Skip to content
True DhammaLibrary · Community
MN 41PTS MN 1.2858 min read

The People of Sālā

Sāleyyakasutta

The Buddha explains to a group of brahmins the conduct leading to rebirth in higher or lower states, including detailed explanations of the ten core practices which lay people should undertake, and which also form the basis for liberation.

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

  • 0.1Majjhima Nikāya 41Middle Discourses 41

0.2SāleyyakasuttaThe People of Sālā

1.1PTS 1.285Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.1.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosalesu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ yena sālā nāma kosalānaṁ brāhmaṇagāmo tadavasari.At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Kosalans together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants when he arrived at a village of the Kosalan brahmins named Sālā.1

2.1Assosuṁ kho sāleyyakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā:The brahmins and householders of Sālā heard,2.2“samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito kosalesu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ sālaṁ anuppatto.“It seems the ascetic Gotama—a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family—while wandering in the land of the Kosalans has arrived at Sālā, together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants.2.3Taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:He has this good reputation:2.4‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’.‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’2.5So imaṁ lokaṁ sadevakaṁ samārakaṁ sabrahmakaṁ sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiṁ pajaṁ sadevamanussaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedeti.He has realized with his own insight this world—with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—and he makes it known to others.2.6So dhammaṁ deseti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ;He teaches Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased.2.7kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāseti.He reveals an entirely full and pure spiritual life.2.8Sādhu kho pana tathārūpānaṁ arahataṁ dassanaṁ hotī”ti.It’s good to see such perfected ones.”

3.1Atha kho sāleyyakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā appekacce bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu; appekacce bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu, sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu; appekacce yena bhagavā tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu; appekacce bhagavato santike nāmagottaṁ sāvetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu; appekacce tuṇhībhūtā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho sāleyyakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:Then the brahmins and householders of Sālā went up to the Buddha. Before sitting down to one side, some bowed, some exchanged greetings and polite conversation, some held up their cupped palms toward the Buddha, some announced their name and clan, while some kept silent. Seated to one side they said to the Buddha:

4.1“ko nu kho, bho gotama, hetu, ko paccayo, yena m’idhekacce sattā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjanti?“What is the cause, worthy Gotama, what is the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell?24.2Ko pana, bho gotama, hetu, ko paccayo, yena m’idhekacce sattā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjantī”ti?And what is the cause, worthy Gotama, what is the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm?”

5.1PTS 1.286“Adhammacariyāvisamacariyāhetu kho, gahapatayo, evam’idhekacce sattā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjanti.“Unprincipled and immoral conduct is the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.5.2Dhammacariyāsamacariyāhetu kho, gahapatayo, evam’idhekacce sattā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjantī”ti.Principled and moral conduct is the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.”

6.1“Na kho mayaṁ imassa bhoto gotamassa saṅkhittena bhāsitassa, vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa, vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāma.“We don’t understand the detailed meaning of the worthy Gotama’s brief statement.6.2Sādhu no bhavaṁ gotamo tathā dhammaṁ desetu, yathā mayaṁ imassa bhoto gotamassa saṅkhittena bhāsitassa, vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa, vitthārena atthaṁ ājāneyyāmā”ti.Worthy Gotama, please teach us this matter in detail so we can understand the meaning.”

6.3“Tena hi, gahapatayo, suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.“Well then, householders, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

6.4“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho sāleyyakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā bhagavato paccassosuṁ.“Yes, worthy sir,” they replied.6.5Bhagavā etadavoca:The Buddha said this:

7.1“Tividhaṁ kho, gahapatayo, kāyena adhammacariyāvisamacariyā hoti, catubbidhaṁ vācāya adhammacariyāvisamacariyā hoti, tividhaṁ manasā adhammacariyāvisamacariyā hoti.“Householders, unprincipled and immoral conduct is threefold by way of body, fourfold by way of speech, and threefold by way of mind.3

8.1Kathañca, gahapatayo, tividhaṁ kāyena adhammacariyāvisamacariyā hoti?And how is unprincipled and immoral conduct threefold by way of body?8.2Idha, gahapatayo, ekacco pāṇātipātī hoti, luddo lohitapāṇi hatappahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.It’s when someone kills living creatures. They’re violent, bloody-handed, a hardened killer, merciless to living beings.4

8.3Adinnādāyī kho pana hoti. Yaṁ taṁ parassa paravittūpakaraṇaṁ, gāmagataṁ vā araññagataṁ vā, taṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādātā hoti.They steal. With the intention to commit theft, they take the wealth or belongings of others from village or wilderness.

