Choices (AN3.23)

Numbered Discourses 3.23

3. Individuals

Choices

“These three individuals are found in the world.

What three?

Firstly, a certain individual makes hurtful choices by way of body, speech, and mind.

Having made these choices, they’re reborn in a hurtful world,

where hurtful contacts strike them.

Touched by hurtful contacts, they experience hurtful feelings that are absolutely painful—like the beings in hell.

Furthermore, another individual makes pleasing choices by way of body, speech, and mind.

Having made these choices, they are reborn in a pleasing world,

where pleasing contacts strike them.

Touched by pleasing contacts, they experience pleasing feelings of absolute happiness—like the gods of universal beauty.

Furthermore, another individual makes both hurtful and pleasing choices by way of body, speech, and mind.

Having made these choices, they are reborn in a world that is both hurtful and pleasing,

where hurtful and pleasing contacts strike them.

Touched by both hurtful and pleasing contacts, they experience both hurtful and pleasing feelings that are a mixture of pleasure and pain—like humans, some gods, and some beings in the underworld.

These are the three individuals found in the world.”