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Here the Buddha uses an enlightening simile to explain how seven good qualities that should be mastered by the trainee in order to be successful work together to prevent the troops of Māra (ie. akusala dhammas) from entering the fortress of the mind. |
Pāḷi |
English |
Yato kho, bhikkhave, rañño paccantimaṃ nagaraṃ sattahi nagaraparikkhārehi suparikkhataṃ hoti, catunnañca āhārānaṃ nikāmalābhī hoti akicchalābhī akasiralābhī. Idaṃ vuccati, bhikkhave, rañño paccantimaṃ nagaraṃ akaraṇīyaṃ bāhirehi paccatthikehi paccāmittehi.
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Monks, when a royal frontier fortress is well provided with the seven requisites of a fortress, and can obtain at will — without difficulty, without trouble — the four types of food, then it is said to be a royal frontier fortress that can't be undone by external foes or duplicitous allies.
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Katamehi sattahi nagaraparikkhārehi suparikkhataṃ hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare esikā hoti gambhīranemā sunikhātā acalā asampavedhī. Iminā paṭhamena nagaraparikkhārena suparikkhataṃ hoti rañño paccantimaṃ nagaraṃ abbhantarānaṃ guttiyā bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya.
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And with which seven requisites of a fortress is it well provided? There is the case where a royal frontier fortress has a foundation post — deeply rooted, well embedded, immovable, & unshakable. With this first requisite of a fortress it is well provided for the protection of those within and to ward off those without.
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Puna caparaṃ, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare parikhā hoti gambhīrā ceva vitthatā ca. Iminā dutiyena nagaraparikkhārena suparikkhataṃ hoti rañño paccantimaṃ nagaraṃ abbhantarānaṃ guttiyā bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya.
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Furthermore, the royal frontier fortress has a moat, both deep & wide. With this second requisite of a fortress it is well provided for the protection of those within and to ward off those without.
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Puna caparaṃ, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare anupariyāyapatho hoti ucco ceva vitthato ca. Iminā tatiyena nagaraparikkhārena suparikkhataṃ hoti rañño paccantimaṃ nagaraṃ abbhantarānaṃ guttiyā bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya.
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Furthermore, the royal frontier fortress has an encircling road, both high & wide. With this third requisite of a fortress it is well provided for the protection of those within and to ward off those without.
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Puna caparaṃ, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare bahuṃ āvudhaṃ sannicitaṃ hoti salākañceva jevanikañca. Iminā catutthena nagaraparikkhārena suparikkhataṃ hoti rañño paccantimaṃ nagaraṃ abbhantarānaṃ guttiyā bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya.
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Furthermore, in the royal frontier fortress many weapons are stored, both arrows & things to be hurled. With this fourth requisite of a fortress it is well provided for the protection of those within and to ward off those without.
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Puna caparaṃ, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare bahubalakāyo paṭivasati, seyyathidaṃ: hatthārohā assārohā rathikā dhanuggahā celakā calakā piṇḍadāyakā uggā rājaputtā pakkhandino mahānāgā sūrā cammayodhino dāsakaputtā. Iminā pañcamena nagaraparikkhārena suparikkhataṃ hoti rañño paccantimaṃ nagaraṃ abbhantarānaṃ guttiyā bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya.
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Furthermore, the royal frontier fortress has a large army stationed within — elephant soldiers, cavalry, charioteers, bowmen, standard-bearers, billeting officers, soldiers of the supply corps, noted princes, commando heroes, infantry, & slaves. With this fifth requisite of a fortress it is well provided for the protection of those within and to ward off those without.
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Puna caparaṃ, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare dovāriko hoti paṇḍito byatto medhāvī aññātānaṃ nivāretā ñātānaṃ pavesetā. Iminā chaṭṭhena nagaraparikkhārena suparikkhataṃ hoti rañño paccantimaṃ nagaraṃ abbhantarānaṃ guttiyā bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya.
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Furthermore, the royal frontier fortress has a gate-keeper — wise, experienced, intelligent — to keep out those he doesn't know and to let in those he does. With this sixth requisite of a fortress it is well provided for the protection of those within and to ward off those without.
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Puna caparaṃ, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare pākāro hoti ucco ceva vitthato ca vāsanalepanasampanno ca. Iminā sattamena nagaraparikkhārena suparikkhataṃ hoti rañño paccantimaṃ nagaraṃ abbhantarānaṃ guttiyā bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya. Imehi sattahi nagaraparikkhārehi suparikkhataṃ hoti.
