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MN 146PTS MN 3.2707 min read

Advice from Nandaka

Nandakovādasutta

When asked to teach the nuns, Venerable Nandaka proceeds by inviting them to engage with his discourse and ask if there is anything that needs further explanation.

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

  • 0.1Majjhima Nikāya 146Middle Discourses 146

0.2NandakovādasuttaAdvice from Nandaka

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.

2.1Atha kho mahāpajāpatigotamī pañcamattehi bhikkhunisatehi saddhiṁ yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho mahāpajāpatigotamī bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:Then Mahāpajāpati Gotamī together with around five hundred nuns approached the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him,22.2“ovadatu, bhante, bhagavā bhikkhuniyo;“Sir, may the Buddha please advise2.3anusāsatu, bhante, bhagavā bhikkhuniyo;and instruct the nuns.2.4karotu, bhante, bhagavā bhikkhunīnaṁ dhammiṁ kathan”ti.Please give the nuns a Dhamma talk.”

3.1Tena kho pana samayena therā bhikkhū bhikkhuniyo ovadanti pariyāyena.Now at that time the senior monks were taking turns to advise the nuns.33.2Āyasmā nandako na icchati bhikkhuniyo ovadituṁ pariyāyena.But Venerable Nandaka didn’t want to take his turn.4

3.3Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ āmantesi:Then the Buddha said to Venerable Ānanda,3.4“kassa nu kho, ānanda, ajja pariyāyo bhikkhuniyo ovadituṁ pariyāyenā”ti?“Ānanda, whose turn is it to advise the nuns today?”

3.5“Sabbeheva, bhante, kato pariyāyo bhikkhuniyo ovadituṁ pariyāyena.“It’s Nandaka’s turn, sir,3.6Ayaṁ, bhante, āyasmā nandako na icchati bhikkhuniyo ovadituṁ pariyāyenā”ti.but he doesn’t want to do it.”

4.1PTS 3.271Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ āmantesi:Then the Buddha said to Nandaka,4.2“ovada, nandaka, bhikkhuniyo;“Nandaka, please advise4.3anusāsa, nandaka, bhikkhuniyo;and instruct the nuns.4.4karohi tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhikkhunīnaṁ dhammiṁ kathan”ti.Please, brahmin, give the nuns a Dhamma talk.”

4.5“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho āyasmā nandako bhagavato paṭissutvā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.“Yes, sir,” replied Nandaka. Then, in the morning, he robed up and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms.4.6Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto attadutiyo yena rājakārāmo tenupasaṅkami.He wandered for alms in Sāvatthī. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to the Royal Monastery with a companion.54.7Addasaṁsu kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.Those nuns saw him coming off in the distance,4.8Disvāna āsanaṁ paññāpesuṁ, udakañca pādānaṁ upaṭṭhapesuṁ.so they spread out a seat and placed water for washing the feet.4.9Nisīdi kho āyasmā nandako paññatte āsane.Nandaka sat down on the seat spread out,4.10Nisajja pāde pakkhālesi.and washed his feet.4.11Tāpi kho bhikkhuniyo āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.Those nuns bowed, and sat down to one side.

4.12Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmā nandako etadavoca:Nandaka said to them,5.1“paṭipucchakathā kho, bhaginiyo, bhavissati.“Sisters, this talk shall be in the form of questions.5.2Tattha ājānantīhi: ‘ājānāmā’ tissa vacanīyaṁ, na ājānantīhi: ‘na ājānāmā’ tissa vacanīyaṁ.When you understand, say so. When you don’t understand, say so.5.3Yassā vā panassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā ahameva tattha paṭipucchitabbo:If anyone has a doubt or uncertainty, ask me about it:5.4‘idaṁ, bhante, kathaṁ; imassa kvattho’”ti?‘Why, sir, does it say this? What does that mean?’”6

5.5“Ettakenapi mayaṁ, bhante, ayyassa nandakassa attamanā abhiraddhā yaṁ no ayyo nandako pavāretī”ti.“We’re already delighted and satisfied with Master Nandaka, since he invites us like this.”7

6.1PTS 3.272“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo,“What do you think, sisters?6.2cakkhu niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?Is the eye permanent or impermanent?”8

6.3“Aniccaṁ, bhante”.“Impermanent, sir.”

6.4“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā”ti?“But if it’s impermanent, is it suffering or happiness?”

6.5“Dukkhaṁ, bhante”.“Suffering, sir.”

