1.
The Discourse on Mental Fetters
343.
On one occasion many elder monks were dwelling at Macchikāsaṇḍa in the Ambāṭaka Grove.
Now at that time, when many elder monks, after the meal, having returned from their alms round, were seated together assembled in the circular pavilion, this discussion arose -
"'Mental fetter' or 'phenomena subject to mental fetters', friend - are these phenomena different in meaning and different in phrasing, or are they one in meaning and only different in phrasing?"
There by some elder monks it was answered thus -
"'Mental fetter' or 'phenomena subject to mental fetters', friend - these phenomena are different in meaning and different in phrasing."
By some elder monks it was answered thus -
"'Mental fetter' or 'phenomena subject to mental fetters', friend - these phenomena are one in meaning and only different in phrasing."
Now at that time the householder Citta had arrived at Migapathaka on some business. The householder Citta heard that indeed many elder monks, after the meal, having returned from their alms round, were seated together assembled in the circular pavilion, and this discussion arose - "'Mental fetter' or 'phenomena subject to mental fetters', friend - are these phenomena different in meaning and different in phrasing, or are they one in meaning and only different in phrasing?" There by some elder monks it was answered thus - "'Mental fetter' or 'phenomena subject to mental fetters', friend - these phenomena are different in meaning and different in phrasing." By some elder monks it was answered thus - "'Mental fetter' or 'phenomena subject to mental fetters', friend - these phenomena are one in meaning and only different in phrasing." Then the householder Citta approached the elder monks; having approached, he paid respect to the elder monks and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the householder Citta said this to the elder monks - "I have heard this, venerable sirs, that indeed many elder monks, after the meal, having returned from their alms round, were seated together assembled in the circular pavilion, and this discussion arose - 'Mental fetter' or 'phenomena subject to mental fetters', friend - are these phenomena different in meaning and different in phrasing, or are they one in meaning and only different in phrasing? By some elder monks it was answered thus - "'Mental fetter' or 'phenomena subject to mental fetters', friend - these phenomena are different in meaning and different in phrasing." By some elder monks it was answered thus - "'Mental fetter' or 'phenomena subject to mental fetters', friend - these phenomena are one in meaning and only different in phrasing." "Yes, householder."
"'Mental fetter', venerable sirs, or 'phenomena subject to mental fetters' - these phenomena are different in meaning and different in phrasing. Well then, venerable sirs, I will make a simile for you. By means of a simile some wise men here understand the meaning of what is said. Just as, venerable sirs, a black ox and a white ox were tied together by a single rope or yoke. Well thenmeone were to say thus - 'The black ox is the mental fetter of the white ox, the white ox is the mental fetter of the black ox' - would he, speaking thus, speak rightly?" "No indeed, householder! Indeed, householder, the black ox is not the mental fetter of the white ox, nor is the white ox the mental fetter of the black ox; that by which they are tied together by a single rope or yoke, that is the mental fetter therein." "So too, venerable sirs, the eye is not the mental fetter of forms, nor are forms the mental fetter of the eye; and whatever desire and lust arises therein dependent on both, that is the mental fetter therein. The ear is not the mental fetter of sounds... the nose is not the mental fetter of odours... the tongue is not the mental fetter of flavours... the body is not the mental fetter of tangible objects, nor are tangible objects the mental fetter of the body; and whatever desire and lust arises therein dependent on both, that is the mental fetter therein. The mind is not the mental fetter of mental phenomena, nor are mental phenomena the mental fetter of the mind; and whatever desire and lust arises therein dependent on both, that is the mental fetter therein." "It is a gain for you, householder, it is well gained for you, householder, that your eye of wisdom penetrates the deep word of the Buddha." The first.