1 ToKevatta KevattaSutta(DighaNikaya11) INTRODUCTION Thisdiscourse(alsoknownastheKevaddhaSutta)discussestheroleofmiraclesand conversationswithheavenlybeingsasapossiblebasisforfaithandbelief.Whilenot denyingtherealityofsuchexperiences,theBuddhapointsoutthatofallpossible miraclesonlythemiracleofinstructioninthepropertrainingofthemindisreliable.As forheavenlybeings,theyaresubjecttogreed,anger,anddelusion,andsothe informationtheygiveespeciallywithregardtothemiracleofinstructionisnot necessarilytrustworthy.Thustheonlyvalidbasisforfaithistheinstructionthat,when followed,bringsabouttheendofonesownmentaldefilements. ThetaleconcludingthediscourseisoneofthefinestexamplesoftheearlyBuddhist senseofhumor.

ofhumor. *** IhaveheardthatononeoccasiontheBlessedOnewasstayingatNalandain Pavarikasmangogrove.ThenKevattathehouseholderapproachedtheBlessed Oneand,onarrival,havingboweddown,sattooneside.Ashewassittingthere hesaidtotheBlessedOne:Venerablesir,thisNalandaispowerful,both prosperousandpopulous,filledwithpeoplewhohavefaithintheBlessedOne. ItwouldbegoodiftheBlessedOneweretodirectamonktodisplayamiracleof psychicpowerfromhissuperiorhumanstatesothatNalandawouldtoaneven greaterextenthavefaithintheBlessedOne. Whenthiswassaid,theBlessedOnesaidtoKevattathehouseholder, Kevatta,Idontteachthemonksinthisway:Come,monks,displaya miracleofpsychicpowertothelaypeoplecladinwhite. Asecondtime....Athirdtime,KevattathehouseholdersaidtotheBlessed One:IwontarguewiththeBlessedOne,butItellyou:Venerablesir,this Nalandaispowerful,bothprosperousandpopulous,filledwithpeoplewho havefaithintheBlessedOne.ItwouldbegoodiftheBlessedOneweretodirect amonktodisplayamiracleofpsychicpowerfromhissuperiorhumanstateso thatNalandawouldtoanevengreaterextenthavefaithintheBlessedOne.

2 Athirdtime,theBlessedOnesaidtoKevattathehouseholder,Kevatta,I dontteachthemonksinthisway:Come,monks,displayamiracleofpsychic powertothelaypeoplecladinwhite. Kevatta,therearethesethreemiraclesthatIhavedeclared,havingdirectly knownandrealizedthemformyself.Whichthree?Themiracleofpsychicpower, themiracleoftelepathy,andthemiracleofinstruction. TheMiracleofPsychicPower Andwhatisthemiracleofpsychicpower?Thereisthecasewhereamonk wieldsmanifoldpsychicpowers.Havingbeenonehebecomesmany;having beenmanyhebecomesone.Heappears.Hevanishes.Hegoesunimpeded throughwalls,ramparts,andmountainsasifthroughspace.Hedivesinandout oftheearthasifitwerewater.Hewalksonwaterwithoutsinkingasifitwere dryland.Sittingcrossleggedhefliesthroughtheairlikeawingedbird.Withhis handhetouchesandstrokeseventhesunandmoon,somightyandpowerful. HeexercisesinfluencewithhisbodyevenasfarastheBrahmaworlds. Thensomeonewhohasfaithandconvictioninhimseeshimwielding manifoldpsychicpowers...exercisinginfluencewithhisbodyevenasfarasthe Brahmaworlds.Hereportsthistosomeonewhohasnofaithandnoconviction, tellinghim,Isntitawesome.Isntitastounding,howgreatthepower,how greattheprowessofthiscontemplative.JustnowIsawhimwieldingmanifold psychicpowers...exercisinginfluencewithhisbodyevenasfarastheBrahma worlds. Thenthepersonwithoutfaith,withoutconviction,wouldsaytotheperson withfaithandwithconviction:Sir,thereisacharmcalledtheGandharicharm bywhichthemonkwieldedmanifoldpsychicpowers...exercisinginfluence withhisbodyevenasfarastheBrahmaworlds.Whatdoyouthink, Kevattaisntthatwhatthemanwithoutfaith,withoutconviction,wouldsay tothemanwithfaithandwithconviction? Yes,venerablesir,thatsjustwhathewouldsay. Seeingthisdrawbacktothemiracleofpsychicpower,Kevatta,Ifeel horrified,humiliated,anddisgustedwiththemiracleofpsychicpower. TheMiracleofTelepathy Andwhatisthemiracleoftelepathy?Thereisthecasewhereamonkreads theminds,thementalevents,thethoughts,theponderingsofotherbeings,other