6.6“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ:“But if it’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, is it fit to be regarded thus:6.7‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’”ti?‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”

6.8“No hetaṁ, bhante”.“No, sir.”

6.9“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo,“What do you think, sisters?6.10sotaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?Is the ear …6.11“Aniccaṁ, bhante …pe…6.12ghānaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?nose …6.13“Aniccaṁ, bhante” …6.14“jivhā niccā vā aniccā vā”ti?tongue …6.15“Aniccā, bhante” …6.16“kāyo nicco vā anicco vā”ti?body …6.17“Anicco, bhante” …6.18“mano nicco vā anicco vā”ti?mind permanent or impermanent?”

6.19“Anicco, bhante”.“Impermanent, sir.”

6.20“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā”ti?“But if it’s impermanent, is it suffering or happiness?”

6.21“Dukkhaṁ, bhante”.“Suffering, sir.”

6.22“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ:“But if it’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, is it fit to be regarded thus:6.23‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’”ti?‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”

6.24“No hetaṁ, bhante”.“No, sir.6.25“Taṁ kissa hetu”?Why is that?6.26“Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ:Because we have already truly seen this with right wisdom:6.27‘itipime cha ajjhattikā āyatanā aniccā’”ti.‘So these six interior sense fields are impermanent.’”9

6.28“Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo.“Good, good, sisters!6.29Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.That’s how it is for a noble disciple who truly sees with right wisdom.

7.1Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo,What do you think, sisters?7.2rūpā niccā vā aniccā vā”ti?Are sights permanent or impermanent?”

7.3“Aniccā, bhante”.“Impermanent, sir.”

7.4“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā”ti?“But if they’re impermanent, are they suffering or happiness?”

7.5“Dukkhaṁ, bhante”.“Suffering, sir.”

7.6“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ:“But if they’re impermanent, suffering, and perishable, are they fit to be regarded thus:7.7‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’”ti?‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”

7.8“No hetaṁ, bhante”.“No, sir.”

7.9“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo,“What do you think, sisters?7.10saddā niccā vā aniccā vā”ti?Are sounds …7.11“Aniccā, bhante …pe…7.12gandhā niccā vā aniccā vā”ti?smells …7.13“Aniccā, bhante” …7.14“rasā niccā vā aniccā vā”ti?tastes …7.15“Aniccā, bhante” …7.16“phoṭṭhabbā niccā vā aniccā vā”ti?touches …7.17“Aniccā, bhante” …7.18“dhammā niccā vā aniccā vā”ti?ideas permanent or impermanent?”

7.19“Aniccā, bhante”.“Impermanent, sir.”

7.20“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā”ti?“But if they’re impermanent, are they suffering or happiness?”

7.21“Dukkhaṁ, bhante”.“Suffering, sir.”

7.22“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ:“But if they’re impermanent, suffering, and perishable, are they fit to be regarded thus:7.23‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’”ti?‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”

7.24“No hetaṁ, bhante”.“No, sir.7.25“Taṁ kissa hetu”?Why is that?7.26“Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ:Because we have already truly seen this with right wisdom:7.27‘itipime cha bāhirā āyatanā aniccā’”ti.‘So these six exterior sense fields are impermanent.’”

7.28“Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo.“Good, good, sisters!7.29Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.That’s how it is for a noble disciple who truly sees with right wisdom.

8.1PTS 3.273Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo,What do you think, sisters?8.2cakkhuviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?Is eye consciousness …8.3“Aniccaṁ, bhante”.8.4“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā”ti?8.5“Dukkhaṁ, bhante”.8.6“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ:8.7‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’”ti?8.8“No hetaṁ, bhante”.8.9“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, sotaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?ear consciousness …8.10“Aniccaṁ, bhante …pe…8.11ghānaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?nose consciousness …8.12“Aniccaṁ, bhante” …8.13“jivhāviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?tongue consciousness …8.14“Aniccaṁ, bhante” …8.15“kāyaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?body consciousness …8.16“Aniccaṁ, bhante” …8.17“manoviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?mind consciousness permanent or impermanent?”

8.18“Aniccaṁ, bhante”.“Impermanent, sir.”

8.19“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vāti”?“But if it’s impermanent, is it suffering or happiness?”

8.20“Dukkhaṁ, bhante”.“Suffering, sir.”

8.21“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ:“But if it’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, is it fit to be regarded thus:8.22‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’”ti?‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”

8.23“No hetaṁ, bhante”.“No, sir.8.24“Taṁ kissa hetu”?Why is that?8.25“Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ:Because we have already truly seen this with right wisdom:8.26‘itipime cha viññāṇakāyā aniccā’”ti.‘So these six classes of consciousness are impermanent.’”

