The Chapter on What Occupies the Mind

1

an1.1:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!” “Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:

an1.1:2 “Mendicants, I do not see a single sight that occupies a man’s mind like the sight of a woman. The sight of a woman occupies a man’s mind.”

2

an1.2:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single sound that occupies a man’s mind like the sound of a woman. The sound of a woman occupies a man’s mind.”

3

an1.3:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single smell that occupies a man’s mind like the smell of a woman. The smell of a woman occupies a man’s mind.”

4

an1.4:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single taste that occupies a man’s mind like the taste of a woman. The taste of a woman occupies a man’s mind.”

5

an1.5:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single touch that occupies a man’s mind like the touch of a woman. The touch of a woman occupies a man’s mind.”

6

an1.6:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single sight that occupies a woman’s mind like the sight of a man. The sight of a man occupies a woman’s mind.”

7

an1.7:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single sound that occupies a woman’s mind like the sound of a man. The sound of a man occupies a woman’s mind.”

8

an1.8:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single smell that occupies a woman’s mind like the smell of a man. The smell of a man occupies a woman’s mind.”

9

an1.9:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single taste that occupies a woman’s mind like the taste of a man. The taste of a man occupies a woman’s mind.”

10

an1.10:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single touch that occupies a woman’s mind like the touch of a man. The touch of a man occupies a woman’s mind.”

The Chapter on Giving Up the Hindrances

11

an1.11:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to sensual desire, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow like the feature of beauty. When you apply the mind irrationally to the feature of beauty, sensual desire arises, and once arisen it increases and grows.”

12

an1.12:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to ill will, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow like the feature of aversion. When you apply the mind irrationally to the feature of aversion, ill will arises, and once arisen it increases and grows.”

13

an1.13:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to dullness and drowsiness, or, when they have arisen, makes them increase and grow like discontent, sloth, yawning, sleepiness after eating, and mental sluggishness. When you have a sluggish mind, dullness and drowsiness arise, and once arisen they increase and grow.”

14

an1.14:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to restlessness and remorse, or, when they have arisen, makes them increase and grow like an unsettled mind. When your mind is unsettled, restlessness and remorse arise, and once arisen they increase and grow.”

15

an1.15:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to doubt, or, when it has arisen, makes it increase and grow like irrational application of mind. When you apply the mind irrationally, doubt arises, and once arisen it increases and grows.”

16

an1.16:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that prevents sensual desire from arising, or, when it has arisen, gives it up like the feature of ugliness. When you apply the mind rationally to the feature of ugliness, sensual desire does not arise, or, if it has already arisen, it’s given up.”

17

an1.17:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that prevents ill will from arising, or, when it has arisen, gives it up like the heart’s release by love. When you apply the mind rationally to the heart’s release by love, ill will does not arise, or, if it has already arisen, it’s given up.”

18

an1.18:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that prevents dullness and drowsiness from arising, or, when they have arisen, gives them up like the elements of initiative, persistence, and vigor. When you’re energetic, dullness and drowsiness do not arise, or, if they’ve already arisen, they’re given up.”

19

an1.19:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that prevents restlessness and remorse from arising, or, when they have arisen, gives them up like a settled mind. When the mind is settled, restlessness and remorse do not arise, or, if they’ve already arisen, they’re given up.”

20

an1.20:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that prevents doubt from arising, or, when it has arisen, gives it up like rational application of mind. When you apply the mind rationally, doubt does not arise, or, if it’s already arisen, it’s given up.”

The Chapter on the Unworkable

21

an1.21:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so unworkable as this mind that is not developed. An undeveloped mind is unworkable.”

22

an1.22:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so workable as this mind that is developed A developed mind is workable.”

23

an1.23:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as this mind that is not developed. An undeveloped mind is very harmful.”

24

an1.24:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as this mind that is developed. A developed mind is very beneficial.”

25

an1.25:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as this mind that is not developed or manifested. An undeveloped and unmanifested mind is very harmful.”

26

an1.26:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as this mind that is developed and manifested. A developed and manifested mind is very beneficial.”

27

an1.27:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as this mind that is not developed and cultivated. An undeveloped and uncultivated mind is very harmful.”

28

an1.28:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as this mind that is developed and cultivated. A developed and cultivated mind is very beneficial.”

29

an1.29:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that brings such suffering as this mind that is not developed and cultivated. An undeveloped and uncultivated mind brings suffering.”