3 individuals,[saying,]Suchisyourthinking,hereiswhereyourthinkingis, thusisyourmind. Thensomeonewhohasfaithandconvictioninhimseeshimreadingthe minds...ofotherbeings....Hereportsthistosomeonewhohasnofaithandno conviction,tellinghim,Isntitawesome.Isntitastounding,howgreatthe power,howgreattheprowessofthiscontemplative.JustnowIsawhimreading theminds...ofotherbeings.... Thenthepersonwithoutfaith,withoutconviction,wouldsaytotheperson withfaithandwithconviction:Sir,thereisacharmcalledtheManikacharmby whichthemonkreadtheminds...ofotherbeings....Whatdoyouthink, Kevattaisntthatwhatthemanwithoutfaith,withoutconviction,wouldsay tothemanwithfaithandwithconviction? Yes,venerablesir,thatsjustwhathewouldsay. Seeingthisdrawbacktothemiracleoftelepathy,Kevatta,Ifeelhorrified, humiliated,anddisgustedwiththemiracleoftelepathy. TheMiracleofInstruction Andwhatisthemiracleofinstruction?Thereisthecasewhereamonk givesinstructioninthisway:Directyourthoughtinthisway,dontdirectitin that.Attendtothingsinthisway,dontattendtotheminthat.Letgoofthis, enterandremaininthat.This,Kevatta,iscalledthemiracleofinstruction. ThenthereisthecasewhereaTathagataappearsintheworld,worthyand rightlyselfawakened.HeteachestheDhammaadmirableinitsbeginning, admirableinitsmiddle,admirableinitsend.Heproclaimstheholylifebothin itsparticularsandinitsessence,entirelyperfect,surpassinglypure. Ahouseholderorhouseholdersson,hearingtheDhamma,gains convictionintheTathagataandreflects:Householdlifeisconfining,adusty path.Thelifegoneforthisliketheopenair.Itisnoteasylivingathometo practicetheholylifetotallyperfect,totallypure,likeapolishedshell.WhatifI weretoshaveoffmyhairandbeard,putontheochrerobes,andgoforthfrom thehouseholdlifeintohomelessness? Soaftersometimeheabandonshismassofwealth,largeorsmall;leaveshis circleofrelatives,largeorsmall;shavesoffhishairandbeard,putsontheochre robes,andgoesforthfromthehouseholdlifeintohomelessness. Whenhehasthusgoneforth,helivesrestrainedbytherulesofthemonastic code,seeingdangerintheslightestfaults.Consummateinhisvirtue,heguards

4 thedoorsofhissenses,ispossessedofmindfulness&alertness,andiscontent [fordetails,seeDN2].... AbandoningtheHindrances Endowedwiththisnobleaggregateofvirtue,thisnoblerestraintoverthe sensefaculties,thisnoblemindfulnessandalertness,andthisnoblecontentment, heseeksoutasecludeddwelling:aforest,theshadeofatree,amountain,aglen, ahillsidecave,acharnelground,ajunglegrove,theopenair,aheapofstraw. Afterhismeal,returningfromhisalmsround,hesitsdown,crosseshislegs, holdshisbodyerect,andbringsmindfulnesstothefore. Abandoningcovetousnesswithregardtotheworld,hedwellswithan awarenessdevoidofcovetousness.Hecleanseshismindofcovetousness. Abandoningillwillandanger,hedwellswithanawarenessdevoidofillwill, sympatheticwiththewelfareofalllivingbeings.Hecleanseshismindofillwill andanger.Abandoningslothandtorpor,hedwellswithanawarenessdevoidof slothandtorpor,mindful,alert,percipientoflight.Hecleanseshismindof covetousness.Abandoningrestlessnessandanxiety,hedwellsundisturbed,his mindinwardlystilled.Hecleanseshismindofrestlessnessandanxiety. Abandoninguncertainty,hedwellshavingcrossedoveruncertainty,withno perplexitywithregardtoskillfulmentalqualities.Hecleanseshismindof uncertainty. Supposethataman,takingaloan,investsitinhisbusinessaffairs.His businessaffairssucceed.Herepayshisolddebtsandthereisextraleftoverfor maintaininghiswife.Thethoughtwouldoccurtohim,Before,takingaloan,I investeditinmybusinessaffairs.Nowmybusinessaffairshavesucceeded.I haverepaidmyolddebtsandthereisextraleftoverformaintainingmywife. Becauseofthathewouldexperiencejoyandhappiness. Nowsupposethatamanfallssickinpainandseriouslyill.Hedoesnot enjoyhismeals,andthereisnostrengthinhisbody.Astimepasses,he eventuallyrecoversfromthatsickness.Heenjoyshismealsandthereisstrength inhisbody.Thethoughtwouldoccurtohim,Before,Iwassick....NowIam recoveredfromthatsickness.Ienjoymymealsandthereisstrengthinmy body.Becauseofthathewouldexperiencejoyandhappiness. Nowsupposethatamanisboundinprison.Astimepasses,heeventually isreleasedfromthatbondage,safeandsound,withnolossofproperty.The thoughtwouldoccurtohim,Before,Iwasboundinprison.NowIamreleased

