4👑☸ Cattāri Ariya-saccaṃ 四聖諦

4👑☸ → MN‍ → MN 78    🔝
     MN 78.1 - (Uggāhamāna's invincible ascetic— no bad body action, word, thought, livelihood)
    MN 78.2 - (Buddha’s ideal ascetic has 10 Dharmas)
    MN 78.3 - (What are unskillful behaviors)
    MN 78.4 - (What are kusala sila? )
    MN 78.5 - (what are 3 akusalā saṅkappā? exact opposite of 3 aspects of right resolve, lust, ill will, harm)
    MN 78.6 - (what are 3 kusalā saṅkappā? same 3 aspects of Right Resolve)
    MN 78.7 - (conclusion )

detailed TOC

     MN 78.1 - (Uggāhamāna's invincible ascetic— no bad body action, word, thought, livelihood)
        MN 78.1.1 - (Buddha makes fun of him, compare to baby)
    MN 78.2 - (Buddha’s ideal ascetic has 10 Dharmas)
        MN 78.2.1 - (10 Dharmas revealed in conclusion as 8aam + right knowledge + right liberation)
        MN 78.2.2 - (but these things need to be understood first)
    MN 78.3 - (What are unskillful behaviors)
        MN 78.3.1 - (Where do them stem from? )
        MN 78.3.2 - (How do they cease? )
        MN 78.3.3 - (what’s the practice for their cessation? Right effort)
    MN 78.4 - (What are kusala sila? )
        MN 78.4.1 - (where do they stem from?)
        MN 78.4.2 - (where do they cease? )
        MN 78.4.3 - (Kusala sīla purified by right effort)
    MN 78.5 - (what are 3 akusalā saṅkappā? exact opposite of 3 aspects of right resolve, lust, ill will, harm)
        MN 78.5.1 - (Akusalā saṅkappā depend on 3 perceptions based on opposite of right resolves, lust, ill will, harm)
        MN 78.5.2 - (akusalā saṅkappā cease in first jhāna)
        MN 78.5.3 - (right effort does the work of removing akusalā saṅkappā within, and prior to first jhāna)
    MN 78.6 - (what are 3 kusalā saṅkappā? same 3 aspects of Right Resolve)
        MN 78.6.1 (kusalā saṅkappā depend on the 3 kusala perceptions)
        MN 78.6.2 - (kusalā saṅkappā cease in 2nd jhāna)
        MN 78.6.2.0 – (that means kusalā saṅkappā are active in 1st jhāna!
        MN 78.6.3 - (right effort removes kusala sankappa from first jhāna resulting in no V&V of 2nd jhāna)
    MN 78.7 - (conclusion )

MN 78 Samaṇamuṇḍika: (name of person)

(2022 SP-FLUENT translation by frankk‍ derived from B. Sujato‍ 2018/12)

