Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Buddha was staying in Sāvatthī, at Jeta’s Grove, in the Millionaire’s Park. Then Venerable Ānanda approached, bowed, sat respectfully to one side, and said:
(1) “Venerable sir, what is the purpose and benefit of wholesome virtuous behavior [skillful karma as taught in Buddhism]?”
(2) “Ānanda, the purpose and benefit of wholesome virtuous behavior is non-regret.”
(3) “And what is the purpose and benefit of non-regret?”
“The purpose and benefit of non-regret is joy.”
(4) “And what is the purpose and benefit of joy?”
“The purpose and benefit of joy is rapture.”
(5) “And what is the purpose and benefit of rapture?”
“The purpose and benefit of rapture is tranquility.”
(6) “And what is the purpose and benefit of tranquility?”
“The purpose and benefit of tranquility is pleasure.”
(7) “And what, Bhante, is the purpose and benefit of pleasure?”
“The purpose and benefit of pleasure is stillness (right samadhi).”
(8) “And what is the purpose and benefit of stillness?”
“The purpose and benefit of stillness is the knowing and seeing things as they really are.”
(9) “And what is the purpose and benefit of the knowing and seeing things as they really are?”
“The purpose and benefit of the knowing and seeing things as they really are is disenchantment and dispassion.”
(10) “And what is the purpose and benefit of disenchantment and dispassion?”
“The purpose and benefit of disenchantment and dispassion is knowledge and vision of liberation.
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| Ajahn Brahm: That's why I'm so happy |
“Therefore, Ānanda,
- (1)–
- (2) the purpose and benefit of wholesome virtuous behavior is non-regret;
- (3) the purpose and benefit of non-regret is joy;
- (4) the purpose and benefit of joy is rapture;
- (5) the purpose and benefit of rapture is tranquility;
- (6) the purpose and benefit of tranquility is pleasure;
- (7) the purpose and benefit of pleasure is stillness;
- (8) the purpose and benefit of stillness is knowing and seeing things as they really are;
- (9) the purpose and benefit of knowing and seeing things as they really are is disenchantment and dispassion; and
- (10) the purpose and benefit of disenchantment and dispassion is knowledge and vision of liberation.
“Thus, Ānanda, wholesome virtuous behavior progressively leads to the foremost [freedom, complete liberation from all suffering, nirvana].”
Could you shorten this sutra?
Ven. Nyanatiloka has a brief rendering in Path to Deliverance, pp. 65-66
[Ananda:] "O Venerable One, one is the reward and blessing of wholesome karma?"
[The Buddha:] "Freedom from remorse, Ananda."
"And of freedom from remorse?"
"Joy, Ananda"
"And of joy?"
"Rapture, Ananda"
"And of rapture?"
"Tranquility, Ananda."
"And of tranquility?"
"Happiness, Ananda."
"And of happiness?"
"Samadhi, Ananda."
"And of samadhi?"
"Vision and knowledge according to reality."
"And of vision and knowledge according to reality?"
"Letting go and turning away, Ananda."
"And of letting go and turning away?"
"Vision and knowledge with regard to Deliverance, Ananda."
- Sutra; There's no need to make a wish (AN 10.2)
- What will happen to the gods? (SN 56.108–110)
- Buddhist Paths to Liberation in Early Buddhism
- Bhikkhu Bodhi (trans.), Kimatthiya Sutta, "What Purpose?" (AN 10.1), The Book of the Tens (suttacentral.net); Ven. Nyanatiloka (accesstoinsight.org); edited and expanded by Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly
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