8.4Kāmesumicchācārī kho pana hoti. Yā tā māturakkhitā piturakkhitā mātāpiturakkhitā bhāturakkhitā bhaginirakkhitā ñātirakkhitā gottarakkhitā dhammarakkhitā sassāmikā saparidaṇḍā antamaso mālāguḷaparikkhittāpi, tathārūpāsu cārittaṁ āpajjitā hoti.They commit sexual misconduct. They have relations with women who have their mother, father, both mother and father, brother, sister, relatives, or clan as guardian. They have relations with a woman who is protected on principle, or who has a husband, or whose violation is punishable by law, or even one who has been garlanded as a token of betrothal.58.5Evaṁ kho, gahapatayo, tividhaṁ kāyena adhammacariyāvisamacariyā hoti.This is how unprincipled and immoral conduct is threefold by way of body.

9.1Kathañca, gahapatayo, catubbidhaṁ vācāya adhammacariyāvisamacariyā hoti?And how is unprincipled and immoral conduct fourfold by way of speech?9.2Idha, gahapatayo, ekacco musāvādī hoti. Sabhāgato vā parisāgato vā, ñātimajjhagato vā pūgamajjhagato vā rājakulamajjhagato vā, abhinīto sakkhipuṭṭho: ‘ehambho purisa, yaṁ jānāsi taṁ vadehī’ti, so ajānaṁ vā āha: ‘jānāmī’ti, jānaṁ vā āha: na jānāmī’ti, ‘apassaṁ vā āha: ‘passāmī’ti, passaṁ vā āha: ‘na passāmī’ti. Iti attahetu vā parahetu vā āmisakiñcikkhahetu vā sampajānamusā bhāsitā hoti.It’s when someone lies. They’re summoned to a council, an assembly, a family meeting, a guild, or to the royal court, and asked to bear witness: ‘Please, my friend, say what you know.’ Not knowing, they say ‘I know.’ Knowing, they say ‘I don’t know.’ Not seeing, they say ‘I see.’ And seeing, they say ‘I don’t see.’ So they deliberately lie for the sake of themselves or another, or for some trivial worldly reason.6

9.3Pisuṇavāco kho pana hoti. Ito sutvā amutra akkhātā imesaṁ bhedāya, amutra vā sutvā imesaṁ akkhātā amūsaṁ bhedāya. Iti samaggānaṁ vā bhettā, bhinnānaṁ vā anuppadātā, vaggārāmo vaggarato vagganandī vaggakaraṇiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.They backbite. They repeat in one place what they heard in another so as to divide people against each other. And so they divide those who are harmonious, supporting division, delighting in division, loving division, speaking words that promote division.

9.4PTS 1.287Pharusavāco kho pana hoti. Yā sā vācā aṇḍakā kakkasā parakaṭukā parābhisajjanī kodhasāmantā asamādhisaṁvattanikā, tathārūpiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.They speak harshly. They use the kinds of words that are cruel, nasty, hurtful, offensive, bordering on anger, not leading to immersion.

9.5Samphappalāpī kho pana hoti. Akālavādī abhūtavādī anatthavādī adhammavādī avinayavādī. Anidhānavatiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti akālena anapadesaṁ apariyantavatiṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ.They talk nonsense. Their speech is untimely, and is neither factual nor beneficial. It has nothing to do with the teaching or the training. Their words have no value, and are untimely, unreasonable, rambling, and pointless.9.6Evaṁ kho, gahapatayo, catubbidhaṁ vācāya adhammacariyāvisamacariyā hoti.This is how unprincipled and immoral conduct is fourfold by way of speech.

10.1Kathañca, gahapatayo, tividhaṁ manasā adhammacariyāvisamacariyā hoti?And how is unprincipled and immoral conduct threefold by way of mind?710.2Idha, gahapatayo, ekacco abhijjhālu hoti, yaṁ taṁ parassa paravittūpakaraṇaṁ taṁ abhijjhātā hoti: ‘aho vata yaṁ parassa taṁ mamassā’ti.It’s when someone is covetous. They covet the wealth and belongings of others: ‘Oh, if only their belongings were mine!’

