• Numbered Discourses 7 Aį¹…guttara Nikāya 7
  • 10. Worthy of Offerings 10. Āhuneyyavagga

Observing Impermanence in the Eye ~

ā€œMendicants, these seven individuals are worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of greeting with joined palms, and are the supreme field of merit for the world. ā€œSattime, bhikkhave, puggalā āhuneyyā …pe… dakkhiṇeyyā aƱjalikaraṇīyā anuttaraṁ puƱƱakkhettaṁ lokassa. What seven? Katame satta?

First, take an individual who meditates observing impermanence in the eye. They perceive impermanence and experience impermanence. Constantly, continually, and without interruption, they apply the mind and fathom with wisdom. Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo cakkhusmiṁ aniccānupassÄ« viharati aniccasaƱƱī aniccapaį¹­isaṁvedÄ« satataṁ samitaṁ abbokiṇṇaṁ cetasā adhimuccamāno paƱƱāya pariyogāhamāno. They realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements. So āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paƱƱāvimuttiṁ diį¹­į¹­heva dhamme sayaṁ abhiƱƱā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati. This is the first individual who is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of greeting with joined palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world. Ayaṁ kho, bhikkhave, paį¹­hamo puggalo āhuneyyo pāhuneyyo …pe… anuttaraṁ puƱƱakkhettaṁ lokassa.

Next, take an individual who meditates observing impermanence in the eye. … Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, idhekacco puggalo cakkhusmiṁ aniccānupassÄ« viharati aniccasaƱƱī aniccapaį¹­isaṁvedÄ« satataṁ samitaṁ abbokiṇṇaṁ cetasā adhimuccamāno paƱƱāya pariyogāhamāno. Their defilements and their life come to an end at exactly the same time. Tassa apubbaṁ acarimaṁ āsavapariyādānaƱca hoti jÄ«vitapariyādānaƱca. This is the second individual who is worthy of offerings … Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyo puggalo āhuneyyo …pe… anuttaraṁ puƱƱakkhettaṁ lokassa.

Next, take an individual who meditates observing impermanence in the eye. … Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, idhekacco puggalo cakkhusmiṁ aniccānupassÄ« viharati aniccasaƱƱī aniccapaį¹­isaṁvedÄ« satataṁ samitaṁ abbokiṇṇaṁ cetasā adhimuccamāno paƱƱāya pariyogāhamāno. With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished between one life and the next. … So paƱcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā antarāparinibbāyÄ« hoti …pe…

With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished upon landing. … upahaccaparinibbāyÄ« hoti …pe…

With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished without extra effort. … asaį¹…khāraparinibbāyÄ« hoti …pe…

With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished with extra effort. … sasaį¹…khāraparinibbāyÄ« hoti …pe…

With the ending of the five lower fetters they head upstream, going to the Akaniį¹­į¹­ha realm. … uddhaṁsoto hoti akaniį¹­į¹­hagāmÄ«. This is the seventh individual. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, sattamo puggalo āhuneyyo …pe… anuttaraṁ puƱƱakkhettaṁ lokassa.

These are the seven individuals who are worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of greeting with joined palms, and are the supreme field of merit for the world.ā€ Ime kho, bhikkhave, satta puggalā āhuneyyā pāhuneyyā dakkhiṇeyyā aƱjalikaraṇīyā anuttaraṁ puƱƱakkhettaṁ lokassÄā€ti.