{"collection":"Majjhima Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_mn151/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_mn151","id":"suttacentral_mn151","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/mn151/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Majjhima Nikaya"],"text":"So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near R\u0101jagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels\u2019 feeding ground. Then in the late afternoon, S\u0101riputta came out of retreat and went to the Buddha. He bowed and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him, \u201cS\u0101riputta, your faculties are so very clear, and your complexion is pure and bright. What kind of meditation are you usually practicing these days?\u201d \u201cSir, these days I usually practice the meditation on emptiness.\u201d \u201cGood, good, S\u0101riputta! It seems you usually practice the meditation of a great man. For emptiness is the meditation of a great man. Now, a mendicant might wish: \u2018May I usually practice the meditation on emptiness.\u2019 So they should reflect: \u2018Along the path that I went for alms, or in the place I wandered for alms, or along the path that I returned from alms, was there any desire or greed or hate or delusion or aversion in my heart for sights known by the eye?\u2019 Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that there was such desire or greed or hate or delusion or aversion in their heart, they should make an effort to give up those unskillful qualities. But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that there was no such desire or greed or hate or delusion or aversion in their heart, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities. Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect: \u2018Along the path that I went for alms, or in the place I wandered for alms, or along the path that I returned from alms, was there any desire or greed or hate or delusion or repulsion in my heart for sounds known by the ear \u2026 smells known by the nose \u2026 tastes known by the tongue \u2026 touches known by the body \u2026 ideas known by the mind?\u2019 Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that there was such desire or greed or hate or delusion or aversion in their heart, they should make an effort to give up those unskillful qualities. But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that there was no such desire or greed or hate or delusion or aversion in their heart, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities. Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect: \u2018Have I given up the five kinds of sensual stimulation?\u2019 Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that they have not given them up, they should make an effort to do so. But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that they have given them up, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities. Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect: \u2018Have I given up the five hindrances?\u2019 Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that they have not given them up, they should make an effort to do so. But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that they have given them up, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities. Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect: \u2018Have I completely understood the five grasping aggregates?\u2019 Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that they have not completely understood them, they should make an effort to do so. But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that they have completely understood them, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities. Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect: \u2018Have I developed the four kinds of mindfulness meditation?\u2019 Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that they haven\u2019t developed them, they should make an effort to do so. But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that they have developed them, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities. Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect: \u2018Have I developed the four right efforts \u2026 the four bases of psychic power \u2026 the five faculties \u2026 the five powers \u2026 the seven awakening factors \u2026 the noble eightfold path?\u2019 Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that they haven\u2019t developed it, they should make an effort to do so. But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that they have developed it, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities. Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect: \u2018Have I developed serenity and discernment?\u2019 Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that they haven\u2019t developed them, they should make an effort to do so. But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that they have developed them, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities. Furthermore, a mendicant should reflect: \u2018Have I realized knowledge and freedom?\u2019 Suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that they haven\u2019t realized them, they should make an effort to do so. But suppose that, upon checking, a mendicant knows that they have realized them, they should meditate with rapture and joy, training day and night in skillful qualities. Whether in the past, future, or present, all those who purify their almsfood do so by continually checking in this way. So, S\u0101riputta, you should all train like this: \u2018We shall purify our almsfood by continually checking.\u2019\u201d That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, Venerable S\u0101riputta approved what the Buddha said.","title":"The Purification of Alms","tradition":"Majjhima Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":892}