Majjhima Nikāya 78
 Middle Discourses 78
Samaṇamuṇḍikasutta
 With Uggāhamāna Samaṇamuṇḍika
Evaṃ me sutaṃ—​
 So I have heard.
ekaṃ samayaṃ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṃ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.
 At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.
Tena kho pana samayena uggāhamāno paribbājako samaṇamuṇḍikāputto samayappavādake tindukācīre ekasālake mallikāya ārāme paṭivasati mahatiyā paribbājakaparisāya saddhiṃ pañcamattehi paribbājakasatehi.
 Now at that time the wanderer Uggāhamāna Samaṇamuṇḍikāputta was residing together with around three hundred wanderers in Mallikā’s single-halled monastery for group debates, set among the flaking pale-moon ebony trees.
Atha kho pañcakaṅgo thapati sāvatthiyā nikkhami divā divassa bhagavantaṃ dassanāya.
 Then the master builder Pañcakaṅga left Sāvatthī in the middle of the day to see the Buddha.
Atha kho pañcakaṅgassa thapatissa etadahosi:
 Then it occurred to him:
“akālo kho tāva bhagavantaṃ dassanāya;
 “It’s the wrong time to see the Buddha,
paṭisallīno bhagavā.
 as he’s in retreat.
Manobhāvaniyānampi bhikkhūnaṃ asamayo dassanāya;
 And it’s the wrong time to see the esteemed monks,
paṭisallīnā manobhāvaniyā bhikkhū.
 as they’re in retreat.
Yannūnāhaṃ yena samayappavādako tindukācīro ekasālako mallikāya ārāmo yena uggāhamāno paribbājako samaṇamuṇḍikāputto tenupasaṅkameyyan”ti.
 Why don’t I go to Mallikā’s monastery to visit the wanderer Uggāhamāna?”
Atha kho pañcakaṅgo thapati yena samayappavādako tindukācīro ekasālako mallikāya ārāmo yena uggāhamāno paribbājako samaṇamuṇḍikāputto tenupasaṅkami.
 So that’s what he did.
Tena kho pana samayena uggāhamāno paribbājako samaṇamuṇḍikāputto mahatiyā paribbājakaparisāya saddhiṃ nisinno hoti unnādiniyā uccāsaddamahāsaddāya anekavihitaṃ tiracchānakathaṃ kathentiyā, seyyathidaṃ—
 Now at that time, Uggāhamāna was sitting together with a large assembly of wanderers making an uproar, a dreadful racket. They engaged in all kinds of unworthy talk, such as
rājakathaṃ corakathaṃ mahāmattakathaṃ senākathaṃ bhayakathaṃ yuddhakathaṃ annakathaṃ pānakathaṃ vatthakathaṃ sayanakathaṃ mālākathaṃ gandhakathaṃ ñātikathaṃ yānakathaṃ gāmakathaṃ nigamakathaṃ nagarakathaṃ janapadakathaṃ itthikathaṃ sūrakathaṃ visikhākathaṃ kumbhaṭṭhānakathaṃ pubbapetakathaṃ nānattakathaṃ lokakkhāyikaṃ samuddakkhāyikaṃ itibhavābhavakathaṃ iti vā.
 talk about kings, bandits, and ministers; talk about armies, threats, and wars; talk about food, drink, clothes, and beds; talk about garlands and fragrances; talk about family, vehicles, villages, towns, cities, and countries; talk about women and heroes; street talk and well talk; talk about the departed; motley talk; tales of land and sea; and talk about being reborn in this or that state of existence.

78.1 - (Uggāhamāna's invincible ascetic— no bad body action, word, thought, livelihood)


