an5.167:9 An individual who is accused should ground themselves in two things: truth and an even temper. Even if others accuse me—at the right time or the wrong time, truthfully or falsely, gently or harshly, beneficially or harmfully, lovingly or with secret hate—I will still ground myself in two things: truth and an even temper. If I know that that quality is found in me, I will tell them that it is. If I know that that quality is not found in me, I will tell them that it is not.”

an5.167:10 “Even when you speak like this, Sāriputta, there are still some futile people here who do not respectfully take it up.”

an5.167:11 “Sir, there are those faithless individuals who went forth from the lay life to homelessness not out of faith but to earn a livelihood. They’re devious, deceitful, and sneaky. They’re haughty, insolent, fickle, scurrilous, and loose-tongued. They do not guard their sense doors or eat in moderation, and they are not dedicated to wakefulness. They don’t care about the ascetic life, and don’t keenly respect the training. They’re indulgent and slack, leaders in backsliding, neglecting seclusion, lazy, and lacking energy. They’re unmindful, lacking situational awareness and immersion, with straying minds, witless and idiotic. When I speak to them like this, they don’t respectfully take it up.

an5.167:12 Sir, there are those gentlemen who went forth from the lay life to homelessness out of faith. They’re not devious, deceitful, and sneaky. They’re not haughty, insolent, fickle, scurrilous, and loose-tongued. They guard their sense doors and eat in moderation, and they are dedicated to wakefulness. They care about the ascetic life, and keenly respect the training. They’re not indulgent or slack, nor are they leaders in backsliding, neglecting seclusion. They’re energetic and determined. They’re mindful, with situational awareness, immersion, and unified minds; wise and clever. When I speak to them like this, they do respectfully take it up.”

an5.167:13 “Sāriputta, those faithless individuals who went forth from the lay life to homelessness not out of faith but to earn a livelihood … Leave them be.

an5.167:14 But those gentlemen who went forth from the lay life to homelessness out of faith … You should speak to them. Sāriputta, you should advise your spiritual companions! You should instruct your spiritual companions! Thinking: ‘I will draw my spiritual companions away from false teachings and ground them in true teachings.’ That’s how you should train.”

17. Resentment

Ethics

an5.168:1 There Venerable Sāriputta addressed the mendicants: “Reverends, an unethical person, who lacks ethics, has destroyed a vital condition for right immersion. When there is no right immersion, one who lacks right immersion has destroyed a vital condition for true knowledge and vision. When there is no true knowledge and vision, one who lacks true knowledge and vision has destroyed a vital condition for disillusionment and dispassion. When there is no disillusionment and dispassion, one who lacks disillusionment and dispassion has destroyed a vital condition for knowledge and vision of freedom. Suppose there was a tree that lacked branches and foliage. Its shoots, bark, softwood, and heartwood would not grow to fullness. In the same way, an unethical person, who lacks ethics, has destroyed a vital condition for right immersion. When there is no right immersion, one who lacks right immersion has destroyed a vital condition for true knowledge and vision. When there is no true knowledge and vision, one who lacks true knowledge and vision has destroyed a vital condition for disillusionment and dispassion. When there is no disillusionment and dispassion, one who lacks disillusionment and dispassion has destroyed a vital condition for knowledge and vision of freedom.

an5.168:2 An ethical person, who has fulfilled ethics, has fulfilled a vital condition for right immersion. When there is right immersion, one who has fulfilled right immersion has fulfilled a vital condition for true knowledge and vision. When there is true knowledge and vision, one who has fulfilled true knowledge and vision has fulfilled a vital condition for disillusionment and dispassion. When there is disillusionment and dispassion, one who has fulfilled disillusionment and dispassion has fulfilled a vital condition for knowledge and vision of freedom. Suppose there was a tree that was complete with branches and foliage. Its shoots, bark, softwood, and heartwood would grow to fullness. In the same way, an ethical person, who has fulfilled ethics, has fulfilled a vital condition for right immersion. When there is right immersion, one who has fulfilled right immersion has fulfilled a vital condition for true knowledge and vision. When there is true knowledge and vision, one who has fulfilled true knowledge and vision has fulfilled a vital condition for disillusionment and dispassion. When there is disillusionment and dispassion, one who has fulfilled disillusionment and dispassion has fulfilled a vital condition for knowledge and vision of freedom.”

