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SA 718 new translation by William Chu: This is the Agama parallel to SN 46.4, MN 111, and AN 4.41


Very short but important sutta!
It's basically a condensed version of MN 111 (which has no Agama parallel).
The 4 jhānas have 7 factors, the same 7 awakening factors can be independently developed and combined to get any of the 4 jhānas. 

In the EBT (early Buddhist teachings),  7 awakening factors are both a causal sequence and independent jhāna factors.

In LBT Theravada (Late Buddhist Teachings), Jhāna and 7sb  is redefined into an entirely different animal, 
7 awakening factors are not something you do all the time as in EBT, 
but only arise at the time you attain path and fruit.

 SA 718 比丘 Bhikkhu ∥SN 46.4 ∥MN 111 ∥AN 4.41

(2024 translation by William Chu)
    SA 718 - SA 718 比丘 Bhikkhu ∥SN 46.4 ∥MN 111 ∥AN 4.41
        SA 718.1 - (7sb☀️ are seven factors of jhāna that can be used in any combination)
        SA 718.2 - (simile of king wearing any combination of clothes any time, any posture, any activity)

SA 718 （七一八） 比丘
SA 718 (Seven One Eight) Bhikkhu
如是我聞：
Thus have I heard
一時，佛住舍衛國祇樹給孤獨園。
At one time, the Buddha dwelled in Shrāvasti, at Anāthapiṇḍaka’s Park.
爾時，尊者舍利弗告諸比丘：
At that time, Venerable Śāriputra addressed the monks:
「有七覺分。
"There are these Seven Factors of Awakening.
何等為七？
Which Seven?
謂念覺分、擇法覺分、精進覺分、喜覺分、猗覺分、定覺分、捨覺分。
They are the Awakening Factors of mindfulness, Dharma-investigation, vigor, joy, ease, undistracted-lucidity, and of equanimity.

718.1 - (7sb☀️ are seven factors of jhāna that can be used in any combination)

此七覺分決定而得，不勤而得，我隨所欲，覺分正受。
These Seven Factors of Awakening are developed as I will them, being mastered without straining; As I wish, these Factors of Awakening are developed while I abide in jhānas.*
若晨朝時、日中時、日暮時，若欲正受，隨其所欲，多入正受。
Whether it is in the morning, in the midday, or at dusk, I frequently abide in jhānas this way as I wish.

718.2 - (simile of king wearing any combination of clothes any time, any posture, any activity)

譬如王大臣，有種種衣服，置箱簏中，隨其所須，日中所須、日暮所須，隨欲自在。
To use a simile: a minister of a king has various clothes in his possession. He stores them in a thatched basket, and whatever he may require in daytime or at dusk by ways of clothing, he can put whichever one on as he pleases.
如是，比丘！此七覺分，決定而得，不勤而得，隨意正受。
In the same way, monks, these Seven Factors of Awakening are developed as I will them, being mastered without straining; As I wish, these Factors of Awakening are developed while I abide in jhānas.*
我此念覺分，清淨純白，
[In such an abiding, and] regarding the Awakening Factor of Mindfulness, it is rendered pure, utterly without defects.
起時知起，滅時知滅，沒時知沒，已起知已起，已滅知已滅，
It is known as [the Factor] arises, known as it diminishes, known as it ceases…it is known as it is already arisen in me, it is known as it has already diminished in me.

(and so on for remaining 6 factors of 7sb☀️ )

如是擇法、精進、喜、猗、定、捨覺分亦如是說。」
In the same way, [in such an abiding, and] regarding the Factor of Dharma-investigation…of equanimity…”
尊者舍利弗說此經已，諸比丘聞其所說，歡喜奉行。
Having heard this discourse delivered by Venerable Sariputra, all the monks happily put it to practice.
(end of sutta⏹️)

* (zhengshou—vihārāya; abiding in jhānas; see, e.g. SA 474; SA 748, “qiding zhengshou”—“having emerged from one’s abiding in jhānas”)

 


Comments

  1. ArkaMarch 7, 2024 at 11:04 AM

    Frank have you tried Chatgpt for translating ? They are surprisingly good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. frankkMarch 7, 2024 at 12:22 PM

      i have not. i will give it a try. can you give me a link to the chat gpt for translation part, or an exapmle of how you do it? I have an openai account, don't know how to navigate through their site to get to the actual tools.

      Delete
    2. ArkaMarch 13, 2024 at 3:02 AM

      I use this one.

      Delete

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