Chapter 6 Moggallana Samyutta (With Moggallana)

SN 40.1 Paṭhamajhānapañhā Sutta: The First Jhana

On one occasion the Venerable Mahamoggallana was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's Park. There the Venerable Mahamoggallana addressed the bhikkhus thus: "Friends, bhikkhus!"
"Friend!" those bhikkhus replied.

The Venerable Mahamoggallana said this: "Here, friends, while I was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in my mind thus: 'It is said, "the first jhana, the first jhana." What now is the first jhana?' "

"Then, friends, it occurred to me: 'Here, secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, a bhikkhu enters and dwells in the first jhana, which is accompanied by thought and examination, with rapture and happiness born of seclusion. This is called the first jhana. Then, friends, secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, I entered and dwelt in the first jhana .... While I dwelt therein perception and attention accompanied by sensuality assailed me."

"Then, friends, the Blessed One came to me by means of spiritual power and said this: 'Moggallana, Moggallana, do not be negligent, brahmin, regarding the first jhana. Steady your mind in the first jhana, unify your mind in the first jhana, concentrate your mind in the first jhana.' Then, friends, on a later occasion, secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, I entered and dwelt in the first jhana, which is accompanied by thought and examination, with rapture and happiness born of seclusion."

"If, friends, one speaking rightly could say of anyone: 'He is a disciple who attained to greatness of direct knowledge with the assistance of the Teacher,' it is of me that one could rightly say this."

(Moggallāna speaks to the mendicants of a time when his practice of the first absorption was faltering. He expresses his gratitude for the Buddha, who urged him to stabilize that attainment.)

SN 40.2 Dutiyajhānapañhā Sutta: The Second Jhana

... "Here, friends, while I was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in my mind thus: 'It is said, "the second jhana, the second jhana." What now is the second jhana?' Then, friends, it occurred to me: 'Here, with the subsiding of thought and examination, a bhikkhu enters and dwells in the second jhana, which has internal confidence and unification of mind, is without thought and examination, and has rapture and happiness born of concentration. This is called the second jhana.' "

"Then, friends, with the subsiding of thought and examination, I entered and dwelt in the second jhana . . .. While I dwelt therein perception and attention accompanied by thought and examination assailed me. Then, friends, the Blessed One came to me by means of spiritual power and said this: 'Moggallana, Moggallana, do not be negligent, brahmin, regarding the second jhana. Steady your mind in the second jhana, unify your mind in the second jhana, concentrate your mind in the second jhana.' Then, on a later occasion, with the subsiding of thought and examination, I entered and dwelt in the second jhana, which has internal confidence and unification of mind, is without thought and examination, and has rapture and happiness born of concentration. "If, friends, one speaking rightly could say of anyone: 'He is a disciple who attained to greatness of direct knowledge with the assistance of the Teacher,' it is of me that one could rightly say this."

(Moggallāna speaks to the monks of a time when his practice of the second absorption was faltering. He expresses his gratitude for the Buddha, who urged him to stabilize that attainment.)

SN 40.3 Tatiyajhānapañhā Sutta: The Third Jhana

. . . "Here, friends, while I was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in my mind thus: 'It is said, "the third jhana, the third Jhana."

"What now is the third jhana?' Then, friends, it occurred to me: 'Here, with the fading away as well of rapture, a bhikkhu dwells equanimous and, mindful and clearly comprehending, he experiences happiness with the body; he enters and dwells in the third jhana of which the noble ones declare: "He is equanimous, mindful, one who dwells happily." This is called the third jhana.'"

"Then, friends, with the fading away as well of rapture ...I entered and dwelt in the third Jhana . ... While I dwelt therein perception and attention accompanied by rapture assailed me. "

"Then, friends, the Blessed One came to me by means of spiritual power and said this: 'Moggallana, Moggallana, do not be negligent, brahmin, regarding the third jhana. Steady your mind in the third jhana, unify your mind in the third jhana, concentrate your mind in the third Jhana.' Then, on a later occasion, with the fading away as well of rapture, I dwelt equanimous and, mindful and clearly comprehending, I experienced happiness with the body; I entered and dwelt in the third jhana of which the noble ones declare: 'He is equanimous, mindful, one who dwells happily.' "

"If, friends, one speaking rightly could say of anyone: 'He is a disciple who attained to greatness of direct knowledge with the assistance of the Teacher,' it is of me that one could rightly say this."

