Buddha’s words

Buddha’s words Learning, practicing and spreading words of the Buddha

Four333“Just as, mendicants, in India the delightful parks, woods, meadows, and lotus ponds are few, while the hilly t...
21/07/2024

Four
333
“Just as, mendicants, in India the delightful parks, woods, meadows, and lotus ponds are few, while the hilly terrain, inaccessible riverlands, stumps and thorns, and rugged mountains are many; so too the sentient beings born on land are few, while those born in water are many.
334
… so too the sentient beings reborn as humans are few, while those not reborn as humans are many.
335
… so too the sentient beings reborn in civilized countries are few, while those reborn in the borderlands, among uneducated foreigners, are many.
336
… so too the sentient beings who are wise, bright, clever, and able to distinguish what is well said from what is poorly said are few, while the sentient beings who are witless, dull, stupid, and unable to distinguish what is well said from what is poorly said are many.
337
… so too the sentient beings who have the noble eye of wisdom are few, while those who are ignorant and confused are many.
338
… so too the sentient beings who get to see a Realized One are few, while those who don’t get to see a Realized One are many.
339
… so too the sentient beings who get to hear the teaching and training proclaimed by a Realized One are few, while those sentient beings who don’t get to hear the teaching and training proclaimed by a Realized One are many.
340
… so too the sentient beings who remember the teachings they hear are few, while those who don’t remember the teachings are many.
341
… so too the sentient beings who examine the meaning of the teachings they have memorized are few, while those who don’t examine the meaning of the teachings are many.
342
… so too the sentient beings who understand the meaning and the teaching and practice accordingly are few, while those who understand the meaning and the teaching but don’t practice accordingly are many.
343
… so too the sentient beings inspired by inspiring places are few, while those who are uninspired are many.
344
… so too the sentient beings who, being inspired, strive effectively are few, while those who, even though inspired, don’t strive effectively are many.
345
… so too the sentient beings who, relying on letting go, gain immersion, gain unification of mind are few, while those who don’t gain immersion, don’t gain unification of mind relying on letting go are many.
346
… so too the sentient beings who get the best food and flavors are few, while those who don’t get the best food and flavors, but get by with scraps in an alms bowl are many.
347
… so too the sentient beings who get the essence of the meaning, the essence of the teaching, and the essence of freedom are few, while the sentient beings who don’t get the essence of the meaning, the essence of the teaching, and the essence of freedom are many.
So you should train like this: ‘We will get the essence of the meaning, the essence of the teaching, the essence of freedom.’ That’s how you should train.”
348–350
“Just as, mendicants, in India the delightful parks, woods, meadows, and lotus ponds are few, while the hilly terrain, inaccessible riverlands, stumps and thorns, and rugged mountains are many; so too, those who die as humans and are reborn as humans are few, while those who die as humans and are reborn in hell, or the animal realm, or the ghost realm are many.”
351–353
“… the sentient beings who die as humans and are reborn as gods are few, while those who die as humans and are reborn in hell, or the animal realm, or the ghost realm are many.”
354–356
“… the sentient beings who die as gods and are reborn as gods are few, while those who die as gods and are reborn in hell, or the animal realm, or the ghost realm are many.”
357–359
“… the sentient beings who die as gods and are reborn as humans are few, while those who die as gods and are reborn in hell, or the animal realm, or the ghost realm are many.”
360–362
“… the sentient beings who die in hell and are reborn as humans are few, while those who die in hell and are reborn in hell, or the animal realm, or the ghost realm are many.”
363–365
“… the sentient beings who die in hell and are reborn as gods are few, while those who die in hell and are reborn in hell, or the animal realm, or the ghost realm are many.”
366–368
“… the sentient beings who die as animals and are reborn as humans are few, while those who die as animals and are reborn in hell, or the animal realm, or the ghost realm are many.”
369–371
“… the sentient beings who die as animals and are reborn as gods are few, while those who die as animals and are reborn in hell, or the animal realm, or the ghost realm are many.”
372–374
“… the sentient beings who die as ghosts and are reborn as humans are few, while those who die as ghosts and are reborn in hell, or the animal realm, or the ghost realm are many.”
375–377
“… the sentient beings who die as ghosts and are reborn as gods are few, while those who die as ghosts and are reborn in hell, or the animal realm, or the ghost realm are many.”
https://suttacentral.net//Numbered Discourses 1.333–377

