[218] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu, in the Nigrodha Park. Now on that occasion a number of bhikkhus were making a robe (cīvara) for the Blessed One, thinking: "When the robe is finished, at the end of the three months the Blessed One will set out on tour." Mahānāma the Sakyan heard: "A number of bhikkhus, it is said, are making a robe for the Blessed One, thinking: 'When the robe is finished, at the end of the three months the Blessed One will set out on tour.'" Then Mahānāma the Sakyan approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, Mahānāma the Sakyan said to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, I have heard this: 'A number of bhikkhus, it is said, are making a robe for the Blessed One, thinking: "When the robe is finished, at the end of the three months the Blessed One will set out on tour."' Venerable sir, for us who dwell in various dwellings, in which dwelling should we dwell?"
"Good, good, Mahānāma! This is fitting for you clansmen, that you should approach the Tathāgata and ask: 'Venerable sir, for us who dwell in various dwellings, in which dwelling should we dwell?' One with faith (saddhā) succeeds, Mahānāma, not one without faith; one of aroused energy (vīriya) succeeds, not one who is lazy; one with mindfulness (sati) established succeeds, not one of muddled mindfulness; one who is concentrated succeeds, not one unconcentrated; one who is wise succeeds, not one unwise. Having established yourself in these five qualities, Mahānāma, you should further develop six things.
Here, Mahānāma, you should recollect the Tathāgata: 'Thus indeed is that Blessed One: an arahant, fully self-enlightened, perfect in true knowledge (vijjā) and conduct, the Well-Gone (sugata), knower of the world, unsurpassed trainer of persons to be tamed, teacher of devas and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One.' On whatever occasion, Mahānāma, a noble disciple recollects the Tathāgata, on that occasion his mind (citta) is not obsessed by lust, not obsessed by hatred, not obsessed by delusion; on that occasion his mind is straight indeed, based on the Tathāgata. A noble disciple whose mind is straight, Mahānāma, gains inspiration in the meaning, gains inspiration in the Dhamma, gains gladness connected with the Dhamma. In one who is glad, rapture (pīti) is born; in one whose mind is rapturous, the body becomes tranquil; one tranquil in body feels pleasure; in one who feels pleasure the mind becomes concentrated (samādhi). This one, Mahānāma, is called a noble disciple who among a people gone astray dwells having attained evenness, who among a people given to ill will (byāpāda) dwells free of ill will; having entered the stream of the Dhamma, he develops the recollection of the Buddha.
Furthermore, Mahānāma, you should recollect the Dhamma: 'The Dhamma is well proclaimed by the Blessed One, to be seen for oneself, timeless, inviting one to come and see, onward-leading, to be personally experienced by the wise.' On whatever occasion, Mahānāma, a noble disciple recollects the Dhamma, on that occasion his mind is not obsessed by lust, not obsessed by hatred, not obsessed by delusion; on that occasion his mind is straight indeed, based on the Dhamma. A noble disciple whose mind is straight, Mahānāma, gains inspiration in the meaning, gains inspiration in the Dhamma, gains gladness connected with the Dhamma. In one who is glad, rapture is born; in one whose mind is rapturous, the body becomes tranquil; one tranquil in body feels pleasure; in one who feels pleasure the mind becomes concentrated. This one, Mahānāma, is called a noble disciple who among a people gone astray dwells having attained evenness, who among a people given to ill will dwells free of ill will; having entered the stream of the Dhamma, he develops the recollection of the Dhamma.
Furthermore, Mahānāma, you should recollect the Saṅgha: 'The Saṅgha of the Blessed One's disciples is of good conduct; the Saṅgha of the Blessed One's disciples is of upright conduct; the Saṅgha of the Blessed One's disciples is of right conduct; the Saṅgha of the Blessed One's disciples is of proper conduct — that is, the four pairs of persons, the eight types of individuals; this Saṅgha 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.' On whatever occasion, Mahānāma, a noble disciple recollects the Saṅgha, on that occasion his mind is not obsessed by lust, not obsessed by hatred, not obsessed by delusion; on that occasion his mind is straight indeed, based on the Saṅgha. A noble disciple whose mind is straight, Mahānāma, gains inspiration in the meaning, gains inspiration in the Dhamma, gains gladness connected with the Dhamma. In one who is glad, rapture is born; in one whose mind is rapturous, the body becomes tranquil; one tranquil in body feels pleasure; in one who feels pleasure the mind becomes concentrated. This one, Mahānāma, is called a noble disciple who among a people gone astray dwells having attained evenness, who among a people given to ill will dwells free of ill will; having entered the stream of the Dhamma, he develops the recollection of the Saṅgha.