5 fromthatbondage,safeandsound,withnolossofmyproperty.Becauseof thathewouldexperiencejoyandhappiness. Nowsupposethatamanisaslave,subjecttoothers,notsubjecttohimself, unabletogowherehelikes.Astimepasses,heeventuallyisreleasedfromthat slavery,subjecttohimself,notsubjecttoothers,freed,abletogowherehelikes. Thethoughtwouldoccurtohim,Before,Iwasaslave....NowIamreleased fromthatslavery,subjecttomyself,notsubjecttoothers,freed,abletogowhere Ilike.Becauseofthathewouldexperiencejoyandhappiness. Nowsupposethataman,carryingmoneyandgoods,istravelingbyaroad throughdesolatecountry.Astimepasses,heeventuallyemergesfromthat desolatecountry,safeandsound,withnolossofproperty.Thethoughtwould occurtohim,Before,carryingmoneyandgoods,Iwastravelingbyaroad throughdesolatecountry.NowIhaveemergedfromthatdesolatecountry,safe andsound,withnolossofmyproperty.Becauseofthathewouldexperience joyandhappiness. Inthesameway,whenthesefivehindrancesarenotabandonedinhimself, themonkregardsitasadebt,asickness,aprison,slavery,aroadthrough desolatecountry.Butwhenthesefivehindrancesareabandonedinhimself,he regardsitasunindebtedness,goodhealth,releasefromprison,freedom,aplace ofsecurity.Seeingthattheyhavebeenabandonedwithinhim,hebecomesglad. Glad,hebecomesenraptured.Enraptured,hisbodygrowstranquil.Hisbody tranquil,heissensitivetopleasure.Feelingpleasure,hismindbecomes concentrated. TheFourJhanas Quitewithdrawnfromsensualpleasures,withdrawnfromunskillful mentalqualities,heentersandremainsinthefirstjhana:raptureandpleasure bornfromwithdrawal,accompaniedbydirectedthoughtandevaluation.He permeatesandpervades,suffusesandfillsthisverybodywiththeraptureand pleasurebornfromwithdrawal.Justasifaskilledbathmanorbathmans apprenticewouldpourbathpowderintoabrassbasinandkneadittogether, sprinklingitagainandagainwithwater,sothathisballofbath powdersaturated,moistureladen,permeatedwithinandwithoutwould neverthelessnotdrip;evenso,themonkpermeates...thisverybodywiththe raptureandpleasurebornofwithdrawal.Thereisnothingofhisentirebody unpervadedbyraptureandpleasurebornfromwithdrawal. This,too,iscalledthemiracleofinstruction.