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Furthermore, the royal frontier fortress has ramparts: high & thick & completely covered with plaster. With this seventh requisite of a fortress it is well provided for the protection of those within and to ward off those without. These are the seven requisites of a fortress with which it is well provided.
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Katamesaṃ catunnaṃ āhārānaṃ nikāmalābhī hoti akicchalābhī akasiralābhī? Idha, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare bahuṃ tiṇakaṭṭhodakaṃ sannicitaṃ hoti abbhantarānaṃ ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya.
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And which are the four types of food that it can obtain at will, without difficulty, without trouble? There is the case where the royal frontier fortress has large stores of grass, timber & water for the delight, convenience, & comfort of those within, and to ward off those without.
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Puna caparaṃ, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare bahuṃ sāliyavakaṃ sannicitaṃ hoti abbhantarānaṃ ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya.
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Furthermore, it has large stores of rice & barley for the delight, convenience, & comfort of those within, and to ward off those without.
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Puna caparaṃ, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare bahuṃ tilamuggamāsāparaṇṇaṃ sannicitaṃ hoti abbhantarānaṃ ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya.
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Furthermore, it has large stores of sesame, green gram, & other beans for the delight, convenience, & comfort of those within, and to ward off those without.
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Puna caparaṃ, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare bahuṃ bhesajjaṃ sannicitaṃ hoti, seyyathidaṃ – sappi navanītaṃ telaṃ madhu phāṇitaṃ loṇaṃ abbhantarānaṃ ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya. Imesaṃ kho, bhikkhave, catunnaṃ āhārānaṃ nikāmalābhī hoti akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.
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Furthermore, it has large stores of tonics — ghee, fresh butter, oil, honey, molasses, & salt — for the delight, convenience, & comfort of those within, and to ward off those without. These are the four types of food it can obtain at will, without difficulty, without trouble.
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Yato kho, bhikkhave, rañño paccantimaṃ nagaraṃ imehi sattahi nagaraparikkhārehi suparikkhataṃ hoti, imesañca catunnaṃ āhārānaṃ nikāmalābhī hoti akicchalābhī akasiralābhī. Idaṃ vuccati, bhikkhave, rañño paccantimaṃ nagaraṃ akaraṇīyaṃ bāhirehi paccatthikehi paccāmittehi.
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When a royal frontier fortress is well provided with these seven requisites of a fortress, and can obtain at will — without difficulty, without trouble — these four types of food, then it is said to be a royal frontier fortress that can't be undone by external foes or duplicitous allies.
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Evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave, yato ariyasāvako sattahi saddhammehi samannāgato hoti, catunnañca jhānānaṃ ābhicetasikānaṃ diṭṭhadhammasukhavihārānaṃ nikāmalābhī hoti akicchalābhī akasiralābhī. Ayaṃ vuccati, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako akaraṇīyo mārassa akaraṇīyo pāpimato.
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In the same way, monks, when a disciple of the noble ones is endowed with seven true qualities (saddhamma) and can obtain at will — without difficulty, without trouble — the four jhanas, heightened mental states that provide a pleasant abiding in the here-&-now, he is said to be a disciple of the noble ones who can't be undone by Mara, can't be undone by the Evil One.
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Katamehi sattahi saddhammehi samannāgato hoti? Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare esikā hoti gambhīranemā sunikhātā acalā asampavedhī abbhantarānaṃ guttiyā bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya. Evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave,
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Now, with which seven true qualities is he endowed? Just as the royal frontier fortress has a foundation post — deeply rooted, well embedded, immovable, & unshakable — for the protection of those within and to ward off those without; in the same way,
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Saddhesiko, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako akusalaṃ pajahati, kusalaṃ bhāveti; sāvajjaṃ pajahati, anavajjaṃ bhāveti; suddhaṃ attānaṃ pariharati. Iminā paṭhamena saddhammena samannāgato hoti.
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With conviction as his foundation post, the disciple of the noble ones abandons what is unskillful, develops what is skillful, abandons what is blameworthy, develops what is blameless, and looks after himself with purity. With this first true quality is he endowed.
