SN35.117 — Kāmaguṇasutta

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

It then occurred to me: These five cords of sensual pleasure have been previously experienced, enjoyed, and fully known by me. Here, I must be diligent, mindful, and protect my mind. Therefore for you too, regarding these five cords of sensual pleasure that have been previously experienced, enjoyed, and fully known, your mind may often linger there, whether in the past, present, or future pleasures.

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

Therefore that base should be understood where the eye ceases and the perception of form ceases... where the tongue ceases and the perception of taste ceases... where the mind ceases and the perception of mental phenomena ceases. That base should be understood. 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 understood where the eye ceases and the perception of form ceases... where the tongue ceases and the perception of taste ceases... where the mind ceases and the perception of mental phenomena ceases. That base should be understood. Who will explain the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One?

Then the disciples thought: Venerable Ānanda is praised by the teacher and esteemed by his wise companions in the holy life. He is capable of explaining the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One. So, they approached Venerable Ānanda and, after exchanging greetings, sat to one side.

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 understood where the eye ceases and the perception of form ceases... where the tongue ceases and the perception of taste ceases... where the mind ceases and the perception of mental phenomena ceases.

That base should be understood. We thought: Who will explain the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One? It occurred to us that Venerable Ānanda is praised by the teacher and esteemed by his wise companions in the holy life. He is capable of explaining the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One. Let us approach Venerable Ānanda and ask him about this matter. They requested Venerable Ānanda to explain.

Venerable Ānanda replied, Friends, listen carefully and pay close attention, I will speak. Yes, friend, the disciples replied.

The disciples listened to the Venerable Ānanda. 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 understood where the eye ceases and the perception of form ceases... that base should be understood where the mind ceases and the perception of mental phenomena ceases.

Friends, I understand the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One, which he did not explain in detail. This was not spoken by the Blessed One with reference to the cessation of the six sense bases: Therefore that base should be understood where the eye ceases and the perception of form ceases... that base should be understood where the mind ceases and the perception of mental phenomena ceases.

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 understood where the eye ceases and the perception of form ceases... that base should be understood where the mind ceases and the perception of mental phenomena ceases.

Friends, I understand the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One, which he did not explain in detail, in this way. If you wish, venerable sirs, approach the Blessed One yourselves; having approached, ask him about this matter. Whatever the Blessed One explains to you, remember it that way.

Very well, friend, those disciples replied to the Venerable Ānanda, and after getting up from their seats, they approached the Blessed One. 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 understood where the eye ceases and the perception of form ceases... that base should be understood where the mind ceases and the perception of mental phenomena ceases. Not long after the Blessed One had left, it occurred to us:

Who now could explain the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One, which he did not explain in detail? It occurred to us: Venerable Ānanda is praised by the teacher and esteemed by his wise companions in the holy life. He is capable of explaining the detailed meaning of this brief teaching given by the Blessed One, which he did not explain in detail. So we approached Venerable Ānanda and asked him about this matter. Venerable Ānanda explained the meaning to us in this way, with these words, phrases, and syllables.

The Venerable Ānanda is wise, disciples; he has great wisdom, disciples. If you had asked me about this matter, I would have explained it to you in the same way as Ānanda did. That is the meaning of it. And you should remember it as such.