6 Then,withthestillingofdirectedthoughtandevaluation,heentersand remainsinthesecondjhana:raptureandpleasurebornofcomposure,one pointednessofawarenessfreefromdirectedthoughtandevaluationinternal assurance.Hepermeatesandpervades,suffusesandfillsthisverybodywiththe raptureandpleasurebornofcomposure.Justlikealakewithspringwater wellingupfromwithin,havingnoinflowfromtheeast,west,north,orsouth, andwiththeskiessupplyingabundantshowerstimeandagain,sothatthecool fountofwaterwellingupfromwithinthelakewouldpermeateandpervade, suffuseandfillitwithcoolwaters,therebeingnopartofthelakeunpervadedby thecoolwaters;evenso,themonkpermeates...thisverybodywiththerapture andpleasurebornofcomposure.Thereisnothingofhisentirebodyunpervaded byraptureandpleasurebornofcomposure. This,too,iscalledthemiracleofinstruction. Andthen,withthefadingofrapture,heremainsinequanimity,mindfuland fullyaware,andphysicallysensitiveofpleasure.Heentersandremainsinthe thirdjhana,andofhimtheNobleOnesdeclare,Equanimousandmindful,he hasapleasurableabiding.Hepermeatesandpervades,suffusesandfillsthis verybodywiththepleasuredivestedofrapture.Justasinalotuspond,someof thelotuses,bornandgrowinginthewater,stayimmersedinthewaterand flourishwithoutstandingupoutofthewater,sothattheyarepermeatedand pervaded,suffusedandfilledwithcoolwaterfromtheirrootstotheirtips,and nothingofthoselotuseswouldbeunpervadedwithcoolwater;evenso,the monkpermeates...thisverybodywiththepleasuredivestedofrapture.Thereis nothingofhisentirebodyunpervadedwithpleasuredivestedofrapture. This,too,iscalledthemiracleofinstruction. Andthen,withtheabandoningofpleasureandstressaswiththeearlier disappearanceofelationanddistressheentersandremainsinthefourthjhana: purityofequanimityandmindfulness,neitherpleasurenorstress.Hesits, permeatingthebodywithapure,brightawareness.Justasifamanweresitting coveredfromheadtofootwithawhiteclothsothattherewouldbenopartofhis bodytowhichthewhiteclothdidnotextend;evenso,themonksits,permeating thebodywithapure,brightawareness.Thereisnothingofhisentirebody unpervadedbypure,brightawareness. This,too,iscalledthemiracleofinstruction. InsightKnowledge,etc.

7 Withhismindthusconcentrated,purified,&bright,unblemished,free fromdefects,pliant,malleable,steady,&attainedtoimperturbability,hedirects andinclinesittoknowledge&visiontocreatingamindmadebodytothe modesofsupranormalpowerstothedivineearelementtoknowledgeofthe awarenessofotherbeingstoknowledgeoftherecollectionofpastlivesto knowledgeofthepassingaway&reappearanceofbeingstotheknowledgeof theendingofthementalfermentations.Hediscerns,asitisactuallypresent,that Thisisstress...Thisistheoriginationofstress...Thisisthecessationof stress...Thisisthewayleadingtothecessationofstress...Thesearemental fermentations...Thisistheoriginationoffermentations...Thisisthecessationof fermentations...Thisisthewayleadingtothecessationoffermentations.His heart,thusknowing,thusseeing,isreleasedfromthefermentationofsensuality, thefermentationofbecoming,thefermentationofignorance.Withrelease,there istheknowledge,Released.HediscernsthatBirthisended,theholylife fulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthisworld.Justasifthere wereapoolofwaterinamountainglenclear,limpid,andunsulliedwherea manwithgoodeyesightstandingonthebankcouldseeshells,gravel,and pebbles,andalsoshoalsoffishswimmingaboutandresting,anditwouldoccur tohim,Thispoolofwaterisclear,limpid,andunsullied.Herearetheseshells, gravel,andpebbles,andalsotheseshoalsoffishswimmingaboutandresting. Inthesamewaywithhismindthusconcentrated,purified,andbright, unblemished,freefromdefects,pliant,malleable,steady,andattainedto imperturbabilitythemonkdirectsandinclinesittotheknowledgeofthe endingofthementalfermentations.Hediscerns,asitisactuallypresent,that Thisisstress...Thisistheoriginationofstress...Thisisthecessationof stress...Thisisthewayleadingtothecessationofstress...Thesearemental fermentations...Thisistheoriginationoffermentations...Thisisthecessationof fermentations...Thisisthewayleadingtothecessationoffermentations.His heart,thusknowing,thusseeing,isreleasedfromthefermentationofsensuality, thefermentationofbecoming,thefermentationofignorance.Withrelease,there istheknowledge,Released.HediscernsthatBirthisended,theholylife fulfilled,thetaskdone.Thereisnothingfurtherforthisworld. This,too,iscalledthemiracleofinstruction. ThesearethethreemiraclesthatIdeclare,Kevatta,havingdirectlyknown andrealizedthemformyself. ConversationswiththeGods