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Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare parikkhā hoti gambhīrā ceva vitthatā ca abbhantarānaṃ guttiyā bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya. Evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako
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Just as the royal frontier fortress has a moat, both deep & wide, for the protection of those within and to ward off those without; in the same way, the disciple of the noble ones |
Hirīparikkho kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako akusalaṃ pajahati, kusalaṃ bhāveti; sāvajjaṃ pajahati, anavajjaṃ bhāveti; suddhaṃ attānaṃ pariharati. Iminā dutiyena saddhammena samannāgato hoti.
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With shame as his moat, the disciple of the noble ones abandons what is unskillful, develops what is skillful, abandons what is blameworthy, develops what is blameless, and looks after himself with purity. With this second true quality is he endowed.
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Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare anupariyāyapatho hoti ucco ceva vitthato ca abbhantarānaṃ guttiyā bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya. Evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako
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Just as the royal frontier fortress has an encircling road,{1} both high & wide, for the protection of those within and to ward off those without; in the same way, the disciple of the noble ones |
Ottappapariyāyapatho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako akusalaṃ pajahati, kusalaṃ bhāveti; sāvajjaṃ pajahati, anavajjaṃ bhāveti; suddhaṃ attānaṃ pariharati. Iminā tatiyena saddhammena samannāgato hoti.
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With concern as his encircling road, the disciple of the noble ones abandons what is unskillful, develops what is skillful, abandons what is blameworthy, develops what is blameless, and looks after himself with purity. With this third true quality is he endowed.
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Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare bahuṃ āvudhaṃ sannicitaṃ hoti salākañceva jevanikañca abbhantarānaṃ guttiyā bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya. Evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako
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Just as the royal frontier fortress has many weapons stored, both arrows & things to be hurled, for the protection of those within and to ward off those without; in the same way, the disciple of the noble ones |
Sutāvudho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako akusalaṃ pajahati, kusalaṃ bhāveti; sāvajjaṃ pajahati, anavajjaṃ bhāveti; suddhaṃ attānaṃ pariharati. Iminā catutthena saddhammena samannāgato hoti.
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With learning as his weapons, the disciple of the noble ones abandons what is unskillful, develops what is skillful, abandons what is blameworthy, develops what is blameless, and looks after himself with purity. With this fourth true quality is he endowed.
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Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare bahubalakāyo paṭivasati, seyyathidaṃ: hatthārohā assārohā rathikā dhanuggahā celakā calakā piṇḍadāyakā uggā rājaputtā pakkhandino mahānāgā sūrā cammayodhino dāsakaputtā abbhantarānaṃ guttiyā bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya. Evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako
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Just as the royal frontier fortress has a large army stationed within — elephant soldiers, cavalry, charioteers, bowmen, standard-bearers, billeting officers, soldiers of the supply corps, noted princes, commando heroes, infantry, & slaves — for the protection of those within and to ward off those without; in the same way a disciple of the noble ones |
Vīriyabalakāyo, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako akusalaṃ pajahati, kusalaṃ bhāveti; sāvajjaṃ pajahati, anavajjaṃ bhāveti; suddhaṃ attānaṃ pariharati. Iminā pañcamena saddhammena samannāgato hoti.
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With persistence as his army, the disciple of the noble ones abandons what is unskillful, develops what is skillful, abandons what is blameworthy, develops what is blameless, and looks after himself with purity. With this fifth true quality is he endowed.
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Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare dovāriko hoti paṇḍito byatto medhāvī aññātānaṃ nivāretā ñātānaṃ pavesetā abbhantarānaṃ guttiyā bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya. Evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako
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Just as the royal frontier fortress has a gate-keeper — wise, experienced, intelligent — to keep out those he doesn't know and to let in those he does, for the protection of those within and to ward off those without; in the same way a disciple of the noble ones |
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satimā hoti paramena satinepakkena samannāgato cirakatampi cirabhāsitampi saritā anussaritā. |
Satidovāriko, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako akusalaṃ pajahati, kusalaṃ bhāveti; sāvajjaṃ pajahati, anavajjaṃ bhāveti; suddhaṃ attānaṃ pariharati. Iminā chaṭṭhena saddhammena samannāgato hoti.
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With mindfulness as his gate-keeper, the disciple of the ones abandons what is unskillful, develops what is skillful, abandons what is blameworthy, develops what is blameless, and looks after himself with purity. With this sixth true quality is he endowed.
