4.
The Discourse on the Types of Sensual Pleasure
117.
"Before the enlightenment, monks, while still unenlightened, being just a Bodhisatta, this occurred to me -
'These five kinds of sensual pleasure previously experienced by the mind, past, ceased, changed - there my mind frequently going might go, or little to present ones or to future ones.'
This occurred to me, monks -
'These five kinds of sensual pleasure previously experienced by the mind, past, ceased, changed - there by myself diligence, mindfulness, and safeguarding of the mind is to be done.'
Therefore, monks, for you too, those five kinds of sensual pleasure previously experienced by the mind, past, ceased, changed - there your mind frequently going might go, or little to present ones or to future ones.
Therefore, monks, for you too, those five kinds of sensual pleasure previously experienced by the mind, past, ceased, changed - there by yourselves diligence, mindfulness, and safeguarding of the mind is to be done.
Therefore, monks, that sense base should be known where the eye ceases and perception of material form ceases, that sense base should be known, etc.
where the tongue ceases and perception of flavour ceases, that sense base should be known, etc.
where the mind ceases and perception of mental phenomena ceases, that sense base should be known."
Having said this, the Blessed One rose from his seat and entered the dwelling.
Then, not long after the Blessed One had departed, this occurred to those monks - "Friends, the Blessed One, having recited a synopsis in brief, without explaining the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling - 'Therefore, monks, that sense base should be known where the eye ceases and perception of material form ceases, that sense base should be known, etc. where the tongue ceases and perception of flavour ceases, that sense base should be known, etc. where the mind ceases and perception of mental phenomena ceases, that sense base should be known.' Who now could explain in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail?"
Then those monks had this thought: "This Venerable Ānanda is praised by the Teacher and esteemed by the wise fellow monks in the holy life. The Venerable Ānanda is able to explain in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail. What if we were to approach the Venerable Ānanda; having approached, we should ask the Venerable Ānanda about this matter."
Then those monks approached the Venerable Ānanda; having approached, they exchanged friendly greetings with the Venerable Ānanda. Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, they sat down to one side. Seated to one side, those monks said this to the Venerable Ānanda -
"Friend Ānanda, the Blessed One, having recited a synopsis in brief, without explaining the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling - 'Therefore, monks, that sense base should be known where the eye ceases and perception of material form ceases, that sense base should be known, etc. where the tongue ceases and perception of flavour ceases, that sense base should be known, etc. where the mind ceases and perception of mental phenomena ceases, that sense base should be known.' Then, friend, not long after the Blessed One had departed, this occurred to us - 'Friends, the Blessed One, having recited a synopsis in brief, without explaining the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling - Therefore, monks, that sense base should be known where the eye ceases and perception of material form ceases, that sense base should be known, etc. where the tongue ceases and perception of flavour ceases, that sense base should be known, etc. where the mind ceases and perception of mental phenomena ceases, that sense base should be known.' Who now could explain in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail?' Then, friend, this occurred to us - 'This Venerable Ānanda is praised by the Teacher and esteemed by the wise fellow monks in the holy life. The Venerable Ānanda is able to explain in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail. What if we were to approach the Venerable Ānanda; having approached, we should ask the Venerable Ānanda about this matter.' Let the Venerable Ānanda explain."
"Just as, friends, a man desiring the substance, seeking the substance, wandering about in search of the substance, of a great tree, etc. Let the Venerable Ānanda explain, without finding it troublesome."
"Well then, friends, listen, pay close attention; I will speak." "Yes, friend," those monks assented to the Venerable Ānanda. The Venerable Ānanda said this -
"That which, friends, the Blessed One, having recited a synopsis in brief, without explaining the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling - 'Therefore, monks, that sense base should be known where the eye ceases and perception of material form ceases, that sense base should be known, etc. where the mind ceases and perception of mental phenomena ceases, that sense base should be known.' I, friends, understand in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail. This, friends, was spoken by the Blessed One with reference to the cessation of the six sense bases - 'Therefore, monks, that sense base should be known, where the eye ceases and perception of material form ceases, that sense base should be known, etc. where the mind ceases and perception of mental phenomena ceases, that sense base should be known.' This, friends, the Blessed One, having recited a synopsis in brief, without explaining the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling - 'Therefore, monks, that sense base should be known where the eye ceases and perception of material form ceases, that sense base should be known, etc. where the mind ceases and perception of mental phenomena ceases, that sense base should be known.' I, friends, understand in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail, thus in detail. But if you wish, venerable ones, you may approach the Blessed One himself; having approached, you should ask about this matter. As the Blessed One answers you, so you should remember it."
"Yes, friend," those monks, having replied to the Venerable Ānanda, rose from their seats and approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, those monks said this to the Blessed One -
"Venerable sir, the Blessed One, having recited a synopsis in brief, without explaining the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling - 'Therefore, monks, that sense base should be known where the eye ceases and perception of material form ceases, that sense base should be known, etc. where the tongue ceases and perception of flavour ceases, that sense base should be known, etc. where the mind ceases and perception of mental phenomena ceases, that sense base should be known.' Then, venerable sir, not long after the Blessed One had departed, this occurred to us - 'Friends, the Blessed One, having recited a synopsis in brief, without explaining the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling - Therefore, monks, that sense base should be known where the eye ceases and perception of material form ceases, that sense base should be known, etc. where the mind ceases and perception of mental phenomena ceases, that sense base should be known.' 'Who now could explain in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail?' Then this occurred to us, venerable sir - 'This Venerable Ānanda is praised by the Teacher and esteemed by the wise fellow monks in the holy life. The Venerable Ānanda is able to explain in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail. What if we were to approach the Venerable Ānanda; having approached, we should ask the Venerable Ānanda about this matter.' Then we, venerable sir, approached the Venerable Ānanda; having approached, we asked the Venerable Ānanda about this matter. For us, venerable sir, the Venerable Ānanda explained the meaning with these characteristics, with these terms, with these phrases."
"Monks, Ānanda is wise; monks, Ānanda is of great wisdom! Monks, if you had asked me about this matter, I too would have answered it in exactly the same way as it was answered by Ānanda. This indeed is its meaning. And thus you should remember it." The fourth.