Majjhima Nikāya 138

Translators: sujato

Middle Discourses 138

Uddesavibhaṅgasutta

The Analysis of a Recitation Passage

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—
So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.
At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:
There the Buddha addressed the mendicants,

“bhikkhavo”ti.
“Mendicants!”

“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.
“Venerable sir,” they replied.

Bhagavā etadavoca:
The Buddha said this:

“uddesavibhaṅgaṁ vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi.
“Mendicants, I shall teach you the analysis of a recitation passage.

Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.
Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.
“Yes, sir,” they replied.

Bhagavā etadavoca:
The Buddha said this:

“Tathā tathā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu upaparikkheyya yathā yathā upaparikkhato bahiddhā cassa viññāṇaṁ avikkhittaṁ avisaṭaṁ, ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhitaṁ anupādāya na paritasseyya.
“A mendicant should examine in any such a way that their consciousness is neither scattered and diffused externally nor stuck internally, and they are not anxious because of grasping.

Bahiddhā, bhikkhave, viññāṇe avikkhitte avisaṭe sati ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhite anupādāya aparitassato āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇadukkhasamudayasambhavo na hotī”ti.
When this is the case and they are no longer anxious, there is for them no coming to be of the origin of suffering—of rebirth, old age, and death in the future.”

Idamavoca bhagavā.
That is what the Buddha said.

Idaṁ vatvāna sugato uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ pāvisi.
When he had spoken, the Holy One got up from his seat and entered his dwelling.

Atha kho tesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ, acirapakkantassa bhagavato, etadahosi:
Soon after the Buddha left, those mendicants considered,

“idaṁ kho no, āvuso, bhagavā saṅkhittena uddesaṁ uddisitvā vitthārena atthaṁ avibhajitvā uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ paviṭṭho:
“The Buddha gave this brief passage for recitation, then entered his dwelling without explaining the meaning in detail.

‘tathā tathā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu upaparikkheyya yathā yathā upaparikkhato bahiddhā cassa viññāṇaṁ avikkhittaṁ avisaṭaṁ, ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhitaṁ anupādāya na paritasseyya.

Bahiddhā, bhikkhave, viññāṇe avikkhitte avisaṭe sati ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhite anupādāya aparitassato āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇadukkhasamudayasambhavo na hotī’ti.

Ko nu kho imassa bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ vibhajeyyā”ti?
Who can explain in detail the meaning of this brief passage for recitation given by the Buddha?”

Atha kho tesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ etadahosi:
Then those mendicants thought,

“ayaṁ kho āyasmā mahākaccāno satthu ceva saṁvaṇṇito sambhāvito ca viññūnaṁ sabrahmacārīnaṁ;
“This Venerable Mahākaccāna is praised by the Buddha and esteemed by his sensible spiritual companions.

pahoti cāyasmā mahākaccāno imassa bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ vibhajituṁ.
He is capable of explaining in detail the meaning of this brief passage for recitation given by the Buddha.

Yannūna mayaṁ yenāyasmā mahākaccāno tenupasaṅkameyyāma; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ mahākaccānaṁ etamatthaṁ paṭipuccheyyāmā”ti.
Let’s go to him, and ask him about this matter.”

Atha kho te bhikkhū yenāyasmā mahākaccāno tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā mahākaccānena saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu.
Then those mendicants went to Mahākaccāna, and exchanged greetings with him.

Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū āyasmantaṁ mahākaccānaṁ etadavocuṁ:
When the greetings and polite conversation were over, they sat down to one side. They told him what had happened, and said,

“Idaṁ kho no, āvuso kaccāna, bhagavā saṅkhittena uddesaṁ uddisitvā vitthārena atthaṁ avibhajitvā uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ paviṭṭho:

‘tathā tathā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu upaparikkheyya yathā yathā upaparikkhato bahiddhā cassa viññāṇaṁ avikkhittaṁ avisaṭaṁ, ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhitaṁ anupādāya na paritasseyya.

Bahiddhā, bhikkhave, viññāṇe avikkhitte avisaṭe sati ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhite anupādāya aparitassato āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇadukkhasamudayasambhavo na hotī’ti.