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Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare pākāro hoti ucco ceva vitthato ca vāsanalepanasampanno ca abbhantarānaṃ guttiyā bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya. Evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako
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Just as the royal frontier fortress has ramparts — high & thick & completely covered with plaster — for the protection of those within and to ward off those without; in the same way a disciple of the noble ones |
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paññavā hoti udayatthagāminiyā paññāya samannāgato ariyāya nibbedhikāya sammā dukkhakkhayagāminiyā. |
Paññāvāsanalepanasampanno, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako akusalaṃ pajahati, kusalaṃ bhāveti; sāvajjaṃ pajahati, anavajjaṃ bhāveti; suddhaṃ attānaṃ pariharati. Iminā sattamena saddhammena samannāgato hoti. Imehi sattahi saddhammehi samannāgato hoti.
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With discernment as his covering of plaster, the disciple of the noble ones abandons what is unskillful, develops what is skillful, abandons what is blameworthy, develops what is blameless, and looks after himself with purity. With this seventh true quality is he endowed. These are the seven true qualities with which he is endowed.
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Katamesaṃ catunnaṃ jhānānaṃ ābhicetasikānaṃ diṭṭhadhammasukhavihārānaṃ nikāmalābhī hoti akicchalābhī akasiralābhī? Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare bahuṃ tiṇakaṭṭhodakaṃ sannicitaṃ hoti abbhantarānaṃ ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya. Evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako
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And which are the four jhanas — heightened mental states that provide a pleasant abiding in the here-&-now — that he can obtain at will, without difficulty, without trouble? Just as a royal frontier fortress has large stores of grass, timber & water for the delight, convenience, & comfort of those within, and to ward off those without; in the same way the disciple of the noble ones, |
attano ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya okkamanāya nibbānassa.
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for his own delight, convenience, & comfort, and to alight on Unbinding.
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Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare bahuṃ sāliyavakaṃ sannicitaṃ hoti abbhantarānaṃ ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya. Evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako
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Just as a royal frontier fortress has large stores of rice & barley for the delight, convenience, & comfort of those within, and to ward off those without; in the same way, the disciple of the noble ones, |
attano ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya okkamanāya nibbānassa.
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for his own delight, convenience, & comfort, and to alight on Unbinding.
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Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare bahuṃ tilamuggamāsāparaṇṇaṃ sannicitaṃ hoti abbhantarānaṃ ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya. Evamevaṃ kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako
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Just as a royal frontier fortress has large stores of sesame, green gram, & other beans for the delight, convenience, & comfort of those within, and to ward off those without; in the same way the disciple of the noble ones, |
attano ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya okkamanāya nibbānassa.
| for his own delight, convenience, & comfort, and to alight on Unbinding.
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Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, rañño paccantime nagare bahuṃ bhesajjaṃ sannicitaṃ hoti, seyyathidaṃ – sappi navanītaṃ telaṃ madhu phāṇitaṃ loṇaṃ abbhantarānaṃ ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya bāhirānaṃ paṭighātāya. Evamevaṃ kho bhikkhave, ariyasāvako
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Just as a royal frontier fortress has large stores of tonics — ghee, fresh butter, oil, honey, molasses, & salt: for the delight, convenience, & comfort of those within, and to ward off those without; in the same way the disciple of the noble ones, |
attano ratiyā aparitassāya phāsuvihārāya okkamanāya nibbānassa. Imesaṃ catunnaṃ jhānānaṃ ābhicetasikānaṃ diṭṭhadhammasukhavihārānaṃ nikāmalābhī hoti akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.
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for his own delight, convenience, & comfort, and to alight on Unbinding. These are the four jhanas — heightened mental states that provide a pleasant abiding in the here-&-now — that he can obtain at will, without difficulty, without trouble.
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Yato kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako imehi sattahi saddhammehi samannāgato hoti, imesañca catunnaṃ jhānānaṃ ābhicetasikānaṃ diṭṭhadhammasukhavihārānaṃ nikāmalābhī hoti akicchalābhī akasiralābhī. Ayaṃ vuccati, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako akaraṇīyo mārassa akaraṇīyo pāpimato ti.
| When a disciple of the noble ones is endowed with these seven true qualities and can obtain at will — without difficulty, without trouble — these four jhanas, heightened mental states that provide a pleasant abiding in the here-&-now, he is said to be a disciple of the noble ones who can't be undone by Mara, can't be undone by the Evil One. |
 Access to Insight, 4 July 2010. ———oOo——— Published as a gift of Dhamma, to be distributed free of charge.
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