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Numerical Sayings - Ańguttara
Nikāya I [8-10]
Directed, Pointed and Clear - Paṇihita Sūka Accha
[8] At Savatthi . the Blessed Buddha said
this:
Bhikkhus, that the needle-like bristle on
rice-straws or
barley should be able to puncture hand or foot or cause hand or foot to bleed,
when badly handled and directed, that is not possible.
What is the cause for that? Bhikkhus, it is because the needle-like bristle is
wrongly handled and directed.
Even and exactly so, Bhikkhus, that a monk's
wrongly directed mind,
should be able to break ignorance, produce direct knowledge and realize Nibbana,
that is not possible! What is the cause for that? Bhikkhus, it is because that
mind is wrongly directed.
However, Bhikkhus, that the needle-like
bristle on rice-straws or
barley should be able to puncture hand or foot or cause hand or foot to bleed,
when pressed pointed and well directed into it, that is indeed possible.
What is the cause for that? Bhikkhus, it is because the needle-like bristle
here is pointed and well directed. Similarly, Bhikkhus, that a monk's
rightly directed
mind should be able to break ignorance, produce direct knowledge and realize
Nibbana, this is indeed possible! What is the cause for that? Bhikkhus, it is
because this mind is rightly directed.
Sometimes, Bhikkhus, when having encompassed a certain
wicked persons evil mind with my mind, I come to know, that if he should make an
end right here and now, he would rearise in Hell as certain as if he was
forcibly dragged and dropped there. What is the cause for that? Bhikkhus, it is
because that mind is corrupt.
Moreover, Bhikkhus, it is due to such
corrupted mentality, that certain beings
here at the breakup of the body, right after death, rearise in a state of loss,
having a painful destiny, in a downfall, even in Hell.
In another case, Bhikkhus, when having
encompassed a certain good persons pure and clear mind with my mind, [9] I come to know, that if he should make an
end right here and now, he would rearise in a divine state as certain as if
he was dragged and dropped there.
What is the cause for that? Bhikkhus, it is because this mind is pure, calm and
clear.
Similarly, Bhikkhus, it is due to such purified mentality, that certain beings
here at the breakup of the body, right after death, rearise in a happy destiny,
even in a divine world.
Bhikkhus, a man even with good eyes standing
on the bank of a muddy, stirred and polluted lake would neither see the gravel,
pebbles, nor the shells lying still nor any schools of fish swimming about!
What is the cause for that? Bhikkhus, it is because the lake is muddy, stirred
and polluted.
Even so indeed, Bhikkhus, that a monk's polluted mind should know what
is in his own advantage, to others advantage or advantageous for both, or that
he should know any supra-human state, or that he should realize the excellence
of full Noble knowledge and vision, that condition does not exist.
What is the cause for that? Bhikkhus, it is because the mind is unclear,
agitated and defiled.
However, Bhikkhus, a man with eyes standing
on the bank of a still, crystal clear and clean lake would obviously see both the
gravel, the pebbles and the shells lying still as well as the schools of fish
darting about!
What is the cause for that? Bhikkhus, it is because the lake is still, crystal
clear and clean. Likewise, Bhikkhus, that a monk's pure and calm mind should
come to know what is to his own advantage, to others advantage and advantageous for both, should
come to know directly the various supra-human states, and that he should come to realize
the excellence of full Noble knowledge and vision, that condition does indeed
exist.
What is the cause for that? Bhikkhus, it is because of this
undisturbed pure,
calm and clear mind.
Just as sandal-wood is the most elastic and
flexible variety of wood suitable for any work, in the same way do I know of no other single condition as frequent meditation, that can make any
mind quite soft, flexible, compliant, fit and ready for any task. When mind is
thus cultivated by frequent meditation, Bhikkhus, it becomes pliant, ready and fit! [10]
I, Bhikkhus, I know of no other
single thing so
quickly
changing as the mind, insofar as finding just one other phenomena changing
equally fast, is not easy to find.
Shining bright, Bhikkhus, is this mind, yet it is indeed obstructed by
external defilements.
Luminous indeed, is that mind, when it is safely released and freed from alien
impurities.
