5.
The Discourse about a Certain Brahmin
391.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Then a certain brahmin approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One.
Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, that brahmin said this to the Blessed One -
"What now, Master Gotama, is the cause, what is the condition whereby when the Truth-finder has attained final Nibbāna the Good Teaching does not last long?
But what, Master Gotama, is the cause, what is the condition whereby when the Truth-finder has attained final Nibbāna the Good Teaching lasts long?"
"Because of undevelopment and lack of cultivation of the four establishments of mindfulness, brahmin, when the Truth-finder has attained final Nibbāna the Good Teaching does not last long. But because of having developed and cultivated the four establishments of mindfulness, brahmin, when the Truth-finder has attained final Nibbāna the Good Teaching lasts long.
"Which four? Here, brahmin, a monk dwells observing the body in the body, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world; in feelings... etc. In mind... etc. He dwells observing mental phenomena in mental phenomena, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world. Because of undevelopment and lack of cultivation of these four establishments of mindfulness, brahmin, when the Truth-finder has attained final Nibbāna the Good Teaching does not last long. But because of having developed and cultivated these four establishments of mindfulness, brahmin, when the Truth-finder has attained final Nibbāna the Good Teaching lasts long."
When this was said, that brahmin said this to the Blessed One - "Excellent, Master Gotama! Etc. May Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge from this day forth for life." The fifth.