TMCGSS-76 Sitibhava Sutta (A 6.85, SD 60.9) | Wrong practice and right practice. Piya Tan 250124

The Discourse on the Cool | A 6.85, SD 60.9
(Chakka) Sīti,bhava Sutta The (Sixes) Discourse on Coolness [the Cool State]
Theme: Wrong practice and right practice
Translated & annotated by TAN Beng Sin (Piya Tan) ©2022, 2023
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1 Sutta summary
1.1 WHAT PREVENTS US FROM REALIZING NIRVANA
The Sīti,bhava Sutta (A 6.85) is a typical correlative sutta, that is, it comprises two closely related parts: the 1st usually states something negative or a practice to be avoided [§§1-2], and the 2nd something positive or a practice to be done [§§3-4]. Here, in the 1st part, the Buddha states that one who is caught in 6 unwholesome conditions will not be able to realize “the supreme cool state” (anuttara sīti,bhāva) or nirvana [§2], that is:
(1) one does not restrain the mind when it should be restrained;
(2) one does not exert the mind when it should be exerted;
(3) one does not encourage the mind when it should be encouraged;
(4) one does not look on the mind with equanimity when one should do so;
(5) one is of inferior disposition;
(6) one delights in self-identity.
1.2 THE SUTTA COMMENTARY
1.2.1 Why one does not attain nirvana
1.2.1.1 The Aṅguttara Commentary on A 6.85 explains how to correct the first 4 negative aspects of the Sutta teaching [§2], that is, respectively, as follows:
(1) “The mind is to be restrained by concentration on an occasion of restlessness; (entails practice of the faculty of concentration);
(2) it is to be exerted with energy at a time when it has fallen into sluggishness; (entails practice of the faculty of effort);
(3) it is to be encouraged with concentration at a time when it is dull; (entails practice of the faculty of faith);
(4) it is to be observed with the equanimity awakening factor when it is proceeding evenly; (entailing practice of the faculty of wisdom).” (AA 3:413,14-18)
1.2.1.2 The Sīti,bhāva Sutta (A 6.85) further lists 2 more negative aspects preventing us from gaining nirvana, which are:
unwholesome aspects
(5) one is of inferior disposition (hīnâdhimuttika)
(6) one delights in self-identity (sakkāyâdhirata)
wholesome counterpart
one is of superior disposition (paṇītâdhimuttika)
one who delights in nirvana (nibbānâbhirata)
Neither the suttas nor the Commentaries explain any of these qualities, except for the term paṇītâdhimuttika, “one of superior disposition,” in §4 (5), which is explained in the Aṅguttara Subcommentary as meaning that one is “disposed to, slopes, tends, inclines to the refined, supreme path and fruits” (panīte uttame magga,phale adhimutto ninna,poṇa,pabbhāro, AAṬ:BE 20:146). In other words, the practitioner is thus ready to attain the path or is favourably disposed to the idea.
Hence, we may conclude that its unwholesome counterpart-hīnâdhimuttika-has an opposite meaning, that is, “one with an inferior disposition,” who either is unable to attain the path (even to gain streamwinning) or is not favourably disposed towards the idea. Such a person is likely to degrade the arhats or hold wrong views about the Buddha, the bodhisattva (the historical Buddha before his awakening), and so on, that is, to reject the key early Buddhist teachings on the path of awakening (regarding streamwinning, etc).
1.2.1.3 We can thus see that the teachings of the Sīti,bhāva Sutta cover a number of related practices on how to prepare and train our mind to approach the path of awakening. Now, Item (5) of the negative conditions-“one is of inferior disposition”-refers to neither understanding nor working for the path. The negative item (6)-“one delights in self-identity”-is more specific about the problem here: one is overwhelmed by the 3 spiritual fetters so that one is unable to attain even streamwinning.
1.2.1.4 On the other hand, the positive item (5)-one is of superior disposition-means that one is willing and able to work for the path of awakening. With proper training and practice regarding the 5 spiritual factors, one will be able to progress towards the path. The idea of harmonizing the 5 spiritual factors is in fact hinted at by the first 4 positive qualities.
The additional two positive qualities-those (5) “of superior disposition” and (6) “who delight in nirvana”-refer to the overcoming of the 3 mental fetters (to begin with) so that one is able to attain the path as a streamwinner.
In what follows, we will begin with what the 3 spiritual fetters are and how to overcome them, and how understanding and weakening the 3 unwholesome roots (greed, hatred and delusion) helps us progress on the path.
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