10.
The Discourse on the Nuns' Quarters
376.
Then the Venerable Ānanda, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking his bowl and robe, approached a certain nuns' quarters;
having approached, he sat down on the prepared seat.
Then many nuns approached the Venerable Ānanda;
having approached, they paid respect to the Venerable Ānanda and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, those nuns said this to the Venerable Ānanda -
"Here, Venerable Ānanda, many nuns dwelling with their minds well established in the four establishments of mindfulness, perceive successively loftier stages of distinction." "So it is, sisters, so it is, sisters! It may be expected of anyone, sisters — whether monk or nun — who dwells with a mind well established in the four establishments of mindfulness, that such a one will perceive successively loftier stages of distinction."
Then the Venerable Ānanda, having instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened those nuns with a talk on the Teaching, rose from his seat and departed. Then the Venerable Ānanda, having walked for almsfood in Sāvatthī, after the meal, having returned from his alms round, approached the Blessed One; having approached, I 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 -
"Here I, venerable sir, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking my bowl and robe, approached a certain nuns' quarters; having approached, I sat down on the prepared seat. Then, venerable sir, many nuns approached me; having approached, they paid respect to me and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, venerable sir, those nuns said this to me - Here, Venerable Ānanda, many nuns dwelling with their minds well established in the four establishments of mindfulness, perceive successively loftier stages of distinction.' When this was said, venerable sir, I said this to those nuns - 'So it is, sisters, so it is, sisters! It may be expected of anyone, sisters — whether monk or nun — who dwells with a mind well established in the four establishments of mindfulness, that such a one will perceive successively loftier stages of distinction."
"So it is, Ānanda, so it is, Ānanda! It may be expected of anyone, sisters — whether monk or nun — who dwells with a mind well established in the four establishments of mindfulness, that such a one will perceive successively loftier stages of distinction.
"In which four? Here, Ānanda, a monk dwells observing the body in the body, ardent, fully aware, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure regarding the world. For him dwelling observing the body in the body, either fever arises in the body with the body as object, or sluggishness of mind, or the mind becomes distracted externally. By that monk, Ānanda, the mind should be directed to some inspiring sign. For him directing the mind to some inspiring sign, gladness arises. In one who is gladdened, joy arises. When the mind is filled with joy, the body becomes calm. One whose body is calm feels happiness. The mind of one who is happy becomes concentrated. He considers thus: 'For whatever purpose I directed my mind, that purpose has been achieved for me. Well then, now I shall withdraw.' He withdraws and does not think and does not examine. 'I am without applied thought, without sustained thought, internally mindful, I am happy' - he understands."
"Furthermore, Ānanda, a monk 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. For him dwelling observing mental phenomena in mental phenomena, either a mind-object arises as a fever in the body, or sluggishness of mind, or the mind is distracted externally. By that monk, Ānanda, the mind should be directed to some inspiring sign. For him directing the mind to some inspiring sign, gladness arises. In one who is gladdened, joy arises. When the mind is filled with joy, the body becomes calm. One whose body is calm feels happiness. The mind of one who is happy becomes concentrated. He considers thus: 'For whatever purpose I directed my mind, that purpose has been achieved for me. Well then, now I shall withdraw.' He withdraws and does not think and does not examine. He understands: "I am without applied thought, without sustained thought, internally mindful, I am happy." Thus indeed, Ānanda, there is development with directing.
"And how, Ānanda, is there development without directing? Externally, Ānanda, a monk, without directing the mind, understands: "My mind is undirected externally." Then afterwards and before he understands: "Unconstricted, liberated, undirected." And yet he understands: "I dwell observing the body in the body, ardent, fully aware, mindful, I am happy." Externally, Ānanda, a monk, without directing the mind, understands: "My mind is undirected externally." Then afterwards and before he understands: "Unconstricted, liberated, undirected." And yet he understands: "I dwell observing feelings in feelings, ardent, fully aware, mindful, I am happy." Externally, Ānanda, a monk, without directing the mind, understands: "My mind is undirected externally." Then afterwards and before he understands: "Unconstricted, liberated, undirected." And yet he understands: "I dwell observing mind in mind, ardent, fully aware, mindful, I am happy." Externally, Ānanda, a monk, without directing the mind, understands: "My mind is undirected externally." Then afterwards and before he understands: "Unconstricted, liberated, undirected." And yet he understands: "I dwell observing mental phenomena in mental phenomena, ardent, fully aware, mindful, I am happy." Thus indeed, Ānanda, there is development without directing.
"Thus indeed, Ānanda, development with directing has been taught by me, development without directing has been taught. Whatever, Ānanda, is to be done by a Teacher for disciples, seeking their welfare, compassionate, out of compassion, that has been done by me for you. These, Ānanda, are tree-roots, these are empty houses! Meditate, Ānanda, do not be negligent; do not be remorseful afterwards! This is our instruction to you."
This is what the Blessed One said. Delighted, the Venerable Ānanda rejoiced in what the Blessed One had said. The tenth.