Addasā kho uggāhamāno paribbājako samaṇamuṇḍikāputto pañcakaṅgaṃ thapatiṃ dūratova āgacchantaṃ.
 Uggāhamāna saw Pañcakaṅga coming off in the distance,
Disvāna sakaṃ parisaṃ saṇṭhāpesi:
 and hushed his own assembly:
“appasaddā bhonto hontu, mā bhonto saddamakattha;
 “Be quiet, good sirs, don’t make a sound.
ayaṃ samaṇassa gotamassa sāvako āgacchati pañcakaṅgo thapati.
 Here comes Pañcakaṅga, a disciple of the ascetic Gotama.
Yāvatā kho pana samaṇassa gotamassa sāvakā gihī odātavasanā sāvatthiyaṃ paṭivasanti ayaṃ tesaṃ aññataro pañcakaṅgo thapati.
 He is included among the white-clothed lay disciples of the ascetic Gotama, who is residing in Sāvatthī.
Appasaddakāmā kho pana te āyasmanto appasaddavinītā appasaddassa vaṇṇavādino;
 Such venerables like the quiet, are educated to be quiet, and praise the quiet.
appeva nāma appasaddaṃ parisaṃ viditvā upasaṅkamitabbaṃ maññeyyā”ti.
 Hopefully if he sees that our assembly is quiet he’ll see fit to approach.”
Atha kho te paribbājakā tuṇhī ahesuṃ.
 Then those wanderers fell silent.
Atha kho pañcakaṅgo thapati yena uggāhamāno paribbājako samaṇamuṇḍikāputto tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā uggāhamānena paribbājakena samaṇamuṇḍikāputtena saddhiṃ sammodi.
 Then Pañcakaṅga approached Uggāhamāna, and exchanged greetings with him.
Sammodanīyaṃ kathaṃ sāraṇīyaṃ vītisāretvā ekamantaṃ nisīdi. Ekamantaṃ nisinnaṃ kho pañcakaṅgaṃ thapatiṃ uggāhamāno paribbājako samaṇamuṇḍikāputto etadavoca:
 When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side. Uggāhamāna said to him:
“catūhi kho ahaṃ, gahapati, dhammehi samannāgataṃ purisapuggalaṃ paññapemi sampannakusalaṃ paramakusalaṃ uttamapattipattaṃ samaṇaṃ ayojjhaṃ.
 “Householder, when an individual has four Dharmas I describe them as an invincible ascetic—accomplished in the skillful, excelling in the skillful, attained to the highest attainment.
Katamehi catūhi?
 What four?
Idha, gahapati, na kāyena pāpakammaṃ karoti, na pāpakaṃ vācaṃ bhāsati, na pāpakaṃ saṅkappaṃ saṅkappeti, na pāpakaṃ ājīvaṃ ājīvati—
 It’s when they do no bad deeds with their body; speak no bad words; resolve no bad resolves; and don’t earn a living by bad livelihood.
imehi kho ahaṃ, gahapati, catūhi dhammehi samannāgataṃ purisapuggalaṃ paññapemi sampannakusalaṃ paramakusalaṃ uttamapattipattaṃ samaṇaṃ ayojjhan”ti.
 When an individual has these four Dharmas I describe them as an invincible ascetic.”
Atha kho pañcakaṅgo thapati uggāhamānassa paribbājakassa samaṇamuṇḍikāputtassa bhāsitaṃ neva abhinandi nappaṭikkosi.
 Then Pañcakaṅga neither approved nor dismissed that monk’s statement.
Anabhinanditvā appaṭikkositvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkāmi:
 He got up from his seat, thinking:
“bhagavato santike etassa bhāsitassa atthaṃ ājānissāmī”ti.
 “I will learn the meaning of this statement from the Buddha himself.”
Atha kho pañcakaṅgo thapati yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṃ abhivādetvā ekamantaṃ nisīdi.
 Then he went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side,
Ekamantaṃ nisinno kho pañcakaṅgo thapati yāvatako ahosi uggāhamānena paribbājakena samaṇamuṇḍikāputtena saddhiṃ kathāsallāpo taṃ sabbaṃ bhagavato ārocesi.
 and informed the Buddha of all that had been discussed.

78.1.1 - (Buddha makes fun of him, compare to baby)


Evaṃ vutte, bhagavā pañcakaṅgaṃ thapatiṃ etadavoca:
 When he had spoken, the Buddha said to him:
“evaṃ sante kho, thapati, daharo kumāro mando uttānaseyyako sampannakusalo bhavissati paramakusalo uttamapattipatto samaṇo ayojjho, yathā uggāhamānassa paribbājakassa samaṇamuṇḍikāputtassa vacanaṃ.
 “Master builder, if what Uggāhamāna says is true, a little baby boy is an invincible ascetic—accomplished in the skillful, excelling in the skillful, attained to the highest attainment.
Daharassa hi, thapati, kumārassa mandassa uttānaseyyakassa kāyotipi na hoti, kuto pana kāyena pāpakammaṃ karissati, aññatra phanditamattā.
 For a little baby doesn’t even have a concept of ‘a body’, so how could they possibly do a bad deed with their body, apart from just wriggling?
Daharassa hi, thapati, kumārassa mandassa uttānaseyyakassa vācātipi na hoti, kuto pana pāpakaṃ vācaṃ bhāsissati, aññatra roditamattā.
 And a little baby doesn’t even have a concept of ‘speech’, so how could they possibly speak bad words, apart from just crying?
Daharassa hi, thapati, kumārassa mandassa uttānaseyyakassa saṅkappotipi na hoti, kuto pana pāpakaṃ saṅkappaṃ saṅkappissati, aññatra vikūjitamattā.
 And a little baby doesn’t even have a concept of ‘resolve’, so how could they possibly resolve bad resolves, apart from just whimpering?
Daharassa hi, thapati, kumārassa mandassa uttānaseyyakassa ājīvotipi na hoti, kuto pana pāpakaṃ ājīvaṃ ājīvissati, aññatra mātuthaññā.
 And a little baby doesn’t even have a concept of ‘livelihood’, so how could they possibly earn a living by bad livelihood, apart from their mother’s breast?
Evaṃ sante kho, thapati, daharo kumāro mando uttānaseyyako sampannakusalo bhavissati paramakusalo uttamapattipatto samaṇo ayojjho, yathā uggāhamānassa paribbājakassa samaṇamuṇḍikāputtassa vacanaṃ.
 If what Uggāhamāna says is true, a little baby boy is an invincible ascetic—accomplished in the skillful, excelling in the skillful, attained to the highest attainment.

