#7. The Perfected Ones

Venerable Surādha asks the Buddha how to see so as to let go of conceit and be freed. The Buddha tells him to contemplate the aggregates in terms of not-self.At Sāvatthī. Then Venerable Surādha said to the Buddha: “Sir, how does one know and see so that the mind is rid of ego, possessiveness, and conceit for this conscious body and all external stimuli; and going beyond discrimination, it’s peaceful and well freed? [Read More]

Venerable Rādha asks the Buddha how to see so as to let go of conceit. The Buddha tells him to contemplate the aggregates in terms of not-self.At Sāvatthī. Then Venerable Rādha went up to the Buddha … and asked him, “Sir, how does one know and see so that there’s no ego, possessiveness, or underlying tendency to conceit for this conscious body and all external stimuli?” “Rādha, one truly sees any kind of form at all—past, future, or present; internal or external; coarse or fine; inferior or superior; far or near: all form—with right understanding: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self. [Read More]

One should let go of desire for what appears tantalizing, namely the five aggregates.At Sāvatthī. Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha … and asked him, “Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.” “Mendicant, give up desire for anything that’s stuck in what’s arousing.” “Understood, Blessed One! Understood, Holy One!” “But how do you see the detailed meaning of my brief statement? [Read More]

One should let go of desire for what does not belong to self, namely the five aggregates.At Sāvatthī. Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha … and asked him, “Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.” “Mendicant, give up desire for anything that doesn’t belong to self.” “Understood, Blessed One! Understood, Holy One!” “But how do you see the detailed meaning of my brief statement? [Read More]

One should let go of desire for what is not-self, namely the five aggregates.At Sāvatthī. Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha … and asked him, “Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.” “Mendicant, give up desire for what is not-self.” “Understood, Blessed One! Understood, Holy One!” “But how do you see the detailed meaning of my brief statement? [Read More]

One should let go of desire for what is suffering, namely the five aggregates.At Sāvatthī. Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha … and asked him, “Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.” “Mendicant, give up desire for anything that’s suffering.” “Understood, Blessed One! Understood, Holy One!” “But how do you see the detailed meaning of my brief statement? [Read More]

One should let go of desire for what is impermanent, namely the five aggregates.At Sāvatthī. Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha … and asked him, “Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.” “Mendicant, give up desire for anything that’s impermanent.” “Understood, Blessed One! Understood, Holy One!” “But how do you see the detailed meaning of my brief statement? [Read More]

In seeking enjoyment in the aggregates one is bound by Māra.At Sāvatthī. Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha … and asked him, “Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.” “When you take pleasure, mendicant, you’re bound by Māra. Not taking pleasure, you’re free from the Wicked One.” “Understood, Blessed One! Understood, Holy One!” “But how do you see the detailed meaning of my brief statement? [Read More]

In conceiving regarding the aggregates one is bound by Māra.At Sāvatthī. Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha … and asked him, “Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.” “When you identify, mendicant, you’re bound by Māra. Not identifying, you’re free from the Wicked One.” “Understood, Blessed One! Understood, Holy One!” “But how do you see the detailed meaning of my brief statement? [Read More]

A mendicant comes to the Buddha to ask for instructions before going on retreat. The Buddha teaches them that in clinging to the aggregates one is bound by Māra.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. [Read More]