30

an1.30:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that brings such happiness as this mind that is developed and cultivated. A developed and cultivated mind brings happiness.”

The Chapter on the Untamed

31

an1.31:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as this mind that is not tamed. An untamed mind is very harmful.”

32

an1.32:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as this mind that is tamed. A tamed mind is very beneficial.”

33

an1.33:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as this mind that is not guarded. An unguarded mind is very harmful.”

34

an1.34:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as this mind that is guarded. A guarded mind is very beneficial.”

35

an1.35:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as this mind that is not protected. An unprotected mind is very harmful.”

36

an1.36:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as this mind that is protected. A protected mind is very beneficial.”

37

an1.37:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as this mind that is not restrained. An unrestrained mind is very harmful.”

38

an1.38:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as this mind that is restrained. A restrained mind is very beneficial.”

39

an1.39:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as this mind that is not tamed, guarded, protected, and restrained. An untamed, unguarded, unprotected, and unrestrained mind is very harmful.”

40

an1.40:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as this mind that is tamed, guarded, protected, and restrained. A tamed, guarded, protected, and restrained mind is very beneficial.”

The Chapter on a Spike

41

an1.41:1 “Mendicants, suppose a spike of rice or barley was pointing the wrong way. If you trod on it with hand or foot, it is impossible for it to break the skin and produce blood. Why is that? Because the spike is pointing the wrong way. In the same way, it is quite impossible for a mendicant whose mind is pointing the wrong way to break ignorance, produce knowledge, and realize extinguishment. Why is that? Because their mind is pointing the wrong way.”

42

an1.42:1 “Mendicants, suppose a spike of rice or barley was pointing the right way. If you trod on it with hand or foot, it’s possible it may break the skin and produce blood. Why is that? Because the spike is pointing the right way. In the same way, it is quite possible for a mendicant whose mind is pointing the right way to break ignorance, produce knowledge, and realize extinguishment. Why is that? Because the mind is pointing the right way.”

43

an1.43:1 “Mendicants, when I’ve comprehended the mind of an individual whose mind is corrupted, I understand: ‘If this individual were to die right now, they would be placed in hell as if delivered there.’ Why is that? Because their mind is corrupted. Corruption of mind is the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, end up in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, Hell.”

44

an1.44:1 “Mendicants, when I’ve comprehended the mind of an individual whose mind is pure, I understand: ‘If this individual were to die right now, they would be placed in the Garden as if delivered there.’ Why is that? Because their mind is pure. Purity of mind is the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, end up in a good place, the Garden.”

45

an1.45:1 “Suppose, mendicants, there was a lake that was cloudy, murky, and muddy. A person with clear eyes standing on the bank would not see the clams and mussels, pebbles and gravel, and schools of fish swimming about or staying still. Why is that? Because the water is clouded. In the same way, that a mendicant whose mind is clouded would know what’s for their own good, the good of another, or the good of both; or that they would realize any superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones: this is quite impossible. Why is that? Because their mind is clouded.”

46

an1.46:1 “Suppose, mendicants, there was a lake that was transparent, clear, and unclouded. A person with clear eyes standing on the bank would see the clams and mussels, pebbles and gravel, and schools of fish swimming about or staying still. Why is that? Because the water is unclouded. In the same way, that a mendicant whose mind is not clouded would know what’s for their own good, the good of another, or the good of both; or that they would realize any superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones: this is quite possible. Why is that? Because their mind is unclouded.”

47

an1.47:1 “Just as, mendicants, the sandan is said to be the best kind of tree in terms of its pliability and workability, so too, I do not see a single thing that’s as pliable and workable as this mind that is developed and cultivated. A mind that is developed and cultivated is pliable and workable.”

48

an1.48:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that’s as quick to change as this mind. So much so that it’s not easy to give a simile for how quickly the mind changes.”

49

an1.49:1 “This mind, mendicants, is radiant. But it’s corrupted by visiting corruptions.”

50

an1.50:1 “This mind, mendicants, is radiant. And it is freed from visiting corruptions.”

The Chapter on a Finger-Snap

51

an1.51:1 “This mind, mendicants, is radiant. But it is corrupted by visiting corruptions. An unlearned ordinary person does not truly understand this. So I say that the unlearned ordinary person has no development of the mind.”

