Volume V –– Mahāvaggo Samyutta 44 –– Magga Saṃyutta Chapter 14 –– Balakaraṇīya Vaggo

Sutta Pitaka
Samyutta Nikāya
Volume V –– Mahāvaggo
Samyutta 44 –– Magga Saṃyutta
Chapter 14 –– Balakaraṇīya Vaggo

44. 14. 1.
(179) Balaṃ 1 –– Powerful 1 (Seclusion, Non-excitement)

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One lived in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s Grove in Sāvatthi, and addressed the monks from there:

2. “Monks, when doing any powerful action it is done established on earth and supported by earth. In the same manner, monks, the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path should do so established in virtues and relying on virtues. Monks, how does the monk develop and make much the Noble Eightfold Path established in virtues and relying on virtues?

3. “Here, monks, the monk develops right view relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity  re  and the monk develops right concentration relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity. Monks, in this manner the monk develops and makes much the Noble Eightfold Path established in virtues and relying on virtues.”

44. 14. 2––4.
(180––182) Balaṃ 2–4 – Powerful 2–4

As in sutta 179, substituting Dispassion, The Deathless, and Extinction for Seclusion and non-excitement.

44. 14. 5.
(183) Bīja 1 –– Seedlings 1 (Seclusion, Non-excitement)

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One lived in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s Grove in Sāvatthi, and addressed the monks from there:

2. “Monks, all seedlings and vegetation grow and become stately, established on earth and supported by earth. In the same manner, the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path, does so established and relying on virtues. Monks, how does the monk develop and make much the Noble Eightfold Path established and relying on virtues?

3. “Here, monks, the monk develops right view relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity  re  and the monk develops right concentration relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity. Monks, in this manner the monk develops and makes much the Noble Eightfold Path established in virtues and relying on virtues.”

44. 14. 6––8.
(184––186) Bīja 2–4 – Seedlings 2–4

As in sutta 183, substituting Dispassion, The Deathless, and Extinction for Seclusion and non-excitement.

44. 14. 9.
(187) Nāgo 1 –– The Elephant 1 (Seclusion, Non-excitement)

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One lived in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s Grove in Sāvatthi, and addressed the monks from there:

2. “Monks, elephants grow their bodies, become stately and powerful inhibited by the Great Himalayan mountains. There they grow powerful and stately and encroach shrubs, forests, small rivers, large rivers, the coastal regions and the great ocean. In the ocean they grow their bodies and become stately and magnificent.

3. “In the same manner, monks, the monk established and relying on virtues develops and makes much the Noble Eightfold Path grows and comes to greatness in the Teaching.

“Monks, how does the monk established and relying on virtues, develop and make much the Noble Eightfold Path, and become great in the Teaching?

4. “Here, monks, the monk develops right view relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity  re  and the monk develops right concentration relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity. Monks, in this manner the monk develops and makes much the Noble Eightfold Path established in virtues and relying on virtues.”

44. 14. 10––12.
(188-190) Nāgo 2––4 – The Elephant 2–4

As in sutta 187, substituting Dispassion, The Deathless, and Extinction for Seclusion and non-excitement.

44. 14. 13.
(191) Rukkho 1 –– A Tree 1

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One lived in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s Grove in Sāvatthi, and addressed the monks from there:

2. “Monks, a tree bends, slopes, and inclines towards the east, when its root is cut where would it fall?.”

“Venerable sir, it would fall there, where it has a bend, slope and an incline.”

3. “In the same manner, monks, the monk develops and makes much the Noble Eightfold Path, bending, sloping, and inclining to extinction.

“Monks, how developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path does the monk bend, slope, and incline to extinction?

4. “Here, monks, the monk develops right view relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity  re  and the monk develops right concentration relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity. Monks, in this manner the monk develops and makes much the Noble Eightfold Path, bending, sloping, and inclining to extinction.”

44. 14. 14––16.
(192––194) Rukkho 2–4 – A Tree 2–4

As in sutta 191, substituting Dispassion, The Deathless, and Extinction for Seclusion and non-excitement.

44. 14. 17.
(195) Kunbho 1 –– A Pot 1

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One lived in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s Grove in Sāvatthi, and addressed the monks from there:

2. “Monks, a pot turned upside down ejects water rejects it, in the same manner the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path rejects demerit does not accept them. Monks, how developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path does the monk turn out demerit?

