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Majjhima Nikaya

# MN 31 Culagosinga Sutta (The Shorter Discourse in Gosinga) MN 31

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    [page 1]
    MN 31
    Culagosinga Sutta
    “The Shorter Discourse in Gosinga”
    Translated by Candana Bhikkhu

    Copyright © Bhikkhu Candana 2022

    I personally heard this.

    At one time, the Blessed One was living at the brick house in Nādikā. It was during that time,
    that the Venerables Anuruddha, Nandiya, and Kimbila were staying together at the Gosinga Sal
    Tree Forest, which was donated by the king.

    Then, when it was early evening, The Blessed One came out from his seclusion and went to the
    Gosinga Sal Tree Forest.

    Now, on seeing the Blessed One coming in the distance, the forest keeper called out to him:
    “Recluse, do not enter this forest! There are three sons of clansmen staying here, seeking and
    working on their own good. Do not enter and disturb them!”

    Meanwhile, the Venerable Anuruddha heard these words being spoken by the forest keeper, who
    was addressing the Blessed One, and he immediately called out the forest keeper:
    “Forest keeper, do not stop The Blessed One! It is our Teacher whom you’re obstructing! He is
    the Blessed One!”

    And quickly, the Venerable Anuruddha addressed the Venerables Nandiya and Kimbila:
    “Come, Friends! Venerable ones, Our Teacher has arrived!”

    Then, the Venerables Anuruddha, Nandiya, and Kimbila rushed to greet the Blessed One, as one
    received His bowl and outer robe, the other prepared His seat, and another brought water to the
    Blessed One for washing the feet.

    The Blessed One then sat on the prepared seat and washed His feet.

    Those Bhikkhus then paid their respect by worshipping the Blessed One and sat to one side.

    Then, The Blessed One addressed the Venerable Anuruddha by saying:

    “Anuruddha, are you all keeping well? Are you getting your requisites met? Do you have any
    fatigue owing to any lack in alms food?”

    “Bhante, we are keeping well. We all are getting our requisites met. We have no fatigue owing to
    any lack in alms food.

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    “Very good, Anuruddha. Are you united and in harmony, amicable, considerate towards and
    friendly with each other, without having any disputes? Are you like milk and water, blending
    together? Do you look upon each other with kindly and friendly eyes?”

    “Bhante, we are united and in harmony, amicable, considerate towards and friendly with each
    other, without having any disputes. We are indeed like milk and water, blending together,
    looking upon each other with kindly and friendly eyes.”

    “And how is it, Anuruddha, that you are able to live together in such harmony?”

    “Bhante, this is how I look at it: ‘It is truly such a great gain, such a privilege for me to live with
    these caring companions in the Holy Life!’

    “In this way, whether openly or in private, I live while engaging in and behaving with bodily
    actions that are beaming with loving kindness towards these venerable ones. I live while
    engaging in and behaving with verbal actions that are beaming with loving kindness towards
    these venerable ones. I live while engaging in and behaving with mental actions that are beaming
    with loving kindness towards these venerable ones.

    “I often reflect thus: ‘What if I put aside the thoughts and desires I have in my own heart, and
    just go along with the thoughts and desires of these venerable ones?’ So, I do just that, and
    forego my own thoughts and desires, and instead follow along with those of my dear companions
    in the Holy Life.

    “Bhante, in just this manner, we find ourselves to be different in our bodies, but one in our
    hearts.”

    Then, both the Venerable Nandiya and the Venerable Kimbila in turn responded to the Blessed
    One, by giving the same reply:

    “Bhante, this is how I look at it: ‘It is truly such a great gain, such a privilege for me to live with
    these caring companions in the Holy Life!’

    “In this way, whether openly or in private, I live while engaging in and behaving with bodily
    actions that are beaming with loving kindness towards these venerable ones. I live while
    engaging in and behaving with verbal actions that are beaming with loving kindness towards
    these venerable ones. I live while engaging in and behaving with mental actions that are beaming
    with loving kindness towards these venerable ones.

    “I often reflect thus: ‘What if I put aside the thoughts and desires I have in my own heart, and
    just go along with the thoughts and desires of these venerable ones?’ So, I do just that, and
    forego my own thoughts and desire, and instead follow along with those of my dear companions
    in the Holy Life.

    “Bhante, in just this manner, we find ourselves to be different in our bodies, but one in our
    hearts.”

