Ends Antasutta

At Sāvatthī. Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

“Mendicants, there are these four ends. “Cattārome, bhikkhave, antā. What four? Katame cattāro? The end that is substantial reality, the end that is the origin of substantial reality, the end that is the cessation of substantial reality, and the end that is the practice that leads to the cessation of substantial reality. Sakkāyanto, sakkāyasamudayanto, sakkāyanirodhanto, sakkāyanirodhagāminippaṭipadanto. And what is the end that is substantial reality? Katamo ca, bhikkhave, sakkāyanto? It should be said: the five grasping aggregates. Pañcupādānakkhandhātissa vacanīyaṁ. What five? Katame pañca? That is, the grasping aggregates of form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness. Seyyathidaṁ—rūpupādānakkhandho, vedanupādānakkhandho, saññupādānakkhandho, saṅkhārupādānakkhandho, viññāṇupādānakkhandho—This is called the end that is substantial reality. ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sakkāyanto.

And what is the end that is the origin of substantial reality? Katamo ca, bhikkhave, sakkāyasamudayanto? It’s the craving that leads to future lives, mixed up with relishing and greed, taking pleasure there wherever it alights. That is, Yāyaṁ taṇhā ponobhavikā nandirāgasahagatā tatratatrābhinandinī, seyyathidaṁ—craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, and craving for nonexistence. kāmataṇhā, bhavataṇhā, vibhavataṇhā. This is called the end that is the origin of substantial reality. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sakkāyasamudayanto.

And what is the end that is the cessation of substantial reality? Katamo ca, bhikkhave, sakkāyanirodhanto? It’s the fading away and cessation of that very same craving no residue left behind; giving it away, letting it go, releasing it, and not clinging to it. Yo tassāyeva taṇhāya asesavirāganirodho cāgo paṭinissaggo mutti anālayo—This is called the end that is the cessation of substantial reality. ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sakkāyanirodhanto.

And what is the end that is the practice that leads to the cessation of substantial reality? Katamo ca, bhikkhave, sakkāyanirodhagāminippaṭipadanto? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo. right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. Seyyathidaṁ—sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi. This is called the end that is the practice that leads to the cessation of substantial reality. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sakkāyanirodhagāminippaṭipadanto. These are the four ends.” Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro antā”ti.