..續本文上一頁ive diligently, and that, for the aim of destroying the taints, they cultivate mindfulness of death ardently.

　　"Therefore, monks, you should train yourselves thus, ”Diligently shall we live and, for the aim of destroying the taints, we shall cultivate mindfulness of death in an ardent way!” Thus, indeed, O monks, you should train yourselves."

　　— AN 8.73

　　7. MINDFULNESS OF DEATH (II)

　　Once the Blessed One was staying in the Brick Hall at Naadikaa. There he addressed the monks as follows:

　　"Mindfulness of death, monks, if cultivated and frequently practiced, brings great fruit, great benefit; it merges in the Deathless, ends in the Deathless. And how, monks, is it cultivated (in that way)

　　"When, monks, the day fades and night sets in... or when the night is spent and the day breaks, a monk should reflect thus: ”Many might be the causes of my death: a snake or a scorpion or a centipede may sting me, and through that I may die. This would be a hindrance to me.[16] Or I may stumble and have a fall; or the food I ate may cause illness; or bile, phlegm, or piercing (pains of body-) gases may upset my health; humans or non-humans may assault me; and through this I may die. That would be a hindrance to me.”

　　"Then that monk should further reflect thus: ”Do I harbor in myself any evil and unwholesome qualities, which are still undiscarded and would be a hindrance to me if I were to die tonight or during the day

　　”

　　"If, on reflection, that monk realizes that those evil, unwholesome qualities are still in him, then he should, with strong resolve, apply all his effort, vigor and exertion, (together with) mindfulness and clear comprehension, for the sake of discarding them.

　　"Just as a man whose turban or hair is on fire will, to extinguish the fire, with strong resolve, apply all his effort, vigor and exertion, (together with) mindfulness and clear comprehension; even so should that monk resolutely apply all his effort... for discarding his evil and unwholesome qualities.

　　"But if, on reflection, that monk realizes that there are in him no such evil and unwholesome qualities that might be a hindrance to him if he were to die tonight or during the day, then he may well feel gladness and joy. By day and night he should train himself in everything that is beneficial.

　　"If, monks, mindfulness of death is cultivated in that way, and is frequently practiced, it will bring great fruit, great benefit, and it will merge in the Deathless, will end in the Deathless."

　　— AN 8.74

　　Notes

　　1.

　　Comy.: If, for instance, a lay devotee sees a monk and immediately, without hesitation offers him a seat and a meal.

　　2.

　　"Fear and blame or fear of an unhappy rebirth" (Comy.); or for appeasing the powerful.

　　3.

　　"Because giving is praised by the Buddha and wise men" (Comy.).

　　4.

　　"By softening the heart of the giver and the recipient" (Comy.). Some of the "ways of giving" mentioned in this and the following text refer specifically to the gift of a meal to monks, but not exclusively so. Some of the items have a general application. In Sri Lanka the Pali word daana (giving, gifts) is commonly used for an alms meal offered to Buddhist monks; but in the Pali scriptures the usage is not restricted in that way. On the subject of giving, see in this Anthology, Part I (Wheel No. 155/158), 28, 53; in Part II (Wheel No. 208/211), 8.

　　5.

　　Dosena, lit.: out of hate. Comy.: "Being angry, one gets hold of what is handy and quickly gives it."

　　6.

　　Mohena. For foolish reasons; or in an unintelligent or absent-minded way.

　　7.

　　Aims at what is low. Comy.: That is, at the low (level of the) five sense-objects.

　　8.

　　Uttari abhaavita.m. Comy.: "His mind has not been developed beyond that, i.e., towards the holy path and fruitions (of stream-entry, etc.)."

　　9.

　　Sub. Comy.: "This is meant to indicate t…

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