an4.37 · Aparihāniyasutta

The Numerical Discourses 4.37

4. Wheel Chapter

No Decline

“A bhikkhu endowed with four dhammas is incapable of decline, right at the doorstep of nibbāna itself.

Which four?

Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is accomplished in virtue, has the doors of the faculties guarded, knows moderation in food, and is devoted to wakefulness.

And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu accomplished in virtue?

Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is virtuous, lives restrained by the monastic code, endowed with proper conduct and resort, seeing danger in the slightest faults, and trains by undertaking the training rules.

That is how, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is accomplished in virtue.

And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu have the doors of the faculties guarded?

Here, bhikkhus, having seen a form [rūpa] with the eye, a bhikkhu does not grasp at signs or features.

If, while he dwells with the eye faculty unrestrained, evil, unwholesome dhammas of covetousness and dejection were to flow in because of that, he practices restraint over that; he guards the eye faculty; he comes to restraint over the eye faculty.

Having heard a sound with the ear …

having smelled an odor with the nose …

having tasted a flavor with the tongue …

having touched a tactile object with the body …

having cognized a dhamma with the mind, a bhikkhu does not grasp at signs or features.

If, while he dwells with the mind faculty unrestrained, evil, unwholesome dhammas of covetousness and dejection were to flow in because of that, he practices restraint over that; he guards the mind faculty; he comes to restraint over the mind faculty.

That is how, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has the doors of the faculties guarded.

And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu moderate in food?

Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, wisely reflecting, partakes of food:

‘Not for amusement, not for intoxication, not for adornment, not for embellishment; only for the maintenance of this body, for keeping it going, for ending harm, and for supporting the holy life. Thus I shall allay old vedanā, and I shall not arouse new vedanā; and there will be for me maintenance, blamelessness, and a comfortable abiding.’

That is how, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is moderate in food.

And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu devoted to wakefulness?

Here, bhikkhus, by day a bhikkhu purifies his citta from obstructive dhammas by walking and sitting;

in the first watch of the night he purifies his citta from obstructive dhammas by walking and sitting;

in the middle watch of the night he lies down on his right side in the lion's posture, placing one foot over the other, mindful, clearly comprehending [sampajāna], having attended to the perception of rising;

in the last watch of the night he gets up and purifies his citta from obstructive dhammas by walking and sitting.

That is how, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is devoted to wakefulness.

A bhikkhu endowed with these four dhammas is incapable of decline, right at the doorstep of nibbāna itself.”

Established in virtue is the bhikkhu,

and restrained in the faculties;

moderate in food,

he practices wakefulness.

Dwelling thus, ardent,

untiring day and night;

developing the wholesome dhamma,

for the attainment of security from bondage.

The bhikkhu who delights in diligence,

or who sees danger in negligence;

is incapable of decline,

right at the doorstep of nibbāna itself.”

Seventh.