Furthermore, Mahānāma, you should recollect your own virtues (sīla): 'unbroken, untorn, unblemished, unmottled, freeing, praised by the wise, ungrasped, conducive to concentration.' On whatever occasion, Mahānāma, a noble disciple recollects virtue, on that occasion his mind is not obsessed by lust, not obsessed by hatred, not obsessed by delusion; on that occasion his mind is straight indeed, based on virtue. A noble disciple whose mind is straight, Mahānāma, gains inspiration in the meaning, gains inspiration in the Dhamma, gains gladness connected with the Dhamma. In one who is glad, rapture is born; in one whose mind is rapturous, the body becomes tranquil; one tranquil in body feels pleasure; in one who feels pleasure the mind becomes concentrated. This one, Mahānāma, is called a noble disciple who among a people gone astray dwells having attained evenness, who among a people given to ill will dwells free of ill will; having entered the stream of the Dhamma, he develops the recollection of virtue.
Furthermore, Mahānāma, you should recollect your own generosity (cāga): 'It is truly a gain for me, truly well gained by me, that among a people obsessed by the stain of stinginess I dwell at home with a mind free of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, delighting in relinquishment, responsive to requests, delighting in giving and sharing.' On whatever occasion, Mahānāma, a noble disciple recollects generosity, on that occasion his mind is not obsessed by lust, not obsessed by hatred, not obsessed by delusion; on that occasion his mind is straight indeed, based on generosity. A noble disciple whose mind is straight, Mahānāma, gains inspiration in the meaning, gains inspiration in the Dhamma, gains gladness connected with the Dhamma. In one who is glad, rapture is born; in one whose mind is rapturous, the body becomes tranquil; one tranquil in body feels pleasure; in one who feels pleasure the mind becomes concentrated. This one, Mahānāma, is called a noble disciple who among a people gone astray dwells having attained evenness, who among a people given to ill will dwells free of ill will; having entered the stream of the Dhamma, he develops the recollection of generosity.
Furthermore, Mahānāma, you should recollect the deities: 'There are the devas of the realm of the Four Great Kings (Cātummahārājikā); there are the Tāvatiṃsa devas; there are the Yāma devas; there are the Tusita devas; there are the devas who rejoice in their own creations (Nimmānaratī); there are the devas who lord over the creations of others (Paranimmitavasavattī); there are the devas of Brahmā's retinue; there are devas higher than these. Such faith as those deities were endowed with when, passing away from here, they were reborn there — such faith is found in me too. Such virtue as those deities were endowed with when, passing away from here, they were reborn there — such virtue is found in me too. Such learning (suta) as those deities were endowed with when, passing away from here, they were reborn there — such learning is found in me too. Such generosity as those deities were endowed with when, passing away from here, they were reborn there — such generosity is found in me too. Such wisdom as those deities were endowed with when, passing away from here, they were reborn there — such wisdom is found in me too.' On whatever occasion, Mahānāma, a noble disciple recollects the faith, virtue, learning, generosity, and wisdom of himself and of those deities, on that occasion his mind is not obsessed by lust, not obsessed by hatred, not obsessed by delusion; on that occasion his mind is straight indeed, based on the deities. A noble disciple whose mind is straight, Mahānāma, gains inspiration in the meaning, gains inspiration in the Dhamma, gains gladness connected with the Dhamma. In one who is glad, rapture is born; in one whose mind is rapturous, the body becomes tranquil; one tranquil in body feels pleasure; in one who feels pleasure the mind becomes concentrated. This one, Mahānāma, is called a noble disciple who among a people gone astray dwells having attained evenness, who among a people given to ill will dwells free of ill will; having entered the stream of the Dhamma, he develops the recollection of the deities."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.