10.3Byāpannacitto kho pana hoti paduṭṭhamanasaṅkappo: ‘ime sattā haññantu vā vajjhantu vā ucchijjantu vā vinassantu vā mā vā ahesun’ti.They have ill will and malicious intentions: ‘May these sentient beings be killed, slaughtered, slain, destroyed, or annihilated!’

10.4Micchādiṭṭhiko kho pana hoti viparītadassano:They have wrong view. Their perspective is distorted:10.5‘natthi dinnaṁ natthi yiṭṭhaṁ natthi hutaṁ, natthi sukatadukkaṭānaṁ kammānaṁ phalaṁ vipāko, natthi ayaṁ loko natthi paro loko, natthi mātā natthi pitā, natthi sattā opapātikā, natthi loke samaṇabrāhmaṇā sammaggatā sammāpaṭipannā ye imañca lokaṁ parañca lokaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedentī’ti.‘There’s no meaning in giving, sacrifice, or offerings. There’s no fruit or result of good and bad deeds. There’s no afterlife. There’s no such thing as mother and father, or beings that are reborn spontaneously. And there’s no ascetic or brahmin who is rightly comported and rightly practiced, and who describes the afterlife after realizing it with their own insight.’810.6Evaṁ kho, gahapatayo, tividhaṁ manasā adhammacariyāvisamacariyā hoti.This is how unprincipled and immoral conduct is threefold by way of mind.

10.7Evaṁ adhammacariyāvisamacariyāhetu kho, gahapatayo, evam’idhekacce sattā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjanti.That’s how unprincipled and immoral conduct is the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.

11.1Tividhaṁ kho, gahapatayo, kāyena dhammacariyāsamacariyā hoti, catubbidhaṁ vācāya dhammacariyāsamacariyā hoti, tividhaṁ manasā dhammacariyāsamacariyā hoti.Householders, principled and moral conduct is threefold by way of body, fourfold by way of speech, and threefold by way of mind.

12.1Kathañca, gahapatayo, tividhaṁ kāyena dhammacariyāsamacariyā hoti?And how is principled and moral conduct threefold by way of body?12.2Idha, gahapatayo, ekacco pāṇātipātaṁ pahāya pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti, nihitadaṇḍo nihitasattho lajjī dayāpanno sabbapāṇabhūtahitānukampī viharati.It’s when someone gives up killing living creatures, renouncing the rod and the sword. They’re scrupulous and kind, living full of sympathy for all living beings.

12.3Adinnādānaṁ pahāya adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti. Yaṁ taṁ parassa paravittūpakaraṇaṁ, gāmagataṁ vā araññagataṁ vā, taṁ nādinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādātā hoti.They give up stealing. They don’t, with the intention to commit theft, take the wealth or belongings of others from village or wilderness.

12.4PTS 1.288Kāmesumicchācāraṁ pahāya kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato hoti. Yā tā māturakkhitā piturakkhitā mātāpiturakkhitā bhāturakkhitā bhaginirakkhitā ñātirakkhitā gottarakkhitā dhammarakkhitā sassāmikā saparidaṇḍā antamaso mālāguḷaparikkhittāpi, tathārūpāsu na cārittaṁ āpajjitā hoti.They give up sexual misconduct. They don’t have relations with women who have their mother, father, both mother and father, brother, sister, relatives, or clan as guardian. They don’t have relations with a woman who is protected on principle, or who has a husband, or whose violation is punishable by law, or even one who has been garlanded as a token of betrothal.12.5Evaṁ kho, gahapatayo, tividhaṁ kāyena dhammacariyāsamacariyā hoti.This is how principled and moral conduct is threefold by way of body.

13.1Kathañca, gahapatayo, catubbidhaṁ vācāya dhammacariyāsamacariyā hoti?And how is principled and moral conduct fourfold by way of speech?13.2Idha, gahapatayo, ekacco musāvādaṁ pahāya musāvādā paṭivirato hoti. Sabhāgato vā parisāgato vā, ñātimajjhagato vā pūgamajjhagato vā rājakulamajjhagato vā, abhinīto sakkhipuṭṭho: ‘ehambho purisa, yaṁ jānāsi taṁ vadehī’ti, so ajānaṁ vā āha: ‘na jānāmī’ti, jānaṁ vā āha: ‘jānāmī’ti, apassaṁ vā āha: ‘na passāmī’ti, passaṁ vā āha: ‘passāmī’ti. Iti attahetu vā parahetu vā āmisakiñcikkhahetu vā na sampajānamusā bhāsitā hoti.It’s when someone gives up lying. They’re summoned to a council, an assembly, a family meeting, a guild, or to the royal court, and asked to bear witness: ‘Please, my friend, say what you know.’ Not knowing, they say ‘I don’t know.’ Knowing, they say ‘I know.’ Not seeing, they say ‘I don’t see.’ And seeing, they say ‘I see.’ So they don’t deliberately lie for the sake of themselves or another, or for some trivial worldly reason.