17. Resentment

Quick-witted

an5.169:1 Then Venerable Ānanda went up to Venerable Sāriputta, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to him:

an5.169:2 “Reverend Sāriputta, how are we to define a mendicant who is quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings, who learns well, learns much, and does not forget what they’ve learned?” “Well, Venerable Ānanda, you’re very learned. Why don’t you clarify this yourself?” “Well then, Reverend Sāriputta, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.” “Yes, reverend,” Sāriputta replied. Venerable Ānanda said this:

an5.169:3 “It’s when a mendicant is skilled in the meaning, skilled in the teaching, skilled in definition, skilled in phrasing, and skilled in sequence. That is how to define a mendicant who is quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings, who learns well, learns much, and does not forget what they’ve learned.” “It’s incredible, it’s amazing! How well this was said by Venerable Ānanda! And we will remember Venerable Ānanda as someone who possesses these five qualities: ‘Reverend Ānanda is skilled in the meaning, skilled in the teaching, skilled in definition, skilled in phrasing, and skilled in sequence.’”

17. Resentment

With Bhaddaji

an5.170:1 At one time Venerable Ānanda was staying near Kosambī in Ghosita’s monastery. Then Venerable Bhaddaji went up to Venerable Ānanda, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and Venerable Ānanda said to him: “Reverend Bhaddaji, what is the best sight, the best sound, the best happiness, the best perception, and the best state of existence?”

an5.170:2 “Reverend, there is God, the vanquisher, the unvanquished, the universal seer, the wielder of power. Contemplating His signs, that’s the best sight. There are the angels called ‘of sublime luminosity’, who are drenched and steeped in pleasure. Every so often they feel inspired to exclaim: ‘Oh, what bliss! Oh, what bliss!’ When you hear that, it’s the best sound. There are the angels called ‘of universal beauty’. Since they’re truly content, they experience pleasure. This is the best happiness. There are the angels born in the dimension of nothingness. This is the best perception. There are the angels born in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception. This is the best state of existence.” “So, Venerable Bhaddaji, do you agree with what most people say about this?”

an5.170:3 “Well, Venerable Ānanda, you’re very learned. Why don’t you clarify this yourself?” “Well then, Reverend Bhaddaji, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.” “Yes, reverend,” Bhaddaji replied. Ānanda said this:

an5.170:4 “What you see when the defilements are ended without delay is the best sight. What you hear when the defilements are ended without delay is the best sound. The happiness you feel when the defilements are ended without delay is the best happiness. What you perceive when the defilements are ended without delay is the best perception. The state of existence in which the defilements are ended without delay is the best state of existence.”

18. A Lay Follower

Timidity

an5.171:1 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:

an5.171:2 “A lay follower with five qualities is overcome by timidity. What five? They kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, and consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. A lay follower with these five qualities is overcome by timidity.

an5.171:3 A lay follower with five qualities is self-assured. What five? They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. A lay follower with these five qualities is self-assured.”

18. A Lay Follower

Assured

an5.172:1 “A lay follower living at home with five qualities is not self-assured. What five? They kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, and consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. A lay follower living at home with these five qualities is not self-assured.

an5.172:2 A lay follower living at home with these five qualities is self-assured. What five? They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. A lay follower living at home with these five qualities is self-assured.”

18. A Lay Follower

Hell

an5.173:1 “Mendicants, a lay follower with five qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. What five? They kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, and consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. A lay follower with these five qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.

an5.173:2 A lay follower with five qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there. What five? They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. A lay follower with these five qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there.”

18. A Lay Follower

Threats

an5.174:1 Then the householder Anāthapiṇḍika went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:

an5.174:2 “Householder, unless these five fears and enmities are given up, one is said to be unethical, and ends up in Hell. What five? Killing living creatures, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. Unless these five fears and enmities are given up, one is said to be unethical, and ends up in Hell.

an5.174:3 Once these five fears and enmities are given up, one is said to be ethical, and ends up in a good place. What five? Killing living creatures, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. Once these five fears and enmities are given up, one is said to be ethical, and ends up in a good place.

an5.174:4 Anyone who kills living creatures brims with fear and enmity both in this life and in the hereafter, and experiences mental pain and sadness. Anyone who refrains from killing living creatures does not brim with fear and enmity either in this life or in the hereafter, and doesn’t experience mental pain and sadness. So that fear and enmity is quelled for anyone who refrains from killing living creatures.

an5.174:5 Anyone who steals …

an5.174:6 Anyone who commits sexual misconduct …

an5.174:7 Anyone who lies …

an5.174:8 Anyone who consumes beer, wine, and liquor intoxicants brims with fear and enmity both in this life and in lives to come, and experiences mental pain and sadness. Anyone who refrains from beer, wine, and liquor intoxicants does not brim with fear and enmity either in this life or in lives to come, and doesn’t experience mental pain and sadness. So that fear and enmity is quelled for anyone who refrains from beer, wine, and liquor intoxicants.

