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Anguttara Nikaya

# AN 7.67 Nagaropama Sutta (Comparable to a Fortress) AN 7.67

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    [page 1]
    Anguttara Nikāya
    The Numerical Discourses

    Sattakanipāta
    (Book of the Sevens)

    AN 7.67

    Nagaropama Sutta
    “Comparable to a Fortress”

    Translated by Bhikkhu Candana

    Copyright © Bhikkhu Candana 2022

    “Bhikkhus, when the king’s frontier fortress that shields his kingdom with the seven
    auxiliary protections, is provided for with the four kinds of support, without much trouble and
    with ease, then, it is worth being designated as a truly unassailable frontier fortress, shielding the
    kingdom from all its external enemies and their attacks.
    “And how can such a frontier fortress protect the kingdom with the seven auxiliary protections?
    1. “Here, Bhikkhus, the king’s frontier fortress has pillars with strong foundations, sturdy and
    driven deep into the ground, securely planted, and are thus utterly unmoving and unshakable.
    This is the first of auxiliary protections provided by the king’s frontier fortress, shielding the
    kingdom with internal protection, and repelling all its external enemies and their attacks.
    2. “Again, Bhikkhus, the king’s frontier fortress has dug out ditches and moats that are deep and
    wide. This is the second of auxiliary protections provided by the king’s frontier fortress,
    shielding the kingdom with internal protection, and repelling all its external enemies and their
    attacks.
    3. “Again, Bhikkhus, the king’s frontier fortress has its patrol path for the soldiers, built both
    high and wide. This is the third of auxiliary protections provided by the king’s frontier fortress,
    shielding the kingdom with internal protection, and repelling all its external enemies and their
    attacks.
    4. “Again, Bhikkhus, the king’s frontier fortress has numerous weapons that are kept in stock,
    with arrows and various kinds of projectiles. This is the fourth of auxiliary protections provided
    by the king’s frontier fortress, shielding the kingdom with internal protection, and repelling all its
    external enemies and their attacks.

    [page 2]
    5. “Again, Bhikkhus, the king’s frontier fortress has many army personnel living within it, such
    as elephant riders, cavalry, charioteers, archers, standard bearers, camp marshals, supply chain
    soldiers, dignified royal princes, special forces, shield bearing soldiers, infantry, and slave
    soldiers. This is the fifth of auxiliary protections provided by the king’s frontier fortress,
    shielding the kingdom with internal protection, and repelling all its external enemies and their
    attacks.
    6. “Again, Bhikkhus, the king’s frontier fortress has a wise and competent gate keeper, who
    stops strangers from entering and only allows those to enter who are known as friends. This is
    the sixth of auxiliary protections provided by the king’s frontier fortress, shielding the kingdom
    with internal protection, and repelling all its external enemies and their attacks.
    7. “Again, Bhikkhus, the king’s frontier fortress has walls that are tall and wide, covered with
    smooth plaster that is slippery. This is the seventh of auxiliary protections provided by the king’s
    frontier fortress, shielding the kingdom with internal protection, and repelling all its external
    enemies and their attacks.
    “Thus, the king’s frontier fortress protects the kingdom with the seven auxiliary protections.
    “And how is the king’s frontier fortress provided for with the four kinds of support, without
    much trouble and with ease?
    a. “Here, Bhikkhus, within the king’s frontier fortress there is plenty of fuel, such as mounds of
    grass and firewood that have been accumulated, along with abundant supplies of water, so that
    all those living within its walls continue living at ease and in comfort, not likely to be troubled
    by any threats from possible invaders, as they are capable to easily defend themselves against
    any external dangers.
    b. “Again, Bhikkhus, within the king’s frontier fortress there is plenty of grains, such as rice and
    barley that have been accumulated, so that all those living within its walls continue living at ease
    and in comfort, not likely to be troubled by any threats from possible invaders, as they are
    capable to easily defend themselves against any external dangers.
    c. “Further, Bhikkhus, within the king’s frontier fortress there are storehouses full of sesame,
    mung beans, and other types of beans that have been accumulated, so that all those living within
    its walls continue living at ease and in comfort, not likely to be troubled by any threats from
    possible invaders, as they are capable to easily defend themselves against any external dangers.
    d. “Again, Bhikkhus, within the king’s frontier fortress there are plenty of medical supplies, such
    as purified ghee, butter, oils, honey, molasses, and salts that have been accumulated, so that all
    those living within its walls continue living at ease and in comfort, not likely to be troubled by
    any threats from possible invaders, as they are capable to easily defend themselves against any
    external dangers.
    “In this manner, Bhikkhus, the king’s frontier fortress is provided for with the four kinds of
    support without much trouble, and with ease.