Tesaṁ no, āvuso kaccāna, amhākaṁ, acirapakkantassa bhagavato, etadahosi:

‘idaṁ kho no, āvuso, bhagavā saṅkhittena uddesaṁ uddisitvā vitthārena atthaṁ avibhajitvā uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ paviṭṭho:

“tathā tathā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu upaparikkheyya, yathā yathā upaparikkhato bahiddhā cassa viññāṇaṁ avikkhittaṁ avisaṭaṁ ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhitaṁ anupādāya na paritasseyya.

Bahiddhā, bhikkhave, viññāṇe avikkhitte avisaṭe sati ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhite anupādāya aparitassato āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇadukkhasamudayasambhavo na hotī”ti.

Ko nu kho imassa bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ vibhajeyyā’ti.

Tesaṁ no, āvuso kaccāna, amhākaṁ etadahosi:

‘ayaṁ kho āyasmā mahākaccāno satthu ceva saṁvaṇṇito, sambhāvito ca viññūnaṁ sabrahmacārīnaṁ.

Pahoti cāyasmā mahākaccāno imassa bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ vibhajituṁ.

Yannūna mayaṁ yenāyasmā mahākaccāno tenupasaṅkameyyāma; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ mahākaccānaṁ etamatthaṁ paṭipuccheyyāmā’ti—

vibhajatāyasmā mahākaccāno”ti.
“May Venerable Mahākaccāna please explain this.”

“Seyyathāpi, āvuso, puriso sāratthiko sāragavesī sārapariyesanaṁ caramāno mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato atikkammeva mūlaṁ atikkamma khandhaṁ sākhāpalāse sāraṁ pariyesitabbaṁ maññeyya,
“Reverends, suppose there was a person in need of heartwood. And while wandering in search of heartwood he’d come across a large tree standing with heartwood. But he’d pass over the roots and trunk, imagining that the heartwood should be sought in the branches and leaves.

evaṁ sampadamidaṁ āyasmantānaṁ satthari sammukhībhūte taṁ bhagavantaṁ atisitvā amhe etamatthaṁ paṭipucchitabbaṁ maññatha.
Such is the consequence for the venerables. Though you were face to face with the Buddha, you overlooked him, imagining that you should ask me about this matter.

So hāvuso, bhagavā jānaṁ jānāti, passaṁ passati, cakkhubhūto ñāṇabhūto dhammabhūto brahmabhūto vattā pavattā atthassa ninnetā amatassa dātā dhammassāmī tathāgato.
For he is the Buddha, the one who knows and sees. He is vision, he is knowledge, he is the manifestation of principle, he is the manifestation of divinity. He is the teacher, the proclaimer, the elucidator of meaning, the bestower of freedom from death, the lord of truth, the Realized One.

So ceva panetassa kālo ahosi yaṁ bhagavantaṁyeva etamatthaṁ paṭipuccheyyātha;
That was the time to approach the Buddha and ask about this matter.

yathā vo bhagavā byākareyya tathā naṁ dhāreyyāthā”ti.
You should have remembered it in line with the Buddha’s answer.”

“Addhāvuso kaccāna, bhagavā jānaṁ jānāti, passaṁ passati, cakkhubhūto ñāṇabhūto dhammabhūto brahmabhūto vattā pavattā atthassa ninnetā amatassa dātā dhammassāmī tathāgato.
“Certainly he is the Buddha, the one who knows and sees. He is vision, he is knowledge, he is the manifestation of principle, he is the manifestation of divinity. He is the teacher, the proclaimer, the elucidator of meaning, the bestower of freedom from death, the lord of truth, the Realized One.

So ceva panetassa kālo ahosi yaṁ bhagavantaṁyeva etamatthaṁ paṭipuccheyyāma;
That was the time to approach the Buddha and ask about this matter.

yathā no bhagavā byākareyya tathā naṁ dhāreyyāma.
We should have remembered it in line with the Buddha’s answer.

