I have heard that on one occasion Ven. Anuruddha was dwelling among the Kosalans in a forest thicket. |
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Now at that time, a devata from the retinue of the heaven of the Thirty-three named Jalini, one of Ven. Anuruddha's former consorts, went to him and, on arrival, addressed him with this verse: |
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Direct your mind to where you used to live, among the devas of the Thirty-three, empowered with all sensual pleasures. Honored, surrounded by deva maidens, you will shine. [Ven. Anuruddha:] They've gone astray, deva maidens established in self-identity. And they've gone astray, those beings with deva maidens as their aim. [Jalini:] They don't know bliss who haven't seen Nandana, abode of the eminent devas, glorious, of the Thirty-three. [Ven. Anuruddha:] You fool, don't you know the arahants' maxim? — 'How inconstant are compounded things! Their nature: to arise & pass away. They disband as they are arising. Their total stilling is bliss.' Jalini, there is now in deva company no further abode [for me]. With the utter ending of wandering on in birth, there is now no further becoming. |
[Ven. Anuruddha:] [Jalini:] [Ven. Anuruddha:] |
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