78.2 - (Buddha’s ideal ascetic has 10 Dharmas)

78.2.1 - (10 Dharmas revealed in conclusion as 8aam + right knowledge + right liberation)


Catūhi kho ahaṃ, thapati, dhammehi samannāgataṃ purisapuggalaṃ paññapemi na ceva sampannakusalaṃ na paramakusalaṃ na uttamapattipattaṃ samaṇaṃ ayojjhaṃ, api cimaṃ daharaṃ kumāraṃ mandaṃ uttānaseyyakaṃ samadhigayha tiṭṭhati.
 When an individual has four Dharmas I describe them, not as an invincible ascetic—accomplished in the skillful, excelling in the skillful, attained to the highest attainment—but as having achieved the same level as a little baby.
Katamehi catūhi?
 What four?
Idha, thapati, na kāyena pāpakammaṃ karoti, na pāpakaṃ vācaṃ bhāsati, na pāpakaṃ saṅkappaṃ saṅkappeti, na pāpakaṃ ājīvaṃ ājīvati—
 It’s when they do no bad deeds with their body; speak no bad words; resolve no bad resolves; and don’t earn a living by bad livelihood.
imehi kho ahaṃ, thapati, catūhi dhammehi samannāgataṃ purisapuggalaṃ paññapemi na ceva sampannakusalaṃ na paramakusalaṃ na uttamapattipattaṃ samaṇaṃ ayojjhaṃ, api cimaṃ daharaṃ kumāraṃ mandaṃ uttānaseyyakaṃ samadhigayha tiṭṭhati.
 When an individual has these four Dharmas I describe them, not as an invincible ascetic, but as having achieved the same level as a little baby.

78.2.2 - (but these things need to be understood first)


Dasahi kho ahaṃ, thapati, dhammehi samannāgataṃ purisapuggalaṃ paññapemi sampannakusalaṃ paramakusalaṃ uttamapattipattaṃ samaṇaṃ ayojjhaṃ.
 When an individual has ten Dharmas, master builder, I describe them as an invincible ascetic—accomplished in the skillful, excelling in the skillful, attained to the highest attainment.
Ime akusalā sīlā;
 But certain things must first be understood, I say. ‘These are unskillful behaviors.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.
Itosamuṭṭhānā akusalā sīlā;
 ‘Unskillful behaviors stem from this.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.
Idha akusalā sīlā aparisesā nirujjhanti;
 ‘Here unskillful behaviors cease without anything left over.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.
Evaṃ paṭipanno akusalānaṃ sīlānaṃ nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti;
 ‘Someone practicing like this is practicing for the cessation of unskillful behaviors.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.
Ime kusalā sīlā;
 ‘These are skillful behaviors.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.
Itosamuṭṭhānā kusalā sīlā;
 ‘Skillful behaviors stem from this.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.
Idha kusalā sīlā aparisesā nirujjhanti;
 ‘Here skillful behaviors cease without anything left over.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.
Evaṃ paṭipanno kusalānaṃ sīlānaṃ nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti;
 ‘Someone practicing like this is practicing for the cessation of skillful behaviors.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.
Ime akusalā saṅkappā;
 ‘These are unskillful resolves.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.
Itosamuṭṭhānā akusalā saṅkappā;
 ‘Unskillful resolves stem from this.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.
Idha akusalā saṅkappā aparisesā nirujjhanti;
 ‘Here unskillful resolves cease without anything left over.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.
Evaṃ paṭipanno akusalānaṃ saṅkappānaṃ nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti;
 ‘Someone practicing like this is practicing for the cessation of unskillful resolves.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.
Ime kusalā saṅkappā;
 ‘These are skillful resolves.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.
Itosamuṭṭhānā kusalā saṅkappā;
 ‘Skillful resolves stem from this.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.
Idha kusalā saṅkappā aparisesā nirujjhanti;
 ‘Here skillful resolves cease without anything left over.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.
Evaṃ paṭipanno kusalānaṃ saṅkappānaṃ nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti;
 ‘Someone practicing like this is practicing for the cessation of skillful resolves.’
tamahaṃ, thapati, veditabbanti vadāmi.