Api cāyasmā mahākaccāno satthu ceva saṁvaṇṇito sambhāvito ca viññūnaṁ sabrahmacārīnaṁ.
Still, Venerable Mahākaccāna is praised by the Buddha and esteemed by his sensible spiritual companions.

Pahoti cāyasmā mahākaccāno imassa bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ vibhajituṁ.
He is capable of explaining in detail the meaning of this brief passage for recitation given by the Buddha.

Vibhajatāyasmā mahākaccāno agaruṁ karitvā”ti.
Please explain this, if it’s no trouble.”

“Tena hāvuso, suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.
“Well then, reverends, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

“Evamāvuso”ti kho te bhikkhū āyasmato mahākaccānassa paccassosuṁ.
“Yes, reverend,” they replied.

Āyasmā mahākaccāno etadavoca:
Venerable Mahākaccāna said this:

“Yaṁ kho no, āvuso, bhagavā saṅkhittena uddesaṁ uddisitvā vitthārena atthaṁ avibhajitvā uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ paviṭṭho:
“Reverends, the Buddha gave this brief passage for recitation, then entered his dwelling without explaining the meaning in detail:

‘tathā tathā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu upaparikkheyya, yathā yathā upaparikkhato bahiddhā cassa viññāṇaṁ avikkhittaṁ avisaṭaṁ ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhitaṁ anupādāya na paritasseyya, bahiddhā, bhikkhave, viññāṇe avikkhitte avisaṭe sati ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhite anupādāya aparitassato āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇadukkhasamudayasambhavo na hotī’ti.
‘A mendicant should examine in any such a way that their consciousness is neither scattered and diffused externally nor stuck internally, and they are not anxious because of grasping. When this is the case and they are no longer anxious, there is for them no coming to be of the origin of suffering—of rebirth, old age, and death in the future.’

Imassa kho ahaṁ, āvuso, bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa evaṁ vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāmi.
And this is how I understand the detailed meaning of this passage for recitation.

Kathañcāvuso, bahiddhā viññāṇaṁ vikkhittaṁ visaṭanti vuccati?
And how is consciousness scattered and diffused externally?

Idhāvuso, bhikkhuno cakkhunā rūpaṁ disvā rūpanimittānusāri viññāṇaṁ hoti rūpanimittassādagadhitaṁ rūpanimittassādavinibandhaṁ rūpanimittassādasaṁyojanasaṁyuttaṁ bahiddhā viññāṇaṁ vikkhittaṁ visaṭanti vuccati.
Take a mendicant who sees a sight with their eyes. Their consciousness follows after the signs of that sight, tied, attached, and fettered to gratification in its signs. So their consciousness is said to be scattered and diffused externally.

Sotena saddaṁ sutvā …pe…
When they hear a sound with their ears …

ghānena gandhaṁ ghāyitvā …
When they smell an odor with their nose …

jivhāya rasaṁ sāyitvā …
When they taste a flavor with their tongue …

kāyena phoṭṭhabbaṁ phusitvā …
When they feel a touch with their body …

manasā dhammaṁ viññāya dhammanimittānusāri viññāṇaṁ hoti; dhammanimittassādagadhitaṁ dhammanimittassādavinibandhaṁ dhammanimittassādasaṁyojanasaṁyuttaṁ bahiddhā viññāṇaṁ vikkhittaṁ visaṭanti vuccati.
When they know an idea with their mind, their consciousness follows after the signs of that idea, tied, attached, and fettered to gratification in its signs. So their consciousness is said to be scattered and diffused externally.

Evaṁ kho, āvuso, bahiddhā viññāṇaṁ vikkhittaṁ visaṭanti vuccati.
That’s how consciousness is scattered and diffused externally.

Kathañcāvuso, bahiddhā viññāṇaṁ avikkhittaṁ avisaṭanti vuccati?
And how is consciousness not scattered and diffused externally?

