{"collection":"Anguttara Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_an3.70/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_an3.70","id":"suttacentral_an3.70","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/an3.70/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Anguttara Nikaya","Early Buddhist Texts"],"text":"So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near S\u0101vatth\u012b in the stilt longhouse of Mig\u0101ra\u2019s mother in the Eastern Monastery. Then Vis\u0101kh\u0101, Mig\u0101ra\u2019s mother, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to her, \u201cSo, Vis\u0101kh\u0101, where are you coming from in the middle of the day?\u201d \u201cToday, sir, I\u2019m observing the sabbath.\u201d \u201cThere are, Vis\u0101kh\u0101, these three sabbaths. What three? The sabbath of the cowherds, the sabbath of the Jains, and the sabbath of the noble ones. And what is the sabbath of the cowherds? It\u2019s just like a cowherd who, in the late afternoon, takes the cows back to their owners. They reflect: \u2018Today the cows grazed in this spot and that, and they drank in this spot and that. Tomorrow the cows will graze in this spot and that, and drink in this spot and that.\u2019 In the same way, someone keeping the sabbath reflects: \u2018Today I ate this and that, and had a meal of this and that. Tomorrow I\u2019ll eat this and that, and have a meal of this and that.\u2019 And so they spend their day with a mind full of covetousness. That\u2019s the sabbath of the cowherds. When the cowherd\u2019s sabbath is observed like this it\u2019s not very fruitful or beneficial or brilliant or bountiful. And what is the sabbath of the Jains? There\u2019s a kind of ascetic belonging to a group called the Jains. They encourage their disciple: \u2018Please, my man, don\u2019t hurt any living creatures more than a hundred leagues away to the east. Don\u2019t hurt any living creatures more than a hundred leagues away to the west. Don\u2019t hurt any living creatures more than a hundred leagues away to the north. Don\u2019t hurt any living creatures more than a hundred leagues away to the south.\u2019 So they encourage kindness and sympathy for some creatures and not others. On the sabbath, they encourage their disciple: \u2018Please, my man, take off all your clothes and say: \u201cI don\u2019t belong to anyone anywhere! And nothing belongs to me anywhere!\u201d\u2019 But their mother and father still know, \u2018This is our child.\u2019 And they know, \u2018This is my mother and father.\u2019 Partner and child still know, \u2018This is our supporter.\u2019 And they know, \u2018This is my partner and child.\u2019 Bondservants, workers, and staff still know: \u2018This is our master.\u2019 And they know, \u2018These are my bondservants, workers, and staff.\u2019 So, at a time when they should be encouraged to speak the truth, the Jains encourage them to lie. This, I say, is lying. When the night has passed they use their possessions once more, though they\u2019ve not been given back to them. This, I say, is stealing. That\u2019s the sabbath of the Jains. When the Jain\u2019s sabbath is observed like this it\u2019s not very fruitful or beneficial or brilliant or bountiful. And what is the sabbath of the noble ones? A corrupt mind is cleaned by exertion. And how is a corrupt mind cleaned by exertion? It\u2019s when a noble disciple recollects the Realized One: \u2018That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.\u2019 As they recollect the Realized One, their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up. It\u2019s just like cleaning a dirty head by exertion. And how is a dirty head cleaned by exertion? With cleansing paste, clay, and water, and by applying the appropriate effort. In the same way, a corrupt mind is cleaned by exertion. And how is a corrupt mind cleaned by exertion? It\u2019s when a noble disciple recollects the Realized One: \u2018That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.\u2019 As they recollect the Realized One, their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up. This is called: \u2018A noble disciple who observes the sabbath of the divinity, living together with the divinity. And because they think of the divinity their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up.\u2019 That\u2019s how a corrupt mind is cleaned by exertion. A corrupt mind is cleaned by exertion. And how is a corrupt mind cleaned by exertion? It\u2019s when a noble disciple recollects the teaching: \u2018The teaching is well explained by the Buddha\u2014apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves.\u2019 As they recollect the teaching, their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up. It\u2019s just like cleaning a dirty body by exertion. And how is a dirty body cleaned by exertion? With cleanser and powder, water, and by applying the appropriate effort. That\u2019s how a dirty body is cleaned by exertion. In the same way, a corrupt mind is cleaned by exertion. And how is a corrupt mind cleaned by exertion? It\u2019s when a noble disciple recollects the teaching: \u2018The teaching is well explained by the Buddha\u2014apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves.\u2019 As they recollect the teaching, their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up. This is called: \u2018A noble disciple who observes the sabbath of Dhamma, living together with Dhamma. And because they think of the Dhamma their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up.\u2019 That\u2019s how a corrupt mind is cleaned by exertion. A corrupt mind is cleaned by exertion. And how is a corrupt mind cleaned by exertion? It\u2019s when a noble disciple recollects the Sa\u1e45gha: \u2018The Sa\u1e45gha of the Buddha\u2019s disciples is practicing the way that\u2019s good, direct, systematic, and proper. It consists of the four pairs, the eight individual persons. This is the Sa\u1e45gha of the Buddha\u2019s disciples that is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of greeting with cupped palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world.