Sachchavibhangga Suthraya

Thus, I have heard:

Once upon a time, the Blessed One lived in Migadaya, Isipathana in Varanasi. At that time, the Blessed One addressed the monks as “Monks”. “Yes, honourable Blessed One”, the monks replied to the Blessed One.

The Blessed One said:

“Monks, the Thathagata who enlightened with the Perfect Buddhahood has declared the ‘Commandment of the Dharma’ at Migadaya, Isipathana in Varanasi, which could not be equalled by anything and also could not be preached by any monk or any ascetic or any god or any ‘Mara’ or any ‘Brahma’ or anyone else in the world.

That is,

Declaring the ‘Four Noble Truths’,
Preaching the ‘Four Noble Truths’,
Imposing the ‘Four Noble Truths’,
Establishing the ‘Four Noble Truths’,
Expounding the ‘Four Noble Truths’,
Dividing the ‘Four Noble Truths’ into parts and parsing,
Explaining the ‘Four Noble Truths’.

What are those four?

The declaring, Preaching, Imposing, Establishing, Expounding, Dividing into parts and parsing, and Explaining of the ‘First Noble Truth’ called ‘the Noble Truth of Suffering’.

The declaring, Preaching, Imposing, Establishing, Expounding, Dividing into parts and parsing, and Explaining of the ‘Second Noble Truth’ called ‘the Noble Truth of the Cause for the Suffering’.

The declaring, Preaching, Imposing, Establishing, Expounding, Dividing into parts and parsing, and Explaining of the ‘Third Noble Truth’ called ‘the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering’.

The declaring, Preaching, Imposing, Establishing, Expounding, Dividing into parts and parsing, and Explaining of the ‘Fourth Noble Truth’ called ‘the Noble Truth of the Path to End the Suffering’.

“Monks, the Thathagata who enlightened with the Perfect Buddhahood has declared the ‘Commandment of the Dharma’ at Migadaya, Isipatana in Varanasi, which could not be equalled by anything and also could not be preached by any monk or any ascetic or any god or any ‘Mara’ or any ‘Brahma’ or anyone else in the world.

That is,

Declaring the ‘Four Noble Truths’,
Preaching the ‘Four Noble Truths’,
Imposing the ‘Four Noble Truths’,
Establishing the ‘Four Noble Truths’,
Expounding the ‘Four Noble Truths’,
Dividing the ‘Four Noble Truths’ into parts and parsing,
Explaining the ‘Four Noble Truths’.

“Monks, trust Shariputra and Moggallana . Monks, associate with Shariputra and Moggallana. Those Bhikkhus, who are scholars, are very helpful to those who are celibate and disciplined.

Monks, Shariputra is like a mother who gave birth.

As the mother who nurtures and feeds after birth, the Moggallana is so.

Monks, Shariputra is the one who is talented in disciplining the monks in the first fruit of the Path to ‘Nirwana’, called ‘Sowan’. Moggallana is skilled in disciplining the monks in higher fruits of the Path to ‘Nirwana’.

Monks, Shariputra can teach the Dharma, preach the Four Noble Truths, establish the wisdom, establish the understanding, expound the dharma, parse by dividing the Four Noble Truths into parts, explain the unclear points,” said the Blessed One.

Saying this, Lord Sugata got up and went to the temple.

After the departure of the Blessed One, Venerable Shariputra Sthavira addressed the monks by saying, “venerable colleagues”.

The monks responded by respectfully acknowledging him, “yes, dear honourable”.

Venerable Shariputra Sthavira said this.

Venerable colleagues, the Thathagata who enlightened with the Perfect Buddhahood has declared the ‘Commandment of the Dharma’ at Migadaya, Isipatana in Varanasi, which could not be equalled by anything and also could not be preached by any monk or any ascetic or any god or any ‘Mara’ or any ‘Brahma’ or anyone else in the world.

That is,

Declaring the ‘Four Noble Truths’,
Preaching the ‘Four Noble Truths’,
Imposing the ‘Four Noble Truths’,
Establishing the ‘Four Noble Truths’,
Expounding the ‘Four Noble Truths’,
Dividing the ‘Four Noble Truths’ into parts and parsing,
Explaining the ‘Four Noble Truths’.

What are those four?

1. The declaring, Preaching, Imposing, Establishing, Expounding, Dividing into parts and parsing, and Explaining of the ‘First Noble Truth’ called ‘the Noble Truth of Suffering’.

2. The declaring, Preaching, Imposing, Establishing, Expounding, Dividing into parts and parsing, and Explaining of the ‘Second Noble Truth’ called ‘the Noble Truth of the Cause for the Suffering’.

