Itivuttaka 1

Tipitaka >> Sutta Pitaka >> Khuddaka Nikaya >> Itivuttaka >> '''1. Lobhasuttam'''

Adapted From the Translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu(Geoffrey DeGraff)

Compared with the Pali Tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org

1. Lobhasuttam (Greed) 

This was said by the Lord Buddha(Bhagavata), said by the Arahant, so I have heard:

“Abandon one quality, monks, and I guarantee you non-return(no rebirth)[1]. Which one quality?

Abandon greed as the one quality, and I guarantee you non-return.”[1]

Thus said the Lord (Buddha), which I speak: [2]

The greed with which beings go to a bad destination,[3] coveting: with equanimity knowing that greed, (with equanimity) those who are insightfully watchful (Vipassino[4]) let go. Letting go, they never come to this world again.

Thus the Lord(Buddha) spoke, which I heard.

NOTES:

1. Non-return: Elimination of re-birth.

2. These two statements are repeated in each itivuttaka.

3. The bad destinations: rebirth in hell, as a hungry ghost, as an angry demon, or as a common animal. As with the good destinations—rebirth as a human being, in heaven, or in the Brahma(Archangel) worlds—these states are impermanent and dependent on kamma(karma,actions).

4. Vipassino - Those who are insightfully vigilant (with equanimity). This refers to the insight meditation called 'Vipassana' taught by Buddha in which a person is supposed to watch inner phenomenon (body+mind+emotions+sensations) with detachment (samata/equanimity) leading to their calming down,  self-awakening & enlightenment.