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an.8.28 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Powers (2)

Then the Venerable Sāriputta approached the Blessed One…. The Blessed One then said to him:

“Sāriputta, when a bhikkhu’s taints have been destroyed, how many powers does he possess by reason of which he can claim: ‘My taints have been destroyed’?”

“Bhante, when a bhikkhu’s taints have been destroyed, he possesses eight powers by reason of which he can claim: ‘My taints have been destroyed.’ What eight?

(1) “Here, Bhante, a bhikkhu with taints destroyed has clearly seen all conditioned phenomena as they really are with correct wisdom as impermanent. This is a power of a bhikkhu with taints destroyed on the basis of which he can claim: ‘My taints have been destroyed.’

(2) “Again, a bhikkhu with taints destroyed has clearly seen sensual pleasures as they really are with correct wisdom as similar to a charcoal pit. This is a power of a bhikkhu with taints destroyed….

(3) “Again, the mind of a bhikkhu with taints destroyed slants, slopes, and inclines to seclusion; it is withdrawn, delighting in renunciation, and is entirely finished with all things that are a basis for the taints. This is a power of a bhikkhu with taints destroyed….

(4) “Again, a bhikkhu with taints destroyed has developed and well developed the four establishments of mindfulness. Since that is so, this is a power of a bhikkhu with taints destroyed….

(5)–(8) “Again, a bhikkhu with taints destroyed has developed and well developed the four bases for psychic potency … the five spiritual faculties … the seven factors of enlightenment … the noble eightfold path. This is a power of a bhikkhu with taints destroyed on the basis of which he can claim: ‘My taints have been destroyed.’

“Bhante, when a bhikkhu’s taints have been destroyed, he possesses these eight powers on the basis of which he can claim: ‘My taints have been destroyed.’”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh


Powers (2nd)

Then Venerable Sāriputta went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:
“Sāriputta, how many powers does a mendicant who has ended the defilements have that qualify them to claim:
‘My defilements have ended’?”
“Sir, a mendicant who has ended the defilements has eight powers that qualify them to claim:
‘My defilements have ended.’
What eight?
Firstly, a mendicant with defilements ended has clearly seen with right wisdom all conditions as truly impermanent.
This is a power that a mendicant who has ended the defilements relies on to claim:
‘My defilements have ended.’
Furthermore, a mendicant with defilements ended has clearly seen with right wisdom that sensual pleasures are truly like a pit of glowing coals.
This is a power that a mendicant who has ended the defilements relies on to claim:
‘My defilements have ended.’
Furthermore, the mind of a mendicant with defilements ended slants, slopes, and inclines to seclusion. They’re withdrawn, loving renunciation, and they’ve totally done with defiling influences.
This is a power that a mendicant who has ended the defilements relies on to claim:
‘My defilements have ended.’
Furthermore, a mendicant with defilements ended has well developed the four kinds of mindfulness meditation.
This is a power that a mendicant who has ended the defilements relies on to claim:
‘My defilements have ended.’
Furthermore, a mendicant with defilements ended has well developed the four bases of psychic power …
the five faculties …
the seven awakening factors …
the noble eightfold path.
This is a power that a mendicant who has ended the defilements relies on to claim:
‘My defilements have ended.’
A mendicant who has ended the defilements has these eight powers that qualify them to claim:
‘My defilements have ended.’”