The Related Discourses

13. Factors of the Noble Path

6 (753). Immortality

1. Thus I have heard:[1] One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī.

2. It was then that a monk named Ariṣṭa went to the Buddha, prostrated at his feet, and withdrew to sit at one side. He said to the Buddha, “Bhagavān, there’s the expression ‘immortal.’[2] What is it that’s called ‘immortal’?”

Buddha told Ariṣṭa, “‘Immortal’ is the name of a realm, but I take it to be the end of the contaminants of existence. That’s a clear explanation of this name.”

3. The monk Ariṣṭa said to the Buddha, “Bhagavān, isn’t there a path and steps to attaining immortality when cultivated and cultivated often?”

The Buddha addressed the monk, “There is. It’s known as the noble eightfold path, which is right view … right samādhi.”

4. After the Buddha spoke this sūtra, the monks who heard what the Buddha taught rejoiced and approved.

Notes

1. This sūtra is partially parallel with SN 45.7{: target="_blank"}, which contains a question about the “deathless” and equates it with the end of desire, anger, and delusion. [back]

2. immortal. C. 甘露, P. amata, S. amṛta. The Chinese translates S. amṛta as ‘sweet dew,’ which was a mythical substance in Chinese legends. Amṛta was probably the inspiration for the Greek myth of ambrosia, as both were the food of the gods that gave them immortality. [back]

Translator: Charles Patton

Last Revised: 10 November 2023