8.27“Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo.“Good, good, sisters!8.28Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.That’s how it is for a noble disciple who truly sees with right wisdom.

9.1PTS 3.274Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, ābhāpi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā.Suppose there was an oil lamp burning. The oil, wick, flame, and light were all impermanent and perishable.109.2Yo nu kho, bhaginiyo, evaṁ vadeyya:Now, suppose someone was to say:9.3‘amussa telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā;‘While this oil lamp is burning, the oil, the wick, and the flame are all impermanent and perishable.9.4yā ca khvāssa ābhā sā niccā dhuvā sassatā avipariṇāmadhammā’ti;But the light is permanent, lasting, eternal, and imperishable.’9.5sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā”ti?Would they be speaking rightly?”

9.6“No hetaṁ, bhante”.“No, sir.9.7“Taṁ kissa hetu”?Why is that?9.8“Amussa hi, bhante, telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā;Because that oil lamp’s oil, wick, and flame are all impermanent and perishable,9.9pagevassa ābhā aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā”ti.let alone the light.”11

9.10“Evameva kho, bhaginiyo, yo nu kho evaṁ vadeyya:“In the same way, suppose someone was to say:9.11‘cha khome ajjhattikā āyatanā aniccā;‘These six interior sense fields are impermanent.9.12yañca kho cha ajjhattike āyatane paṭicca paṭisaṁvedeti sukhaṁ vā dukkhaṁ vā adukkhamasukhaṁ vā taṁ niccaṁ dhuvaṁ sassataṁ avipariṇāmadhamman’ti;But the feeling—whether pleasant, painful, or neutral—that I experience due to these six interior sense fields is permanent, lasting, eternal, and imperishable.’9.13sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā”ti?Would they be speaking rightly?”

9.14“No hetaṁ, bhante”.“No, sir.9.15“Taṁ kissa hetu”?Why is that?9.16“Tajjaṁ tajjaṁ, bhante, paccayaṁ paṭicca tajjā tajjā vedanā uppajjanti.Because each kind of feeling arises dependent on the corresponding condition.9.17Tajjassa tajjassa paccayassa nirodhā tajjā tajjā vedanā nirujjhantī”ti.When the corresponding condition ceases, the appropriate feeling ceases.”

9.18“Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo.“Good, good, sisters!9.19Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.That’s how it is for a noble disciple who truly sees with right wisdom.

10.1Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, chāyāpi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā.Suppose there was a large tree standing with heartwood. The roots, trunk, branches and leaves, and shadow were all impermanent and perishable.1210.2Yo nu kho, bhaginiyo, evaṁ vadeyya:Now, suppose someone was to say:10.3‘amussa mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, yā ca khvāssa chāyā sā niccā dhuvā sassatā avipariṇāmadhammā’ti;‘There’s a large tree standing with heartwood. The roots, trunk, and branches and leaves are all impermanent and perishable. But the shadow is permanent, lasting, eternal, and imperishable.’10.4sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā”ti?Would they be speaking rightly?”

10.5“No hetaṁ, bhante”.“No, sir.10.6“Taṁ kissa hetu”?Why is that?10.7“Amussa hi, bhante, mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ;Because that large tree’s roots, trunk, and branches and leaves are all impermanent and perishable,10.8pagevassa chāyā aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā”ti.let alone the shadow.”13

10.9“Evameva kho, bhaginiyo, yo nu kho evaṁ vadeyya:“In the same way, suppose someone was to say:10.10‘cha khome bāhirā āyatanā aniccā.‘These six exterior sense fields are impermanent.1410.11Yañca kho cha bāhire āyatane paṭicca paṭisaṁvedeti sukhaṁ vā dukkhaṁ vā adukkhamasukhaṁ vā taṁ niccaṁ dhuvaṁ sassataṁ avipariṇāmadhamman’ti;But the feeling—whether pleasant, painful, or neutral—that I experience due to these six exterior sense fields is permanent, lasting, eternal, and imperishable.’10.12sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā”ti?Would they be speaking rightly?”

10.13“No hetaṁ, bhante”.“No, sir.10.14“Taṁ kissa hetu”?Why is that?10.15“Tajjaṁ tajjaṁ, bhante, paccayaṁ paṭicca tajjā tajjā vedanā uppajjanti.Because each kind of feeling arises dependent on the corresponding condition.10.16Tajjassa tajjassa paccayassa nirodhā tajjā tajjā vedanā nirujjhantī”ti.When the corresponding condition ceases, the appropriate feeling ceases.”

