1. Discourse
  2. an.5.73
  3. html
  4. text
  1. an.5.72 <<
  2. >> an.5.74
buddha daily wisdom image

an.5.73 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

One Who Dwells in the Dhamma

Then a certain monk 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, “‘One who dwells in the Dhamma, one who dwells in the Dhamma’: thus it is said, lord. To what extent is a bhikkhu one who dwells in the Dhamma?”

“Monk, there is the case where a monk studies the Dhamma: dialogues, narratives of mixed prose and verse, explanations, verses, spontaneous exclamations, quotations, birth stories, amazing events, question & answer sessions. He spends the day in Dhamma-study. He neglects seclusion. He doesn’t commit himself to internal tranquillity of awareness. This is called a monk who is keen on study, not one who dwells in the Dhamma.

“Then there is the case where a monk takes the Dhamma as he has heard & studied it and teaches it in full detail to others. He spends the day in Dhamma-description. He neglects seclusion. He doesn’t commit himself to internal tranquillity of awareness. This is called a monk who is keen on description, not one who dwells in the Dhamma.

“Then there is the case where a monk takes the Dhamma as he has heard & studied it and recites it in full detail. He spends the day in Dhamma-recitation. He neglects seclusion. He doesn’t commit himself to internal tranquillity of awareness. This is called a monk who is keen on recitation, not one who dwells in the Dhamma.

“Then there is the case where a monk takes the Dhamma as he has heard & studied it and thinks about it, evaluates it, and examines it with his intellect. He spends the day in Dhamma-thinking. He neglects seclusion. He doesn’t commit himself to internal tranquillity of awareness. This is called a monk who is keen on thinking, not one who dwells in the Dhamma.

“Then there is the case where a monk studies the Dhamma: dialogues, narratives of mixed prose and verse, explanations, verses, spontaneous exclamations, quotations, birth stories, amazing events, question & answer sessions. He doesn’t spend the day in Dhamma-study. He doesn’t neglect seclusion. He commits himself to internal tranquillity of awareness. This is called a monk who dwells in the Dhamma.

“Now, monk, I have taught you the person who is keen on study, the one who is keen on description, the one who is keen on recitation, the one who is keen on thinking, and the one who dwells in the Dhamma. Whatever a teacher should do—seeking the welfare of his disciples, out of sympathy for them—that have I done for you. Over there are the roots of trees; over there, empty dwellings. Practice jhana, monk. Don’t be heedless. Don’t later fall into regret. This is our message to you.”

- Translator: Thanissaro Bhikkhu

- Editor: Gabriel Laera

One Who Lives by the Teaching (1st)

Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:
“Sir, they speak of ‘one who lives by the teaching’.
How is one who lives by the teaching defined?”
“Mendicant, take a mendicant who memorizes the teaching—
statements, songs, discussions, verses, inspired exclamations, legends, stories of past lives, amazing stories, and classifications.
They spend their days studying that teaching. But they neglect retreat, and are not committed to internal serenity of heart.
That mendicant is called one who studies a lot, not one who lives by the teaching.
Furthermore, a mendicant teaches Dhamma in detail to others as they learned and memorized it.
They spend their days advocating that teaching. But they neglect retreat, and are not committed to internal serenity of heart.
That mendicant is called one who advocates a lot, not one who lives by the teaching.
Furthermore, a mendicant recites the teaching in detail as they learned and memorized it.
They spend their days reciting that teaching. But they neglect retreat, and are not committed to internal serenity of heart.
That mendicant is called one who recites a lot, not one who lives by the teaching.
Furthermore, a mendicant thinks about and considers the teaching in their heart, examining it with the mind as they learned and memorized it.
They spend their days thinking about that teaching. But they neglect retreat, and are not committed to internal serenity of heart.
That mendicant is called one who thinks a lot, not one who lives by the teaching.
Take a mendicant who memorizes the teaching—
statements, songs, discussions, verses, inspired exclamations, legends, stories of past lives, amazing stories, and classifications.
They don’t spend their days studying that teaching. They don’t neglect retreat, and they’re committed to internal serenity of heart.
That’s how a mendicant is one who lives by the teaching.
So, mendicant, I’ve taught you the one who studies a lot, the one who advocates a lot, the one who recites a lot, the one who thinks a lot, and the one who lives by the teaching.
Out of compassion, I’ve done what a teacher should do who wants what’s best for their disciples.
Here are these roots of trees, and here are these empty huts. Practice absorption, mendicant! Don’t be negligent! Don’t regret it later! This is my instruction to you.”