(Moggallāna speaks to the monks of a time when his practice of the third absorption was faltering. He expresses his gratitude for the Buddha, who urged him to stabilize that attainment.)

SN 40.4 Catutthajhānapañhā Sutta: The Fourth Jhana

... "Here, friends, while I was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in my mind thus: 'It is said, "the fourth jhana, the fourth jhana. What now is the fourth jhana?' "

"Then, friends, it occurred to me: 'Here, with the abandoning of pleasure and pain, and with the previous passing away of joy and displeasure, a bhikkhu enters and dwells in the fourth jhana, which is neither painful nor pleasant and includes the purification of mindfulness by equanimity. This is called the fourth jhana.' Then, friends, with the abandoning of pleasure and pain . . . I entered and dwelt in the fourth jhana .... While I dwelt therein perception and attention accompanied by happiness assailed me. "

"Then, friends, the Blessed One came to me by means of spiritual power and said this: 'Moggallana, Moggallana, do not be negligent, brahmin, regarding the fourth jhana. Steady your mind in the fourth jhana, unify your mind in the fourth jhana, concentrate your mind in the fourth jhana.' Then, on a later occasion, with the abandoning of pleasure and pain, and with the previous passing away of joy and displeasure, I entered and dwelt in the fourth jhana, which is neither painful nor pleasant and includes the purification of mindfulness by equanimity. "

"If, friends, one speaking rightly could say of anyone: 'He is a disciple who attained to greatness of direct knowledge with the assistance of the Teacher,' it is of me that one could rightly say this."

(Moggallāna speaks to the monks of a time when his practice of the fourth absorption was faltering. He expresses his gratitude for the Buddha, who urged him to stabilize that attainment.)

SN 40.5 Ākāsānañcāyatanapañhā Sutta: The Base of the Infinity of Space

... "Here, friends, while I was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in my mind thus: 'It is said, "the base of the infinity of space, the base of the infinity of space. What now is the base of the infinity of space?'"

"Then, friends, it occurred to me: 'Here, with the complete transcendence of perceptions of forms, with the passing away of perceptions of sensory impingement, with non-attention to perceptions of diversity, aware that "space is infinite," a bhikkhu enters and dwells in the base of the infinity of space. This is called the.base of the infinity of space.' "

"Then, friends, with the complete transcendence of perceptions of forms . . . I entered and dwelt in the base of the infinity of space. While I dwelt therein perception and attention accompanied by forms assailed me. "

"Then, friends, the Blessed One came to me by means of spiritual power and said this: 'Moggallana, Moggallana, do not be negligent, brahmin, regarding the base of the infinity of space. Steady your mind in the base of the infinity of space, unify your mind in the base of the infinity of space, concentrate your mind in the base of the infinity of space.' Then, on a later occasion, with the complete transcendence of perceptions of forms, with the passing away of perceptions of sensory impingement, with non-attention to perceptions of diversity, aware that 'space is infinite,' I entered and dwelt in the base of the infinity of space."

"If, friends, one speaking rightly could say of anyone: 'He is a disciple who attained to greatness of direct knowledge with the assistance of the Teacher,' it is of me that one could rightly say this."

(Moggallāna speaks to the monks of a time when his practice of the dimension of infinite space was faltering. He expresses his gratitude for the Buddha, who urged him to stabilize that attainment.)

SN 40.6 Viññāṇañcāyatanapañhā Sutta: The Base of the Infinity of Consciousness

.. .. "Here, friends, while I was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in my mind thus: 'It is said, "the base of the infinity of Consciousness, the base of the infinity of consciousness."