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    Then the Venerable Anuruddha added:

    “Bhante, it is just in this manner that we find ourselves united and in harmony, amicable,
    considerate towards and friendly with each other, without having any disputes. Therefore, we are
    indeed like milk and water, blending together, looking upon each other with kindly and friendly
    eyes.”

    “Excellent, Anuruddha, excellent! And do you live diligently, keenly ardent, and resolute?”

    “Indeed, Bhante, we all live diligently, keenly ardent, and resolute.”

    “And how, Anuruddha, do you all live diligently, keenly ardent, and resolute?”

    “Bhante, after having gone for alms, whoever would return first from the village prepares the
    seats and sees to it that water for drinking and washing of the feet is available, as well as
    emptying the trash bin. And whoever is the last to return from the village eats whatever is left
    over if he so desires, and if he does not, then he throws it into a barren area, where nothing
    grows, or puts it into some water, where no life is apparent. Then, he puts away the seats, the
    water vessels, and after emptying and washing the trash bin, he sweeps the meal area.

    Furthermore, Bhante, whoever sees the water vessels used for drinking, washing, or for the
    toilets running low, he would go and fill them up. And if he finds the buckets to be too heavy to
    carry, then he calls out to one of the others to come and help him, but he does so with a gesture
    of the hands. He would not utter or say a single word on account of it.

    We maintain noble silence during the week, except for every fifth day where we sit throughout
    the night, discussing a topic on the Dhamma.

    “Bhante, in this manner, we all live diligently, keenly ardent, and resolute.

    “Excellent, Anuruddha, excellent! And while living diligently, keenly ardent, and resolutely in
    this manner, have you attained to any superhuman levels of knowledge and vision worthy of the
    Noble Ones, as a result of meditative and peacefully contented living?”

    “Of course, we attain to such superhuman levels indeed. For, whenever we desire, while being
    secluded from sensual desires and unwholesome thoughts, we all can enter upon and abide in the
    First Jhāna, which is accompanied by thinking and pondering, with joy and pleasure that arise
    from such seclusion. Bhante, this is one such superhuman level of knowledge and vision worthy
    of the Noble Ones, which we have each attained, as a result of meditative and peacefully
    contented living.

    “Excellent, Anuruddha, excellent! But have you attained to any superhuman levels of knowledge
    and vision that are beyond this peaceful state?”

    “Of course, Bhante, we attain to such superhuman levels that go beyond this peaceful state. For,
    by leaving behind both thinking and pondering, we can enter and dwell in the Second Jhāna,

    [page 4]
    where the heart becomes internally stabilized and tranquil and is brought to a single point, which
    brings with it joy and pleasure that is the result of the collectedness of mind. Bhante, this is
    another superhuman level of knowledge and vision, which we have each attained, as a result of
    meditative and peacefully contented living.”

    “Excellent, Anuruddha, excellent! But have you attained to any superhuman levels of knowledge
    and vision by moving beyond this peaceful state?”
    “Of course, Bhante, we attain indeed to such superhuman levels that go beyond this peaceful
    state. For, as equanimity grows within the mind, and the joy subsides, we can abide dispassionate
    for as long as we like, but mindful and fully aware as we experience the soothing relaxation
    within the body. Thus, we enter upon and abide in the Third Jhāna, of which the Noble Ones
    declare: `Mindfully one abides equanimous, experiencing happiness throughout.' Bhante, this is
    yet another superhuman level of knowledge and vision, which we have each attained, as a result
    of meditative and peacefully contented living.”
    “Excellent, Anuruddha, excellent! But have you attained to any superhuman levels of knowledge
    and vision, by leaving behind that peaceful state?”
    “Of course, Bhante, by going beyond that peaceful state, we attain to higher superhuman levels
    of knowledge and vision. For, by giving up both pleasure and pain, and having already gone
    beyond joy and anguish, we each abide in the state of purifying mindfulness with an ever-present
    sense of equanimity, while experiencing neither pleasure nor pain, having now gone beyond
    them, as we enter into and dwell in the Fourth Jhāna. Bhante, this is yet another superhuman
    level of knowledge and vision, which we have each attained, as a result of meditative and
    peacefully contented living.”
    “Excellent, Anuruddha, excellent! But have you attained to any superhuman levels of knowledge
    and vision, beyond that of this peaceful state as well?”
    “Of course, Bhante, by going beyond that peaceful state, we attain to higher superhuman levels
    of knowledge and vision. For, whenever we desire, by overcoming all perceptions of matter and
    overcoming memories or mental associations of anger, by ignoring and not giving any attention
    to passing thoughts of diversity, while directing the mind to the boundlessness of space, we have
    attained to and dwelled in the realm of infinity of space. Bhante, this is yet another superhuman
    level of knowledge and vision, which we have each attained, as a result of meditative and
    peacefully contented living.”
    “Excellent, Anuruddha, excellent! But have you attained to any superhuman levels of knowledge
    and vision, beyond that of this peaceful state as well?”
    “Of course, Bhante, by going beyond that peaceful state as well, we attain to higher superhuman
    levels of knowledge and vision. For, whenever we want to, by going beyond the realm of infinity
    of space, while directing the mind to the infinitely expanding consciousness, we have attained to
    and dwelled in the realm of infinity of consciousness. Bhante, this is yet another superhuman

