Saṃyutta Nikāya
4. Saḷāyatana Vagga
35. Saḷāyatana Saṃyutta
§ III: Paññāsaka Tatiya
5. Nava-Purāṇa Vagga

Sutta 153

Indriya-Sampanna Suttaṃ

Faculties

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Proofed against and modified in accordance with the revised edition at dhammatalks.org
Provenance, terms and conditons

 

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Translator's note

This sutta is based on a play on words. In everyday Pali, the term "consummate in faculties" is used to describe a person whose beauty and health are inspiring. Here the Buddha gives a different meaning to the term.

 

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[1][pts][bodh] Then a certain monk went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side.

As he was sitting there he said to the Blessed One, 'Consummate in faculties, consummate in faculties,' it is said.

To what extent is one consummate in faculties?"

"If a monk, while keeping track of arising and passing away with regard to the eye-faculty, becomes disenchanted with the eye-faculty; if, while keeping track of arising and passing away with regard to the ear-faculty... the nose-faculty... the tongue-faculty... the body faculty... the intellect-faculty, he becomes disenchanted with the intellect-faculty; and, disenchanted, he becomes dispassionate; through dispassion, he is released; with release, there is the knowledge, 'Released'; he discerns that 'Birth is ended, the holy life fulfilled, the task done.

There is nothing further for this world,' it is to this extent that one is consummate in faculties."