-thingness abides in the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception. Friend, with this much also, The Blessed One has said that the obstruction overcome, it is possible to realize by a certain method. There the offence is the obstruction. What is the obstruction there? As long as perceptions of neither perception nor non perception do not hinder that is the obstruction.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all perceptions of the sphere of neither perceptions nor non-perceptions abides in the cessation of perceptions and feelings. Seeing with wisdom too desires are dispelled Friend, with this much also, The Blessed One has said that the obstruction overcome, it is possible to realize without a method.

2. Kāyasakkhīsuttaṃ –– Body witness

005.02. “Friend, it is said, ‘body witness’, for what is it said body witness by The Blessed One?”

“Here, friend, the bhikkhu secluding the mind from sensual desires ... re ... abides in the first higher state of the mind. Whatever there is, in that state of the mind he abides experiencing them, with the body. Friend, mastering this much, it is body witness,” said The Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming thoughts and discursive thoughts ... re ... abides in the second higher state of the mind ... third higher state of the mind, ... fourth higher state of the mind Whatever there is, in that state of the mind he abides experiencing them, with the body. Friend, mastering this much, it is body witness,” said The Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all perceptions of matter and all perceptions of anger, not attending to various perceptions, with space is boundless abides in the sphere of space. Whatever there is, in that state of the mind he abides experiencing them, with the body. Friend, mastering this much, it is body witness,” said The Blessed One ... re ...

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all the sphere of neither perceptions nor non-perceptions abides in the cessation of perceptions and feelings. Whatever there is, in that state of the mind he abides experiencing them, with the body. Friend, without a mastery, this much, is body witness,” said The Blessed One.

3. Paññāvimuttassuttaṃ –– Released in wisdom

005.03. “Friend, it is said, ‘released in wisdom’, for what is it said released in wisdom by The Blessed One?”

“Here, friend, the bhikkhu secluding the mind from sensual desires ... re ... abides in the first higher state of the mind. He knows it through wisdom too. Friend, mastering this much, it is said released in wisdom, by The Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming thoughts and discursive thoughts ... re ... abides in the second higher state of the mind ... third higher state of the mind, ... fourth higher state of the mind He knows it through wisdom too. Friend, mastering this much, it is said released in wisdom by Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all perceptions of matter and all perceptions of anger, not attending to various perceptions, with space is boundless abides in the sphere of space. He knows it through wisdom too. Friend, mastering this much, it is said released in wisdom by The Blessed One ... re ...

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all the sphere of neither perceptions nor non-perceptions abides in the cessation of perceptions and feelings. He knows it through wisdom too. Friend, without a mastery, for this much, it is said released in wisdom by The Blessed One.”

4. Ubhatobhāgavimuttasuttaṃ –– Released in both ways

005.04. “Friend, it is said, ‘released in both ways’, for what is it said relased in both ways by The Blessed One?”

“Here, friend, the bhikkhu secluding the mind from sensual desires ... re ... abides in the first higher state of the mind. He abides experiencing that state of the mind with the body and knows it through wisdom too. Friend, mastering this much, it is said released in both ways, by The Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming thoughts and discursive thoughts ... re ... abides in the second higher state of the mind ... third higher state of the mind, ... fourth higher state of the mind He abides experiencing that state of the mind with the body and knows it through wisdom too. Friend, mastering this much, it is said released in both ways by Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all perceptions of matter and all perceptions of anger, not attending to various perceptions, with space is boundless abides in the sphere of space. He abides experiencing that state of the mind with the body and knows it through wisdom too. Friend, mastering this much, it is said released in both ways by The Blessed One ... re ...

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all the sphere of neither perceptions nor non-perceptions abides in the cessation of perceptions and feelings. He abides experiencing that state of the mind with the body and knows it through wisdom too. Friend, without a mastery, for this much, it is said released in both ways by The Blessed One.”

5. Sandiṭṭhikadhammasuttaṃ –– The Teaching is here and now

005.05. “Friend, it is said ‘the Teaching is here and now’ How is the Teaching here and now as told by The Blessed One?”

“Here, friend, the bhikkhu secluding the mind from sensual desires ... re ... abides in the first higher state of the mind. Friend, mastering this much, it is said, the Teaching is here and now by The Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming thoughts and discursive thoughts ... re ... abides in the second higher state of the mind ... third higher state of the mind, ... fourth higher state of the mind Friend, mastering this much, it is said the Teaching is here and now by Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all perceptions of matter and all perceptions of anger, not attending to various perceptions, with space is boundless abides in the sphere of space. Friend, mastering this much, it is said the Teaching is here and now by The Blessed One ... re ...