78.3 - (What are unskillful behaviors)


Katame ca, thapati, akusalā sīlā?
 And what, master builder, are unskillful behaviors?
Akusalaṃ kāyakammaṃ, akusalaṃ vacīkammaṃ, pāpako ājīvo—
 Unskillful deeds by way of body and speech, and bad livelihood.
ime vuccanti, thapati, akusalā sīlā.
 These are called unskillful behaviors.

78.3.1 - (Where do them stem from? )


Ime ca, thapati, akusalā sīlā kiṃsamuṭṭhānā?
 And where do these unskillful behaviors stem from?
Samuṭṭhānampi nesaṃ vuttaṃ.
 Where they stem from has been stated.
‘Cittasamuṭṭhānā’tissa vacanīyaṃ.
 You should say that they stem from the mind.
Katamaṃ cittaṃ?
 What mind?
Cittampi hi bahuṃ anekavidhaṃ nānappakārakaṃ.
 The mind takes many and diverse forms.
Yaṃ cittaṃ sarāgaṃ sadosaṃ samohaṃ, itosamuṭṭhānā akusalā sīlā.
 But unskillful behaviors stem from a mind that has greed, hate, and delusion.

78.3.2 - (How do they cease? )


Ime ca, thapati, akusalā sīlā kuhiṃ aparisesā nirujjhanti?
 And where do these unskillful behaviors cease without anything left over?
Nirodhopi nesaṃ vutto.
 Their cessation has also been stated.
Idha, thapati, bhikkhu kāyaduccaritaṃ pahāya kāyasucaritaṃ bhāveti, vacīduccaritaṃ pahāya vacīsucaritaṃ bhāveti, manoduccaritaṃ pahāya manosucaritaṃ bhāveti, micchājīvaṃ pahāya sammājīvena jīvitaṃ kappeti—
 It’s when a monk gives up bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and develops good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind; they give up wrong livelihood and earn a living by right livelihood.
etthete akusalā sīlā aparisesā nirujjhanti.
 This is where these unskillful behaviors cease without anything left over.

78.3.3 - (what’s the practice for their cessation? Right effort)


Kathaṃ paṭipanno, thapati, akusalānaṃ sīlānaṃ nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti?
 And how is someone practicing for the cessation of unskillful behaviors?
Idha, thapati, bhikkhu anuppannānaṃ pāpakānaṃ akusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ anuppādāya chandaṃ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṃ ārabhati cittaṃ paggaṇhāti padahati;
 It’s when a monk generates enthusiasm, tries, makes an effort, exerts the mind, and strives so that bad, unskillful Dharmas don’t arise.
uppannānaṃ pāpakānaṃ akusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ pahānāya chandaṃ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṃ ārabhati cittaṃ paggaṇhāti padahati;
 They generate enthusiasm, try, make an effort, exert the mind, and strive so that bad, unskillful Dharmas that have arisen are given up.
anuppannānaṃ kusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ uppādāya chandaṃ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṃ ārabhati cittaṃ paggaṇhāti padahati;
 They generate enthusiasm, try, make an effort, exert the mind, and strive so that skillful Dharmas arise.
uppannānaṃ kusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ ṭhitiyā asammosāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya bhāvanāya pāripūriyā chandaṃ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṃ ārabhati cittaṃ paggaṇhāti padahati.
 They generate enthusiasm, try, make an effort, exert the mind, and strive so that skillful Dharmas that have arisen remain, are not lost, but increase, mature, and are completed by development.
Evaṃ paṭipanno kho, thapati, akusalānaṃ sīlānaṃ nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti.
 Someone practicing like this is practicing for the cessation of unskillful behaviors.

