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Uṇṇābha

A brahmin. He once visited the Buddha at Sāvatthi and asked him whether the five sense-faculties (indriyāni), which were of different scope and range, had any common ground of resort (paṭisarana). The Buddha replies that the mind is their common resort and, in answer to further questions, explains that there is nothing beyond nibbāna; that the holy life has nibbāna for its ending.

When the brahmin, greatly pleased with the Buddha’s teaching, goes away, the Buddha tells the monks that Uṇṇābha has become a Non-returner and would, therefore, after death, no longer return to this world (S.v.217 f).

1. Uṇṇabhabrāhmaṇa Sutta.– The brahmin Uṇṇābha visits the Buddha at Sāvatthi and says that the five sense faculties each have their own resort and domain, but do they have a common resort and domain? The Buddha replies that the mind is their common resort and domain. The mind has mindfulness as its resort, mindfulness has liberation as its resort, liberation has nibbāna as it’s resort.

After Uṇṇabha leaves, the Buddha tells the monks that he has gained Non-returning. S.v.217 f.

2. Uṇṇabhabrāhmaṇa Sutta.– The brahmin Uṇṇābha visits Ānanda at the Ghositārāma and questions him. Ānanda tells him that the life of a recluse has for its object the abandonment of desire and that this is brought about by the cultivation of the four bases of success (iddhipāda). That would be a task without end, says Uṇṇābha; but Ānanda proves to him that once the purpose is accomplished, there remains nothing more to do. Uṇṇābha accepts Ānanda as his teacher. S.v.271 f.