10.17“Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo.“Good, good, sisters!10.18Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.That’s how it is for a noble disciple who truly sees with right wisdom.

11.1PTS 3.275Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā tiṇhena govikantanena gāviṁ saṅkanteyya anupahacca antaraṁ maṁsakāyaṁ anupahacca bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ.Suppose a deft butcher or their apprentice, having killed a cow, were to carve it with a sharp meat cleaver, without damaging the flesh inside or the hide outside.1511.2Yaṁ yadeva tattha antarā vilimaṁsaṁ antarā nhāru antarā bandhanaṁ taṁ tadeva tiṇhena govikantanena sañchindeyya saṅkanteyya sampakanteyya samparikanteyya.They’d cut, carve, sever, and slice through each of the connecting tendons, sinews, and ligaments with a sharp meat cleaver,1611.3Sañchinditvā saṅkantitvā sampakantitvā samparikantitvā vidhunitvā bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ teneva cammena taṁ gāviṁ paṭicchādetvā evaṁ vadeyya:and then peel off the outer hide. Then they’d wrap that cow up in that very same hide and say:11.4‘tathevāyaṁ gāvī saṁyuttā imināva cammenā’ti;‘This cow is joined to its hide just like before.’11.5sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā”ti?Would they be speaking rightly?”

11.6“No hetaṁ, bhante”.“No, sir.11.7“Taṁ kissa hetu”?Why is that?11.8“Amu hi, bhante, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā tiṇhena govikantanena gāviṁ saṅkanteyya anupahacca antaraṁ maṁsakāyaṁ anupahacca bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ.11.9Yaṁ yadeva tattha antarā vilimaṁsaṁ antarā nhāru antarā bandhanaṁ taṁ tadeva tiṇhena govikantanena sañchindeyya saṅkanteyya sampakanteyya samparikanteyya.11.10Sañchinditvā saṅkantitvā sampakantitvā samparikantitvā vidhunitvā bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ teneva cammena taṁ gāviṁ paṭicchādetvā kiñcāpi so evaṁ vadeyya:Because even if they wrap that cow up in that very same hide and say:11.11‘tathevāyaṁ gāvī saṁyuttā imināva cammenā’ti;‘This cow is joined to its hide just like before,’11.12atha kho sā gāvī visaṁyuttā teneva cammenā”ti.still that cow is not joined to that hide.”

12.1“Upamā kho me ayaṁ, bhaginiyo, katā atthassa viññāpanāya.“I’ve made up this simile to make a point.12.2Ayamevettha attho;And this is the point.12.3‘antarā maṁsakāyo’ti kho, bhaginiyo, channetaṁ ajjhattikānaṁ āyatanānaṁ adhivacanaṁ;‘The inner flesh’ is a term for the six interior sense fields.12.4‘bāhiro cammakāyo’ti kho, bhaginiyo, channetaṁ bāhirānaṁ āyatanānaṁ adhivacanaṁ;‘The outer hide’ is a term for the six exterior sense fields.12.5‘antarā vilimaṁsaṁ, antarā nhāru, antarā bandhanan’ti kho, bhaginiyo, nandīrāgassetaṁ adhivacanaṁ;‘The connecting tendons, sinews, and ligaments’ is a term for greed and relishing.12.6‘tiṇhaṁ govikantanan’ti kho, bhaginiyo, ariyāyetaṁ paññāya adhivacanaṁ;‘A sharp meat cleaver’ is a term for noble wisdom.12.7yāyaṁ ariyā paññā antarā kilesaṁ antarā saṁyojanaṁ antarā bandhanaṁ sañchindati saṅkantati sampakantati samparikantati.And it is that noble wisdom which cuts, carves, severs, and slices the connecting corruption, fetter, and bond.

13.1Satta kho panime, bhaginiyo, bojjhaṅgā, yesaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati.Sisters, by developing and cultivating these seven awakening factors, a mendicant realizes 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.1713.2Katame satta?What seven?13.3Idha, bhaginiyo, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.It’s when a mendicant develops the awakening factors of mindfulness,13.4Dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe…investigation of principles,13.5vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …energy,13.6pītisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …rapture,13.7passaddhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …tranquility,13.8samādhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …immersion,13.9upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.and equanimity, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go.13.10Ime kho, bhaginiyo, satta bojjhaṅgā, yesaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharatī”ti.It is by developing and cultivating these seven awakening factors that a mendicant realizes 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.”