78.4 - (What are kusala sila? )


Katame ca, thapati, kusalā sīlā?
 And what are skillful behaviors?
Kusalaṃ kāyakammaṃ, kusalaṃ vacīkammaṃ, ājīvaparisuddhampi kho ahaṃ, thapati, sīlasmiṃ vadāmi.
 Skillful deeds by way of body and speech, and purified livelihood are included in behavior, I say.
Ime vuccanti, thapati, kusalā sīlā.
 These are called skillful behaviors.

78.4.1 - (where do they stem from?)


Ime ca, thapati, kusalā sīlā kiṃsamuṭṭhānā?
 And where do these skillful behaviors stem from?
Samuṭṭhānampi nesaṃ vuttaṃ.
 Where they stem from has been stated.
‘Cittasamuṭṭhānā’tissa vacanīyaṃ.
 You should say that they stem from the mind.
Katamaṃ cittaṃ?
 What mind?
Cittampi hi bahuṃ anekavidhaṃ nānappakārakaṃ.
 The mind takes many and diverse forms.
Yaṃ cittaṃ vītarāgaṃ vītadosaṃ vītamohaṃ, itosamuṭṭhānā kusalā sīlā.
 But skillful behaviors stem from a mind that is free from greed, hate, and delusion.

78.4.2 - (where do they cease? )


Ime ca, thapati, kusalā sīlā kuhiṃ aparisesā nirujjhanti?
 And where do these skillful behaviors cease without anything left over?
Nirodhopi nesaṃ vutto.
 Their cessation has also been stated.
Idha, thapati, bhikkhu sīlavā hoti no ca sīlamayo,
 It’s when a monk behaves ethically, but they don’t identify with their ethical behavior.
tañca cetovimuttiṃ paññāvimuttiṃ yathābhūtaṃ pajānāti; yatthassa te kusalā sīlā aparisesā nirujjhanti.
 And they truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where these skillful behaviors cease without anything left over.

78.4.3 - (Kusala sīla purified by right effort)


Kathaṃ paṭipanno ca, thapati, kusalānaṃ sīlānaṃ nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti?
 And how is someone practicing for the cessation of skillful behaviors?
Idha, thapati, bhikkhu anuppannānaṃ pāpakānaṃ akusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ anuppādāya chandaṃ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṃ ārabhati cittaṃ paggaṇhāti padahati;
 It’s when a monk generates enthusiasm, tries, makes an effort, exerts the mind, and strives so that bad, unskillful Dharmas don’t arise …
uppannānaṃ pāpakānaṃ akusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ pahānāya … pe …
 so that unskillful Dharmas are given up …
anuppannānaṃ kusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ uppādāya … pe …
 so that skillful Dharmas arise …
uppannānaṃ kusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ ṭhitiyā asammosāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya bhāvanāya pāripūriyā chandaṃ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṃ ārabhati cittaṃ paggaṇhāti padahati.
 so that skillful Dharmas that have arisen remain, are not lost, but increase, mature, and are fulfilled by development.
Evaṃ paṭipanno kho, thapati, kusalānaṃ sīlānaṃ nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti.
 Someone practicing like this is practicing for the cessation of skillful behaviors.

78.5 - (what are 3 akusalā saṅkappā? exact opposite of 3 aspects of right resolve, lust, ill will, harm)


Katame ca, thapati, akusalā saṅkappā?
 And what are unskillful resolves?
Kāmasaṅkappo, byāpādasaṅkappo, vihiṃsāsaṅkappo—
 resolves of sensuality, of malice, and of cruelty.
ime vuccanti, thapati, akusalā saṅkappā.
 These are called unskillful resolves.

