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MN 120PTS MN 3.996 min read

Rebirth by Choice

Saṅkhārupapattisutta

The Buddha explains how one can make a wish to be reborn in different realms.

Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral

  • 0.1Majjhima Nikāya 120Middle Discourses 120

0.2SaṅkhārupapattisuttaRebirth by Choice

1.1Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.11.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.1.3Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:There the Buddha addressed the mendicants,1.4“bhikkhavo”ti.“Mendicants!”

1.5“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.“Venerable sir,” they replied.1.6Bhagavā etadavoca:The Buddha said this:

2.1“saṅkhārupapattiṁ vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi,“I shall teach you rebirth by choice.22.2taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

2.3“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.“Yes, sir,” they replied.2.4Bhagavā etadavoca:The Buddha said this:

3.1PTS 3.100“Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhāya samannāgato hoti, sīlena samannāgato hoti, sutena samannāgato hoti, cāgena samannāgato hoti, paññāya samannāgato hoti.“Take a mendicant who has faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.33.2Tassa evaṁ hoti:They think:3.3‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā khattiyamahāsālānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti.‘If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of well-to-do aristocrats!’43.4So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.They settle on that thought, stabilize it, and develop it.3.5Tassa te saṅkhārā ca vihārā ca evaṁ bhāvitā evaṁ bahulīkatā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattanti.Those choices and meditations of theirs, developed and cultivated like this, lead to rebirth there.53.6Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, maggo ayaṁ paṭipadā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattati.This is the path and the practice that leads to rebirth there.

4-5.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhāya samannāgato hoti, sīlena samannāgato hoti, sutena samannāgato hoti, cāgena samannāgato hoti, paññāya samannāgato hoti.Furthermore, take a mendicant who has faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.4-5.2Tassa evaṁ hoti:They think:4-5.3‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ …pe…‘If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of well-to-do brahmins …4-5.4gahapatimahāsālānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti.well-to-do householders!’4-5.5So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.They settle on that thought, stabilize it, and develop it.4-5.6Tassa te saṅkhārā ca vihārā ca evaṁ bhāvitā evaṁ bahulīkatā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattanti.Those choices and meditations of theirs, developed and cultivated like this, lead to rebirth there.4-5.7Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, maggo ayaṁ paṭipadā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattati.This is the path and the practice that leads to rebirth there.

6.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhāya samannāgato hoti, sīlena samannāgato hoti, sutena samannāgato hoti, cāgena samannāgato hoti, paññāya samannāgato hoti.Furthermore, take a mendicant who has faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.6.2Tassa sutaṁ hoti:And they’ve heard:6.3‘cātumahārājikā devā dīghāyukā vaṇṇavanto sukhabahulā’ti.‘The gods of the four great kings are long-lived, beautiful, and very happy.’6.4Tassa evaṁ hoti:They think:6.5‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā cātumahārājikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti.‘If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the gods of the four great kings!’6.6So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.They settle on that thought, stabilize it, and develop it.6.7Tassa te saṅkhārā ca vihārā ca evaṁ bhāvitā evaṁ bahulīkatā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattanti.Those choices and meditations of theirs, developed and cultivated like this, lead to rebirth there.6.8Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, maggo ayaṁ paṭipadā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattati.This is the path and the practice that leads to rebirth there.

7-11.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhāya samannāgato hoti, sīlena samannāgato hoti, sutena samannāgato hoti, cāgena samannāgato hoti, paññāya samannāgato hoti.Furthermore, take a mendicant who has faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.7-11.2Tassa sutaṁ hoti—And they’ve heard:7-11.3tāvatiṁsā devā …pe…‘The gods of the thirty-three …7-11.4yāmā devā …the gods of Yama …7-11.5tusitā devā …the joyful gods …7-11.6nimmānaratī devā …the gods who love to create …7-11.7paranimmitavasavattī devā dīghāyukā vaṇṇavanto sukhabahulāti.the gods who control what is created by others are long-lived, beautiful, and very happy.’7-11.8Tassa evaṁ hoti:They think:7-11.9‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā paranimmitavasavattīnaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti.‘If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the gods who control what is created by others!’7-11.10So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.They settle on that thought, stabilize it, and develop it.7-11.11Tassa te saṅkhārā ca vihārā ca evaṁ bhāvitā evaṁ bahulīkatā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattanti.Those choices and meditations of theirs, developed and cultivated like this, lead to rebirth there.7-11.12Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, maggo ayaṁ paṭipadā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattati.This is the path and the practice that leads to rebirth there.