3. “Here, monks, the monk develops right view relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity  re  and the monk develops right concentration relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity. Monks, in this manner the monk develops and makes much the Noble Eightfold Path, bending, sloping, and inclining to extinction.”

44. 14. 18––20.
(196––198) Kunbho 2–4 – A Pot 2–4

As in sutta 195, substituting Dispassion, The Deathless, and Extinction for Seclusion and non-excitement.

44. 14. 21.
(199) Sūkiya 1 –– An Awn of Paddy 1

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One lived in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s Grove in Sāvatthi, and addressed the monks from there:

2. “Monks, it is possible that an awn of paddy or barley suitably placed would cut the hand when handled or the foot when trodden.

3. “In the same manner, monks, it is possible for the monk developing the Path with the view correctly directed, to cut ignorance, arouse knowledge, and realize extinction.

“Monks, how developing and making much the Path with the view correctly directed would the monk cut ignorance, arouse knowledge, and realize extinction?

4. “Here, monks, the monk develops right view relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity  re  and the monk develops right concentration relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity. Monks, in this manner the monk develops and makes much the Path with the view correctly directed, to cut ignorance, arouse knowledge, and realize extinction.”

44. 14. 22––24.
(200––202) Sūkiya 2–4 – An Awn of Paddy 2–4

As in sutta 199, substituting Dispassion, The Deathless, and Extinction for Seclusion and non-excitement.

44. 14. 25.
(203) Ākāsa 1 –– Space 1

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One lived in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s Grove in Sāvatthi, and addressed the monks from there:

2. “Monks, in space various winds blow. Winds from the east, west, north, south, winds with dust, without dust, cold winds, warm winds, weak winds, and strong winds blow.

3. “In the same manner, monks, to the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path the four establishments of mindfulness, the four endeavors, the four psychic powers, the five mental faculties, the five powers and the seven enlightenment factors by development get completed.

“Monks, to the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path how do the four establishments of mindfulness, the four endeavors, the four psychic powers, the five mental faculties, the five powers and the seven enlightenment factors by development get completed?

4. “Here, monks, the monk develops right view relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity  re  and the monk develops right concentration relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity. Monks, in this manner the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path, the four establishments of mindfulness, the four endeavors, the four psychic powers, the five mental faculties, the five powers and the seven enlightenment factors by development get completed.”

44. 14. 26––28.
(204––206) Ākāsa 2–4 – Space 2–4

As in sutta 203, substituting Dispassion, The Deathless, and Extinction for Seclusion and non-excitement.

44. 14. 29.
(207) Megha 1 –– A Rainy Cloud 1

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One lived in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s Grove in Sāvatthi, and addressed the monks from there:

2. “Monks, just as in the last month of the hot season an unexpected huge down pour comes and settles all the dust. In the same manner to the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path whatever demerit arises, it spontaneously disappears and the matter is settled then and there.

“Monks, to the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path how does arisen demerit spontaneously disappear and get settled then and there?

4. “Here, monks, the monk develops right view relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity  re  and the monk develops right concentration relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity. Monks, in this manner to the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path, whatever demerit arises, it spontaneously disappears and matters get settled then and there.”

44. 14. 30––32.
(208––210) Megha 2–4 – A Rainy Cloud 2–4

As in sutta 207, substituting Dispassion, The Deathless, and Extinction for Seclusion and non-excitement.

44. 14. 33.
(211) Megha Sutta (II) 1 –– A Rainy Cloud (II) 1

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One lived in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s Grove in Sāvatthi, and addressed the monks from there:

2. “Monks, just as with the arising of a great storm a rainy cloud would be absorbed and dispersed, in the same manner to the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path, whenever demerit arises, it loses the sign and disappears and the matter is settled then and there.

“Monks, to the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path how does arisen demerit lose the sign and disappear and get settled then and there?

4. “Here, monks, the monk develops right view relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity  re  and the monk develops right concentration relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity. Monks, in this manner to the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path, whatever demerit arises, it loses the sign and disappears and matters get settled then and there.”

44. 14. 34––36.
(212––214) Megha Sutta (II) 2–4 – A Rainy Cloud (II) 2–4

As in sutta 211, substituting Dispassion, The Deathless, and Extinction for Seclusion and non-excitement.