    [page 5]
    level of knowledge and vision, which we have each attained, as a result of meditative and
    peacefully contented living.”
    “Excellent, Anuruddha, excellent! But have you attained to any superhuman levels of knowledge
    and vision, beyond that of this peaceful state as well?”
    “Of course, Bhante, by going beyond that peaceful state as well, we attain to higher superhuman
    levels of knowledge and vision. For, whenever we want to, by going beyond the realm of infinity
    of consciousness, while becoming aware that there is nothing, we have attained to and dwelled in
    the realm of nothingness. Bhante, this is yet another superhuman level of knowledge and vision,
    which we have each attained, as a result of meditative and peacefully contented living.”
    “Excellent, Anuruddha, excellent! But have you attained to any superhuman levels of knowledge
    and vision, beyond that of this peaceful state as well?”
    “Of course, Bhante, by going beyond that peaceful state as well, we attain to higher superhuman
    levels of knowledge and vision. For, whenever we want to, by going beyond the realm of
    nothingness, we have attained to and dwelled in the realm of neither perception nor non-
    perception. Bhante, this is yet another superhuman level of knowledge and vision, which we
    have each attained, as a result of meditative and peacefully contented living.”
    “Excellent, Anuruddha, excellent! But have you attained to any superhuman levels of knowledge
    and vision, beyond that of this peaceful state as well?”
    “Of course, Bhante, by going beyond that peaceful state as well, we attain to higher superhuman
    levels of knowledge and vision. For, whenever we want to, by going beyond the realm of neither
    perception nor non-perception, we have attained to and dwelled in the cessation of perceptions
    and feelings. And having seen it for ourselves, directly in this manner and with wisdom, the
    mental contaminants have all been completely destroyed in us. Bhante, this is yet another
    superhuman level of knowledge and vision, which we have each attained, as a result of
    meditative and peacefully contented living.”
    “Bhante, we have not witnessed nor experienced a more peaceful, noble, exalted, and
    superhuman state of being than this.”

    “Excellent, Anuruddha, excellent! For indeed, there is no state of being that is more peaceful,
    noble, exalted, and superhuman than this.”

    Then, the Blessed One encouragingly spoke, as he inspired, roused, and lightened the hearts of
    the Venerable Anuruddha, Nandiya, and Kimbila with an enlivening Talk on the Dhamma, and
    then He rose from His seat and left.
    The three Bhikkhus then accompanied their Teacher, by following after the Blessed One, and
    stopped short at the entrance of the Sal Forest.

    [page 6]
    It was then that the Venerables Nandiya and Kimbila both asked the Venerable Anuruddha:
    “Friend Anuruddha, did we ever discuss with you or tell you that we have attained any of those
    lofty states mentioned, which the Venerable one reported to The Blessed One, up to and
    including the complete destruction of the mental contaminants?”
    “No, Friends, the Venerable ones have not discussed with me nor told me about those lofty
    attainments, but I saw the truth of this in my heart, as I looked into your hearts. Furthermore, the
    Devas also informed me about this, and when the Blessed One questioned me on this, I replied
    by telling the truth of what I know.”
    Then the Yakkha Dīgha Parajana quickly went and approached the Blessed One, and after
    paying his respects, stood to one side, and said this to the Blessed One:

    “Bhante, it is truly such a great fortune for the Vajjis that the Blessed One, the Perfectly
    Awakened Buddha, lives among them, as do His three sons of good families: the Venerable
    Anuruddha, the Venerable Kimbila, and the Venerable Nandiya!”