12.1PTS 3.101Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhāya samannāgato hoti, sīlena samannāgato hoti, sutena samannāgato hoti, cāgena samannāgato hoti, paññāya samannāgato hoti.Furthermore, take a mendicant who has faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.12.2Tassa sutaṁ hoti:And they’ve heard:12.3‘sahasso brahmā dīghāyuko vaṇṇavā sukhabahulo’ti.‘The Divinity of a thousand is long-lived, beautiful, and very happy.’12.4Sahasso, bhikkhave, brahmā sahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.Now the Divinity of a thousand meditates focused on pervading a thousandfold galaxy,612.5Yepi tattha sattā upapannā tepi pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.as well as the sentient beings reborn there.12.6Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, cakkhumā puriso ekaṁ āmaṇḍaṁ hatthe karitvā paccavekkheyya;As a person with clear eyes might pick up a gallnut in their hand and examine it,12.7evameva kho, bhikkhave, sahasso brahmā sahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.so too the Divinity of a thousand meditates focused on pervading a thousandfold galaxy,12.8Yepi tattha sattā upapannā tepi pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.as well as the sentient beings reborn there.12.9Tassa evaṁ hoti:They think:12.10‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sahassassa brahmuno sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti.‘If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the Divinity of a thousand!’12.11So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.They settle on that thought, stabilize it, and develop it.12.12Tassa te saṅkhārā ca vihārā ca evaṁ bhāvitā evaṁ bahulīkatā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattanti.Those choices and meditations of theirs, developed and cultivated like this, lead to rebirth there.712.13Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, maggo ayaṁ paṭipadā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattati.This is the path and the practice that leads to rebirth there.

13-16.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhāya samannāgato hoti, sīlena samannāgato hoti, sutena …Furthermore, take a mendicant who has faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.13-16.2cāgena …13-16.3paññāya samannāgato hoti.13-16.4Tassa sutaṁ hoti—And they’ve heard:13-16.5dvisahasso brahmā …pe…‘The Divinity of two thousand …13-16.6tisahasso brahmā …the Divinity of three thousand …13-16.7catusahasso brahmā …the Divinity of four thousand …13-16.8pañcasahasso brahmā dīghāyuko vaṇṇavā sukhabahuloti.the Divinity of five thousand is long-lived, beautiful, and very happy.’13-16.9Pañcasahasso, bhikkhave, brahmā pañcasahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.Now the Divinity of five thousand meditates focused on pervading a five-thousandfold galaxy,13-16.10Yepi tattha sattā upapannā tepi pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.as well as the sentient beings reborn there.13-16.11Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, cakkhumā puriso pañca āmaṇḍāni hatthe karitvā paccavekkheyya;As a person with clear eyes might pick up five gallnuts in their hand and examine them,13-16.12evameva kho, bhikkhave, pañcasahasso brahmā pañcasahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.so too the Divinity of five thousand meditates focused on pervading a five-thousandfold galaxy,13-16.13Yepi tattha sattā upapannā tepi pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.as well as the sentient beings reborn there.13-16.14Tassa evaṁ hoti:They think:13-16.15‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā pañcasahassassa brahmuno sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti.‘If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the Divinity of five thousand!’13-16.16So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.They settle on that thought, stabilize it, and develop it.13-16.17Tassa te saṅkhārā ca vihārā ca evaṁ bhāvitā evaṁ bahulīkatā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattanti.Those choices and meditations of theirs, developed and cultivated like this, lead to rebirth there.13-16.18Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, maggo ayaṁ paṭipadā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattati.This is the path and the practice that leads to rebirth there.