13.3Pisuṇaṁ vācaṁ pahāya pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, ito sutvā na amutra akkhātā imesaṁ bhedāya, amutra vā sutvā na imesaṁ akkhātā amūsaṁ bhedāya. Iti bhinnānaṁ vā sandhātā, sahitānaṁ vā anuppadātā, samaggārāmo samaggarato samagganandī samaggakaraṇiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.They give up backbiting. They don’t repeat in one place what they heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, they reconcile those who are divided and support those who are united, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.

13.4Pharusaṁ vācaṁ pahāya pharusāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti. Yā sā vācā nelā kaṇṇasukhā pemanīyā hadayaṅgamā porī bahujanakantā bahujanamanāpā—tathārūpiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.They give up harsh speech. They speak in a way that’s mellow, pleasing to the ear, endearing, going to the heart, polite, likable, and agreeable to the people.

13.5Samphappalāpaṁ pahāya samphappalāpā paṭivirato hoti. Kālavādī bhūtavādī atthavādī dhammavādī vinayavādī nidhānavatiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti kālena sāpadesaṁ pariyantavatiṁ atthasaṁhitaṁ.They give up talking nonsense. Their words are timely, true, and meaningful, in line with the teaching and training. They say things at the right time which are valuable, reasonable, succinct, and beneficial.13.6Evaṁ kho, gahapatayo, catubbidhaṁ vācāya dhammacariyāsamacariyā hoti.This is how principled and moral conduct is fourfold by way of speech.

14.1Kathañca, gahapatayo, tividhaṁ manasā dhammacariyāsamacariyā hoti?And how is principled and moral conduct threefold by way of mind?14.2Idha, gahapatayo, ekacco anabhijjhālu hoti, yaṁ taṁ parassa paravittūpakaraṇaṁ taṁ nābhijjhātā hoti: ‘aho vata yaṁ parassa taṁ mamassā’ti.It’s when someone is not covetous. They don’t covet the wealth and belongings of others: ‘Oh, if only their belongings were mine!’

14.3Abyāpannacitto kho pana hoti appaduṭṭhamanasaṅkappo: ‘ime sattā averā abyābajjhā anīghā sukhī attānaṁ pariharantū’ti.They have a kind heart and loving intentions: ‘May these sentient beings live free of enmity and ill will, untroubled and happy!’

14.4Sammādiṭṭhiko kho pana hoti aviparītadassano:They have right view, an undistorted perspective:14.5‘atthi dinnaṁ atthi yiṭṭhaṁ atthi hutaṁ, atthi sukatadukkaṭānaṁ kammānaṁ phalaṁ vipāko, atthi ayaṁ loko atthi paro loko, atthi mātā atthi pitā, atthi sattā opapātikā, atthi loke samaṇabrāhmaṇā sammaggatā sammāpaṭipannā ye imañca lokaṁ parañca lokaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedentī’ti.‘There is meaning in giving, sacrifice, and offerings. There are fruits and results of good and bad deeds. There is an afterlife. There are such things as mother and father, and beings that are reborn spontaneously. And there are ascetics and brahmins who are rightly comported and rightly practiced, and who describe the afterlife after realizing it with their own insight.’14.6Evaṁ kho, gahapatayo, tividhaṁ manasā dhammacariyāsamacariyā hoti.This is how principled and moral conduct is threefold by way of mind.

14.7Evaṁ dhammacariyāsamacariyāhetu kho, gahapatayo, evam’idhekacce sattā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjanti.This is how principled and moral conduct is the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.

15.1PTS 1.289Ākaṅkheyya ce, gahapatayo, dhammacārī samacārī:Someone of principled and moral conduct might wish:15.2‘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!’915.3ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati, yaṁ so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā khattiyamahāsālānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyya.It’s possible that this might happen.15.4Taṁ kissa hetu?Why is that?15.5Tathā hi so dhammacārī samacārī.Because they have principled and moral conduct.

