22.26 Gratification (1)

SN 22:26 Gratification (1)

Translated from the Pali by John D. Ireland

“Before my Enlightenment, Bhikkhus, when I was not completely enlightened, when I was a Bodhisatta, I thought: What is the satisfaction and misery in regard to the body, and the release from it? What is the satisfaction and misery in regard to feeling … perception … mental activities … consciousness, and the release from them?

“And then, Bhikkhus, this occurred to me: Whatever happiness and pleasure arises dependent upon the body: this is the satisfaction of the body. Whatever there is of impermanence, suffering and changeability in the body: this is the misery of the body. Whatever there is of being rid of desire and attachment, the abandoning of desire and attachment in regard to the body: this is the release from the body.

“Whatever happiness and pleasure arises dependent upon feeling … perception … mental activities … consciousness: this is the satisfaction of consciousness. Whatever there is of impermanence, suffering and changeability in consciousness: this is the misery of consciousness. Whatever there is of being rid of desire and attachment, the abandoning of desire and attachment in regard to consciousness: this is the release from consciousness.

“As long, Bhikkhus, as I did not know satisfaction as satisfaction, misery as misery, and release from the five aggregates of grasping as release from them according to actuality, so long did I not acknowledge that, in the world with its devas, maras, and brahmas with its recluses and brahmanas and mankind with its princes and [ordinary] men, I was not completely enlightened with unequalled and perfect enlightenment.

“But when, Bhikkhus, I knew satisfaction as satisfaction, misery as misery, and release from the five aggregates of grasping as release from them according to actuality—I then acknowledged that … I was completely enlightened with unequalled and perfect Enlightenment.

“And the knowledge and vision arose in me: Unshakable is my liberation of the heart, this is the final birth, there is now no further becoming.”