78.5.1 - (Akusalā saṅkappā depend on 3 perceptions based on opposite of right resolves, lust, ill will, harm)


Ime ca, thapati, akusalā saṅkappā kiṃsamuṭṭhānā?
 And where do these unskillful resolves stem from?
Samuṭṭhānampi nesaṃ vuttaṃ.
 Where they stem from has been stated.
‘Saññāsamuṭṭhānā’tissa vacanīyaṃ.
 You should say that they stem from perception.
Katamā saññā?
 What perception?
Saññāpi hi bahū anekavidhā nānappakārakā.
 Perception takes many and diverse forms.
Kāmasaññā, byāpādasaññā, vihiṃsāsaññā—
 Perceptions of sensuality, malice, and cruelty—
itosamuṭṭhānā akusalā saṅkappā.
 unskillful resolves stem from this.

78.5.2 - (akusalā saṅkappā cease in first jhāna)


Ime ca, thapati, akusalā saṅkappā kuhiṃ aparisesā nirujjhanti?
 And where do these unskillful resolves cease without anything left over?
Nirodhopi nesaṃ vutto.
 Their cessation has also been stated.
Idha, thapati, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi … pe … paṭhamaṃ jhānaṃ upasampajja viharati;
 It’s when a monk, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful Dharmas, enters and remains in the first jhāna, which has the rapture and pleasure born of seclusion, while directing-thought and evaluation.
etthete akusalā saṅkappā aparisesā nirujjhanti.
 This is where these unskillful resolves cease without anything left over.

78.5.3 - (right effort does the work of removing akusalā saṅkappā within, and prior to first jhāna)


Kathaṃ paṭipanno ca, thapati, akusalānaṃ saṅkappānaṃ nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti?
 And how is someone practicing for the cessation of unskillful resolves?
Idha, thapati, bhikkhu anuppannānaṃ pāpakānaṃ akusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ anuppādāya chandaṃ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṃ ārabhati cittaṃ paggaṇhāti padahati;
 It’s when a monk generates enthusiasm, tries, makes an effort, exerts the mind, and strives so that bad, unskillful Dharmas don’t arise …
uppannānaṃ pāpakānaṃ akusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ pahānāya … pe …
 so that unskillful Dharmas are given up …
anuppannānaṃ kusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ uppādāya … pe …
 so that skillful Dharmas arise …
uppannānaṃ kusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ ṭhitiyā asammosāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya bhāvanāya pāripūriyā chandaṃ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṃ ārabhati cittaṃ paggaṇhāti padahati.
 so that skillful Dharmas that have arisen remain, are not lost, but increase, mature, and are fulfilled by development.
Evaṃ paṭipanno kho, thapati, akusalānaṃ saṅkappānaṃ nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti.
 Someone practicing like this is practicing for the cessation of unskillful resolves.

78.6 - (what are 3 kusalā saṅkappā? same 3 aspects of Right Resolve)


Katame ca, thapati, kusalā saṅkappā?
 And what are skillful resolves?
Nekkhammasaṅkappo, abyāpādasaṅkappo, avihiṃsāsaṅkappo—
 resolves of renunciation, non-ill-will, and nonharm.
ime vuccanti, thapati, kusalā saṅkappā.
 These are called skillful resolves.

78.6.1 (kusalā saṅkappā depend on the 3 kusala perceptions)


Ime ca, thapati, kusalā saṅkappā kiṃsamuṭṭhānā?
 And where do these skillful resolves stem from?
Samuṭṭhānampi nesaṃ vuttaṃ.
 Where they stem from has been stated.
‘Saññāsamuṭṭhānā’tissa vacanīyaṃ.
 You should say that they stem from perception.
Katamā saññā?
 What perception?
Saññāpi hi bahū anekavidhā nānappakārakā.
 Perception takes many and diverse forms.
Nekkhammasaññā, abyāpādasaññā, avihiṃsāsaññā—
 Perceptions of renunciation, non-ill-will, and kindness—
itosamuṭṭhānā kusalā saṅkappā.
 skillful resolves stem from this.

78.6.2 - (kusalā saṅkappā cease in 2nd jhāna)


Ime ca, thapati, kusalā saṅkappā kuhiṃ aparisesā nirujjhanti?
 And where do these skillful resolves cease without anything left over?
Nirodhopi nesaṃ vutto.
 Their cessation has also been stated.
Idha, thapati, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṃ vūpasamā … pe … dutiyaṃ jhānaṃ upasampajja viharati;
 It’s when, as the directed-thought and evaluation are stilled, a monk enters and remains in the second jhāna, which has the rapture and pleasure born of undistractible-lucidity, with internal clarity and confidence, and unified mind, without directing-thought and evaluation.
etthete kusalā saṅkappā aparisesā nirujjhanti.
 This is where these skillful resolves cease without anything left over.