14.1PTS 3.276Atha kho āyasmā nandako tā bhikkhuniyo iminā ovādena ovaditvā uyyojesi:Then after giving this advice to the nuns, Nandaka sent them off, saying,14.2“gacchatha, bhaginiyo; kālo”ti.“Go, sisters, it is time.”18

14.3Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmato nandakassa bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavā etadavoca:And then those nuns approved and agreed with what Nandaka had said. They rose from their seats, bowed, and respectfully circled him, keeping him on their right. Then they went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side. The Buddha said to them,14.4“gacchatha, bhikkhuniyo; kālo”ti.“Go, nuns, it is time.”

14.5Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkamiṁsu.Then those nuns bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right, before leaving.

15.1Atha kho bhagavā acirapakkantīsu tāsu bhikkhunīsu bhikkhū āmantesi:Soon after those nuns had left, the Buddha addressed the mendicants:15.2“seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, tadahuposathe cātuddase na hoti bahuno janassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā:“Suppose, mendicants, it was the sabbath of the fourteenth day. You wouldn’t get lots of people15.3‘ūno nu kho cando, puṇṇo nu kho cando’ti, atha kho ūno cando tveva hoti.wondering whether the moon is full or not, since it is obviously not full.

15.4Evameva kho, bhikkhave, tā bhikkhuniyo nandakassa dhammadesanāya attamanā honti no ca kho paripuṇṇasaṅkappā”ti.In the same way, those nuns were uplifted by Nandaka’s Dhamma teaching, but they still haven’t got all they wished for.”

16.1PTS 3.277Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ āmantesi:Then the Buddha said to Nandaka,16.2“tena hi tvaṁ, nandaka, svepi tā bhikkhuniyo tenevovādena ovadeyyāsī”ti.“Well then, Nandaka, tomorrow you should give those nuns the same advice again.”

16.3“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho āyasmā nandako bhagavato paccassosi.“Yes, sir,” Nandaka replied.16.4Atha kho āyasmā nandako tassā rattiyā accayena pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.And the next day he went to those nuns, and all unfolded just like the previous day.16.5Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto attadutiyo yena rājakārāmo tenupasaṅkami.16.6Addasaṁsu kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.16.7Disvāna āsanaṁ paññāpesuṁ, udakañca pādānaṁ upaṭṭhapesuṁ.16.8Nisīdi kho āyasmā nandako paññatte āsane.16.9Nisajja pāde pakkhālesi.16.10Tāpi kho bhikkhuniyo āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.16.11Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmā nandako etadavoca:16.12“paṭipucchakathā kho, bhaginiyo, bhavissati.16.13Tattha ājānantīhi ‘ājānāmā’ tissa vacanīyaṁ, na ājānantīhi ‘na ājānāmā’ tissa vacanīyaṁ.16.14Yassā vā panassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā, ahameva tattha paṭipucchitabbo:16.15‘idaṁ, bhante, kathaṁ; imassa kvattho’”ti.16.16“Ettakenapi mayaṁ, bhante, ayyassa nandakassa attamanā abhiraddhā yaṁ no ayyo nandako pavāretī”ti.

17-18.1“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, cakkhu niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?17-18.2“Aniccaṁ, bhante”.17-18.3“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā”ti?17-18.4“Dukkhaṁ, bhante”.17-18.5“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ:17-18.6‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’”ti?17-18.7“No hetaṁ, bhante”.17-18.8“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, sotaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?17-18.9“Aniccaṁ, bhante …pe…17-18.10ghānaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?17-18.11“Aniccaṁ, bhante …17-18.12jivhā …17-18.13kāyo …17-18.14mano nicco vā anicco vā”ti?17-18.15“Anicco, bhante”.17-18.16“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā”ti?17-18.17“Dukkhaṁ, bhante”.17-18.18“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ:17-18.19‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’”ti?17-18.20“No hetaṁ, bhante”.17-18.21“Taṁ kissa hetu”?17-18.22“Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ:17-18.23‘itipime cha ajjhattikā āyatanā aniccā’”ti.17-18.24“Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo.17-18.25Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.

