Saṁyutta Nikāya,
V: Mahā-Vagga
48. Indriya Saṁyutta
III. Chaḷindriya-vaggo

48. Kindred Sayings on the Faculties

III. The Six Faculties

Sutta 21

Nabbhava (or Ñānavā or Punabbhava) Suttaṁ

No More Becoming or The Knower

 

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THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.

The Exalted One said:

"Monks, there are these five controlling powers.

What five?

The controlling power of faith,
the controlling power of energy,
the controlling power of mindfulness,
the controlling power of concentration,
the controlling power of insight.

These, monks, are the five controlling powers.

Now, monks, so long as I did not fully comprehend,
as they really are,
the arising
and the perishing of,
the satisfaction in,
the misery of,
and the escape from
these five controlling powers,
just so long, monks, did I not know the meaning of
'being enlightened
with supreme enlightenment
with regard to the world
and its devas,
its Maras,
its Brahmas,
with regard to the host
of recluses and brahmins,
of devas and mankind.'¹

But, monks, when I came to know fully,
as they really are,
the arising
and the perishing of,
the satisfaction in,
the misery of,
and the escape from
these five controlling powers,
then, monks, I fully knew the meaning of
'being enlightened
with supreme enlightenment
with regard to the world
and its devas,
its Maras,
its Brahmas,
with regard to the host
of recluses and brahmins,
of devas and mankind.'

Then arose in me knowledge and insight thus:

'Sure is my heart's release.

This is my last birth.

Now is there no more becoming.'"

 

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¹ Cf. K.S. ii, 113 ff.