17.1PTS 3.102Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhāya samannāgato hoti, sīlena samannāgato hoti, sutena …Furthermore, take a mendicant who has faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.17.2cāgena …17.3paññāya samannāgato hoti.17.4Tassa sutaṁ hoti:And they’ve heard:17.5‘dasasahasso brahmā dīghāyuko vaṇṇavā sukhabahulo’ti.‘The Divinity of ten thousand is long-lived, beautiful, and very happy.’17.6Dasasahasso, bhikkhave, brahmā dasasahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.Now the Divinity of ten thousand meditates focused on pervading a ten-thousandfold galaxy,17.7Yepi tattha sattā upapannā tepi pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.as well as the sentient beings reborn there.17.8Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato paṇḍukambale nikkhitto bhāsate ca tapate ca virocati ca;Suppose there was a beryl gem that was naturally lustrous, eight-faceted, well-worked. When placed on a cream rug it would shine and glow and dazzle.17.9evameva kho, bhikkhave, dasasahasso brahmā dasasahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.In the same way the Divinity of ten thousand meditates focused on pervading a ten-thousandfold galaxy,17.10Yepi tattha sattā upapannā tepi pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.as well as the sentient beings reborn there.17.11Tassa evaṁ hoti:They think:17.12‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā dasasahassassa brahmuno sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti.‘If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the Divinity of ten thousand!’17.13So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.They settle on that thought, stabilize it, and develop it.17.14Tassa te saṅkhārā ca vihārā ca evaṁ bhāvitā evaṁ bahulīkatā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattanti.Those choices and meditations of theirs, developed and cultivated like this, lead to rebirth there.17.15Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, maggo ayaṁ paṭipadā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattati.This is the path and the practice that leads to rebirth there.

18.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhāya samannāgato hoti, sīlena …Furthermore, take a mendicant who has faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.18.2sutena …18.3cāgena …18.4paññāya samannāgato hoti.18.5Tassa sutaṁ hoti:And they’ve heard:18.6‘satasahasso brahmā dīghāyuko vaṇṇavā sukhabahulo’ti.‘The Divinity of a hundred thousand is long-lived, beautiful, and very happy.’18.7Satasahasso, bhikkhave, brahmā satasahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.Now the Divinity of a hundred thousand meditates focused on pervading a hundred-thousandfold galaxy,18.8Yepi tattha sattā upapannā tepi pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.as well as the sentient beings reborn there.18.9Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, nikkhaṁ jambonadaṁ dakkhakammāraputtaukkāmukhasukusalasampahaṭṭhaṁ paṇḍukambale nikkhittaṁ bhāsate ca tapate ca virocati ca;Suppose there was a pendant of Black Plum River gold, fashioned by a deft smith, well wrought in the forge. When placed on a cream rug it would shine and glow and dazzle.818.10evameva kho, bhikkhave, satasahasso brahmā satasahassilokadhātuṁ pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.In the same way the Divinity of a hundred thousand meditates focused on pervading a hundred-thousandfold galaxy,18.11Yepi tattha sattā upapannā tepi pharitvā adhimuccitvā viharati.as well as the sentient beings reborn there.18.12Tassa evaṁ hoti:They think:18.13‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā satasahassassa brahmuno sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti.‘If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the Divinity of a hundred thousand!’18.14So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.They settle on that thought, stabilize it, and develop it.18.15Tassa te saṅkhārā ca vihārā ca evaṁ bhāvitā evaṁ bahulīkatā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattanti.Those choices and meditations of theirs, developed and cultivated like this, lead to rebirth there.18.16Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, maggo ayaṁ paṭipadā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattati.This is the path and the practice that leads to rebirth there.

