Linked Discourses with Citta the Householder

Citta the householder hears of a conversation among the monks regarding the distinction between the fetters and the things that are fettered. He goes to ask them on this topic, but they are unable to give a satisfactory answer, so he explained it to them. It is desire that is the fetter, like the yoke that binds two oxen.

Citta the householder invites some mendicants to his home for a meal. He asks them about the diversity of the elements, but only the junior monk, Isidatta, is able to answer.

Citta the householder invites some mendicants to his home for a meal. He asks them what is the cause of the ten metaphysical questions and the 62 views of the Brahmajāla Sutta, but only the junior monk, Isidatta, is able to answer. Citta realizes that Isidatta is in fact an unseen friend of his from Avantī. He offers to support him with requisites, but Isidatta left, never to return.

Citta the householder invites some mendicants to his home for a meal. When they left he followed them, and witnessed the junior monk Venerable Mahaka performing a psychic feat. Citta approached Mahaka in his hut and asked him to demonstrate his skills, and Mahaka obliged. Citta offers to support him with requisites, but Mahaka left, never to return.

Venerable Kāmabhū asks Citta to explain an enigmatic verse on a “one-spoked chariot”. After a brief consideration, Citta is able to explain it in detail.

Citta asks Kāmabhū about the different kinds of processes (saṅkhāra) in a series of questions that lead to the most profound of meditation experiences.

Venerable Godatta asks Citta whether the liberations of measurelessness, nothingness, emptiness, and signlessness are different states, or just different words for the same thing. Citta explains that they are both: they are terms for different meditation experiences, but may also be used of perfection or arahantship.

The Jain leader Mahāvīra, known as Nigaṇṭha Nātaputa in the Buddhist tradition, is visited by Citta. Mahāvīra asks him whether he believes in a certain state of immersion. When Citta replies that he doesn’t go by faith in the Buddha on this point, Mahāvīra is delighted. But it turns out Citta doesn’t need faith, as he experiences such a state for himself.

Citta meets with the naked ascetic Kassapa, an old friend of his, and asks what gains he has realized from the spiritual life. Kassapa admits he has realized no higher attainments, whereupon Citta reveals he has realized many such attainments. Kassapa decides to ordain as a Buddhist mendicant.

When Citta was on his deathbed, rather than receiving comfort, he gave comfort and teaching to those present.