Upayika 2.078

Upāyikā 2.078

The narrative introduction is Sāvatthī.

At that time a certain monk arising from deep meditation went to the place where the Blessed One was abiding, arrived, paid homage with his head at the Buddha’s feet and sat to one side. Sitting to one side, he addressed the Blessed One with the following words: “Venerable sir, a monk attains nirvāṇa here and now. Just in what measure is a monk declared one who attains nirvāṇa here and now? Venerable sir, how is it that a monk attains nirvāṇa here and now? Just in what measure the Well-gone One has made the declaration that a monk is one who attains nirvāṇa here and now?”

That monk asked this question and the Blessed One replied with these words to that monk: “It is well, monk, it is well. Monk, you now ask a question like this, to what extent the declaration is made earlier of one who is said to attain nirvāṇa here and now. Monk, is this the question you ask?” “Yes, venerable sir.”

The Blessed One said: “Therefore, monk, listen carefully and keep in mind keep it in mind, and I shall explain it. A monk turns away from form, is free from desire for it, proceeds towards cessation, has no clinging, and abides having attained complete liberation of the mind from the influxes such a one can be defined a monk who attains nirvāṇa here and now. A monk turns away from feeling, perception, formations, consciousness, is free from desire for them, proceeds towards cessation, has no clinging, and abides having attained complete liberation of the mind from the influxes such a one can be defined a monk who attains nirvāṇa here and now. Monk, just in this measure a monk is declared one who attains nirvāṇa here and now. Monk, just in this measure the Well-gone One has made the declaration that a monk is one who attains nirvāṇa here and now.”

Then, on hearing what the Blessed One had said, that monk was greatly delighted in his mind, and after paying homage with his head at the Buddha’s feet, he left the presence of the Blessed One.