The Life Stories of the Monks – 1838
Therefore I would like to give you words of advice as follows: ‘Discard these
three things, conceit, restlessness and doubt that are developing in your mind.
Without being conscious of these things, direct your mind to the deathless
Nibbāna!’ ”
Having learnt meditation, Ven. Anuruddha, after seeking permission from the
Buddha, went to the country of Cetiya. Living in the Eastern Bamboo Grove in
that country, he practised asceticism. For fifteen days or half a month, he did
not sleep but put effort into his meditation by walking to-and-fro. He then
became weary from his meditation so much so that he took rest by sitting under
a bamboo thicket. While sitting, the thoughts of a great man (
mahā-purisa-
vitakka
) arose in his mind as follows:
1. The nine supermundane states (
dhamma
) can be realised only in one
who is of few wants, i.e., one who has no desire (
icchā
) and craving
(
taṇhā
), but not in one who is greedy.
2. The nine supermundane states can be realised only in one who is easily
contented, but not in one who is discontented.
3. The nine supermundane states can be realised only in one who is quiet,
but not in one who takes delight in company.
4. The nine supermundane states can be realised only in one who is
energetic, but not in one who is indolent.
5. The nine supermundane states can be realised only in one who is
evidently mindful, but not in one who is far from being mindful.
6. The nine supermundane states can be realised only in one who is of
concentrated mind, but not in one who is not of concentrated mind,
7. The nine supermundane states can be realised only in one who is wise,
but not in one who is foolish.
With regard to the individual who is of few wants; there are four kinds:
1. One who is of few wants concerning the four requisites (
paccaya-
appiccha
).
2. One who does not let others know of one’s attainment of path and
fruition but keeps it secret (
adhigama-appiccha
).