Saɱyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
48. Indriya Saɱyutta
6. Sūkara-Khata Vagga
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
5. The Great Chapter
48. Kindred Sayings on the Faculties
6. Untitled
Sutta 52
Mallikā Suttaɱ
Mallikā[1]
Translated by F. L. Woodward
Edited by Mrs. Rhys Davids
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying among the Mallas at Uruvelakappa,
a township of the Mallas.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.
The Exalted One said:
"Monks, as long as the Ariyan insight
has not uprisen in the Ariyan disciple,
just so long
is there no stability
of the four (other) controlling faculties,
there is no abiding steadfastness[2]
of the four other controlling faculties.
But when the Ariyan insight
has arisen in the Ariyan disciple,
then, monks,
there is stability
of the four other controlling faculties,
there is abiding steadfastness
of the four other controlling faculties.
■
Just as, monks, so long as the peak
of a house[3] with peaked [204] roof
be not set up,
so long is there no stability of the roof-beams,[4]
there is no abiding steadfastness of the roof-beams.
But, monks, as soon as the peak
of a house with peaked roof
is set up,
then is there stability of the roof-beams,
and abiding steadfastness of the roof-beams.
■
In the same way, monks, so long as the Ariyan insight
has not uprisen in the Ariyan disciple,
just so long
is there no stability
of the four (other) controlling faculties,
there is no abiding steadfastness
of the four other controlling faculties.
■
But when the Ariyan insight
has arisen in the Ariyan disciple,
then, monks,
there is stability
of the four other controlling faculties,
there is abiding steadfastness
of the four other controlling faculties.
Of what four?
Of the controlling faculty of faith,
the controlling faculty of energy,
the controlling faculty of mindfulness
the controlling faculty of concentration.
Monks, in the Ariyan disciple who has insight
faith is established as a matter of course,[5]
energy is established as a matter of course
mindfulness is established as a matter of course
concentration is established as a matter of course.
[1] Written as Mallā, Mallikā, Mallatā, and Malatā. K.S. iv, 252; [?] infra, text 349 (cf. A. iv, 438).
[2] Ṭhiti, avaṭṭhiti. Cf. Dhs. § 11 (Buddh. Psych. Eth., p. 13 n.), where the three cognate terms ṭhiti, saṇṭhiti, avaṭṭhiti (cittassa) are translated 'stabibty, solidity, absorbed steadfastness.'
[3] Cf. J.P.T.S., 1919; Similes in the Nikāyas (do. 1906-7, pp. 58 ff.).
[4] Gopānasī is the curved beam supporting the gable, whose stability depends on pressure from above.
[5] Tadanvayā. Cf. Expos. 92 ('faith which follows') and supra 197 n.
