6.
The Discourse on Ānanda
106.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Kosambī in Ghosita's park.
Then the venerable Ānanda approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, the venerable Ānanda said this to the Blessed One:
"In what way, venerable sir, might a monk dwelling in the Community dwell in comfort?" "Since, Ānanda, a monk is himself accomplished in morality, but does not criticise others regarding higher morality; to this extent too, Ānanda, a monk dwelling in the Community might dwell in comfort."
"But might there be, venerable sir, another method by which a monk dwelling in the Community might dwell in comfort?" "There could be, Ānanda! Since, Ānanda, a monk is himself accomplished in morality, but does not criticise others regarding higher morality; and he is one who observes himself, not one who observes others; to this extent too, Ānanda, a monk dwelling in the Community might dwell in comfort."
"But might there be, venerable sir, another method by which a monk dwelling in the Community might dwell in comfort?" "There could be, Ānanda! Since, Ānanda, a monk is himself accomplished in morality, but does not criticise others regarding higher morality; and he is one who observes himself, not one who observes others; and he is unknown, and he is not agitated by that state of being unknown; to this extent too, Ānanda, a monk dwelling in the Community might dwell in comfort."
"But might there be, venerable sir, another method by which a monk dwelling in the Community might dwell in comfort?" "There could be, Ānanda! Since, Ānanda, a monk is himself accomplished in morality, but does not criticise others regarding higher morality; and he is one who observes himself, not one who observes others; and he is unknown, and he is not agitated by that state of being unknown; he is one who obtains at will, obtains without difficulty, obtains without trouble, the four meditative absorptions pertaining to the higher mind, which are pleasant abidings in the present life; to this extent too, Ānanda, a monk dwelling in the Community might dwell in comfort."
"But might there be, venerable sir, another method by which a monk dwelling in the Community might dwell in comfort?" "There could be, Ānanda! Since, Ānanda, a monk is himself accomplished in morality, but does not criticise others regarding higher morality; and he is one who observes himself, not one who observes others; and he is unknown, and he is not agitated by that state of being unknown; he is one who obtains at will, obtains without difficulty, obtains without trouble, the four meditative absorptions pertaining to the higher mind, which are pleasant abidings in the present life; through the elimination of the mental corruptions, realises by his own direct knowledge, in this very life, the liberation of mind and the liberation by wisdom that are free from mental corruptions and, having entered upon them, dwells in them; to this extent too, Ānanda, a monk dwelling in the Community might dwell in comfort.
"And I say, Ānanda, that there is no other comfortable abiding superior or more sublime than this comfortable abiding." The sixth.