8 Once,Kevatta,thistrainofthoughtaroseintheawarenessofacertain monkinthisverycommunityofmonks:Wheredothesefourgreat elementstheearthproperty,theliquidproperty,thefireproperty,andthewind propertyceasewithoutremainder?Thenheattainedtosuchastateof concentrationthatthewayleadingtothegodsappearedinhiscenteredmind.So heapproachedthegodsoftheretinueoftheFourGreatKingsand,onarrival, askedthem,Friends,wheredothesefourgreatelementstheearthproperty, theliquidproperty,thefireproperty,andthewindpropertyceasewithout remainder? Whenthiswassaid,thegodsoftheretinueoftheFourGreatKingssaidto themonk,Wealsodontknowwherethefourgreatelements...ceasewithout remainder.ButtherearetheFourGreatKingswhoarehigherandmoresublime thanwe.Theyshouldknowwherethefourgreatelements...ceasewithout remainder. SothemonkapproachedtheFourGreatKingsand,onarrival,askedthem, Friends,wheredothesefourgreatelements...ceasewithoutremainder? Whenthiswassaid,theFourGreatKingssaidtothemonk,Wealso dontknowwherethefourgreatelements...ceasewithoutremainder.Butthere arethegodsoftheThirtythreewhoarehigherandmoresublimethanwe.They shouldknow.... SothemonkapproachedthegodsoftheThirtythreeand,onarrival,asked them,Friends,wheredothesefourgreatelements...ceasewithoutremainder? Whenthiswassaid,thegodsoftheThirtythreesaidtothemonk,Wealso dontknowwherethefourgreatelements...ceasewithoutremainder.Butthere isSakka,therulerofthegods,whoishigherandmoresublimethanwe.He shouldknow.... SothemonkapproachedSakka,therulerofthegods,and,onarrival,asked him,Friend,wheredothesefourgreatelements...ceasewithoutremainder? Whenthiswassaid,Sakka,therulerofthegods,saidtothemonk,Ialso dontknowwherethefourgreatelements...ceasewithoutremainder.Butthere aretheYamagodswhoarehigherandmoresublimethanI.Theyshould know........ TheYamagodssaid,Wealsodontknow....Butthereisthegodnamed Suyama....Heshouldknow........ Suyamasaid,Ialsodontknow....Butthereisthegodnamed Santusita....Heshouldknow........

9 Santusitasaid,Ialsodontknow....ButtherearetheNimmanarati gods....Theyshouldknow........ TheNimmanaratigodssaid,Wealsodontknow....Butthereisthegod namedSunimmita....Heshouldknow........ Sunimmitasaid,Ialsodontknow....Buttherearethe Paranimmitavasavattigods....Theyshouldknow........ TheParanimmitavasavattigodssaid,Wealsodontknow....Butthereis thegodnamedParanimmitaVasavatti....Heshouldknow........ SothemonkapproachedthegodVassavattiand,onarrival,askedhim, Friend,wheredothesefourgreatelements...ceasewithoutremainder? Whenthiswassaid,thegodVassavattisaidtothemonk,Ialsodont knowwherethefourgreatelements...ceasewithoutremainder.Butthereare thegodsoftheretinueofBrahmawhoarehigherandmoresublimethanI.They shouldknowwherethefourgreatelements...ceasewithoutremainder.... Thenthemonkattainedtosuchastateofconcentrationthattheway leadingtothegodsoftheretinueofBrahmaappearedinhiscenteredmind.So heapproachedthegodsoftheretinueofBrahmaand,onarrival,askedthem, Friends,wheredothesefourgreatelementstheearthproperty,theliquid property,thefireproperty,andthewindpropertyceasewithoutremainder? Whenthiswassaid,thegodsoftheretinueofBrahmasaidtothemonk, Wealsodontknowwherethefourgreatelements...ceasewithout remainder.ButthereisBrahma,theGreatBrahma,theConqueror,the Unconquered,theAllSeeing,AllPowerful,theSovereignLord,theMaker, Creator,Chief,AppointerandRuler,FatherofAllThatHaveBeenandShallBe. Heishigherandmoresublimethanwe.Heshouldknowwherethefourgreat elements...ceasewithoutremainder. Butwhere,friends,istheGreatBrahmanow? Monk,wealsodontknowwhereBrahmaisorinwhatwayBrahmais. Butwhensignsappear,lightshinesforth,andaradianceappears,Brahmawill appear.ForthesearetheportentsofBrahmasappearance:lightshinesforth andaradianceappears. ThenitwasnotlongbeforeBrahmaappeared. SothemonkapproachedtheGreatBrahmaand,onarrival,said,Friend, wheredothesefourgreatelementstheearthproperty,theliquidproperty,the fireproperty,andthewindpropertyceasewithoutremainder? Whenthiswassaid,theGreatBrahmasaidtothemonk,I,monk,am Brahma,theGreatBrahma,theConqueror,theUnconquered,theAllSeeing,All

