sn.4.22 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Samiddhi

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans at Silavati . Now on that occasion the Venerable Samiddhi was dwelling not far from the Blessed One—diligent, ardent, and resolute. Then, while the Venerable Samiddhi was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in his mind thus: “It is indeed a gain for me, it is well gained by me, that my teacher is the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One! It is indeed a gain for me, it is well gained by me, that I have gone forth in this well-expounded Dhamma and Discipline! It is indeed a gain for me, it is well gained by me, that my companions in the holy life are virtuous, of good character!”

Then Mara the Evil One, having known with his own mind the reflection in the mind of the Venerable Samiddhi, approached him and, not far from him, made a loud noise, frightful and terrifying, as though the earth were splitting open.

Then the Venerable Samiddhi approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and reported what had happened. The Blessed One said: “That was not the earth splitting open, Samiddhi. That was Mara the Evil One, who had come in order to confound you. Go back, Samiddhi, and dwell diligent, ardent, and resolute.”

“Yes, venerable sir,” the Venerable Samiddhi replied. Then he rose from his seat, paid homage to the Blessed One, and departed, keeping him on the right.

A second time, while the Venerable Samiddhi was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in his mind … And a second time Mara the Evil One … … made a loud noise, frightful and terrifying, as though the earth were splitting open.

Then the Venerable Samiddhi, having understood, “This is Mara the Evil One,” addressed him in verse:

“I have gone forth out of faith
From the home to the homeless life.
My mindfulness and wisdom are mature,
And my mind well concentrated.
Conjure up whatever forms you wish,
But you will never make me tremble.”

Then Mara the Evil One, realizing, “The bhikkhu Samiddhi knows me,” sad and disappointed, disappeared right there.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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With Samiddhi

At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans near Silāvatī.
Now at that time Venerable Samiddhi was meditating not far from the Buddha, diligent, keen, and resolute.
Then as Venerable Samiddhi was in private retreat this thought came to his mind,
“I’m so fortunate, so very fortunate,
to have a teacher who is a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha!
I’m so fortunate, so very fortunate,
to have gone forth in a teaching and training so well explained!
I’m so fortunate, so very fortunate,
to have spiritual companions who are ethical and of good character.”
And then Māra the Wicked, knowing what Samiddhi was thinking, went up to him and made a terrifyingly loud noise close by him. It seemed as if the earth was shattering.
Then Samiddhi went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened. The Buddha said,









“Samiddhi, that’s not the earth shattering.
That’s Māra the Wicked come to pull the wool over your eyes!
Go back to that same place, Samiddhi, and meditate, diligent, keen, and resolute.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Samiddhi. He got up from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving.
And for a second time Samiddhi was meditating in that same place, diligent, ardent, and resolute.
And for a second time he had the same thought …
and Māra made an earth-shattering noise.

Then Samiddhi addressed Māra the Wicked One in verse:
“I went forth out of faith
from the lay life to homelessness.
My mindfulness and wisdom are mature,
my mind is serene in immersion.
Make whatever illusions you want,
it won’t bother me.”
Then Māra the Wicked, thinking, “The mendicant Samiddhi knows me!” miserable and sad, vanished right there.