78.6.2.0 – (that means kusalā saṅkappā are active in 1st jhāna!)

[Skillful resolves are still active in first jhāna. Those skillful resolves manifest as the directed thoughts and evaluation (V&V💭) of first jhāna.]

78.6.3 - (right effort removes kusala sankappa from first jhāna resulting in no V&V of 2nd jhāna)


Kathaṃ paṭipanno ca, thapati, kusalānaṃ saṅkappānaṃ nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti?
 And how is someone practicing for the cessation of skillful resolves?
Idha, thapati, bhikkhu anuppannānaṃ pāpakānaṃ akusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ anuppādāya chandaṃ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṃ ārabhati cittaṃ paggaṇhāti padahati;
 It’s when a monk generates enthusiasm, tries, makes an effort, exerts the mind, and strives so that bad, unskillful Dharmas don’t arise …
uppannānaṃ pāpakānaṃ akusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ pahānāya … pe …
 so that unskillful Dharmas are given up …
anuppannānaṃ kusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ uppādāya … pe …
 so that skillful Dharmas arise …
uppannānaṃ kusalānaṃ dhammānaṃ ṭhitiyā asammosāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya bhāvanāya pāripūriyā chandaṃ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṃ ārabhati cittaṃ paggaṇhāti padahati.
 so that skillful Dharmas that have arisen remain, are not lost, but increase, mature, and are fulfilled by development.
Evaṃ paṭipanno kho, thapati, kusalānaṃ saṅkappānaṃ nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti.
 Someone practicing like this is practicing for the cessation of skillful resolves.

78.7 - (conclusion )


Katamehi cāhaṃ, thapati, dasahi dhammehi samannāgataṃ purisapuggalaṃ paññapemi sampannakusalaṃ paramakusalaṃ uttamapattipattaṃ samaṇaṃ ayojjhaṃ?
 Master builder, when an individual has what ten Dharmas do I describe them as an invincible ascetic—accomplished in the skillful, excelling in the skillful, attained to the highest attainment?
Idha, thapati, bhikkhu asekhāya sammādiṭṭhiyā samannāgato hoti, asekhena sammāsaṅkappena samannāgato hoti, asekhāya sammāvācāya samannāgato hoti, asekhena sammākammantena samannāgato hoti, asekhena sammāājīvena samannāgato hoti, asekhena sammāvāyāmena samannāgato hoti, asekhāya sammāsatiyā samannāgato hoti, asekhena sammāsamādhinā samannāgato hoti, asekhena sammāñāṇena samannāgato hoti, asekhāya sammāvimuttiyā samannāgato hoti—
 It’s when a monk has an adept’s right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right remembering, right undistractible-lucidity, right knowledge, and right freedom.
imehi kho ahaṃ, thapati, dasahi dhammehi samannāgataṃ purisapuggalaṃ paññapemi sampannakusalaṃ paramakusalaṃ uttamapattipattaṃ samaṇaṃ ayojjhan”ti.
 When an individual has these ten Dharmas, I describe them as an invincible ascetic—accomplished in the skillful, excelling in the skillful, attained to the highest attainment.”
Idamavoca bhagavā.
 That is what the Buddha said.
Attamano pañcakaṅgo thapati bhagavato bhāsitaṃ abhinandīti.
 Satisfied, Pañcakaṅga the master builder was happy with what the Buddha said.

jhāna links

MN 78.6 - (what are 3 kusalā saṅkappā? same 3 aspects of Right Resolve)
MN 78.6.1 (kusalā saṅkappā depend on the 3 kusala perceptions)
MN 78.6.2 - (kusalā saṅkappā cease in 2nd jhāna)
MN 78.6.2.0 – (that means kusalā saṅkappā are active in 1st jhāna!
MN 78.6.3 - (right effort removes kusala sankappa from first jhāna resulting in no V&V of 2nd jhāna)


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