Aṅguttara Nikāya
Chakka Nipāta
X. Ānisaṅsa Vagga

The Book of the Sixes

Chapter X: Advantages

Sutta 105

Bhava Suttaṃ

Becoming¹

 

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[309]

Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove,
in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

There the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," they replied,
and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, these three spheres of becoming
must be given up,
and there must be training
in three trainings.

 

§

 

What three spheres must be given up?

[310] The sphere of sense-desire,
the form-sphere²
and the formless spheres of becoming.

These three spheres
must be given up.

■

And in what three
must there be training?

In further³ virtue,
in further thought
and in further insight.

In these three trainings there must be training.

 

§

 

Verily, monks, when by a monk these three spheres of becoming
have been given up
and in these three trainings
he in training has been trained,
the monk is said⁴ to have cut off craving,
rolled back the bolts,
and mastering pride completely,
has made an end of Ill.'

 

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¹ Cf. A. iv, 52.

² Rūpa-bhavo = the Brahma-world.

³ Adhi-

⁴ Cf. above V, § 200.