an5.174:9 Someone in this world who kills living creatures, speaks falsely, steals, commits adultery, and indulges in drinking beer and wine—

an5.174:10 unless they give up these five threats, they’re said to be unethical. When their body breaks up, that witless person ends up in Hell.

an5.174:11 But someone in this world who doesn’t kill living creatures, speak falsely, steal, commit adultery, or indulge in drinking beer and wine—

an5.174:12 having given up these five threats, they’re said to be ethical. When their body breaks up, that wise person ends up in a good place.”

18. A Lay Follower

Corpse-worker

an5.175:1 “Mendicants, a lay follower with five qualities is a corpse-worker, a stain, and a reject among lay followers. What five? They’re faithless. They’re unethical. They follow boisterous, superstitious rites, believing in omens rather than deeds. They seek outside of the Buddhist community for those worthy of religious donations. And they make offerings there first. A lay follower with these five qualities is a corpse-worker, a stain, and a reject among lay followers.

an5.175:2 A lay follower with five qualities is a gem, a pink lotus, and a white lotus among lay followers. What five? They’re faithful. They’re ethical. They don’t practice boisterous, superstitious rites, and believe in deeds rather than omens. They don’t seek outside of the Buddhist community for those worthy of religious donations. And they don’t make offerings there first. A lay follower with these five qualities is a gem, a pink lotus, and a white lotus among lay followers.”

18. A Lay Follower

Rapture

an5.176:1 Then the householder Anāthapiṇḍika, escorted by around five hundred lay followers, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:

an5.176:2 “Householders, you have supplied the mendicant Saṅgha with robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. But you should not be content with just this much. So you should train like this: ‘How can we, from time to time, enter and dwell in the rapture of seclusion?’ That’s how you should train.”

an5.176:3 When he said this, Venerable Sāriputta said to the Buddha, “It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing! How well said this was by the Buddha: ‘Householders, you have supplied the mendicant Saṅgha with robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. But you should not be content with just this much. So you should train like this: “How can we, from time to time, enter and dwell in the rapture of seclusion?” That’s how you should train.’ At a time when a noble disciple enters and dwells in the rapture of seclusion, five things aren’t present in him. The pain and sadness connected with sensual pleasures. The pleasure and happiness connected with sensual pleasures. The pain and sadness connected with the unskillful. The pleasure and happiness connected with the unskillful. The pain and sadness connected with the skillful. At a time when a noble disciple enters and dwells in the rapture of seclusion, these five things aren’t present in him.”

an5.176:4 “Good, good, Sāriputta! At a time when a noble disciple enters and dwells in the rapture of seclusion, five things aren’t present in him. The pain and sadness connected with sensual pleasures. The pleasure and happiness connected with sensual pleasures. The pain and sadness connected with the unskillful. The pleasure and happiness connected with the unskillful. The pain and sadness connected with the skillful. At a time when a noble disciple enters and dwells in the rapture of seclusion, these five things aren’t present in him.”

18. A Lay Follower

Trades

an5.177:1 “Mendicants, a lay follower should not engage in these five trades. What five? Trade in weapons, living creatures, meat, intoxicants, and poisons. A lay follower should not engage in these five trades.”

18. A Lay Follower

Kings

an5.178:1 “What do you think, mendicants? Have you ever seen or heard of a person who has given up killing living creatures, and the kings have them arrested for that, and execute, imprison, or banish them, or do what the case requires?” “No, sir.” “Good, mendicants! I too have never seen or heard of such a thing. Rather, the kings are informed of someone’s bad deed: ‘This person has murdered a man or a woman.’ The kings have them arrested for killing, and execute, imprison, or banish them, or do what the case requires. Have you ever seen or heard of such a case?” “Sir, we have seen it and heard of it, and we will hear of it again.”

an5.178:2 “What do you think, mendicants? Have you ever seen or heard of a person who has given up stealing, and the kings have them arrested for that …?” “No, sir.” “Good, mendicants! I too have never seen or heard of such a thing. Rather, the kings are informed of someone’s bad deed: ‘This person took something from a village or wilderness, with the intention to commit theft.’ The kings have them arrested for stealing … Have you ever seen or heard of such a case?” “Sir, we have seen it and heard of it, and we will hear of it again.”

