Fire Sermon

The "Ādittapariyāya Sutta" (Pali, "Fire Sermon Discourse") or, more simply, "Āditta Sutta" is a discourse from the Pali Canon, popularly known as the Fire Sermon. [For instance, while the Sinhala SLTP edition refers to this discourse as the [http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=&record=4763 "IAST|Ādittapariyāyasuttaṃ",] the Burmese CSCD edition refers to it as [http://www.tipitaka.org/romn/cscd/s0304m.mul0.xml "IAST|Ādittasuttaṃ".] [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nanamoli/wheel017.html Ñanamoli (1981),] [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn35/sn35.028.than.html Thanissaro (1993)] and other English translators consistently refer to this (or mention its being referred to) as "The Fire Sermon."] In this discourse, the Buddha preaches about achieving liberation from suffering through detachment from the five senses and mind.

In the Pali Canon, the "Adittapariyaya Sutta" is found in the Samyutta Nikaya ("Connected Collection," abbreviated as either "SN" or "S") and is designated by either "SN 35.28" ["SN 35.28" denotes that this discourse is the twenty-eighth discourse in the 35^th group ("IAST|Saḷāyatanasaṃyutta") in the Samyutta Nikaya. (Note that in the Sri Lankan edition of the Canon, the "IAST|Saḷāyatanasaṃyutta" is the 34^th group.) As an example, [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn35/sn35.028.than.html Thanissaro (1993)] uses this designation.] or "S iv 1.3.6" ["S iv 1.3.6" denotes that this is the sixth discourse in third group of ten discourses ("Sabbavaggo") in the fourth book ("Catutthobhāgo") in the Samyutta Nikaya. As an example, [http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=&record=4763 La Trobe University (n.d.)] uses this designation.] or "S iv 19". ["S iv 19" denotes that, in the Pali Text Society edition of the Canon, this discourse starts on page 19 of the fourth volume of the Samyutta Nikaya.] This discourse is also found in the Buddhist monastic code ("Vinaya") at Vin I 35. [La Trobe University (n.d.), Vinaya Pitaka, "Mahavagga", [http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=vinaya%20pitaka&action=next&record=34 BJT p. 72] ; [http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/sbe13/sbe1312.htm Rhys Davids & Oldenberg (1881), the Mahavagga, First Khandhaka,] ch. 21; Bodhi (2005), p. 449, "n". 38; and, Gombrich (1990), p. 16.]

English speakers might be familiar with the name of this discourse due to T. S. Eliot's entitling the third section of his celebrated poem, "The Waste Land", as "The Fire Sermon." In a footnote, Eliot states that this Buddhist discourse "corresponds in importance to the Sermon on the Mount." [Allison "et al". (1975), p. 1042 "n". 9. Eliot concludes "The Fire Sermon" section with: "Burning burning burning burning / O Lord Thou pluckest me out / O Lord Thou pluckest // burning" and associates the identified footnote with the first line represented here ("Burning burning....").]

Background

In the Vinaya, the Fire Sermon is the third discourse delivered by the Buddha (after the Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta and the Anattalakkhana Sutta), several months after his enlightenment, on top of the Gayasisa Hill, near Gaya, India. He delivered it to a thousand newly converted ascetics who formerly practiced a sacred fire ritual (Pali: "aggihutta"; Skt.: "agnihotra"). [ [http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/sbe13/sbe1312.htm Rhys Davids & Oldenberg (1881), the Mahavagga, First Khandhaka,] chs. 15 - 21; Gombrich (1990), p. 16; [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nanamoli/wheel017.html Ñanamoli (1981),] "Introduction"; and, La Trobe University (n.d.), Vinaya Pitaka, "Mahavagga", [http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=&record=33 BJT pp. 70"ff".] ]

The 5^th c. CE post-canonical Pali commentary, "Sāratthappakāsini" (Spk.), attributed to Buddhaghosa, draws a direct connection between the ascetics' prior practices and this discourse's main rhetorical device:::"Having led the thousand bhikkhus [monks] to Gayā's Head, the Blessed One reflected, 'What kind of Dhamma talk would be suitable for them?' He then realized, 'In the past they worshipped the fire morning and evening. I will teach them that the twelve sense bases are burning and blazing. In this way they will be able to attain arahantship.' " [Bodhi (2000), p. 1401, "n". 13.] "

Text

In this discourse, the Buddha describes the sense bases and resultant mental phenomena as "burning" with passion, aversion, delusion and suffering. Seeing such, a noble disciple becomes disenchanted with, dispassionate toward and thus liberated from the senses bases, achieving arahantship. This is described in more detail below. [English based on [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nanamoli/wheel017.html#s3 Ñanamoli (1981)] and [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn35/sn35.028.than.html Thanissaro (1993).] Pali based on La Trobe University (n.d.), Samyutta Nikaya, book 4, [http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=&record=4763 BJT pp. 38] - [http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=sutta%20pitaka&action=next&record=4765 42] .]