Idhāvuso, bhikkhuno cakkhunā rūpaṁ disvā na rūpanimittānusāri viññāṇaṁ hoti, na rūpanimittassādagadhitaṁ na rūpanimittassādavinibandhaṁ na rūpanimittassādasaṁyojanasaṁyuttaṁ bahiddhā viññāṇaṁ avikkhittaṁ avisaṭanti vuccati.
Take a mendicant who sees a sight with their eyes. Their consciousness doesn’t follow after the signs of that sight, and is not tied, attached, and fettered to gratification in its signs. So their consciousness is said to be not scattered and diffused externally.

Sotena saddaṁ sutvā …pe…
When they hear a sound with their ears …

ghānena gandhaṁ ghāyitvā …
When they smell an odor with their nose …

jivhāya rasaṁ sāyitvā …
When they taste a flavor with their tongue …

kāyena phoṭṭhabbaṁ phusitvā …
When they feel a touch with their body …

manasā dhammaṁ viññāya na dhammanimittānusāri viññāṇaṁ hoti na dhammanimittassādagadhitaṁ na dhammanimittassādavinibandhaṁ na dhammanimittassādasaṁyojanasaṁyuttaṁ bahiddhā viññāṇaṁ avikkhittaṁ avisaṭanti vuccati.
When they know an idea with their mind, their consciousness doesn’t follow after the signs of that idea, and is not tied, attached, and fettered to gratification in its signs. So their consciousness is said to be not scattered and diffused externally.

Evaṁ kho, āvuso, bahiddhā viññāṇaṁ avikkhittaṁ avisaṭanti vuccati.
That’s how consciousness is not scattered and diffused externally.

Kathañcāvuso, ajjhattaṁ saṇṭhitanti vuccati?
And how is their consciousness stuck internally?

Idhāvuso, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.
Take a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Tassa vivekajapītisukhānusāri viññāṇaṁ hoti vivekajapītisukhassādagadhitaṁ vivekajapītisukhassādavinibandhaṁ vivekajapītisukhassādasaṁyojanasaṁyuttaṁ ajjhattaṁ cittaṁ saṇṭhitanti vuccati.
Their consciousness follows after that rapture and bliss born of seclusion, tied, attached, and fettered to gratification in that rapture and bliss born of seclusion. So their mind is said to be stuck internally.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.
Furthermore, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, a mendicant enters and remains in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Tassa samādhijapītisukhānusāri viññāṇaṁ hoti samādhijapītisukhassādagadhitaṁ samādhijapītisukhassādavinibandhaṁ samādhijapītisukhassādasaṁyojanasaṁyuttaṁ ajjhattaṁ cittaṁ saṇṭhitanti vuccati.
Their consciousness follows after that rapture and bliss born of immersion, tied, attached, and fettered to gratification in that rapture and bliss born of immersion. So their mind is said to be stuck internally.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca viharati sato ca sampajāno sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedeti, yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti: ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.
Furthermore, with the fading away of rapture, a mendicant enters and remains in the third absorption, where they meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, personally experiencing the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’

Tassa upekkhānusāri viññāṇaṁ hoti upekkhāsukhassādagadhitaṁ upekkhāsukhassādavinibandhaṁ upekkhāsukhassādasaṁyojanasaṁyuttaṁ ajjhattaṁ cittaṁ saṇṭhitanti vuccati.
Their consciousness follows after that equanimity, tied, attached, and fettered to gratification in that bliss with equanimity. So their mind is said to be stuck internally.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.
Furthermore, giving up pleasure and pain, and ending former happiness and sadness, a mendicant enters and remains in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.

Tassa adukkhamasukhānusāri viññāṇaṁ hoti adukkhamasukhassādagadhitaṁ adukkhamasukhassādavinibandhaṁ adukkhamasukhassādasaṁyojanasaṁyuttaṁ ajjhattaṁ cittaṁ asaṇṭhitanti vuccati.
Their consciousness follows after that neutral feeling, tied, attached, and fettered to gratification in that neutral feeling. So their mind is said to be stuck internally.

Evaṁ kho, āvuso, ajjhattaṁ saṇṭhitanti vuccati.
That’s how their consciousness is stuck internally.

Kathañcāvuso, ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhitanti vuccati?
And how is their consciousness not stuck internally?

