SN22.122 — The Discourse on the Virtuous
At one time, Venerable Sāriputta and Venerable Mahākoṭṭhita were staying near Benares, in the Deer Park at Isipatana. Then, in the late afternoon, Venerable Mahākoṭṭhita came out of retreat, went to Venerable Sāriputta, and said to him:
Venerable Sāriputta, what things should a virtuous disciple properly attend to?
A virtuous disciple should properly attend to the five aggregates subject to clinging as impermanent, suffering, a disease, a boil, a dart, a misfortune, an affliction, alien, disintegrating, empty, and not-self. What five?
The aggregate of form, the aggregate of feeling, the aggregate of perception, the aggregate of choices, and the aggregate of consciousness.
A virtuous disciple should properly attend to these five aggregates subject to clinging as impermanent, suffering, a disease, a boil, a dart, a misfortune, an affliction, alien, disintegrating, empty, and not-self.
There is a possibility that a virtuous disciple, properly attending to these five aggregates subject to clinging in this way, may realize the fruit of stream-entry.
But, Venerable Sāriputta, what things should a stream-enterer properly attend to?
A stream-enterer should properly attend to these five aggregates subject to clinging as impermanent, suffering, a disease, a boil, a dart, a misfortune, an affliction, alien, disintegrating, empty, and not-self.
There is a possibility that a stream-enterer, properly attending to these five aggregates subject to clinging in this way, may realize the fruit of once-return.
But, Venerable Sāriputta, what things should a once-returner properly attend to?
A once-returner should properly attend to these five aggregates subject to clinging as impermanent, suffering, a disease, a boil, a dart, a misfortune, an affliction, alien, disintegrating, empty, and not-self.
There is a possibility that a once-returner, properly attending to these five aggregates subject to clinging in this way, may realize the fruit of non-return.
But, Venerable Sāriputta, what things should a non-returner properly attend to?
A non-returner should properly attend to these five aggregates subject to clinging as impermanent, suffering, a disease, a boil, a dart, a misfortune, an affliction, alien, disintegrating, empty, and not-self.
There is a possibility that a non-returner, properly attending to these five aggregates subject to clinging in this way, may realize the fruit of arahantship.
But, Venerable Sāriputta, what things should an arahant properly attend to?
An arahant should properly attend to these five aggregates subject to clinging as impermanent, suffering, a disease, a boil, a dart, a misfortune, an affliction, alien, disintegrating, empty, and not-self.
There is nothing further for an arahant to do, and nothing that needs improvement.
However, these things, when developed and cultivated, lead to a pleasant dwelling in this very life, as well as to mindfulness and clear knowing.