10.
The Discourse on Bhaddaji
170.
On one occasion the Venerable Ānanda was dwelling at Kosambī in Ghosita's park.
Then the Venerable Bhaddaji approached the Venerable Ānanda;
having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the Venerable Ānanda.
Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side.
To the Venerable Bhaddaji seated to one side, the Venerable Ānanda said this -
"What indeed, friend Bhaddaji, is the highest of seeings, what is the highest of hearings, what is the highest of happinesses, what is the highest of perceptions, what is the highest of existences?"
"There is, friend, Brahmā, the Overlord, the Unvanquished, the All-Seeing, the Wielder of Power. Whoever sees that Brahmā, this is the highest of seeings. There are, friend, gods named the Radiant ones, drenched and steeped in happiness. They from time to time utter an inspired utterance - 'Oh, what happiness! Oh, what happiness!' Whoever hears that sound, this is the highest of hearings. There are, friend, gods named the gods of Streaming Radiance. They, being content, experience only peaceful happiness, this is the highest of happinesses. There are, friend, gods who have reached the plane of nothingness, this is the highest of perceptions. There are, friend, gods who have reached the plane of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, this is the highest of existences." "Does this of the Venerable Bhaddaji agree with that of many people?"
"The Venerable Ānanda is very learned. Let it occur to the Venerable Ānanda himself." "Then, friend Bhaddaji, listen, pay close attention; I will speak." "Yes, friend," the Venerable Bhaddaji assented to the Venerable Ānanda. The Venerable Ānanda said this -
"In whatever way, friend, for one seeing, there is the proximate elimination of mental corruptions, this is the highest of seeings. In whatever way, for one hearing, there is the proximate elimination of mental corruptions, this is the highest of hearings. In whatever way, for one who is happy, there is the proximate elimination of mental corruptions, this is the highest of happinesses. In whatever way, for one who is percipient, there is the proximate elimination of mental corruptions, this is the highest of perceptions. In whatever way, for one who has come to be, there is the proximate elimination of mental corruptions, this is the highest of existences." The tenth.