Saṁyutta Nikāya 35.117 12.

Kāmaguṇasutta

Lokakāmaguṇavagga Kāmaguṇasutta “Pubbeva me, bhikkhave, sambodhā anabhisambuddhassa bodhisattasseva sato etadahosi: ‘yeme pañca kāmaguṇā cetaso samphuṭṭhapubbā atītā niruddhā vipariṇatā, tatra me cittaṁ bahulaṁ gacchamānaṁ gaccheyya paccuppannesu vā appaṁ vā anāgatesu’.

Before my enlightenment, while I was still an unenlightened Bodhisattva, it occurred to me: These five cords of sense satisfaction have been previously experienced, enjoyed, and fully known by me. My mind would often linger there, whether in the past, present, or future pleasures.

Tassa mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, etadahosi: ‘yeme pañca kāmaguṇā cetaso samphuṭṭhapubbā atītā niruddhā vipariṇatā, tatra me attarūpena appamādo sati cetaso ārakkho karaṇīyo’.

It then occurred to me: These five cords of sense satisfaction have been previously experienced, enjoyed, and fully known by me. Here, I must be diligent, mindful, and protect my mind.

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, tumhākampi ye te pañca kāmaguṇā cetaso samphuṭṭhapubbā atītā niruddhā vipariṇatā, tatra vo cittaṁ bahulaṁ gacchamānaṁ gaccheyya paccuppannesu vā appaṁ vā anāgatesu.

Therefore for you too, regarding these five cords of sense satisfaction that have been previously experienced, enjoyed, and fully known, your mind may often linger there, whether in the past, present, or future pleasures.

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, tumhākampi ye te pañca kāmaguṇā cetaso samphuṭṭhapubbā atītā niruddhā vipariṇatā, tatra vo attarūpehi appamādo sati cetaso ārakkho karaṇīyo.

Therefore for you too, regarding these five cords of sense satisfaction that have been previously experienced, enjoyed, and fully known, you must be diligent, mindful, and protect your mind.

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, se āyatane veditabbe yattha cakkhu ca nirujjhati, rūpasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe …pe…

Therefore that base should be known where the eye ceases and the perception of form ceases...

yattha jivhā ca nirujjhati, rasasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe …pe…

where the tongue ceases and the perception of taste ceases...

yattha mano ca nirujjhati, dhammasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe”ti.

where the mind ceases and the perception of mental phenomena ceases.

Idaṁ vatvā bhagavā uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ pāvisi.

That base should be known.

Atha kho tesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ acirapakkantassa bhagavato etadahosi: “idaṁ kho no, āvuso, bhagavā saṅkhittena uddesaṁ uddisitvā vitthārena atthaṁ avibhajitvā uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ paviṭṭho: ‘tasmātiha, bhikkhave, se āyatane veditabbe yattha cakkhu ca nirujjhati, rūpasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe …pe… yattha jivhā ca nirujjhati, rasasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe …pe…

After saying this, the Blessed One rose from his seat and entered the monastery. Soon after the Blessed One had left, the disciples thought: The Blessed One has given us a brief teaching without explaining the detailed meaning: Therefore that base should be known where the eye ceases and the perception of form ceases...

yattha mano ca nirujjhati, dhammasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe’ti.

where the tongue ceases and the perception of taste ceases...

Ko nu kho imassa bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ vibhajeyyā”ti? Atha kho tesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ etadahosi: “ayaṁ kho āyasmā ānando satthu ceva saṁvaṇṇito, sambhāvito ca viññūnaṁ sabrahmacārīnaṁ.

where the mind ceases and the perception of mental phenomena ceases. That base should be known.

Who will explain the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One?

Pahoti cāyasmā ānando imassa bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ vibhajituṁ.

Then the disciples thought: Venerable Ānanda is praised by the teacher and esteemed by his wise companions in the holy life.

Yannūna mayaṁ yenāyasmā ānando tenupasaṅkameyyāma; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etamatthaṁ paṭipuccheyyāmā”ti.

He is capable of explaining the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One.

Atha kho te bhikkhū yenāyasmā ānando tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā ānandena saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu.

So, they approached Venerable Ānanda and, after exchanging greetings, sat to one side.

Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etadavocuṁ: “Idaṁ kho no, āvuso ānanda, bhagavā saṅkhittena uddesaṁ uddisitvā vitthārena atthaṁ avibhajitvā uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ paviṭṭho: ‘tasmātiha, bhikkhave, se āyatane veditabbe yattha cakkhu ca nirujjhati, rūpasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe …pe… yattha jivhā ca nirujjhati, rasasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe …pe…

They then said to Venerable Ānanda: Venerable Ānanda, after giving us a brief teaching without explaining the detailed meaning, the Blessed One entered the monastery: Therefore that base should be known where the eye ceases and the perception of form ceases...

yattha mano ca nirujjhati, dhammasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe’ti.

where the tongue ceases and the perception of taste ceases...

Tesaṁ no, āvuso, amhākaṁ acirapakkantassa bhagavato etadahosi: ‘idaṁ kho no, āvuso, bhagavā saṅkhittena uddesaṁ uddisitvā vitthārena atthaṁ avibhajitvā uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ paviṭṭho: “tasmātiha, bhikkhave, se āyatane veditabbe yattha cakkhu ca nirujjhati, rūpasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe …pe… yattha jivhā ca nirujjhati, rasasaññā ca nirujjhati se āyatane veditabbe …pe…

where the mind ceases and the perception of mental phenomena ceases.

yattha mano ca nirujjhati, dhammasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe”ti.

That base should be known.

Ko nu kho imassa bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ vibhajeyyā’ti?

We thought: Who will explain the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One?

Tesaṁ no, āvuso, amhākaṁ etadahosi: ‘ayaṁ kho āyasmā ānando satthu ceva saṁvaṇṇito, sambhāvito ca viññūnaṁ sabrahmacārīnaṁ.

It occurred to us that Venerable Ānanda is praised by the teacher and esteemed by his wise companions in the holy life.

Pahoti cāyasmā ānando imassa bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ vibhajituṁ.

He is capable of explaining the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One.

Yannūna mayaṁ yenāyasmā ānando tenupasaṅkameyyāma; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etamatthaṁ paṭipuccheyyāmā’ti. Vibhajatāyasmā ānando”ti.

Let us approach Venerable Ānanda and ask him about this matter. They requested Venerable Ānanda to explain.

“Seyyathāpi, āvuso, puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa …pe…

Venerable Ānanda replied, Friends, listen carefully and pay close attention, I will speak.

vibhajatāyasmā ānando agaruṁ karitvā”ti.

Yes, friend, the disciples replied.

“Tenahāvuso, suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

The disciples listened to the Venerable Ānanda.

“Evamāvuso”ti kho te bhikkhū āyasmato ānandassa paccassosuṁ. Āyasmā ānando etadavoca: “Yaṁ kho vo, āvuso, bhagavā saṅkhittena uddesaṁ uddisitvā vitthārena atthaṁ avibhajitvā uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ paviṭṭho: ‘tasmātiha, bhikkhave, se āyatane veditabbe yattha cakkhu ca nirujjhati, rūpasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe …pe…

Venerable Ānanda said, Friends, the Blessed One briefly gave a teaching, without explaining the meaning in detail, before entering the monastery after getting up from his seat: Therefore that base should be known where the eye ceases and the perception of form ceases...

yattha mano ca nirujjhati, dhammasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe’ti.

that base should be known where the mind ceases and the perception of mental phenomena ceases.

Imassa khvāhaṁ, āvuso, bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāmi.

Friends, I know the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One, which he did not explain in detail.

Saḷāyatananirodhaṁ no etaṁ, āvuso, bhagavatā sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘tasmātiha, bhikkhave, se āyatane veditabbe, yattha cakkhu ca nirujjhati, rūpasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe …pe…

This was not spoken by the Blessed One with reference to the cessation of the six sense bases: Therefore that base should be known where the eye ceases and the perception of form ceases...

yattha mano ca nirujjhati, dhammasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe’ti.

that base should be known where the mind ceases and the perception of mental phenomena ceases.

Ayaṁ kho, āvuso, bhagavā saṅkhittena uddesaṁ uddisitvā vitthārena atthaṁ avibhajitvā uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ paviṭṭho: ‘tasmātiha, bhikkhave, se āyatane veditabbe yattha cakkhu ca nirujjhati, rūpasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe …pe…

This is what the Blessed One briefly taught, without explaining the meaning in detail, before entering the monastery after getting up from his seat: Therefore that base should be known where the eye ceases and the perception of form ceases...

yattha mano ca nirujjhati, dhammasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe’ti.

that base should be known where the mind ceases and the perception of mental phenomena ceases.