Discourse on the First Absorption“Mendicants, without giving up these five qualities you can’t enter and remain in the...
16/07/2024

Discourse on the First Absorption
“Mendicants, without giving up these five qualities you can’t enter and remain in the first absorption. What five? Stinginess with dwellings, families, material possessions, praise, and lack of gratitude and thankfulness. Without giving up these five qualities you can’t enter and remain in the first absorption.
But after giving up these five qualities you can enter and remain in the first absorption. What five? Stinginess with dwellings, families, material possessions, praise, and lack of gratitude and thankfulness. After giving up these five qualities you can enter and remain in the first absorption.”
https://suttacentral.net//Numbered Discourses 5.264
26. Ordination

21“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that, when it’s not developed like this, is as useless as the mind. An undev...
14/07/2024


21
“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that, when it’s not developed like this, is as useless as the mind. An undeveloped mind is useless.”

22
“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that, when it is developed like this, is as workable as the mind. A developed mind is workable.”

23
“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that, when it’s not developed like this, is so very harmful as the mind. An undeveloped mind is very harmful.”

24
“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that, when it is developed like this, is so very beneficial as the mind. A developed mind is very beneficial.”

25
“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that, when it’s not developed, with such untapped potential, is so very harmful as the mind. An undeveloped mind, with untapped potential, is very harmful.”

26
“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that, when it is developed, with its potential realized, is so very beneficial as the mind. A developed mind, with its potential realized, is very beneficial.”

27
“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that, when it’s not developed and cultivated, is so very harmful as the mind. An undeveloped and uncultivated mind is very harmful.”

28
“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that, when it is developed and cultivated, is so very beneficial as the mind. A developed and cultivated mind is very beneficial.”

29
“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that, when it’s not developed and cultivated, brings such suffering as the mind. An undeveloped and uncultivated mind brings suffering.”

30
“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that, when it is developed and cultivated, brings such happiness as the mind. A developed and cultivated mind brings happiness.”
https://suttacentral.net//Numbered Discourses 1.21–30
1.21–30

14/07/2024

Three failures & Three accomplishments

“Mendicants, there are three failures. What three? Failure in ethics, mind, and view.

And what is failure in ethics? It’s when someone kills living creatures, steals, commits sexual misconduct, and uses speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical. This is called ‘failure in ethics’.

And what is failure in mind? It’s when someone is covetous and malicious. This is called ‘failure in mind’.

And what is failure in view? It’s when someone has wrong view, a distorted perspective, such as: ‘There’s no meaning in giving, sacrifice, or offerings. There’s no fruit or result of good and bad deeds. There’s no afterlife. There’s no such thing as mother and father, or beings that are reborn spontaneously. And there’s no ascetic or brahmin who is rightly comported and rightly practiced, and who describes the afterlife after realizing it with their own insight.’ This is called ‘failure in view’. Some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell because of failure in ethics, mind, or view. It’s like throwing unfailing dice: they always fall the right side up. In the same way, some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell because of failure in ethics, mind, or view.

These are the three failures.

There are three accomplishments. What three? Accomplishment in ethics, mind, and view.

And what is accomplishment in ethics? It’s when someone doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, or use speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical. This is called accomplishment in ethics.

And what is accomplishment in mind? It’s when someone is content and kind-hearted. This is called accomplishment in mind.

And what is accomplishment in view? It’s when someone has right view, an undistorted perspective, such as: ‘There is meaning in giving, sacrifice, and offerings. There are fruits and results of good and bad deeds. There is an afterlife. There are such things as mother and father, and beings that are reborn spontaneously. And there are ascetics and brahmins who are rightly comported and rightly practiced, and who describe the afterlife after realizing it with their own insight.’ This is called accomplishment in view. Some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm because of accomplishment in ethics, mind, or view. It’s like throwing unfailing dice: they always fall the right side up. In the same way, some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm because of accomplishment in ethics, mind, or view.

These are the three accomplishments.”