    [page 3]
    “Therefore, Bhikkhus, when the king’s frontier fortress that shields his kingdom with the seven
    auxiliary protections, is provided for with the four kinds of support without much trouble, and
    with ease, then, it is worth being designated as a truly unassailable frontier fortress, shielding the
    kingdom from all its external enemies and their attacks.
    “Now, Bhikkhus, in the same way, when the Noble Disciple is endowed with the seven good
    qualities, he can (and whenever he desires to) enter into the four jhānas in their superior aspects,
    wherein he dwells now, in this very life, quickly and with no difficulty whatsoever. In being able
    to do this, the Noble Disciple is said to be beyond the power and reach of Māra, no longer
    susceptible to Māra’s evil tricks.
    “And what are those seven good qualities that the Noble Disciple is endowed with?
    1. “Bhikkhus, much like the king’s frontier fortress that has pillars with strong foundations,
    sturdy and driven deep into the ground, securely planted and thus utterly unmoving and
    unshakable, whereby it shields the kingdom with internal protection, repelling all its external
    enemies and their attacks,
    “In the same way, the Noble Disciple is endowed with unshakeable faith, whereby he places his
    strong confidence and faith in the Awakening of The Blessed One. Thus, he knows for certain
    that The Blessed One is an Arahant, Perfectly Awakened, endowed with Sublime Knowledge and
    Supremely Pure Conduct, the Well-Gone, the Knower of worlds, the Incomparable Tamer of
    those to be tamed, the Teacher of gods and humans, the Enlightened and Blessed.’
    “Therefore, the Noble Disciple himself becomes a pillar of faith as he inspires and triggers the
    growth of faith in others, as he walks away from all unwholesome actions while cultivating and
    developing wholesome actions throughout his behavior. Similarly, he abandons behavior that
    brings blame, while cultivating a behavior that is pure due to his blameless actions. Thus, by
    living with purity throughout, the Noble Disciple is recognized as being endowed with his first
    good quality.
    2. “Bhikkhus, just like the king’s frontier fortress that has dug out ditches and moats that are
    deep and wide, shielding the kingdom with internal protection, and repelling all its external
    enemies and their attacks,
    “In the same way, the Noble Disciple is endowed with a strong sense of wise moral shame. He
    looks upon all types of unwholesome bodily, verbal, and mental behavior, as well as all
    unwholesome actions with a strong sense of wise moral shame. Thus, he protects himself from
    acquiring any unwholesome traits or from developing any immoral qualities. Bhikkhus, the
    Noble Disciple puts to use his wise moral shame much like a strong fortress’s dug-out ditches
    and moats that are deep and wide, as he carefully examines his behavior and walks away from all
    unwholesome actions while cultivating and developing wholesome actions throughout his
    behavior. Similarly, he abandons behavior that brings blame, while cultivating a behavior that is
    pure due to his blameless actions. Thus, by living with purity throughout, the Noble Disciple is
    recognized as being endowed with his second good quality.