Imassa khvāhaṁ, āvuso, bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa evaṁ vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāmi.

Friends, I know the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One, which he did not explain in detail, in this way.

Ākaṅkhamānā ca pana tumhe āyasmanto bhagavantaṁyeva upasaṅkamatha; upasaṅkamitvā etamatthaṁ puccheyyātha.

If you wish, venerable sirs, approach the Blessed One yourselves; having approached, ask him about this matter.

Yathā vo bhagavā byākaroti tathā naṁ dhāreyyāthā”ti.

Whatever the Blessed One explains to you, remember it that way.

“Evamāvuso”ti kho te bhikkhū āyasmato ānandassa paṭissutvā uṭṭhāyāsanā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.

Very well, friend, those disciples replied to the Venerable Ānanda, and after getting up from their seats, they approached the Blessed One.

Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ: “Yaṁ kho no, bhante, bhagavā saṅkhittena uddesaṁ uddisitvā vitthārena atthaṁ avibhajitvā uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ paviṭṭho: ‘tasmātiha, bhikkhave, se āyatane veditabbe yattha cakkhu ca nirujjhati, rūpasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe …pe… yattha jivhā ca nirujjhati, rasasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe …pe…

Having approached, after paying homage to the Blessed One, they sat down at one side. Sitting at one side, those disciples said to the Blessed One: Venerable sir, the Blessed One briefly gave a teaching, without explaining the meaning in detail, before entering the monastery after getting up from his seat: Therefore that base should be known where the eye ceases and the perception of form ceases...

yattha mano ca nirujjhati, dhammasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe’ti, tesaṁ no, bhante, amhākaṁ acirapakkantassa bhagavato etadahosi: ‘idaṁ kho no, āvuso, bhagavā saṅkhittena uddesaṁ uddisitvā vitthārena atthaṁ avibhajitvā uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ paviṭṭho: “tasmātiha, bhikkhave, se āyatane veditabbe yattha cakkhu ca nirujjhati, rūpasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe …pe… yattha mano ca nirujjhati, dhammasaññā ca nirujjhati, se āyatane veditabbe”ti.

that base should be known where the mind ceases and the perception of mental phenomena ceases.

Not long after the Blessed One had left, it occurred to us: This is what the Blessed One briefly taught, without explaining the meaning in detail, before entering the monastery after getting up from his seat: Therefore that base should be known where the eye ceases and the perception of form ceases...

Ko nu kho imassa bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ vibhajeyyā’ti? Tesaṁ no, bhante, amhākaṁ etadahosi: ‘ayaṁ kho āyasmā ānando satthu ceva saṁvaṇṇito, sambhāvito ca viññūnaṁ sabrahmacārīnaṁ.

that base should be known where the mind ceases and the perception of mental phenomena ceases. Who now could explain the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One, which he did not explain in detail?

Pahoti cāyasmā ānando imassa bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ vibhajituṁ.

It occurred to us: Venerable Ānanda is praised by the teacher and esteemed by his wise companions in the holy life.

Yannūna mayaṁ yenāyasmā ānando tenupasaṅkameyyāma; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etamatthaṁ paṭipuccheyyāmā’ti.

He is capable of explaining the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One, which he did not explain in detail.

Atha kho mayaṁ, bhante, yenāyasmā ānando tenupasaṅkamimha; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etamatthaṁ paṭipucchimha.

So we approached Venerable Ānanda and asked him about this matter.

Tesaṁ no, bhante, āyasmatā ānandena imehi ākārehi, imehi padehi, imehi byañjanehi attho vibhatto”ti.

Venerable Ānanda explained the meaning to us in this way, with these words, phrases, and syllables.

“Paṇḍito, bhikkhave, ānando; mahāpañño, bhikkhave, ānando.

The Venerable Ānanda is wise, disciples; he has great wisdom, disciples.

Mañcepi tumhe, bhikkhave, etamatthaṁ paṭipuccheyyātha, ahampi taṁ evamevaṁ byākareyyaṁ yathā taṁ ānandena byākataṁ.

If you had asked me about this matter, I would have explained it to you in the same way as Ānanda did.

Eso cevetassa attho.

That is the meaning of it.

Evañca naṁ dhāreyyāthā”ti. Catutthaṁ.

And you should remember it as such.