52

an1.52:1 “This mind, mendicants, is radiant. And it is freed from visiting corruptions. A learned noble disciple truly understands this. So I say that the learned noble disciple has development of the mind.”

53

an1.53:1 “If, mendicants, a mendicant cultivates a mind of love even as long as a finger-snap, they’re called a mendicant who does not lack absorption, who follows the Teacher’s instructions, who responds to advice, and who does not eat the country’s alms in vain. How much more so those who make much of it!”

54

an1.54:1 “If, mendicants, a mendicant develops a mind of love even as long as a finger-snap, they’re called a mendicant who does not lack absorption, who follows the Teacher’s instructions, who responds to advice, and who does not eat the country’s alms in vain. How much more so those who make much of it!”

55

an1.55:1 “If, mendicants, a mendicant focuses on a mind of love even as long as a finger-snap, they’re called a mendicant who does not lack absorption, who follows the Teacher’s instructions, who responds to advice, and who does not eat the country’s alms in vain. How much more so those who make much of it!”

56

an1.56:1 “Mendicants, intention is the leader of all things whatsoever that are unskillful, part of the unskillful, on the side of the unskillful. Intention is the first of those things to arise, and unskillful things follow right behind.”

57

an1.57:1 “Mendicants, intention is the leader of all things whatsoever that are skillful, part of the skillful, on the side of the skillful. Intention is the first of those things to arise, and skillful things follow right behind.”

58

an1.58:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to unskillful qualities, or makes skillful qualities decline like negligence. When you’re negligent, unskillful qualities arise and skillful qualities decline.”

59

an1.59:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to skillful qualities, or makes unskillful qualities decline like diligence. When you’re diligent, skillful qualities arise and unskillful qualities decline.”

60

an1.60:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to unskillful qualities, or makes skillful qualities decline like laziness. When you’re lazy, unskillful qualities arise and skillful qualities decline.”

The Chapter on Arousing Energy

61

an1.61:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to skillful qualities, or makes unskillful qualities decline like arousing energy. When you’re energetic, skillful qualities arise and unskillful qualities decline.”

62

an1.62:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to unskillful qualities, or makes skillful qualities decline like having many wishes. When you have many wishes, unskillful qualities arise and skillful qualities decline.”

63

an1.63:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to skillful qualities, or makes unskillful qualities decline like having few wishes. When you have few wishes, skillful qualities arise and unskillful qualities decline.”

64

an1.64:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to unskillful qualities, or makes skillful qualities decline like lack of contentment. When you lack contentment, unskillful qualities arise and skillful qualities decline.”

65

an1.65:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to skillful qualities, or makes unskillful qualities decline like contentment. When you’re contented, skillful qualities arise and unskillful qualities decline.”

66

an1.66:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to unskillful qualities, or makes skillful qualities decline like irrational application of mind. When you apply the mind irrationally, unskillful qualities arise and skillful qualities decline.”

67

an1.67:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to skillful qualities, or makes unskillful qualities decline like rational application of mind. When you apply the mind rationally, skillful qualities arise and unskillful qualities decline.”

68

an1.68:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to unskillful qualities, or makes skillful qualities decline like lack of situational awareness. When you lack situational awareness, unskillful qualities arise and skillful qualities decline.”

69

an1.69:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to skillful qualities, or makes unskillful qualities decline like situational awareness. When you have situational awareness, skillful qualities arise and unskillful qualities decline.”

70

an1.70:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to unskillful qualities, or makes skillful qualities decline like bad friends. When you have bad friends, unskillful qualities arise and skillful qualities decline.”

The Chapter on Good Friends

71

an1.71:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to skillful qualities, or makes unskillful qualities decline like good friends. When you have good friends, skillful qualities arise and unskillful qualities decline.”

72

an1.72:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to unskillful qualities, or makes skillful qualities decline like pursuing bad habits and not good habits. When you pursue bad habits and not good habits, unskillful qualities arise and skillful qualities decline.”

73

an1.73:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to skillful qualities, or makes unskillful qualities decline like pursuing good habits and not bad habits. When you pursue good habits and not bad habits, skillful qualities arise and unskillful qualities decline.”

74

an1.74:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that prevents the awakening factors from arising, or, if they’ve already arisen, prevents them from being fully developed like irrational application of mind. When you apply the mind irrationally, the awakening factors don’t arise, or, if they’ve already arisen, they’re not fully developed.”

