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an.10.81 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

To Bahuna

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying in Campa, on the shore of Gaggara Lake. Then Ven. Bahuna went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there he said to the Blessed One: “Lord, freed, dissociated, & released from how many things does the Tathagata dwell with unrestricted awareness?”

“Freed, dissociated, & released from ten things, Bahuna, the Tathagata dwells with unrestricted awareness. Which ten? Freed, dissociated, & released from form, the Tathagata dwells with unrestricted awareness. Freed, dissociated, & released from feeling… Freed, dissociated, & released from perception… Freed, dissociated, & released from fabrications… Freed, dissociated, & released from consciousness… Freed, dissociated, & released from birth… Freed, dissociated, & released from aging… Freed, dissociated, & released from death… Freed, dissociated, & released from stress… Freed, dissociated, & released from defilement, the Tathagata dwells with unrestricted awareness.

“Just as a red, blue, or white lotus born in the water and growing in the water, rises up above the water and stands with no water adhering to it, in the same way the Tathagata—freed, dissociated, & released from these ten things—dwells with unrestricted awareness.”

- Translator: Thanissaro Bhikkhu

- Editor: Gabriel Laera


With Bāhuna

At one time the Buddha was staying near Campā on the banks of the Gaggarā Lotus Pond.
Then Venerable Bāhuna went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:
“Sir, how many things has the Realized One escaped from, so that he lives unattached, liberated, his mind free of limits?”
“Bāhuna, the Realized One has escaped from ten things, so that he lives unattached, liberated, his mind free of limits.
What ten?
Form …
feeling …
perception …
choices …
consciousness …
rebirth …
old age …
death …
suffering …
defilements …
Suppose there was a blue water lily, or a pink or white lotus. Though it sprouted and grew in the water, it would rise up above the water and stand with no water clinging to it.
In the same way, the Realized One has escaped from ten things, so that he lives unattached, liberated, his mind free of limits.”