44. 14. 37.
(215) Nāvā 1 –– Ships 1

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One lived in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s Grove in Sāvatthi, and addressed the monks from there:

2. “Monks, just as of ocean-going ships the ropes and bindings surrounded by water and subjected to heat aof the air for six months, come home are pulled onto high ground in Winter for quick replenishment to stop decay. In the same manner to the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path, the bonds calm and decay.

“Monks, how developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path do the bonds calm and decay?

4. “Here, monks, the monk develops right view relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity  re  and the monk develops right concentration relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity. Monks, in this manner to the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path, whatever demerit arises, it spontaneously disappears and matters get settled then and there.”

44. 14. 38––40.
(216––218) Nāvā 2–4 – Ships 2–4

As in sutta 215, substituting Dispassion, The Deathless, and Extinction for Seclusion and non-excitement.

44. 14. 41
(219) Āgantukā 1 –– Guests 1

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One lived in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s Grove in Sāvatthi, and addressed the monks from there:

2. “Monks, guests come to a guest house from the east, west, north and south. Warriors, Brahmins, people of the middle class and low caste too come and dwell there. In the same manner, monks, the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path, knows those things that should be thoroughly known through special knowledge, dispels those things that should be dispelled through special knowledge, realizes those things that should be realized through special knowledge, and develops those things that should be developed through special knowledge.

3. “Monks, what things should be thoroughly known through special knowledge? The five holding masses is the reply, such as the holding masses of matter, feelings, perceptions, intentions, and consciousness. Monks, these things should be thoroughly known through special knowledge.

4. “Monks, what things should be dispelled through special knowledge? Ignorance and the craving ‘to be’ are the two things to be dispelled through special knowledge.

5. “Monks, what things should be realized through special knowledge? Knowledge and release are the two things to be realized through special knowledge.

6. “Monks, what things should be developed through special knowledge? Calm and insight are the two things to be developed through special knowledge.

7. “Monks, how developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path, does the monk know those things that should be thoroughly known through special knowledge, dispel those things that should be dispelled through special knowledge, realize those things that should be realized through special knowledge, and develop those things that should be developed through special knowledge?

8. “Here, monks, the monk develops right view relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity  re  and the monk develops right concentration relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity.

“Monks, the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path, knows those things that should be thoroughly known through special knowledge, dispels those things that should be dispelled through special knowledge, realizes those things that should be realized through special knowledge, and develops those things that should be developed through special knowledge.”

44. 14. 42-44.
(220––222) Āgantukā 1–4 – Guests 1–4

As in sutta 219, substituting Dispassion, The Deathless, and Extinction for Seclusion and non-excitement.

44. 14. 45.
(223) Nadī 1 –– River Ganges 1

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One lived in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s Grove in Sāvatthi, and addressed the monks from there:

2. “Monks, a large crowd of people come to river Ganges which has an eastern bend, slope, and incline with hoes and baskets to turn it, bend it, and to incline it to the west Monks, would it be possible to that large crowd to turn the river Ganges to the west?”

“No, venerable sir, it would not be possible.”

“What is the reason?”

“Venerable sir, river Ganges has an eastern, bend, slant, and incline and it is a difficult task to turn it and bend it to the west.

3. “In the same manner, monks, the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path, would be approached by kings, kings’ ministers, friends, co-associates, relations, and blood relations offering great wealth and saying, ‘Come, good one! Why do you wear these yellow clothes? Why shaved and go about begging? Give up the holy life, partake this wealth and do merit!’ Monks, the monk developing and making much the Noble Eightfold Path, would step down from it and enjoy the lower life is not possible. What is the reason? Monks, his mind since long, was bent, slanted, and inclined to seclusion it is not possible that he would step down and enjoy the lower life. How does the monk develop and make much the Noble Eightfold Path to bend, slant, and incline to seclusion?

4. “Here, monks, the monk develops right view relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity  re  and the monk develops right concentration relying on seclusion, non-excitement, for ceasing and to give up in the end with maturity. Monks, in this manner the monk develops and makes much the Noble Eightfold Path.”

44. 14. 46––48.
(224––226) Nadī 2–4 – River Ganges 2–4

As in sutta 223, substituting Dispassion, The Deathless, and Extinction for Seclusion and non-excitement.