"What now is the base of the infinity of consciousness?' Then, friends, it occurred to me: 'Here, by completely transcending the base of the infinity of space, aware that "consciousness is infinite," a bhikkhu enters and dwells in the base of the infinity of consciousness. This is called the base of the infinity of consciousness.' "

"Then, friends, by completely transcending the base of the infinity of space, aware that 'consciousness is infinite,' I entered and dwelt in the base of the infinity of consciousness. While I dwelt therein perception and attention accompanied by the base of the infinity of space assailed me. "

"Then, friends, the Blessed One came to me by means of spiritual power and said this: 'Moggallana, Moggallana, do not be negligent, brahmin, regarding the base of the infinity of consciousness. Steady your mind in the base of the infinity of consciousness, unify your mind in the base of the infinity of consciousness, concentrate your mind in the base of the infinity of consciousness.' Then, on a later occasion, by completely transcending the base of the infinity of space, aware that 'consciousness is infinite,' I entered and dwelt in the base of the infinity of consciousness. "If, friends, one speaking rightly could say of anyone: 'He is a disciple who attained to greatness of direct knowledge with the assistance of the Teacher,' it is of me that one could rightly say this."

(Moggallāna speaks to the monks of a time when his practice of the dimension of infinite consciousness was faltering. He expresses his gratitude for the Buddha, who urged him to stabilize that attainment.)

SN 40.7 Ākiñcaññāyatanapañhā Sutta: The Base of Nothingness

... "Here, friends, while I was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in my mind thus: 'It is said, "the base of nothingness, the base of nothingness. What now is the base of nothingness?' Then, friends, it occurred to me: 'Here, by completely transcending the base of the infinity of consciousness, aware that "there is nothing," a bhikkhu enters and dwells in the base of nothingness. This is called the base of nothingness.' "

"Then, friends, by completely transcending the base of the infinity of consciousness, aware that 'there is nothing,' I entered and dwelt in the base of nothingness. While I dwelt therein perception and attention accompanied by the base of the infinity of consciousness assailed me. "

"Then, friends, the Blessed One came to me by means of spiritual power and said this: 'Moggallana, Moggallana, do not be negligent, brahmin, regarding the base of nothingness. Steady your mind in the base of nothingness, unify your mind in the base of nothingness, concentrate your mind in the base of nothingness.' Then, on a later occasion, by completely transcending the base of the infinity of consciousness, aware that 'there is nothing,' I entered and dwelt in the base of nothingness."

"If, friends, one speaking rightly could say of anyone: 'He is a disciple who attained to greatness of direct knowledge with the assistance of the Teacher,' it is of me that one could rightly say this."

(Moggallāna speaks to the monks of a time when his practice of the dimension of nothingness was faltering. He expresses his gratitude for the Buddha, who urged him to stabilize that attainment.)

SN 40.8 Nevasaññānāsaññāyatanapañhā Sutta: The Base of Neither-Perception-Nor-Non-perception

... "Here, friends, while I was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in my mind thus: 'It is said, "the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception."

"What now is the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception?' Then, friends, it occurred to me: 'Here, by completely transcending the base of nothingness, a bhikkhu enters and dwells in the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception. This is called the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception.' "

"Then, friends, by completely transcending the base of nothingness, I entered and dwelt in the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception. While I dwelt therein perception and attention accompanied by the base of nothingness assailed me. "

"Then, friends, the Blessed One came to me by means of spiritual power and said this: 'Moggallana, Moggallana, do not be negligent, brahmin, regarding the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception. Steady your mind in the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, unify your mind in the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, concentrate your mind in the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception.' Then, on a later occasion, by completely transcending the base of nothingness, I entered and dwelt in the base of neither-perception-nor_ non-perception. This is called the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception. "

"If, friends, one speaking rightly could say of anyone: 'He is a disciple who attained to greatness of direct knowledge with the assistance of the Teacher,' it is of me that one could rightly say this."

(Moggallāna speaks to the monks of a time when his practice of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception was faltering. He expresses his gratitude for the Buddha, who urged him to stabilize that attainment.)

SN 40.9 Animittapañhā Sutta: The Signless

... "Here, friends, while I was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in my mind thus: 'It is said, "the signless concentration of mind, the signless concentration of mind." What now is the signless concentration of mind ?'

"Then, friends, it occurred to me: 'Here, by non-attention to all signs, a bhikkhu enters and dwells in the sign-less concentration of mind. This is called the sign-less concentration of mind: "Then, friends, by non-attention to all signs, I entered and dwelt in the sign-less concentration of mind. While I dwelt therein my consciousness followed along with signs."