3. The declaring, Preaching, Imposing, Establishing, Expounding, Dividing into parts and parsing, and Explaining of the ‘Third Noble Truth’ called ‘the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering’.

4. The declaring, Preaching, Imposing, Establishing, Expounding, Dividing into parts and parsing, and Explaining of the ‘Fourth Noble Truth’ called ‘the Noble Truth of the Path to End the Suffering’.

“Venerable colleagues, what is the ‘Noble Truth of Suffering’? (Dukkha A~rya Sathya)

Being born is misery,
getting old or decaying is also misery,
Being sick is also misery,
Death is also misery,
Associating with the unloved is also misery,
Separation from loved ones is also misery,
Not getting something that is preferred is misery.

In brief, all of the ‘Pakncha Upadanaskandha’ (Grasping the five elements of a thought with ignorance) is a misery”.

Venerable colleagues, what is ‘Jathi’ or ‘Birth’?

The birth, emergence, conception, or occurrence as a being according to different being realms.

The occurrence of the five elements of the thought according to the certain realm where the birth happened (Appearance- Sensation- perception- notion- cognition)

The occurrence of the six senses according to the certain realm where the birth happened (Eye- ear- nose- tongue- body-mind).

Venerable colleagues, this is called the ‘Jathi’ or ‘Birth’.

Venerable colleagues, what is ‘Jara’?

It is the ageing, decaying, such as deteriorating teeth, skin wrinkling, senses wearing, organ decaying, greying or maturing hair, and rotting the longevity of beings according to the certain realms where they have been born.

Venerable colleagues, this is called ‘Jara’.

Venerable colleagues, what is ‘Marana’ or ‘Death’?

It is the disappearance, separation, break, dying, completing the longevity, leaving the body, breaking of the living organ of beings according to the certain realms where they have been born.

Venerable colleagues, this is called ‘Marana’ or ‘Death’.

Venerable colleagues, what is ‘So~ka’ or ‘Mourning’?

It is the heart-endless sorrows, regrets, grief etc., endured by the beings who have been born inheriting so many different kinds of catastrophes.

Venerable colleagues, this is called ‘So~ka’ or ‘Mourning’.

Venerable colleagues, what is ‘Parideva’?

It is the loud crying, wailing, lamenting, weeping, whimpering, whining, groaning etc., encountered by the beings who have been born inheriting so many different kinds of catastrophes.

Venerable colleagues, this is called ‘Parideva’.

Venerable colleagues, what is ‘Dukkha’ or ‘Pain’?

It is a pain or an unpleasant pain or excruciation or discomfort that arises in the body caused by a disease, illness, uncomfortable posture, tragedy etc.

Venerable colleagues, this is called ‘Dukkha’ or ‘Pain’.

Venerable colleagues, what is ‘Domanassa’?

It is sadness, unhappiness, discomfort, melancholy, anxiety, depression etc that arises in the mind caused by separation, tragedy, loss, illness, despair, etc.

Venerable colleagues, this is called ‘Domanassa’.

Venerable colleagues, What is ‘Upa~ya~sa’?

It is the suffering caused by depression, the suffering caused by anxiety, the suffering caused by the grief, severe exertion to get rid of calamities encountered by the beings who have been born inheriting so many different kinds of catastrophes.

Venerable colleagues, this is called ‘Upa~ya~sa’.

“Venerable colleagues, what does it mean that ‘Yampichchahng Na Labhathi Thampi Dukkhang’ or ‘not getting something that is preferred is misery’”?

The beings who were born because of creating the reasons for their birth by themselves get this kind of desire,

“Oh, if we were not subjected to be born!’, ‘Certainly if the birth will not come to us! It is good!”.

Since this is not something that happens according to preference or wish, the beings have to suffer because of not getting what they prefer.

This is the misery of not getting something that prefer.

This is the misery of not getting something that prefer.

Venerable colleagues, the beings who were born because of creating the reasons for their birth by themselves and are subject to decay, growing old, wearing out organs and becoming ugly, get this kind of desire,

“Oh, if we were not subjected to rot- ageing- decaying the senses- ugly!’, ‘Certainly if ageing or decaying does not come to us! It is good!”.

Since this is not something that happens according to preference or wish, the beings have to suffer because of not getting what they prefer.

This is the misery of not getting something that prefer.

Venerable colleagues, the beings who were born because of creating the reasons for their birth by themselves and are subject to encounter various diseases, disorders, and disasters get this kind of desire.

“Oh, if we were not subjected to encounter various diseases, various disorders, various disasters!’, ‘Certainly if various diseases, disorders, and disasters do not come to us! It is good!”.

Since this is not something that happens according to preference or wish, the beings have to suffer because of not getting what they prefer.

