AN5.176 — Upāsakavagga Pītisutta

At that time, Anāthapiṇḍika the householder, surrounded by five hundred lay followers, approached the Blessed One. Having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.

While Anāthapiṇḍika the householder was sitting to one side, the Blessed One spoke to him: Householder, you should be aware that the disciple community is supported by robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicinal requisites for the sick. It is not merely by that alone that you should be satisfied with the disciple community being supported by robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicinal requisites for the sick. Therefore you should train yourself thus: What should we do from time to time to dwell in seclusion and experience joy? This, indeed you should train yourself in.

When this was said, the Venerable Sāriputta spoke to the Blessed One: Wonderful, Venerable Sir, marvelous, Venerable Sir! As long as this is well spoken by the Blessed One: Householder, you should be aware that the disciple community is supported by robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicinal requisites for the sick. It is not merely by that alone that you should be satisfied with the disciple community being supported by robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicinal requisites for the sick. Therefore you should train yourself thus: What should we do from time to time to dwell in seclusion and experience joy? This, indeed you should train yourself in.

In that moment, Venerable Sir, when a noble disciple dwells in seclusion and experiences joy, five conditions do not exist for him at that time. The suffering of sensual pleasures does not exist for him at that time. The suffering of unwholesome states does not exist for him at that time. The happiness of sensual pleasures does not exist for him at that time. The happiness of unwholesome states does not exist for him at that time. The suffering of wholesome states does not exist for him at that time.

In that moment, Venerable Sir, when a noble disciple dwells in seclusion and experiences joy, these five conditions do not exist for him at that time.

Good, good, Sāriputta! In that moment, Sāriputta, when a noble disciple dwells in seclusion and experiences joy, five conditions do not exist for him at that time. The suffering of sensual pleasures does not exist for him at that time.

What is associated with sensual pleasure, happiness, and joy, at that time does not exist. What is associated with unwholesomeness, suffering, and displeasure, at that time does not exist. What is associated with unwholesomeness, happiness, and joy, at that time does not exist. What is associated with wholesomeness, suffering, and displeasure, at that time does not exist.

In that moment, Sāriputta, when a noble disciple dwells experiencing seclusion and joy, these five states do not exist at that time.