10 Powerful,theSovereignLord,theMaker,Creator,Chief,AppointerandRuler, FatherofAllThatHaveBeenandShallBe. Asecondtime,themonksaidtotheGreatBrahma,Friend,Ididntaskyou ifyouwereBrahma,theGreatBrahma,theConqueror,theUnconquered,the AllSeeing,AllPowerful,theSovereignLord,theMaker,Creator,Chief, AppointerandRuler,FatherofAllThatHaveBeenandShallBe.Iaskedyou wherethesefourgreatelementstheearthproperty,theliquidproperty,thefire property,andthewindpropertyceasewithoutremainder. Asecondtime,theGreatBrahmasaidtothemonk,I,monk,amBrahma, theGreatBrahma,theConqueror,theUnconquered,theAllSeeing,All Powerful,theSovereignLord,theMaker,Creator,Chief,AppointerandRuler, FatherofAllThatHaveBeenandShallBe. Athirdtime,themonksaidtotheGreatBrahma,Friend,Ididntaskyou ifyouwereBrahma,theGreatBrahma,theConqueror,theUnconquered,the AllSeeing,AllPowerful,theSovereignLord,theMaker,Creator,Chief, AppointerandRuler,FatherofAllThatHaveBeenandShallBe.Iaskedyou wherethesefourgreatelementstheearthproperty,theliquidproperty,thefire property,andthewindpropertyceasewithoutremainder. ThentheGreatBrahma,takingthemonkbythearmandleadinghimoffto oneside,saidtohim,ThesegodsoftheretinueofBrahmabelieve,Thereis nothingthattheGreatBrahmadoesnotknow.ThereisnothingthattheGreat Brahmadoesnotsee.ThereisnothingofwhichtheGreatBrahmaisunaware. ThereisnothingthattheGreatBrahmahasnotrealized.ThatiswhyIdidnot sayintheirpresencethatI,too,dontknowwherethefourgreatelements... ceasewithoutremainder.Soyouhaveactedwrongly,actedincorrectly,in bypassingtheBlessedOneinsearchofananswertothisquestionelsewhere.Go rightbacktotheBlessedOneand,onarrival,askhimthisquestion.Howeverhe answersit,youshouldtakeittoheart. Thenjustasastrongmanmightextendhisflexedarmorflexhisextended armthemonkdisappearedfromtheBrahmaworldandimmediatelyappeared infrontofme.Havingboweddowntome,hesattooneside.Ashewassitting therehesaidtome,Venerablesir,wheredothesefourgreatelementsthe earthproperty,theliquidproperty,thefireproperty,andthewind propertyceasewithoutremainder? Whenthiswassaid,Isaidtohim,Once,monk,someseafaringmerchants tookashoresightingbirdandsetsailintheirship.Whentheycouldnotseethe shore,theyreleasedtheshoresightingbird.Itflewtotheeast,south,west,north,

11 straightup,andtoalltheintermediatepointsofthecompass.Ifitsawtheshore inanydirection,itflewthere.Ifitdidnotseetheshoreinanydirection,it returnedrightbacktotheship.Inthesameway,monk,havinggoneasfarasthe Brahmaworldinsearchofananswertoyourquestion,youhavecomerightback tomypresence. Yourquestionshouldnotbephrasedinthisway:Wheredothesefour greatelementstheearthproperty,theliquidproperty,thefireproperty,andthe windpropertyceasewithoutremainder?Instead,itshouldbephrasedlikethis: Wheredowater,earth,fire,&wind havenofooting? Wherearelong&short, coarse&fine, fair&foul, name&form broughttoanend? Andtheanswertothatis: Consciousnesswithoutfeature, withoutend, luminousallaround: Herewater,earth,fire,&wind havenofooting. Here long&short coarse&fine fair&foul name&form areallbroughttoanend. Withthecessationof[theactivityof]consciousness eachisherebroughttoanend. ThatiswhattheBlessedOnesaid.Gratified,Kevattathehouseholder delightedintheBlessedOneswords.