Saṃyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
47. Sati-Paṭṭhāna Saṃyutta
3. Sīla-ṭ-Ṭhiti Vagga
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
5. The Great Chapter
47. Kindred Sayings on the Stations of Mindfulness
3. Habit and Permanence
Sutta 21
Sīla Suttaṃ
Habit
Translated by F. L. Woodward
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Once the venerable Ānanda and the venerable Bhadda
were staying at Pāṭaliputra
in Cock's Pleasaunce.[1]
Then the venerable Bhadda,
rising from his solitude at eventide,
went to visit the venerable Ānanda,
and on coming to him
greeted him courteously and,
after the exchange of greetings and courtesies,
sat down at one side.
So seated
the venerable Bhadda said this
to the venerable Ānanda:
"Pray, friend Ānanda,
as to these virtuous habits
spoken of by the Exalted One,
what is the use of them?"
"Well said! well said, friend Bhadda!
Welcome is your penetration,[2]
welcome is your ready wit.
Goodly is your questioning.
You ask this, friend Bhadda,
do you not?
'As to these virtuous habits
spoken of by the Exalted One,
what is the use of them?'"
"I do, friend."
"Well, friend Bhadda, the virtuous habits
spoken of by the Exalted One
are those which come
by the cultivation of four stations of mindfulness.
What four?
Herein, friend, a monk abides in body contemplating body
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
having restrained the dejection in the world
arising from coveting.
He dwells as regards feelings contemplating feelings
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
having restrained the dejection in the world
arising from coveting.
He dwells as regards mind contemplating mind
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
having restrained the dejection in the world
arising from coveting.
He dwells as regards mind-states contemplating mind-states
(as transient),
ardent,
composed
and mindful,
having restrained the dejection in the world
arising from coveting.
These, friend, are the virtuous habits
so spoken of by the Exalted One, -
those which come
by the cultivation of the four stations of mindfulness."
[1] Cf. supra, l, 16, the same couple at the same place.
[2] Ummaggo = paññā, insight, according to B. at Sn 50. [Ed.: Kummagga] Here Comy. says it = paññā-gavesanaṇ.
