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sn.36.3 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Abandonment

“Bhikkhus, there are these three feelings. What three? Pleasant feeling, painful feeling, neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling. The underlying tendency to lust should be abandoned in regard to pleasant feeling. The underlying tendency to aversion should be abandoned in regard to painful feeling. The underlying tendency to ignorance should be abandoned in regard to neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling.

“When, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has abandoned the underlying tendency to lust in regard to pleasant feeling, the underlying tendency to aversion in regard to painful feeling, and the underlying tendency to ignorance in regard to neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling, then he is called a bhikkhu without underlying tendencies, one who sees rightly. He has cut off craving, severed the fetters, and by completely breaking through conceit, he has made an end to suffering.”

When one experiences pleasure,
If one does not understand feeling
The tendency to lust is present
For one not seeing the escape from it.

When one experiences pain,
If one does not understand feeling
The tendency to aversion is present
For one not seeing the escape from it.

The One of Broad Wisdom has taught
With reference to that peaceful feeling,
Neither-painful-nor-pleasant:
If one seeks delight even in this,
One is still not released from suffering.

But when a bhikkhu who is ardent
Does not neglect clear comprehension,
Then that wise man fully understands
Feelings in their entirety.

Having fully understood feelings,
He is taintless in this very life.
Standing in Dhamma, with the body’s breakup
The knowledge-master cannot be reckoned.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh


Giving Up

“Mendicants, there are these three feelings.
What three?
Pleasant, painful, and neutral feeling.
The underlying tendency to greed should be given up when it comes to pleasant feeling. The underlying tendency to repulsion should be given up when it comes to painful feeling. The underlying tendency to ignorance should be given up when it comes to neutral feeling.
When a mendicant has given up these underlying tendencies, they’re called a mendicant without underlying tendencies, who sees rightly, has cut off craving, untied the fetters, and by rightly comprehending conceit has made an end of suffering.
When you feel pleasure
without understanding feeling,
the underlying tendency to greed is there,
if you don’t see the escape.
When you feel pain
without understanding feeling,
the underlying tendency to repulsion is there,
if you don’t see the escape.
As for that peaceful, neutral feeling:
he of vast wisdom has taught
that if you relish it,
you’re still not released from suffering.
But when a mendicant is keen,
not neglecting situational awareness,
that astute person
understands all feelings.
Completely understanding feelings,
they’re without defilements in this very life.
That knowledge master is firm in principle;
when their body breaks up, they can’t be reckoned.”