Saɱyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
47. Sati-Paṭṭhāna Saɱyutta
2. Nālandā Vagga
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
5. The Great Chapter
47. Kindred Sayings on the Stations of Mindfulness
2. Nālandā
Sutta 15
Bāhiya (or Bāhika) Suttaɱ
Bāhiya (or Bāhika)[1]
Translated by F. L. Woodward
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove,
in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.
Now the venerable Bāhiya came to see the Exalted One,
and on coming to him
saluted him
and sat down at one side.
So seated
the venerable Bāhiya said this to the Exalted One:
"Well for me, lord,
if the Exalted One wrould teach me
a teaching in brief,
hearing which teaching from the Exalted One
I might dwell solitary,
remote,
earnest,
ardent
and aspiring."
"In such case, Bāhiya,
you must purify the rudiments in good states.[2]
And what are the rudiments in good states?
It is virtue
that is truly pure
and straight view.
Now, Bāhiya, when your virtue shall be truly pure
and your view straight,
thenceforward,
leaning on virtue,
established in virtue,
you can cultivate the four stations of mindfulness.
What four?
Herein Bāhiya, do you abide in body contemplating body
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
by restraining the dejection in the world
that arising from coveting.
Abide in feelings contemplating feelings
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
by restraining the dejection in the world
arising from coveting.
Abide in mind contemplating mind
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
by restraining the dejection in the world
arising from coveting.
Abide in mind-states contemplating mind-states
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
by restraining the dejection in the world
arising from coveting.
Indeed, Bāhiya, when you,
leaning on virtue,
established in virtue,
shall have thus cultivated
the four stations of mindfulness,
thenceforward, Bāhiya,
you may look for that growth [146] in good states
which shall come to you,[3]
whether by night or by day,
and not for falling away."
Thereupon the venerable Bāhiya was delighted with the words of the Exalted One
and was glad of them.
And he rose up,
saluted the Exalted One by the right
and went away.
And the venerable Bāhiya,
dwelling solitary and remote,
earnest,
ardent
and aspiring,
in no long time
attained that goal
for which the clansmen rightly leave home
for the homeless,
even that unrivalled goal of righteous living,
attained in even this very life:
and, knowing it for himself,
realizing it for himself,
abode therein,
so that he came to know:
'Destroyed is rebirth.
Lived is the righteous life.
Done is what I had to do.
Indeed there is no more of being here for me.'
And the venerable Bāhiya was yet another of the Arahants.
[1] Cf. K.S. iv, 37; Ud. 1, 10. He was called Dāru-cīriya, because he wore a dress of bark or fibre. There also he asks for teaching, and is given instruction on the organs of sense.
[2] Cf. Brethren, p. 35; supra, text 143.
[3] Text misprints āgamissasi for āgamissati.
