Anuruddha Sutta
From Buddhist Encyclopedia
Three Jewels
Buddha . Dharma . Sangha
Three Dharma Seals
Anicca . Dukkha . Anatta
Karma . Rebirth
Samsara . Nirvana
Four Noble Truths
Seven Sets
Four Frames of Reference
Four Right Exertions
Four Bases of Power
Five Faculties
Five Strengths
Seven Factors of Awakening
Noble Eightfold Path
Bodhisattva
Four Great Vows
Ten Great Vows
- Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
I have heard that on one occasion Ven. Anuruddha was dwelling among the Kosalans in a forest thicket. Now at that time, a devata from the retinue of the heaven of the Thirty-three named Jalini, one of Ven. Anuruddha's former consorts, went to him and, on arrival, addressed him with this verse:
Direct your mind to where you used to live, among the devas of the Thirty-three, empowered with all sensual pleasures. Honored, surrounded by deva maidens, you will shine.
[Ven. Anuruddha:]
They've gone astray, deva maidens established in self-identity. And they've gone astray, those beings with deva maidens as their aim.
[Jalini:]
They don't know bliss who haven't seen Nandana, abode of the eminent devas, glorious, of the Thirty-three.
[Ven. Anuruddha:]
You fool, don't you know the arahants' maxim? — 'How inconstant are compounded things! Their nature: to arise & pass away. They disband as they are arising. Their total stilling is bliss.'
Jalini, there is now in deva company no further abode [for me]. With the utter ending of wandering on in birth, there is now no further becoming.