an5.178:3 “What do you think, mendicants? Have you ever seen or heard of a person who has given up sexual misconduct, and the kings have them arrested for that …?” “No, sir.” “Good, mendicants! I too have never seen or heard of such a thing. Rather, the kings are informed of someone’s bad deed: ‘This person had relations with women or maidens under someone else’s protection.’ The kings have them arrested for that … Have you ever seen or heard of such a case?” “Sir, we have seen it and heard of it, and we will hear of it again.”

an5.178:4 “What do you think, mendicants? Have you ever seen or heard of a person who has given up lying, and the kings have them arrested for that …?” “No, sir.” “Good, mendicants! I too have never seen or heard of such a thing. Rather, the kings are informed of someone’s bad deed: ‘This person has ruined a householder or householder’s child by lying.’ The kings have them arrested for that … Have you ever seen or heard of such a case?” “Sir, we have seen it and heard of it, and we will hear of it again.”

an5.178:5 “What do you think, mendicants? Have you ever seen or heard of a person who has given up intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor, and the kings have them arrested for that, and execute, imprison, or banish them, or do what the case requires?” “No, sir.” “Good, mendicants! I too have never seen or heard of such a thing. Rather, the kings are informed of someone’s bad deed: ‘While under the influence of intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor, this person murdered a woman or a man. Or they stole something from a village or wilderness. Or they had relations with women or maidens under someone else’s protection. Or they ruined a householder or householder’s child by lying.’ The kings have them arrested for being under the influence of intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor, and execute, imprison, or banish them, or do what the case requires. Have you ever seen or heard of such a case?” “Sir, we have seen it and heard of it, and we will hear of it again.”

18. A Lay Follower

A Layperson

an5.179:1 Then the householder Anāthapiṇḍika, escorted by around five hundred lay followers, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. Then the Buddha said to Venerable Sāriputta: “You should know this, Sāriputta, about those white-clothed laypeople whose actions are restrained in the five precepts, and who get four blissful meditations in this life belonging to the higher mind when they want, without trouble or difficulty. They may, if they wish, declare of themselves: ‘I’ve finished with Hell. I’ve finished with all places of loss, bad places, the underworld. I am a stream-enterer! I’m not liable to fall into the underworld, and am assured, destined for awakening.’

an5.179:2 And what are the five precepts in which their actions are restrained? It’s when a noble disciple doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. These are the five precepts in which their actions are restrained.

an5.179:3 And what are the four blissful meditations in this life belonging to the higher mind that they get when they want, without trouble or difficulty? It’s when a noble disciple has experiential confidence in the Buddha: ‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of humankind, awakened, blessed.’ This is the first blissful meditation in this life belonging to the higher mind, which they achieve in order to purify the unpurified mind and cleanse the unclean mind.

an5.179:4 Furthermore, a noble disciple has experiential confidence in the teaching: ‘The teaching is well explained by the Buddha—apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves.’ This is the second blissful meditation …

an5.179:5 Furthermore, a noble disciple has experiential confidence in the Saṅgha: ‘The Saṅgha of the Buddha’s disciples is practicing the way that’s good, direct, systematic, and proper. It consists of the four pairs, the eight individual persons. This is the Saṅgha of the Buddha’s disciples that is worthy of offerings made for God’s sake, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of respectful greeting, and is the supreme field of merit for the world.’ This is the third blissful meditation …

an5.179:6 Furthermore, a noble disciple’s ethical conduct is loved by the noble ones, unbroken, impeccable, spotless, and unmarred, liberating, praised by sensible people, not mistaken, and leading to immersion. This is the fourth blissful meditation in this life belonging to the higher mind, which they achieve in order to purify the unpurified mind and cleanse the unclean mind. These are the four blissful meditations in this life belonging to the higher mind that they get when they want, without trouble or difficulty.

an5.179:7 You should know this, Sāriputta, about those white-clothed laypeople whose actions are restrained in the five precepts, and who get four blissful meditations in this life belonging to the higher mind when they want, without trouble or difficulty. They may, if they wish, declare of themselves: ‘I’ve finished with Hell. I’ve finished with all places of loss, bad places, the underworld. I am a stream-enterer! I’m not liable to fall into the underworld, and am assured, destined for awakening.’

an5.179:8 Seeing the peril in the hells, you should shun bad deeds. Taking up the teaching of the noble ones, an astute person should shun them.

an5.179:9 You shouldn’t harm living beings, so long as strength is found. Nor should you knowingly speak falsehood, or take what is not given.