Apaṇṇakasutta AN 3.118
https://suttacentral.net/an3.118

AnāthapiṇḍikaStanding to one side, the god Anāthapiṇḍika recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:“This is indeed...
13/07/2024

Anāthapiṇḍika
Standing to one side, the god Anāthapiṇḍika recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:
“This is indeed that Jeta’s Grove,
frequented by the Saṅgha of seers,
where the King of Dhamma stayed:
it brings me joy!
Deeds, knowledge, and principle;
ethical conduct, an excellent livelihood;
by these are mortals purified,
not by clan or wealth.
That’s why an astute person,
seeing what’s good for themselves,
would examine the teaching rationally,
and thus be purified in it.
Sāriputta is full of wisdom,
ethics, and peace.
Even a mendicant who has crossed over
might at best equal him.”
This is what the god Anāthapiṇḍika said. Then he bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right side, before vanishing right there.
Then, when the night had passed, the Buddha addressed the mendicants: “Mendicants, tonight, a certain glorious god, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, came to me, bowed, stood to one side, and recited these verses in my presence.” The Buddha then repeated the verses in full.
When he said this, Venerable Ānanda said to the Buddha, “Sir, that god must surely have been Anāthapiṇḍika. For the householder Anāthapiṇḍika was devoted to Venerable Sāriputta.”
“Good, good, Ānanda. You’ve reached the logical conclusion, as far as logic goes. For that was indeed the god Anāthapiṇḍika.”
https://suttacentral.netLinked Discourses 2.20
* 2. With Anāthapiṇḍika

UnderstandingAt Sāvatthī.“Mendicants, I will teach you the things that should be completely understood, and complete u...
11/07/2024

Understanding
At Sāvatthī.
“Mendicants, I will teach you the things that should be completely understood, and complete understanding. Listen …
And what things should be completely understood? Form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness. These are called the things that should be completely understood.
And what is complete understanding? The ending of greed, hate, and delusion. This is called complete understanding.”
https://suttacentral.net//Linked Discourses 22.23
* 3. The Burden

11/07/2024

“Some are drinking buddies,
Some say, ‘Dear friend! Dear friend!’
But whoever in hardship stands close by,
That one truly is a friend.

“Sleeping late, adultery,
Hostility, meaninglessness,
Harmful friends, utter stinginess:
These six things destroy a person.

“Bad friends, bad companions,
Bad practices—spending time in evil ways,
By these, one brings oneself to ruin,
In this world and the next.

“Seduction, gambling, drinking, singing,
dancing,
Sleeping by day, wandering all around untimely,
Harmful friends, utter stinginess:
These things destroy a person.

“They play with dice; they drink spirits;
They consort with lovers dear to others.
Associating with low-life and not the esteemed,
They come to ruin like the waning moon.

“Whoever is a drunkard, broke, and destitute,
Dragged by thirst from bar to bar,
Sinking into debt like a stone in water
Into bewilderment quickly plunges.

“When sleeping late becomes a habit
And night is seen as time to rise,
For one perpetually intoxicated,
A home life cannot be maintained.

“‘Too cold! Too hot!
Too late!’: they say.
Having wasted work time this way,
The young miss out on opportunities.

“For one regarding cold and hot
As not more than blades of grass,
Doing whatever should be done,
Happiness will not be a stranger.”

The Buddha’s words
Siṅgālasutta DN 31
https://suttacentral.net/dn31

“When ethical renunciates come to a family, the people create much merit for five reasons. What five?When they see ethi...
02/07/2024


“When ethical renunciates come to a family, the people create much merit for five reasons. What five?
When they see ethical renunciates coming to their family, the people bring up confidence in their hearts. At that time the family is practicing a path leading to heaven.
When ethical renunciates come to their family, the people rise from their seats, bow down, and offer them a seat. At that time the family is practicing a path leading to a birth in an eminent family.
When ethical renunciates come to their family, the people get rid of the stain of stinginess. At that time the family is practicing a path leading to being illustrious.
When ethical renunciates come to their family, the people share what they have as best they can. At that time the family is practicing a path leading to great wealth.
When ethical renunciates come to their family, the people ask questions and listen to the teachings. At that time the family is practicing a path leading to great wisdom.
When ethical renunciates come to a family, the people create much merit for these five reasons.”
https://suttacentral.net//Numbered Discourses 5.199
* 20. Brahmins

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