AN 3.104 — Gratification (1st)

English translation by Bhikkhu Candana.

Translation

Text

103. Paṭhama Assada Sutta (Seeking Satisfaction – Part 1) Bhikkhus, I went in search of satisfaction in the world, whatever satisfaction that could be found in the world. Then, on having found and experienced it thoroughly and to its maximum limits, I saw with wisdom how far exactly, the satisfaction in the world really extends.

Bhikkhus, I went in search of the danger in the world, whatever danger that is to be found in the world. Then, on having found and experienced it thoroughly, I saw with wisdom how far exactly, the danger in the world really extends.

Bhikkhus, I went in search of the escape from the world, whatever escape that is to be found from the world. Then, on having found and experienced it thoroughly, I saw with wisdom how far exactly, the escape from the world really extends, and where it truly leads.

Then, it occurred to me:

“The arising of pleasure and its enjoyment, as a result of something that is experienced in the world, is itself the seeking of satisfaction in this world. The fact that nothing lasts, and that there is impermanence, suffering, in the face of ever-present change in the world, that is the danger. The obliteration of that pursuit after something, along with the desire for more, and therefore, the complete giving up and abandonment of the passion and the lusting after things, is truly the escape from the world.”

Bhikkhus, until I knew as it really is: the satisfaction as the satisfaction; the danger as the danger; and the escape as the escape, I did not announce to the world, together with its Devas, Māras, Brahmās, and the community of recluses and brahmins, My rightful Awakening into the Matchless and Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment.

It was only after My rightful, Matchless, Unsurpassed and Perfect Awakening, when I knew through direct knowledge, by seeing it as it truly is, the very seeking after satisfaction as satisfaction; the danger in its pursuit as the danger; and the escape from it as the escape, that I did declare to the world and this entire existence, together with its Devas, Māras, Brahmās, and the community of recluses and brahmins, the fact of My Matchless and Unsurpassed Perfect Enlightenment.

Then, the unmistakable Knowledge and Vision arose in Me, and I understood, without the shadow of a doubt:

‘Unshakeable is my Liberation of Heart. This is My last birth.

There will be no more rebirths for me anywhere, anymore.’