"Then, friends, the Blessed One came to me by means of spiritual pow·er and said this: 'Moggallana, Moggallana, do not be negligent, brahmin, regarding the sign-less concentration of mind. Steady your mind in the sign-less concentration of mind, unify your mind in the sign-less concentration of mind, concentrate your mind in the sign-less concentration of mind: Then, on a later occasion, by non-attention to all signs, I entered and dwelt in the signless concentration of mind. "

"If, friends, one speaking rightly could say of anyone: 'He is a disciple who attained to greatness of direct knowledge with the assistance of the Teacher,' it is of me that one could rightly say this."

(Moggallāna speaks to the monks of a time when his practice of the signless immersion was faltering. He expresses his gratitude for the Buddha, who urged him to stabilize that attainment.)

SN 40.10 Sakka Sutta: Sakka

On one occasion the Venerable Mahamoggallana was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's Park. Then, just as quickly as a strong man might extend his drawn-in arm or drawin his extended arm, the Venerable Mahamoggallana disappeared from Jeta's Grove and reappeared among the Tavatimsa devas. Then Sakka, lord of the devas, approached the Venerable Mahamoggallana together with five hundred devatas.

Having approached, he paid homage to the Venerable Mahamoggallana and stood to one side. The Venerable Mahamoggallana then said to him: "Good, lord of the devas, is the going for refuge to the Buddha. Because of going for refuge to the Buddha, some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world. Good, lord of the devas, is the going for refuge to the Dhamma. Because of going for refuge to the Dhamma, some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world. Good, lord of the devas, is the going for refuge to the Sangha. Because of going for refuge to the Sangha, some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world."

"Good, Sir Moggallana, is the going for refuge to the Buddha ... to the Dhamma ... to the Sangha. Because of going for refuge to the Sangha, some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world." Then Sakka, lord of the devas, approached the Venerable Mahamoggallana together with six hundred devatas ... seven hundred devatas ... eight hundred devatas ... eighty thousand devatas. Having approached, he paid homage to the Venerable Mahamoggallana and stood to one side.

The Venerable Mahamoggallana then said to him: (The conversation is exactly the same as above.) Then Sakka, lord of the devas, approached the Venerable Mahamoggallana together with five hundred devatas. Having approached, he paid homage to the Venerable Mahamoggallana and stood to one side. The Venerable Mahamoggallana then said to him: "Good, lord of the devas, is the possession of confirmed confidence in the Buddha thus: 'The Blessed One is an arahant, fully enlightened, accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, fortunate, knower of the world, unsurpassed leader of persons to be tamed, teacher of devas and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One.' Because of possessing confirmed confidence in the Buddha, some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world. "

"Good, lord of the devas, is the possession of confirmed Confidence in the Dhamma thus: 'The Dhamma is well expounded by the Blessed One, directly visible, immediate, inviting one to come and see, applicable, to be personally experienced by the wise.' Because of possessing confirmed confidence in the Dhamma, some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world. "

"Good, lord of the devas, is the possession of confirmed confidence in the Sangha thus: 'The Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples is practicing· the good way, practicing the straight way, practicing the true way, practicing the proper way; that is, the four pairs of persons, the eight types of individuals-this Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of reverential salutation, the unsurpassed field of merit for the world.' Because of possessing confirmed confidence in the Sangha, some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world. "

"Good, lord of the devas, is the possession of the virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken, untorn, unblemished, unmottled, freeing, praised by the wise, ungrasped, leading to concentration. Because of possessing the virtues dear to the noble ones, some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world."

"Good, Sir Moggallana, is the possession of confirmed confidence in the Buddha ... the possession of confirmed confidence in the Dhamma ... the possession of confirmed confidence in the Sangha ..... the possession of the virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken ... leading to concentration. Because of possessing the virtues dear to the noble ones, some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world."

Then Sakka, lord of the devas, approached the Venerable Mahamoggallana together with six hundred devatas ... seven hundred devatas ... eight hundred devatas ... eighty thousand devatas. Having approached, he paid homage to the Venerable Mahamoggallana and stood to one side. The Venerable Mahamoggallana then said to him: (As above.)