19-20.1Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, rūpā niccā vā aniccā vā”ti?19-20.2“Aniccā, bhante”.19-20.3“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā”ti?19-20.4“Dukkhaṁ, bhante”.19-20.5“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ:19-20.6‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’”ti?19-20.7“No hetaṁ, bhante”.19-20.8“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, saddā niccā vā aniccā vā”ti?19-20.9“Aniccā, bhante …pe…19-20.10gandhā niccā vā aniccā vā”ti?19-20.11“Aniccā, bhante …19-20.12rasā niccā vā aniccā vā”ti?19-20.13“Aniccā, bhante …19-20.14phoṭṭhabbā niccā vā aniccā vā”ti?19-20.15“Aniccā, bhante …19-20.16dhammā niccā vā aniccā vā”ti?19-20.17“Aniccā, bhante”.19-20.18“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā”ti?19-20.19“Dukkhaṁ, bhante”.19-20.20“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ:19-20.21‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’”ti?19-20.22“No hetaṁ, bhante”.19-20.23“Taṁ kissa hetu”?19-20.24“Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ:19-20.25‘itipime cha bāhirā āyatanā aniccā’”ti.19-20.26“Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo.19-20.27Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.

21.1Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, cakkhuviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?21.2“Aniccaṁ, bhante …pe…21.3sotaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?21.4“Aniccaṁ, bhante …21.5ghānaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?21.6“Aniccaṁ, bhante …21.7jivhāviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?21.8“Aniccaṁ, bhante …21.9kāyaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?21.10“Aniccaṁ, bhante …21.11manoviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?21.12“Aniccaṁ, bhante”.21.13“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā”ti?21.14“Dukkhaṁ, bhante”.21.15“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ:21.16‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’”ti?21.17“No hetaṁ, bhante”.21.18“Taṁ kissa hetu”?21.19“Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ:21.20‘itipime cha viññāṇakāyā aniccā’”ti.21.21“Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo.21.22Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.

22.1Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, ābhāpi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā.22.2Yo nu kho, bhaginiyo, evaṁ vadeyya:22.3‘amussa telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā;22.4yā ca khvāssa ābhā sā niccā dhuvā sassatā avipariṇāmadhammā’ti;22.5sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā”ti?22.6“No hetaṁ, bhante”.22.7“Taṁ kissa hetu”?22.8“Amussa hi, bhante, telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā;22.9pagevassa ābhā aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā”ti.22.10“Evameva kho, bhaginiyo, yo nu kho evaṁ vadeyya:22.11‘cha khome ajjhattikā āyatanā aniccā.22.12Yañca kho cha ajjhattike āyatane paṭicca paṭisaṁvedeti sukhaṁ vā dukkhaṁ vā adukkhamasukhaṁ vā taṁ niccaṁ dhuvaṁ sassataṁ avipariṇāmadhamman’ti;22.13sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā”ti?22.14“No hetaṁ, bhante”.22.15“Taṁ kissa hetu”?22.16“Tajjaṁ tajjaṁ, bhante, paccayaṁ paṭicca tajjā tajjā vedanā uppajjanti.22.17Tajjassa tajjassa paccayassa nirodhā tajjā tajjā vedanā nirujjhantī”ti.22.18“Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo.22.19Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.

23.1Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, chāyāpi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā.23.2Yo nu kho, bhaginiyo, evaṁ vadeyya:23.3‘amussa mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ;23.4yā ca khvāssa chāyā sā niccā dhuvā sassatā avipariṇāmadhammā’ti;23.5sammā nu kho so bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā”ti?23.6“No hetaṁ, bhante”.23.7“Taṁ kissa hetu”?23.8“Amussa hi, bhante, mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ;23.9pagevassa chāyā aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā”ti.23.10“Evameva kho, bhaginiyo, yo nu kho evaṁ vadeyya:23.11‘cha khome bāhirā āyatanā aniccā.23.12Yañca kho bāhire āyatane paṭicca paṭisaṁvedeti sukhaṁ vā dukkhaṁ vā adukkhamasukhaṁ vā taṁ niccaṁ dhuvaṁ sassataṁ avipariṇāmadhamman’ti;23.13sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā”ti?23.14“No hetaṁ, bhante”.23.15“Taṁ kissa hetu”?23.16“Tajjaṁ tajjaṁ, bhante, paccayaṁ paṭicca tajjā tajjā vedanā uppajjanti.23.17Tajjassa tajjassa paccayassa nirodhā tajjā tajjā vedanā nirujjhantī”ti.23.18“Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo.23.19Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.