This is the misery of not getting something that prefer.

Venerable colleagues, the beings born because of creating the reasons for their birth by themselves and are subject to die get this kind of desire.

“Oh, if we were not subjected to death!’, ‘Certainly if death does not come to us! It is good!”.

Since this is not something that happens according to preference or wish, the beings have to suffer because of not getting what they prefer.

This is the misery of not getting something that prefer.

Venerable colleagues, the beings born because of creating the reasons for their birth by themselves and are subject to grieving, mourning, depression with physical- mental pain or making efforts to eliminate tragedies, get this kind of desire.

Oh, if we were not subjected to grieve, mourn, depress with physical- mental pain or eliminate tragedies!’,

‘Certainly, if grief, mourning, physical- mental pain, tragedies do not come to us! It is good!

Since this is not something that happens according to preference or wish, the beings have to suffer because of not getting what they prefer.

This is the misery of not getting something that prefer.

Venerable colleagues, what does it mean “In brief, all of the ‘Five Upadanaskandhas’ ( Grasping the five elements of a thought with ignorance) is a misery”?

What is that?

That is,

Clinging to the image or object with Craving due to ignorance or not knowing the inconstant and impermanent nature of the image – grasping the image or object. – ‘Ru~pa Upa~da~na’

Clinging to the sensation that occurs in certain moments (seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, feeling, remembering) with Craving due to ignorance or not knowing the inconstant and impermanent nature of the sensation – grasping the sensation.  – ‘Vedana~ Upa~da~na’

Clinging to the perception that occurs in certain moments (seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, feeling, remembering) with Craving due to ignorance or not knowing the inconstant and impermanent nature of the perception – grasping the perception. ‘Saknkna~ Upa~da~na’.

Clinging to each notion (seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, feeling, remembering) with Craving due to ignorance or not knowing the inconstant and impermanent nature of the notion – grasping the preconceived thoughts.    ‘Sangka~ra Upa~da~na’.

Clinging to the cognition or the wildly grasped thought (seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, feeling, remembering) with Craving due to ignorance or not knowing the inconstant and impermanent nature of the cognition- grasping the cognition.   ‘Viknkna~na Upa~da~na’.

Venerable colleagues, all this brings only sorrow to the beings. That’s why it is said, in brief, that grasping the Five Skandhas is misery.

Venerable colleagues, this is called the Noble Truth of Suffering. (Dukkha A~rya Sathya)

Venerable colleagues, what is called the Noble Truth of the Cause of the Suffering? (Dukkha Samudaya A~rya Sathya)

That is the ‘Craving’, which influences one to cling happily to sensual pleasures that cause rebirth.

What is that?

• Ka~ma Thanha~ – Craving of Sensual Pleasure – Craving to indulge the six senses of Eye- Ear- Nose-Tongue- Body- Mind

• Bhava Thanha~ – Craving of Existence (becoming or possessing – Craving to become or possess lustful opportunities or lustful objects that are grasped with greed

• Vibhava Thanha~ – Craving of Non-Existence (not becoming or not possessing) – Craving to remain separate from the external world of lust without being overcome by Greed- Hatred- Delusion

Venerable colleagues, this is called the Noble Truth of the Cause of the Suffering. (Dukkha Samudaya A~rya Sathya)

Venerable colleagues, what is called the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering? (Dukkha Nirodha Arya Sathya)

If there is a cessation, appeasement, renunciation, absolution, and relinquishment from attachments that experiences from eliminating the ‘kama Thanha’, ‘Bhava Thanha’, ‘Vibhava Thanha’ without leaving any residue, it is the way to be free from suffering.

Venerable colleagues, this is called the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering”. (Dukkha Nirodha A~rya Sathya)

“Venerable colleagues, what is called the Noble Truth of the Path to End the Suffering? (Dukkha Nirodha Ga~mini Patipada~ A~rya Sathya)

This is the Eight-fold Path.

What is that?

Samma~ Dittih   Perfect cognition
Samma~ Sangkappa   Perfect Intention
Samma~ Wa~cha~   Perfect talk
Samma~ Kammantha   Perfect actions
Samma~ A~ji~va    Perfect livelihood
Samma~ Wa~ya~ma   Perfect diligence
Samma~ Sathi   Perfect conscious
Samma~ Sama~dhi   Perfect concentration

Venerable colleagues, what is Samma~ Dittih? (Perfect cognition)

Knowledge of the Suffering,
Knowledge of the cause of Suffering,
Knowledge of the cessation of Suffering,
Knowledge of the Path to End Suffering,
                       Comprehending wisely by ownself

Venerable colleagues, this is called Samma~ Dittih.