Then Sakka, lord of the devas, approached the Venerable Mahamoggallana together with five hundred devatas. Having approached, he paid homage to the Venerable Mahamoggallana and stood to one side. The Venerable Mahamoggallana then said to him: "Good, lord of the devas, is the going for refuge to the Buddha. Because of going for refuge to the Buddha, some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world. They surpass other devas in ten respects: in celestial life span, in celestial beauty, in celestial happiness, in celestial fame, in celestial sovereignty, and in celestial forms, sounds, odors, tastes, and tactile objects. "

"Good, lord of the devas, is the going for refuge to the Dhamma ... the going for refuge to the Sangha. Because of going for refuge to the Sangha ... and in celestial forms, sounds, odors, tastes, and tactile objects."

"Good, Sir Moggallana, is the going for refuge to the Buddha ... to the Dhamma ... to the Sangha. Because of going for refuge to the Sangha ... and in celestial forms, sounds, odors, tastes, and tactile objects."

Then Sakka, lord of the devas, approached the Venerable Mahamoggallana together with six hundred devatas ... seven hundred devatas... ... eight hundred devatas ... eighty thousand devatas. Having approached, he paid homage to the Venerable Mahamoggallana and stood to one side. The Venerable Mahamoggallana then said to him: (As above.)

Then Sakka, lord of the devas, approached the Venerable Mahamoggallana together with five hundred devatas. Having approached, he paid homage to the Venerable Mahamoggallana and stood to one side. The Venerable Mahamoggallana then said to him: "Good, lord of the devas, is the possession of confirmed confidence in the Buddha thus: 'The Blessed One is ... teacher of devas and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One.' Because of possessing confirmed confidence in the Buddha, some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world. They surpass other devas in ten respects: in celestial life span, in celestial beauty, in celestial happiness, in celestial fame, in celestial sovereignty, and in celestial forms, sounds, odours, tastes, and tactile objects. "

"Good, lord of the devas, is the possession of confirmed confidence in the Dhamma thus ... the possession of confirmed confidence in the Sangha thus ... Good, lord of the devas, is the possession of the virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken ... leading to concentration. Because of possessing the virtues dear to the noble ones ... and in celestial forms, sounds, odors, tastes, and tactile objects."

"Good, Sir Moggallana, is the possession of confirmed confidence in the Buddha ... the possession of confirmed confidence in the Dhamma ... the possession of confirmed confidence in the Sangha .. ... the possession of the virtues dear to the noble ones, unbroken ... leading to concentration. Because of possessing the virtues dear to the noble ones some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world. They surpass other devas in ten respects: in celestial life span, in celestial beauty, in celestial happiness, in celestial fame, in celestial sovereignty, and in celestial forms, sounds, odors, tastes, and tactile objects."

Then Sakka, lord of the devas, approached the Venerable Mahamoggallana together with six hundred devatas ... seven hundred devatas ... eight hundred devatas ... eighty thousand devatas. Having approached, he paid homage to the Venerable Mahamoggallana and stood to one side. The Venerable Mahamoggallana then said to him: (As above.)
Moggallāna ascended to the heaven of the Thirty-Three to address Sakka, the lord of gods, and his extensive retinue.

(He spoke in praise of going for refuge, as it leads to heaven. Sakka affirmed this on multiple occasions, adding that gods who had gone for refuge and kept ethics surpassed the other deities in the heavens.)

SN 40.11 Candana Sutta: Candana

Then Candana, a young deva ... . Then Suyama, a young deva ... . Then Santusita, a young deva ... . Then Sunimmita, a young deva ... . Then Vasavatti, a young deva ... . (To be elaborated in full exactly as in §1O.)

(The dialogue in SN 40.10 is repeated with a series of other deities.)

References
1. www.accesstoinsight.org
2. https://suttacentral.net/
3. The connected discourses of the Buddha (Bhikkhu Bodhi)

​Chapter 6 Moggallana Samyutta (With Moggallana)

Chapter 6 Moggallana Samyutta (With Moggallana)