    [page 4]
    3. “Bhikkhus, just like the king’s frontier fortress that has its patrol path for its soldiers, built
    both high and wide, shielding the kingdom with internal protection, and repelling all its external
    enemies and their attacks,
    “In the same manner, the Noble Disciple is endowed with a strong sense of wise moral fear. He
    looks upon all types of unwholesome bodily, verbal, and mental behavior, as well as all
    unwholesome actions with a strong sense of wise moral fear. Thus, he protects himself from
    acquiring any unwholesome traits or from developing any immoral qualities. Bhikkhus, the
    Noble Disciple puts to use his wise moral fear much like the king’s frontier fortress’s patrol path
    for its soldiers, as he carefully examines his behavior and walks away from all unwholesome
    actions while cultivating and developing wholesome actions throughout his behavior. Similarly,
    he abandons behavior that brings blame, while cultivating a behavior that is pure due to his
    blameless actions. Thus, by living with purity throughout, the Noble Disciple is recognized as
    being endowed with his third good quality.
    4. “Bhikkhus, much like the king’s frontier fortress that has numerous weapons that are kept in
    stock, with arrows and various kinds of projectiles, shielding the kingdom with internal
    protection, and repelling all its external enemies and their attacks,
    “In the same manner, the Noble Disciple has learned and studied much for his personal
    development, to gain a better understanding of the Dhamma, constantly recalling what he has
    memorized by heart, applying the Teachings he has learned throughout his life, the Dhamma that
    is beautiful in its beginning, beautiful at its middle, and beautiful in its end, full of meaning and
    balanced in its expression and phrasing, while declaring and revealing to him the completeness
    and purity of the Holy Life. Thus, the Noble Disciple, having studied and learned, while
    memorizing the Teachings, continuously places his attention on them, examining them, whereby
    he experientially tastes their truth by penetrating them with Right View. Therefore, the Noble
    Disciple protects himself with the Dhamma he has learned as his mighty arsenal, walking away
    from all unwholesome actions while cultivating and developing wholesome actions throughout
    his behavior. Similarly, he abandons behavior that brings blame, while cultivating a behavior that
    is pure due to his blameless actions. Thus, by living with purity throughout, the Noble Disciple is
    recognized as being endowed with his fourth good quality.
    5. “Bhikkhus, just like the king’s frontier fortress that has many army personnel living within it,
    such as elephant riders, cavalry, charioteers, archers, standard bearers, camp marshals, supply
    chain soldiers, dignified royal princes, special forces, shield bearing soldiers, infantry, and slave
    soldiers, shielding the kingdom with internal protection, and repelling all its external enemies
    and their attacks,
    “In the same manner, the Noble Disciple keeps his energy up, for he has within him persevering
    effort to walk away from all unwholesome actions while cultivating and developing wholesome
    actions throughout his behavior. Being firm in resolve, he remains strong with heedfulness, never
    slacking or pulling back from his fervent dedication to develop wholesome qualities within
    himself. Thus, using his persevering energy as his troops, the Noble Disciple abandons all types
    of unwholesome actions while cultivating and developing wholesome actions; walking away
    from behavior that brings blame, while cultivating a behavior that is pure due to his blameless

    [page 5]
    actions. Thus, by living with purity throughout, the Noble Disciple is recognized as being
    endowed with his fifth good quality.
    6. “Bhikkhus, much like the king’s frontier fortress that has a wise and competent gate keeper,
    who stops strangers from entering and only allows those to enter who are known as friends,
    shielding the kingdom with internal protection, and repelling all its external enemies and their
    attacks,
    “In the same manner, the Noble Disciple is ever mindful and attentive, recalling with prudence
    what was done, mentioned, and told to him, even from a long time ago. Thus, by having ever
    present mindfulness as his competent gatekeeper, the Noble Disciple abandons all types of
    unwholesome actions while cultivating and developing wholesome actions, as he walks away
    from behavior that brings blame and cultivates a behavior that is pure due to his blameless
    actions. Thus, by living with purity throughout, the Noble Disciple is recognized as being
    endowed with his sixth good quality.
    7. “Bhikkhus, just like the king’s frontier fortress which has walls that are tall and wide, covered
    with smooth plaster that is slippery, shielding the kingdom with internal protection, and repelling
    all its external enemies and their attacks,
    “In the same manner, the Noble Disciple possesses the wisdom that sees both the rising and
    fading away of the five grabbing aggregates, which is itself noble and penetrating in insight, as it
    leads to the complete elimination of suffering. Therefore, Bhikkhus, the Noble Disciple, by
    possessing the shielding anointment of wisdom in his heart, abandons all types of unwholesome
    actions while cultivating and developing wholesome actions, as he walks away from behavior
    that brings blame and cultivates a behavior that is pure due to his blameless actions. Thus, by
    living with purity throughout, the Noble Disciple is recognized as being endowed with his
    seventh good quality.
    “Bhikkhus, these are the seven good qualities the Noble Disciple is endowed with.
    “And what, Bhikkhus, are the four jhānas in their superior aspects, wherein the Noble Disciple
    dwells now, in this very life, quickly and with no difficulty whatsoever?
    1. “Bhikkhus, just like within the king’s frontier fortress there is plenty of fuel, such as mounds
    of grass and firewood that have been accumulated, along with abundant supplies of water so that
    all those living within its walls continue living at ease and in comfort, not likely to be troubled
    by any threats from possible invaders, as they are capable to easily defend themselves against
    any external dangers,
    “In the same manner, the Noble Disciple, by secluding himself from sensual pleasures and
    pulling himself inwards from all manners of evil and unwholesome states, enters upon and
    abides in the first jhāna, which is accompanied by thinking and pondering, along with joy and
    pleasure that arise from such a seclusion. He does this so that he experiences the state of non-
    agitation, dwelling happily within himself, experiencing peace and comfort, in preparation for
    entering Nibbāna.