After a prefatory paragraph identifying this discourse's location of deliverance (Gaya) and audience (a thousand monks or "bhikkhus"), the Buddha proclaims (represented here in English and Pali):

"Bhikkhus, all is burning." [ [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nanamoli/wheel017.html#s3 Ñanamoli (1981)] .]

"IAST|Sabbaṃ bhikkhave ādittaṃ" [ [http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=sutta%20pitaka&action=previous&record=4763 La Trobe University (n.d.), Samyutta Nikaya, Book iv, BJT p. 38] (retrieved 28 Sep 2007).]

The ensuing text reveals that "all" ("sabba") refers to:
* the six "internal" sense bases ("ayatana"): eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and mind
* the six "external" sense bases: visible forms, sound, smells, tastes, touches and mental objects
* consciousness ("IAST|viññāṇa") contingent on these sense bases
* the contact ("samphassa") of a specific sense organ (such as the ear), its sense object (sound) and sense-specific consciousness.
* what is subsequently felt ("vedayita"): pleasure ("sukha"), pain ("dukkha"), or neither ("IAST|adukkhamasukhaṃ").

By "burning" ("āditta") is meant:
* the fire of passion ("rāgagginā")
* the fire of aversion ("dosagginā")
* the fire of delusion ("mohagginā")
* the manifestations of suffering: birth, aging and death, sorrows, lamentations, pains, distresses and dispairs. [While this discourse does not explicitly use the word "dukkha" to designate what is here called "suffering" (and, in fact, the word "dukkha" is used in the specific physical notion of "pain"), nonetheless the frequently repeated formula for the Buddhist technical notion of "dukkha" is repeatedly stated, translated here as "birth, aging and death, sorrows, lamentations, pains, distresses and dispairs" (Pali: "IAST|jātiyā jarāmaraṇena, sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi").]

According to the Buddha, a well-instructed noble disciple ("sutavā ariyasāvako") sees this burning and thus becomes disenchanted ("nibbindati") with the sense bases and their mental sequelae. The text then uses a formula found in dozens of discourses [For instance, using the search engine at [http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/pali.htm La Trobe University (n.d.),] this formulaic phrase (with varying punctuation) was found in MN 11, MN 147, SN 12.61, SN 22.79, SN 22.95, SN 22.136, SN 35.28, SN 35.29, SN 35.60, SN 35.73, SN 35.74, etc.] to describe the manner in which such disenchantment leads to liberation from suffering:

"Disenchanted, he becomes dispassionate. Through dispassion, he is fully released. With full release, there is the knowledge, 'Fully released.' He discerns that 'Birth is ended, the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for this world.'" [ [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn35/sn35.028.than.html Thanissaro (1993)] .]

"IAST| Nibbindaṃ virajjati virāgā vimuccati, vimuttasmiṃ vimuttamiti ñāṇaṃ hoti, khīṇā jāti, vusitaṃ brahmacariyaṃ, kataṃ karaṇīyaṃ nāparaṃ itthattāyāti pajānātī ti. ' [ [http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=sutta%20pitaka&action=next&record=4765 La Trobe University (n.d.), Samyutta Nikaya, Book iv, BJT p. 42] (retrieved 28 Sep 2007).]

A closing paragraph reports that, during this discourse, the thousand monks in attendance became liberated.

Related canonical discourses

While the central metaphor of burning combined with "the all" (sense bases, etc.) make this discourse unique in the Pali Canon, its core message can be found throughout, condensed and embellished in a number of instructive ways.

"Andhabhūta/Addhabhūta Sutta" (SN 35.29)

The very next discourse listed in the Samyutta Nikaya (SN 35.29) is nearly identical with the Fire Sermon with the significant exception that, instead of the central metaphor of the senses being "aflame" ("āditta"), this next discourse uses a different metaphor. [For instance, see Bodhi (2000), p. 1144; La Trobe University (n.d.), [http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=sutta%20pitaka&action=next&record=4765 BJT p. 42;] and, Vipassana Research Institute (n.d.), [http://www.tipitaka.org/romn/cscd/s0304m.mul0.xml IAST|Saḷāyatanasaṃyuttaṃ.]
Beside the central metaphor, the Fire Sermon and the Andhabhuta/Addhabuta Sutta differ in terms of locale and in regards to whom is being addressed; additionally, the last paragraph in the Fire Sermon (regarding the congregation's gratification, delight and release) is not present in the subsequent discourse.] Bhikkhu Bodhi notes that different editions of the Tipitaka vary as to what this subsequent discourse's central metaphor is: Sinhala editions use the term "andhabhūta" — meaning "figuratively blinded" or "ignorant" — while the Burmese edition and commentary use "addhabhūta" — meaning "weighed down." [Bodhi (2000), p. 1401, "n". 14. Bodhi himself uses the Burmese edition as the basis for his own translation. The translation of "andhabhūta" here is based on Rhys Davids & Stede (1921-25), p. 49, entry for [http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.0:1:1286.pali "Andha".] The translation of "addhabhūta" is from Bodhi (2000), p. 1144. To compare the different editions, see the [http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=sutta%20pitaka&action=next&record=4765 Sinhala SLTP] and [http://www.tipitaka.org/romn/cscd/s0304m.mul0.xml Burmese CSCD] .] Regardless which edition is referenced, both the Fire Sermon and this subsequent discourse, with their seemingly diametric similes of burning and oppressiveness, underline that the senses, their objects and associated mental impressions are unto themselves beyond our complete control and are aversive; and, thus provide the escape of disenchantment, dispassion and release.

