12.
The Second Discourse on Being Beyond the Count of Decades
43.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Kosambī in Ghosita's park.
Then the Venerable Ānanda, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking his bowl and robe, entered Kosambī for almsfood.
Then this occurred to the Venerable Ānanda:
"It is still very early to walk for almsfood in Kosambī.
What if I were to approach the park of the heterodox wandering ascetics?"
Then the Venerable Ānanda approached the park of the heterodox wandering ascetics;
having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with those heterodox wandering ascetics.
Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side.
Now at that time, when those heterodox wandering ascetics were sitting together assembled, this discussion arose - "Friends, anyone at all who lives the complete and pure holy life for twelve years is fit to be called a monk ‘beyond the count of decades'."
Then the Venerable Ānanda neither delighted in nor protested against what those heterodox wandering ascetics had said. Without delighting in and without protesting against, he rose from his seat and departed - "I shall understand the meaning of this statement in the presence of the Blessed One." Then the Venerable Ānanda, having walked for almsfood in Kosambī, after the meal, having returned from his alms round, 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 -
"Here I, venerable sir, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking my bowl and robe, entered Kosambī for almsfood. Then, venerable sir, this occurred to me: 'It is still very early to walk for almsfood in Kosambī. What if I were to approach the park of the heterodox wandering ascetics?' Etc. I exchanged friendly greetings with them. Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, I sat down to one side.
Now at that time, venerable sir, when those heterodox wandering ascetics were sitting together assembled, this discussion arose - 'Friends, anyone at all who lives the complete and pure holy life for twelve years is fit to be called a monk "beyond the count of decades".' Then, venerable sir, I neither delighted in nor protested against what those heterodox wandering ascetics had said. Without delighting in and without protesting against, I rose from my seat and departed - 'I shall understand the meaning of this statement in the presence of the Blessed One.' Venerable sir, is it possible, in this Teaching and discipline, to designate a monk as ‘beyond the count of decades' merely by the counting of years?"
"Ānanda, it is indeed not possible, in this Teaching and discipline, to designate a monk as ‘beyond the count of decades' merely by the counting of years. There are, Ānanda, these seven ways for being ‘beyond the count of decades’ that I have realised for myself with direct knowledge and proclaimed them.
"What seven? Here, Ānanda, a monk has faith, has shame, has moral fear, is very learned, is putting forth strenuous energy, is mindful, is wise. These, Ānanda, are the seven ways for being ‘beyond the count of decades’ that I have realised for myself with direct knowledge and proclaimed them. Ānanda, a monk who possesses these seven ways for being ‘beyond the count of decades’, even if he lives the complete and pure holy life for twelve years, he is fit to be called a monk ‘beyond the count of decades'; even if he lives the complete and pure holy life for twenty-four years, he is fit to be called a monk ‘beyond the count of decades'; even if he lives the complete and pure holy life for thirty-six years, he is fit to be called a monk ‘beyond the count of decades'; even if he lives the complete and pure holy life for forty-eight years, he is fit to be called a monk ‘beyond the count of decades'." The twelfth.