The Fruits of the Contemplative Life (Samannaphala Sutta)

1Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Rajagaha in the mango grove of Jivaka Komarabhacca, together with a large community of monks — twelve hundred fifty monks in all.

2King Ajatasattu said to Jivaka: 'It is a delightful night. To which of the contemplatives or brahmins should we pay a visit who might lighten our minds?'

3The Blessed One said: 'Suppose a man were a slave, subject to others. He would work hard and think: I am a slave, but these other people are free. What if I were to shave off my hair and put on robes and go forth from the household life into homelessness?'

4'Having gone forth, he would live restrained, fulfilling the duties of a monk. He would be content with the simplest of robes and almsfood. He would delight in solitude.'

5'With his heart thus concentrated, purified, bright, unblemished, rid of imperfection, he directs it to the knowledge of the ending of the mental fermentations.'

6'He discerns, as it has come to be, that this is suffering, this is the origination of suffering, this is the cessation of suffering, this is the way leading to the cessation of suffering.'

7'His heart, thus knowing, thus seeing, is released from the fermentation of sensuality, the fermentation of becoming, the fermentation of ignorance.'

8'With release, there is the knowledge: Released. He discerns that birth is ended, the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for this world. This too is a fruit of the contemplative life.'