24.1Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā tiṇhena govikantanena gāviṁ saṅkanteyya anupahacca antaraṁ maṁsakāyaṁ anupahacca bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ.24.2Yaṁ yadeva tattha antarā vilimaṁsaṁ antarā nhāru antarā bandhanaṁ taṁ tadeva tiṇhena govikantanena sañchindeyya saṅkanteyya sampakanteyya samparikanteyya.24.3Sañchinditvā saṅkantitvā sampakantitvā samparikantitvā vidhunitvā bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ teneva cammena taṁ gāviṁ paṭicchādetvā evaṁ vadeyya:24.4‘tathevāyaṁ gāvī saṁyuttā imināva cammenā’ti;24.5sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā”ti?24.6“No hetaṁ, bhante”.24.7“Taṁ kissa hetu”?24.8“Amu hi, bhante, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā tiṇhena govikantanena gāviṁ saṅkanteyya anupahacca antaraṁ maṁsakāyaṁ anupahacca bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ.24.9Yaṁ yadeva tattha antarā vilimaṁsaṁ antarā nhāru antarā bandhanaṁ taṁ tadeva tiṇhena govikantanena sañchindeyya saṅkanteyya sampakanteyya samparikanteyya.24.10Sañchinditvā saṅkantitvā sampakantitvā samparikantitvā vidhunitvā bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ teneva cammena taṁ gāviṁ paṭicchādetvā kiñcāpi so evaṁ vadeyya:24.11‘tathevāyaṁ gāvī saṁyuttā imināva cammenā’ti;24.12atha kho sā gāvī visaṁyuttā teneva cammenā”ti.

25.1“Upamā kho me ayaṁ, bhaginiyo, katā atthassa viññāpanāya ayamevettha attho.25.2‘Antarā maṁsakāyo’ti kho, bhaginiyo, channetaṁ ajjhattikānaṁ āyatanānaṁ adhivacanaṁ;25.3‘bāhiro cammakāyo’ti kho, bhaginiyo, channetaṁ bāhirānaṁ āyatanānaṁ adhivacanaṁ;25.4‘antarā vilimaṁsaṁ antarā nhāru antarā bandhanan’ti kho, bhaginiyo, nandīrāgassetaṁ adhivacanaṁ;25.5‘tiṇhaṁ govikantanan’ti kho, bhaginiyo, ariyāyetaṁ paññāya adhivacanaṁ;25.6yāyaṁ ariyā paññā antarā kilesaṁ antarā saṁyojanaṁ antarā bandhanaṁ sañchindati saṅkantati sampakantati samparikantati.

26.1Satta kho panime, bhaginiyo, bojjhaṅgā, yesaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati.26.2Katame satta?26.3Idha, bhaginiyo, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.26.4Dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe…26.5vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …26.6pītisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …26.7passaddhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …26.8samādhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …26.9upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.26.10Ime kho, bhaginiyo, satta bojjhaṅgā yesaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharatī”ti.

26.11Atha kho āyasmā nandako tā bhikkhuniyo iminā ovādena ovaditvā uyyojesi:26.12“gacchatha, bhaginiyo; kālo”ti.26.13Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmato nandakassa bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavā etadavoca:26.14“gacchatha, bhikkhuniyo; kālo”ti.26.15Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkamiṁsu.

27.1Atha kho bhagavā acirapakkantīsu tāsu bhikkhunīsu bhikkhū āmantesi:Soon after those nuns had left, the Buddha addressed the mendicants:27.2“seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, tadahuposathe pannarase na hoti bahuno janassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā:“Suppose, mendicants, it was the sabbath of the fifteenth day. You wouldn’t get lots of people27.3‘ūno nu kho cando, puṇṇo nu kho cando’ti, atha kho puṇṇo cando tveva hoti;wondering whether the moon is full or not, since it is obviously full.27.4evameva kho, bhikkhave, tā bhikkhuniyo nandakassa dhammadesanāya attamanā ceva paripuṇṇasaṅkappā ca.In the same way, those nuns were uplifted by Nandaka’s Dhamma teaching, and they got all they wished for.27.5Tāsaṁ, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ bhikkhunisatānaṁ yā pacchimikā bhikkhunī sā sotāpannā avinipātadhammā niyatā sambodhiparāyanā”ti.Even the last of these five hundred nuns is a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.”19

27.6Idamavoca bhagavā.That is what the Buddha said.27.7Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.

27.8Nandakovādasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ catutthaṁ.

Translator’s notes

  1. This discourse deals with the fortnightly teaching of the nuns, a practice ostensibly set up at Mahāpajāpati’s ordination (AN 8.51:13.1, Kd 20:1.4.7) and mandated in the Vinaya (Bu Pc 21, Bi Pc 59). This is the only mention of such a teaching in the discourses. However it does not follow the pattern laid out in the Vinaya, where the teaching consists of the eight garudhammas (Bi Pc 58), and the monks cannot go to the nuns’ monastery to advise them (Bu Pc 23).

