{"collection":"Samyutta Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_sn41.2/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_sn41.2","id":"suttacentral_sn41.2","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/sn41.2/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Samyutta Nikaya"],"text":"At one time several senior mendicants were staying near Macchik\u0101sa\u1e47\u1e0da in the Wild Mango Grove. Then Citta the householder went up to them, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to them, \u201cSirs, would the senior monks please accept tomorrow\u2019s meal from me?\u201d They consented with silence. Knowing that the senior mendicants had consented, Citta rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled them, keeping them on his right, before leaving. Then when the night had passed, the senior mendicants robed up in the morning and, taking their bowls and robes, went to Citta\u2019s home, and sat down on the seats spread out. Then Citta went up to them, bowed, sat down to one side, and asked the senior venerable, \u201cHonorable Senior, they speak of \u2018the diversity of elements\u2019. In what way did the Buddha speak of the diversity of elements?\u201d When he said this, the senior venerable kept silent. For a second time \u2026 And for a third time, Citta asked him, \u201cHonorable Senior, they speak of \u2018the diversity of elements\u2019. In what way did the Buddha speak of the diversity of elements?\u201d And a second time and a third time the senior venerable kept silent. Now at that time Venerable Isidatta was the most junior mendicant in that Sa\u1e45gha. He said to the senior venerable, \u201cHonorable Senior, may I answer Citta\u2019s question?\u201d \u201cAnswer it, Reverend Isidatta.\u201d \u201cHouseholder, is this your question: \u2018They speak of \u201cthe diversity of elements\u201d. In what way did the Buddha speak of the diversity of elements?\u2019\u201d \u201cYes, sir.\u201d \u201cThis is the diversity of elements spoken of by the Buddha. The eye element, the sights element, the eye consciousness element \u2026 The mind element, the idea element, the mind consciousness element. This is how the Buddha spoke of the diversity of elements.\u201d Then Citta, having approved and agreed with what Isidatta said, served and satisfied the senior mendicants with his own hands with delicious fresh and cooked foods. When the senior mendicants had eaten and washed their hands and bowls, they rose from their seats and left. Then the senior venerable said to Venerable Isidatta, \u201cIsidatta, it\u2019s good that you felt inspired to answer that question, because I didn\u2019t. So when a similar question comes up, you should also answer it as you feel inspired.\u201d","title":"With Isidatta (1st)","tradition":"Samyutta Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":381}