75

an1.75:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to the awakening factors, or, if they’ve already arisen, fully develops them like rational application of mind. When you apply the mind rationally, the awakening factors arise, or, if they’ve already arisen, they’re fully developed.”

76

an1.76:1 “Loss of relatives, mendicants, is a small thing. Wisdom is the worst thing to lose.”

77

an1.77:1 “Growth of relatives, mendicants, is a small thing. Wisdom is the best thing to grow. So you should train like this: ‘We will grow in wisdom.’ That’s how you should train.”

78

an1.78:1 “Loss of wealth, mendicants, is a small thing. Wisdom is the worst thing to lose.”

79

an1.79:1 “Growth of wealth, mendicants, is a small thing. Wisdom is the best thing to grow. So you should train like this: ‘We will grow in wisdom.’ That’s how you should train.”

80

an1.80:1 “Loss of fame, mendicants, is a small thing. Wisdom is the worst thing to lose.”

81

an1.81:1 “Growth of fame, mendicants, is a small thing. Wisdom is the best thing to grow. So you should train like this: ‘We will grow in wisdom.’ That’s how you should train.”

The Chapter on Negligence

82

an1.82:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as negligence. Negligence is very harmful.”

83

an1.83:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as diligence. Diligence is very beneficial.”

84

an1.84:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as laziness. Laziness is very harmful.”

85

an1.85:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as arousing energy. Arousing energy is very beneficial.”

86

an1.86:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as having many wishes. Having many wishes is very harmful.”

87

an1.87:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as having few wishes. Having few wishes is very beneficial.”

88

an1.88:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as lack of contentment. Lack of contentment is very harmful.”

89

an1.89:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as contentment. Contentment is very beneficial.”

90

an1.90:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as irrational application of mind. Irrational application of mind is very harmful.”

91

an1.91:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as rational application of mind. Rational application of mind is very beneficial.”

92

an1.92:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as lack of situational awareness. Lack of situational awareness is very harmful.”

93

an1.93:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as situational awareness. Situational awareness is very beneficial.”

94

an1.94:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as bad friends. Bad friends are very harmful.”

95

an1.95:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as good friends. Good friends are very beneficial.”

96

an1.96:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as pursuing bad habits and not good habits. Pursuing bad habits and not good habits is very harmful.”

97

an1.97:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as pursuing good habits and not bad habits. Pursuing good habits and not bad habits is very beneficial.”

The Chapter on Negligence (2nd)

98

an1.98:1 “Taking into account interior factors, mendicants, I do not see a single one that is so very harmful as negligence. Negligence is very harmful.”

99

an1.99:1 “Taking into account interior factors, mendicants, I do not see a single one that is so very beneficial as diligence. Diligence is very beneficial.”

100

an1.100:1 “Taking into account interior factors, mendicants, I do not see a single one that is so very harmful as laziness. Laziness is very harmful.”

101

an1.101:1 “Taking into account interior factors, mendicants, I do not see a single one that is so very beneficial as arousing energy. Arousing energy is very beneficial.”

102–109

an1.102-109:1 “Taking into account interior factors, mendicants, I do not see a single one that is so very harmful as having many wishes … having few wishes … lack of contentment … contentment … irrational application of mind … rational application of mind … lack of situational awareness … situational awareness …”

110

an1.110:1 “Taking into account exterior factors, mendicants, I do not see a single one that is so very harmful as bad friends. Bad friends are very harmful.”

111

an1.111:1 “Taking into account exterior factors, mendicants, I do not see a single one that is so very beneficial as good friends. Good friends are very beneficial.”

112

an1.112:1 “Taking into account interior factors, mendicants, I do not see a single one that is so very harmful as pursuing bad habits and not good habits. Pursuing bad habits and not good habits is very harmful.”

113

an1.113:1 “Taking into account interior factors, mendicants, I do not see a single one that is so very beneficial as pursuing good habits and not bad habits. Pursuing good habits and not bad habits is very beneficial.”

114

an1.114:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that leads to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching like negligence. Negligence leads to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching.”

115

an1.115:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that leads to the continuation, persistence, and enduring of the true teaching like diligence. Diligence leads to the continuation, persistence, and enduring of the true teaching.”

116

an1.116:1 “Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that leads to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching like laziness. Laziness leads to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching.”

117