Aṅguttara Nikāya
Catukka Nipāta
XVIII: Sañcetaniya Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
Chapter XVIII: Intentional
Sutta 172
Sañcetanā Suttaɱ (b)
Getting Personality[1]
Translated from the Pali by f. L. Woodward, M.A.
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On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four ways of getting personality.[2]
What four?
There is, monks, the getting of personality
in the getting of which
one's own intention,
not that of another person,
has effect.
There is that in the getting of which
another person's intention
has effect,
not one's own.
There is that in which both one's own
and another's intention
have effect.
There is that in which neither
has effect.
These make four."
§
When this was said,
the venerable Sāriputta said this
to the Exalted One:
"Of this, lord, that has been uttered by the Exalted One in brief
I understand the meaning in detail.
In the case where there is getting of personality
in which one's own intention,
not another's,
has effect,
there is decease for those beings
from that group[3]
because of one's own intention.
In the case where there is getting of personality
in which another's intention,
not one's own,
has effect,
there is decease for those beings
from that group
because of another's intention.[4]
In the case where there is getting of personality
in which both have effect,
there is decease for those beings
from that group[5]
because of the intention
both of oneself
and of another.[6]
■
But, lord, in the case
where there is getting of personality
in [166] which neither has effect,
what sort of devas are to be regarded therein?"[7]
"In that case, Sāriputta,
it is the devas who have attained the realm
in which is neither-perception-nor-non-perception.'
■
'Pray, lord, what is the reason,
what is the cause
why certain beings
deceasing from that group[8]
are Returners,
who come back to this state of things?[9]
Again, lord, what is the reason,
what is the cause
why certain beings
deceasing from that group
are Non-returners,
who come not back to this state of things?"
■
"In this (first) case, Sāriputta,
in a certain person
the fetters that bind to this world
are not abandoned.
Such an one
in this very life
attains the realm where there is neither-perception-nor-non-perception,
and abides therein.
He enjoys its sweetness,
longs for it,
finds happiness therein.
Established therein,
given thereto,
generally spending his time therein,
not falling away therefrom,
when he makes an end
he is reborn in that company.
When he deceases thence
he is a Returner,
he comes back to this state of things.
■
In the other case, Sāriputta,
in a certain person
the fetters that bind to this world
are abandoned.
Such an one
in this very life
attains the realm where is neither-perception-nor-non-perception.
He enjoys its sweetness,
longs for it,
finds happiness therein.
Established therein,
given thereto,
generally spending his time therein,
not falling away therefrom,
when he makes an end he is reborn[10] in that company,
but deceasing thence
he is a Non-returner,
he comes not back to this state of things.
This is the reason,
this is the cause, Sāriputta,
why certain beings are Non-returners,
who come not back to this state of things."
[1] Vibhatti is the title in uddāna, but it should apply to the next sutta. Acc. to Comy. (but not Sinh. text) this section belongs to § 171. For the subject cf. Dial. iii, 222.
[2] Attabhāva, lit. self-state.
[3] Comy. states that this is the case with the devas called 'Pleasure-debauched' (khiddā-padosikā), See Dialog, i, 32, 'for ages they pass their time in the pursuit of laughter and sport of sensual lusts; ... through loss of self-control they fall from that state.'
[4] These are the 'debauched in mind devas' (mano-padosikā) said to belong to the retinue of the Four Great Kings.
[5] Kāya here seems to have this meaning.
[6] Acc. to Comy. suicides and murdered people.
[7] Here our text by error puts the question into next §.
[8] Kāya here seems to have this meaning.
[9] Cf. G.S. i, 58, 'because he is fettered as to the self,' while Nonreturners are fettered only by externals.
[10] Text should read uppajjati for āpajjati.
