Majjhima Nikaya - Kosambiya Sutta

48. Kosambiya Sutta - English Majjhima Nikàya I.
5. 8 Kosambiyasuttaü
(48) The Discourse at Kosambi

I heard thus.
At one time the Blessed One was living in Ghosita's monastery in Kosambi. At
that time the bhikkhus of Kosambi had aroused a dispute and were quarrelling
with each other, throwing sharp words at each other They would not discuss the
matter among themselves and come to an understanding. A certain bhikkhu
approached the Blessed One, worshipped, sat on a side and said, Venerable sir,
the bhikkhus of Kosambi have aroused a dispute and are quarrelling with each
other, throwing sharp words at each other. They would not discuss the matter
among themselves and come to an understanding. Then the Blessed One addressed a
certain bhikkhu: Come bhikkhu in my words address those bhikkhus, and tell, the
Teacher wants you. That bhikkhu agreed, approached those bhikkhus, and said
Bhikkhus, the Teacher wants you: Those bhikkhus agreed, approached the Blessed
One, worshipped and sat on a side. Then the Blessed One said to those bhikkhus;
Bhikkhus, is it true that you have aroused a dispute among yourselves are
quarrelling with each other throwing sharp words at each other. You wouldn't
discuss the matter among yourselves and come to an understanding? Yes, venerable
sir. Bhikkhus, at a time when you have aroused a dispute among yourselves are
quarrelling with each other throwing sharp words at each other, are you
established in bodily actions of loving kindness, towards co-associates in the
holy life openly and secretly? Established in verbal actions of loving kindness,
towards co-associates in the holy life openly and secretly? Establishd in mental
actions of loving kindness, towards co-associates in the holy life openly and
secretly? No, venerable sir. Bhikkhus, you have aroused a dispute among
yourselves quarrelling with each other, throwing sharp words at each other. Now
you are not established in bodily actions of loving kindness, towards
co-associates in the holy life openly or secretly. You are not established in
verbal actions of loving kindness, towards co-associates in the holy life openly
or secretly. You are not established in mental actions of loving kindness,
towards co-associates in the holy life openly or secretly. Foolish men, seeing
what good have you aroused this dispute? You do not discuss this matter among
yourselves and come to an understanding. Foolish men, this will be for your
undoing for a long time
Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: Bhikkhus, there are six things
which conduces to reverence, unity, friendliness and love for each other. What
six: Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu should be establishd in bodily actions of
loving kindness towards co-associates in the holy life openly and secretly. This
is a thing which conduces to reverence, unity, friendliness and love for each
other. Again, the bhikkhu should be established in verbal actions of loving
kindness towards co-associates in the holy life openly and secretly. This too is
a thing which conduces to reverence, unity, friendliness and love for each
other. Again the bhikkhu should be established in mental actions of loving
kindness towards co-associates in the holy life openly and secretly. This too is
a thing that conduces to reverence, unity, friendliness and love for each other.
Again bhikkhus, gains rightfully obtained, as far as what is put into the bowl,
the bhikkhu would not partake without sharing equally with the co-associates in
the holy life. This too is a thing that conduces to reverence, unity,
friendliness and love for each other. Again the bhikkhu becomes equal in virtues
with the co-associates in the holy life openly and secretly. The virtues that
are not broken, fissured or spotted, are consistent and praised by the wise as
unaffected and conductive to concentration. This too is a thing that conduces to
reverence, unity, friendliness and love for each other. Again the bhikkhu
becomes equal with the co-associates in the holy life in the noble view that
leads to the beyond. Which rightfully shows the destruction of unpleasantness to
one who thinks logically. This too is a thing that conduces to reverence, unity,
friendliness and love for each other. Bhikkhus, these are the six things that
conduces to reverence, unity, frendliness and love for each other. Bhikkhus, of
these six the noble view that leads to the beyond and rightfully shows the
destruction of unpleasantness to one who thinks logically is the foremost and
the chief. It binds all others at the top most beam of the gabled house. .
Bhikkhus, what is that noble view that leads to the beyond and rightfully shows
the destruction of unpleasantness to one who thinks logically. Here. Bhikkhus,
the bhikkhu gone to a forest or to the root of a tree, or to an empty house
reflects. Are there undispelled hindrances in me? Do they obstruct my mind, from
knowing and seeing as it really is? Am I overcome by sensual lust, or is my mind
hindered by them? Am I overcome by anger, or is my mind hindered by it? Am I
overcome by sloth and torpor, or is my mind hindered by sloth and torpor? Am I