Idhāvuso, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.
It’s when a mendicant, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Tassa na vivekajapītisukhānusāri viññāṇaṁ hoti na vivekajapītisukhassādagadhitaṁ na vivekajapītisukhassādavinibandhaṁ na vivekajapītisukhassādasaṁyojanasaṁyuttaṁ ajjhattaṁ cittaṁ asaṇṭhitanti vuccati.
Their consciousness doesn’t follow after that rapture and bliss born of seclusion, and is not tied, attached, and fettered to gratification in that rapture and bliss born of seclusion. So their mind is said to be not stuck internally.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.
Furthermore, they enter the second absorption …

Tassa na samādhijapītisukhānusāri viññāṇaṁ hoti na samādhijapītisukhassādagadhitaṁ na samādhijapītisukhassādavinibandhaṁ na samādhijapītisukhassādasaṁyojanasaṁyuttaṁ ajjhattaṁ cittaṁ asaṇṭhitanti vuccati.
Their consciousness doesn’t follow after that rapture and bliss born of immersion …

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā …pe… tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.
Furthermore, they enter and remain in the third absorption …

Tassa na upekkhānusāri viññāṇaṁ hoti na upekkhāsukhassādagadhitaṁ na upekkhāsukhassādavinibandhaṁ na upekkhāsukhassādasaṁyojanasaṁyuttaṁ ajjhattaṁ cittaṁ asaṇṭhitanti vuccati.
Their consciousness doesn’t follow after that equanimity, and is not tied, attached, and fettered to gratification in that bliss with equanimity. So their mind is said to be not stuck internally.

Tassa na adukkhamasukhānusāri viññāṇaṁ hoti na adukkhamasukhassādagadhitaṁ na adukkhamasukhassādavinibandhaṁ na adukkhamasukhassādasaṁyojanasaṁyuttaṁ ajjhattaṁ cittaṁ asaṇṭhitanti vuccati.
Their consciousness doesn’t follow after that neutral feeling, and is not tied, attached, and fettered to gratification in that neutral feeling. So their mind is said to be not stuck internally.

Evaṁ kho, āvuso, ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhitanti vuccati.
That’s how their consciousness is not stuck internally.

Kathañcāvuso, anupādā paritassanā hoti?
And how are they anxious because of grasping?

Idhāvuso, assutavā puthujjano ariyānaṁ adassāvī ariyadhammassa akovido ariyadhamme avinīto sappurisānaṁ adassāvī sappurisadhammassa akovido sappurisadhamme avinīto
It’s when an unlearned ordinary person has not seen the noble ones, and is neither skilled nor trained in the teaching of the noble ones. They’ve not seen true persons, and are neither skilled nor trained in the teaching of the true persons.

rūpaṁ attato samanupassati rūpavantaṁ vā attānaṁ attani vā rūpaṁ rūpasmiṁ vā attānaṁ.
They regard form as self, self as having form, form in self, or self in form.

Tassa taṁ rūpaṁ vipariṇamati, aññathā hoti.
But that form of theirs decays and perishes,

Tassa rūpavipariṇāmaññathābhāvā rūpavipariṇāmānuparivatti viññāṇaṁ hoti.
and consciousness latches on to the perishing of form.

Tassa rūpavipariṇāmānuparivattajā paritassanā dhammasamuppādā cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭhanti.
Anxieties occupy their mind, born of latching on to the perishing of form, and originating in accordance with natural principles.

Cetaso pariyādānā uttāsavā ca hoti vighātavā ca apekkhavā ca anupādāya ca paritassati.
So they become frightened, worried, concerned, and anxious because of grasping.

Vedanaṁ …pe…
They regard feeling …

saññaṁ …
perception …

saṅkhāre …
choices …

viññāṇaṁ attato samanupassati viññāṇavantaṁ vā attānaṁ attani vā viññāṇaṁ viññāṇasmiṁ vā attānaṁ.
consciousness as self, self as having consciousness, consciousness in self, or self in consciousness.