19.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhāya samannāgato hoti, sīlena …Furthermore, take a mendicant who has faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.19.2sutena …19.3cāgena …19.4paññāya samannāgato hoti.19.5Tassa sutaṁ hoti—And they’ve heard:19.6ābhā devā …pe…‘The radiant gods …19.7parittābhā devā …the gods of limited luminosity …19.8appamāṇābhā devā …the gods of limitless luminosity …19.9ābhassarā devā dīghāyukā vaṇṇavanto sukhabahulāti.the gods of sublime luminosity …19.10Tassa evaṁ hoti:19.11‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā ābhassarānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti.19.12So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.19.13Tassa te saṅkhārā ca vihārā ca evaṁ bhāvitā evaṁ bahulīkatā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattanti.19.14Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, maggo ayaṁ paṭipadā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattati.20.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhāya samannāgato hoti, sīlena …20.2sutena …20.3cāgena …20.4paññāya samannāgato hoti.20.5Tassa sutaṁ hoti—20.6parittasubhā devā …pe…the gods of limited beauty …20.7appamāṇasubhā devā …the gods of limitless beauty …20.8subhakiṇhā devā dīghāyukā vaṇṇavanto sukhabahulāti.the gods of universal beauty …20.9Tassa evaṁ hoti:20.10‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā subhakiṇhānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti.20.11So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.20.12Tassa te saṅkhārā ca vihārā ca evaṁ bhāvitā evaṁ bahulīkatā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattanti.20.13Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, maggo ayaṁ paṭipadā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattati.21-30.1PTS 3.103Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhāya samannāgato hoti, sīlena …21-30.2sutena …21-30.3cāgena …21-30.4paññāya samannāgato hoti.21-30.5Tassa sutaṁ hoti—21-30.6vehapphalā devā …pe…the gods of abundant fruit …21-30.7avihā devā …the gods of Aviha …21-30.8atappā devā …the gods of Atappa …21-30.9sudassā devā …the gods fair to see …21-30.10sudassī devā …the fair seeing gods …21-30.11akaniṭṭhā devā dīghāyukā vaṇṇavanto sukhabahulāti.the gods of Akaniṭṭha …21-30.12Tassa evaṁ hoti:21-30.13‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā akaniṭṭhānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti.21-30.14So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.21-30.15Tassa te saṅkhārā ca vihārā ca evaṁ bhāvitā evaṁ bahulīkatā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattanti.21-30.16Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, maggo ayaṁ paṭipadā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattati.31.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhāya samannāgato hoti, sīlena …31.2sutena …31.3cāgena …31.4paññāya samannāgato hoti.31.5Tassa sutaṁ hoti:31.6‘ākāsānañcāyatanūpagā devā dīghāyukā ciraṭṭhitikā sukhabahulā’ti.the gods of the dimension of infinite space …31.7Tassa evaṁ hoti:31.8‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā ākāsānañcāyatanūpagānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti.31.9So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.31.10Tassa te saṅkhārā ca vihārā ca evaṁ bhāvitā evaṁ bahulīkatā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattanti.31.11Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, maggo ayaṁ paṭipadā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattati.32.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhāya samannāgato hoti, sīlena …32.2sutena …32.3cāgena …32.4paññāya samannāgato hoti.32.5Tassa sutaṁ hoti:32.6‘viññāṇañcāyatanūpagā devā dīghāyukā ciraṭṭhitikā sukhabahulā’ti.the gods of the dimension of infinite consciousness …32.7Tassa evaṁ hoti:32.8‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā viññāṇañcāyatanūpagānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti.32.9So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.32.10Tassa te saṅkhārā ca vihārā ca evaṁ bhāvitā evaṁ bahulīkatā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattanti.32.11Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, maggo ayaṁ paṭipadā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattati.33-36.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhāya samannāgato hoti, sīlena …33-36.2sutena …33-36.3cāgena …33-36.4paññāya samannāgato hoti.33-36.5Tassa sutaṁ hoti—33-36.6ākiñcaññāyatanūpagā devā …pe…the gods of the dimension of nothingness …33-36.7nevasaññānāsaññāyatanūpagā devā dīghāyukā ciraṭṭhitikā sukhabahulāti.the gods of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception are long-lived, long-lasting, and very happy.’33-36.8Tassa evaṁ hoti:They think:33-36.9‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā nevasaññānāsaññāyatanūpagānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti.‘If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the gods of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception!’33-36.10So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.They settle on that thought, stabilize it, and develop it.33-36.11Tassa te saṅkhārā ca vihārā ca evaṁ bhāvitā evaṁ bahulīkatā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattanti.Those choices and meditations of theirs, developed and cultivated like this, lead to rebirth there.33-36.12Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, maggo ayaṁ paṭipadā tatrupapattiyā saṁvattati.This is the path and the practice that leads to rebirth there.

37.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhāya samannāgato hoti, sīlena …Furthermore, take a mendicant who has faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.37.2sutena …37.3cāgena …37.4paññāya samannāgato hoti.37.5Tassa evaṁ hoti:They think:37.6‘aho vatāhaṁ āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyyan’ti.‘If only I might realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom, and live having realized it with my own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements!’37.7So āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati.They realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. And they live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.937.8Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na katthaci upapajjatī”ti.And, mendicants, that mendicant is not reborn anywhere.”

37.9Idamavoca bhagavā.That is what the Buddha said.37.10Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.

37.11Saṅkhārupapattisuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ dasamaṁ.

37.12Anupadavaggo niṭṭhito dutiyo.