overcome by restlessness and worry, or is my mind hindered by restlessness and
worry? Is my mind overcome with doubts, about this world and the other world? Or
am I with a dispute quarrelling, throwing rough words at others, is my mind
hindered in this manner?
The bhikkhu knows, I haven't undispelled hindrances on account of which my mind
would not see it, as it really is. These things are thoroughly dispelled from my
mind and it is ready for realising the truth. This is the first noble knowledge
attained, not of the world and not shared by the ordinary. [1]
Again, the noble disciple reflects When I practise and develop this view much, I
experience internal appeasement, and internal extinction. [2] This is the second
noble knowledge attained, not of the world and not shared by the ordinary.
Again the noble disciple reflects. This view I have gained is it also the view
of the recluses and brahmins of other sects. Then he knows, this view with which
I am endowed, is not shared by recluses and brahmins of other sects. This is the
third noble knowledge attained, not of the world and not shared by the ordinary.
Again, bhikkhus, the noble disciple reflects. I share this view with those come
to righteousness of view. I'm also endowed with that unique characteristic.
Bhikkhus, what is that unique characteristic of one come to righteousness or
view? When he does any wrong, it becomes manifest to him, and he instantly goes
to the Teacher or a wise co-associate in the holy life and declares and makes it
manifest and makes amends for future restrain, like a toddler who is slow to
stand and lie would tred on a burning piece of charcoal and would instantly pull
away from it. In the same manner when he does any wrong, it becomes manifest to
him, and he instantly goes to the Teacher or a wise co-associate in the holy
life and declares and makes amends for future restrain. This is a unique
character of one come to righteousness of view. This is the fourth noble
knowledge attained, not of the world and not shared by the ordinary.
Again, bhikkhus, the noble disciple reflects. I share this view, with those come
to righteousness of view. I'm also endowed with that unique characteristic.
Bhikkhus, what is that unique characteristic of one come to righteousness of
view? It is the unique characteristic of one come to righteousness view, to be
greatly intent in completing any work high or low that has to be done for the
co-associates in the holy life. Mindful of the high virtues, training, and high
wisdom. Like the cow which would even pull out the post to which it is tied in
an effort to save her calf. In the same manner would be greatly intent in
completing any work high or low that has to be done for the co-associates in the
holy life. Mindful of the high virtues, much training and high wisdom. Then he
knows, I share this view, with those come to righteousness of view. I'm endowed
with that unigue characteristic. This is the fifth noble knowledge attained, not
of the world and not shared by the ordinary.
Again, the noble disciple reflects I share this power, with those come to
righteousness of view. I'm endowed with that power. What is that power with
which the one come to righteousness of view is endowed?. One come to
righteousness of view listens to the Teaching attending carefully to take the
essential with the mind well concentrated. Then he knows, I'm endowed with the
power of one come to righteousness of view. This is the sixth noble knowledge
attained, not of the world and not shared by the ordinary.
Again, the noble disciple reflects. I share this power, with those come to
righteousness of view. I'm endowed, with that power What is that power with
which the one come to righteousness of view is endowed?. It is the power of one
come to righteousness of view to listen to the Teaching taught by the Blessed
One and gain the meanings, experience the Teaching and experience the joy. Then
he knows, with whatever power the one, come to righteousness of view is endowed,
I too share that power. . This is the seventh noble knowledge attained, not of
the world and not shared by the ordinary.
When the noble disciple is endowed with these seven characteristics, he is ready
to realise the fruits of the entry into the stream of the Teaching.
The Blessed One said thus and those bhikkhus delighted in the words of the
Blessed One.



[1] This is the first knowledge attained not of the world and not shared with
the ordinary (idamassa pañhamaü ¤ànaü adhigataü honti ariyaü lokuttaraü
asàdhàranaü puthujjanehi). This knowledge does not belong to the world, as the
data does not enter through any of the doors of mental contact. So it is not
shared by the ordinary worldlãng. It is some knowledge realised by the noble
disciple.
[2] When I practise and develop this view much, I experience internal
appeasement and internal extinction (imaü nukho ahaü diññhi àsevanto bàvento
bahulã karonto labhàmi paccattaü samathaü labhàmi paccattaü nibbåtaüti). The
view of the noble disciple when his mind is freed from the five hindrances, when
he practises and develops this view, he experiences internal appeasement and
internal extinction.