Tassa taṁ viññāṇaṁ vipariṇamati, aññathā hoti.
But that consciousness of theirs decays and perishes,

Tassa viññāṇavipariṇāmaññathābhāvā viññāṇavipariṇāmānuparivatti viññāṇaṁ hoti.
and consciousness latches on to the perishing of consciousness.

Tassa viññāṇavipariṇāmānuparivattajā paritassanā dhammasamuppādā cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭhanti.
Anxieties occupy their mind, born of latching on to the perishing of consciousness, and originating in accordance with natural principles.

Cetaso pariyādānā uttāsavā ca hoti vighātavā ca apekkhavā ca anupādāya ca paritassati.
So they become frightened, worried, concerned, and anxious because of grasping.

Evaṁ kho, āvuso, anupādā paritassanā hoti.
That’s how they are anxious because of grasping.

Kathañcāvuso, anupādānā aparitassanā hoti?
And how are they not anxious because of grasping?

Idhāvuso, sutavā ariyasāvako ariyānaṁ dassāvī ariyadhammassa kovido ariyadhamme suvinīto sappurisānaṁ dassāvī sappurisadhammassa kovido sappurisadhamme suvinīto
It’s when a learned noble disciple has seen the noble ones, and is skilled and trained in the teaching of the noble ones. They’ve seen true persons, and are skilled and trained in the teaching of the true persons.

na rūpaṁ attato samanupassati na rūpavantaṁ vā attānaṁ na attani vā rūpaṁ na rūpasmiṁ vā attānaṁ.
They don’t regard form as self, self as having form, form in self, or self in form.

Tassa taṁ rūpaṁ vipariṇamati, aññathā hoti.
When that form of theirs decays and perishes,

Tassa rūpavipariṇāmaññathābhāvā na ca rūpavipariṇāmānuparivatti viññāṇaṁ hoti.
consciousness doesn’t latch on to the perishing of form.

Tassa na rūpavipariṇāmānuparivattajā paritassanā dhammasamuppādā cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭhanti.
Anxieties—born of latching on to the perishing of form and originating in accordance with natural principles—don’t occupy their mind.

Cetaso pariyādānā na cevuttāsavā hoti na ca vighātavā na ca apekkhavā anupādāya ca na paritassati.
So they don’t become frightened, worried, concerned, or anxious because of grasping.

Na vedanaṁ …
They don’t regard feeling …

na saññaṁ …
perception …

na saṅkhāre …
choices …

na viññāṇaṁ attato samanupassati na viññāṇavantaṁ vā attānaṁ na attani vā viññāṇaṁ na viññāṇasmiṁ vā attānaṁ.
consciousness as self, self as having consciousness, consciousness in self, or self in consciousness.

Tassa taṁ viññāṇaṁ vipariṇamati, aññathā hoti.
When that consciousness of theirs decays and perishes,

Tassa viññāṇavipariṇāmaññathābhāvā na ca viññāṇavipariṇāmānuparivatti viññāṇaṁ hoti.
consciousness doesn’t latch on to the perishing of consciousness.

Tassa na viññāṇavipariṇāmānuparivattajā paritassanā dhammasamuppādā cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭhanti.
Anxieties—born of latching on to the perishing of consciousness and originating in accordance with natural principles—don’t occupy their mind.

Cetaso pariyādānā na cevuttāsavā hoti na ca vighātavā na ca apekkhavā, anupādāya ca na paritassati.
So they don’t become frightened, worried, concerned, or anxious because of grasping.

Evaṁ kho, āvuso, anupādā aparitassanā hoti.
That’s how they are not anxious because of grasping.

Yaṁ kho no, āvuso, bhagavā saṅkhittena uddesaṁ uddisitvā vitthārena atthaṁ avibhajitvā uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ paviṭṭho:
The Buddha gave this brief passage for recitation, then entered his dwelling without explaining the meaning in detail:

‘tathā tathā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu upaparikkheyya yathā yathā upaparikkhato bahiddhā cassa viññāṇaṁ avikkhittaṁ avisaṭaṁ, ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhitaṁ anupādāya na paritasseyya.
‘A mendicant should examine in any such a way that their consciousness is neither scattered and diffused externally nor stuck internally, and they are not anxious because of grasping.