\u2019 As they recollect the Sa\u1e45gha, their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up. It\u2019s just like cleaning a dirty cloth by exertion. And how is a dirty cloth cleaned by applying effort? With salt, lye, cow dung, and water, and by applying the appropriate effort. That\u2019s how a dirty cloth is cleaned by exertion. In the same way, a corrupt mind is cleaned by exertion. And how is a corrupt mind cleaned by exertion? It\u2019s when a noble disciple recollects the Sa\u1e45gha: \u2018The Sa\u1e45gha of the Buddha\u2019s disciples is practicing the way that\u2019s good, direct, systematic, and proper. It consists of the four pairs, the eight individual persons. This Sa\u1e45gha of the Buddha\u2019s disciples is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, and worthy of veneration with cupped palms. It is the supreme field of merit for the world.\u2019 As they recollect the Sa\u1e45gha, their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up. This is called: \u2018A noble disciple who observes the sabbath of the Sa\u1e45gha, living together with the Sa\u1e45gha. And because they think of the Sa\u1e45gha their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up.\u2019 That\u2019s how a corrupt mind is cleaned by exertion. A corrupt mind is cleaned by exertion. And how is a corrupt mind cleaned by exertion? It\u2019s when a noble disciple recollects their own ethical precepts, which are intact, impeccable, spotless, and unmarred, liberating, praised by sensible people, not mistaken, and leading to immersion. As they recollect their ethical conduct, their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up. It\u2019s just like cleaning a dirty mirror by exertion. And how is a dirty mirror cleaned by exertion? With oil, ash, a rolled-up cloth, and by applying the appropriate effort. That\u2019s how a dirty mirror is cleaned by exertion. In the same way, a corrupt mind is cleaned by exertion. And how is a corrupt mind cleaned by exertion? It\u2019s when a noble disciple recollects their own ethical precepts, which are intact, impeccable, spotless, and unmarred, liberating, praised by sensible people, not mistaken, and leading to immersion. As they recollect their ethical conduct, their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up. This is called: \u2018A noble disciple who observes the sabbath of ethical conduct, living together with ethics. And because they think of their ethical conduct their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up.\u2019 That\u2019s how a corrupt mind is cleaned by exertion. A corrupt mind is cleaned by exertion. And how is a corrupt mind cleaned by exertion? It\u2019s when a noble disciple recollects the deities: \u2018There are the gods of the four great kings, the gods of the thirty-three, the gods of Yama, the joyful gods, the gods who love to create, the gods who control what is created by others, the gods of the Divinity\u2019s host, and gods even higher than these. When those deities passed away from here, they were reborn there because of their faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom. I, too, have the same kind of faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.\u2019 As they recollect the faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom of both themselves and those deities, their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up. It\u2019s just like cleansing corrupt native gold by exertion. And how is corrupt native gold cleansed by applying effort? With a furnace, flux, a blowpipe, and tongs, and by applying the appropriate effort. That\u2019s how corrupt native gold is cleansed by exertion. In the same way, a corrupt mind is cleaned by applying effort. And how is a corrupt mind cleaned by exertion? It\u2019s when a noble disciple recollects the deities: \u2018There are the gods of the four great kings, the gods of the thirty-three, the gods of Yama, the joyful gods, the gods who love to imagine, the gods who control what is imagined by others, the gods of the Divinity\u2019s host, and gods even higher than these. When those deities passed away from here, they were reborn there because of their faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom. I, too, have the same kind of faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.\u2019 As they recollect the faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom of both themselves and those deities, their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up. This is called: \u2018A noble disciple who observes the sabbath of the deities, living together with the deities. And because they think of the deities their mind becomes clear, joy arises, and mental corruptions are given up.\u2019 That\u2019s how a corrupt mind is cleaned by applying effort. Then that noble disciple reflects: \u2018As long as they live, the perfected ones give up killing living creatures, renouncing the rod and the sword. They are scrupulous and kind, and live full of sympathy for all living beings. I, too, for this day and night will give up killing living creatures, renouncing the rod and the sword. I\u2019ll be scrupulous and kind, and live full of sympathy for all living beings. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect. As long as they live, the perfected ones give up stealing. They take only what\u2019s given, and expect only what\u2019s given. They keep themselves clean by not thieving. I, too, for this day and night will give up stealing. I\u2019ll take only what\u2019s given, and expect only what\u2019s given. I\u2019ll keep myself clean by not thieving. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect. As long as they live, the perfected ones give up unchastity. They are chaste, set apart, refraining from the vulgar act of sex. I, too, for this day and night will give up unchastity. I will be chaste, set apart, refraining from the vulgar act of sex. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect. As long as they live, the perfected ones give up lying. They speak the truth and stick to the truth. They\u2019re honest and dependable, and don\u2019t trick the world with their words. I, too, for this day and night will give up lying. I\u2019ll speak the truth and stick to the truth. I\u2019ll be honest and dependable, and won\u2019t trick the world with my words. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect. As long as they live, the perfected ones give up intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. I, too, for this day and night will give up intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect. As long as they live, the perfected ones eat in one part of the day, abstaining from eating at night and from food at the wrong time. I, too, for this day and night will eat in one part of the day, abstaining from eating at night and food at the wrong time. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect. As long as they live, the perfected ones refrain from seeing shows of dancing, singing, and music; and attiring and adorning themselves with garlands, fragrance, and makeup. I, too, for this day and night will refrain from seeing shows of dancing, singing, and music; and attiring and adorning myself with garlands, fragrance, and makeup. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect. As long as they live, the perfected ones give up high and luxurious beds. They sleep in a low place, either a cot or a grass mat. I, too, for this day and night will give up high and luxurious beds. I\u2019ll sleep in a low place, either a cot or a grass mat. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect.\u2019 That\u2019s the sabbath of the noble ones. When the sabbath of the noble ones is observed like this it\u2019s very fruitful and beneficial and brilliant and bountiful. How much so? Suppose you were to rule as sovereign lord over these sixteen great countries\u2014A\u1e45ga, Magadha, K\u0101si, Kosala, Vajji, Malla, Cet\u012b, Vaccha, Kuru, Pa\u00f1c\u0101la, Maccha, S\u016brasena, Assaka, Avanti, Gandh\u0101ra, and Persia\u2014full of the seven treasures. This wouldn\u2019t be worth a sixteenth part of the sabbath with its eight factors. Why is that? Because human kingship is a poor thing compared to the happiness of the gods. Fifty years in the human realm is one day and night for the gods of the four great kings. Thirty such days make up a month. Twelve such months make up a year. The lifespan of the gods of the four great kings is five hundred of these heavenly years. It\u2019s possible that some woman or man who has observed the eight-factored sabbath will\u2014when their body breaks up, after death\u2014be reborn in the company of the gods of the four great kings. This is what I was referring to when I said: \u2018Human kingship is a poor thing compared to the happiness of the gods.\u2019 A hundred years in the human realm is one day and night for the gods of the thirty-three. Thirty such days make up a month. Twelve such months make up a year. The lifespan of the gods of the thirty-three is a thousand of these heavenly years. It\u2019s possible that some woman or man who has observed the eight-factored sabbath will\u2014when their body breaks up, after death\u2014be reborn in the company of the gods of the thirty-three. This is what I was referring to when I said: \u2018Human kingship is a poor thing compared to the happiness of the gods.\u2019 Two hundred years in the human realm is one day and night for the gods of Yama. Thirty such days make up a month. Twelve such months make up a year. The lifespan of the gods of Yama is two thousand of these heavenly years. It\u2019s possible that some woman or man who has observed the eight-factored sabbath will\u2014when their body breaks up, after death\u2014be reborn in the company of the gods of Yama. This is what I was referring to when I said: \u2018Human kingship is a poor thing compared to the happiness of the gods.\u2019 Four hundred years in the human realm is one day and night for the joyful gods. Thirty such days make up a month. Twelve such months make up a year. The lifespan of the joyful gods is four thousand of these heavenly years. It\u2019s possible that some woman or man who has observed the eight-factored sabbath will\u2014when their body breaks up, after death\u2014be reborn in the company of the joyful gods. This is what I was referring to when I said: \u2018Human kingship is a poor thing compared to the happiness of the gods.\u2019 Eight hundred years in the human realm is one day and night for the gods who love to create. Thirty such days make up a month. Twelve such months make up a year. The lifespan of the gods who love to create is eight thousand of these heavenly years. It\u2019s possible that some woman or man who has observed the eight-factored sabbath will\u2014when their body breaks up, after death\u2014be reborn in the company of the gods who love to create. This is what I was referring to when I said: \u2018Human kingship is a poor thing compared to the happiness of the gods.\u2019 Sixteen hundred years in the human realm is one day and night for the gods who control what is created by others. Thirty such days make up a month. Twelve such months make up a year. The lifespan of the gods who control what is created by others is sixteen thousand of these heavenly years. It\u2019s possible that some woman or man who has observed the eight-factored sabbath will\u2014when their body breaks up, after death\u2014be reborn in the company of the gods who control what is created by others. This is what I was referring to when I said: \u2018Human kingship is a poor thing compared to the happiness of the gods.\u2019 You shouldn\u2019t kill living creatures, or steal, or lie, or drink liquor. Be chaste, refraining from sex, and don\u2019t eat at night, the wrong time. Not wearing garlands or applying fragrance, you should sleep on a low bed, <j>or a mat on the ground. This is the eight-factored sabbath, they say, revealed by the Buddha, <j>who has gone to suffering\u2019s end. The moon and sun are both fair to see, radiating as far as they revolve. Those dispellers of darkness, travelers in midair, shine in the firmament, dazzling the quarters. All of the wealth that\u2019s found in this realm\u2014 pearls, gems, fine beryl too, mountain gold or lustrous gold, or the native gold called \u2018coruscant\u2019\u2014 they\u2019re not worth a sixteenth part of the sabbath with its eight factors, as starlight cannot rival the moon. So an ethical woman or man, who has observed the eight-factored sabbath, having made merit whose outcome is happiness, blameless, they go to a heavenly place.\u201d","title":"Sabbath","tradition":"Anguttara Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":3233}