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all the sphere of neither perceptions nor non-perceptions abides in the cessation of perceptions and feelings. Friend, without a mastery, for this much, it is said, the Teaching is here and now, by The Blessed One.”

6. Sandiṭṭhikanibbānasuttaṃ –– Extinction here and now

005.06. ”Friend, it is said extinction is here and now, how far is extinction here and now as told by The Blessed One?”

“Here, friend, the bhikkhu secluding the mind from sensual desires ... re ... abides in the first higher state of the mind. Friend, mastering this much, it is said extinction is here and now by The Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming thoughts and discursive thoughts ... re ... abides in the second higher state of the mind ... third higher state of the mind, ... fourth higher state of the mind Friend, mastering this much, it is said extinction is here and now, by Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all perceptions of matter and all perceptions of anger, not attending to various perceptions, with space is boundless abides in the sphere of space. Friend, mastering this much, it is said extinction is here and now, by The Blessed One ... re ...

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all the sphere of neither perceptions nor non-perceptions abides in the cessation of perceptions and feelings. Friend, without a mastery, for this much, it is said extinction is here and now, by The Blessed One.”

7. Nibbānasuttaṃ –– Extinction

005.07. ”Friend, it is said, extinction, for what is it said, extinction by The Blessed One?”

“Here, friend, the bhikkhu secluding the mind from sensual desires ... re ... abides in the first higher state of the mind. Friend, mastering this, is extinction said The Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming thoughts and discursive thoughts ... re ... abides in the second higher state of the mind ... third higher state of the mind, ... fourth higher state of the mind Friend, mastering this, is extinction said The Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all the sphere of neither perceptions nor non-perceptions abides in the cessation of perceptions and feelings. Friend, mastering this, is extinction said The Blessed One.”

8. Parinibbānasuttaṃ –– Final extinction

005.08. ”Friend, it is said, ‘final extinction,’ for what is it said, final extinction by The Blessed One?”

“Here, friend, the bhikkhu secluding the mind from sensual desires ... re ... abides in the first higher state of the mind. Friend, mastering this is final extinction said The Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming thoughts and discursive thoughts ... re ... abides in the second higher state of the mind ... third higher state of the mind, ... fourth higher state of the mind Friend, mastering this is final extinction said The Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all perceptions of matter and all perceptions of anger, not attending to various perceptions, with space is boundless abides in the sphere of space. Friend, mastering this is final extinction said The Blessed One ... re ...

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all the sphere of neither perceptions nor non-perceptions abides in the cessation of perceptions and feelings. Friend, mastering, this is final extinction said The Blessed One.”

9. Tadaṇganibbānasuttaṃ –– By that factor extinction

005.09. ”Friend, it is said, extinction by that factor, why is it said, extinction by that factor by The Blessed One?”

“Here, friend, the bhikkhu secluding the mind from sensual desires ... re ... abides in the first higher state of the mind. Friend, mastering this is extinction by that factor, said The Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming thoughts and discursive thoughts ... re ... abides in the second higher state of the mind ... third higher state of the mind, ... fourth higher state of the mind Friend, mastering this is extinction by that factor, said The Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all perceptions of matter and all perceptions of anger, not attending to various perceptions, with space is boundless abides in the sphere of space. Friend, mastering this is extinction by that factor, said The Blessed One ... re ...

10. Diṭṭhadhammanibbānasuttaṃ –– Extinction in this very life

005.10. ”Friend, it is said, ‘extinction in this very life” how far is it extinction in this very life as told by The Blessed One?”

“Here, friend, the bhikkhu secluding the mind from sensual desires ... re ... abides in the first higher state of the mind. Friend, mastering this is extinction in this very life, said The Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming thoughts and discursive thoughts ... re ... abides in the second higher state of the mind ... third higher state of the mind, ... fourth higher state of the mind Friend, mastering this is extinction in this very life, said The Blessed One.

Again, friend, the bhikkhu overcoming all perceptions of matter and all perceptions of anger, not attending to various perceptions, with space is boundless abides in the sphere of space. Friend, mastering this is extinction in this very life, said The Blessed One ... re ...