sn.22.65 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

In Seeking Delight

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 seeking delight one is bound by Mara; by not seeking delight 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 seeking delight in form, venerable sir, one is bound by Mara; by not seeking delight in it one is freed from the Evil One. In seeking delight in feeling … in perception … in volitional formations … in consciousness one is bound by Mara; by not seeking delight in 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 seeking delight in form, bhikkhu, one is bound by Mara … as above in full … by not seeking delight in 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 Take Pleasure

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 When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.”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 take pleasure, mendicant, you’re bound by Māra.
Not taking pleasure, 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 take pleasure in form you’re bound by Māra.
Not taking pleasure, you’re free from the Wicked One.
When you take pleasure in feeling …
perception …
choices …
consciousness you’re bound by Māra.
Not taking pleasure, 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 take pleasure in form you’re bound by Māra.
Not taking pleasure, you’re free from the Wicked One.
When you take pleasure in feeling …
perception …
choices …
consciousness you’re bound by Māra.
Not taking pleasure, 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.