124. [Second Discourse on Māra] (SA124)

Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was staying at Mount Makula with an attendant monk by the name of Rādha.

At that time the Blessed One said to the monk Rādha: “Monks, whatever bodily form, whether past, future or present, internal or external, gross or subtle, sublime or repugnant, far or near, it should all be contemplated as being completely [on the side of] Māra. Whatever feeling … perception … formations … consciousness, whether past, future or present, internal or external, gross or subtle, sublime or repugnant, far or near, it should all be contemplated as being completely [on the side of] Māra.

“Rādha, what do you think, is bodily form permanent or is it impermanent?”

He replied: “It is impermanent, Blessed One.”

[The Buddha asked again]: “What is impermanent, is it dukkha?”

He replied: “It is dukkha, Blessed One.”

[The Buddha asked again]: “What is impermanent, dukkha, of a nature to change, would a learned noble disciple herein regard it as the self?”

He replied: “No, Blessed One.”

Feeling … perception … formations … consciousness is also like this.

“Therefore, Rādha, a learned noble disciple gives rise to disenchantment with bodily form, gives rise to disenchantment with feeling … perception … formations … consciousness. Because of being disenchanted, he does not delight in it. Because of not delighting in it, he becomes liberated. Being liberated he knows and sees: 'Birth for me has been eradicated, the holy life has been established, what had to be done has been done, I myself know that there will be no receiving of any further existence.'”

When the Buddha had spoken this discourse, hearing what the Buddha had said the monk Rādha was delighted and received it respectfully.

Translated by Bhikkhu Anālayo. Originally published in ‘On Rādha and Views – A Translation of Saṁyukta-āgama Discourses 111 to 138 (Fascicle 6)’, Dharma Drum Journal of Buddhist Studies, 2015, vol. 17 pp. 1–42.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Seniya Ariyakumara and Ayya Vimala.