{"collection":"Samyutta Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_sn35.117/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_sn35.117","id":"suttacentral_sn35.117","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/sn35.117/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Samyutta Nikaya"],"text":"\u201cMendicants, before my awakening\u2014when I was still unawakened but intent on awakening\u2014I thought: \u2018My mind might often stray toward the five kinds of sensual stimulation that I formerly experienced\u2014which have passed, ceased, and perished\u2014or to those in the present, or in the future a little.\u2019 Then it occurred to me: \u2018In my own way I should practice diligence, mindfulness, and protecting the mind regarding the five kinds of sensual stimulation that I formerly experienced\u2014which have passed, ceased, and perished.\u2019 So, mendicants, your minds might also often stray toward the five kinds of sensual stimulation that you formerly experienced\u2014which have passed, ceased, and perished\u2014or to those in the present, or in the future a little. So in your own way you should practice diligence, mindfulness, and protecting the mind regarding the five kinds of sensual stimulation that you formerly experienced\u2014which have passed, ceased, and perished. So you should understand that dimension where the eye ceases and perception of sights fades away. You should understand that dimension where the ear \u2026 nose \u2026 tongue \u2026 body \u2026 mind ceases and perception of ideas fades away.\u201d When he had spoken, the Blessed One rose from his seat and entered his dwelling. Soon after the Buddha left, those mendicants considered, \u201cThe Buddha gave this brief summary, then entered his dwelling without explaining the meaning in detail. \u2026 Who can explain in detail the meaning of this brief summary given by the Buddha?\u201d Then those mendicants thought, \u201cThis Venerable \u0100nanda is praised by the Buddha and esteemed by his sensible spiritual companions. He is capable of explaining in detail the meaning of this brief summary given by the Buddha. Let\u2019s go to him, and ask him about this matter.\u201d Then those mendicants went to \u0100nanda, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, they sat down to one side. They told him what had happened, and said, \u201cMay Venerable \u0100nanda please explain this.\u201d \u201cReverends, suppose there was a person in need of heartwood. \u2026\u201d \u201cPlease explain this, if it\u2019s no trouble.\u201d \u201cThen listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.\u201d \u201cYes, reverend,\u201d they replied. \u0100nanda said this: \u201cReverends, the Buddha gave this brief summary, then entered his dwelling without explaining the meaning in detail: \u2018So you should understand that dimension where the eye ceases and perception of sights fades away. You should understand that dimension where the ear \u2026 nose \u2026 tongue \u2026 body \u2026 mind ceases and perception of ideas fades away.\u2019 And this is how I understand the detailed meaning of this summary. The Buddha was referring to the cessation of the six sense fields when he said: \u2018So you should understand that dimension where the eye ceases and perception of sights fades away. You should understand that dimension where the ear \u2026 nose \u2026 tongue \u2026 body \u2026 mind ceases and perception of ideas fades away.\u2019 The Buddha gave this brief summary, then entered his dwelling without explaining the meaning in detail. And this is how I understand the detailed meaning of this summary. If you wish, you may go to the Buddha and ask him about this. You should remember it in line with the Buddha\u2019s answer.\u201d \u201cYes, reverend,\u201d replied those mendicants. Then they rose from their seats and went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened. Then they said, \u201cAnd \u0100nanda explained the meaning to us in this manner, with these words and phrases.\u201d \u201cMendicants, \u0100nanda is astute, he has great wisdom. If you came to me and asked this question, I would answer it in exactly the same way as \u0100nanda. That is what it means, and that\u2019s how you should remember it.\u201d","title":"The Kinds of Sensual Stimulation","tradition":"Samyutta Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":618}