38.0Tassuddānaṁ

38.1Anupada sodhana porisadhammo,38.2Sevitabba bahudhātu vibhatti;38.3Buddhassa kittināma cattārīsena,38.4Ānāpāno kāyagato upapatti.

Translator’s notes

  1. This sutta describes a practice by which a mendicant may choose their place of rebirth. This stands in contrast with the normal approach, where a mendicant aims to be free of all rebirth. At MN 16:12.1, a mendicant who practices out of desire for rebirth is said to be bound by an “emotional shackle” (cetasovinibandha). At AN 3.18, the mendicants are said to be horrified by the suggestion that they practice for rebirth as a god, while AN 7.50:9.1 suggests that such aspirations stem from unresolved sexual desire. The present sutta takes a more conciliatory stance, moving from desire for progressively more refined kinds of rebirth to ultimately letting go of rebirth altogether.

    ↩ mn120:1.1

  2. Here saṅkhāra has the same sense “choice” that it has in dependent origination or the five aggregates. In each case, it is the mental volition that is motivated by morally meaningful forces, either greed, hate, and delusion or their opposites, and which creates results according to that moral force. Often this works unconsciously, as the effects of our choices and deeds manifest with or without our comprehension. Here, someone who understands kamma turns it to their advantage by consciously developing an aspiration for a particular desired result.

    Upapatti is one of several terms in Pali that regularly mean “rebirth”, such as jāti, (abhi)-nibbatti, okkanti, and punabbhava.

    ↩ mn120:2.1

  3. The aspiration alone is not enough. It only works if the person already has the kammic potential to realize their aims.

    In this discourse it is a mendicant who is making the aspiration. The related passages at DN 33:3.1.98 and AN 8.35 focus on “rebirth by giving”, implying the aspirant is a lay person.

    ↩ mn120:3.1

  4. See DN 33:3.1.102, MN 41:15.2, and AN 8.35:1.8.

    ↩ mn120:3.3

  5. “Meditations” here is vihārā, literally “abidings”.

    ↩ mn120:3.5

  6. The text does not say what “pervading” (pharitvā) means, but presumably it is the “divine meditations” (brahmavihāra), which are said to be “spread” or “pervaded” (eg. MN 7:13.1). See also MN 127:8.2.

    ↩ mn120:12.4

  7. This passage raises the question as to how such a reflection leads to rebirth in the Brahmā realms, which requires the development of absorption (eg. AN 4.123). Similar passages take care to specify that in order to be reborn in the Brahmā realm, one must not only be ethical, but “free of desire”, by which they imply the practice of absorption (DN 33:3.1.136 = AN 8.35:4.11). Related passages in Chinese translation relate the development of different levels of absorption to rebirth in the various realms (MA 168 at T i 700c7; Dharmaskandha, T 1537 at T xxvi 506b14), as does the commentary to this sutta. Now, while the current sutta does not mention absorption, it may be considered in light of the meditation practice of the six recollections. One of these is the recollection that the deities, including Brahmās, were reborn due to their faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom—exactly the same qualities mentioned in the present sutta (AN 6.25:6.3). Thus when the present sutta says to “settle on that thought, concentrate on it, and develop it”, the phrase cittaṁ bhāveti implies more than simply “developing the thought” of the aspiration, but means “developing the mind”. In the suttas this implies deep meditation, as for example the case of a teacher of the past, Sunetta, who was “free of desire”; after “developing the mind of love” (mettaṁ cittaṁ bhāvetvā) he was reborn in the Brahmā realm (AN 7.66:13.1). Thus we can interpret the present passage as a way of practicing recollection of the deities, recalling that one’s virtuous qualities are shared with the deities, and developing deep meditation based on the joy that brings.

    ↩ mn120:12.12

  8. Legend has it that on the slopes of Mount Meru grows the vast Jambu tree that gives the continent of India her name, “the land of the black plum tree”. The fruits of that tree are as big as elephants, and when they fall, their juice flows forth as a river named Jambu. The dried mud of that river yields gold nuggets whose unparalleled lustre is highly sought-after among the gods. This is that gold (Śiva Purāṇa 17.16–19).

    ↩ mn120:18.9

  9. Just as rebirth in the realms of higher divinity implies the corresponding level of absorption, freedom from rebirth implies the whole eightfold path.

    ↩ mn120:37.7