Contents

Translator's Preface..........7
1 Foreword to the Samaññaphala Sutta............13
The Samaññaphala Sutta in brief 14 Monastic Benefits open to all
16 • Why the monastic life is most noble 17 • The Importance of the
Samaññaphala Sutta 18
2 Background to the Samaññaphala Sutta...........23
Magadha and King Bimbisāra 23 • Devadatta: The jealous one 24 • Ajätasattu
commits parricide 25 • Ajätasattu wonders about the point of being a monk 27
3 Seeking Audience with the Buddha at Ambavana.........29
King Ajätasattu wishes audience with the Buddha 30 • Jivaka praises
the Buddha 31 • The procession 32 • Evil doers are wont to suspicion 33
4 Questions on the mind of King Ajatasattu...........35
The question of the fruits of monkhood 35 • The responses of the
contemporary teachers 36 • Beliefs contemporary to the Buddha 38
• Positive Backlash of Extreme Evil 40
5 Elementary Fruits of True Monkhood................................43
Elementary Fruit #1: Being able to elevate one's social status 45 •
Elementary Fruit #2: Being offered respect, honour and offerings 46
• The Buddha announces the Nine Virtues of Buddhahood 47 • The
Importance of announcing the Qualities of the Buddha 47
6 The Virtues that bring a monk to Purity.....................49
Insight into the purpose of ordination 49 • Elementary Conduct of a monk 51
• Restraint according to the monastic code of conduct 52 • Being of good conduct
and respecting the haunts 52 • Conduct 52 • Haunts 53 • Seeing Danger even
in small things 55 • Following monastic rules 55 • Right Livelihood 56 •
Endowed with Self-discipline 60• Elementary Training in Self-Discipline 60
• Intermediate Training in Self-Discipline 62 • Greater Training in Self-
Discipline 64 • Restraint of the Senses 65• Mindfulness and Self-possession
67 • Contentment 69
7 Intermediate Fruits of True Monkhood.............75
The Five Hindrances 76 • Definition of meditation 78 • Characteristics
of the Mind 78 • Complete definition of meditation 79 • The
Absorptions 80 • Different ways of classifying meditation 83
8 Higher Fruits of True Monkhood............87
Attaining the Path and Fruit of Nirvana 87 • Higher Fruit #1: Insight
Knowledge 88 • Higher Fruit #2: Mental Powers 89 • Higher Fruit
#3: Miraculous Powers 90 • Higher Fruit #4: Angelic Ear 91 • Higher
Fruit #5: Mind Reading 92 • Higher Fruit #6: Recollection of One's
Previous Lives 93 • Higher Fruit #7: Recollection of Others' Previous
Lives 94 • Higher Fruit #8: Knowledge of an End of Defilements 96
9 Conclusions.............. 101
The characteristics of a good Buddhist monk 101 • Characteristics
of a monk not worthy of respect 103 • Conduct of householders
towards monk's community 105 • Man's aim in life 107 • Associating
with fools has the retribution of falling into hell 111 • Associating
with the wise gives the opportunity to attain Nirvana 113 • Demerit
in the mind diluted by merit 116 Society can be reformed only be
reforming human nature 118 • Factors in becoming a good person
119 • Instilling virtues in children is an important parental duty
123 • Confession of mistakes is a necessity 127 • Youth training
needs parental co-operation 130 • Standards of human quality 136
• The cause behind the arising of a new religious teacher 138
Appendix A: General .................................................... 143
Appendix B: Reference Table of Pali Terms...................157
Appendix C: Author Biodata................173
Appendix D: How to Meditate..............175
Acknowledgements................182
Abbreviations............................183
Dhammakaya Centres Worldwide........184
Contributors..........................185

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