Bahiddhā, bhikkhave, viññāṇe avikkhitte avisaṭe sati ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhite anupādāya aparitassato āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇadukkhasamudayasambhavo na hotī’ti.
When this is the case and they are no longer anxious, there is for them no coming to be of the origin of suffering—of rebirth, old age, and death in the future.’

Ākaṅkhamānā ca pana tumhe āyasmanto bhagavantaṁyeva upasaṅkamitvā etamatthaṁ paṭipuccheyyātha;
If you wish, you may go to the Buddha and ask him about this.

yathā vo bhagavā byākaroti tathā naṁ dhāreyyāthā”ti.
You should remember it in line with the Buddha’s answer.”

Atha kho te bhikkhū āyasmato mahākaccānassa bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:
Then those mendicants, approving and agreeing with what Mahākaccāna said, rose from their seats and went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened, adding:

“Yaṁ kho no, bhante, bhagavā saṅkhittena uddesaṁ uddisitvā vitthārena atthaṁ avibhajitvā uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ paviṭṭho:

‘tathā tathā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu upaparikkheyya yathā yathā upaparikkhato bahiddhā cassa viññāṇaṁ avikkhittaṁ avisaṭaṁ, ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhitaṁ anupādāya na paritasseyya.

Bahiddhā, bhikkhave, viññāṇe avikkhitte avisaṭe sati ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhite anupādāya aparitassato āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇadukkhasamudayasambhavo na hotī’ti.

Tesaṁ no, bhante, amhākaṁ, acirapakkantassa bhagavato, etadahosi:

‘idaṁ kho no, āvuso, bhagavā saṅkhittena uddesaṁ uddisitvā vitthārena atthaṁ avibhajitvā uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ paviṭṭho—

tathā tathā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu upaparikkheyya, yathā yathā upaparikkhato bahiddhā cassa viññāṇaṁ avikkhittaṁ avisaṭaṁ, ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhitaṁ anupādāya na paritasseyya.

Bahiddhā, bhikkhave, viññāṇe avikkhitte avisaṭe sati ajjhattaṁ asaṇṭhite anupādāya aparitassato āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇadukkhasamudayasambhavo na hotīti.

Ko nu kho imassa bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ vibhajeyyā’ti?

Tesaṁ no, bhante, amhākaṁ etadahosi:

‘ayaṁ kho āyasmā mahākaccāno satthu ceva saṁvaṇṇito sambhāvito ca viññūnaṁ sabrahmacārīnaṁ.

Pahoti cāyasmā mahākaccāno imassa bhagavatā saṅkhittena uddesassa uddiṭṭhassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ vibhajituṁ.

Yannūna mayaṁ yenāyasmā mahākaccāno tenupasaṅkameyyāma; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ mahākaccānaṁ etamatthaṁ paṭipuccheyyāmā’ti.

Atha kho mayaṁ, bhante, yenāyasmā mahākaccāno tenupasaṅkamimha; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ mahākaccānaṁ etamatthaṁ paṭipucchimha.

Tesaṁ no, bhante, āyasmatā mahākaccānena imehi ākārehi imehi padehi imehi byañjanehi attho vibhatto”ti.
“Mahākaccāna clearly explained the meaning to us in this manner, with these words and phrases.”

“Paṇḍito, bhikkhave, mahākaccāno; mahāpañño, bhikkhave, mahākaccāno.
“Mahākaccāna is astute, mendicants, he has great wisdom.

Mañcepi tumhe, bhikkhave, etamatthaṁ paṭipuccheyyātha, ahampi evamevaṁ byākareyyaṁ yathā taṁ mahākaccānena byākataṁ.
If you came to me and asked this question, I would answer it in exactly the same way as Mahākaccāna.

Eso cevetassa attho. Evañca naṁ dhāreyyāthā”ti.
That is what it means, and that’s how you should remember it.”

Idamavoca bhagavā.
That is what the Buddha said.

Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.
Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.

Uddesavibhaṅgasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.