16-17.1Ākaṅkheyya ce, gahapatayo, dhammacārī samacārī:Someone of principled and moral conduct might wish:16-17.2‘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 …16-17.3gahapatimahāsālānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti;well-to-do householders …16-17.4ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati, yaṁ so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyya.16-17.5Taṁ kissa hetu?16-17.6Tathā hi so dhammacārī samacārī.18-42.1Ākaṅkheyya ce, gahapatayo, dhammacārī samacārī:18-42.2‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā cātumahārājikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti;the gods of the four great kings …18-42.3ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati, yaṁ so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā cātumahārājikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyya.18-42.4Taṁ kissa hetu?18-42.5Tathā hi so dhammacārī samacārī.18-42.6Ākaṅkheyya ce, gahapatayo, dhammacārī samacārī:18-42.7‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā tāvatiṁsānaṁ devānaṁ …pe…the gods of the thirty-three …18-42.8yāmānaṁ devānaṁ …the gods of Yama …18-42.9tusitānaṁ devānaṁ …the joyful gods …18-42.10nimmānaratīnaṁ devānaṁ …the gods who love to create …18-42.11paranimmitavasavattīnaṁ devānaṁ …the gods who control what is created by others …18-42.12brahmakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti;the gods of the Divinity’s host …1018-42.13ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati, yaṁ so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyya.18-42.14Taṁ kissa hetu?18-42.15Tathā hi so dhammacārī samacārī.18-42.16Ākaṅkheyya ce, gahapatayo, dhammacārī samacārī:18-42.17‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā ābhānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti;the luminous gods …1118-42.18ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati, yaṁ so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā ābhānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyya.18-42.19Taṁ kissa hetu?18-42.20Tathā hi so dhammacārī samacārī.18-42.21Ākaṅkheyya ce, gahapatayo, dhammacārī samacārī:18-42.22‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā parittābhānaṁ devānaṁ …pe…the gods of limited luminosity …18-42.23appamāṇābhānaṁ devānaṁ …the gods of limitless luminosity …18-42.24ābhassarānaṁ devānaṁ …the gods of sublime luminosity …18-42.25parittasubhānaṁ devānaṁ …the gods of limited beauty …1218-42.26appamāṇasubhānaṁ devānaṁ …the gods of limitless beauty …18-42.27subhakiṇhānaṁ devānaṁ …the gods of universal beauty …18-42.28vehapphalānaṁ devānaṁ …the gods of abundant fruit …1318-42.29avihānaṁ devānaṁ …the gods of Aviha …1418-42.30atappānaṁ devānaṁ …the gods of Atappa …18-42.31sudassānaṁ devānaṁ …the gods fair to see …18-42.32sudassīnaṁ devānaṁ …the fair seeing gods …18-42.33akaniṭṭhānaṁ devānaṁ …the gods of Akaniṭṭha …18-42.34ākāsānañcāyatanūpagānaṁ devānaṁ …the gods of the dimension of infinite space …1518-42.35viññāṇañcāyatanūpagānaṁ devānaṁ …the gods of the dimension of infinite consciousness …18-42.36ākiñcaññāyatanūpagānaṁ devānaṁ …the gods of the dimension of nothingness …18-42.37nevasaññānāsaññāyatanūpagānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti;the gods of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.’18-42.38ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati, yaṁ so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā nevasaññānāsaññāyatanūpagānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyya.It’s possible that this might happen.18-42.39Taṁ kissa hetu?Why is that?18-42.40Tathā hi so dhammacārī samacārī.Because they have principled and moral conduct.

43.1Ākaṅkheyya ce, gahapatayo, dhammacārī samacārī:Someone of principled and moral conduct might wish:43.2‘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.’43.3ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati, yaṁ so āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyya.It’s possible that this might happen.43.4Taṁ kissa hetu?Why is that?43.5Tathā hi so dhammacārī samacārī”ti.Because they have principled and moral conduct.”

44.1PTS 1.290Evaṁ vutte, sāleyyakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:When he had spoken, the brahmins and householders of Sālā said to the Buddha,44.2“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama, abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama.“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent!44.3Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā gotamena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, worthy Gotama has made the teaching clear in many ways.44.4Ete mayaṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāma dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca.We go for refuge to the worthy Gotama, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha.44.5Upāsake no bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupete saraṇaṁ gate”ti.From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember us as lay followers who have gone for refuge for life.”