"Āditta Sutta" (SN 22.61)

In this discourse, instead of describing the sense bases ("ayatana") as being aflame, the Buddha describes the five aggregates ("khandha") in this manner::"Bhikkhus, form is burning, feeling is burning, perception is burning, volitional formations are burning, consciousness is burning. Seeing thus, bhikkhus, the instructed noble disciple experiences revulsion towards form ... feeling ... perception ... volitional formations ... consciousness .... Through dispassion [this mind] is liberated...." [Bodhi (2000), pp. 904-5. Square brackets are included in the original. In an associated end note to this discourse (p. 1067, "n". 94), Bodhi writes: "This [SN 22.61] is a compressed version of the fuller Āditta Sutta at [SN] 35:28 ...."]

"IAST|Kukkuḷa Sutta" (SN 22.136)

Like the Fire Sermon, this discourse has a central metaphor related to fire — likening our physical and mental apparatus to hot embers (Pali: "kukkuḷa") — and concludes with the well-instructed noble disciple becoming disenchanted with, dispassionate about and liberated from these burning constituents. Unlike the Fire Sermon, instead of using the sense bases and their mental sequelae as the basis for this burning and disenchantment, this discourse uses the five aggregates ("khandha") for the underlying physical-mental framework. [English based on Bodhi (2000), p. 976. Pali based on La Trobe University (n.d.), [http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/tipitika.php?title=&record=4615 SN iii, BJT p. 314.] ]

ee also

*Ayatana - includes description of "the All"
*Dukkha ("suffering")
*Agnihotra - type of fire worship previously performed by this discourse's monks according to the Vinaya
*Gaya, India#Holy Sites in Gaya - includes location where this discourse was reputedly delivered

Notes

ources

* Allison, Alexander W., Herbert Barrows, Caesar R. Blake, Arthur J. Carr, Arthur M. Eastman and Hubert M. English, Jr. (1975, rev.). "The Norton Anthology of Poetry". NY: W.W. Norton Co. ISBN 0-393-09245-3.

* Bodhi, Bhikkhu (tr.) (2000). "The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the IAST|Saṃyutta Nikāya". Boston: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0-86171-331-1.

* Bodhi, Bhikkhu (2005). "In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon". Boston: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0-86171-491-1.

* Gombrich, Richard (1990). "Recovering the Buddha's message," in David Seyfort Ruegg & Lambert Schmithausen (eds.), "Earliest Buddhism and Madhyamaka" (1990). Leiden: E.J.Brill. ISBN 90-04-09246-3. Retrieved 26 Sep 2007 from "Google Book Search" at http://books.google.com/books?id=-mjH2kRdYQoC&pg=PA16&lpg=PA16&dq=agnihotra+pali&source=web&ots=Stq-_qi0OF&sig=B8xJIzesbg4YEvGpaPqMCRYCx3E#PPA5,M1.

* La Trobe University (n.d.), "Pali Canon Online Database," online search engine of Sri Lanka Tripitaka Project's (SLTP) Pali Canon. Retrieved 26 Sep 2007 at http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/dcd/pali.htm.

* Ñanamoli Thera (1981). "Three Cardinal Discourses of the Buddha" (The Wheel No. 17). Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society. Retrieved 26 Sep 2007 from "Access to Insight" (1995) at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nanamoli/wheel017.html.

* Rhys Davids, T.W. & Hermann Oldenberg ("tr.") (1881). "Vinaya Texts". Oxford: Claredon Press. Retrieved 26 Sep 2007 from "Internet Sacred Texts Archive" at http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/sbe13/index.htm.

* Rhys Davids, T.W. & William Stede (eds.) (1921-5). "The Pali Text Society’s Pali–English Dictionary". Chipstead: Pali Text Society. A general on-line search engine for the PED is available at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/dictionaries/pali/.

* Thanissaro Bhikkhu (tr.) (1993). "Adittapariyaya Sutta: The Fire Sermon" (SN 35.28). Retrieved 25 Sep 2007 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn35/sn35.028.than.html.

* Vipassana Research Institute (n.d.), "The IAST|Pāḷi Tipiṭaka - Roman," online hierarchical organization of the IAST|Chaṭṭha Saṅgāyana Tipitaka. Retrieved 28 Sept 2007 from ""The IAST|Pāḷi Tipiṭaka" at http://www.tipitaka.org/romn/.

External links

* [http://www.suttareadings.net/audio/index.html#sn35.028 Fire Sermon read aloud] by Ven. Henepola Gunaratana