AN 1.555-564

English translation by Bhikkhu Candana.

Translation

Text

555. “Furthermore, Bhikkhus, if the Bhikkhu were to cultivate the spiritual faculty of faith with the support of Muditā, even for just a snap of a finger, then he is to be declared a Bhikkhu who is able to attain to jhāna, living and training according to The Dispensation of The Teacher. Thus, he would be rightfully and blamelessly partaking of the food offered to him by the public, and therefore not be blameworthy in consuming all that is offered to him.

“And if this can be said about such a Bhikkhu, then how much more could be said about the Bhikkhu, who is fully dedicated and immersed in training himself in it, throughout his life?”

556. “Furthermore, Bhikkhus, if the Bhikkhu were to cultivate the spiritual faculty of persevering energy with the support of Muditā, even for just a snap of a finger, then he is to be declared a Bhikkhu who is able to attain to jhāna, living and training according to The Dispensation of The Teacher. Thus, he would be rightfully and blamelessly partaking of the food offered to him by the public, and therefore not being blameworthy in consuming all that is offered to him.

“And if this can be said about such a Bhikkhu, then how much more could be said about the Bhikkhu, who is fully dedicated and immersed in training himself in it, throughout his life?”

557. “Furthermore, Bhikkhus, if the Bhikkhu were to cultivate the spiritual faculty of mindfulness with the support of Muditā, even for just a snap of a finger, then he is to be declared a Bhikkhu who is able to attain to jhāna, living and training according to The Dispensation of The Teacher. Thus, he would be rightfully and blamelessly partaking of the food offered to him by the public, and therefore not be blameworthy in consuming all that is offered to him. “And if this can be said about such a Bhikkhu, then how much more could be said about the Bhikkhu, who is fully dedicated and immersed in training himself in it, throughout his life?”

558. “Furthermore, Bhikkhus, if the Bhikkhu were to cultivate the spiritual faculty of samādhi with the support of Muditā, even for just a snap of a finger, then he is to be declared a Bhikkhu who is able to attain to jhāna, living and training according to The Dispensation of The Teacher. Thus, he would be rightfully and blamelessly partaking of the food offered to him by the public, and therefore not be blameworthy in consuming all that is offered to him.

“And if this can be said about such a Bhikkhu, then how much more could be said about the Bhikkhu, who is fully dedicated and immersed in training himself in it, throughout his life?”

559. “Furthermore, Bhikkhus, if the Bhikkhu were to cultivate the spiritual faculty of discerning wisdom with the support of Muditā, even for just a snap of a finger, then he is to be declared a Bhikkhu who is able to attain to jhāna, living and training according to The Dispensation of The Teacher. Thus, he would be rightfully and blamelessly partaking of the food offered to him by the public, and therefore not be blameworthy in consuming all that is offered to him.

“And if this can be said about such a Bhikkhu, then how much more could be said about the Bhikkhu, who is fully dedicated and immersed in training himself in it, throughout his life?”

560. “Furthermore, Bhikkhus, if the Bhikkhu were to cultivate the spiritual power of faith with the support of Muditā, even for just a snap of a finger, then he is to be declared a Bhikkhu who is able to attain to jhāna, living and training according to The Dispensation of The Teacher. Thus, he would be rightfully and blamelessly partaking of the food offered to him by the public, and therefore not be blameworthy in consuming all that is offered to him.

“And if this can be said about such a Bhikkhu, then how much more could be said about the Bhikkhu, who is fully dedicated and immersed in training himself in it, throughout his life?”

561. “Furthermore, Bhikkhus, if the Bhikkhu were to cultivate the spiritual power of persevering energy with the support of Muditā, even for just a snap of a finger, then he is to be declared a Bhikkhu who is able to attain to jhāna, living and training according to The Dispensation of The Teacher. Thus, he would be rightfully and blamelessly partaking of the food offered to him by the public, and therefore not be blameworthy in consuming all that is offered to him.

“And if this can be said about such a Bhikkhu, then how much more could be said about the Bhikkhu, who is fully dedicated and immersed in training himself in it, throughout his life?”

562. “Furthermore, Bhikkhus, if the Bhikkhu were to cultivate the spiritual power of mindfulness with the support of Muditā, even for just a snap of a finger, then he is to be declared a Bhikkhu who is able to attain to jhāna, living and training according to The Dispensation of The Teacher. Thus, he would be rightfully and blamelessly partaking of the food offered to him by the public, and therefore not be blameworthy in consuming all that is offered to him.

“And if this can be said about such a Bhikkhu, then how much more could be said about the Bhikkhu, who is fully dedicated and immersed in training himself in it, throughout his life?”

563. “Furthermore, Bhikkhus, if the Bhikkhu were to cultivate the spiritual power of samādhi with the support of Muditā, even for just a snap of a finger, then he is to be declared a Bhikkhu who is able to attain to jhāna, living and training according to The Dispensation of The Teacher. Thus, he would be rightfully and blamelessly partaking of the food offered to him by the public, and therefore not be blameworthy in consuming all that is offered to him.

“And if this can be said about such a Bhikkhu, then how much more could be said about the Bhikkhu, who is fully dedicated and immersed in training himself in it, throughout his life?”

564. “Furthermore, Bhikkhus, if the Bhikkhu were to cultivate the spiritual power of discerning wisdom with the support of Muditā, even for just a snap of a finger, then he is to be declared a Bhikkhu who is able to attain to jhāna, living and training according to The Dispensation of The Teacher. Thus, he would be rightfully and blamelessly partaking of the food offered to him by the public, and therefore not be blameworthy in consuming all that is offered to him. “And if this can be said about such a Bhikkhu, then how much more could be said about the Bhikkhu, who is fully dedicated and immersed in training himself in it, throughout his life?”