To Vappa the Sakyan

At one time The Blessed One was living in Nigrodha's monastery in Kapilavatthu in the country of the Sakyas. Then Vappa the Sakya, the disciple of Niganta approached venerable Mahāmoggallāna, worshipped and sat on a side. Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said to him:

Vappa, there is some one bodily, verbally and mentally restrained, ignorance dispelled, knowledge arisen. Vappa, do you see in that attainment, unpleasant feelings from desires streaming, there after? Venerable sir, I see that attainment on account of which unpleasant feelings for desires stream here after, when there are results for earlier done demerit not yet finished. .

When this conversation was going on between venerable Mahāmoggallāna and Vappa the Sakyan, The Blessed One got up from his seclusion in the evening and approached the attendance hall and sat on the prepared seat and asked venerable Mahāmoggallāna:

Moggallāna, with what talk were you seated and what was the other talk?

Here, venerable sir, I said to Vappa the Sakyan. Vappa, there is some one bodily, verbally and mentally restrained, ignorance dispelled, knowledge arisen. Vappa, do you see in that attainment, unpleasant feelings from desires streaming there after?

Venerable sir, when this was said Vappa the Sakyan said to me. Venerable sir,I see that attainment on account of which unpleasant feelings for desires stream here after, when there are results for earlier done demerit not yet finished. .

When this conversation was going on between me and Vappa the Sakyan, The Blessed One arrived.

Then The Blessed One addressed Vappa the Sakyan the disciple of Niganta: Vappa, if you permit me to blame you, when blame is necessary and when you do not know the meaning of what I say, if you ask me further questions -Venerable sir, what is the meaning of these words, there will be a conversation on this.

Venerable sir, I give permission to blame me, when blame is necessary and I will ask The Blessed One what is the meaning of these words when I do not know its meaning. There should be a conversation on this.

Vappa, on account of some bodily activity, may arise desires, troubles and distress, to one abstaining from them desires, troubles and distress would not arise, he would not do new actions, earlier actions done, while feeling would be destroyed, here and now, causing to decay, not a matter of time, leading inwards, to be experienced by the wise.

Vappa, do you see that attainment on account of which unpleasant feelings for desires stream here after?

No, venerable sir.

Vappa, on account of some verbal activity may arise desires, troubles and distress, to one abstaining from them desires, troubles and distress would not arise, he would not do new actions, earlier actions done, while feeling would be destroyed, here and now, causing to decay, not a matter of time, leading inwards, to be experienced by the wise.

Vappa, do you see that attainment on account of which unpleasant feelings for desires stream here after?

No, venerable sir.

Vappa, on account of some mental activity may arise desires, troubles and distress, to one abstaining from them desires, troubles and distress would not arise, he would not do new actions, earlier actions done, while feeling would be destroyed, here and now, causing to decay, not a matter of time, leading inwards, to be experienced by the wise.

Vappa, do you see that attainment on account of which unpleasant feelings for desires stream here after?

No, venerable sir.

Vappa, on account of ignorance may arise desires, troubles and distress, when ignorance is dispelled, desires, troubles and distress would not arise, he would not do new actions, earlier actions done, while feeling would be destroyed, here and now, causing to decay, not a matter of time, leading inwards, to be experienced by the wise.

Vappa, do you see that attainment on account of which unpleasant feelings for desires stream here after?

No, venerable sir.

Vappa, a bhikkhu with a mind rightfully released is constantly in six abidings. Seeing a form he is not pleased nor displeased, abides with equanimity mindfull and aware ... re ... Hearing a sound ... re ... With a touch on the body, ... re ... and cognizing an idea he is not pleased nor displeased, abides with equanimity mindfull and aware. Feeling something that ends the body, he knows, this feeling ends my body. Feeling something that ends life, he knows, this feeling ends life. He knows before death all these feelings that are not pleasant, should be felt and cooled.

Vappa, on account of a stump there is a shadow, then a man comes with a hoe and basket, cuts the roots of the stump, pulls out all the roots small and large. He axes the stump, makes it into small pieces dries them in the sun and air and burns them and puts them into a fast flowing river or winnows them in the air. Vappa in the same manner the bhikkhu with a mind rightfully released is constantly in six abidings. Seeing a form he is not pleased nor displeased, abides with equanimity mindfull and aware ... re ... Hearing a sound ... re ... With a touch on the body, ... re ... and cognizing an idea he is not pleased nor displeased, abides with equanimity mindfull and aware. Feeling something that ends the body, he knows, this feeling ends my body. Feeling something that ends life, he knows, this feeling ends my life. He knows before death all these feelings that are not pleasant, should be felt and cooled.

Then Vappa the Sakyan the disciple of Niganta said to The Blessed One:

Venerable sir, like a man who wanted to prosper was to supply articles of trade and not prospering any more was only troubled. In the same manner, venerable sir, I expecting prosperity associated the Nigantas and got into trouble. Venerable sir, from today I give up this association with the Nigantas as putting it into a fast flowing river or blowing it with the wind.

I understand venerable sir, ... re ... remember me as a lay disciple who has taken refuge from today until life lasts.