    On hearing the jubilant words of the Yakkha Dīgha Parajana, the terrestrial Devas began echoing
    it.

    And on hearing the cries of the terrestrial Devas, the Devas of the retinue of the Four Great
    Kings also began echoing it.

    Similarly, on hearing the jubilant cries of Devas of the retinue of the Four Great Kings, the
    Devas of the realm of the Thirty-Three also began echoing it.

    And on hearing the cries of the Devas of the realm of the Thirty-Three, the Yāma Devas (The
    Happy Gods) also began echoing it.

    On hearing the jubilant cries of Yāma Devas, the Devas of the Tusita Heaven also began echoing
    it.

    And on hearing the jubilant cries of the Tusita Devas, the Nimmānaratī Devas (the Ones who
    delight in creation) also began echoing it.

    On hearing the jubilant cries of the Nimmānaratī Devas, the Paranimmānaratī Devas (the Ones
    who delight in controlling the creation of other gods) also began echoing it.

    And finally, on hearing the jubilant cries of the Paranimmānaratī Devas, the Brahma Gods also
    began echoing:

    “It is truly such a great fortune for the Vajjis that the Blessed One, the Perfectly Awakened
    Buddha, lives among them, as do His three sons of good families: the Venerable Anuruddha, the
    Venerable Kimbila, and the Venerable Nandiya!”

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    Thus, within that moment, in that short of an instance, the reputation and renown of those three
    Venerable ones reached as far as the Brahmā world.

    And the Blessed One addressed the Yakkha Dīgha Parajana, by saying:

    “Indeed, it is so, Dīgha! Indeed, it is so!

    For whatever clan these three sons of good families went forth from, if any of their immediate
    family members would recall these Three with a happy and joyful heart, that recollection itself
    will surely conduce to their own benefit and happiness, as it will stay with them for a long time.

    Similarly, if any of their extended family members would recall these Three with a happy and
    joyful heart, that recollection itself will surely conduce to their own benefit and happiness, as it
    will stay with them for a long time.

    Similarly, if any of their acquaintances from their native villages would recall these Three with a
    happy and joyful heart, that recollection itself will surely conduce to their own benefit and
    happiness, as it will stay with them for a long time.

    Similarly, if any of the citizens of their native towns would recall these Three with a happy and
    joyful heart, that recollection itself will surely conduce to their own benefit and happiness, as it
    will stay with them for a long time.

    Similarly, if any of the citizens of their native cities would recall these Three with a happy and
    joyful heart, that recollection itself will surely conduce to their own benefit and happiness, as it
    will stay with them for a long time.

    Similarly, if any of the citizens of their native countries would recall these Three with a happy
    and joyful heart, that recollection itself will surely conduce to their own benefit and happiness, as
    it will stay with them for a long time.

    Similarly, if any of the warrior kings of their respective regions would recall these Three with a
    happy and joyful heart, that recollection itself will surely conduce to their own benefit and
    happiness, as it will stay with them for a long time.

    Similarly, if any of the brahmins of their respective regions would recall these Three with a
    happy and joyful heart, that recollection itself will surely conduce to their own benefit and
    happiness, as it will stay with them for a long time.

    Similarly, if any of the merchants and business folk of their respective regions would recall these
    Three with a happy and joyful heart, that recollection itself will surely conduce to their own
    benefit and happiness, as it will stay with them for a long time.

    Similarly, if any of the workers and artisans of their respective regions would recall these Three
    with a happy and joyful heart, that recollection itself will surely conduce to their own benefit and
    happiness, as it will stay with them for a long time.

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    “Therefore, Dīgha, if anyone in this entire world with its Devas and humans, its recluses and
    brahmins, together with its Māras, Brahmās, would recall these Three with a happy and joyful
    heart, that recollection itself will surely conduce to their own benefit and happiness, as it will
    stay with them for a long time.

    “After all, Dīgha, those Three Sons of good families are living their lives while practicing for the
    happiness, benefit, and welfare of many beings, out of compassion for the entire world systems,
    for the happiness and wellbeing of both Devas and humans.”

    That is what the Blessed One said, and the Yakkha Dīgha Parajana was delighted in hearing the
    words of the Blessed One.

    Sadhu

    Sadhu

    Sadhu

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