44.6Sāleyyakasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ paṭhamaṁ.

Translator’s notes

  1. This village is possibly connected to the Śālagrāma famed in later years as the origin of the ammonite stones found on the Gaṇḍakī river and worshiped as aniconic forms of Vishnu. Against this theory is that Śālagrāma is too far to the north-east, although in truth we do not know the exact extent of Kosala. The feminine ending of the Pali form suggests that the name means “hall”, but Sanskrit sources trace Śālagrāma to the sal trees that grow abundantly in the Himalayan foothills.

    The same framing narrative recurs at MN 60, where the topic of rebirth is also discussed.

    ↩ mn41:1.2
  2. Multiple theories of rebirth are found in Brahmanical texts. For example, Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 4.4.5 says that rebirth depends on good or bad deeds, but notes the differing opinion that desire is all that matters. Chāndogya Upaniṣad 5.10.1–5 describes two paths: forest ascetics go the Brahmā realm, while ritualists go to the moon, from whence those who did good deeds are reborn as human in a good caste, but those who did bad deeds are reborn as outcastes, pigs, or dogs. Those who follow neither path are reborn as small animals or insects.

    ↩ mn41:4.1
  3. This analysis, found frequently in the suttas, became known as the “ten pathways of skillful deeds” (dasakusalakammapatha). It was adopted in the treatment of karma in Manusmṛti 12, where we find a very similar division of “ten characteristics” (daśalakṣaṇa).

    ↩ mn41:7.1
  4. The same description is applied to the notorious serial killer Aṅgulimāla (MN 86:2.1). These definitions dramatically present clear cases of violation and are not intended to be complete or to cover all grey areas. The Vinaya rules analyze these transgressions in detail as they apply to monastic conduct.

    ↩ mn41:8.2
  5. This definition covers a number of sexual transgressions from a male hetero-normative perspective that, with due allowance for social change, would also be considered inappropriate today: when a woman is married or engaged, or illegal sex, or if she is under guardianship, such as for a child or teen. Elsewhere, the texts identify a number of other illicit sexual acts, such as rape (AN 8.84:1.3), child abuse (Snp 1.6:21.2), incest (AN 5.55), bestiality (Bu Pj 1:6.30), necrophilia (Bu Pj 1:10.13.1), and womanizing or promiscuity in general (AN 8.54:6.2). Notably absent is any criticism of homosexuality, sex outside of marriage, relations with more than two partners, sex work, masturbation, or specific sexual acts.

    ↩ mn41:8.4
  6. Perjury is a severe example of lying.

    ↩ mn41:9.2
  7. These three correspond with the respective defilements greed, hate, and delusion.

    ↩ mn41:10.1
  8. This includes the wrong view that there is no afterlife, but goes beyond that to assert moral nihilism.

    ↩ mn41:10.5
  9. The Buddha is, of course, not recommending this, merely accommodating it. At this point, the ten ways of skillful deeds are both necessary and sufficient for the desired outcome. This changes with the higher realms, where absorption is also required, and the realization of arahantship, which requires the whole noble eightfold path. See note at MN 120:12.12.

    ↩ mn41:15.2
  10. Rebirth in this realm and higher is said to depend, not just on the ten ways of doing skillful deeds, but on the development of absorption meditation (DN 13:76.1). Sometimes this is expressed by saying that they are “free from desire” (AN 8.35:4.11, DN 33:3.1.136), a stipulation that is in fact stated in the Chinese parallel to this sutta (SA 1042 at T ii 273a13).

    ↩ mn41:18-42.12
  11. The luminous gods (ābhā devā) are reborn dependent on the second absorption. The following three classes of gods with “luminosity” in their names are subsets of the luminous gods.

    ↩ mn41:18-42.17
  12. The three classes of devas with “beauty” (subha) in their names are reborn due to the third absorption. Some editions have a separate class of “beautiful gods”, of which these three are the subsets, making these follow the same pattern as the “radiant” gods.

    ↩ mn41:18-42.25
  13. This corresponds to the fourth absorption.

    ↩ mn41:18-42.28
  14. These five realms are the Pure Abodes, which are the resort of non-returners only.

    ↩ mn41:18-42.29
  15. These four correespond to the formless attainments.

    ↩ mn41:18-42.34