    ↩ mn146:1.1
  2. Here we see Mahāpajāpati in the leadership role that would be expected were she the founder of the nuns. However, this is the only case where this occurs.

    ↩ mn146:2.1
  3. Monks must be appointed by the Saṅgha to take on this role, and they must fulfill eight factors: they must be virtuous and learned, have memorized both Monastic Codes, be well-spoken, liked by the nuns, and capable, never having committed a heavy offense against a nun; and they must have been ordained at least twenty years (Bu Pc 21).

    ↩ mn146:3.1
  4. Nandaka was praised for his teaching of monks (AN 9.4). At AN 3.66 he taught the layman Sāḷha how to discern the true teaching, using the method of questioning as he does in the present discourse. On the strength of this teaching, Nandaka was declared the foremost in advising nuns (AN 1.229:1.1). His four Theragāthā verses are at Thag 4.4 according to the commentary. A second Nandaka at Thag 2.27 was the brother of Bharata (Thag 2.28).

    While the text does not explain why he was reluctant to teach, the commentary says that those nuns were his wives in past lives and he wanted to avoid the potential for gossip.

    ↩ mn146:3.2
  5. The Royal Monastery (rājakārāma) was a residence for nuns near Sāvatthī, also featured in SN 55.11.

    ↩ mn146:4.6
  6. Nandaka does not lecture the nuns, but engages with them. He makes it clear that, against patriarchal expectations, the nuns should ask for clarifications.

    ↩ mn146:5.4
  7. Thus fulfilling one of the factors required for a teacher of nuns.

    ↩ mn146:5.5
  8. The discussion begins with the most obvious factors, the internal sense organs, and proceeds to analyze each in terms of the three characteristics: impermanence, suffering, and not-self. Nandaka ensures that the nuns are with him each step.

    ↩ mn146:6.2
  9. This level of direct insight normally indicates stream-entry. See below at MN 146:27.5.

    ↩ mn146:6.27
  10. While the imagery of the dependence of the flame on its fuel is common in the suttas, this exact metaphor is not found elsewhere. Normally the Buddha employs metaphors in an ABA structure: he explains the doctrine, illustrates it, and repeats the explanation. Here, however, the metaphor acts as a springboard for the next stage of the argument, the impermanence of feelings.

    ↩ mn146:9.1
  11. The Self is often said to be a light (eg. Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 4.3.7).

    ↩ mn146:9.9
  12. This is another unique application of a familiar image, although a similar metaphor for the six senses as the shadow of a post is found at AN 4.195:11.1.

    ↩ mn146:10.1
  13. Divinity is identified, albeit inadequately, with a shadow at Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 2.1.12. From Vedic times the shadow was both the place of relief from the hot sun (Rig Veda 6.16.38, 2.33.6) and the shadow of death (10.121.2).

    ↩ mn146:10.8
  14. The metaphor of shadow for the exterior sense fields is the inverse of that for the interior sense fields, light. This speaks to the high degree of care with which Nandaka structured his teaching. Further, the movement from light to shadow subconsciously prepares the audience for the darker metaphor to come.

    ↩ mn146:10.10
  15. A similar image is applied to analysis by way of the elements (MN 10:12.3 = MN 119:8.3).

    ↩ mn146:11.1
  16. Antarā is “in-between”, “connecting”, not “inner”.

    ↩ mn146:11.2
  17. Knowing that the nuns have good insight, Nandaka encourages them to continue deepening their meditation practice.

    ↩ mn146:13.1
  18. This seems at odds with the detail that Nandaka had gone to the nuns’ monastery to teach. Parallels in Chinese and Tibetan say instead that Nandaka left (SA 276 at T ii 75c2; T 1442 at T xxiii 793c12, and D (3) ’dul ba, ja 57b7).

    ↩ mn146:14.2
  19. As noted above, the nuns’ statements indicate that they had attained stream-entry even before being taught by Nandaka. Elsewhere, to have fulfilled one’s wishes like the moon on the fifteenth day unequivocally means arahantship (Thag 10.2:10.1). Indeed, parallels indicate that at this point they have all attained arahantship (SA 276 at T ii 75c16; T 1442 at T xxiii 794a14; D (3) ’dul ba, ja 59a1). Remarkably, this detail is also confirmed in the commentaries to the Aṅguttara Nikāya, Theragāthā, and Therīgāthā, which say they became arahants when listening to Nandaka’s second teaching.

    ↩ mn146:27.5