an5.179:10 Content with your own partners, you should stay away from the partners of others. A personage shouldn’t drink wine or toddy, as they confuse the mind.

an5.179:11 You should recollect the Buddha, and reflect on the teaching. You should develop a harmless mind of welfare, which leads to the Garden.

an5.179:12 When suitable gifts to give are available to someone who seeks and needs merit, a religious donation is abundant if given first to the peaceful ones.

an5.179:13 I will tell of the peaceful ones, Sāriputta, listen to me. Cows may be black or white, red or tawny,

an5.179:14 mottled or uniform, or pigeon-colored. But when one is born among them, the bull that’s tamed—

an5.179:15 a behemoth, powerful, well-paced in pulling forward— they yoke the load just to him, regardless of his color.

an5.179:16 So it is for humans, wherever they may be born— among aristocrats, brahmins, peasants, menials, or corpse-workers and scavengers—

an5.179:17 but when one is born among them, tamed, true to their vows. Firm in principle, accomplished in ethical conduct, truthful, conscientious,

an5.179:18 they’ve given up birth and death, and have completed the spiritual journey. With burden put down, detached, they’ve completed the task <j>and are free of defilements.

an5.179:19 Gone beyond all things, they’re quenched by not grasping. In that flawless field, a religious donation is abundant.

an5.179:20 Fools who don’t understand— unlearned simpletons— give their gifts to those outside, and don’t attend the peaceful ones.

an5.179:21 But those who do attend the peaceful ones— wise, esteemed as attentive— and whose faith in the Holy One has roots planted deep,

an5.179:22 they go to the Garden, or are born here in a good family. Gradually those astute ones reach extinguishment.”

18. A Lay Follower

About Gavesī

an5.180:1 At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Kosalans together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants. While traveling along a road the Buddha saw a large sal grove in a certain spot. He left the road, went to the sal grove, and plunged deep into it. And at a certain spot he smiled.

an5.180:2 Then Venerable Ānanda thought, “What is the cause, what is the reason why the Buddha smiled? Realized Ones do not smile for no reason.” So Venerable Ānanda said to the Buddha, “What is the cause, what is the reason why the Buddha smiled? Realized Ones do not smile for no reason.”

an5.180:3 “Once upon a time, Ānanda, there was a city in this spot that was successful and prosperous, populous and full of people. And Kassapa, a blessed one, a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha, lived supported by that city. He had a lay follower named Gavesī who had not fulfilled all the precepts. And the five hundred lay followers who were taught and advised by Gavesī also had not fulfilled all the precepts. Then Gavesī thought: ‘I’m the helper, leader, and adviser of these five hundred lay followers, yet neither I nor they have fulfilled the precepts. We’re the same, I’m in no way better. So let me do better.’

an5.180:4 Then Gavesī went to those five hundred lay followers and said to them: ‘From this day forth may the venerables remember me as one who has fulfilled the precepts.’ Then those five hundred lay followers thought: ‘Master Gavesī is our helper, leader, and adviser, and now he will fulfill the precepts. Why don’t we do the same?’ Then those five hundred lay followers went to Gavesī and said to him: ‘From this day forth may Master Gavesī remember these five hundred lay followers as having fulfilled the precepts.’ Then Gavesī thought: ‘I’m the helper, leader, and adviser of these five hundred lay followers, and both I and they have fulfilled the precepts. We’re the same, I’m in no way better. So let me do better.’

an5.180:5 Then Gavesī went to those five hundred lay followers and said to them: ‘From this day forth may the venerables remember me as one who is chaste, set apart, refraining from the vulgar act of sex.’ Then those five hundred lay followers did the same. … Then Gavesī thought: ‘These five hundred lay followers … are chaste, set apart, refraining from the vulgar act of sex. We’re the same, I’m in no way better. So let me do better.’

an5.180:6 Then Gavesī went to those five hundred lay followers and said to them: ‘From this day forth may the venerables remember me as one who eats in one part of the day, abstaining from eating at night, and from food at the wrong time.’ Then those five hundred lay followers did the same. … Then Gavesī thought: ‘These five hundred lay followers … eat in one part of the day, abstaining from eating at night, and food at the wrong time. We’re the same, I’m in no way better. So let me do better.’

an5.180:7 Then the lay follower Gavesī went up to the blessed one Kassapa, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha and said to him: ‘Sir, may I receive the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence?’ And he received the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence. Not long after his ordination, the mendicant Gavesī, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness. He understood: ‘The trial of this life is over; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.’ And the mendicant Gavesī became one of the perfected.