Venerable colleagues, What is Samma~ Sangkappa (Perfect Intention)

Establishing in ownself,
The aspiration or determination to get rid of clingings-attachments.
The aspiration or determination to get rid of revenge- conflicts- evils.
The aspiration or determination to get rid of persecutions towards others

Venerable colleagues, this is called Samma~ Sangkappa.

Venerable colleagues, what is Samma~ Wa~cha~ (Perfect talk)

Disciplining own words for
Not lying,
Not gossiping,
Not using brutal words,
Not saying hollow words,

Venerable colleagues, this is called Samma~ Wa~cha~.

Venerable colleagues, what is Samma~ Kammantha?  (Perfect actions)

Disciplining the body for
Avoid killing animals,
Avoid stealing,
Abstain from misuse of sensual pleasure,

Venerable colleagues, this is called Samma~ Kammantha.

Venerable colleagues, what is Samma~ A~ji~va? (Perfect livelihood)

Abstaining from wrongful lifestyles and wrongful means of livelihood,
living a righteous life and a righteous livelihood

Venerable colleagues, this is called Samma~ A~ji~va.

Venerable colleagues, what is Samma~ Wa~ya~ma? (Perfect diligence)

The monk strengthens his will with a strong desire to prevent the mistakes- sins- evils (Akusal) that he has not committed so far in the future too, and makes an enormous effort to maintain his mind accordingly.

The monk strengthens his will with a strong desire to eradicate the mistakes- sins- evils (Akusal) that he has not yet committed, and also to avoid committing them even in the future, makes an enormous effort to maintain his mind accordingly.

The monk creates a strong will in mind with an intense desire to cultivate Perfect merits (Kusal) in the future that he has not been able to achieve so far and makes an enormous effort to maintain the mind accordingly.

The monk uses that Perfect merits (Kusal) that he has acquired so far to put a stop to the endless ‘Sansara’, not to become disillusioned, to elevate the mind, to achieve greatness, to complete meditation and put an enormous amount of effort to maintain the mind accordingly with a strong desire.

Venerable colleagues, this is called Samma~ Wa~ya~ma.

Venerable colleagues, what is Samma~ Sathi? (Perfect Conscious)

The bhikshu dwells consciously, investigating and contemplating wisely the true nature of his body with an enormous effort of getting rid of vices to eliminate Greed and Hatred.

The bhikshu dwells consciously, investigating and contemplating wisely the true nature of the sensations with an enormous effort of getting rid of vices to eliminate Greed and Hatred.

The bhikshu dwells consciously, investigating and contemplating wisely the true nature of his mind with an enormous effort of getting rid of vices to eliminate Greed and Hatred.

The bhikshu dwells consciously, investigating and contemplating wisely the true nature of within himself with an enormous effort of getting rid of vices to eliminate Greed and Hatred.

Venerable colleagues, this is called Samma~ Sathi.

Venerable colleagues, what is Samma~ Sama~dhi? (Perfect Concentration)

In Buddha’s dispensation, the bhikshu, who separates from Sensual pleasure and defilements, dwells with deep reasoning and analysing in the first Meditative Plane where happiness and comfort arise through relaxation.

Then the bhikshu, who pacified reasoning and investigating, dwells with a pleasant inner spiritual peace in the second Meditative Plane where happiness and comfort arise through mental concentration and free from reasoning and analysing.

Is there any certain meditative plane praised by Nobles saying that good physical health, pure consciousness, and a comforting abode can be found, that bhikshu dwells in that third Meditative Plane with the neutral mind and pure consciousness.

Then that Bhikshu dwells in the fourth meditative plane (Fourth Dhyana) with a very pure conscious and neutral mind freeing from even that comfort without clinging or conflicts, abandoning even all previous willingness and reluctances.

Venerable colleagues, this is called Samma~ Sama~dhi.

Venerable colleagues, this is called the Noble Truth of the Path to End the Suffering? (Dukkha Nirodha Ga~mini Patipada~ A~rya Sathya)

Venerable colleagues, the Thathagatha who enlightened with the Perfect Buddhahood has declared the ‘Commandment of the Dhamma’ at Migadaya, Isipatana in Varanasi, which could not be equalled by anything and also could not be preached by any monk or any ascetic or any god or any ‘Mara‘ or any ‘Brahma‘ or anyone else in the world.

That is, declaring the Four Noble Truths, Preaching the Four Noble Truths, Imposing the Four Noble Truths, Establishing the Four Noble Truths, Expounding the Four Noble Truths, Dividing the Four Noble Truths into parts and parsing, Explaining the Four Noble Truths.

Venerable Shariputra Sthavira has stated this.

Those monks with joyful hearts willingly embraced the teachings of Venerable Shariputra Sthavira.

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