    [page 6]
    2. “Further, Bhikkhus, just like within the king’s frontier fortress there is plenty of grains, such
    as rice and barley that have been accumulated so that all those living within its walls continue
    living at ease and in comfort, not likely to be troubled by any threats from possible invaders, as
    they are capable to easily defend themselves against any external dangers,
    “In the same manner, the Noble Disciple continues advancing in his jhānic ladder, whereby
    through the disappearance of both thinking and pondering, he enters upon and abides in the
    second jhāna, which has self-confidence and unification of mind with no more thinking and
    pondering, but while experiencing joy and pleasure that are the result of his deepening of
    collectedness of mind. He does this so that he experiences the state of non-agitation, dwelling
    happily within himself, experiencing peace and comfort, in preparation for entering Nibbāna.
    3. “Further, Bhikkhus, just like within the king’s frontier fortress there are storehouses full of
    sesame, mung beans, and other types of beans that have been accumulated, so that all those
    living within its walls continue living at ease and in comfort, not likely to be troubled by any
    threats from any possible invaders, as they are capable to easily defend themselves against any
    external dangers.
    “In the same manner, the Noble Disciple enters the third jhāna, about which the Noble Ones
    declare: ‘Such a one mindfully abides in happiness, with an ever-present equanimity.’ Mindful
    and fully aware, the Noble Disciple continues feeling pleasure and happiness within the body,
    and with the disappearance of joy, he remains experiencing equanimity. He does this so that he
    experiences the state of non-agitation, dwelling happily within himself, experiencing peace and
    comfort, in preparation for entering Nibbāna.
    4. “Again, Bhikkhus, just like within the king’s frontier fortress there are plenty of medical
    supplies, such as purified ghee, butter, oils, honey, molasses, and salts that have been
    accumulated, so that all those living within its walls continue living at ease and in comfort, not
    likely to be troubled by any threats from possible invaders, as they are capable to easily defend
    themselves against any external dangers,
    “In the same manner, the Noble Disciple, by giving up both pleasure and pain altogether, and
    already having gone beyond both delight and distress, where he no longer experiences pleasure
    nor discomfort, and while remaining in the ever-present state of purifying mindfulness, with the
    overwhelming presence of equanimity, he attains to the fourth jhāna. He does this also, so that
    he experiences the state of non-agitation, dwelling happily within himself, experiencing peace
    and comfort, in preparation for entering Nibbāna.
    “These, Bhikkhus, are the four jhānas in their superior aspects, wherein the Noble Disciple
    dwells now, in this very life, quickly and with no difficulty whatsoever.
    “Therefore, Bhikkhus, when the Noble Disciple is endowed with these seven good qualities, he
    can (and whenever he desires to) enter the four jhānas in their superior aspects, wherein he
    dwells now, in this very life, quickly and with no difficulty whatsoever.

    [page 7]
    “In being able to do this, the Noble Disciple is said to be beyond the power and reach of Māra,
    no longer susceptible to Māra’s evil tricks.”

    Sādhu
    Sādhu
    Sādhu

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