The Related Suttas Collection 22.122

12. A Dhamma speaker

An Ethical Bhikkhu

At one time Venerable Sāriputta and Venerable Mahākoṭṭhita were staying near Varanasi, in the deer park at Isipatana. Then in the late afternoon, Venerable Mahākoṭṭhita came out of retreat, went to Venerable Sāriputta, and said:

“Friend Sāriputta, what things should an ethical bhikkhu rationally apply the mind to?”

“Friend Koṭṭhita, an ethical bhikkhu should rationally apply the mind to the five grasping aggregates as impermanent, as suffering, as diseased, as a boil, as a dart, as misery, as an affliction, as alien, as falling apart, as empty, as not-self. What five? That is, the grasping aggregates of form, feeling, perception, functioning patterns, and consciousness. An ethical bhikkhu should rationally apply the mind to these five grasping aggregates as impermanent, as suffering, as diseased, as a boil, as a dart, as misery, as an affliction, as alien, as falling apart, as empty, as not-self. It’s possible that an ethical bhikkhu who rationally applies the mind to the five grasping aggregates will realize the fruit of stream-entry.”

“But Friend Sāriputta, what things should a bhikkhu stream-enterer rationally apply the mind to?”

“A bhikkhu stream-enterer should also rationally apply the mind to these five grasping aggregates as impermanent … as not-self. It’s possible that a bhikkhu stream-enterer who rationally applies the mind to the five grasping aggregates will realize the fruit of once-return.”

“But Friend Sāriputta, what things should a bhikkhu once-returner rationally apply the mind to?”

“A bhikkhu once-returner should also rationally apply the mind to these five grasping aggregates as impermanent … as not-self. It’s possible that a bhikkhu once-returner who rationally applies the mind to the five grasping aggregates will realize the fruit of non-return.”

“But Friend Sāriputta, what things should a bhikkhu non-returner rationally apply the mind to?”

“A bhikkhu non-returner should also rationally apply the mind to these five grasping aggregates as impermanent … as not-self. It’s possible that a bhikkhu non-returner who rationally applies the mind to the five grasping aggregates will realize perfection.”

“But Friend Sāriputta, what things should a perfected one rationally apply the mind to?”

“Friend Koṭṭhita, a perfected one should also rationally apply the mind to the five grasping aggregates as impermanent, as suffering, as diseased, as a boil, as a dart, as misery, as an affliction, as alien, as falling apart, as empty, as not-self. A perfected one has nothing more to do, and nothing that needs improvement. Still, these things, when developed and cultivated, lead to pleasant meditation in the present life, and also to mindfulness and focused awareness.”