sn.22.64 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

In Conceiving

At Savatthi. Then a certain bhikkhu approached the Blessed One … and said to him:

“Venerable sir, it would be good if the Blessed One would teach me the Dhamma in brief….”

“Bhikkhu, in conceiving one is bound by Mara; by not conceiving one is freed from the Evil One.”

“Understood, Blessed One! Understood, Fortunate One!”

“In what way, bhikkhu, do you understand in detail the meaning of what was stated by me in brief?”

“In conceiving form, venerable sir, one is bound by Mara; by not conceiving it one is freed from the Evil One. In conceiving feeling … perception … volitional formations … consciousness one is bound by Mara; by not conceiving it one is freed from the Evil One.

“It is in such a way, venerable sir, that I understand in detail the meaning of what was stated by the Blessed One in brief.”

“Good, good, bhikkhu! It is good that you understand in detail the meaning of what was stated by me in brief. In conceiving form, bhikkhu, one is bound by Mara … as above in full … by not conceiving it one is freed from the Evil One. It is in such a way that the meaning of what was stated by me in brief should be understood in detail.”

… And that bhikkhu became one of the arahants.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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When You Identify

At Sāvatthī.
Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha … and asked him,
“Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.”
“When you identify, mendicant, you’re bound by Māra.
Not identifying, you’re free from the Wicked One.”
“Understood, Blessed One! Understood, Holy One!”
“But how do you see the detailed meaning of my brief statement?”
“Sir, when you identify with form you’re bound by Māra.
Not identifying, you’re free from the Wicked One.
When you identify with feeling …
perception …
choices …
consciousness, you’re bound by Māra.
Not identifying, you’re free from the Wicked One.
That’s how I understand the detailed meaning of the Buddha’s brief statement.”
“Good, good, mendicant!
It’s good that you understand the detailed meaning of what I’ve said in brief like this.
When you identify with form you’re bound by Māra.
Not identifying, you’re free from the Wicked One.
When you identify with feeling …
perception …
choices …
consciousness, you’re bound by Māra.
Not identifying, you’re free from the Wicked One.
This is how to understand the detailed meaning of what I said in brief.” …
And that mendicant became one of the perfected.