By Happiness

Translated by F. L. Woodward
Edited by Mrs. Rhys Davids

[1811]

[1][olds] THUS have I heard:

ONCE the venerable Moggallāna the Great was staying near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

Then the venerable Moggallāna the Great
addressed the brethren, saving:

"Brethren."

"Yes, brother," replied those brethren
to the venerable Moggallāna the Great.

"Friends, when I was meditating alone here,
this consideration arose in me:

'They say "the third trance,
the third trance!"

Now what is the third trance?'

Then, friends, this occurred to me:

'Herein a brother,
by the fading out of zest,
abides balanced
and remains mindful and composed,
and experiences with the body
that ease of which the Ariyans aver:

"The balanced,
thoughtful man
dwells happily."|| ||

Thus he enters on
and abides in the third trance.

This is called "the third trance."'

So I, friends, by the fading out of zest,
abiding balanced
and remaining mindful and composed,
experienceing with the body
that ease of which the Ariyans aver:

'The balanced,
thoughtful man
dwells happily.'|| ||

entered the third trance
and abode therein.

But when I had thus abode
(and had emerged from trance),
perception and work of mind
connected with zest
still continued.

Thereupon, friends, the Exalted One
by magic power
came to me and said:

'Moggallāna,
Moggallāna,
be not remiss in the third trance, brahmin!

Make steadfast thy mind in the third trance.

In the third trance make the mind one-pointed.

In the third trance compose the mind.'

So after that, friends, by the fading out of zest,
abiding balanced
and remaining mindful and composed,
experienceing with the body
that ease of which the Ariyans aver:

'The balanced,
thoughtful man
dwells happily.'|| ||

entered the third trance
and abode therein.

Now, friends, if anyone would say rightly:

'Helped by the Master
the disciple won great super-knowledge,'

he would say of me:

'Helped by the Master
did the disciple win great super-knowledge.'"

Saṃyutta Nikāya 4. Saḷāyatana Vagga 40. Moggallāna Saṃyutta

The Book of the Kindred Sayings 4. The Book Called the Saḷāyatana-Vagga Containing Kindred Sayings on the 'Six-Fold Sphere' of Sense and Other Subjects 40. Kindred Sayings about Moggallāna

Sutta 3

Sukha Suttaṃ

By Happiness

Saṃyutta Nikāya
4. Saḷāyatana Vagga
40. Moggallāna Saṃyutta

The Book of the Kindred Sayings
4. The Book Called the Saḷāyatana-Vagga
Containing Kindred Sayings on the 'Six-Fold Sphere' of Sense and Other Subjects
40. Kindred Sayings about Moggallāna